IN BRIEF (Page 12)

South Africa

Mbeki optimistic about Mandela

Former South African president Thabo Mbeki said on Saturday he was confident that the health of his predecessor, Nelson Mandela, will improve. "I know the doctors who are working with him are very good people, very good doctors and are doing an excellent job," national broadcaster SABC quoted Mbeki as saying.

Iraq

Bomb attacks kill 23 people

Two bomb attacks near Sunni mosques in the Iraqi capital killed at least 23 people who had gathered to pray after breaking their daily fast for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Saturday, police and medics said. A car packed with explosives went off in Baghdad's western district of Jamia, killing at least seven people, and a suicide bomber blew himself up in the southern Doura neighborhood, leaving 16 dead.

Zimbabwe

Early election marred by delays

Zimbabwe security forces began voting in an early election on Sunday, with delays reported due to the lack of ballot papers just over two weeks before crucial presidential polls. Voting was underway at one polling station in Harare, where uniformed police officers waited while seated for their names to be called out to cast ballots.

Pakistan

9 militants dead in drone strike

At least nine suspected militants, including two foreigners, were killed in Pakistan's lawless tribal region in a US drone strike and a separate Pakistan military operation, security officials said on Sunday. Pakistan has seen a spate of militant attacks since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took office last month.

Spain

Woman gored in final bull run

A 23-year-old Australian woman was gored in the chest on the final day of Spain's San Fermin weeklong bull-running festival, where bulls chase people down the cobbled streets of Pamplona. The woman was taken to a hospital for surgery and was in serious condition, health officials said.

Switzerland

Radioactivity found in lake

Scientists have discovered a radioactive substance in sediment under a Swiss lake that is a source of drinking water and near a nuclear plant, the Le Matin Dimanche weekly reported on Sunday. While scientists stressed there was no danger to human health, the discovery raises concerns about safety practices and a lack of transparency at the Muehleberg nuclear plant.

Reuters-AFP

(China Daily 07/15/2013 page12)