IN BRIEF (Page 8)

United States

House approves money for wall at Mexico border

The Republican-led House has approved funding for US President Donald Trump's border wall in legislation that pushes the government closer to a partial shutdown. The House voted 217-185, largely along party lines. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it has almost no chance of passing. Senators already passed their bill to avert a shutdown by extending funds to Feb 8. It did not include the wall funding. Without resolution, government funding for various departments expires at midnight on Friday. Trump had given mixed signals on how hard he would push for $5 billion in border wall funds. But he dug in on Thursday, telling House Republican leaders he wouldn't sign the Senate bill that didn't have the money.

Japan

Ghosn re-arrested on fresh allegations

Prosecutors re-arrested former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn over fresh allegations on Friday, apparently dashing his hopes of being home for Christmas in the latest twist to a rollercoaster saga. The case of the once-revered 64-year-old tycoon has gripped Japan and the business world since he was arrested as he stepped off his private jet at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Nov 19. He had appeared set for release on Friday after a court surprisingly rejected the prosecutors' demand to extend his detention for further questioning. But instead of being freed on bail, Ghosn was arrested on Friday over separate allegations of financial wrongdoing.

United Kingdom

MPs on holiday as Brexit decision looms

British lawmakers headed off for a holiday break on Thursday with visions of Brexit dancing in their heads - and a big decision to make. Parliament broke up for a 17-day Christmas recess, without deciding whether to approve the government's divorce deal with the European Union. Prime Minister Theresa May postponed a vote on the deal last week to avert heavy defeat. It has been rescheduled for the week of Jan 14, but opposition remains strong across the political spectrum.

Korean Peninsula

US envoy optimistic amid latest friction

The United States agreed on Friday to the scheduled inter-Korean groundbreaking ceremony next week to modernize and connect railways and roads across the border. Lee Do-hoon, the Republic of Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, made the remarks after holding a working-group meeting in Seoul with his US counterpart Stephen Biegun, who was on a four-day trip to Seoul from Wednesday. The working group was launched in November between the ROK and the US to regularly communicate on issues related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Australia

Sydney hit by hail the size of tennis balls

Australia's largest city was picking up the pieces on Friday after lightning and hailstorms pummeled cars with ice blocks the size of tennis balls. The authorities issued a severe storm warning, but that was not enough to prevent damage that is already running into the tens of millions of dollars. "As of 6:30 am we are at 15,000 claims and A$80 million ($57 million) in damages," said the Insurance Council of Australia. When the storms hit, local residents looked on in desperation as cauliflower-shaped hail smashed through car windshields and turned the harbor into a bubbling and splashing caldron.

Niger

Boko Haram threat closes 100 schools

Around 100 schools have closed or suspended classes in Niger due to the threat from extremists, the United Nations said on Thursday, in the latest warning over Boko Haram extremist presence. Boko Haram began a bloody insurgency in northeastern Nigeria in 2009 but has since spread into neighboring countries prompting a regional military response.

Ap - Afp - Xinhua

(China Daily 12/22/2018 page8)