World News Briefs -- August 31, 2020

Reuters: Israeli, U.S. officials land in UAE, Kushner urges Palestinians to negotiate

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Senior U.S. and Israeli officials landed in the United Arab Emirates on Monday on a historic trip to finalize a pact marking open relations between Israel and the Gulf state, and they told Palestinians it was now time for them to negotiate peace.

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner also said on arrival that Washington could maintain Israel’s military edge while advancing its ties to the UAE, the Arab world’s second largest economy and a regional power.

In apparently unrelated incidents, two blasts at restaurants in Abu Dhabi and Dubai killed three people earlier in the day in what authorities said were the result of gas malfunctions. The Abu Dhabi government told residents “to avoid spreading rumors” about the blasts, and “use official news sources”.

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MIDDLE EAST

Israel-UAE flight takes off in major step for historic pact.

Netanyahu: Palestinians will no longer have 'veto on peace'.

Saudi Arabia downs Iranian-backed threat on eve of Israel-UAE flight.

Turkey's President Erdogan calls leaders of France and Greece 'greedy and incompetent'.

Trump confirms scaling-down of U.S. military presence in Iraq .

Lebanese president designates Ambassador to Germany Mustapha Adib as new prime minister.

Lebanon's PM-designate vows reforms, new IMF talks.

Lebanon president calls for proclamation of 'secular state'.

ASIA

Afghan women negotiators to face hardline Taliban in peace talks.

‘Provocative movements’: India slams China, as it reveals fresh border incident over the weekend. Indian forces block movement of Chinese troops near Pangong Lake.

China accuses India of violating Line of Actual Control amid renewed border clashes.

China's top diplomat warns Czech politicians on Taiwan visit.

Thousands arrested for 'virus-related crimes' in China.

India reports more than 78K COVID-19 cases; extends travel ban.

India economic growth hit by record slump after virus lockdown.

Coronavirus: Auckland lockdown ends; Australia sees record daily deaths.

Australian citizen detained in China amid increasing tensions between Canberra and Beijing.

AFRICA

Peace deal signed by Sudan & rebel groups after 17 years of conflict.

France calls for 'rapid transition' to civilian rule in post-coup Mali.

Conflict-torn Mali at critical crossroads after coup.

I.Coast former president, ex-rebel leader file election candidacies.

Ethiopia demands US explanation over funding-cut reports.

Thousands of Mauritians protest government's handling of oil spill.

Kenya fears ecological disaster as two rising lakes get closer.

South Africa's ANC decides officials charged with graft must step aside.

Paul Rusesabagina: Hotel Rwanda film hero arrested.

EUROPE

Belarus protests: Thousands defy ban to march on Lukashenko's birthday.

Kremlin says situation in Belarus under control, no need to use Russian police reserve.

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya: Belarus opposition leader to address UN Security Council.

German government slams Reichstag rush as 'shameful'.

North Macedonia's parliament approves new left-wing coalition government.

France slams 'intransigent' Boris Johnson for post-Brexit trade talks stalemate as ‘No-Deal’ looms.

Norway: Clashes break out at anti-Islam rally.

Riots erupt in Sweden after far-right activists burn Koran.

Russia's opposition blogger Yegor Zhukov severely injured in Moscow 'attack'.

AMERICAS

US surpasses 6 million coronavirus cases nationwide.

Uncertainty dominates presidential campaign’s final stretch.

Biden to accuse Trump of inciting violence in Pittsburgh speech.

Oregon state police returning to Portland after fatal shooting.

Appeals court denies Michael Flynn and Justice Department's effort to end his case.

Canada signs deals with two suppliers for potential COVID-19 vaccines.

Covid: Venezuela seeks testers for Russian vaccine.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Qatar backed 'terrorism and extremism', UAE tells UN court.

Amid peace talks with Taliban, ISIS is gaining strength.

Canadian ‘extremist travellers’ a significant concern, RCMP says after ISIS-related arrest.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Apple, Tesla shares pop after stock splits.

Warren Buffett invests $6bn in Japan's five biggest trading houses.

TikTok owner to 'strictly' obey China's tech takeover law.