Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, Dec. 23

MANILA -- At least 75 people were reported dead and scores others are missing from the onslaught of tropical storm Tembin in southern Philippines, a government official said on Saturday.

Romina Marasigan, spokesman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), said that she had got unconfirmed reports of 75 people dead and 58 missing after Tembin hit Mindanao in southern Philippines. (The Philippines-Storm-Casualties)

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DAVAO CITY, the Philippines -- Six people were rushed to hospitals while over 20 others remain missing after a huge fire devoured a shopping mall in the hometown of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, authorities said.

The blaze hit the NCCC Mall of Davao in Ma-a village when shoppers were buying for the Christmas holidays, according to city police spokesperson Maria Teresita Gaspan. (The Philippines-Fire-Casusalties)

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NEW DELHI -- Senior officials of China and India have agreed to properly handle border issues so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in their border areas.

At the 20th round of talks between Chinese and Indian special representatives on boundary issues in the Indian capital Friday, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi exchanged views with Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on bilateral ties, border issues and international and regional issues of common concern.(China-India-Border Talks)

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NEW DELHI -- The death toll in Saturday's bus accident in India's northern state of Rajasthan has risen to 33, officials said.

Seven people injured in the accident have been admitted in different hospitals owing to their condition.

The accident took place in the morning at Dubi in Sawai Madhopur district, about 150 km south of Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. (India-Bus Accident-Death Toll) Enditem