Washington 'ready' to sign post-Brexit trade deal

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said his country would be ready "pen in hand" to sign a free-trade deal with the United Kingdom post-Brexit, but US legislators who would have to approve any such deal have made it clear things would not be so simple because of the issue of the Irish border.

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Rouhani says Iran favors talks with US

TEHERAN - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Teheran favors talks with Washington but the United States must first lift sanctions it imposed on the Islamic republic.

1.5b people face extreme water stress

WASHINGTON - Nearly one-quarter of the world's population, or almost 1.5 billion people, live in 17 countries vulnerable to water shortages close to "day zero" conditions, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Modi's move draws praise, criticism

NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to revoke the special status of the India-controlled part of the disputed Kashmir region is a bold gamble to end a three-decades old armed revolt and draw the territory closer to the rest of India, the country's media said on Tuesday.

Typhoon Francisco slams Kyushu Island

At least one man has died and several others were injured on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu as a strong typhoon hit the country on Tuesday.

Hiroshima marks 74th anniversary of atomic bombing

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Hiroshima marked the 74th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city with its mayor renewing calls for eliminating such weapons and demanding Japan's government do more.

Democrats seek Senate recess vote on gun control

Democratic leaders in the US House and Senate on Monday urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to call lawmakers back to Washington to vote on a gun background-check bill following deadly shootings in Texas and Ohio over the weekend.

EU: No real 'meaningful talks' over Brexit deal

European Union officials have said there is no real prospect of meaningful talks with the United Kingdom on a Brexit deal, even while British Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists on changes to the proposed withdrawal agreement.

Donald Trump misrepresents facts on China's currency

WASHINGTON - In the latest chapter of an escalating trade conflict with China, US President Donald Trump is again accusing Beijing of manipulating its currency to gain trade advantages. In doing so, he's misrepresenting the facts.

DPRK fires projectiles, denouncing US drills

In an apparent show of protest against the ongoing joint military exercise by Seoul and Washington, Pyongyang fired two short-range projectiles into its eastern waters on Tuesday, the fourth such launch in less than two weeks.

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