World News Briefs -- September 25, 2019

Reuters: Trump pressed Ukraine president to probe Biden activities: call summary

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump asked Ukraine’s president in a July phone call to investigate whether a political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, had shut down an investigation into a gas company that employed his son, according to a summary of the call released by the Trump administration on Wednesday.

Setting up a dramatic political showdown that threatens Trump’s presidency, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday said the Democratic-led chamber was launching an official impeachment inquiry and directed six committees to proceed with investigations of the president’s actions.

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MIDDLE EAST

US patience with Iran not inexhaustible, warns Saudi Arabia.

Iranian president says he's open to changes to Iran deal if sanctions removed.

Iran’s president says Israel ‘undoubtedly’ backing Islamic State in Syria.

Stena Impero: Iran 'still investigating' seized British tanker.

Yemen 'peace initiative' still stands despite air strikes: rebels.

UNICEF says two million children out of school in Yemen.

Netanyahu's party gains Knesset seat in Israeli election count.

ASIA

Vote rigging, fraud overshadow Afghan election. Deadly violence rocks Afghanistan as campaign season ends.

Indonesian cities rocked by third day of student demonstrations.

Shinzo Abe seeks to normalize relations with North Korea.

South Korea says 'good chance' of Kim Jong Un visit in November.

Seoul opens China trade offices near North Korea.

China's 'horrific' treatment of Uyghurs condemned by US and more than 30 countries at UN.

Beijing deploys new deepwater drilling rig in South China Sea.

Beijing's huge new Daxing airport opened by Xi Jinping.

AFRICA

Egypt arrests over 1,000 people after el-Sissi protests.

Cameroon's anglophone region on tenterhooks ahead of peace talks.

'Climate of fear' worsens in Burundi .

Rwanda opposition leader says ally's killing was act of intimidation.

Algeria army chief criticizes protesters for rejecting election.

Algeria: Bouteflika's brother sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Alarmed African churches demand end to xenophobic attacks.

EUROPE

UK Parliament resumes after Boris Johnson's prorogue ruled unlawful.

Parliament suspension: Angry Commons exchanges as MPs return to work.

Brexit: UK told it must table proposals for Irish backstop by next week.

Macron and other European leaders urge Iran, US to restart negotiations.

Macron tightens migration stance: 'We can't host everyone'.

Sandra Muller, France's #MeToo creator, found guilty of defamation.

Mont Blanc glacier in danger of collapse, experts warn.

AMERICAS

White House memo shows Trump pressed Ukraine leader to look into Biden.

READ: Transcript of Trump's call with Ukrainian president.

Trump slams impeachment inquiry as another 'Witch Hunt!'. 'It is a political war!' Donald Trump lashes out at Democrats minutes after transcript of his Ukraine call is published saying they 'built it up as the call from hell - it was a friendly call'.

Senate GOP vows to quash impeachment articles.

Warren surges past Biden in new 2020 US election poll.

Coast Guard stops self-propelled vessel holding more than $165M in cocaine.

Maduro meets with Putin while other leaders gather at United Nations.

Brazil's Bolsonaro at UN: Defiant about fires burning in Amazon.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Jihadists kill abducted aid worker in Nigeria.

Afghan officials identify AQIS members killed in controversial Musa Qala raid.

Islamic State trains in Somalia’s Puntland.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US sanctions Chinese companies for Iran oil imports: Pompeo.

Trump says trade deal with China could happen sooner than people think.

Facebook exempts politicians' posts from fact-checking.