CHINA: A landslide buried 47 people, killing at least two, when it hit the mountainous south-western province of Yunnan province early today, forcing the evacuation of 200 more amid freezing temperatures and falling snow.

The disaster struck the village of Liangshui, in the north-east of Yunnan, just before 6am. Rescue efforts were under way to find victims buried under the ruins of 18 houses, the Zhenxiong county publicity department said.

PAKISTAN: Security forces have killed seven militants in a gun battle in the volatile south-west near the border with Afghanistan.

The military said today that the intelligence-based operation had been conducted in the Zhob district of south-western Baluchistan province. In a brief statement, it said that security forces had also recovered munitions after the shootout.

GERMANY: A union representing many train drivers called today for another strike to press its demands for better pay and working hours amid a bitter dispute with the main railway operator.

The GDL warned that the six-day strike would affect passenger services run by state-owned Deutsche Bahn from 2am tomorrow until 6pm the following Monday. Freight trains will be affected from 6pm today.

JAMAICA: Stronger laws on domestic violence came into force today as the government seeks to better protect victims on the Caribbean island, where people are reluctant to report such cases to authorities.

Violation of new protection orders could lead to a prison sentence of up to one year. 

The spouse or parent of a person being threatened can now request such orders, as can social workers and children’s advocates if they are filing an order on behalf of a child.