World News Briefs -- November 19, 2019

Reuters: Besieged Hong Kong campus protesters seek escape routes

Anti-government protesters holed up in a Hong Kong university searched for escape routes on Tuesday after more than two days of clashes with police, dramatic breakouts by rope and motorcycle and more than 1,000 arrests in 24 hours.

About 100 protesters were trapped in the Polytechnic University a day after students, some tired and fearful of police storming the campus, tried again and again to flee, only to be beaten back by police firing rubber bullets, water cannon and tear gas.

Some 235 injured were taken to hospital on Tuesday, the Hospital Authority said.

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MIDDLE EAST

Security forces have killed more than 100 protesters in Iran since fuel price rise, Amnesty International says.

Iran exceeds heavy water limit in latest nuclear deal breach: IAEA.

Trump administration ends sanction waivers for Iran nuclear plant. Pompeo: US ending sanctions waiver for site where Iran resumed uranium enrichment.

Houthi rebels in Yemen say South Korea crew to be 'released soon'.

Erdogan tells Trump: Turkey will not give up Russian S-400s.

Israel says it intercepted rockets fired from Syria.

Netanyahu vows to annex Jordan Valley after change in U.S. policy.

Protesters celebrate as Lebanon parliament session postponed.

ASIA

Hong Kong protests: bitter stand-off inside Polytechnic University continues with as many as 100 activists still on campus, determined to evade capture.

Hong Kong leader calls for peaceful end to university standoff.

Chinese leaked documents on Uyghur detention camps in Xinjiang are 'fake news', government claims.

Taliban free US, Australian hostage for 3 Taliban figures.

Sri Lanka’s new president may struggle to form government.

N. Korea snubs US move to postpone military drill with South.

US, South Korea cut short meeting over sharing defense costs.

AFRICA

Mali says 24 soldiers killed in latest extremist attack.

Three killed in Port Sudan tribal clashes: Medics.

UN: Air raid in Libya kills 10, may constitute a war crime.

Ocean Viking rescues 94 people off Libya's coast.

Exiled Niger presidential rival returns to jail.

Senegal inaugurates largest mosque in West Africa.

EUROPE

Zelensky says Ukraine getting 'tired' of Trump scandal.


Labour would rewrite rules of UK economy, says John McDonnell.

NATO chief to visit Macron after 'brain death' comments.

EU leaders reach agreement over 2020 budget.

Russian internet giant grants veto powers to Kremlin-linked body.

Sweden drops rape investigation into WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Police break up largest synthetic drug lab in Russia.

AMERICAS

Trump call ‘improper,’ aide testifies; GOP hits his loyalty.

US Congress moves to sanction Russians for mercenary surge in Libya.

McConnell urges Trump to voice support for Hong Kong protesters.

US failing to prevent China stealing research, congressional report says.

Mexico, Uruguay and Caribbean Community reject use of force in Venezuela: statement.

UN calls on Nicaragua to end 'persistent repression of dissent'.

Two jail guards charged in connection with Jeffrey Epstein's death, sources say.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Partnership with Kurds against ISIS still strong, says US coalition general.

U.S. sanctions companies, individuals for supporting Islamic State.

German police arrest Syrian terror suspect who 'bought bomb-making materials'.

Turkey to send most ISIL detainees home by year-end.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Agriculture orders and intellectual property ‘still big barriers to US-China trade deal’.

Airlines order 60 737 Max airliners from Boeing at Dubai show.

Russia to dominate world’s platinum & palladium production with new Arctic project.