World News Briefs -- November 22, 2019 (Evening Edition)

U.S. President Donald Trump attends a bilateral meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping during the G-20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. Kevin Lamarque | Reuters

Reuters: Trump, Xi send positive signals on initial deal to defuse U.S.-China trade war

The leaders of the United States and China on Friday both underscored their desire to sign an initial trade deal and defuse a 16-month tariff war that has lowered global growth, providing a welcome boost to financial markets.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in rare comments on the trade tensions with Washington, said Beijing wants to work out an interim or ‘phase one’ trade pact, but is not afraid to retaliate when necessary.

Hours later, U.S. President Donald Trump said a trade accord with China is “potentially very close,” although he insisted that any deal would have to be weighted to favor the United States after years of trade imbalances with China.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iran petrol protests: '100 leaders' arrested in crackdown.

Iran: Internet shutdown slowly ends as US imposes sanctions.

US sanctions Iran minister over internet censorship.

US judge orders Iran pay $180 mn to reporter over detention.

Protesters killed in Baghdad clashes, top cleric urges need for accelerating reforms. Iraqi security forces kill three protesters in Baghdad: Reports.

'Traitors': Iraqi protesters slam tribal leaders for meeting PM.

Saudi-led coalition air attacks in Yemen down 80 percent: UN.

Lebanon's protesters, leaders hold parallel national day rallies.

Spain mulls $660 mn graft case against uncle of Syria's Assad.

Israel's Netanyahu faces calls to quit but is defiant in crisis.

ASIA

Hong Kong local elections to proceed as more protesters emerge from Polytechnic campus. Hong Kong holds local elections amid crisis.

Trump: Hong Kong would be 'obliterated in 14 minutes' if not for me.

China won’t give up its state-led economic model, top trade negotiator Liu He says.

Britain ignores U.N. deadline to hand over Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

China wants to ‘take over’ Australian politics, former spy chief warns.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako wrap enthronement at shrine.

Bougainville votes on becoming world's newest nation.

Australia bushfires' smoke blankets Sydney.

AFRICA

DR Congo police fire live rounds to break up protests.

Guinea-Bissau elections: Leader says he will respect results.

'Rivalries and power grabs threaten Guinea-Bissau vote'.

Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed gets a new ruling party.

Defiant Algerian protesters reject December presidential vote.

Zimbabwe uproar as roads named after Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Facing massive doctors' strike, Zimbabweans improvise health services via Twitter and WhatsApp.

Zimbabwean minister admits quoting wrong Chinese aid figure in his budget, China’s deputy ambassador says.

Niger seeks new national anthem suggestions.

EUROPE

Ukraine-Russia relations thawing ahead of talks.

Labour Leader Corbyn - I would stay neutral in a second Brexit referendum.

UK Conservative lead over Labour narrows to 10 points: Panelbase poll.

Georgia protesters attempt to shut down state buildings.

Merkel successor Kramp-Karrenbauer threatens to quit and wins ovation.

Angela Merkel faces party revolt over Huawei in German 5G rollout.

Malta: 'Person of interest' in journalist murder case released.

Poland elects controversial judges to constitutional court.

AMERICAS

FBI official under investigation for allegedly altering document in Russia probe: report.

Trump says envoy Marie Yovanovitch refused to hang his photo.

Bolton accuses White House of 'suppressing' his personal Twitter.

Trump gives blessing for Pompeo exit.

China envoy warns of 'very bad damage' if Canada follows U.S. lead on Hong Kong.

Bolivia crisis: Morales accused of terrorism and sedition.

Colombia protests: Three dead as more than 200,000 demonstrate.

Amnesty International: Chile using violence as a deterrent. Chile looting, arson take heavy toll.

US Attorney-General William Barr says Jeffrey Epstein's death was 'a perfect storm of screw-ups'.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US, allies’ military successes drove down terrorism deaths almost everywhere except Afghanistan, report says.

Syria conflict: British orphans returned to UK.

Trump thanks Qatar's emir over role in Taliban hostages release.

French jihadist gets 28 years for prison attack.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street rises with U.S.-China trade mood, upbeat economic data.

US, China trade deal 'potentially very close': Trump.

China wants a US trade deal – but will fight back if necessary, says President Xi Jinping.

U.S. authorizes Microsoft, other companies to resume sales to Huawei.

World's most valuable whisky collection revealed.