News in Brief-(2023-09-22)

DR Congo calls for swift withdrawal
of UN peacekeepers
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 21: The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday called for a speedy withdrawal of a key UN peacekeeping mission that has been in the nation for nearly 25 years. "It is time for our country to take full control of its destiny and become the main actor in its own stability," Felix Tshisekedi told the United Nations General Assembly. The final departure of the MONUSCO mission has been at the heart of debates on the DRC's future for years, and a source of tension and populist rhetoric in the central African nation. — AFP
King Charles to address French Senate
PARIS, Sept 21: King Charles III on Thursday follows in his mother Queen Elizabeth II's footsteps by addressing lawmakers in the French upper chamber of parliament on the second day of a visit that has seen him urge stronger ties between the countries. At a lavish state banquet late Wednesday, Charles issued a call for France and the UK to reinvigorate their relations, in comments echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron. It is "incumbent upon us all to reinvigorate our friendship to ensure it is fit for the challenge of this, the 21st century," Charles said in a toast. — AFP
S Korean lawmakers vote to sack PM
SEOUL, Sept 21: South Korea's opposition-controlled parliament has passed a motion urging President Yoon Suk-yeol to sack his prime minister over alleged incompetence and policy failures. Lawmakers on Thursday voted 175-116 in favour of pushing for Han Duck-soo's dismissal. The motion, signed by 168 opposition lawmakers, alleged that the Han-led cabinet caused a "crisis for people's lives, democracy and peace on the Korean Peninsula" and "consistently demonstrated incompetence, inaction and irresponsibility". — Al Jazeera