WASHINGTON -- World Bank Group President David Malpass on Wednesday welcomed the extension of debt relief program by the Group of Twenty (G20), calling for further efforts to help the poorest countries tackle the debt crisis.

Earlier this year, "the G20 endorsed a vital debt relief program for the poorest countries, giving people a ray of hope," Malpass made the remarks at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, virtually held during the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund. (US-World Bank-G20)

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JERUSALEM -- Israel approved 2,166 new homes in settlements in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, for the first time since it halted its West Bank annexation plan.

The Israeli Civil Administration's Higher Planning Committee in the West Bank said in a statement that it gave final approval for the construction of 1,313 housing units in several settlements. An additional 853 units received an initial green light but have not yet been given final approval. (Israel-West Bank-Settlement)

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LONDON -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed the "desirability" of a new trade deal with the European Union (EU), but also his disappointment that more progress had not been made, just hours ahead of an EU summit due on Thursday.

Johnson's comments came during a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday evening, Downing Street said in a statement. (UK-EU-Talks)

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ABUJA -- Three children aged between 5 and 7 were confirmed to have drowned in a pool of water in Nigeria's southern state of Akwa Ibom, said a police spokesman on Wednesday.

The "painful and shocking" incident, according to Akwa Ibom police spokesman Odiko Macdon, occurred on Tuesday at a police barracks in the Eket area of the state. (Nigeria-Children-Death) Enditem

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