Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1000 GMT, Dec. 14

MANILA — Outgoing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday formally dropped out of the Senate race in the May 2022 elections. Duterte, 76, went to the Commission on Elections to formally withdraw his candidacy for a Senate seat. (Philippines-Duterte-Candidacy Withdrawal) NEW DELHI — India Tuesday reported eight more cases of the Omicron variant, taking the country's case tally of the new variant to 49, officials said. Of the eight new cases, four have been reported from the national capital region and the remaining four from the western state of Rajasthan. (India-COVID 19-Omicron) CANBERRA — Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced plans to manufacture millions of mRNA vaccines domestically by 2024. Morrison on Tuesday revealed plans for a facility capable of manufacturing up to 100 million messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine doses every year. (Australia-COVID-19) ISLAMABAD — A policeman was killed and two others were injured in a firing incident in Rawalpindi district of Pakistan's east Punjab province, a police official said Tuesday. Unknown gunmen riding on motorcycles opened indiscriminate fire at a police party performing patrolling duty in the Pir Wadhai area of Rawalpindi district late Monday night, Assistant Superintendent of Police in Rawalpindi Beenish Fatima told Xinhua. (Pakistan-Police-Attack) Enditem Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.