NEWS OF THE DAY
From Around the World
1 China sanctions: Beijing said Friday it will retaliate against U.S. officials and institutions following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on three officials of the ruling Communist Party over human rights abuses in the northwestern region of Xinjiang. China will “definitely fight back” against actions it considers interference in its internal affairs and that which threaten its sovereignty, security and development interests, said foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian. Zhao said China “condemns” the Trump administration’s decision to bar the three officials from entering the U.S., the latest in a series moves taken against China as relations deteriorate over the coronavirus pandemic, human rights, Hong Kong and trade.
2 Nepal landslide: Landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rain on Friday killed at least 10 people and left 30 others missing in Nepal, officials said. Seven people died when mudslides struck around the resort town of Pokhara, police official Subash Hamal said. Pokhara, 125 miles west of the capital, Kathmandu, serves as a base for trekkers heading to mountain trails. Roads were also blocked by mudslides, making rescue efforts difficult while continuing rains prevented helicopter flights.
3 Mideast tensions: Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank who they said threw firebombs at a guard post, but who Palestinian officials say was merely walking through his village. The army said troops fired at two Palestinians who threw Molotov cocktails at the guard post late Thursday near the village of Kifl Haris. One of the men, 29yearold Ibrahim Abu Yakoub, was killed and the other was wounded in the leg. Tensions have been high in the West Bank in recent weeks as Israel has vowed to proceed with plans to annex up to 30% of the occupied territory in line with President Trump’s Middle East initiative, which was rejected by the Palestinians. Nearly 500,000 Jewish settlers live in the occupied West Bank, which the Palestinians view as the heartland of their future state.
4 Cathedral restoration: Notre Dame Cathedral will be rebuilt just the way it stood before last year’s devastating fire. No swimming pool or organic garden on the roof of the medieval Paris monument, or contemporary glass spire, or other modern twists. And to stay historically accurate, it will again be built with potentially toxic lead. That’s the verdict reached by French President Emmanuel Macron, the cathedral’s presentday architects and the general in charge of the colossal reconstruction project for one of the world’s most treasured landmarks. Macron, who wants Notre Dame reopened in time for the 2024 Olympics, had initially pushed for a contemporary touch atop the cathedral. But he came around to the traditionalists’ argument, and approved reconstruction plans for the 12th century monument. 5 Japan floods: Parts of Japan where people remain missing in deadly floods and mudslides were bracing for more pounding rains through the weekend. The death toll rose to 66 Friday, with 16 others still missing, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said. Most of them are in prefectures on Kyushu, Japan’s thirdlargest main island. The damage has spread beyond Kyushu into central Japan’s scenic mountain villages. Search and rescue work continued in Kuma village, where nine people are missing and the effort has been delayed by deep floodwaters and the risk of more mudslides. People isolated by the flooding were still being airlifted to safety. Nearly 2,000 people were still stranded. The Meteorological Agency has issued evacuation advisories due to continuing downpours.