Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has outlined this country's diplomatic priorities for the coming year.

They include enhancing ties with world powers and establishing closer relationships with neighboring countries.

Wang Yi made the comments at a forum on Chinese diplomacy held here in Beijing.

The foreign minister says China will continue to insist on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and strive for the resumption of the six-party talks.

He has also put an emphasis on the work to safeguard China's national sovereignty.

 

 

China to launch its lunar probe Chang'e 5 in 2017

China's space agency has announced plans to launch its lunar probe Chang'e 5 in 2017.

The launch is part of the country's next stage of lunar exploration.

Space authorities say the development of Chang'e 5 is proceeding smoothly.

Chang'e-3 landed on the moon's Bay of Rainbows on Saturday.

The lander will operate there for a year with the rover, named Yutu or Jade Rabbit, expected to operate for 3-months.

 

UN chief calls for cease-fire and humanitarian support in Syria

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has demanded a cease-fire in Syria before peace talks between the government and opposition begin in Geneva next month.

The comment comes as Ban addressed a year-end press conference at the UN headquarters in New York City.

He urges all countries with any power and influence on the parties to demand a stop to the fighting before the Geneva conference.

The UN says more than 100-thousand people have been killed and over 6 million others have been internally displaced since the conflict broke out in March 2011. 

More than two million Syrians have fled to neighboring countries, including Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

 

NSA domestic phone program likely unconstitutional: U.S. federal judge

A U.S. federal judge has ruled the National Security Agency's collection of domestic phone records is unconstitutional and violates Constitutional rights to privacy. 

This is the first significant legal setback for the secret intelligence surveillance program since it was first revealed by defense contractor Edward Snowden in June.

Judge Richard Leon says some cases related to the NSA demonstrate "a substantial likelihood" of its domestic phone scooping program violating the Fourth Amendment, which bans unreasonable searches and seizures.

This is the first time a court has ruled against the NSA's massive surveillance program on U.S. phones since June.

The verdict is likely to be appealed.

 

South Sudan says foiled military coup

South Sudan's government says it has foiled a military coup plotted by its sacked vice president Riek Machar.

Fighting reportedly began at a meeting of officials where unidentified personnel opened fire, which was followed by an attack on army headquarters by soldiers loyal to former Vice President Machar.

South Sudan remains in a state of emergency. 

Salva Kiir took over as the head of the country after it split from Sudan in 2011.

 

67 killed in violent attacks in Iraq

At least 67 people have been killed and 138 others wounded in Iraq following a series of attacks across the country marking one of the bloodiest days in months for the country.

In the deadliest attack, at least 25 people were killed and 52 others injured when two car bombs went off simultaneously in the Rashid district in southern Baghdad.

Monday's attacks came amid escalation of sectarian tension between the Sunni and Shiite communities, which have been at its highest level since the U.S. troops pulled out from the country at the end of 2011.

 

All-clear given in Harvard bomb scare

US authorities have given an all-clear to all four buildings on Harvard University's campus after a bomb scare earlier on Monday. 

The investigation comes following an evacuation order by university police after they received reports that explosives may have been placed in four buildings on campus. 

Several final exams scheduled for the day have been canceled.

 

South Africa's ANC says has nothing to do with bogus sign interpreter at Mandela's memorial service

The South African ruling African National Congress has distanced itself from the bogus language signer who signed gibberish during former President Nelson Mandela's memorial service last week.

An ANC spokesperson says the party did not take part in the government process to procure the service provider for the memorial.

Thami Jantijie, the sign language interpreter, has come under fire from organizations representing deaf people worldwide.

He claims he is a real signer but suffers from schizophrenia and was experiencing hallucinations throughout the event.

 

3 injured in central China quake

Three people have been hurt following a 5.1-magnitude earthquake in Hubei Monday afternoon.

Nearly 80 homes have been damaged in the quake.

Initial damage estimates are around 16-million yuan or over 2 and a half million US dollars. 

The quake, which struck near the 3-gorges dam, has not caused any damage to the structure.

 

China reports second H7N9 case in two days

Another case of H7N9 bird flu is being reported in Guangdong.

The infected woman is reportedly in serious condition.

This is the second H7N9 case confirmed within the last two days.

In the other case, a 39 year old is said to be in critical condition.

Earlier this month, authorities in Hong Kong also confirmed 2 H7N9 cases infecting an Indonesian national and a mainland resident.