World News Briefs -- August 14, 2019

BBC: China describes Hong Kong protests as 'near terrorism'

China has condemned violent clashes in the Hong Kong protests as "behaviour that is close to terrorism" - in a sign of its rhetoric hardening.

After days of peaceful protests at Hong Kong International Airport, clashes with police broke out on Tuesday night.

Video showed an officer drawing his gun on protesters who beat him with his own truncheon during the disturbance.

It is the second time in a week that Chinese officials have publicly likened the protests to terrorist activity.

Some observers believe that the repeated use of such language suggests that China is losing patience with the protesters, and could increase the likelihood of an intervention from Beijing.

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MIDDLE EAST

Heavy clashes breakout between Syrian Army troops and Turkish-backed rebels in east Aleppo.

Syrian army reaches near major rebel bastion in Idlib. Regime forces advance towards key town in northwest Syria.

'Scores' killed in Yemen as UAE-backed fighters seize parts of Aden.

Iran warns that small but growing U.S. naval coalition in Strait of Hormuz raises the "risk of combustion".

Blast strikes military base in Baghdad.

Iran's Khamenei meets Yemen rebels after blow for Saudi coalition.

Kameel Ahmady: British-Iranian academic 'arrested in Iran'.

ASIA

Hong Kong police fire tear gas as anti-government protesters gather outside Sham Shui Po station, pointing laser beams and chanting ‘black cops’ and ‘return the eye’.

Protests and trade war wipe $50 billion off Hong Kong real estate stocks.

China-US talks held by top diplomats Yang Jiechi and Mike Pompeo amid Hong Kong spat.

Pakistan summons Indian diplomat amid heavy firing at border.

Pakistan asks U.N. Security Council to meet on Kashmir crisis.

Kashmir: Pakistan's Khan vows to 'fight until the end'.

Manila asks China to explain warships in PI waters.

Chinese survey ship returns to disputed waters claimed by Vietnam.

Korean wartime forced laborers still seeking apology, reparations from Japan.

India floods, landslides kill more than 270.

AFRICA

Suicide bomber 'kills 6' in Chad; including soldier.

Car bombs shake Somali military base, deaths reported.

Chad's President blames Libya and neighbors for tribal clashes in country, deploys 15,000 troops to border.

C.Africa militias abuse peace deal to tighten grip, say experts.

Fears of fresh unrest as Zimbabwe’s opposition plan protests.

S.Africa's show of force in Cape Town ganglands brings little relief.

Toll from Tanzania fuel truck blast rises to 82: hospital.

Malawi court sentences three to death over albino killing.

EUROPE

Moscow court ruling won't end the growing protests in Putin's Russia, analysts say.

No chance of US-UK deal if Northern Ireland peace at risk – Pelosi.

Kremlin says spies watching Russian scientists '24/7'.

German economy shrinks, now 1 step from new recession.

In new migrant standoff, Italy's Salvini blocks two NGO boats.

Denmark mulls tighter border checks with Sweden after Copenhagen bombing.

Climate change poster girl Greta Thunberg, 16, sets sail for New York in two-week Atlantic crossing to attend UN global warming conference.

AMERICAS

Jeffrey Epstein accuser Jennifer Araoz sues Ghislaine Maxwell, 3 Epstein staffers.

Democratic contenders unload on news media.

FBI investigating after shots fired at ICE offices in San Antonio.

President-elect says Guatemala can't do migrant deal with US.

Argentina's Macri unveils economic 'relief' measures after poll shock.

Colombia sees new migrant wave from Venezuela amid US sanctions.

Thousands protest in Brazil against Bolsonaro's education cuts.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Shabab attacks Somali military base; casualties reported.

Iraq rejects Pentagon’s report claiming 14,000 ISIS fighters’ present in Iraq, Syria.

FBI seeking to question alleged al-Qaeda operative in Brazil.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

5 of the world's biggest economies are at risk of recession.

From Samsung to Swarovski, big brands face backlash in China.

Ex-Fed boss Greenspan says ‘there is no barrier’ to Treasury yields falling below zero.