World briefs

CHINA The conundrum of bolstering rule of law in Communist Party-run China was on the agenda for the ruling party’s top leaders yesterday as they opened a four-day conclave to guide policy for the coming year. Party leaders have set “rule of law” as the theme for this year’s annual meeting of its Central Committee.

JAPAN’s trade and justice ministers both resign after accusations they misused campaign funds in the biggest setback so far for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s conservative administration.

BANGLADESH Two passenger buses collided head-on in northwestern Bangladesh, killing at least 20 people and injuring 25 others, an official said.

INDIA A blaze engulfed a fireworks factory in southern India, killing at least 13 workers and seriously burning seven others, police said.

NEPAL is wrapping up rescue operations in its northern mountains, saying all the hikers believed to be stranded on a trekking route by a series of blizzards and avalanches that left dozens of others dead have been rescued and are safe. More on p12
AUSTRALIA’s Parliament House lifts a short-lived ban on facial coverings including burqas and niqabs after the prime minister intervenes. Yesterday, the Department of Parliamentary Services, or DPS, said people wearing face coverings would be allowed in all public areas of Parliament House.

YEMENI security officials say al-Qaida militants have captured a town south of the capital Sanaa as they fought fierce battles elsewhere against Shiite rebels known as Houthis. The officials say al-Qaida’s Sunni militants yesterday seized al-Adeen town 200 km south of from Sanaa in Ibb province.

USA Ebola fears begin to ease for some in the U.S. as a monitoring period passes for those who had close contact with a victim of the disease and after a cruise ship scare ended with the boat returning to port and a lab worker on board testing negative for the virus. Federal officials, meanwhile, ramp up readiness to deal with future cases.

UK The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have confirmed that their second baby is due in April — the first time they’ve offered a month for the royal birth. Kensington Palace also said in a statement yesterday that the duchess, who has been sidelined by a prolonged bout of severe morning sickness, continues to improve.

GERMAN prosecutors say they’ve detained two more people following weekend raids on suspected supporters of the Islamic State group and an ultraconservative Syrian rebel organization, Ahrar al-Sham. Two suspected IS supporters were arrested in western Germany Saturday. Authorities searched the homes of 13 more people suspected of links to the two groups.

LUXEMBOURG EU nations are working to find 1 billion euros to help fight Ebola in West Africa and seeking a common approach in dealing with the disease outbreak. EU foreign ministers have opened a week of talks so that their 28 leaders can agree by Friday on a package of measures which should include anything from financial aid to common repatriation procedures, treatment facilities on site and training for health workers.