World News Briefs -- June 26, 2019

US President Donald Trump (centre) is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan on Saturday. Photo: AFP

SCMP: US-China trade war deal ‘90 per cent complete’, US Treasury chief says

* Steven Mnuchin says this week’s meeting of the leaders of the world’s two biggest economies will be ‘very important’
* Chinese president calls a meeting of the Communist Party’s inner circle in preparation for talks with Donald Trump

A trade deal between China and the United States is “90 per cent completed”, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said just three days before a high-stakes meeting between the countries’ two top leaders.

In an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, Mnuchin said this week’s Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan, where Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump are expected to meet, would be “a very important G20”.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei brands the US the 'world's most vicious regime' and warns his nation is unbowed by 'insults' from its 'cruel enemies'.

Iran's ultimatum on breaching nuclear deal puts EU3 on the spot.

Iran central bank: U.S. sanctions aren't harming oil exports.

UN asks Russia for answers about bombed Syria hospitals.

New Pentagon chief confronts Turkey on NATO debut.

Saudi Crown Prince MBS visits Seoul for trade deals.

Israel censures Chilean president for visiting Temple Mount with Palestinians.

ASIA

Trump: China needs trade deal as economy 'going down the tubes'.

Hong Kong police under siege again as protesters surround headquarters after extradition bill rally.

South Korea president calls for summit with Japan.

Moon: Discussions for another U.S.-North Korea summit are in the works.

US, North Korea in talks to set up third Trump-Kim summit.

North Korea says it won’t surrender to US-led sanctions.

US-India relations tense as Pompeo meets Modi in New Delhi.

China to lose its crown as the world’s biggest gaming market to the US due to impact of approvals freeze.

Sri Lanka president signs death warrants to end moratorium. Sri Lanka planning executions after 43-year moratorium.

AFRICA

Sudan's Mahdi rejects call for mass demos on June 30.

Uganda strains as thousands flee violence in DR Congo's Ituri.

Internet cut in Mauritania after disputed presidential vote.

Tens of thousands mourn slain leaders in Ethiopia.

Kenyan MP arrested after threatening foreign traders.

Gambia's Jammeh 'handpicked' women for rape, abuse.

'Most complex health crisis in history': Congo struggles to contain Ebola.

EUROPE

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt divided over Brexit plans.

With ties frosty, Britain's May to meet Russia's Putin at G20.

No sign of progress at NATO in U.S.-Turkey dispute over Russian defenses.

German firms sent weapons-grade chemicals to Syria despite sanctions — report.

Denmark's youngest prime minister to lead new government.

Sea-Watch rescue boat enters Italian waters despite Salvini’s threats.

Europe heatwave: Temperatures soar as heat nears record levels.

AMERICAS

Mueller to testify publicly on July 17.

Breakouts, burns and zingers: What to watch in Dem debates.

US Senator McConnell open to Iran war authorization vote.

Photo of migrant father and daughter who drowned crossing US border draws global attention.

Venezuela crisis: Military force still an option, says Guaidó.

UN opens new political mission for Haiti, ending 15-year peacekeeping mission.

Brazil's Supreme Court rejects request to free ex-president Lula.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Egypt says 7 policemen killed in Sinai attack.

Islamic State group: Nicaragua arrests four suspected members.

Suspected ISIS members arrested in Nicaragua may have been headed to US, police say.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Google could be forced to pay out up to £28BILLION as Android users in France seek compensation for the search giant's 'invasion of privacy'.

Robots set to take 20m jobs globally by 2030, warns report.

US firms are still selling millions of dollars of products to Huawei after finding ways around Trump's sanctions that ban the Chinese telecom giant to use American suppliers, report claims.

Bordeaux winemakers cheer heatwave: 'It's magic!'.

from War News Updates https://ift.tt/2YewtFO