Tuesday, August 20, 2019

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

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a meeting of the UN Security Council at UN headquarters in New York, U.S., August 20, 2019. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Reuters: U.S. will act if Iranian tanker tries to deliver oil to Syria: Pompeo

UNITED NATIONS/ATHENS (Reuters) - The United States will take every action it can to prevent an Iranian tanker sailing in the Mediterranean from delivering oil to Syria in contravention of U.S. sanctions, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned on Tuesday.

Greece said earlier in the day that it had not had a request from the Adrian Darya 1, the vessel at the center of a dispute between Iran and the United States, to dock at one of its ports, as Washington warned Greece against helping the vessel.

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MIDDLE EAST

Pompeo warns of 'new turmoil' if U.N. arms embargo on Iran lifted in 2020.

Syria's war: Rebels withdraw from Idlib's Khan Sheikhoun. Rebels withdraw in key Syrian town as pro-Assad troops advance.

Yemen's Houthis down U.S. drone in Dhamar governorate: spokesman.

Yemen separatists drive out govt troops from two camps in south.

Turkey says it will not move military observation post in Syria.

Syrian migrants in Turkey face deadline to leave Istanbul.

Iran says foreign minister Zarif to visit Macron in France.

Top Iranian official: We should never have signed Obama-era nuclear deal.

Iran rejects appeal against UK resident's 10-year jail sentence.

ASIA

US envoy to resume talks with Taliban on ending Afghan war.

Hong Kong’s leader vows to narrow rifts, but no specifics.

Beijing won’t make trade concessions if US plays Hong Kong card, Chinese state media says.

China steps up threats to Hong Kong protesters.

Chinese Government voices support for counter Hong Kong protests in Australia.

Report: China boosts food aid to North Korea.

Pompeo expresses concern over North Korea missile tests.

Trump urges restraint on Kashmir in call with India and Pakistan.

Hundreds escape Papua prison after violent riots.

Bangladesh seeks to repatriate 3,000 Rohingya to Myanmar.

Urgency for vaccine grows as virus ravages China’s pigs.

AFRICA

Sudan forms 11-member sovereign council, headed by military leader.

More than a hundred migrants feared dead off Libya coast.

Burkina Faso troops killed in 'major terrorist attack'.

Egypt says security forces kill 11 militants in Sinai.

Gunmen kill 16 villagers in northern Nigeria: officials.

Cameroon anglophone separatist movement leader sentenced to life, say lawyers.

Kenya, Ethiopia spar over Jubbaland polls in Somalia, AMISOM steps in.


Zimbabwe ex-Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko 'on the run'.

Algeria protest movement marks six months, at an impasse.

EUROPE

Police, protesters fill French beach resorts for G-7 summit.

Migrants exit rescue ship in Italy after 19-day standoff.

Italian premier resigns, blames deputy for political crisis.

Mysterious military accident none of your business, Russia tells nuclear monitoring group.

EU rebuffs British PM Johnson's Brexit gambit.

Brexit: UK to end EU freedom of movement immediately in no-deal scenario.

EU rejects demand by British PM Johnson to revise exit deal.

Northern Ireland: Blast targets police near border.

Far-right party surge in eastern German regions threatens Merkel's coalition.

Germany's central bank warns of possible recession.

'No request' from Iran tanker to dock in Greece: minister.

AMERICAS

Trump acknowledges China polices may mean US economic pain.

Donald Trump says he's weighing cuts in payroll taxes, capital gains but dismisses recession fears.

White House insists fundamentals of US economy ‘very strong’.

Biden expands lead over 2020 Democrats: poll.

US states ready antitrust probe of tech titans: report.

Epstein put assets in trust two days before suicide: report.

Colombia laments lack of aid for growing Venezuela migration crisis.

Venezuela's number two denies secret talks with US.

IMF says sending team to Argentina 'soon'.

Police shoot dead Brazil bus hijacker after hours-long standoff.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Canada says it will not help 'Jihadi Jack' come to the country.

Pompeo says ISIL gaining strength in some areas.

Islamic State could re-emerge in Syria, Chinese envoy warns.

Air raid in Somalia killed al-Shabab fighter, says US.

Afghanistan vows to crush Islamic State havens after attack.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street rally ends as financial shares slide.

Google, Amazon, Facebook slam French digital tax as ‘discriminatory’.

Corporate leaders scrap shareholder-first ideology.

Huawei: U.S. blacklisting more partners 'politically motivated'.