World News Briefs -- September 16, 2019 (Evening Edition)

Daily Mail: Saudi Arabia declares Iran is behind attack on oil plant after 'locked and loaded' Trump blamed Tehran - as satellite pics reveal pin-point precision of drone strikes

* Saudi Arabia blames Iran for attack on refinery and oil field that hit global supply
* Military spokesman said preliminary investigation shows weapons were Iranian-made and were not fired from Yemen, as Houthi rebels have claimed
* Comes after Trump said US was 'locked and loaded depending on verification'
* Tehran has denied responsibility, calling suggestions to the contrary 'baseless'
* Iranian president Hassan Rouhani claimed on Monday evening that the drone attacks were a response by Yemen to Saudi aggression in the country

Saudi Arabia has declared that Iran is directly responsible for the drone attacks on an oil field and refinery at the weekend, with satellite photos revealing how precise the strikes were.

Colonel Turki al-Malki said initial investigations show the strikes were not launched from Yemen, as the Iran-backed Houthi rebels there have claimed, and were carried out using weapons manufactured by Tehran.

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MIDDLE EAST

US blames Iran for Saudi strike; big hit for oil prices.

Saudi Aramco tells clients oil loading has resumed: Report.

Saudi oil attacks: Weapons 'came from Iran'.

Trump questions Iran's denial of blame over Saudi attacks.

Houthi rebels threaten more attacks on Saudi facilities.

Iranian media: Attacks on Saudi Arabia means world needs Iran's oil.

Iran seizes vessel in Gulf for allegedly smuggling diesel – reports. Iran: Seized ship was smuggling diesel fuel to UAE.

Iran says Rouhani and Trump won't be meeting at U.N..

Putin, Rouhani, Erdogan meet to discuss fighting in Syria.

Israeli PM vows to annex ‘all the settlements’ in West Bank.

Israel faces potential deadlock in a closely contested vote.

Trump expects 'close' Israeli election.

ASIA

UN mission accuses accountability for Myanmar ‘genocide’.

US service member killed in action in Afghanistan.

North Korea leader Kim invited Trump to Pyongyang in letter: report.

Trump says 'probably not' right time to visit Pyongyang.

South Korea: North Korea-United States to resume talks soon.

Kim Jong Un attendance at U.N. cannot be ruled out, Seoul says.

Hong Kong: 100 days of huge rallies, violent clashes.

Drone strikes in Saudi Arabia may push China to diversify oil supply, analysts say.

Australian government reportedly concealed Chinese hack on parliament and political parties out of economic concern.

Afghan leader nixes debate with main rival ahead of election.

Two Afghan Taliban shadow governors killed as air strikes step up.

India arrests Kashmir leader Abdullah under controversial law.

Solomon Islands breaks ties with Taiwan after Chinese 'dollar diplomacy'.

AFRICA

Tunisia presidential vote: Outsiders claim lead in first round.

S.African army to stay longer in gang hotspots -Ramaphosa.

Zimbabwe doctors march to support 'abducted' union activist.

Zimbabwe bids farewell to Robert Mugabe in sparsely attended state funeral.

Algeria to hold presidential election on December 12: Gov't.

The $1bn pledge for West African security.

ICC prosecutors to appeal acquittal of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo.

Niamey residents flee after the worst floods in 50 years.

EUROPE

Spain won’t extradite Venezuela’s ex-spymaster to US.

Noise but no breakthrough as Johnson, Juncker talk Brexit.

No Brexit breakthrough as Johnson meets Juncker, EU says. British PM Johnson meets EU chief in Luxembourg over Brexit progress.

Brexit is a 'nightmare', says Luxembourg prime minister.

Spanish center-right party offers way out of political limbo.

EU questions Hungary over rule of law concerns.Hungarian minister to face EU peers over alleged rule of law violations.

Exclusive: Germany wants to cap next EU budget at 1%, seeks more funds for climate and migration.

Families sue French foreign minister over children stuck in Syria.

AMERICAS

New York prosecutors subpoena Trump’s tax returns.

Trump says US response to oil attack depends on Saudi Arabia's assessment.

New York Times is forced to revise 'bombshell' story detailing sexual misconduct claims against Brett Kavanaugh to say the accuser has NO memory of alleged assault at a dorm party in the 1980s and REFUSED to be interviewed.

Split emerges in Venezuela opposition over talks with gov’t.

Honduras protests: Clashes erupt on Independence Day.

Venezuela ready to defend itself after US invokes Rio Treaty.

Crisis in Argentina: ‘We don’t manage to feed ourselves anymore’.

Bahamas aftermath: Aid resumes as second storm passes.

Mexico Jalisco: Forensics piece together 44 bodies.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

IS head urges followers to 'rescue' jailed jihadists and families.

Trump confirms death of Osama bin Laden's son.

Iran’s properties in Canada sold, proceeds handed to terror victims.

Report: Trump’s call to keep Guantanamo’s detention camp sparked questions about care and conditions.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Stocks fall as surge in oil brings fresh economic worries.

Oil prices spike as Trump administration blames Iran for attack on Saudi Arabia.

Stocks are plunging as traders pile into havens after a drone strike slashed Saudi oil output. Oil-exporter currencies and safe havens gain after Saudi attacks.

General Motors auto workers strike in US.

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma files for bankruptcy.