China, Israel vow more cooperation

JERUSALEM - Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan wrapped up a fruitful visit to Israel on Thursday with a reaffirmed commitment from both sides to further boost bilateral innovation cooperation for mutual benefits.

ROK set to conduct military exercises amid stalled drills with US

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea will stage two military drills next week amid a thaw in relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which have prompted Seoul and Washington to suspend joint exercises to spur nuclear talks.

Investigators search for sender of package bombs to Trump critics

WASHINGTON - Investigators have been searching across the United States for the culprit and motives behind the bizarre mail-bomb plot aimed at critics of the president, analyzing the crude devices to reveal whether they were intended to detonate or simply sow fear less than two weeks before midterm elections in the US.

UK nuke sector objective on CGN

Former British environment minister Tim Yeo said he expects Chinese investment in the United Kingdom's nuclear sector not to be deterred by pressure from the United States, stressing that British nuclear regulators will take an "evidence-based approach" to objectively assess Chinese investment.

IN BRIEF (Page 9)

EU backs plastics ban for 2021

STRASBOURG, France - The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday for an EU-wide ban on single-use plastics such as straws, cutlery, cotton buds and balloon sticks.

Nepal measuring world's tallest peak

KATHMANDU - A team from Nepal has restarted its first measurement of Mount Qomolangma, also known is the West as Mount Everest, the Nepali Department of Survey said.

Migrant caravan continues exodus

MAPASTEPEC, Mexico-Thousands of Central American migrants crossing Mexico toward the United States in a caravan have resumed their long trek, walking about 12 hours to their next destination.

Comic strip heroes make European museum debut in London

Original artwork by legendary US cartoonist Charles M. Schulz is making its European museum debut at London's Somerset House gallery in the new exhibition "Good Grief, Charlie Brown! Celebrating Snoopy and the Enduring Power of Peanuts".

Najib faces six more charges over state funds

KUALA LUMPUR - Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was charged with six counts of criminal breach of trust involving government funds worth more than $1.5 billion on Thursday, adding to the 32 charges he already faces for money laundering and graft.

Tourism hotspot to reopen after cleanup

MANILA - The Philippines will reopen its crown jewel resort island Boracay to holidaymakers on Friday, after a six-month cleanup aimed at repairing the damage inflicted by years of unrestrained mass tourism.

Global universities form Belt and Road network

Four British universities have signed on as founding members of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road University Consortium, a new network aimed at supporting joint research and student exchanges within the region covered by the Belt and Road Initiative.