Briefly

RUSSIA

Moscow warns against 'hypotheses' in crash

The Kremlin cautioned against "hypotheses" as Azerbaijani and US officials believe a "Russian missile" caused the crash of an Azerbaijani passenger jet that killed 38 people. An investigation is underway with news website Caliber citing unnamed officials as saying they believed a Russian missile downed the plane. The Kremlin said it would be improper to comment until the inquiry was concluded. "It is wrong to build hypotheses before the results of the investigation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

MOZAMBIQUE

At least 6,000 inmates escape from prison

At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique's capital Maputo on Christmas Day after a rebellion, with widespread post-election riots and violence roiling the southeastern African country. Police chief Bernardino Rafael said 33 prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with security forces. The prisoners fled during violent protests that have seen police cars, stations and infrastructure destroyed after the country's Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the Oct 9 elections.

GERMANY

President Steinmeier dissolves parliament

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday ordered parliament dissolved and set new elections for Feb 23 in the wake of the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's governing coalition. Scholz lost a confidence vote on Dec 16 and leads a minority government after his unpopular three-party coalition collapsed on Nov 6 when he fired his finance minister in a dispute over how to revitalize Germany's stagnant economy. Leaders of several major parties then agreed that a parliamentary election should be held on Feb 23, seven months earlier than originally planned. He said that new elections are the appropriate course of action for the country's benefit.

Agencies - Xinhua