World briefs

THAILAND’s legislature will invite Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to become the 10th king in the Chakri Dynasty, the latest step in naming the country’s first new monarch in seven decades. More on  p11

THE U.S. economy in the third quarter grew at the fastest pace in two years, with a revised report showing stronger consumer spending than first estimated. The gross domestic product, the country’s total output of goods and services, expanded at an annual rate of 3.2 percent in the July-September period, the Commerce Department reported yesterday. That is up from a previous estimate of 2.9 percent.

ITALY The woman who is the world’s oldest living person has marked her 117th birthday by blowing out all the candles on her cake. Emma Morano received a greeting from Italy’s president, read by an official, and a visit from two elderly nieces and her long-time physician yesterday morning to mark the milestone birthday.

NETHERLANDS Lawmakers in the lower house of the Dutch parliament yesterday approved a limited ban on “face-covering clothing” including Islamic veils and robes such as the burqa and niqab. The legislation, approved by a large majority in the 150-seat lower house, must now be approved by the upper house of parliament before it can be signed into law.

U.K. The government says a contentious internet surveillance bill that creates databases of Britons’ online activity has become law. House of Commons Speaker John Bercow told lawmakers yesterday that the Investigatory Powers Bill had received formal royal assent. It was passed by Parliament earlier this month.

UGANDA’s government says 149 people have been arrested in a restive region near Congo where clashes with a tribal militia have killed at least 62 people. Most of those killed are guards who protected a traditional monarch accused of harboring rebels in the western Kasese district.

MOZAMBIQUE The International Monetary Fund said it will begin discussing a new program for Mozambique after the southern African nation asked for urgent financial support. The country has taken steps toward stabilizing the economy to clear the way for discussions, the fund said.

CUBA Schools and government offices were closed yesterday for a second day of homage to Fidel Castro, with the day ending in a rally on the wide plaza where the Cuban leader delivered fiery speeches to mammoth crowds in the years after he seized power.

SOUTH AFRICA’s Jacob Zuma blamed a western plot and opposition collaborators for the bid by officials in the ruling party to oust him as the nation’s president as he refused to resign, saying he won’t hand himself over to his enemies.