Briefly

ISRAEL

Netanyahu's hard-line government sworn in

Benjamin Netanyahu, the longest-serving Israeli leader, returned to power on Thursday as the country's prime minister at the helm of a far-right coalition. In an official inauguration ceremony at the Israeli parliament, lawmakers voted 63-54 in favor of approving the new government. The new government is made up of an alliance of Netanyahu's conservative Likud party, the pro-settler Religious Zionism and the Jewish Power party. It is the most right-wing government in Israel's history.

MYANMAR

Suu Kyi faces total of 33 years in jail

Myanmar's former state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to another seven years in jail as her long series of trials ended on Friday. She is now facing more than three decades behind bars. Suu Kyi, 77, has been convicted on every charge leveled against her ranging from corruption to illegally possessing walkie-talkies and flouting COVID-19 restrictions. On Friday, she was jailed for seven years on five counts of corruption related to the hiring, maintenance and purchase of a helicopter for a government minister, a case in which she allegedly caused "a loss to the state". She is now sentenced to a total of 33 years.

UNITED KINGDOM

Fashion designer Westwood dies at 81

Vivienne Westwood, an influential fashion maverick who played a key role in the punk movement, died on Thursday at 81. Westwood's eponymous fashion house announced her death on social media platforms, saying she died peacefully. A cause was not disclosed. Westwood's fashion career began in the 1970s when her radical approach to urban street style took the world by storm. But she went on to enjoy a long career highlighted by a string of triumphant runway shows and museum exhibitions.

Agencies - Xinhua