World briefs

China Economic growth sank to its lowest level in at least 26 years in the quarter ending in June, adding to pressure on Chinese leaders as they fight a tariff war with Washington.

China has called on all parties to remain committed to the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, saying the U.S. should respect the interests of others and abandon its maximum-pressure approach.

Indonesia A strong earthquake in eastern Indonesia killed two people and damaged at least dozens of homes, a disaster official said yesterday, as the government declared a seven-day emergency response period.

India The space organization is examining the technical snag that led to the aborting of the launch yesterday of a spacecraft intended to land on the far side of the moon, an official said.

Afghanistan Official says at least nine people have been killed when the truck they were riding in hit a roadside bomb in southern Kandahar province.

Pakistan says at least 22 people are missing and feared dead after heavy rains triggered flash floods in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.

Syria A local official in Syria’s Raqqa says workers have so far unearthed 313 bodies from a mass grave discovered last month near the northern city.

South Africa Former president Jacob Zuma appeared yesterday before a state commission probing allegations of corruption in during his tenure as the country’s leader.

Persian Gulf European Union nations were looking to deescalate tensions in the Persian Gulf area yesterday and call on Iran to stick to the 2015 nuclear deal, despite the pullout of the United States from the accord and the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions on Tehran.

Poland Police are searching for the fifth straight day for a small boy whose father failed to deliver him to his mother and then died after being hit by a train.

Italy Police in northern Italy have detained three men, including one linked to a neo-fascist Italian political party, after uncovering a huge stash of automatic weapons, a missile and material featuring Nazi symbols.

The European Union said yesterday that it has agreed to provide a USD9.6 million package to help Sri Lanka battle terrorism following Easter Sunday bomb attacks that killed more than 250 people.

USA President Donald Trump said four congresswomen of color should go back to the “broken and crime infested” countries they came from, ignoring the fact that all of the women are American citizens and three were born in the U.S. More on p15