Xi calls for promoting innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on people who work in the field of philosophy and social sciences to promote the evolution and growth of fine traditional Chinese culture in new and creative ways.

The president made the remarks when writing back to editors of the Journal of Chinese Humanities.

Founded in May 1951, the journal is the country's oldest comprehensive academic journal on humanities.

China's top legislator extends sympathy to Maldives parliament speaker over attack

China's top legislator has extended sympathy to the speaker of the Maldivian Parliament after the latter sustained injuries in an attack last week.

Mohamed Nasheed was critically wounded after an explosive device planted in a motorcycle parked near his car exploded on Thursday.

In his message, Li Zhanshu said that China strongly condemned the attack.

He also called for joint efforts to advance exchanges between the two countries' legislatures.

Malaysia imposes new COVID-19 lockdown

Malaysia has imposed a new nationwide lockdown, as the country grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases and highly infectious variants.

All inter-state and inter-district travel will be banned, along with social gatherings. 

Educational institutions will be shut but economic sectors will be allowed to continue.

Moon says 'time to take action' on DPRK

South Korean President Moon Jae-in says he sees his final year in office as the last chance to achieve a lasting peace with North Korea.

In a speech marking the fourth year of his presidency, Moon also said it's time to take action amid stalled dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington.

Jack Barton reports from Seoul.

U.S. opens safety probe into 1.1 million Honda Accord vehicles

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a formal safety probe into more than 1.1 million Honda Accord vehicles over sudden loss of steering control reports.

The agency said the engineering analysis covers models made between 2013 and 2015.

It said the vehicle, under normal driving conditions, may veer or jerk out of its intended path of travel with no warning or input from the driver. 

Authorities now have 107 complaints and two injury incidents related to the issue.

UK parliament standards watchdog investigating PM Johnson's foreign travel

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under investigation over a foreign trip and how it was declared to parliamentary authorities.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards says it's looking at whether Johnson had broken the code of conduct for members of parliament.

The inquiry increases scrutiny of Johnson's finances with the electoral authorities looking at how the refurbishment of his apartment was funded.

FIFA confirm concussion spotters to be used at Qatar World Cup

FIFA's new medical director Andrew Massey has confirmed that concussion spotters will be introduced at the Qatar World Cup next year to help with the treatment of head injuries.

"All FIFA competitions will have concussion spotters in the stand that will go through all of these, that can relay the information to the team benches if that is needed. And it'll just make things an awful lot safer. "

Experts will monitor from seats in the stands to identify possible brain injuries that may have been missed. Team doctors will also have instant access to video replays.

It will be the first time concussion spotters will be used at a major international football tournament but they have been in use in the NFL since 2012 and in rugby union since 2018.

CMG and Fudan University form partnership

China Media Group and Shanghai-based Fudan University have agreed to carry out cooperation in areas such as media convergence and talent cultivation.

The two sides signed a framework cooperation agreement on Monday.

This is CMG's first comprehensive strategic partnership with a university.

At the signing ceremony, they also launched an institute for the study of international communication.