World Briefs

CHINA President Xi Jinping appears primed to take on the ceremonial title of the “core” of the current generation of leaders, the latest of many accolades he has received. The bestowing of names may reveal not only Xi’s strengths, but some weaknesses.

CHINA’s official Xinhua News Agency says one Chinese citizen was killed and three injured in a shooting in Laos, also the scene of a January bombing that claimed Chinese lives. Unknown suspects described as militants opened fire on a temporary work space being used by a Chinese company this week in the northern province of Luang Prabang. Two of the injured Chinese are in a serious condition, but Xinhua gave no other details yesterday.

HONG KONG Exchanges & Clearing Ltd., the most valuable exchange operator in Asia, said full-year earnings rose to a record on higher trading turnover. Net income jumped 54 percent to HKD7.96 billion last year, up from HKD5.17 billion a year earlier, the exchange said in a statement yesterday. Revenue increased 36 percent to HKD13.38 billion in the period.

MIDDLE EAST A Saudi-led bloc of six Gulf nations formally branded Hezbollah a terrorist organization yesterday, ramping up the pressure on the Lebanese militant group fighting on the side of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria. The move by the Gulf Cooperation Council comes less than two weeks after Saudi Arabia announced it was cutting USD4 billion in aid to Lebanese security forces.

USA Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton take major steps toward claiming their parties’ presidential nominations with sweeping wins on Super Tuesday, the biggest day in the primary campaign. The Democratic establishment is pleased. The Republican establishment is in panic mode. Observers say it was the most confusing Super Tuesday ever.
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USA Two Catholic bishops led a small Pennsylvania diocese in covering up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children by more than 50 priests and other religious leaders over a 40-year period,  according to a grand jury report. The report portrays the church as holding such sway over law enforcement that it helped select a police chief.

EU European Central Bank Executive Board Member Benoit Coeure said that the bank is “studying carefully the schemes used in other jurisdictions” to mitigate adverse consequences for banks of negative rates, in what is being viewed as a strong hint towards deeper cuts to interest rates by the ECB at its March meeting.

SPAIN Princess Cristina’s husband told a Spanish court that palace officials oversaw the princess’ tax dealings and were aware of his business operations at the Noos Institute, which is at the center of a tax-and-embezzlement trial in which the couple and 15 others are accused. Inaki Urdangarin told prosecutors he never made any decisions without consulting the palace.