World briefs

INDONESIA The heads of the World Bank and IMF appealed yesterday to the U.S. and China to cool their dispute over technology policy and play by world trade rules, as tumbling share prices drove home potential perils from a clash between the world’s two biggest economies. 

THAI authorities convicted 70 Pakistani asylum seekers of staying illegally in Thailand despite their protestations that they face persecution if they are sent home, as police intensify a crackdown on illegal immigration. 

SINGAPORE The world’s longest direct commercial flight is back and taking travelers from Singapore to the New York region. Operated by Singapore Airlines, the city-state’s national carrier, the trip takes slightly under 19 hours. Skipping a stopover in Frankfurt will save hours of traveling time, the carrier says.

NAURU Humanitarian medical professionals expelled from Nauru said yesterday asylum seekers that Australia had banished to the tiny Pacific atoll were suicidal and their children have lost hope.

US President Donald Trump says he’s reluctant to slash weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, saying that if the U.S. doesn’t sell arms to the kingdom, then the Saudis will buy them from Russia or China. 

SPANISH rescuers have found the bodies of a German couple who went missing after flash flooding on the island of Mallorca, bringing the confirmed death toll to 12. A young child is still missing.

EGYPTIAN authorities detained the youngest son of jailed former President Mohammed Morsi yesterday for questioning on charges of spreading “fake news,” then released him on bail.