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The United Kingdom's Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron have released statements confirming the success of coordinated strikes led by the U.S. in Syria in response to chemical attacks on civilians brought by the Assad regime, and sang the praises of the outcome which destroyed three significant chemical weapons plants. 

The three leaders agreed that the military strikes taken against the Syrian Regime’s chemical weapons sites had been a success.

All three leaders have spoken to each other since the strikes, confirmed a Downing Street spokesperson.

"Following the successful strikes made against the Syrian Regime’s chemical weapons sites earlier today by the UK, France and United States, Prime Minister Theresa May is speaking to a number of her fellow world leaders."

"The PM explained that the action the UK has taken with our American and French allies was limited, carefully targeted and designed to alleviate humanitarian suffering, degrade the Syrian Regime’s chemical weapons capability."

“This is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change. It is about a limited and targeted strike that does not further escalate tensions in the region and that does everything possible to prevent civilian casualties.”

“The facts and the responsibility of the Syrian regime are not in any doubt. The red line set by France in May 2017 has been crossed.”

“Our response has been limited to hitting the capacities of the Syrian regime that permit the production and use of chemical weapons.”

“From today, France and its partners will renew their efforts at the United Nations to allow the establishment of an international mechanism to establish responsibility, prevent impunity and prevent any recurrence by the Syrian regime."

Britain and France tout praises of coordinated strikes in Syria

"The three leaders agreed that the military strikes taken against the Syrian Regime’s chemical weapons sites had been a success."

French President Macron, US President Trump and Britain's Prime Minister May at the G7 Summitt. Photo: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images

World

Airstrikes

Politics

The United Kingdom&#x27;s Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron have released statements confirming the success of coordinated strikes led by the U.S. in Syria in response to chemical attacks on civilians brought by the Assad regime, and sang the praises of the outcome which destroyed three significant chemical weapons plants. <blockquote>The three leaders agreed that the military strikes taken against the Syrian Regime’s chemical weapons sites had been a success.</blockquote><cite>— All three leaders have spoken to each other since the strikes, confirmed a Downing Street spokesperson.</cite>

U.S. and European Union sanctions against Russia have led ExxonMobil to announce Wednesday that it will end "exploration and research joint ventures with Rosneft," an integrated oil company owned by Russia's government, Reuters reports.

Why it matters: The change will result in a $200 million after-tax loss and will end projects throughout Russia, the U.S. and other countries.  

end projects throughout Russia, the U.S. and other countries. 

ExxonMobil will cut ties with Russian oil company after sanctions

The change will result in a $200 million after-tax loss

ExxonMobil logo. Photo: ERIC PIERMONT / AFP / Getty Images

Business

ExxonMobil

Energy

Oil companies

U.S. and European Union sanctions against Russia have led ExxonMobil to announce Wednesday that it will end &quot;exploration and research joint ventures with Rosneft,&quot; an integrated oil company owned by Russia&#x27;s government, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reuters" data-vars-click-url="https://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL2N1QI2EV" data-vars-content-id="ad34cde1-dac9-4b16-bce6-97d571de428e" data-vars-headline="ExxonMobil will cut ties with Russian oil company after sanctions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL2N1QI2EV" target="_blank">Reuters</a> reports.Why it matters: The change will result in a $200 million after-tax loss and will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="end projects throughout Russia, the U.S. and other countries. " data-vars-click-url="http://corporate.exxonmobil.com/en/company/worldwide-operations/locations/russia/about/overview" data-vars-content-id="ad34cde1-dac9-4b16-bce6-97d571de428e" data-vars-headline="ExxonMobil will cut ties with Russian oil company after sanctions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://corporate.exxonmobil.com/en/company/worldwide-operations/locations/russia/about/overview" target="_blank">end projects throughout Russia, the U.S. and other countries. </a>

Ominous forecasts about the impact of climate change serve as the backdrop for the world — led by U.S. lawmakers and companies — to debate big action on the problem, which could upend energy systems and our way of life.

Energy & Environment

The White House has tapped Admiral Harry Harris Jr. to be the next U.S. ambassador to Australia, announced in a statement Friday. 

Admiral Harris is currently the 24th commander of the U.S. Pacific Command and has served as a naval officer in every geographic combatant command over his 39-year career.

Trump nominates ambassador to Australia

Admiral Harris is currently the 24th commander of the U.S. Pacific Command.

Admiral Harry B Harris. Photo: ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP / Getty Images

Global politics

The White House has tapped Admiral Harry Harris Jr. to be the next U.S. ambassador to Australia, announced in a statement Friday. Admiral Harris is currently the 24th commander of the U.S. Pacific Command and has served as a naval officer in every geographic combatant command over his 39-year career.

Vice President Pence announced on Friday at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru that the U.S. would contribute an additional “$16 million in humanitarian aid,” to help Venezuelan refugees, according to the Washington Post.

The details: The money is intended for Venezuelans who have fled the South American country in response to a stark economic downturn in 2013. 1.5 million people have left Venezuela and immigrated to other Latin American countries. Earlier this year, Trump imposed sanctions on 13 "current and former Venezuelan officials" who have been involved with corruption, human rights abuses, or those who are degrading order in Venezuela.

Pence pledges $16 million for Venezuelan refugees

The money is intended for Venezuelans who have fled the South American country in response to a stark economic downturn in 2013.

US Vice President Mike Pence in Lima, Peru. Photo: Manuel Medir/Getty Images

Mike Pence

Latin America and Latinos

Vice President Pence announced on Friday at the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru that the U.S. would contribute an additional “$16 million in humanitarian aid,” to help Venezuelan refugees, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Washington Post" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/pence-announces-16-million-for-venezuelans-who-have-fled-their-country/2018/04/13/d7ab955a-3e91-11e8-955b-7d2e19b79966_story.html?utm_term=.67a15365d90c" data-vars-content-id="eb2f887d-ab6b-4562-bc90-cde0f2d390ea" data-vars-headline="Pence pledges $16 million for Venezuelan refugees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/pence-announces-16-million-for-venezuelans-who-have-fled-their-country/2018/04/13/d7ab955a-3e91-11e8-955b-7d2e19b79966_story.html?utm_term=.67a15365d90c" target="_blank">the Washington Post</a>.The details: The money is intended for Venezuelans who have fled the South American country in response to a stark <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic downturn in 2013" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/venezuelas-economic-collapse-by-the-numbers-1516294208-891b898b-1a1a-425b-87bd-c0b04228d511.html" data-vars-content-id="eb2f887d-ab6b-4562-bc90-cde0f2d390ea" data-vars-headline="Pence pledges $16 million for Venezuelan refugees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/venezuelas-economic-collapse-by-the-numbers-1516294208-891b898b-1a1a-425b-87bd-c0b04228d511.html" target="_self">economic downturn in 2013</a>. 1.5 million people have left Venezuela and immigrated to other Latin American countries. Earlier this year, Trump <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="imposed sanctions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/trump-sanctions-13-venezuelan-officials-1513304459-2082b6cb-a98f-459e-b235-448f67bb16ce.html" data-vars-content-id="eb2f887d-ab6b-4562-bc90-cde0f2d390ea" data-vars-headline="Pence pledges $16 million for Venezuelan refugees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/trump-sanctions-13-venezuelan-officials-1513304459-2082b6cb-a98f-459e-b235-448f67bb16ce.html" target="_self">imposed sanctions</a> on 13 &quot;current and former Venezuelan officials&quot; who have been involved with corruption, human rights abuses, or those who are degrading order in Venezuela.

Ethiopia’s governing coalition has named Abiy Ahmed its new leader and the country's next prime minister, after years of protest and political unrest led to the sudden resignation last month of Hailemariam Desalegn. Ahmed, 42, is the first Ethiopian leader from the Oromo ethnic group, Ethiopia's largest, and has been praised for his "impressive academic and military credentials," per the BBC.

Why it Matters: Ethiopia's economy is East Africa’s largest and one of the world's  fastest-growing, and the country is a U.S. counterterrorism ally. But its progress has been put at risk by deadly ethnic clashes and revolts over mass arrests and alleged human rights violations.

The power struggle between the four ethnically based parties that comprise the coalition.

The political imprisonment of politicians, journalists and bloggers.

The other side: Some critics argue that Ahmed is a party insider and may not enact the reform many anticipate, per the BBC. He served in the military as a Lieutenant Colonel before overseeing cyber-security as the founder and director of Ethiopia’s Information Network and Security Agency.

High hopes and big challenges for Ethiopia’s new leader

Abiy Ahmed will be the East African country's next prime minister

A man reads a newspaper showing the news that Ahmed will become prime minister. Photo: ZACHARIAS ABUBEKER/AFP/Getty Images

Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s governing coalition has named Abiy Ahmed its new leader and the country&#x27;s next prime minister, after years of protest and political unrest led to the sudden <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resignation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/ethiopian-prime-minister-resi-1518710853-ceb85620-ba9b-4b67-9bb4-eaa7f908198c.html" data-vars-content-id="f0746c87-be4a-48c3-a17d-11750066bfe7" data-vars-headline="High hopes and big challenges for Ethiopia’s new leader" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/ethiopian-prime-minister-resi-1518710853-ceb85620-ba9b-4b67-9bb4-eaa7f908198c.html" target="_self">resignation</a> last month of Hailemariam Desalegn. Ahmed, 42, is the first Ethiopian leader from the Oromo ethnic group, Ethiopia&#x27;s largest, and has been praised for his &quot;impressive academic and military credentials,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the BBC" data-vars-click-url="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-43567007" data-vars-content-id="f0746c87-be4a-48c3-a17d-11750066bfe7" data-vars-headline="High hopes and big challenges for Ethiopia’s new leader" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-43567007" target="_blank">per the BBC</a>.Why it Matters: Ethiopia&#x27;s economy is East Africa’s largest and one of the world&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest-growing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/the-worlds-fastest-growing-economy-in-one-of-its-poorest-nations-1516149251-e3310b30-a51e-41a2-9d96-71bc04a0e6ae.html" data-vars-content-id="f0746c87-be4a-48c3-a17d-11750066bfe7" data-vars-headline="High hopes and big challenges for Ethiopia’s new leader" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/the-worlds-fastest-growing-economy-in-one-of-its-poorest-nations-1516149251-e3310b30-a51e-41a2-9d96-71bc04a0e6ae.html" target="_self">fastest-growing</a>, and the country is a U.S. counterterrorism ally. But its progress has been put at risk by deadly ethnic clashes and revolts over mass arrests and alleged human rights violations.

A.B. Brown Jr

Stories

Pence pledges $16 million for Venezuelan refugees

Britain and France tout praises of coordinated strikes in Syria

High hopes and big challenges for Ethiopia’s new leader

ExxonMobil will cut ties with Russian oil company after sanctions

Trump nominates ambassador to Australia