In response to renewed sanctions by the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded 755 American diplomatic staff be cut from Russian missions. This would bring the American staff size to the same as Russia has in the US. President Donald Trump, facing a signing off of sanctions or the wielding of his veto, is stuck between a rock and diplomatic hard place.

Counter-terror raids across Sydney resulted in two fathers and their sons being arrested for a possible plan to bring down an aircraft. The four allegedly plotted to bring a device disguised as a meat mincer on board, which would then either detonate or emit a toxic gas. Either way, the arrests are a major success for Australian police. Definitely a barbeque on the horizon for the police department.

Ten protesters died on Sunday while protesting against Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro’s attempt to disintegrate the country’s constitution. Polling stations holding a vote on the new constitutional assembly were attacked by protesters, and barricades erected in streets. The action elicited a violent response from police, with live ammunition being used.

The barrio made famous for being the film location for the hit song “Despacito” has experienced a massive surge in tourism. Hordes of tourists seeking Despacito film sites in the La Perla settlement has helped create an economic tourism flash point. Although no figures are yet available to indicate how big the surge is, hotel occupancy nearby has risen 6% from 2016.

Weather
BFN: min: 8° max 21°, cloudy
CPT: min: 12° max: 26°,  cloudy
DBN: min: 14° max: 22°, rainy
EL: min: 16° max: 26°, cloudy
JHB: min: 6° max: 17°, sunny
KIM: min: 11° max: 23°, sunny
MHK: min: 8° max: 22°, sunny
NLP: min: 12° max: 21°, cloudy
PMB: min: 9° max: 24°, sunny
PE: min: 17° max: 30°, sunny
PTA: min: 6° max: 20°, cloudy

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