Briefly

DPRK

New ambassador takes up post in Pyongyang

Wang Yajun, China's new ambassador to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, arrived in Pyongyang on Monday to assume his new post, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday. Noting that China and the DPRK are close neighbors sharing mountains and rivers, Mao said the bilateral relationship has entered a new historical period and is proceeding toward further development under the strategic guidance of the two countries' top leaders. "We believe that the new ambassador taking office will play an important role in the development of traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries," Mao said. Wang was a former vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

ISRAEL

Netanyahu pauses judicial overhaul

Bending to a wave of mass protests, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed his contentious judicial overhaul plan on Monday and said he wanted to "avoid civil war" by making time to seek a compromise with political opponents. The announcement appeared to calm some of the tensions that have fueled three tumultuous months of unrest. But it failed to address the underlying issues that have polarized the nation, and the anti-government protest movement vowed to intensify its efforts. In his prime-time address, Netanyahu, who had previously rejected calls to delay the legislation, took a more conciliatory tone than in recent speeches. Netanyahu and his allies presented the overhaul in January just days after forming their government, the most right-wing in Israel's history.

MEXICO

Over 39 dead in fire near border with US

At least 39 migrants died after a fire broke out at a migrant facility in the Mexican northern border city of Ciudad Juarez, the government's National Migration Institute, or INM, said on Tuesday. In a statement, the INM said there were 68 adult men from Central and South America staying at the facility. Twenty-nine migrants were also injured in the blaze and were taken to four hospitals in the area, the institute said. The fire, one of the deadliest to hit the country in years, occurred as the US and Mexico are battling to cope with record levels of border crossings at their shared frontier. Ciudad Juarez is a major crossing point for migrants entering the US. Its shelters are full of migrants waiting for opportunities to cross or who have requested asylum and are waiting out the process.

China Daily - Agencies