News in Brief(2023-07-18)

Kerry holds 4-hour meeting

with Chinese counterpart

BEIJING, July 17: US climate envoy John Kerry held four hours of talks with his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua in Beijing on Monday, Chinese state media said. "Xie Zhenhua, China's special envoy for climate change affairs, concluded his talks with John Kerry, the special envoy of the US president for climate issues, which lasted for around four hours," state broadcaster CCTV said. Earlier report adds: US climate envoy John Kerry was in Beijing on Monday to revive stalled talks and pressure China to step up its efforts to reduce planet-warming emissions. — AFP

Typhoon sweeps south of HK

HONG KONG, July 17: Schools and the stock market were closed in Hong Kong on Monday as Typhoon Talim swept south of the city. As the financial hub braced for rainy and windy weather, more than 100 people sought refuge at temporary shelters. Some government and ferry services were halted and various events were postponed. The city's airport authority said 16 flights were canceled. — AP

Cairo apartment bldg collapse kills 7

CAIRO, July 17: An apartment building collapsed Monday in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, leaving at least seven people dead, state-run media said, as rescuers at the scene searched through the rubble. Building collapses are common in Egypt, where shoddy construction and a lack of maintenance are widespread in shantytowns, poor city neighborhoods and rural areas. The state-run MENA news agency reported that rescue teams recovered at least seven bodies from under the rubble of a four-story building in Cairo's neighborhood of Hadaeq el-Qubbah. — AP

Sailor, dog rescued after lost at sea

SYDNEY, July 17: An Australian sailor and his dog have been rescued after two months adrift in the Pacific Ocean, surviving the ordeal by drinking rainwater and snacking on raw fish. Tim Shaddock and his dog Bella set off in a catamaran from Mexico's seaside city of La Paz in April, and planned to sail about 6,000 kilometres (3,700 miles) before dropping anchor in tropical French Polynesia. But they soon found themselves stranded in the vast Pacific Ocean after rough seas damaged the vessel and knocked out its electronics. — AFP