Xinhua world news summary at 0830 GMT, Feb. 7

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House passed legislation by voice vote Tuesday to overhaul sexual harassment policies on Capitol Hill amid the ongoing "Me Too" social media movement and revelations that multiple lawmakers had engaged in misconduct.

The bill, which now goes to the Senate, seeks to streamline the process available to Congress staffers to report harassment, provide additional resources for people filing complaints and establish transparency requirements for taxpayer-funded settlements to resolve cases, according to The Hill news report. (US-Congress-Sexual Harassment)

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TALUQAN, Afghanistan -- Eight militants including a key commander were killed as security forces aircrafts targeted Taliban hideouts in Yangi Qala district of Afghanistan's northern Takhar province on Wednesday, police spokesman in the province, Abdul Khalil Asir said.

"Acting upon intelligence report the security forces aircrafts attacked Taliban hideouts in Bazaar Omari area of Yangi Qala district early today morning killing eight rebels including notorious commander Mullah Zindani on the spot," Asir told Xinhua. (Afghanistan-Taliban-Airstrikes)

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QUITO -- The Ecuadorian government on Tuesday reiterated continued protection for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after a British court ratified the validity of an arrest warrant against him.

"The government of Ecuador will maintain international protection for the citizen Julian Assange, while the threat to his life persists," said the foreign affairs ministry in a statement. (Ecuador-Assange-UK)

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SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan -- Up to 13 militants loyal to the hardliner Islamic State (IS) group were killed during overnight air raids against the armed group in Darzab district of Afghanistan's northern Jawzjan province, provincial government spokesman Reza Ghafori said Wednesday.

The strikes, according to the official, was carried out Monday night against the IS training center in Darzab district, killing 13 insurgents and injuring a few others. (Afghanistan-IS-Raids) Enditem