World News Roundup: Turkish foreign minister discusses defense, Syria with Pompeo; Britain: Iran seized two oil tank

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Iran says it seized tanker after collision, UK fears 'dangerous path'

Iran said on Saturday it seized a British-flagged oil tanker because it was involved in an accident, but Britain's foreign minister said he feared Tehran was taking "a dangerous path" and other major European powers expressed alarm. Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards took control of the Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday after it collided with an Iranian fishing boat whose distress call it ignored, the Fars news agency reported.

Thousands in pro-police rally as Hong Kong braces for another mass protest

Tens of thousands gathered in Hong Kong on Saturday to voice support for the police and call for an end to violence, after a wave of protests against an extradition bill triggered clashes between police and activists and plunged the city into crisis. The rally, called "Safeguard Hong Kong", comes a day ahead of another mass protest planned against the government and its handling of the now-suspended extradition bill that would have allowed people in Hong Kong to be sent to mainland China for trial.

Britain says Iran seizes two oil tankers in Gulf, Iran says captured one

Britain said Iran seized two oil tankers in the Gulf on Friday and told Tehran to return the vessels or face consequences in the latest confrontation to ratchet up tension along a vital international oil shipping route. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had captured the British-flagged Stena Impero, announcing the move two weeks after the British navy seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar.

Most of 34 victims in Kyoto Animation arson attack in 20s and 30s: NHK

Most of the victims of an arson attack on an animation studio in western Japanese city of Kyoto were in their 20s and 30s, public broadcaster NHK said on Saturday, as the death told climbed to 34. Thursday's attack on Kyoto Animation, well known in Japan and overseas for its series and movies, was the worst mass killing in two decades in a country with some of the world's lowest crime rates.

Saudi king approves hosting U.S. troops to enhance regional security: SPA

Saudi Arabia's King Salman approved hosting U.S. forces in the country to boost regional security and stability, the state news agency (SPA) reported on Friday. The U.S. Defense Department confirmed the move in a statement, saying it would deploy troops and resources to Saudi Arabia to "provide an additional deterrent" in the face of "emergent, credible threats."

Serb hoping for date with flight attendant confesses to Lufthansa bomb threat

A 65-year old Serbian man confessed in court on Saturday to calling in a false bomb threat to stop a Lufthansa flight attendant from leaving the country because he hoped she would go on a date with him. One hundred thirty passengers and five crew members were evacuated from flight LH 1411 on Thursday before its take-off en route from Belgrade to Frankfurt. The plane was removed from the runway so a special police squad could search it.

U.S. should reject 'prejudice' on China religious rights: state media

The United States should reject "prejudice" and respect facts instead of vilifying China's record on religious rights, the Communist Party newspaper People's Daily said on Saturday after fresh criticism of China's treatment of ethnic Muslims. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo branded China's treatment of its Uighur minority in the far northwestern region of Xinjiang the "stain of the century" on Thursday. He also accused Beijing of pressuring countries not to attend a U.S.-hosted conference on religious freedom.

Spain's Socialists confident of reaching government deal with Podemos

Spain's Socialists said on Saturday they were confident of reaching a government agreement with the far-left Podemos party that would pave the way for acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to be sworn in by parliament next week. Socialist leader Sanchez, who won the most seats but fell short of a majority in a parliamentary election in April, hopes to be sworn in as prime minister but even with Podemos's support he will still need some extra votes from other parties.

Ahead of U.S. deadline, Mexico minister has fulfilled migration enforcement pledge

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Friday that Mexico has followed through on its commitment to the United States to reduce migration from Central America, as a deadline in a bilateral pact approaches. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to travel to Mexico City to discuss migration and trade with Ebrard on Sunday, a day before the end of a 45-day period in which the Mexican government pledged to significantly lower the number of people trying to cross the U.S. border illegally.

Turkish foreign minister discusses defense, Syria with Pompeo

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has discussed by telephone with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo the Russian S-400 missile defense system and the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program, a foreign ministry source said on Saturday. The source did not say when the conversation took place. Ankara's purchase of the S-400 system has infuriated the United States, its NATO ally, which has responded by removing Turkey from the F-35 stealth fighter jet program.