Xinhua world news summary at 1600 GMT, Jan. 18

KIEV -- The Ukrainian parliament on Thursday passed a law on the return of the eastern region of Donbas under Kiev's sovereignty.

The legislation defines the non-government-controlled areas in Donbas as "temporarily occupied territories". Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said it is a step toward a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Donbas.(Ukraine-Donbas)

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DAMASCUS -- Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad on Thursday warned that his country will respond militarily to possible Turkish military campaign in northern Syria, state news agency SANA reported.

Warning that Turkish military campaign will be met with "proper response," Mekdad said the Syrian air defense forces have completely recovered and are ready to destroy Turkish warplanes in Syria's airspace.

The new escalation comes as Turkey threatened to launch a military campaign in the Kurdish-controlled Afrin region in Syria's northern province of Aleppo.(Syria-Turkey-Military Escalation)

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ASTANA -- At least 52 Uzbek citizens were killed after a bus caught fire in northwest Kazakhstan on Thursday, said the Kazakh Interior Ministry.

The vehicle was carrying 55 passengers and two drivers. Five people managed to escape the burning bus and have been hospitalized. The incident happened at around 10:30 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) in the Aktobe region. The cause of the tragedy remains unclear.(Kazakhstan-Road Accident)

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RAMALLAH -- Palestinian sources said Thursday a Palestinian man was killed during a clash that broke out between Palestinians and Israeli forces in north West Bank city Jenin.

The operation, including gunfire between Palestinians and the Israeli counter terrorism unit and the Israeli security Shabak, led to the injury of two Israeli soldiers and lasted overnight until the early hours of Thursday dawn. (Gaza-Palestinians) Enditem