World briefs

CHINA’s exports fell unexpectedly in April, adding to pressure on Beijing ahead of negotiations on ending a tariff war with Washington over Chinese technology ambitions.

CHINA The U.S. has “further aggravated” tensions over the Iran nuclear issue, China’s foreign ministry said, amid moves by Washington to ratchet up pressure on Tehran. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China appreciated Iran’s “strict implementation” of its 2015 nuclear deal.

PAKISTAN A suicide bomber attacked security forces guarding a famous Sufi shrine in Lahore yesterday, killing at least 10 people and wounding 20 others, police said. Hizbul Ahrar, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying their target was the police.

JAPAN’s Emperor Naruhito performed a Shinto ritual at the palace yesterday to report to imperial family gods the plans for the main ceremonies of his succession later this year. Naruhito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, the day after his father Akihito abdicated.

JAPAN A car slammed into a group of 16 mostly kindergarten children who were strolling on a sidewalk in the lakeside city of Otsu in western Japan, leaving two dead. The accident occurred in the morning after the compact car bumped into another passenger car at an intersection and veered off to the sidewalk

INDIA’s general election inching toward the finish line, the battle for one seat in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh is being closely watched to see whether the scion of the country’s most important modern political dynasty can retain his seat and revive his party’s fortunes. After 15 years in politics, Rahul Gandhi is beginning to articulate a vision for India that some observers say is making him a more credible leader. 

USA Two high school students shot and killed a classmate and injured eight others at a charter school in a Colorado community that marked the 20th anniversary of one of the nation’s worst school shootings just weeks ago. Devon Erickson, 18, and a younger student walked into the STEM School Highlands Ranch and opened fire on students in two classrooms.

UK Royal couple Meghan and Prince Harry revealed their newborn son to the public on Wednesday, with the proud new mother declaring him “a dream.” The couple, known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, posed with their son for cameras at Windsor Castle — the first in a lifetime of photo calls for the two-day-old baby, who is seventh in line to the throne.