World News Briefs -- January 7, 2019

Vice Premier Liu He pictured with the U.S. delegation in a leaked photo. Photo Handout

SCMP: Fresh round of US-China trade war talks starts in Beijing

Issues such as intellectual property, non-tariff measures and agricultural and industrial purchases reported to be on agenda
Leaked pictures show delegates inside commerce ministry at start of two-day talks

A US delegation began the latest round of trade war talks with China on Monday.

Talks will be conducted in different groups dealing with non-tariff measures, intellectual property, agriculture and industrial purchases, Bloomberg reported.

The American delegation, led by deputy US trade representative Jeffrey Gerrish, arrived in China the previous day for talks with their vice-ministerial level Chinese counterparts.

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MIDDLE EAST

Bolton heads to Turkey to hammer out a deal for Syria's Kurds.

Bolton: No troop withdrawal from Syria until ISIS contained, Kurds protected. US won't pull out of Syria without protection for Kurds, national security advisor John Bolton says.

US will 'assure' Israel's security before Syria pullout.

Israel carries out overnight air strikes on Gaza.

Palestinians vow hunger strikes if Israel worsens jail conditions.

Saudi teen seeks asylum, barricades herself in Thai airport.

Khamenei aide says U.S. approached him in Kabul seeking talks with Iran.

ASIA

Roadside bomb, Taliban attacks kill 27 across Afghanistan.

China says UN officials can visit Xinjiang as long as they ‘avoid interfering in domestic matters’.

US Navy ship sails in disputed South China Sea amid US-China trade talks in Beijing. US warship sails near disputed Paracels in South China Sea as trade talks under way in Beijing.

China lodges ‘stern' warning over US warship in S China Sea - reports.

Southeast Asia has major doubts about US reliability in the region, but still wary of China: survey.

US and North Korea negotiating location for second summit - Trump. U.S. and North Korean officials met in Hanoi to discuss second Trump-Kim summit: South Korean newspaper.

Dozens killed in Afghan gold mine collapse.

AFRICA

Gabon detains soldiers after failed coup.

Somalia military court executes two Al-Shabaab assassins.

DR Congo delays release of presidential election results. DRC election result delayed as half the votes remain uncounted.

Sudan arrests Khartoum University lecturers amid fresh protests.

Nigeria military raids newspaper, seizes computers and arrests journalists. Nigeria raids paper, arrests journalists over Boko Haram coverage.

CBS broadcasts Sisi interview despite Egypt request not to air it.

Egypt policeman killed defusing bomb near Coptic church.

Egypt opens Middle East's largest cathedral, mega-mosque.

EUROPE

Brexit: EU to reassure May with pledge for trade deal by 2021.

Brexit: Date for vote on Theresa May's deal confirmed.

British PM warns of 'uncharted territory' if Brexit deal rejected.

Russia says it's too early to consider swap after mutual arrests.

“Security researcher” dumps files of German chancellor, legislators, bloggers.

Anger over Greece's crowdfunding plea to buy new warships.

French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin on trial over abuse cover-up.

AMERICAS

Trump considers declaring national emergency to build border wall.

Democrats plan more pressure on Trump to reopen government.

Venezuela congress names new leader, calls Nicolas Maduro illegitimate.

Venezuela's Maduro defends rule as legitimate.

Former Venezuelan Supreme Court judge flees to US, denounces Nicolas Maduro.

Brazil deploys troops to stop violence in Fortaleza.

Russian arrested in Northern Mariana Islands, accused of unlicensed defense exports.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

2 Americans captured in Syria fighting for ISIS.

Trump confirms the US military has killed the terror mastermind behind the deadly USS Cole bombing that ended the lives of 17 American sailors.

John Bolton: US to leave Syria once ISIL beaten, Kurds safe.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US-China officials begin trade war talks in Beijing.

Stock markets lose shine as focus turns to US-China tensions.

Central banks, U.S. employers support world stocks.