Thousands converge on Sudan square for ‘martyrs’ rally

KHARTOUM, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of Sudanese demonstrators converged on a prominent square in Khartoum in a march through the capital to honour comrades killed in the months-long protest movement that has rocked the country. The rallies came a day after protest leaders and army rulers inked a power-sharing…

US-China officials discuss trade; Mnuchin eyes possible in-person talks

CHANTILLY (France)/WASHINGTON, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — U.S. and Chinese officials spoke by telephone on Thursday as the world’s two largest economies seek to end a year-long trade war, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin suggesting in-person talks could follow. Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer spoke with their Chinese…

Iran armed forces say all drones ‘safely returned’

TEHRAN, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Iran’s armed forces denied on Friday the United States had downed one of their drones, saying all such aircraft had “safely returned” to their bases, Tasnim news agency reported. US President Donald Trump claimed an American naval vessel downed an Iranian drone that threatened the…

Vietnam says preserved corpse of Ho Chi Minh in great condition

HANOI, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The embalmed corpse of Vietnam’s founding leader, Ho Chi Minh, is in great condition, state media said, a month after the government recruited a team of Russian experts to help preserve the former revolutionary’s body. In June, Vietnam formed a special council of Vietnamese and…

US to press religious freedom in North Korea: Pence

WASHINGTON, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Vice President Mike Pence vowed on Thursday (Jul 18) to press North Korea to respect freedom of religion, despite the narrow US focus on denuclearisation in high-profile summits. Pence made the pledge to a high-level State Department conference on religious freedom, which came weeks after…

Incoming EU chief von der Leyen says ‘we don’t want a hard Brexit’

BERLIN, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The future head of the European Commission said she would be minded to grant Britain an extension to talks on its exit from the EU if London gave good grounds, adding that an orderly departure was important to launch future ties on a good footing.…

Israel battles wildfires after record heatwave

JERUSALEM, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Israel sent teams of firefighters and planes to contain a blaze near Jerusalem as record temperatures fuelled wildfires across the country. Some 100 fires have been reported in Israel in recent days and “at least three or four areas had to be evacuated,” a public…

More Puerto Rico protests planned as governor resists calls to resign

SAN JUAN, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Massive and at times violent protests in Puerto Rico showed no sign of stopping as labour unions organised a Friday march to keep up pressure on the governor to resign, while dozens of guns were stolen in a raid on police firearms centre. Thousands…

PNG leader wants deadline for emptying Australia asylum-seeker camp

SYDNEY, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape called on Australia to set a deadline for relocating several hundred asylum-seekers who have been stranded on PNG’s Manus island for years. Marape, who will meet Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Canberra next week, told national broadcaster…

Russian Pres Putin says will work to restore Ukraine ties

MOSCOW, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Vladimir Putin said Russia was ready to work with any political party to restore ties with Kiev as he met with a pro-Kremlin politician ahead of Ukraine’s parliamentary polls. The Russian leader held talks in Saint Petersburg with Viktor Medvedchuk, a pro-Moscow Ukrainian politician…