IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Saudi Arabia

Missile targeting palace intercepted

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Shiite rebels said it intercepted a missile fired over southern Riyadh on Tuesday. The rebels said they had targeted the royal palace in the kingdom's capital. The announcement by the coalition was carried by the Saudi state TV as residents of the kingdom posted videos on social media showing a small cloud of smoke in the sky. The report said no damage was caused by the missile. This was the second missile attack fired by the Houthis to target Riyadh since Nov 4. Last month's attack targeted the Saudi capital's airport but was also intercepted. The palace is where the Saudi monarch, King Salman, receives visiting foreign dignitaries and officials.

Japan

Company admits bid-rigging role

One of Japan's leading construction firms has admitted to breaching antitrust laws connected to a bidding process for construction contracts for a new maglev train project, local media reported on Tuesday. Obayashi Corp told Japan's antitrust watchdog that it was involved in obstructing the bidding process along with three other leading constructors - Taisei Corp, Kajima Corp and Shimizu Corp, according to sources. The admission of guilt means the company will escape a fine, under the FTC's leniency rules.

Philippines

Storm toll rises to 43 as hopes fade

The death toll from a tropical storm that pummelled the central Philippines rose to 43 with hopes fading for dozens of others still missing after massive landslides, authorities said on Tuesday. Slow-moving Kai-Tak finally swept out to the South China Sea on Monday after inducing days of heavy rain that led to deadly floods and landslides. The government's disaster monitoring agency listed 43 dead in an updated tally and said 45 other people were still missing, many of them feared buried by mud avalanches that struck the small island of Biliran.

United Kingdom

Freezing fog causes flight disruptions

Scores of travelers are suffering from flight disruptions as freezing fog caused delays and cancellations at London airports ahead of Christmas.

Forecasters at the Met Office have issued a severe weather warning for southern and central England and some parts of Wales until Tuesday. British Airways cancelled at least 49 departing and 49 arriving flights at London's Heathrow Airport. At Manchester Airport, no flights were able to take off or land for several hours on Monday.

United States

Ridiculed judicial pick withdraws

President Donald Trump's nominee for the federal court in Washington withdrew from consideration after a video that showed him admitting a lack of experience and ignorance of basic legal concepts went viral. Matthew Peterson, who was nominated by Trump to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, has been the subject of widespread ridicule since he was unable to define basic legal terms during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

(China Daily 12/20/2017 page12)