Japan industrial production declining

1. Families of two African-Americans, fatally shot by US police in the city of Chicago, accuse officers of using excessive force. On Saturday, police killed a 19-year-old college student and a 55-year-old woman after receiving a domestic disturbance call. The Chicago police department is already under scrutiny for similar incidents.

2. Strong storms have left at least 43 people dead and several others injured in the South and Midwest US. In Texas, tornadoes that swept across Dallas left at least 14 people dead and tens of thousands without power. Several casualties were also reported in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Illinois.

3. Iran’s deputy foreign minister says Tehran supports dialog among Yemeni factions to reach a solution to end the conflict in the country. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian called for establishing a permanent ceasefire as well as lifting the current economic and humanitarian siege on Yemen. He noted that targeting civilians only deteriorates the crisis.

4. In Syria, three northern towns are to be evacuated under a UN-brokered deal between the government and foreign-backed militants. Scores of besieged militants in the border city of Zabadani, and nearly 300 families trapped in two predominantly Shia towns of Kafriya and Fu’ah will be evacuated on Monday.

5. The British government has held emergency talks over unprecedented flooding in northern England that has forced hundreds to flee their homes. Prime Minister David Cameron announced that the government will send more troops to tackle the crisis. Over 250 flood warnings and alerts are currently in place around the country.

6. The Czech Republic and Denmark have expressed strong disapproval of the influx of asylum seekers into Europe. The Czech president called the flow of refugees an organized invasion. Meanwhile, the Danish government has called for the revision of the UN Refugee Convention. Denmark's policies on refugees have triggered global outcry.

7. A car bomb explosion has rocked the Afghan capital. Officials say the bomb went off at the main gate of Kabul International Airport and was followed by gunfire. The explosion site has been cordoned off by police and ambulances rushed to the scene as casualties are feared.

8. Japan’s factory output dropped one percent in November from a month earlier. Figures released last week also showed weak inflation and household spending. A bleak global economy, the slowdown in China, and the weakness in emerging markets are some of the challenges facing Japan.

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