U.S. to move forward with missile tests

The U.S. Air Force is going ahead with two long-planned flight tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles next month despite efforts to damp tensions over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and encourage fragile talks with South Korea.

Test launches of American missiles — without the nuclear warheads they can deliver — would be unlikely to cause much of a stir under regular circumstances. But they may prove sensitive coming the same month as the Winter Olympics, which are to be hosted by South Korea beginning Feb. 9. North Korea has agreed to send its athletes, and the U.S. has postponed joint military exercises with South Korea that normally would begin next month.

Bombs mark visit

SANTIAGO, Chile — Firebombs exploded before dawn Friday at three churches in Santiago, violence aimed at Pope Francis, who is to begin a weeklong visit to Chile and Peru on Monday. The police defused two other explosive devices that failed to detonate outside other churches.

No one was injured, and only minor physical damage was reported.

No organization immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but pamphlets left at some of the sites alluded to several issues, including the Mapuche, an impoverished indigenous people. Several militant indigenous groups associate the Catholic Church with the history of oppression.

Ambassador resigns

The U.S. ambassador to Panama resigned Friday, saying he could no longer “faithfully” serve the president.

Notice of John Feeley’s resignation came a day after President Donald Trump referred to Caribbean and African nations as “shithole countries.”

The U.S. State Department confirmed Mr. Feeley’s departure from the post, saying he decided to “retire for personal reasons,” according to Reuters.

Funds for Rohingya

BANGKOK— Japan’s foreign minister on Friday urged Myanmar’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to guarantee the safe and voluntary return of Rohingya Muslims who have fled violence in Myanmar.

While Foreign Minister Taro Kono is visiting Myanmar, the Japanese government announced a grant of $3 million to Myanmar’s government to help facilitate the repatriation of the Rohingya.

More than 650,000 Rohingya have fled to neighboring Bangladesh to escape a brutal crackdown in which security forces have been accused of systematic abuses tantamount to ethnic cleansing.

Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an agreement on the repatriation of Rohingya refugees on Nov. 23, and Myanmar said it would start the process by Jan 23.