Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Dec. 1

Thailands Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn accepted invitation from parliament president to ascend to the throne and thus formally proclaimed king Rama X in a televised ceremony.

"I accepted the invitation to ascend to the throne," Vajiralongkorn said. (Thailand-King)

- - - -

NEW DELHI -- At least 16 people were feared killed and several others injured Thursday in a blast that triggered devastating fire inside an explosive making factory in southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, police said Monday.

The explosion took place at Thuraiyur of Tiruchirapalli district, about 312 km southwest of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. (India-Factory Acident)

- - - -

RAMALLAH -- The Fatah Palestinian political party's seventh conference formed a committee on Thursday in order to oversee party elections.

Conference spokesperson Mahmoud Abu Al-Haija said in a press conference that the committee is accepting candidacy forms for both the central committee and revolutionary council. (Palestine-Fatah)

- - - -

BRUSSELS -- The EU-U.S. data protection agreement has been given a green light by the European Parliament in a vote held on Thursday morning while the parliament was meeting in a part-session here.

Members of European Parliament (MEPs) gave strong support to the implementation of the umbrella agreement with 481 votes in favor, 75 against and 88 abstentions. (EU-US-EP)

- - - -

ATHENS -- One woman died and five other people were lightly injured in an explosion and a subsequent fire at a fast-food restaurant in central Athens on Thursday, Greek Fire Brigade announced.

The victim was a 42-year-old accountant of the store. The injured were transferred to local hospitals, while earlier information about a missing person were not confirmed. (Greece-Explosion) Endi