Heat flash before crash
The US has reported that satellite images detected a heat flash at the time a Russian jet crashed in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Officials say this refutes a Daesh affiliate’s claim it used a missile to shoot down the plane. They say a fuel tank or bomb explosion on the plane itself is likely to have caused the crash that killed all 224 people on board. Russian media have also reported data from the jet’s flight recorders revealed ‘unusual sounds’ coming from the cockpit just before the crash.

Ma & Xi meet for 1st time
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet for the first time this weekend. China has claimed the island as its territory since 1949. It’s threatened military action if Taipei tries to secede. A spokesman for Ma said he planned "to promote peace across the Taiwan Strait and maintain the status quo."

New punishments for stone-throwers
Israel has introduced a minimum prison sentence for people who throw stones at Israelis. The new law also allows the government to take away people’s state benefits if they’re convicted. This includes the benefits of parents of minors who are convicted. Israeli gunfire has killed at least 73 Palestinians since the beginning of October. Palestinians have killed nine Israelis. During this time, the Palestinian Prisoners Club says 1,600 Palestinians have been arrested. More than half of them were minors and many of them were arrested for throwing rocks. Currently, people face up to 20 years in prison for throwing stones.

Canada PM to be sworn in
Canadian Prime Minister-elect Justin Trudeau is set to be sworn in today. He plans to announce his 30-member cabinet after the ceremony. Trudeau’s said that it will have equal gender representation and a diverse ethnic and provincial makeup. His Liberal Party won a decisive majority in parliament for the first time in 10 years last month.

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