World Briefs

CHINA says it will impose new restrictions on media reports about domestic terrorism, as it continues to deride a French journalist being forced to leave the country after questioning Beijing’s claims about the terrorist threat it faces.

CHINA‘s Ministry of Public Security announced yesterday more simple procedures for applying passports or other pass certificates. Chinese citizens will no longer need to present their household registration documents to authorities. Also, applicants no longer have to provide copies of application materials. Last year, the ministry shortened the length of time taken for such procedures and allowed people applying for more than one certificate at the same time by filling out a single form.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron is set to see firsthand the devastation caused by weeks of heavy rains and swollen rivers in northern England. Major cities including York, Leeds and Manchester have been affected in a wide area roughly 320 kilometers north of London.

IRAQI forces backed by U.S.-led airstrikes drove Islamic State militants out of the center of Ramadi on Monday and seized the main government complex there, according to military officials, who said insurgents are still dug into pockets of the city west of Baghdad.

SOUTH AFRICA A Cape Town fire department spokesman says nine people were killed in fires in the South African city over the weekend. Fire and Rescue Services spokesman Theo Layne said yesterday that about 1,500 people were left homeless over the holiday weekend from five separate fires in the coastal city. Layne said two girls were among the dead.

USA Haskell Wexler, one of Hollywood’s most famous and honored cinematographers and one whose innovative approach helped him win Oscars for “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and the Woody Guthrie biopic “Bound for Glory,” has died.

PUERTO RICO A policeman fatally shot two high-ranking officers and a policewoman yesterday following an argument at the station where they worked, authorities said. He was immediately placed under arrest.

USA Amazon.com has been a prime beneficiary of holiday shoppers going online or procrastinating. The company says it shipped a record number of items worldwide for the holidays, with Christmas Eve the biggest day ever for deliveries using the company’s Prime Now service. The service offers free two-hour delivery to more than 20 metropolitan areas.

INDIA Like consumers around the globe, Indians are flocking to the online marketplace these days. But there’s one unusual item flying off the virtual shelves: Online retailers say cow dung patties are selling like hot cakes.