Mattis talks with China avoid strain

Compiled from news services

BEIJING — U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Chinese leaders on Wednesday avoided mention of topics that have recently dominated the relationship — Taiwan, Chinese militarization of the South China Sea and North Korea — focusing instead on military cooperation.

Last month, the Pentagon withdrew its invitation for China to participate in a multinational naval exercise over China’s fortressing of man-made islands in the South China Sea.

Cave rescue continues

MAE SAI, Thailand — Rain stymied the rescue of a soccer team trapped in a cave in Thailand.

Rising water has prevented divers from reaching the 12 schoolboys and their coach, who went missing Saturday. There has been no contact with them, but officials remain optimistic.

Migrants dock in Malta

VALLETTA,Malta — The captain of a ship stuck searching for harbor before being OK’d to bring 234 migrants to Malta Wednesday was placed under investigation for breaching maritime regulations.

French President Emmanuel Macron also criticized the captain for not turning the migrants over to Libyan authorities after they were found in Libyan waters.

The refusal to let the ship dock prefaces a summit Thursday where migration policies are expected to be the focus.