Howdy Australia!! - The US dumps an unnecessary binary choice on the world - Russian mercenaries reportedly are getting involved in Venezuela - The death toll mounts after a dam collapse - And more in your CareerSpot Global News Briefs:

After creating a crisis situation in Venezuela, the US escalated that crisis at the United Nations Security Council, demanding that other nations "pick a side".  US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lectured other nations, "Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you're in league with (Venezuelan President Nicolas) Maduro and his mayhem," a diplomatic move dismissed as "almost childlike" by Venezuela's Foreign Minister.  Russia pushed back, accusing the US of trying to engineer a coup in Caracas; China said outside powers shouldn't interfere in the power struggle between Mr. Maduro and legislative leader Juan Guaido, a US-educated conservative who declared himself president despite the fact that 80 percent of Venezuelans had never heard of him a week ago. 

Officially, Russia says the US and friends must avoid military conflict in Venezuela:  "(The) US has now stated all options are on the table which is dangerous, said Russia's ambassador to United Nations Vassily Nebenzia, "If it evolves into something more military that is even more regretful."  But on the low, there are reports that Russia is sending private military contractors to Venezuela to support the Maduro government.  Contractors with the Wagner group - ex-military who fought in support of Russian forces in Syria and Ukraine - purportedly flew to Cuba, changed to commercial flights, and proceeded to Caracas.  It's believed the mission will be to provide direct security to President Nicolas Maduro.

Major European Powers are giving Nicolas Maduro an ultimatum:  "If within eight days there are no fair, free, and transparent elections called in Venezuela, Spain will recognize Juan Guaido as Venezuelan president," said Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez; France, Germany, and Britain have signed onto that ultimatum as well.  The UK went a step further as the Bank of England has blocked Venezuela from withdrawing US$1.2 Billion worth of its own gold.  London announced it fully backs the US: "We stand shoulder to shoulder with the United States in saying that the National Assembly and its President Juan Guaido are best placed to lead Venezuela to the restoration of its democracy, its economy and its freedom," said UK Minister of State Alan Duncan. 

A US envoy claims there has been "significant progress" in talks with the Taliban in ending violence in Afghanistan.  Zalmay Khalilzad did not give details about the six days of talks in Qatar, but claimed they were "more productive than they have been in the past".  This came a day after Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani stunned the world with the revelation that more than 45,000 members of his security forces have been killed since 2014 - a figure almost 20,000 more higher than the last time they tried to tally the death toll late last year.  "The number of international casualties is less than 72," said President Ghani, "It shows who is doing the fighting."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave no reason for sacking his ambassador to China John McCallum.  It comes as Canada is locked in a diplomatic battle with Beijing after a high ranking Chinese tech executive was arrested in Vancouver, BC on a US warrant.  For some reason, the judge in Vancouver hasn't yet ruled on whether Meng Wanzhou will be extradited to the US to face charges of breaking international economic sanctions on Iran.  This has angered Beijing, which has detained two Canadians in China in alleged retaliation.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari set off international concerns by sacking the country's chief justice weeks before the next election in which he is seeking a second term.  Buhari has blamed the judiciary of stalling his anti-corruption plans, and Judge Walter Onnoghen is facing charges for allegedly failing to declare his personal assets before taking office in 2017.

Hopes are fading for some 300 people missing after a dam collapse at an iron ore mine in Brazil.  At least 34 people are confirmed dead in the disaster near the town of Brumadinho.  "We're likely to just be recovering bodies," said Minas Gerais state governor Romeu Zema, who added that "those involved in this tragedy should be punished".  Vale SA, the mine's owner, says the cause of the collapse is as yet unknown.

You know who's not going anywhere?  France's Yellow Vest protesters, who were out for an eleventh week.

Baby Otter Alert!!  Baby Otter Alert!!  At the Kansas City Zoo, something in the middle of America.