Briefly

BRAZIL

Scientists developing'vaccine' for cocaine

Scientists in Brazil, which is one of the world's biggest consumers of cocaine, have announced the development of a vaccine for addiction to the drug and its powerful derivative crack. Dubbed Calixcoca, the test vaccine has shown promising results in trials on animals — it triggers an immune response that blocks cocaine and crack from reaching the brain, which researchers hope will help users break the cycle of addiction. If the treatment gets regulatory approval, it would be the first time cocaine addiction is treated using a vaccine, said psychiatrist Frederico Garcia, coordinator of the team that developed the treatment at the Federal University of Minas Gerais.

INDIA

Visa ban on Canadians eased amid tensions

India will resume some visa services in Canada with effect from Thursday, its High Commission said on Wednesday, in a move that could reduce tensions caused by the murder of a Sikh leader in Canada. India last month suspended new visas for Canadians and asked Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited what he said was credible evidence of a potential link between Indian agents and the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, in a Vancouver suburb in June. India denies any connection to the shooting.

SAUDI ARABIA

Sudan peace talks resume in Jeddah

Sudan's warring parties have resumed negotiations in Saudi Arabia, with the talks aimed at ending a 6-month-old armed conflict, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes the resumption of talks between representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and representatives of the Rapid Support Forces in the city of Jeddah," according to a statement. Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the two forces in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, resulting in at least 3,000 deaths and more than 6,000 injured, according to figures from the Sudanese Health Ministry.

Agencies Via Xinhua