World News Briefs -- June 18, 2020

China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met for talks in Hawaii on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

SCMP: US-China talks: Mike Pompeo’s seven-hour meeting with Yang Jiechi ‘helps atmosphere’ – but differing statements show divisions remain

* The countries’ top diplomats indicate a wish to prevent a further deterioration in relations
* But the two sides give differing accounts of the meeting and US efforts may be driven by this year’s election, some observers say

China and the United States may have exposed their huge divisions over a range of issues in their low-key diplomatic talks in Hawaii, but the end of the meeting offered evidence of a shared desire to prevent their strained ties souring even further.

No consensus was reached in talks between China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday, but the two had dinner and spoke for seven hours in what observers said showed a willingness to maintain dialogue and keep their relations at least at the current level.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iraq demands Turkey 'stop bombardment, withdraw forces' from north.

Rockets hit Baghdad's Green Zone for the fifth time in ten days.

Iran targeted PDKI bases in two-day shelling of Kurdistan Region: statement.

Saudi Arabia's proposal to end standoff between allies in Yemen.

Caesar Act: Fresh sanctions on Syria could worsen Lebanon economy.

Israeli annexation poses 'unprecedented danger': Jordan FM.

Turkey makes masks mandatory in Istanbul, 46 other provinces.

ASIA

China, India blame each other for border clash as death toll remains unknown.

Indians hold funerals for soldiers killed at China border, burn portraits of Xi.

Indians call for boycott of Chinese goods after fatal border clashes.

Pakistan army says Indian fire kills 4 civilians in Kashmir.

China keen to play down India clash before key meeting with US, insiders say.

North Korea an 'extraordinary threat': US.

Japan confirms plans to 'protect' its citizens in Korea.

AFRICA

Burundi swears in Evariste Ndayishimiye as president after predecessor’s death.

Sudan wants PMs to resolve Nile dam deadlock.

Nigeria attacks spark fears of bloodier jihadist strategy.

China to cancel interest-free loans to African nations.

African countries drop Covid-19 curbs in effort to limit economic harm.

Coronavirus in South Africa: Restrictions ease as Covid-19 cases rise rapidly.


In Africa, those who beat the virus continue to live under its cloud.

Algeria weighs plan to allow army deployments abroad.

'Worst outbreak ever': Nearly a million pigs culled in Nigeria due to swine fever.

EUROPE

Merkel urges EU to agree on €750 billion recovery plan by end of July.

Merkel urges EU unity to counter coronavirus crisis.

Germany reports 650 new coronavirus cases in a meat processing plant.

Coronavirus: Bank pumps £100bn into UK economy to aid recovery.

Hungary NGO law breaches basic rights, top EU court rules.

Georgian's death in Berlin was a Russian-ordered assassination, prosecutors believe. Germany accuses Russia of Berlin park assassination.

French police arrest six Chechens over violent clashes in Dijon.

Macron marks 80 years since de Gaulle's call to resistance at London ceremony.

AMERICAS

Supreme Court blocks Trump plan to end DACA program. Trump lashes out at Supreme Court after DACA ruling: 'Shotgun blasts' to conservatives.

US jobless claims total 1.5 million, worse than expected as economic pain persists.

Pelosi: Trump is 'ethically unfit and intellectually unprepared to be president'.

Honduras' president hospitalized with COVID-19 as Latin America becomes virus 'epicenter'.

US puts up rewards for Colombia FARC dissidents.

Canada loses out to Ireland and Norway in Security Council vote.

Canadian MP Jagmeet Singh kicked out for calling rival 'racist'.

Saharan Dust from Africa will stretch toward the US, putting the hurricane season on pause.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Iran, Hezbollah say US sanctions will worsen Syrians' suffering.

Taliban ramps up attacks after ending unilateral ceasefire.

Hay’at Tahrir al Sham reportedly arrests Uzbek jihadist leader.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

World stocks pull back as virus worries resurface.

US pulls out of talks on big tech tax at last minute.

Carnival sees more pain after posting $4.4 billion loss.