Breaking News, 22nd of July, 2018

The air forces of the international coalition led by the United States carried out air strikes on a «group of civilians» in the east of Syria, SANA reports with a reference to their sources. The attacks were carried out near the city of Es-Sousa in the province of Deir ez Zor. According to the agency — there are »a lot of dead people» among the civilians, as well as wounded. However, the exact number was not specified. The agency’s interlocutors told that the civilians «fled Es-Sousa, located in the suburb of Abu Kemal, and ran towards the desert from the random airstrikes of the coalition, and ISIS terrorists attack.»

The Pentagon supported Donald Trump’s idea to invite Vladimir Putin to Washington this autumn. The military department reminded that the Russian president previously visited the White House. «I think that we need an exchange of views and an honest discussion between the leaders of the two countries. I think it is perfectly normal and practical.» — US Deputy Defense Minister John Rood told to CNN. The official underlined that Russia is an important player in the international affairs, and Vladimir Putin paid a visit to George W. Bush at his home in Texas in the past. Donald Trump’s idea of inviting Putin to the White House was supported by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. However, a number of political elite of the USA attacked Trump with criticism. Particular concern to critics was the fact that Putin’s visit can take place before the next elections in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Donald Trump’s advisers held a special meeting during which they persuaded the president to abandon the words he said at the press conference in Helsinki about non-interference of Russia in the elections of 2016, the Associated Press reports while citing their own sources. The meeting was held in Washington — it was attended by the National Security Advisor John Bolton, the head of staff of the White House John Kelly, and vice president Michael Pence. Their point of view was supported by Defense Secretary James Mattis, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and the most authoritative congressmen. All of them agreed that Donald Trump went too far at the press conference during which he said — «My subordinates — Dan Coates and some others — said that in their opinion it was Russia. President Putin just said that it was not Russia. I will say this: I do not see any reason for it to be Russia». On Tuesday, at a press conference in Washington, Donald Trump abandoned his words, explaining that a particle of «not» had fallen out of his phrase.

In the southern provinces of Deraa and Quneitra, the Syrian government army regained control over 21 settlements, SANA reports today. Some of the terrorists made a truce with the authorities. Others moved to the province of Idlib with their families — Idlib still remains in the hands of terrorists. On Saturday, about 2,800 people moved in buses to this region in the north-west of Syria. At the moment the preparations are being made for the withdrawal of the terrorists of the Jabhat al-Nusra group from the city of Nava, west of Deraa. Their relocation to Idlib might begin in the next few hours.

An unknown person took the customers of »Trader Joe’s» store as hostages on Saturday in Los Angeles (California). The incident began with a shooting — the suspect opened fire on his grandmother and girlfriend at the other end of the city. The police have tried to detain him, but the suspect attempted to escape from the police in a minibus. During the following chase, the suspect opened fire on police officers. A wounded woman was found later in the car. The car itself got into an accident, and the driver left it and went into the store. At the moment when the suspect broke into the building — the store was full of customers. Several customers of »Trader Joe’s» have managed to quickly get out of the windows and descend to the ground on ropes. At this point, the suspect who once had the hostages, have surrendered to the authorities. He left the building with four hostages — the police sent the criminal to the ambulance since he was wounded in the left arm. The name of the suspect and the motives of his actions are not disclosed.