World Briefs

CHINA Guidelines that require Chinese telecom carriers to use facial recognition technology on buyers of SIM cards kicked in yesterday as the country cracks down on fraud. Companies should use artificial intelligence or other measures on buyers to ensure they match the identification provided to purchase the SIM cards.

SOUTH KOREA-Japan Top South Korean and Japanese diplomats will likely meet on the sidelines of a gathering of Asian and European foreign ministers later this month to discuss a resolution to ayear-long dispute, Yonhap News reported.

AUSTRALIA A teacher held captive with an American colleague by the Taliban for more than three years believes U.S. special forces tried and failed six times to free them. Timothy Weeks [pictured] was released last month in a prisoner swap along with Kevin King, ending an ordeal that began with their abduction in 2016 outside the American University in Kabul, where they worked.

IRAQ The parliament approved the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi yesterday, amid ongoing violence and anti-government demonstrations in the capital that saw one protester shot dead. Protesters also continued to close roads, including those leading to a major commodities port, in mass demonstrations in southern Iraq.

IRAN has begun registration of candidates for running in the country’s parliamentary elections set for February 2020. The elections will be a gauge for the popularity of the moderate and reformist camps that President Hassan Rouhani represents.

MALDIVES Two opposition parties say the trial in which former President Yameen Abdul Gayoom was convicted of money laundering was politically motivated.

VATICAN CITY Pope Francis has hailed Nativity scenes as ‘’simple and admirable’’ signs of Christian faith, commenting on a traditional Christmas practice that has triggered court battles in the United States.

BRUSSELS New leaders took over yesterday at the top of the European Union’s executive and council, taking their positions at a turbulent time for the bloc with the looming British departure and other pressing issues.

UK The House Intelligence Committee is wrapping up the investigative phase of its impeachment inquiry after recent public hearings and plans a meeting to vote on its report tomorrow. Committee members can view a draft report beginning tonight.

UK Usman Khan was convicted on terrorism charges but let out of prison early. He attended a “Learning Together” conference for ex-offenders, and used the event to launch a bloody attack, stabbing two people to death and wounding three others. Police shot him dead after he flashed what seemed to be a suicide vest. More on p15