World Briefs

CHINA’s economic growth held steady in the most recent quarter, suggesting policies meant to counter the slowdown in the world’s second biggest economy are paying off for the moment.

USA Three officers are confirmed dead and three others wounded after a shooting in Baton Rouge yesterday, authorities said. The shooting comes amid spiraling tensions across the city — and the country — between the black community and police.

VIETNAM Dozens of people who gathered for an anti-China protest in central Hanoi were taken away by authorities as they tried to rally support for an international tribunal’s ruling rejecting Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea.

PAKISTAN The brother of slain Pakistani model Qandeel Baloch confessed to strangling her to death for “family honor” because she posted “shameful” pictures on Facebook.

INDIA At least 19 people died and six others were blinded after drinking toxic bootleg liquor in northern India, police said yesterday. Another 50 people fell ill after consuming the home-brewed liquor on Friday and were being treated in hospitals in Etah district in Uttar Pradesh state.

FRANCE Colombian rider Jarlinson Pantano won the brutal 15th stage of the Tour de France through the Jura mountains after a long breakaway yesterday. Pantano outsprinted Polish rider Rafal Majka to the finish line in Culoz. On a day featuring hardly any flat stretches, there were plenty of attacks but only a few skirmishes between the main contenders.

SOUTH SUDANESE security forces are preventing people from leaving the East African nation after fighting that began July 7 between rival armed groups loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, Amnesty International said.

ARMENIA Armed supporters of a jailed opposition leader attacked a police station in Armenia’s capital yesterday, killing one officer, wounding two and taking several others hostage, the National Security Service said. The attackers demanded the release of Jirair Sefilian, who was arrested last month, and called for the ouster of the government.