China has announced its Chang'e-3 lunar probe mission "a complete success" following photographic confirmation that both the lander and moon rover are functioning well.

Now the rover Yu'tu or Jade Rabbit and the lander have separated for their own scientific exploration. Yutu is being tasked with surveying the moon's geological structure and surface substances as well as looking for natural resources.

It will work on the moon for three months with a speed of 200 meters per hour.

While at the same time, the lander will conduct in-situ exploration at the landing site for one year.

Chang'e-3 landed on the moon's Sinus Iridum, or the Bay of Rainbows on Saturday, making China the third country in the world to carry out such a rover mission after the United States and Soviet Union.

This is also the world's first soft-landing on the moon in nearly four decades. 

Chinese scientists are now eyeing the next mission to bring samples from the moon back to the Earth on an unmanned craft before 2020, paving the way for sending men to the moon.

 

Chinese FM Middle East, Syria with Kerry over phone

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has discussed the Middle East peace talks and Syrian situation with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry via telephone.

Wang Yi is set to leave for his first Middle East trip later this week since taking office, while Kerry has just concluded his visit there.

When it comes to the Syrian issue, Kerry says the U.S. government attaches great importance to China's role in resolving the crisis and is willing to stay in touch with the Chinese side over the matter.

 

Mandela laid to rest

South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela has been laid to rest at his home village of Qunu, buried next to his deceased relatives at the family's grave site.

Three military helicopters flew low over the cemetery as Mandela's casket was placed into the wreath-ringed grave.

A battery of cannons fired a 21-gun salute, sending booms reverberating around the hills of the Eastern Cape, before five fighter jets roared over the valley.

450 relatives, political leaders and foreign guests including Britain's Prince Charles attended the more private burial ceremony.

Mandela died on December 5th at the age of 95 after a long illness.

 

Ireland first to emerge from financial bailout

Ireland has pulled out of the IMF/EU bailout program, making it the first nation to work its way free of rescue loans. 

However, the country has yet to break free from the strict austerity measures which have characterized the bailout period.

The Irish economy is still under threat, with weak domestic demand eroded by the austerity measures that came with the bailout.

Ireland asked for a bailout from the Troika in November 2010, when the country was on the brink of bankruptcy. It received nearly 70 billion euros, nearly 100-billion US dollars, to implement austerity measures in exchange for aid.

 

One Chinese shot dead in Madagascar's capital

A Chinese national was shot dead on Sunday in An-tan-an-arivo, capital of Madagascar.

The 54-year-old victim hailed from China's northeastern province of Jilin. 

The victim was said to be on a lorry heading home Sunday morning when two gunmen rushed the lorry in an attempt to seize the vehicle's key.

 

150,000 people evacuated in S China downpour

Some 150-thousand people have been evacuated after heavy rainfall inundated several villages and townships in south China's Hainan.

Local authorities have dispatched speedboats to evacuate local residents from flooded areas.

Meteorological authorities say the heavy rain is expected to last through Monday in the east of the province.

 

China reports new H7N9 case

Health authorities in south China's Guangdong have confirmed a new H7N9 bird flu case.

The 39-year-old man is in serious condition. 

All 53 people who had close contact with the patient have been through health checks with no abnormity reported.

The Chinese mainland has reported 141 human infections of H7N9 so far.

 

Tianjin issues anti air pollution policies

In the country's latest efforts to curb air pollution, east China's Tianjin Municipality has rolled out a set of new policies, including traffic control and license plate restrictions.

The city is imposing a quota on its new car plates, requiring buyers to enter a lottery system or bid in auctions to win a plate.

Tianjin will also follow the capital Beijing's step in adopting a similar traffic restriction scheme, which blocks cars from streets depending on the last digit of their plates.

Local officials say the ban, which will take effect in March, is expected to take one fifth of the city's private cars off the road on workdays.

 

Guangzhou Evergrande beat African champions to set up Bayern Munich clash

Guangzhou Evergrande has beaten African champions Al-Ahly 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup in Morocco.

Brazilian striker Elkeson and Argentina's playmaker Dario Conca scored in the second half for the Asian champion.

Marcello Lippi's Guangzhou will next meet European champions Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.

The semi-final between Guangzhou and Bayern begins at 3:30 am Wednesday morning Beijing time.