ANKARA, December 2. /TASS/: Turkey will do everything possible for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to punish Israel for the genocide in the Gaza Strip, the country’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters upon his return from Dubai, where he participated in the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28).

KIEV, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine is at risk of losing up to 1 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) this year due to the blockade of its border with Poland by protesters from Polish carriers, the Ukrinform news agency reported Friday, citing a parliament official.

The Ukrainian economy which was supposed to grow by 3.5 percent this year will increase between 2.5 percent and 2.8 percent, said Yulia Klymenko, the first deputy chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia could weigh in to activate Article 9 of the Genocide Convention as a potential avenue to pursue a definitive resolution to the protracted conflict in Gaza.

A Board Member at Law for Palestine (L4P), Hassan Ben Imran said that Malaysia’s involvement in various international platforms, coupled with its status as a state party to the Genocide Convention, could garner support from like-minded nations and bring justice to the Palestinians.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck Saturday night off the coast of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao and Philippine authorities issued a tsunami warning.

The quake struck at 10:37 p.m. at a depth of 32 kilometers (20 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said based on the magnitude and location, it expected tsunami waves to hit the southern Philippines and parts of Indonesia, Palau and Malaysia.

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed and 26 others injured in shooting at a passenger bus on Saturday evening in the Diamir district of Gilgit-Baltistan region in northern Pakistan, an official said.

Deputy Commissioner of Diamir Arif Ahmed said in a video statement that some unknown gunmen opened fire at a passenger bus in the Hudar Pari point of the Chilas area in Diamir, leaving eight people dead on the spot.

Two soldiers are also among the killed, who were going to their hometowns on vacations, said the official.

ANKARA, December 2. /TASS/: Turkey will do everything possible for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to punish Israel for the genocide in the Gaza Strip, the country’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters upon his return from Dubai, where he participated in the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28).

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — France and the Philippines are considering a defense pact that would allow them to send military forces to each other’s territory for joint exercises, the Philippine defense chief said Saturday after holding talks with his French counterpart.

Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said in a joint press conference with French Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu that they were seeking authorization from their heads of state to begin negotiations.

KATHMANDU, Dec 2 (NNN-XINHUA) – Himalaya Airlines today launched its inaugural flight from the Nepali capital, Kathmandu to Shanghai, China’s economic hub.

The H9780 flight, took off in the morning with 141 passengers aboard, and the H9781 flight is scheduled to return to Kathmandu with 95 passengers onboard, this evening.

The airlines is operating a round trip from Kathmandu to Shanghai on an A320 plane every Saturday, while two flights have been scheduled per week from Dec 20, to Jan 27, 2024.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard stated through its website that two of its forces stationed in Syria were killed in an Israeli airstrike Saturday.

The report on the Guard’s news portal identified the two members as Mohammad Ali Ataei Shourcheh and Panah Taghizadeh, and said they were carrying out an advisory mission in Syria. It did not elaborate on their rank, or the area where they were killed.

VATICAN CITY, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The health of Pope Francis, who is suffering from a lung inflammation, is improving but he will read his Sunday message indoors from his residence to be on the safe side, the Vatican said on Saturday.

A statement said the 86-year-old pontiff had no fever and was continuing anti-biotic treatment.

He normally reads the message from a window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square. He would read it indoors to "avoid exposing himself to temperature changes", the statement said.

WASHINGTON, December 2. /TASS/: The US desire to drive a wedge into Russia's relations with Latin American countries is futile, the Russian Embassy in Washington said in connection with the 200th anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (NNN-BERNAMA) – The recent opening of a 30-day visa-free facility for Chinese nationals, is expected to see Malaysia receive an uptick in inbound Chinese tourists, the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) said, yesterday.

China is a lucrative market and a significant contributor to Malaysia’s tourism receipts and arrivals, the association said in a statement.

“It is hoped that with this exemption in place, we are able to gain the momentum needed to cement Malaysia’s standing, as the preferred destination for this discerning market,” it said.