• Currently, most travellers need a visa to enter China.
• A Ghanaian MP has apologised to Manchester United footballer Harry Maguire after mocking him last year.
Image: TOM JALIO
China is trialing visa-free travel for citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia for a year, its foreign ministry said.
From December to November 30, 2024, ordinary passport holders from these countries can do business or travel in China without a visa for up to 15 days.
This is to help "promote China's high-quality development and opening up", spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday.
Currently, most travellers need a visa to enter China.
The rare examples of those exempt include citizens of Singapore and Brunei, who are entering China for business, tourism, family visits and transit for no more than 15 days.
Ghana MP sorry for mocking footballer Harry Maguire
A Ghanaian MP apologised to Manchester United footballer Harry Maguire after mocking him last year.
MP Isaac Adongo was debating the budget when he compared Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia's economic management to Maguire's performances on the pitch.
Maguire came in for heavy criticism from some fans but fellow footballers have came to his defence.
On Tuesday, Mr Adongo said he wanted to correct the record and hailed Maguire as a "transformational footballer".
He was a "key player" for Manchester United, Mr Adongo said during a budget debate.
Russian actress killed in Ukrainian strike while performing to troops
A Russian actress was killed in a Ukrainian strike while giving a performance to troops, according to her theatre.
A dance hall in occupied Ukraine where Polina Menshikh was performing was hit by shelling on November 19.
The actress was reportedly giving a show to celebrate a Russian military holiday.
Ukraine said about 20 Russian soldiers were killed in the strike, but Russian authorities have not commented on this.
Fifty die in Ethiopia amid drought and aid freeze
More than 50 people died in Ethiopia's northern Tigray and Amhara regions amid drought and an aid freeze, local officials told the BBC.
The Horn of Africa has had five failed rainy seasons since 2019, according to the UN.
The US and UN suspended aid earlier this year after allegations of theft, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Tigray is recovering from a two-year civil war which ended a year ago, while a conflict has erupted in Amhara.
About 46 people died in the town of Yechila in Tigray, while six died in the neighbouring Amhara region of Wag Hemra, because of food shortages, the officials said.
Over 4,000 cattle have died because of severe drought.
China accused of closing and destroying mosques
China is closing, destroying and repurposing mosques, Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleged in a new report.
The crackdown is part of a "systematic effort" to curb the practice of Islam in China, HRW said.
There are about 20 million Muslims in China, which is officially atheist but says it allows religious freedom.
Observers, however, say there has been an increased crackdown on organised religion in recent years - with Beijing seeking greater control.
Oscar Pistorius to be freed on parole
Former Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius is to be freed from jail on parole, nearly 11 years after murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
He shot Ms Steenkamp multiple times through a bathroom door on Valentine's Day in 2013, later claiming he mistook her for a burglar.
Pistorius, now 37, was sentenced by a South African court in 2016 to serve 13 years and five months in prison.
The parole board has set his release for January 5, 2024.
Once he is released, Pistorius will be monitored by the authorities until his sentence officially expires "just like all other parolees", the Department of Correctional Services said on Friday.
North Korea fully suspends military pact with South
North Korea ripped up a five-year-old deal with Seoul aimed at lowering military tensions, in the latest escalation of a row between the two.
It all started when Pyongyang claimed to have successfully launched a spy satellite into space on Tuesday.
This led to South Korea part suspending the agreement, saying it would resume surveillance flights along the border.
Pyongyang is now vowing to fully suspend the pact and send stronger forces and equipment to the border.