World Briefs

CHINA Authorities in central China say five people have been killed and seven injured in an explosion at a fireworks factory, just weeks ahead of the Chinese New Year. The Tongxu county government in Henan province said yesterday that a team was set up to investigate the blast. Its cause was not immediately clear. Often, there are reports of fireworks-related incidents at factories in the weeks leading to the holiday.

TAIWAN China isn’t going to be happy with the likely victory for Taiwan’s pro-independence opposition in this weekend’s presidential election, but it has limited options to respond: any angry reaction could further alienate the island’s public, while a passive response could weaken Beijing’s influence there.

PHILIPPINES The military went on “heightened alert” following the attacks in neighboring Indonesia, although it said no specific terrorist threats had been monitored. Police also beefed up security in train stations, bus terminals, airports and shopping malls and asked for public vigilance. The Philippine government condemned the attacks. “We stand by in solidarity with our Indonesian brothers and sisters in this time of tragedy,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

AUSTRALIA says it was among 40 countries urged by the United States to increase their military contributions in Iraq and Syria following the Paris attacks in November. But Australia told the U.S. that its commitment would remain largely unchanged.

IRAN State TV says nuclear experts have finished removing the core of the country’s only nuclear heavy water reactor as part of Tehran’s obligations under its nuclear deal with world powers. Iran’s atomic department announced the completion of the work on the Arak reactor yesterday, saying holes that held the core will be filled with concrete.

INDIA Police say an American tourist died earlier this week after a mob of villagers mistook him for a thief and chased him until he fell into a swampy rice paddy, where he choked on muddy water

GERMANY Prosecutors in Cologne said yesterday they are offering a reward of 10,000 euros (USD10,920) for information leading to the arrest or identification of those who committed sexual assaults and robberies during New Year’s Eve. Prosecutors have so far received 652 criminal complaints from that night, when groups of drunken men described as being mostly of “Arab or North African” origin attacked revelers at the city’s main train station.

LEBANON Dozens of Lebanese protesters have clashed with police in downtown Beirut over the country’s months-long trash collection crisis. The clash began after a group of protesters entered the environment ministry to stage a sit-in inside. The protest was timed to coincide with a Cabinet meeting to discuss the issue. A proposal to export the waste temporarily has stalled because of disputes.

UK British actor and filmmaker Alan Rickman, a classically trained stage star and sensual screen villain in the “Harry Potter” saga and other films, has died aged 69, after a battle with cancer.