Friday, July 5, 2019

World News Briefs -- July 5, 2019 (Evening Edition)



CNN: Official warns Tehran could seize UK oil tanker if Iranian ship not released

A former senior commander with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned it would be Tehran's "duty" to seize a British oil tanker if the Iranian tanker being held in Gibraltar is not released.

The vessel was stormed by British Royal Marines and Gibraltar port and law enforcement agencies in the early hours of Thursday morning as it was believed to have been carrying oil to Syria, in possible violation of European Union sanctions.

Mohsen Rezaee, who is currently Secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council -- an advisory body to Iran's Supreme Leader -- tweeted that "if the UK does not release the Iranian oil tanker, our officials are duty-bound to reciprocate and seize a British oil tanker."

Rezaee previously served as commander of the IRGC and it is unclear if he's currently involved in military decision making.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Front line Stalemate: Syrian govt loses hundreds of troops.

Destruction of Syrian refugees' shelters in Lebanon condemned.

Gibraltar detains oil tanker headed for Syria.

Iranian official threatens to seize British oil tanker.


Car bomb blast kills three in Turkey's Reyhanli near Syria.

Turkish President Erdogan says solution possible for Muslims interned in Chinese camps.

Iraq's Babylon listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

ASIA

China denies U.S. accusations of South China Sea missile tests.

10 years after deadly riots, China’s Xinjiang under lockdown.

US races for Taliban deal but Afghan peace further away.

China Muslims: Xinjiang schools used to separate children from families.

A decade after Xinjiang riots, ethnic tensions persist.

China may offer reduced tariffs to push through mega regional trade pact.

'State-in-waiting': Papua's rebels unite against Indonesia rule.

Philippines faces call for UN inquiry into war-on-drugs killings.

Sri Lanka court suspends executions until October 30.

AFRICA

U.N. council pushes Libya truce, tells other countries to stay out.

Landmark trade deal tops African Union summit agenda.

Military, civilians to share power in Sudan until elections in 2022. Sudan's pro-democracy movement, military agree to share power.

More than 80 feared dead after migrant boat sinks off Tunisia.

Congo army evicts illegal miners from Glencore project, sparks protests.

1,000 dead in three-month fight for Libya's Tripoli.

Putin blames NATO for Libya's bombing and destruction, says Russia not obligated to make any effort.

Thousands defy police cordon to protest against Algeria's interim government.

Tunisia bans face veils in public institutions after bombing.

Zimbabwe experiences worst power outages in three years.

Botswana govt to appeal court ruling scrapping anti-gay laws.

EUROPE

Western Balkans seeking accession reassurances from EU

Russians with links to infamous troll farm arrested in Libya.

Resurgent centre-right party poised for victory in Greek election.

Putin says he's ready to start talks with US on arms control.

Pope Francis, Vladimir Putin meeting 'cordial,' Vatican says.

Philip Hammond: MPs will and should stop no-deal Brexit.

Poland, Germany contradict Macron on EU Balkan enlargement.

Italy defiant as two migrant rescue ships try to dock.

UK slavery network 'had 400 victims'.

AMERICAS

US adds solid 224,000 jobs, making Fed rate cut less certain.

Trump praises armed forces, avoids politics in military-style Fourth of July display.

Trump considering executive order on citizenship question for Census.

Biden: I was not prepared for Harris to come at me the way she did on busing.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping discussed detained Canadians at G20, Justin Trudeau says.

U.N. report: Venezuela regime has killed, threatened opponents.

Venezuelan envoy rejects ‘biased’ report at UN rights body.

Maduro shows military might in Independence Day celebration.

Ex-Venezuela spy chief says Maduro ordered illegal arrests.

Mexican police protest against joining new national guard. Mexican police revolt against plans to join National Guard.

Ex-Rio governor: Paid $2M for votes to win 2016 Olympics.

Alaska heat wave shatters temperature record in largest city Anchorage.

U.S. dream pulls African migrants in record numbers across Latin America.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pakistan Army accuses India of 'state-sponsored terrorism'.

South Korean man under investigation for links to Islamic State.

German 'Islamic State' bride jailed for 5 years .

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street dips as rate cut expectations relax.

Fugitive U.S. tech guru: Cryptocurrency is next Cuban revolution.

Trump: US Fed doesn't know 'what they're doing'.

US labour market booms in June.

Tutankhamun bust auctioned for $6m in UK despite Egypt's outcry.