China will send a special envoy to  Seoul to discuss the situation on the Korean peninsula ahead  of proposed talks between North and South Korea, the foreign  ministry said today.
China's Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou will visit  Friday and Saturday to "exchange views" with Lee Do-Hoon,  Seoul's envoy on Korean peninsula peace talks, a ministry  spokesman said.
Their meeting comes as South Korea prepares for its  proposed high-level talks with North Korea next Tuesday to  discuss "matters of mutual interest" including the North's  participation in next month's Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
North Korea has rattled the international community in  recent months with multiple missile launches and its sixth and  most powerful nuclear test -- purportedly of a hydrogen bomb.
It has shrugged off a raft of new sanctions and  heightened rhetoric from Washington as it drives forward with  its weapons programme, which it says is for defence against US  aggression.
But the new year has begun .

Chinese, SKorean envoys to discuss North in Seoul

PTI Automatic

A passenger train smashed into  a truck at a level crossing in South Africa on Thursday,  killing at least 14 people, injuring 180 and throwing several  carriages off the rails.
Flames ripped through the twisted wreckage and choking  black smoke rose into the air as desperate passengers  clambered out of the train to escape the inferno.
Rescuers rushed to the scene to search for survivors and  treat the injured. Officials warned the toll could rise as  operations continued to clear the crash site.
"Police are investigating. The truck driver was taking  chances... that cost lots of lives," Transport Minister Joe  Maswanganyi told reporters at the scene.
"The truck driver has been taken to hospital where we are  going to do a blood test to verify if he was sober or not, or  what was the problem."
The Shosholoza Meyl rail company, which operates long-  distance trains in South Africa, said the train travelling  from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg collided with the truck at  about 09:00 ..

14 dead, 180 injured as SAfrica train ploughs into truck

Uganda today denied it had agreed  to receive thousands of African migrants as part of a deal  with Israel.
The denial came a day after Israel launched the  programme to force some 38,000 migrants, mainly Eritreans and  Sudanese, to leave the country.
Israel has not clearly said where the migrants will  go, but tacitly recognises it is too dangerous to return the  Sudanese and Eritreans home.
As a result, according to activists in Israel, it has  signed deals with Rwanda and Uganda, which agree to accept  departing migrants on condition they consent to the  arrangement.
Uganda, however, said it had made no such deal.
"Uganda is disturbed by these reports," foreign  affairs minister Henry Okello Oryem told AFP. "We have no such  agreement with the government of Israel to send refugees  here."
There was no immediate reaction from Rwanda.
Under Israel's programme, migrants have until the end  of March to leave. Each will receive a plane ticket and $3,500  (2,900 euros) to do so, and ...

Uganda denies it will host expelled migrants from Israel

Australia agreed to allow exports  of medicinal cannabis today in a boost to budding domestic  manufacturers, as it eyes becoming a leading world supplier.
The country's first medical marijuana farm received  its growers' licence in March last year and others have  followed, with the government seeing a big future for the  industry.
"This is actually a very important step for our  domestic patients and our domestic supply," Health Minister  Greg Hunt told broadcaster ABC.
"By knowing they have an Australian market and an  international market, that improves the likelihood of growing  and production in Australia."
He added that Australia was keen to become "the  world's number one medicinal cannabis supplier", but that a  condition of any export licence was that local patients were  taken care of first.
"We want a robust Australian medicinal cannabis  industry so that doctors have safe, quality domestic products  that they can confidently prescribe to their patients," said  Hunt.
While 

Australia green-lights medicinal cannabis exports

A blind woman was jailed for 18  months by a Thai court today for sharing a Facebook post  deemed defamatory to the royal family, her lawyer said, the  latest victim of a tough law that shields the monarchy from  criticism.
Nuhurhayati Masoe, 23, who hails from Thailand's  Muslim-majority Yala province, was punished for publishing an  excerpt from an article on the social media platform in  October 2016.
She heard the article through an audio application for  blind people.
"Judges said they sympathised with her because of her  blindness but could not suspend the sentence as she has  committed a serious offence," defence lawyer Kaosar Aleemama  told AFP.
Her initial three-year sentence was halved to 18  months because she pleaded guilty, the lawyer added.
It is not possible to report the contents of the  allegedly defamatory Facebook post as all media based in  Thailand must self-censor or risk falling foul of the  broadly-interpreted lese majeste law.
Thailand aggressively pursues ...

Blind Thai woman jailed for sharing 'royal insult' on Facebook

Financial pain inflicted by  natural disasters worldwide almost doubled in 2017, German  reinsurance giant Munich Re said today, with a new record in  losses from weather-related catastrophes.
The year saw the worst hurricane season on record and  major monsoon flooding, the company said, warning that as  climate change intensifies it expects "extreme weather to  occur more often in the future".
Losses in 2017 amounted to some USD 330 billion for  all types of natural disaster globally, the financial firm  said, close to double the USD 175 billion in mayhem inflicted  the previous year.
The financial losses figure was the second-highest on  record after 2011, and almost twice its 10-year average of USD  170 billion.
But casualty figures did not rise in step with  property damage, as around 10,000 people lost their lives --  around 30 percent more than the previous year's toll.
That was a fraction of the 10-year average of 60,000  killed annually in catastrophes.
Some 2,700 people died 

Disaster mayhem doubled in 2017: Munich Re

A Sumatran tiger  has mauled an Indonesian palm oil plantation worker to death,  officials said today, the latest in a string of deadly  conflicts between humans and animals blamed on rampant  deforestation.
Jumiatik, 30, was found dead at the plantation in Riau  province on Sumatra island Wednesday with horrific bite wounds  on her neck and legs, police said.
The victim, who like many Indonesians went by one  name, was collecting data on pests with two female colleagues  before the tiger appeared and chased the trio some 200 metres  through the plantation.
Her two workmates, who survived the brutal attack,  told authorities they tried to evade the animal by scrambling  up oil palm trees, but the tiger latched onto Jumiatik's leg  and dragged her to the ground.
"Jumiatik struggled with the tiger for about 15  minutes," local police chief Iptu Rafi told AFP.
"(She) suffered serious injuries on parts of her neck  and was eventually killed."
There have been several cases in recent years .

Tiger mauls Indonesian palm oil plantation worker to death

A newly discovered vulnerability  in computer chips has raised concerns that hackers could  access sensitive data on most modern systems, as technology  firms sought to play down the security risks.
Chip giant Intel issued a statement responding to a  flurry of warnings surfacing after researchers discovered the  security hole which could allow privately stored data in  computers and networks to be leaked.
Intel labeled as incorrect reports describing a "bug" or  "flaw" unique to its products.
Intel chief executive Brian Krzanich told CNBC that  "basically all modern processers across all applications" use  this process known as "access memory," which was discovered by  researchers at Google and kept confidential as companies work  on remedies.
Google, meanwhile, released findings from its security  researchers who sparked the concerns, saying it made the  results public days ahead of schedule because much of the  information had been in the media.
The security team found "serious ...

Computer chip 'flaw' sparks security debate amid scramble for

Russia's defence ministry today said  two servicemen were killed in a mortar attack by Islamist  militants in Syria on New Year's Eve, but denied media reports  seven military planes were destroyed.
"As darkness fell, the Hmeimim air base was subjected to  sudden mortar shelling from a mobile group of militants. As a  result of the shelling, two servicemen were killed," the  defence ministry said in a statement to Russian agencies.
The Kommersant business daily reported seven military  planes had been "practically destroyed" in the attack, citing  two military-diplomatic sources, but the ministry said the  report was "fake".
The news comes a day after the ministry announced a  Russian helicopter crash in Syria that killed two pilots  following a technical fault, also on December 31.
With four fatalities this is one of the deadliest single  days for the Russian army in Syria since it entered the  conflict and brings the total number of officially reported  losses to 44.
Security around 

Two Russian servicemen killed in Syria mortar attack

World number two Garbine Muguruza  accepted a wildcard into the Sydney International today to get  match fit after retiring with severe cramp from a tournament  this week.
The Wimbledon champion was ahead 2-1 in the deciding set  against Serbia's Aleksandra Krunic in the second round of the  season-opening Brisbane International when she collapsed after  a serve.
The Spaniard could not continue, derailing her Australian  Open preparations.
"This wildcard is a very valuable opportunity for me get  back on the court and hopefully play a few more matches before  the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne," said Muguruza.
"The Sydney draw is incredibly strong and there will be  no easy matches."
Muguruza joins reigning French and US Open champions  Jelena Ostapenko and Sloane Stephens in the draw for the  Sydney tournament, starting Sunday.
Venus Williams, Petra Kvitova, and Angelique Kerber will  also play.

Muguruza gets Sydney wildcard after Brisbane pull-out

Iran today hanged a man convicted of  raping and killing a six-year-old Afghan girl in a case that  has shocked the nation, local media reported.
Setayesh Ghoreyshi was kidnapped in April 2016 in the  town of Varamin, just south of Tehran, and murdered by  Amirhossein P, who was 17 years old at the time.
"The family of the victim insisted on applying the  penalty which took place this morning," said Gholamhossein  Esmaili, judiciary chief for Tehran province.
The death penalty is applied in Iran for crimes including  rape, murder and drug trafficking, as well as apostasy.
It can apply for crimes committed by minors, but is not  carried out until the convict reaches the legal age of 18.

Iran hangs man for rape, murder of Afghan girl

Dawid Malan has backed his captain  Joe Root to convert his innings into centuries after again  missing out on an elusive first century in the Ashes series  against Australia.
Root took another sickening body blow when his 141-ball  vigil was ended by a superb diving catch by Mitchell Marsh  with two overs left on the opening day of the fifth Test here  today.
Root dejectedly slumped to his haunches as the  Australians celebrated his wicket for 83, the fourth time in  the series he has failed to convert a half-century.
"No-one means to get out, I thought Rooty played  fantastically well up to that point," said Malan, who reached  stumps on an unbeaten 55.
"The second new ball is always a challenge. You don't  know if it's going to swing, you don't know if it's going to  skid off the wicket.
"We were definitely speaking about trying to get through  this period. Still looking to be positive, still looking to  have our scoring intent.
"Unfortunately, he clipped that to square leg and if .

Malan backs 'disappointed' Root after latest ton shortfall

Singapore banned a documentary  featuring a Palestinian teenager charged with assaulting  Israeli security forces from being screened at a festival  today, warning the "inflammatory" work could stir hatred.
The city-state's media regulator said the film, "Radiance  of Resistance", had a "skewed narrative" and could cause  divisions among its ethnically diverse population.
Most of Singapore's 5.6 million inhabitants are ethnic  Chinese but it is also home to substantial Muslim Malay and  Indian minorities, as well as many expatriates. It has strict  laws against anything seen as provoking disharmony.
The film was due to be shown Thursday at the Singapore  Palestinian Film Festival, which showcases works by  Palestinian filmmakers and artists and has been running since  2016.
Four other films will still be screened at the festival,  according to its website.
The banned work looked at the lives of two young girls  presented as the new faces of Palestinian resistance to the  Israeli ...

Singapore bans 'inflammatory' Palestinian film

Taiwan today demanded China  immediately close new flight routes launched close to the  island, calling it a "reckless" and politically motivated  move.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)  announced that it is opening four routes to help ease  congestion in its airspace over the Taiwan Strait, which  separates the island from mainland China.
But Taipei said Beijing had not consulted it over the  move which "ignores flight safety and disrespects Taiwan."
"We believe... this is purposefully using civil aviation  as a cover for improper intentions regarding Taiwan politics  and even military affairs," Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council  said in a statement.
Critics say that the main route in the dispute, M503,  runs too close to the island's airspace.
China's first attempt to open it in 2015 sparked protests  that prompted Beijing to move it closer to the mainland and  use it only for north-to-south flights.
"The rapid growth of flights in western Taiwan Strait  airspace in 

Taiwan demands immediate halt to new China flight routes

Russian former world number one  Maria Sharapova marched into the semi-finals of the Shenzhen  Open here today with a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 victory over  Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan.
Sharapova, who has worked her way up to 59 in the world  rankings since her return from a doping ban last year, will  face either of the Czech pair Kristyna Pliskova or Katerina  Siniakova in the last four in southern China.
The 30-year-old Sharapova, who is unseeded in the  tournament that serves as a build-up to the Australian Open,  is embarking on her first full season since returning from a  15-month drugs ban in April.
The five-time Grand Slam winner was never really in  trouble against Diyas, who is 66 in the world, and joins  Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu in the Shenzhen semis.

Sharapova eases into Shenzhen semi-finals

Scoreboard at the close on day one in  the fifth Ashes Test between Australia and England here today:
England first innings
A. Cook
lbw b Hazlewood
39
M. Stoneman
c Paine b Cummins
24
J. Vince
c Paine b Cummins
25
J. Root
c M. Marsh b Starc
83
D. Malan
not out
55
J. Bairstow
c Paine b Hazlewood
5
Extras (lb1, w1)
2
Total (5 wickets; 81.4 overs)
233
Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-88, 3-95, 4-228, 5-233.
Bowling: Starc 16-4-63-1, Hazlewood 17.4-2-47-2, Cummins  17-4-44-2 (1w), Lyon 26-4-61-0, M. Marsh 5-0-17-0.

Sydney, Jan 4 (AFP) Scoreboard at the close on day one in

England skipper Joe Root again missed  out on an elusive first century in the series as Australia  fought back with two late wickets on the opening day of the  fifth Test, here today.
Root was out to a superb diving catch by Mitchell Marsh  at square leg for 83 in the day's penultimate over before  Jonny Bairstow was caught behind in the final over.
Root slumped to his haunches in dismay after missing out  on a hundred following his fourth half-century of the series.
Root and Malan recovered England's first innings with a  133-run stand after the tourists had slumped to 95 for three  following the loss of Melbourne double-centurion Alastair  Cook.
Malan lived a charmed life in his half-century, surviving  a run out attempt and a dropped Steve Smith catch to provide  stoic support for his skipper.
At the close, England were 233 for five with Malan left  unbeaten on 55 off 160 balls when Bairstow was caught behind  off Josh Hazlewood for five.
Root reached his half-century off 82 balls .

Root falls short of elusive century as Aussies hit back late

Hector Bellerin came to Arsenal's  rescue as the defender's last-gasp strike earned a dramatic 2  -2 draw in a heated London derby against Chelsea here today.
Bellerin looked set to be the villain of the piece for  Arsenal after the Spaniard's foul on Eden Hazard conceded a  penalty that allowed the Chelsea star to cancel out Jack  Wilshere's opener.
When Marcos Alonso put Chelsea in front with just six  minutes left at the Emirates Stadium, Bellerin's misery seemed  complete.
But the 22-year-old enjoyed a sweet moment of redemption  in the 90th minute as he lashed in only his second goal of the  season.
The frenetic conclusion to a thrilling encounter actually  did little for either team's prospects in the Premier League.
Chelsea remain in third place, one point behind  Manchester United and 16 adrift of runaway leaders Manchester  City.
Arsenal, who have now won only once in 13 league meetings  with Chelsea, are languishing in sixth place, five points  behind fourth placed Liverpool 

Bellerin strikes late to rescue Arsenal in Chelsea thriller

Former world number one Andy Murray  withdrew from the Australian Open today after failing to  recover from a hip injury, joining injured Japanese star Kei  Nishikori on the sidelines.
The 30-year-old suffered the injury last year and has not  played on the ATP tour since losing in the quarter-finals at  Wimbledon.
"Sadly I won't be playing in Melbourne this year, as I am  not yet ready to compete," Murray said in a statement.
"I'll be flying home shortly to assess all the options  but I appreciate all the messages of support and I hope to be  back playing soon."
Australian Open's tournament director Craig Tiley said he  respected what was a "very hard decision for Andy".
"We are fully aware that Andy has been going through a  difficult period with his hip and that he's done everything  possible to prepare for the Australian summer," Tiley added.
Murray's withdrawal comes amid a string of injury  concerns that have plagued some of the world's top players and  cast doubt on their ...

Injured Murray out of Australian Open

Israeli jets bombarded Hamas bases  in Gaza overnight in response to rocket fire from the  Palestinian enclave, the military said today.
"In response to the projectiles fired at southern Israeli  communities throughout yesterday from the Gaza Strip, IAF  (Israeli air force) fighter jets targeted a significant terror  infrastructure in the Gaza Strip," Israeli forces said in a  statement.
Palestinian militants in Gaza have fired at least 20  rockets or mortar rounds at Israel since US President Donald  Trump's controversial December 6 recognition of Jerusalem as  the country's capital, at least six of which have been  intercepted by the Iron Dome defence system.
The projectiles are often fired by fringe radical  Islamist groups, but Israel holds Gaza's militant rulers Hamas  responsible for any attacks from the territory and retaliates  by targeting Hamas positions.

Israeli jets bombard Hamas positions in Gaza

Ousted South Korean president Park  Geun-Hye is to be charged with accepting millions of dollars  worth of bribes from the state spy agency, news reports said  today.
Park allegedly received between 50 and 200 million won  (now USD 47,000 to USD 188,000) from the National Intelligence  Service (NIS) every month from soon after her swearing-in in  early 2013 until mid-2016, prosecutors told South Korean  media.
The cash -- said to total 3.8 billion won -- was  reportedly delivered by NIS agents to Park's aides in  uncrowded parking lots or in back alleys near the presidential  Blue House.
The money came from the spy agency's "blind budget" --  millions of dollars of special funds that can be spent without  receipts for anti-espionage activities -- Yonhap news agency  said.
It remains unclear how Park spent the funds but news  reports said she used them for personal purposes or to  bankroll supporter groups.
Park is already on trial on 18 charges including bribery,  coercion and abuse ..

AFP

AFP

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