World Briefs

CHINA-US High on the list of President Donald Trump’s priorities as he tries to close a trade deal with counterpart Xi Jinping is making sure China faces consequences if it doesn’t live up to its promises, but it may also be giving China a new cudgel to use on American companies and striking another blow to the international rule of law. 

MYANMAR More than 9,500 prisoners were ordered released yesterday in Myanmar under a presidential amnesty, but they did not include two Pulitzer Prize-winning Reuters reporters. The Office of President Win Myint said he has signed a pardon for 9,551 prisoners, including 16 foreigners. 

INDIA A powerful storm bringing dust, lightning and unseasonal rain has killed at least 47 people in central and western India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish in a tweet over the loss of lives and announced relief for the victims’ families.

AFGHANISTAN Around a third of all conflict-related detainees in Afghanistan say they have suffered from torture or ill-treatment, the U.N. said yesterday. U.N. officials interviewed a total of 618 detainees held in 77 government facilities across the country between January 2017 and December 2018. The alleged torture included beatings, suffocation and electric shocks.

PERU Former President Alan García shot himself in the head before being detained by police amid allegations he received illegal payment from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, his lawyer said yesterday. When police arrived to Garcia’s residence to arrest him, the ex-president shut himself in his room and attempted to take his life. He died in the hospital.

FRANCE A Paris fire official says the towers of Notre Dame would have fallen if firefighters hadn’t deployed massive equipment and acted swiftly. Philippe Demay denied there was any delay and said firefighters acted as fast as they could. The operation was extremely difficult and the towers could have collapsed “if we hadn’t put heavy equipment in place.”

PORTUGAL Gas stations across Portugal are running dry amid a truckers’ strike over pay and working conditions. The walkout by some 800 truckers who transport hazardous materials prompted a rush to fill tanks, leaving hundreds of gas stations closed yesterday.