World briefs

US-CHINA President Donald Trump says he’ll make a decision about ramping up tariffs on China after he speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit this month in Japan.

CHINA A senior executive for Chinese technology giant Huawei says he is hoping the company’s animosity with the United States will be resolved and warned that the U.S. will be shooting itself in the foot if it were to shun Chinese technology.

HONG KONG The Court of Final Appeal said yesterday the government cannot deny spousal employment benefits to same-sex couples, in a ruling hailed as a major step forward for same-sex equality in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. More on p8

THAILAND A Thai court has sentenced former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to two years in prison over his handling of a state lottery program he initiated while in office more than a decade ago.

JAPAN A government spokesman says Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Iran in an effort to reduce tensions between Tehran and Washington.

SUDAN Pro-democracy leaders vowed yesterday to press their campaign of civil disobedience until the ruling military council is ousted and killers of protesters are brought to justice, but an overwhelming presence of security forces across the capital, Khartoum, appeared to thwart new demonstrations.

GREECE’s prime minister warned his country’s voters yesterday that the choices they make in next months’ early elections will determine whether Greece slips back into “the dark days” of austerity.

RUSSIA President Vladimir Putin says Moscow didn’t meddle in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and never will. Speaking yesterday at a meeting with international news agency chiefs, Putin said “we didn’t meddle, we aren’t meddling and we will not meddle in any elections.”

EU The European Central Bank has taken action to support the economy in the 19-country eurozone, joining other major central banks like the U.S. Federal Reserve in responding to fears about global trade conflicts.

USA The city of Chicago has released two 911 calls made after “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett claimed he was the victim of a racist, homophobic attack. Both calls were made by an unidentified man who said he worked for “an artist” who he didn’t want to name.