Xi proposes Global Governance Initiative at largest-ever SCO summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), calling on countries to work in concert for a more just and equitable global governance system.

Xi made the remarks when chairing the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus" Meeting in north China's port city of Tianjin, where the SCO held the largest summit in its 24-year history, attended by leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations.

The GGI marks the fourth landmark global initiative proposed by Xi over the past several years, following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

China's V-Day gathering to start at 9 a.m., Sept. 3 at Tian'anmen Square

A grand gathering to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, which includes a military parade, will start at 9 a.m. on Sept. 3 at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will deliver a speech at the gathering and review troops.

At 8 p.m. of the same day, a commemorative gala will kick off at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi will also attend the event.

The commemorations will be broadcast live by China Media Group and on Xinhuanet.

Over 800 killed, nearly 3,000 injured in eastern Afghanistan earthquake

At least 812 people have been confirmed dead and 2,817 others injured in a 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Afghan interim government, said on Monday.

Mujahid reported that the majority of the devastation occurred in the Nurgal, Suki, Watapur, and Chapa Dara districts of Kunar province, with 800 confirmed deaths and 2,500 injuries.

In neighboring Nangarhar province, 12 people were killed and 255 were injured, while Laghman province recorded 58 injuries and Nuristan province saw 4 injuries.

The casualty figures are initial estimates and are likely to rise as evaluations progress, the official stated.

U.S. widens visa ban on Palestinian passport holders

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has broadened its visa restrictions on Palestinian passport holders, halting approvals for nearly all categories of non-immigrant visitor visas, reported The New York Times on Sunday.

The expanded suspension covers applications for medical treatment, university study, business travel, and visiting friends or family, said the report.

The measure, laid out in an Aug. 18 cable from the State Department to U.S. embassies and consulates, marks a sweeping extension of earlier measures that applied only to residents of Gaza. The new policy now targets Palestinians in the West Bank and across the diaspora.

Yemen's Houthis claim fresh missile strike on Israeli-linked tanker in Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi group said Monday it has targeted and hit an "Israeli-linked" oil tanker in the northern Red Sea.

Yahya Sarea, the group's military spokesman, said in a statement broadcast on the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV that the vessel Scarlet Ray was struck by a ballistic missile on Sunday night.

The attack was part of the group's campaign against Israeli shipping, Sarea said, vowing that operations would continue until the war in Gaza ends.

M23 rebels reaffirm commitment to Doha mediation despite rift with DR Congo government

The March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to pursue the peace process under Qatari mediation, despite ongoing differences with the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

At a press conference in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province that has been under M23 control since late January, Corneille Nangaa, head of the Congo River Alliance, a politico-military coalition allied with the M23, voiced confidence in Qatar's mediation efforts even as disputes with Kinshasa persist.

The remarks came as the DRC government and the M23 resumed discussions in Doha, following the signing on July 19 of a Declaration of Principles intended to start negotiations by Aug. 8 and target a peace accord by Aug. 18. These deadlines have not been met, but Doha remains the only venue for direct dialogue in recent weeks.■