CHINA: The honorary rector of China’s biggest university slammed the European Union on Saturday for adopting an increasingly reckless and conflict-provoking stance towards other nations.

Yan Xuetong, of the Institute of International Relations at Tsinghua University, made the remarks at an event organised by the Beijing World Peace Forum.

Mr Yan added: “If Europe does not alter its course, it risks embroiling itself in conflicts with even more nations.”

ITALY: A guard at a 2026 Winter Olympic venue construction site in the mountain resort of Cortina died during a freezing overnight shift, authorities confirmed on Saturday.

Italian media reported that the death occurred on January 8, while the worker was on duty at a construction site outside of Cortina’s ice arena.

PHILIPPINES: Rescuers have detected signs of life in an avalanche of rubbish that killed at least four workers and left more than 30 others missing. An official said on Saturday that search efforts at the central Philippines landfill would intensify.

Twelve workers have been rescued with injuries from the huge mound of rubbish that collapsed last Thursday among the low-slung buildings of a waste management facility in the village of Binaliw, Cebu City, authorities said.

MYANMAR: A second round of voting took place today in Myanmar’s first general election since a takeover that installed a military government five years ago.

The election is being held in three phases due to armed conflicts. The first round took place December 28 in 102 of the country’s total 330 townships. 

A final round is scheduled for January 25, though 65 townships will not take part because of the country’s ongoing conflict.