Briefly

JAPAN

$52b military budget to fund jets, missiles

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government approved a ninth consecutive rise in military spending on Monday, funding the development of an advanced stealth fighter and a longer-range anti-ship missile. The Ministry of Defense will get a record 5.34 trillion yen ($51.7 billion) for the year starting in April, up 1.1 percent from this year. With Suga's large majority in parliament, enactment of the budget is all but certain, Reuters said. Suga is continuing the controversial military expansion pursued by his predecessor Shinzo Abe. A planned jet fighter, the first in three decades, is expected to cost around $40 billion and be ready in the 2030s. Japan will spend $323 million to begin development of a long-range anti-ship missile to defend its southwestern Okinawan island chain.

IRAQ

Rocket barrage targets US embassy

Eight rockets targeted the US embassy in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone late on Sunday, Iraq's military and Iraqi officials said, sparking fears of renewed unrest as next month's anniversary of the US slaying of an Iranian general draws near. An Iraqi military statement said an "outlawed group" launched eight rockets targeting the Green Zone, injuring one Iraqi security person manning a checkpoint and damaging a residential complex and some cars. The residential complex is usually empty. The US embassy's C-RAM defense system, which is used to destroy missiles in midair, was activated to deflect the attack. The embassy called on all Iraqi political and governmental leaders to take steps to prevent such attacks and hold accountable those responsible.

SOUTH ASIA

India warned against attacks in Kashmir

Pakistan's military was on high alert in Kashmir on Monday as Prime Minister Imran Khan warned India against carrying out any "false flag" operations in the disputed region after a United Nations vehicle in the Pakistan-held part came under attack. Pakistan blamed Friday's attack on India, implying it was aimed at embarrassing Islamabad and harming relations with the international community. The two UN observers in the vehicle escaped unharmed. The UN confirmed the attack and said it was being investigated. Pakistan said on Sunday that Indian forces had committed more than 3,000 cease-fire violations so far this year. It summoned a senior Indian diplomat to register a strong protest over a recent incident in Kashmir. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said a 25-year-old civilian was seriously injured due to "indiscriminate and unprovoked firing" by the Indian forces on Saturday.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

UN peacekeepers say unrest under control

Rebel forces advancing on the Central African Republic's capital Bangui have been pushed back and the situation is "under control", a spokesman for UN peacekeeping forces said on Sunday, as tensions mount a week before key elections. The government had alleged an attempted coup when three of the powerful armed groups that control much of the country's territory began advancing toward the capital along critical main roads, ahead of presidential and legislative elections scheduled for Dec 27.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed for calm and called on all sides to ensure credible elections and peace.

Agencies - Xinhua