WORLD
Seoul urges N Korea to start new year by opening door for dialogue
North Korea earlier announced the ruling Workers' Party will hold a plenary meeting of its central committee "in the last third of December" to "discuss and decide on work plans for the new year", reports Yonhap News Agency. "The plenary has been usually held for one to four days with leader Kim Jong-un's attendance," Unification Ministry spokesperson Lee Jong-joo told reporters here.
Israel approves 2 new settlements in Golan Heights
In a special cabinet meeting held in the Golan, the ministers approved a plan to strengthen the Israeli settlements in the originally-Syrian territory, according to a statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office. Under the plan, two new settlements, Asif and Matar, will be established, each with about 2,000 new housing units, Xinhua news agency reported.
8 dead in suicide bomb attack in Congo on Christmas
In a provisional assessment provided on Saturday night by General Ekenge Sylvain, spokesman for the governor of the North Kivu province, at least six people, including the suicide bomber, were killed and 13 others wounded in this "terrorist attack" in the city of Beni. According to the update delivered this Sunday morning by the medical director of the General Hospital of Beni, two other people died from the serious injuries caused by the explosion, adding that 14 other people were wounded, some in serious condition, Xinhua news agency reported.
41 killed in Burkina Faso attack
The incident took place on Thursday. According to the same source, the identification of the victims is still underway by the national gendarmerie, Xinhua news agency reported. The government strongly condemns this barbarity, and the president has decreed national mourning of forty-eight hours on Sunday and Monday.
Death toll from Malaysia's floods rises to 47
The number of people who died in the massive floods in Malaysia has risen to 47, authorities said. Besides those confirmed dead, at least another five individuals have been reported missing, Xinhua news agency reported citing a a statement by Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.
4 IS militants killed in airstrikes in Iraq
Acting on intelligence reports, the Iraqi aircraft conducted 14 airstrikes on IS positions and hideouts in Himreen mountain range in the north of the provincial capital Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad, Xinhua news agency quoted Mohammed al-Azawi, a local leader of the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces, as saying. The airstrikes resulted in the killings of four IS militants, al-Azawi said.
Chinese business bodies ask India to stop irregular tax probes
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in India and the India China Mobile Phone Enterprise Association, in a statement sent to the Global Times on Sunday, said that Chinese mobile phone companies in India have now encountered unprecedented difficulties, and as a result of sudden inspection and fines by the Indian authorities, the companies are unable to carry out normal production and operations.
Lost a great man, who lived meaningful life: Dalai Lama on Desmond Tutu's death
"Please accept my heartfelt condolences," he wrote, "and convey the same to your mother and other members of your family. I pray for him. "As you know, over the years, your father and I enjoyed an enduring friendship. I remember the many occasions we spent time together, including the week here at Dharamsala in 2015 when we were able to share our thoughts on how to increase peace and joy in the world. The friendship and the spiritual bond between us was something we cherished.
Scientist says China's 'Zero Covid' policy won't work against Omicron
The Chinese city of Xian's 13 million residents were ordered on Thursday into a draconian stay-at-home lockdown because of 250 cases. It means all households may only send one household member outside once every two days to shop for necessities.
Third dose of Sinovac vax insufficient against omicron: Study
According to Nikkei Asia, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong conducted the study, finding that a third shot of what is one of the world's most widely used Covid-19 vaccines does not produce enough levels of virus-neutralising antibodies.
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