Friday, July 12, 2019

World News Briefs -- July 12, 2019 (Evening Edition)

A man smokes a hookah as he watches Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah speak on television inside a coffee shop in the port city of Sidon, Lebanon July 12, 2019. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho

Reuters: Hezbollah cut down its forces in Syria: Nasrallah

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iran-backed Hezbollah has reduced its forces in Syria as fighting died down though it still has fighters all over the country, its leader said on Friday.

The heavily armed Lebanese Shi’ite movement has played a vital role in the war next door, helping Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reclaim much of the country.

“There are no regions in Syria that we have fully emptied out, but there is no need for the numbers to stay the same,” Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in an interview with Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV.

“We have reduced the forces based on the needs of the current situation.”

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Over 100 fighters killed in clashes in northwest Syria since Wednesday.

Regime air strikes kill 13 civilians in northwest Syria.

UK to step up its military presence in Gulf amid crisis with Iran.

Islamic Revolutionary Guards deny trying to stop UK oil tanker - reports.

Iran calls on Britain to release seized oil tanker immediately.

Iran orders 'foreign powers' to leave the Strait of Hormuz, and says the West is playing a 'dangerous game' over Gibraltar tanker seizure.

Iran Guards say strike 'terrorists' in Iraqi Kurdistan.

U.N. urges Yemen Houthi court to review 30 death sentences.

Fitch downgrades Turkey's debt after central bank chief dismissal.

ASIA

AU envoy: Sudan military, protesters to sign political deal.

Pakistan joins US-led call for Afghan ceasefire, talks.

China imports from US plunge 31% in June amid tariff war.

37 countries defend China over Xinjiang in UN letter.

China warns US ‘not to play with fire’ regarding Taiwan.

China threatens to sanction US over $2.8 billion arms deal with Taiwan.

China and Vietnam in stand-off over Chinese survey ship mission to disputed reef in South China Sea.

Taiwan won’t give in to Beijing as it seeks UN membership, island’s President Tsai Ing-wen says.

Anti-China protests in the Philippines mark third anniversary of Manila’s South China Sea legal victory.

U.N. to investigate Philippine drug war.

Teen suicide bomber kills 6 at Afghanistan wedding.

India aims to become 4th nation to land on moon.

The risk of traveling to every country in Asia, according to the US State Department.

AFRICA

Algerians rally against government, spurred by football triumph.

Sudan crisis: Military council says it foiled a coup attempt. Sudan's ruling military council says coup attempt foiled.

Sudan's military leaders accused of ordering massacre .

South Sudan's Machar says ready for talks with rival Kiir.

Police fire guns during Shi'ite protest in Nigeria capital: witness.

South Africa deploys army to gang-hit Cape Town.

More bodies found in Tunisia migrant ship sinking feared to have killed more than 80.

Single currency hopes to unite West African nations.

DRC opposition figure drops activism for African Bank job.

EUROPE

Dutch leader to visit Trump for talks on trade, defense.

UK counter-terror police probe leak of ambassador’s cables.

700 undocumented migrants occupy Paris's Pantheon memorial complex, forcing tourists to be evacuated, as they demand the right to stay in France. Undocumented migrants storm Pantheon monument in Paris.

Visa and Mastercard may soon exit Russia under draft law — reports.

Catalonia leader to be tried over separatist propaganda during election.

Gibraltar: Two more crew members of seized Iran oil tanker arrested.

Greece recognizes Venezuela's Guaido, in line with EU.

Germans fret about Merkel after shaking episodes.

Eritrean man released from jail in Italian mistaken identity case.

AMERICAS

UN Security Council visits Colombia as peace worries mount.

Acosta exits; Trump’s big Cabinet turnover keeps growing.

U.S. government could 'run out of cash' and default on its debt in just eight weeks says Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Trump confirms immigration raids set for the weekend.

Trump drops census citizenship question, vows to get data from government.

Louisiana military bases brace for Barry as the National Guard steps up.

Acosta out as Trump Labor secretary.

Trump slams tech firms at 'free speech' social media summit.

Mueller testimony likely to be delayed for one week.

Biden, Warren top latest poll of 2020 Democratic field.

Venezuela government, opposition agree to continue talks.

Brazil's President Bolsonaro offers US ambassador job to son.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Hezbollah chief says has reduced fighters in Syria.

EU's Federica Mogherini urges action on terror threat in Sahel.

Albanian police arrest Russian 'Islamic State fighter'.

Find and return German children of IS adherents, rules Berlin court.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Stocks climb to records on hopes for lower interest rates.

$5 bn US fine set for Facebook on privacy probe: report.

India, US resume trade talks as tariffs war heats up.

Int'l Energy Agency expects worldwide oil glut in 2020.

$32m stolen from Tokyo cryptocurrency exchange in latest hack.