Briefly

UNITED KINGDOM

Queen sets out PM's plan for governance

Britain's Queen Elizabeth on Thursday laid out Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plans for government following Johnson's sweeping election win. The plans focus on delivering Brexit and supporting the health service. Top of Johnson's to-do list is a bill to ratify the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union, which he negotiated in October but could not get through parliament. He also hopes to push through the deal in time to "Get Brexit Done" before the next EU deadline of Jan 31.

FRANCE

Macron mulls changes to pension reform plan

The French government launched negotiations with labor unions on Wednesday on potential changes to a landmark pension reform bill that sparked crippling transportation strikes and protests across the country. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe met with union leaders and employer group representatives after French President Emmanuel Macron asked his government to hold talks on possible amendments to the reform package. The general strike that started Dec 5 dramatically impacted train and subway services as drivers remained off the job. Hundreds of thousands of people participated in nationwide protests.

AUSTRALIA

Emergency declared as wildfires spread

Australia's most populous state declared its second emergency in as many months on Thursday as extreme heat and strong winds stoked scores of uncontrolled bushfires, some on Sydney's doorstep. In the same week the continent experienced its hottest day on record, thick smoke blanketed the harbor city, shrouded the Opera House and brought many outdoor activities to a halt. The state of emergency declaration gave firefighters broad powers to control government resources, force evacuations, close roads and shut down utilities across New South Wales, which is home to more than 7 million people. Firefighters are battling more than 100 fires, more than half of which are uncontrolled, and temperatures are forecast to top 45 degrees in some areas.

INDIA

Citizenship law protests grow

Indians defied bans on assembly on Thursday in cities nationwide as anger swells against a citizenship law seen as discriminatory against Muslims, following days of protests, clashes and riots that have left six dead. Two Indian telecom firms also said that they have cut mobile services in parts of New Delhi on government orders. Authorities in New Delhi on Thursday closed roads and shut metro stations in a bid to stop the protests. The new law eases citizenship rules for those fleeing persecution from three neighboring countries, but excludes Muslims.

MEXICO

14 killed as mini-bus crashes into truck

Fourteen people, including five children, were killed on Wednesday after a mini-bus ran into a lumber truck and caught fire, authorities said. The mini-bus carrying a family was en route from their native Guanajuato state to the Pacific beach resort of Puerto Vallarta when it crashed into the truck, which stopped on the side of the road, said state emergency authorities, adding that 12 others were injured in the accident.