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Xinhua world news summary at 0130 GMT, Jan. 1

Xinhua, January 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Around 3,000 police officers will be on duty for the New Year's fireworks display in central London amid heightened security, local police said Thursday.

The New Year's Eve firework show will begin at midnight Friday, and about 100,000 people are expected to attend the event. (Britain-New Year)

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ISLAMABAD -- The first round of quadrilateral meeting of Pakistan, Afghanistan, United States and China will take place on Jan. 16 to work out a clear and comprehensive road map for a meaningful Afghan peace process, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Thursday.

The efforts to facilitate the Afghan reconciliation were started on the occasion of the "Heart of Asia" Conference in Islamabad on Dec. 9. (Afghanistan-Peace Talks)

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KHARTOUM -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Thursday extended the cease-fire with all armed movements and groups for one more month in all areas of conflict in Sudan.

Al-Bashir announced the extension in a speech on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Sudan's independence. (Sudan-Ceasefire)

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TEHRAN -- The Iranian president on Thursday ordered to proceed the country's missile program "with high speed and seriously" and expand Iran's missile capabilities, in response to the U.S. considered sanctions, official IRNA news agency reported.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani's remarks followed the U.S. Treasury Department's recent announcement that it was considering sanctions against a number of Iranian and international individuals and agencies for their alleged involvement in developing Iran's ballistic missile program. (Iran-U.S.-Missile)

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TORONTO -- The diverted Air Canada flight from China finally landed in Toronto on Thursday, bringing the majority of the passengers aboard to their destination on New Year's Eve after 21 people were injured due to strong turbulence.

Flight AC088 was en route to Toronto from Shanghai Pudong Airport when it was hit by violent turbulence and forced to stop in the city of Calgary in west Canada's Alberta province on Wednesday to treat the injured, Air Canada said in a statement. (Canada-China-Flight) Endi