IN BRIEF (Page 12)

United States

Israeli embassy to be moved by 2019

Vice-President Mike Pence told Israeli lawmakers on Monday that the US would move the embassy to the disputed city of Jerusalem by the end of 2019, drawing angry denunciations from Arabs who were forcibly removed from the hall during his speech before Israel's parliament. Shortly after Pence began speaking, several Arab lawmakers voiced their displeasure by raising signs that said "Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine", and heckling the vice-president. They were forcibly removed from the plenum.

Tsunami warning canceled after quake

The National Tsunami Center has canceled a tsunami warning that was triggered by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake off the coast of Alaska. Mickey Varnadao, a computer specialist with the warning center in Palmer, Alaska, said that an advisory remains in effect for parts of Alaska. Watches have been canceled for British Columbia in Canada, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii. Officials in Japan said is no tsunami threat there. Initially, the USGS said the earthquake was a magnitude 8.2.

France

Man jailed over plot to attack naval base

A Paris court on Monday sentenced a man to 10 years in jail for plotting to attack military personnel at a major naval base. Hakim Marnissi, 27, was convicted of criminal conspiracy with terrorist intent following his arrest in 2015 after he received parcels containing a knife and balaclavas. The judges said there was sufficient evidence to characterize his actions as a "plan to commit an attack" against the Mediterranean naval base in Toulon by attacking sailors "with a knife" and "die as a martyr".

Japan

1 dead as volcano erupts near ski resort

A soldier was killed on Tuesday after a volcano erupted near a ski resort, sparking an avalanche that left several injured and scores stranded up a mountain, officials said. Footage broadcast on television showed thick black smoke interspersed with falling rocks sliding down the snow-covered side of the volcano. Around 80 people were stranded for hours at a gondola station at the top of the mountain after a power outage.

Reuters - Xinhua - AP - AFP

(China Daily 01/24/2018 page12)