News brief: Big stories of the day

IMF cuts China's growth rate on 'negative effect of tariff actions'

As the Trump administration turns the heat on China in the trade war, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut China's growth citing "negative effect of recent tariff actions".

US seeks thorough probe into disappearance of Saudi Journalist Khashoggi 

The US has sought a thorough and transparent investigation into the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist after President Donald Trump expressed concern over the scribe's whereabouts.

Virgin Galatic space flight within weeks, not months: Richard Branson

Virgin Galatic owner and British entrepreneur Richard Branson said he expects his rocket company to launch a space flight "within weeks, not months".

"We will be in space with people not too long after that," he added.

Alok Nath responds to rape allegations, says 'It was me who made her what she is'

Actor Alok Nath, who has been accused of raping senior TV writer-director Vinta Nanda, responded to the allegations on Tuesday with an ambiguous answer. 

Suicide bomber kills eight at Afghan election rally, including candidate

A suicide bomber killed eight people in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Tuesday, including a candidate in upcoming parliamentary elections, the latest in a series of deadly attacks targeting the vote, officials said.