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Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, April 18

Xinhua, April 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

China and the United States are expected to exchange negative lists of bilateral investment treaty (BIT) "this month or next month," which could pave the way for substantial achievement on the negotiations in this regard in September, China's Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao said Friday.

Zhu made the remarks at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-D.C. based think tank, on the sidelines of the ongoing spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, after U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman told Xinhua earlier Friday that he expected the two sides to exchange the negative lists soon. (U.S.-China)

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WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia over the phone to discuss recent developments in Yemen, the White House said Friday.

Yemen has been suffering from political unrest and clashes between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to Yemeni President Abd- Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who has fled the country. (U.S.-Saudi Arabia-Yemen)

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LONDON --A five-star hotel located in the center of Oxford University in Britain caught fire on Friday, leading to road closures and evacuation of all guests and staff, local police said Friday.

Officers were called at 16.37 BST (15.37 GMT) by the fire service to the McDonald Randolph Hotel, following reports of smoke coming from the roof of the building, the Thames Valley Police said in a statement. (Britain-Fire)

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TRIPOLI -- Fierce fighting between Libya Dawn militias and pro-government forces broke out on Friday in Libya's capital Tripoli, according to military sources and witnesses.

The fierce fighting started at dawn in Tripoli's eastern suburb of Tajoura, a pro-government military official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Libya-Fighting)

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DAR ES SALAAM -- At least 19 gold miners were killed on Thursday night in a landslide in Tanzania's northwestern district of Kahama, with many more feared trapped in mining pits, police said on Friday.

Justus Kamugisha, Shinyanga regional police commander, said 19 bodies had been recovered so far and rescue operations were underway. (Tanzania-Landslide) Endi