Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, Jan. 30

U.S. and Chinese defense officials will meet at the Pentagon on Feb. 5 for the Defense Policy Coordination Talks, the Department of Defense announced Thursday.

David Helvey, deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, will host the talks with Rear Admiral Li Ji, deputy director of Foreign Affairs Office of China's Ministry of National Defense, Pentagon spokesman Jeff Pool said. (U.S.-China-Talks)

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BRUSSELS -- European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said here on Thursday that EU foreign ministers decided to extend the targeted sanctions against Russia by six months until September.

Mogherini made the remarks at a press conference after the extraordinary foreign ministers' meeting.

She said the EU would have proposals within a week to expand this blacklist and start preparatory work on measures which can be taken to ensure the implementation of Minsk agreement. (EU-Russia-Sanctions)

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UNITED NATIONS -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Darfur, said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric Thursday.

Reports said hostilities escalated between the government of Sudan and the Darfur armed movements in Central Darfur, which has resulted massive displacement of civilians.

"The UN has confirmed that at least 36,000 civilians have been displaced in Darfur due to these hostilities," said Dujarric. (UN-Darfur-Situation)

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MEXICO CITY -- Mexico City's Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera revised down the death toll of the children's hospital blast Thursday morning to two from original seven.

"There have been two deaths, a minor and a woman, that is the number I have corroborated," said the mayor, adding some 60 people were injured by the blast

An earlier report said seven people were killed and at least 54 others injured in the powerful explosion. (Mexico-Gas Blast-Toll) Endi