World News Roundup: Hong Kong extradition changes; Stand firm or face a new Cold War, Guterres warns Europe

U.S. believes Russia conducting low-level nuclear tests: official

The United States believes Russia may be conducting low-level nuclear tests, a U.S. intelligence official on Wednesday, while the head of a body monitoring a global nuclear treaty said there was no sign of such violations by Moscow. Negotiated in the 1990s, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) enjoys wide global support but must be ratified by eight more nuclear technology states, among them Israel, Iran, Egypt and the United States to come into force.

UK, Canada express concern over proposed Hong Kong extradition changes

Britain and Canada said on Thursday it was vital that extradition arrangements in Hong Kong fully respect the region's high degree of autonomy from China and are in line with the "one country two systems" principle. "We are concerned about the potential effect of these proposals on a large number of UK and Canadian citizens in Hong Kong, on business confidence and on Hong Kong's international reputation," the British and Canadian foreign ministers said in a joint statement.

U.S. 'playing with fire' on Taiwan, China says ahead of defense meeting

The United States is "playing with fire" with its support for self-ruled Taiwan, China said on Thursday, in angry comments ahead of a meeting between Defence Minister Wei Fenghe and acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan. The two countries, locked in an escalating trade war, are also at odds over a series of strategic issues, from the disputed South China Sea to democratic Taiwan, claimed by China as its sacred territory, to be taken by force if needed.

WikiLeaks' Assange too ill to appear via video link in U.S. extradition hearing

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was too ill on Thursday to appear via video link from a British prison in a hearing on an extradition request from the United States, his lawyer said. The United States is seeking the extradition of Assange, 47, who was dragged from the Ecuadorean embassy in London on April 11. He faces a total of 18 U.S. criminal counts and decades in prison if convicted.

Relief from U.S. sanctions will not come easily for some Venezuelans

Immediately after he turned against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the United States lifted economic sanctions against Manuel Cristopher, a general who served as the leftist leader's spy chief.

Kill off specter of no-deal Brexit, UK's Hammond warns next PM

Britain's finance minister on Thursday warned those in his party vying for Prime Minister Theresa May's job that a no-deal Brexit would imperil the economy and urged candidates to tone down irresponsible spending pledges. May's departure deepens the Brexit crisis as a new leader, who should be in place by the end of July, is likely to want a more decisive split, raising the chances of a confrontation with the EU and potentially a snap parliamentary election.

UK opposition leader Corbyn: Real danger of no-deal Brexit

There is a danger of a no-deal Brexit and Britain's main opposition Labour Party will do everything it can to stop that from happening, its leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Thursday. "I think there is a real danger of that with the prime minister's announced resignation and departure from office and the agenda of most of the candidates for the (Conservative) party leadership," said Corbyn.

Stand firm or face a new Cold War, Guterres warns Europe

The world risks a descent into lawlessness and a new Cold War if multilateralism fails, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday, calling on the European Union to take a lead role in fighting to preserve a rules-based global order. Speaking in the western German city of Aachen, where he was being awarded the annual Charlemagne Prize for promoting European unity, Guterres described the 28-nation bloc as a pillar of multilateralism that was "too big to fail".

How U.S. sanctions over a Russian weapon could rattle Turkey

Turkey is on the cusp of facing U.S. sanctions over its decision to buy a Russian S-400 missile defence system, leaving its already soft currency and economy vulnerable and raising questions over its position within NATO and the region. If no solution is found in coming weeks and U.S.-Turkish tensions continue to worsen, tit-for-tat sanctions could hit trade between the allies and prolong a recession in Turkey that has already tested President Tayyip Erdogan's grip on power.

At least seven South Korean tourists dead in Budapest boat disaster

Hungarian rescue officials said there was little chance of finding survivors after a boat carrying South Korean tourists sank on the Danube in Budapest, killing at least seven people and leaving 21 people missing. The boat collided with a much larger luxury passenger boat during a rainstorm late on Wednesday near the parliament building capsized and sank with some 30 tourists on board. The cause of the collision was under investigation.