Friday, September 20, 2019

World News Briefs -- September 20, 2019 (Evening Edition)

View of the damaged site of Saudi Aramco oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia, September 20, 2019. REUTERS/Hamad l Mohammed

Reuters: Media visit Saudi oil plant damaged in strike blamed on Iran

ABQAIQ, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia on Friday took media on a tour of oil facilities damaged by attacks that Washington and Riyadh blame on Iran, showing melted pipes and burnt equipment, as Tehran vowed wide retaliation if heightened tensions boil over into hostilities.

The kingdom sees the Sept. 14 strikes on its Khurais and Abqaiq facilities — the worst attack on Gulf oil infrastructure since Iraq’s Saddam Hussein torched Kuwaiti oilfields in 1991 — as a test of global will to preserve international order.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday the United States was imposing sanctions on Iran’s central bank over the attack. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the bank was Tehran’s last source of funds.

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MIDDLE EAST

Trump expects Iran sanctions to work; military option would work but should never have to use.

Journalists see heart of Saudi oil industry after attack.

Saudi vows quick recovery despite damage to oil plant.

Saudi Arabia oil attacks: Danger of Mid-East war high, Iraqi PM warns.

Iraq’s stability on the line as US, Iran tensions soar.

Saudi-led coalition launches military operation north of Hodeidah in Yemen. Saudi forces retaliate with airstrikes in key Yemen port city. Saudi-led coalition intercepts explosive-filled boat 'by Houthis'.

Yemen's Houthis propose to Saudi Arabia that both sides halt missile strikes.

Idlib demilitarised zone: Turkey and Russia agree on boundary.

Israel vote deadlock confirmed by near-complete results.

Twitter suspends thousands of fake accounts from UAE.

ASIA

Kiribati cuts ties with Taiwan to switch to China, days after Solomon Islands.

China and US in new ‘cold war’ that is ‘more difficult’ than Soviet-era, says former US Ambassador to China.

China to expand controversial Social Credit System to 33 million companies ahead of 2020.

Chinese journalists to be tested on loyalty to Xi Jinping.

Afghanistan hospital attack death toll soars to 39.

Fraud the main enemy for Afghan election officials.

NKorea welcomes Trump’s call for ‘new method’ in talks.

'Reckless, unlawful': Amnesty accuses Hong Kong police of abuse.

Taiwan dismayed as another Pacific nation switches to Beijing.

Australia PM Scott Morrison meets Trump for White House state dinner.

Indonesia delays plan to ban sex out of marriage and limit other personal freedoms.

AFRICA

Small but rare protest in Cairo after online call for dissent.

U.S. air strike kills eight militants in southern Libya: U.S. military.

Thousands protest in Algiers despite tight security.

Tunisia Islamist party throws weight behind vote frontrunner.

Migrant shooting highlights concern about Libyan coast guard.

Nigeria shuts Action Against Hunger aid group 'for feeding militants'.

Zimbabwe's 'witch-hunt' against opponents.

Zimbabwe doctor is found alive after alleged abduction.

EUROPE

Talks ‘going backwards’ as UK asks EU to keep its proposals secret.

British, EU leaders meet to discuss new Brexit proposal. At least they’re talking: EU, UK push on with Brexit meets.

EU's Tusk to meet UK's Johnson at U.N. next Monday.

Mould-breaking court to shape Britain's Brexit agony.

Germany plans €54bn climate deal amid 500 protests.

Paris police gird for weekend protests over Macron, climate.

Russia oil reserves now worth $1.2 trillion after new discoveries.

Russian actor Pavel Ustinov freed pending appeal.

AMERICAS

Trudeau tries to shift focus from brownface images to gun control.

Trudeau’s support holds after apology for wearing brownface.

Revelers reach gates of Area 51 then peacefully rejoin party.

Trump denies Hillary Clinton claim he sought foreign help for 2020 election.

Trump whistleblower complaint involves Ukraine: report. Trump denies promise that led to formal complaint from intelligence official. 'Someone ought to look into Joe Biden!' Donald Trump slams Democrats over growing whistle-blower scandal saying 'it doesn't matter what I discussed' with Ukraine's president and tries to turn the tables by accusing former VP's son of corruption.

Trump says he's sanctioning Iran's national bank.

NY Fed to pump $75 bn into money markets daily through Oct 10.

Bill de Blasio QUITS long-shot presidential bid after never escaping bottom tier of Democrats and Trump twists the knife: 'NYC is devastated, he's coming home!'.

US expels two Cuban diplomats citing 'influence operations'.

Cubans wait hours in gas lines as fuel crisis bites.

Source says US, El Salvador to sign asylum deal.

Central America's dengue epidemic deadly in Honduras.

Argentine judge orders case involving ex-President Fernandez to trial.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S. kills 8 Islamic State fighters in Libya airstrike.

Al-Shabaab's leader claims the US and Britain are leading an 'invasion' in his first audio message in three years - and condemns 'hostility by Christians against Muslim society'.

U.S. admits to Afghanistan drone strike that killed 30 farmers.

Fighting al-Shabab: US trains elite Somali forces.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Fresh US-China trade worries erase early gains for stocks.

Twitter targets Saudi and Chinese propaganda machines as it closes down thousands of fake news accounts worldwide in an effort to halt state-run manipulation.

Mark Zuckerberg rejects call from US lawmaker to break up Facebook.

Trump administration exempts hundreds of Chinese products from tariffs.

Trade deal between EU, 11 South American nations blocked over Amazon fires.

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