Friday, July 12, 2019

World News Briefs -- July 12, 2019



BBC: Threat level raised to 'critical' for UK ships in Iranian waters

The UK has raised the threat to British shipping in Iranian waters in the Gulf to the highest level - where the risk of attack is "critical".

The step was taken on Tuesday, amid growing tensions in the region.

On Wednesday, Iranian boats tried to impede a British oil tanker in the region - before being driven off by a Royal Navy ship, the MoD said.

Iran had threatened to retaliate for the seizure of one of its own tankers, but denied any attempted seizure.

The Department for Transport said it regularly provided security advice to UK ships in high-risk areas.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

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.

Regime air strikes kill 13 civilians in northwest Syria.

Iran Guards say strike 'terrorists' in Iraqi Kurdistan.

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

ASIA

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

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

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.

Undocumented migrants storm Pantheon monument in Paris.

Eritrean man released from jail in Italian mistaken identity case.

AMERICAS

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

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

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.

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