Venezuela’s Maduro extends emergency economic measures

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah says foreign-backed terrorist groups were behind the killing of its senior military commander in Syria. Hezbollah says Mustafa Badreddine was killed in a shelling by Takfiri groups near the Damascus airport. The commander was in Syria to assist the government against terror groups.
   
• A Turkish opposition lawmaker says Ankara has ignored Daesh presence and activity on its territory despite knowing precisely where the terrorists were located. Eren Erdem of the Republican People's Party told the parliament that police had extensive intelligence about the terrorists, but were pressured by the government not to act.
   
• Russian President Vladimir Putin warns that Moscow will act to neutralize threats posed by a US missile system in Europe. Putin said the US missile system in Romania threatens global security. Putin said the system is aimed at blunting Russia's nuclear arsenal.
   
• Supporters of Brazil's suspended President Dilma Rousseff have gathered in Rio de Janeiro to protest the Senate's decision to temporarily remove her from office. The protesters chanted slogans in favor of Rousseff, demanding her return to the presidential office. They accused the opposition of staging a coup against Rousseff.
   
• A powerful explosion has hit a Chevron oil pipeline in Nigeria's restive Delta region, forcing the American multinational energy corporation to close the facility. Last week, another Chevron platform as well as Anglo-Dutch multinational firm 'Shell' were also forced to leave the region following militant threats.
   
• Moody's Investors Service has cut its ratings for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman amid low oil prices. Saudi Arabia’s long-term rating has been downgraded to A1. The oil-dependent kingdom announced last month a major plan to diversify its economy amid the crude crisis.
   
• Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has extended emergency powers to deal with the spiraling economic crisis. Venezuelans are struggling with shortages of basic goods as the economy suffers from the fall in oil prices. Maduro says his government is the victim of a US-led economic war.
   
• A prominent US pharmaceutical company has taken steps to block its drugs from being used in executions in prisons. Pfizer strongly objects to the use of its products in the lethal injection process. It says its drugs are only meant to save the lives of patients.

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