IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Italy

Renzi to be EU's youngest leader

Matteo Renzi was nominated to be the European Union's youngest prime minister on Monday and outlined an ambitious reform plan, promising "energy, enthusiasm and commitment" to revitalize the eurozone's third-largest economy. The 39-year-old mayor of Florence said his first priority will be to tackle relentless unemployment levels and pitiful economic growth, promising Italians he will do everything possible to alleviate "despair".

Pakistan

Talks collapse after killings

Peace talks between the Pakistani government and Taliban insurgents broke down on Monday, the government said, after insurgents executed 23 paramilitary soldiers in what they said was revenge for army operations in volatile tribal regions. "It is sad that we are not moving in the right direction," said Irfan Siddiqui, a government negotiator, adding that there was "no use" holding a planned meeting on Monday with Taliban representatives.

Venezuela

Caracas expels3 US diplomats

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday accused Washington of plotting with anti-government protesters and expelled three US diplomats in retaliation, as fugitive opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez reappeared and called for a mass rally on Tuesday. "I have ordered the Foreign Ministry to proceed with declaring those three consular officials persona non grata and expelling them from the country. Let them go conspire in Washington," Maduro said.

Republic of Korea

3 students die in building collapse

Three college students were killed and 50 more feared trapped after an auditorium collapsed under heavy snow on Monday in the southern ROK city of Gyeongju, Yonhap news agency reported. Emergency services would not confirm the reported deaths, but fire services told AFP that dozens may have been trapped in the debris when the ceiling of the building caved in at a resort complex being used for a freshman orientation.

Syria

Rebels name new military chief

The rebel Free Syrian Army has appointed Abd al-Ilah al-Bashir as its new military chief, replacing Salim Idris. The FSA on Monday announced the expulsion of Idris and the appointment of Bashir. Both are defectors from the Syrian regular army. Bashir defected in 2012. His son was reportedly killed earlier this year in battles against government troops.

AP-AFP-Reuters-Xinhua

(China Daily 02/18/2014 page12)