Friday morning news: June 14, 2019

U.S. says Iran behind attacks on two tankers near Persian Gulf » Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the U.S. believes Iran was responsible for attacks on two oil tankers near the Persian Gulf on Thursday.

Pompeo said that belief is based on intelligence and several other factors:

POMPEO: The weapons used, the level of expertise needed to execute the operation, recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping and the fact that no proxy group operating in the area has the resources and proficiency to act with such a high degree of sophistication. 

The attacks occurred at dawn Thursday about 25 miles off the southern coast of Iran. A Norwegian-owned tanker radioed for help as it caught fire. A short time later, a Japanese-owned tanker also called for help. The U.S. Navy sent a destroyer to assist.

Pompeo said the attacks are part of a “campaign” of “escalating tension” by Iran and a threat to international peace and security. He added that the U.S. will defend its forces and interests in the region.

Press Sec. Sarah Sanders to leave White House » President Trump announced Thursday that Press Secretary Sarah Sanders is leaving the White House at the end of this month.

TRUMP: She is going to be going back to Arkansas with her great family. Her husband is a fantastic guy and her family. I don’t know, Phil and folks, if we can get her to run for the governor of Arkansas, I think she’ll do very well. I’m trying to get her to do that. 

Sanders told reporters she will continue to be a loyal and outspoken supporter of the president.

SANDERS: This has been the honor of a lifetime, the opportunity of a lifetime. I couldn’t be prouder to have had the opportunity to serve my country, in particularly to work for this president. 

Sarah Sanders took over the post about two years ago, replacing Sean Spicer. During her tenure, the White House stopped holding regular press briefings.

Watchdog agency recommends firing of White House adviser » Meantime, a federal watchdog agency has recommended that President Trump fire a different White House employee—presidential advisor Kellyanne Conway.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which is unrelated to special counsel Robert Mueller’s office, made the recommendation Thursday.

It said Conway has repeatedly violated a law that limits political activity by government workers. In a letter, the agency said she’s run afoul of the Hatch Act by disparaging Democratic candidates while speaking in her official capacity in media interviews and on social media.

Reuters reported Thursday that the White House quickly rejected that suggestion and asked the Office of Special Counsel to withdraw its recommendation.

Memphis police officers injured in protests over law enforcement shooting » AUDIO: [Sound of Memphis unrest]

Twenty-five Memphis police officers are recovering from mostly minor injuries after a clash with angry protesters Wednesday night.

The unrest came after U.S. marshals shot and killed an African American man after he reportedly attacked officers.

People in the crowd threw rocks and other objects at police in riot gear, who fired tear gas in return.

Hours earlier, U.S. marshals went to a home in the Frayser neighborhood to search for a suspect with felony warrants.  

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Keli McAlister said marshals saw the man get into a car…

MCALISTER: He reportedly rammed his vehicle into the officers’ vehicles multiple times before exiting with a weapon. The officers fired, striking and killing the individual.

One local official identified the deceased suspect as 20-year-old Brandon Webber and said he was shot in his family’s front yard. The U.S. Marshals Service says it will conduct an internal review.

Maine becomes 8th state to legalize assisted suicide » Maine this week became the eighth state in the nation to legalize assisted suicide. WORLD Radio’s Sarah Schweinsberg has more.

SARAH SCHWEINSBERG, REPORTER: Governor Janet Mills signed a bill into law allowing doctors to prescribe fatal doses of medication to the terminally ill.

Mills had previously said she was unsure about the bill, which declares the practice does not constitute suicide under state law. The Democratic governor said “It is my hope that this law, while respecting the right to personal liberty, will be used sparingly.”

The Maine Right to Life Committee warned that—quote—“Assisted suicide could now be categorized as a new form of ‘medical treatment’ offered terminal patients by doctors and insurers”—“rather than a more compassionate, expensive medical treatment.”

Reporting for WORLD Radio, I’m Sarah Schweinsberg.

Toronto Raptors win first NBA championship » One day after the St. Louis Blues won their first ever championship in the NHL, we have a first-time champ in the NBA.

AUDIO: Toronto Canada. We the north are now we the champions. The Raptors are 2019 NBA champs!

Audio courtesy of ABC.

The Toronto Raptors pulled out a four-point victory—beating the Golden State Warriors 114-to-110 in game-6 of the NBA Finals in Oakland.

Kawhi Leonard won series MVP honors. He scored 22 points last night.

Klay Thompson scored 30 for the defending champion Warriors, who were trying to win their fourth NBA title in five years.

(AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) In this Jan. 28, 2019, file photo, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington.

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