CHINA says it plans to shut down its ivory trade by the end of 2017 in a move designed to curb the mass slaughter of African elephants. The Chinese government will end the processing and selling of ivory and ivory products by the end of March as it phases out the legal trade, according to a statement released on Friday.
HONG KONG’s government has announced the first sale of commercial land in the city’s central business district in more than 20 years. The site, currently used as a multi-story car park in Murray Road, Central, is about 31,000 square feet, according to a government statement. The plot is valued at HKD15.8 billion to HKD17 billion.
INDIA’s top court has ruled that election candidates cannot use religion or caste to seek votes, describing them as corrupt practices under electoral laws. India has a Hindu- nationalist government, and most political parties select candidates in various districts based on caste and religious considerations.
INDONESIA A search resumed for 17 people reported missing after a ferry re o the coast of Jakarta that left at least 23 dead.
SOUTH KOREAN are working to bring home the daughter of the con dante of impeached President Park Geun- hye after her arrest in Denmark.
FRANCE The Bordeaux wine market con rmed its recovery in 2016 after ve years of declines that cut prices of the region’s leading wines by more than 40 percent from their 2011 peak, according to a review from the London-based Liv-ex exchange.
IRAQ A suicide bomber blew up his explosives- laden vehicle Monday in
a bustling market area in Baghdad, killing at least 22 people, Iraqi o cials said, hours after the arrival of French President Francois Hollande to the country and amid a erce ght against the Islamic State group.
CONGO’s ruling party and opposition leaders have signed a deal designed to end President Joseph Kabila’s rule and halt the violence that has erupted over his refusal to step down. Under the agreement, delayed presidential, legislative and provincial elections will be held in December, after which Kabila will leave. Kabila, in power since 2001, has not yet signed the accord, which was mediated by the country’s powerful Catholic Church.
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