News in Brief (24-12-2018)

Japanese emperor stresses his peaceful reign

TOKYO, Dec 23: In a rare emotional address ahead of his abdication next year, Japanese Emperor Akihito said he took "deep comfort" that his long reign had been one of peace as he remembered the "countless lives" lost in World War II. More than 82,000 well-wishers paid their respects to Emperor Akihito who turned 85 on Sunday, his last birthday celebration at Tokyo's Imperial Palace before stepping down next year.His voice trembling as he discussed the legacy of World War II, the emperor pointed to the "countless lives" lost in the conflict, which was fought under the name of his father Hirohito, who died in 1989. — AFP

Death toll from Somali bombing rises to 20

MOGADISHU, Dec 23: The death toll from a double car-bomb attack near the presidential palace in Somalia rose to 20 on Sunday. Police had said seven people were killed following the two blasts in Mogadishu, which were claimed by the jihadist Shabaab group. "The number of victims who were killed in the blasts increased to 20 and more than 40 others have been wounded," said a Somali police official, Ibrahim Mohamed. — AFP

First female speaker of Fiji dies

NEW ZEALAND, Dec 23: Dr Jiko Luveni, the first female speaker of Fiji's Parliament, has died in office at the age of 72. Her death Saturday morning was announced by the Office of the Secretary-General to Parliament. No cause of death was released, but Luveni was said to have died after a short illness. — AP