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US issues warrant in last-ditch effort to stop Iranian tanker from leaving Gibraltar

The US has issued a warrant to seize an Iranian supertanker in a bid to prevent it from leaving Gibraltar.

Iran’s Grace 1 tanker, which is carrying 2.1 million barrels of oil, has been detained in Gibraltar since 4 July amid speculation that it planned to transport its cargo to Syria.

Such a delivery to the war-torn nation would be in violation of sanctions imposed by the European Union.

The detention of the Grace 1 last month prompted Iran to retaliate by seizing the British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero, which heightened already increased tensions in the region.

The eleventh-hour warrant issued by the US on Friday came a day after a Gibraltar judge – responding to Tehran’s insistence that the tanker’s cargo would not go to Syria – lifted the detention order.

Gibraltar’s chief minister Fabian Picardo told Sky News on Friday that he was “satisfied” with written assurances from Tehran that the cargo would not go “to an EU-sanctioned entity”.

He said he had also held a “positive and constructive” meeting with Iranian officials in London to de-escalate tensions.

In its appeal, the US stipulates that it can seize the tanker, its oil cargo, and almost $1m (£823,000) on the grounds of terrorism and violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

It says the tanker has links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the US deems a terrorist organisation.

Jessie Liu, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, said a “network of front companies” had “allegedly laundered millions of dollars in support of such shipments”.

“The scheme involves multiple parties affiliated with the IRGC and furthered by the deceptive voyages of the Grace 1,” she added.

The Pentagon has declined to comment on the matter. Iran and the UK have not yet publicly responded to news of the warrant.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department has highlighted that “a seizure warrant is merely an allegation”.

According to the Gibraltar Chronicle, an unnamed source said the Grace 1 is unlikely to leave Gibraltar before Sunday, despite currently being free to go.

It said the ship, which has since had its name erased and is no longer flying the Panama flag, is waiting for the arrival of new crew members and a captain.

Iran’s state television quoted the country’s head of its Ports and Maritime Organisation as saying the ship would depart only after being renamed the Adrian Darya and being given the Iranian flag.

The case marks the latest incident amid the fallout from the US pulling out of the landmark nuclear deal a year ago, which has seen the re-introduction of crippling economic sanctions on Iran, and led to remaining signatories searching to find ways to save the agreement.

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Will the Principality Stadium roof be open or closed for Wales vs Ireland and who makes the final decision?

WARREN GATLAND's Wales welcome England to Cardiff on Saturday in preparation for the Rugby World Cup.

The Welsh will be buoyed by the chance to go top of the world rankings – yet Eddie Jones' outfit can also make the jump.

The Principality Stadium remains a stunning arena to watch rugby – and will no doubt be in full voice from the anthems onward.

Will the Principality Stadium roof be open or closed?

OPENING or closing the roof in Cardiff can have a major impact on the game.

Wales typically prefer the roof to be closed to allow the home crowd to create a cacophony of noise and throw the opposition off their game.

Despite heavy rain on Friday, the sun is shining bright around Cardiff – meaning the roof will be OPEN.

Who decides whether the roof should be open or closed?

Both teams must agree if the Principality Stadium roof is to be closed.

However, in extreme circumstances where safety is affected, tournament organisers or the referee can opt to close the roof.

In last year's match against Scotland, the visitors asked for the roof to remain open but were overruled.

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Love Islanders Ovie and India look bored beyond belief on night out

It’s usually the public who first get bored of Love Island rejects as they burn through their fifteen minutes of fame at lightning speeds.

But it looks like Ovie Soko and India Reynolds may well be growing tired of their time in the spotlight as they looked more than a little bored as they left a generic ‘influencer’ event on Friday night.

The reality stars – who found fame on Love Island 2019 and came third in the contest – were star guests at the launch of The Viper nightlife app in Manchester.

And leaving the launch venue, Vanitas, at the end of a long night of star treatment, the pair couldn’t have looked less excited.

Ovie, 28, showcased a strained expression as he left the Manchester bar – spotted out wearing a black jacket, acid wash jeans, and simple black trainers.

And on-screen lover India, 28, looked equally bored as she dragged Ovie by his hand as they stepped down the staircase on their way out.

India showed off her bronzed legs as she enjoyed (or, at the very least, tolerated) her night out while wearing a classic little black dress.

She added a bit of rock star style with a leather coat – while her overall style complemented that of her boyfriend.

The pair managed to force a smile as paparazzi followed them from the venue.

While Ovie hinted he might not find India enough to hold his attention – hinting he would be off to watch some sport instead of hanging out with his girlfriend.

"If you’re in Manchester over the weekend and you’re bored, meet me at the GB basketball game, I’ll be kicking it with all the fans and supporters," he revealed on Twitter .

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9.30am Tottenham news LIVE: Eriksen LATEST, Man City build-up, Pochettino exit fears, Pep calls Spurs second best in Europe – The Sun

TOTTENHAM stormed back from one-nil down to record an opening weekend win over Aston Villa, and face champions Man City next.

Christian Eriksen continues to be linked with a move away from the club, but came off the bench to inspire his side's late comeback.

Follow ALL of the latest Spurs news, updates and gossip below…

  • TOTTENHAM star Moussa Sissoko named Arsenal Invincible Patrick Viera as his all-time sporting hero.

    He told TalkSport: “I don’t want to have any problems if I say his name, but it was Vieira!

    “We play in the same position, he is tall like me, playing in the France national team like I am now.

    “So I was following him and tried to be like him when I was younger.”

  • MAURICIO POCHETTINO says there is only one way he can give his rival Pep Guardiola a bloody nose in their heavyweight title bout.

    The Tottenham boss has vowed to come out fighting at the Etihad tomorrow in a bid to KO the reigning champ with a devastating early blow.

    Pals know Poch would love nothing more than a repeat victory over his nemesis this evening — but he also joked he would like to tackle Pep in the boxing ring.

    He said: “This match is not about me and Pep.

    “If we want to see who is best the best thing would be for us brave managers to create a ring and fight in it like Anthony Joshua. Perhaps we should do that with managers.

    “I am so brave on the touchline because I know this is never going to happen, so I shout and everything.”

  • PEP GUARDIOLA has claimed Tottenham are the second best team in Europe.

    He told the Mirror when asked about the threat posed by Spurs: “How good they are? My words and my opinion on them is that they are the second best team in Europe. For me that’s enough.

    “Since I came here to England, every season they were a real contender.

    “The first season I was here they finished second. The last two seasons they didn’t win it, but always they were tough, tough games.”

  • TOTTENHAM star Moussa Sissoko named Arsenal Invincible Patrick Viera as his all-time sporting hero.

    He told TalkSport: “I don’t want to have any problems if I say his name, but it was Vieira!

    “We play in the same position, he is tall like me, playing in the France national team like I am now.

    “So I was following him and tried to be like him when I was younger.”

  • FORMER TOTTENHAM target Philipe Coutinho has agreed to join Bayern Munich on loan, according to reports.

    The Brazilian has reportedly agreed personal terms with the German champions who now need to finalise some admin details with Barcelona.

    Coutinho will be announced as a Bayern player shortly, according to Yahoo.

    The Germans reportedly asked about a loan move for Coutinho on Monday but the Catalans were said to be uninterested unless they could bag Neymar.

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Matt Chapman looks ahead to a thrilling week at York for the Ebor Festival where Enable and Frankie Dettori are back on track

SUPERSTAR Enable, the world's top rated horse Crystal Ocean, sizzling stayer Stradivarius and a sprinting smash up between Battaash and Ten Sovereigns raise hopes of an explosive and vintage York Ebor Festival next week.

Live on the main ITV network, York runs Wednesday through to Saturday with dishes to savour on each and every day.​

For many Enable will be the star of the show as she struts her bits in Thursday's Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks, although she won't be much of a betting proposition.​

John Gosden's incredible daughter of Nathaniel will be long odds-on as she bids to repeat her 2017 success in this event. Of course prior to that she won the Epsom Oaks and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and since then has landed two Arcs, a Breeders' Cup Turf and, last time out, and other King George.​

Enable is more for us to cheer and marvel at than punt, but then again horse racing is not all about betting. Usain Bolt was a short priced favourite for the majority of his walk-overs, but it was still fun watching him in action.​

The only way Enable might be challenged is if stable companion and June's Oaks heroine Anapurna has a crack at her, but that looks increasingly unlikely with the Prix Vermeille a much more likely option.​

Crystal Ocean faces a tougher test in the Group 1 Juddmonte International, a race won by some of the greats over the years.​

Magical is back, having got pretty close to Sir Michael Stoute's tough as teak sort in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, while lightly raced King of Comedy could represent Gosden after his neck second to Circus Maximus in the St James's Palace Stakes.

King of Comedy could well have the last laugh if a step up in trip brings about further improvement.​

Don't forget about Japan, either, who could challenge with Magical for O'Brien as the Irish genius tries to land the Juddmonte for a sixth time.​

Japan was classy in the King Edward VII Stakes and then banged home a first Group 1 in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp last month.​

Gosden's Stradivarius, meanwhile, is bang on target for the Lonsdale Cup on Friday.​

Last year's Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers' Million winner is primed to scoop the seven-figure sum for owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen again, having won at York, Ascot and Goodwood already this season.​

Gosden said: "He's as cheeky as ever! He's full of himself, a very happy horse. He's training up nicely for the race. Obviously, the Goodwood Cup was not that long ago, so we come into the Lonsdale just trying to keep the freshness in him.​

“He probably had tougher races coming through last year – the Gold Cup last year was a formidable race, whereas they probably didn’t go as hard this year. Therefore, for him, it didn’t drain him so much." That does not bode well for the opposition!​

For many, though, the clash of the week will come in Thursday's Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, in which July Cup victor Ten Sovereigns represents the sponsors and takes on Battaash, the speedster who is just about unbeatable on a going day for Charlie Hills but does not always have a going day.​

I'm still not convinced by Ten Sovereigns, who looked iffy in the 2000 Guineas as far as head carriage is concerned. He might have suddenly come good sprinting, but time will tell.​

York has not been a good place for Battaash, and he has still only landed one Group 1 despite his talent. That said, this is a great chance for the horse in the colours of the legendary Dayjur, those of Hamdan al Maktoum.​

You have to go back to 2011 and Margot Did for the last member of the Classic generation to land the Nunthorpe, and before then Oasis Dream in 2003.​

Interestingly, for those who think the Commonwealth Cup helps three-year-old sprinters, no horse has managed to win at York since that race was introduced in 2015.​

Of course the Ebor is the big betting race of the week, and we'll all be scratching our heads a week today trying to find the winner. The new conditions have turned it into a Group race just about, and I think that's sad. The Ebor is nothing like the great handicap it once was. That said, York will still be immense.

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Head-on crash on Highway 93 sends 4 people to hospital

RCMP are investigating a two-vehicle crash on Highway 93 late Friday afternoon that sent four people to hospital.

Officers were called to a head-on crash on the highway south of Castle Mountain Junction heading toward Radium, B.C.

The crash happened shortly before 5:30 p.m. local time. Police said a STARS Air Ambulance helicopter was dispatched to the scene.

According to the RCMP, a woman in her 40s was airlifted to Calgary’s Foothills Medical Centre in critical condition.

Another woman and a man, both believed to be in their 20s, were taken to hospital in Banff before being transferred to Foothills Medical Centre — their conditions were not disclosed. Another person was taken to hospital in Banff with minor injuries.

The RCMP did not provide details on the vehicles or what may have led to the collision.

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Alberta girl dies in BC highway crash

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Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson arrested on eve of Portland, Ore., protests

Mayor of Portland, Oregon issues warning ahead of weekend’s dueling far-right, Antifa protests

If you engage in violence you will be held accountable, regardless of your political ideology, says Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler.

The leader of a conservative group was arrested Friday in Portland, Ore., one day before planned protests involving supporters of the far-left Antifa movement and supporters of several conservative groups.

Joey Gibson, leader of Portland-based Patriot Prayer, turned himself in to authorities in connection with an arrest warrant for rioting, stemming from a violent clash in the city on May 1, according to the Associated Press. He was later released after posting bail, with further legal action pending.

In a video posted on Facebook, Gibson accused police of targeting conservative groups for arrests but not members of Antifa, even though masked Antifa supporters have been seen on videos engaging in violence during past protests.

Gibson asserted that authorities were trying to intimidate conservatives who planned to protest Saturday.

“They want you to not show up in Portland, they want to put fear in your hearts,” Gibson said.

“They want you to not show up in Portland, they want to put fear in your hearts.”

Patriot Prayer founder and rally organizer Joey Gibson speaks to his followers at a rally in Portland, Ore., Aug. 4, 2018. (Associated Press)

He also asked conservative protesters to refrain from violence Saturday.

"Force them to arrest you for being peaceful," he said.

"Force them to arrest you for being peaceful."

Gibson, 35, was not connected to the events planned for Saturday but had organized Portland rallies that turned violent in 2017 and 2018, the report said.

Separately, a conservative group called the Oath Keepers has decided it will not participate Saturday, saying it did not believe organizers had done enough to discourage white supremacists from showing up.

Portland authorities have been taking steps intended to minimize the chances that Saturday’s demonstrations repeat the violence of past events. Personnel from more than two-dozen law enforcement agencies – representing local, state and federal government – are involved in trying to maintain order during the demonstrations, the AP reported.

“I'm confident that from a law enforcement perspective, we're going to have all the tools and the resources and personnel we need,” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Friday on Fox News’ “Outnumbered Overtime.”

The mayor, a Democrat, has drawn criticism over the city’s handling of past protests.

In June, conservative writer Andy Ngo was hospitalized after being attacked by Antifa supporters at a Portland demonstration.

On Friday, Ngo told “Fox & Friends” that he feared Saturday’s event “has the potential to be a powder keg.”

Precautions being taken in Portland for Saturday include plans by many downtown businesses to close for the day, as well as the planned closure of the Hawthorne Bridge, which connects eastern Portland to the downtown area, across the Willamette River, OregonLive reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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News Anchor Nancy Parker Killed in New Orleans Plane Crash: 'Her Absence Creates a Void'

Nancy Parker

Community members in New Orleans are mourning the death of beloved news anchor Nancy Parker, who died in a plane crash on Friday while working on a story. She was 53.

Parker, a journalist with local station WVUE FOX 8 News for 23 years, was shooting a story in a stunt plane with pilot Franklin J.P. Augustus, who also died in the crash, the outlet reported on Friday.

A fire broke out after the plane went down, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, WVUE reported, and the Federal Aviation Administration is conducting an investigation into the crash.

“Today we mourn the loss of our longtime colleague and friend Nancy Parker,” the station said in a statement obtained by local NBC station WDSU. “Details have not been released by authorities, but we can confirm she passed away in a plane crash while covering a story at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport.”

Parker was remembered as “a joy to work with each and every day” by FOX 8 Vice President and General Manager Tim Ingram, per WDSU.

“Today we lost a wonderful journalist and remarkable friend, the New Orleans television community lost a true treasure, but beyond that, her family lost a wife, a mother and daughter,” he continued. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Nancy Parker
Nancy Parker

“Nancy was a part of the FOX 8 family for the last 23 years, she put her heart and soul into her work, covering thousands of stories and touching countless lives,” Ingram added. “She made a difference in the lives of those she reported on. She will be sorely missed, and her absence creates a void that cannot be filled.”

Parker is survived by her three kids and husband Glen Boyd, who is a Public Informations Officer at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Nancy Parker

“Nancy was known to all in the Greater New Orleans area as a trusted voice, and she will be missed,” the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office tells PEOPLE.  “Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the entire Parker and Boyd families, Nancy’s co-workers at WVUE, and everyone in the local media and public whose lives she touched.”

City Council President Helena Moreno said that Parker’s tragic death is a “tremendous loss.”

“Nancy was a mother, wife, accomplished journalist and community leader,” Moreno said in a statement to WVUE. “I worked on stories along side Nancy during my time as a reporter. She was the utmost professional, so incredibly kind, funny and genuine. I am so saddened and shocked. Sending my deepest condolences to her family and Fox 8 family.”

“She will be dearly missed by the community that she reported on every day and cared so much about,” she added.

Other journalists and community members expressed their grief at Parker’s death, remembering the news anchor as “a cornerstone to New Orleans news,” and as a reporter who told “stories that mattered to the people of our state.”

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Deadspin EIC Megan Greenwell quits after being told to stick to sports

The ‘spin is Dead, at least at G/O Media.

Deadspin’s editor-in-chief has quit, saying she felt “undermined, lied to and gaslit.” Megan Greenwell resigned last week amid unrest over interference from G/O Media, the site’s parent company.

Greenwell told the Daily Beast they were ordered to stick to sports, and “that’s not something I feel I can ethically do.” The site also ran a critical post about G/O, alleging bosses installed male cronies in top roles “over high-ranking women who had been successfully performing these jobs” for years.

G/O Media said, “We are laser-focused on serving Deadspin readers … everything related to sports. Our former editor had a different vision.”

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Police investigate discovery of human remains in west Edmonton alley

The discovery of human remains in Edmonton’s Sherwood neighbourhood has triggered a police investigation.

In a news release issued on Friday, police said people walking in an alley west of 149 Street, between 92 Avenue and 93 Avenue, discovered the remains on Thursday morning.

“The Edmonton Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on the remains earlier today, the results of which are not being released at this time for investigative purposes,” police said.

Police said homicide detectives want to speak with anyone who may have been travelling through that alley on Wednesday or Thursday and who may have witnessed any “suspicious behaviour of individuals and/or unfamiliar vehicles in that area.”

Investigators are also looking for any surveillance video or dash-cam video of the alley in that area.

Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

In a news release issued on Friday, police said people walking in an alley west of 149 Street, between 92 Avenue and 93 Avenue, discovered the remains on Thursday morning.

 

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Edmonton homicide detectives conduct rural search in relation to missing woman

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