IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Turkey

PM slams US bill to block F-35 sale

The US Senate's decision to pass a bill prohibiting the sale of Lockheed Martin's F-35 jets to Turkey is unfortunate and against the spirit of strategic partnership, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday. The US Senate passed a $716 billion defense policy bill on Monday, backing President Donald Trump's call for a bigger, stronger military, which includes an amendment prohibiting sales of the jets to Turkey.

Israel

Former minister arrested for spying

A former minister, once imprisoned for trying to smuggle drugs, is back behind bars after being charged with spying for Iran, the country's internal security agency said on Monday. The Shin Bet said Gonen Segev, former energy minister, was extradited from Guinea and arrested upon arrival in Israel last month. Lawyers representing Segev said in a statement they did not reject or accept the accusations.

United Kingdom

Anniversary of London attack

Britain on Tuesday marked the first anniversary of a deadly terror attack against a north London mosque, with Prime Minister Theresa May vowing that "vile extremism" will not divide the nation. Mourners held a minute's silence at 9:30 am to remember father-of-six Makram Ali, who died when Darren Osborne plowed a hire van onto a crowded pavement close to Finsbury Park mosque, intending to kill as many Muslims as possible. The attack also left 12 injured.

Yemen

Coalition storms Hodeidah airport

Troops backed by a Saudiled coalition stormed the airport compound of Yemen's main port city Hodeidah on Tuesday after fierce battles with Houthi rebels fighting to defend their sole port. The capture of the airport would be an important gain for the coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates who have said they can seize the city quickly.

United States

No motive, arrests in fatal shooting

Troubled rapper XXXTentacion was shot and killed on Monday in Florida in what police called an apparent robbery attempt. Investigators don't have a motive, and no arrests have been made. The 20-year-old star, whose real name is Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, was shot outside a Deerfield Beach motorcycle dealership.

Reuters - Ap - Xinhua

(China Daily 06/20/2018 page12)