News In Brief

Johnson says UK will leave EU by Jan. 31 at the latest
Reuters, London
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that Britain would leave the European Union by Jan. 31 at the latest if his Conservative Party win a majority in the election in two weeks time.
“If we can get a working majority then we will come on Jan. 31 at the absolute latest,” Johnson told LBC radio. He also repeated his message that he saw no reason why Britain would need to extend the transition period after Brexit beyond the end of 2020.

Bolivia to restore diplomatic ties with Israel
AP, LA PAZ, Bolivia
Bolivia said Thursday it will restore diplomatic ties with Israel, a decade after then-President Evo Morales severed relations because of an Israeli military offensive in Gaza.
The renewal of ties with Israel was announced by interim Foreign Minister Karen Longaric as part of an overhaul of Bolivia’s foreign policy following Morales’ resignation this month.

Albania quake death toll now 49
AP, Tirana
The operation to find survivors and recover bodies from Albania’s deadly earthquake was winding down Friday, with rescue crews limiting their efforts to a collapsed beachfront hotel in the port town of Durres as the death toll climbed to 49.
Albanian, Serb and Montenegrin rescue crews were working through the ruins of the hotel, where one person was believed to still be missing, Defense Ministry spokeswoman Albana Qehajaj said.

Freak waves flood homes in Marshall Islands
AFP, Majuro
More than 200 people have been forced to flee their homes, after they were inundated by freak waves in the Marshall Islands capital Majuro.
Swells averaging five metres (16 feet) washed rocks and debris onto roads, temporarily cutting access to the international airport at the peak of the flooding on Wednesday.