The essential news in 8 stories: From Israel settlements to Beijing's population

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Israel plans new settlements days after Trump inauguration

CFP Photo‍

600 settlement homes will be built in East Jerusalem, in a proposed move that has already drawn criticism from Palestinian officials and added to speculation that a Trump presidency will embolden Israel’s stance on building settlements on occupied land. The last months of Barack Obama’s tenure as president saw the UN Security Council pass a resolution demanding a halt to the building of new settlements, after the US refused to veto the motion.

Xi to head central commission for integrated military, civilian development

Xinhua Photo

The commission will be the central agency tasked with decision-making, deliberation and coordination of major issues regarding integrated military and civilian development, with the decision to set up the new body made at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Sunday. Integrating civilian resources into military development is one of the goals of China’s 13th five-year plan for 2016-2020.

Storms kill at least 16 in Georgia and Mississippi

CFP Photo

Severe weather conditions and tornadoes wreaked havoc in the two states, with a state of emergency declared in seven counties in Georgia. President Donald Trump expressed his condolences for the victims, as further tornadoes and storms are expected to continue bashing Georgia before moving into northern Florida.

Beijing population grows by 0.1% in 2016

CFP Photo

The number of permanent residents in the capital grew to 21.7 million last year, according to the city’s statistics bureau. Beijing's registered urban population stood at 18.8 million last year, over 86 percent of the total permanent population, according to Pang Jiangqian, deputy head of the bureau. Beijing aims to cap its population at 23 million by 2020.

Leftwing candidate comes out on top in French socialist primary

CFP Photo

Benoit Hamon won 35 percent of the votes, and will face former prime minister Emmanuel Valls in a second round of voting to decide the Socialist party’s candidate for presidential elections in May and June. Hamon is considered a leftist outsider compared to pro-business and “law and order” candidate Valls, with both reflecting the divisions in a party widely seen as unelectable, following record-low approval ratings for outgoing President Francois Hollande.

100 kilos of meth seized in Hubei

CFP Photo

10 suspects were arrested in the Hubei Province city of Yicheng, after a nine-month police operation that pursued traffickers who bought methamphetamine in bulk from Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, according to China Daily. The drugs bust follows similar police operations in Guangdong in recent months, with police in December arresting hundreds of suspects and seizing tons of narcotics in the province.

Astana talks to focus on ceasefire rather than fate of Assad

CFP Photo

Peace talks on the Syria conflict are set to begin in the Kazakh capital on Monday, with officials representing the opposition reiterating their stance that their one goal was to “consolidate the ceasefire.” The talks will be led by representatives from Russia and Turkey, while UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura will also be attending in a supportive role.

Chinese scientists create paper resistant to fire and water

CFP Photo

The research team at the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics told the South China Morning Post their paper can repel coffee, juice or tea, and is resistant to temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius. It is hoped that it can be used for calligraphy or for billboard posters in the future. After more than eight years in development, the “super-material” could be made available within three years.