Beijing, Dec 23 (Xinhua) An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale struck southwest Taiwan Tuesday morning, the earthquake network centre of China said.

New York, Dec 23 (DPA) The UN Security Council Monday extended for another year arrangements whereby revenues from Iraq’s petroleum and other sources are deposited in a UN-monitored fund for the reconstruction of Iraq.

Washington, Dec 23 (DPA) Five men were convicted Monday of planning an attack on a US military base in New Jersey and could face life in prison, authorities said.

New York, Dec 23 (DPA) US stocks fell Monday amid concerns of a gloomy outlook for fourth-quarter corporate earnings, the future of the car industry and whether government efforts to revive the economy would succeed.

Washington, Dec 23 (DPA) The US Monday criticized Iran’s regime for shutting down the office of a human rights group led by Nobel-laureate Shirin Ebadi.

Moscow, Dec 23 (DPA) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Monday ensured Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Russia’s continued support for the Palestinians in the Middle East.

London, Dec 23 (DPA) A former butler to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II was sentenced by a court in Manchester city Monday to at least six years in prison for child abuse.

New York, Dec 23 (DPA) The UN Security Council decided Monday to keep its large peacekeeping operation another year in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the main task of protecting civilians and improving security in the eastern part of the country.