World briefs

CHINA-US President Donald Trump says he tried to persuade China’s leader last week to pressure North Korea to stop its nuclear program in exchange for a good trade deal with the U.S. Trump tweeted yesterday, “I explained to the President of China that a trade deal with the U.S. will be far better for them if they solve the North Korean problem!”

PHILIPPINES At least nine people were killed yesterday in a gunbattle between Philippine forces and suspected Abu Sayyaf militants on a central resort island, far from the extremists’ southern jungle bases and in a region where the U.S. government has warned that the gunmen may be plotting kidnappings, officials said. More on p13

THAILAND Trained elephants sprayed motorists and passers-by with water in Thailand’s old capital city of Ayutthaya yesterday to welcome in the Buddhist New Year, known as “Songkran.”

INDIA-PAKISTAN India yesterday warned Pakistan of serious consequences for their bilateral relationship if it executes a retired Indian naval officer convicted of espionage and sabotage.

IRAQ A member of Qatar’s ruling family has paid USD2 million to a Greek shoe salesman’s firm to secure “proof of life” and ultimately free relatives and others kidnapped in Iraq over a year ago, presumably by Shiite militiamen.

TURKEY’s health minister said yesterday that test results confirm sarin gas was used in an attack on a northern Syrian town earlier this month and the Russian military said the Syrian government is willing to let international experts examine its military base for signs of chemical weapons.

SOUTH SUDAN Targeted ethnic killings and killings of civilians by government soldiers spread panic throughout the western town of Wau on Monday, residents told The Associated Press. A government spokesman could not confirm the violence but the U.N. mission confirmed killings in Wau.

MONTENEGRO President Donald Trump has signed off on Montenegro’s upcoming accession into NATO, helping pave the way for the military alliance’s expansion in the Balkans.

SWEDEN A 39-year-old old Uzbek man has pleaded guilty to a terrorist crime after ramming a truck into a crowd in Stockholm, killing four people and wounding 15, his lawyer said yesterday.

MEXICO The death toll in the collapse of a parking garage under construction in Mexico City has risen to seven, and 10 other construction workers are being treated for injuries.