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Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Jan. 21

Xinhua, January 21, 2017 Adjust font size:

South Korean people condemn a right-wing Japanese hotel chain, which caused uproar by placing books distorting the Imperial Japan's wartime history in guestrooms of its 400-plus hotels.

APA Group touched off anger online both in South Korea and China for books, one of the hotel chain's amenities, which deny the 1937 Nanjing massacre and the comfort women, or Korean women forced into sexual slavery for Japanese military brothels before and during World War II. (S.Korea-Japanese Hotel)

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ISLAMABAD -- Death toll of bomb blast that hit a fruit and vegetable market in northwest Pakistan on Saturday morning has risen to 25, local media reported.

Local Urdu TV channel Dawn News, quoting official sources, said that the death toll rose to 25 after five of the critically injured succumbed to their injuries during treatment at the hospitals. (Pakistan-Blast)

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ANKARA -- Turkey is on the threshold for shift to an executive presidential system as the parliament approved early Saturday an 18-item constitutional amendment package.

"A new door in Turkish history in the lives of the Turkish people has been cracked open today. With our people's 'yes' vote, this door will be completely opened," Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag posted on his official Twitter account. (Turkey-Parliament)

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BANJUL -- Former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh announced Saturday that he would step down from power after last-chance talks with leaders from West African countries.

"I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation, with infinite gratitude to all Gambians," said the longtime leader on state TV early Saturday morning. (Gambia-Jammeh) Endi