IN BRIEF (Page 11)

China

Beijing, Myanmar to boost ties

Vice-Premier Liu Yandong told visiting Myanmar Vice-President U Nyan Tun that both countries will cement the public opinion foundations for bilateral relations by holding the China-ASEAN Year of Cultural Exchanges. Nyan Tun arrived in China to attend the opening ceremony for the event and related activities from Monday to Wednesday. He said Myanmar will boost development of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership.

India

World's largest election begins

India started the world's largest election on Monday, with voters in the remote northeast making their way past lush rice paddies and over rickety bamboo bridges to reach the polls. Most parties were campaigning on promises of economic growth. The electorate of 814 million will vote in stages over the next five weeks - a staggered approach made necessary by India's size - to choose representatives to the 543-seat lower house of parliament.

The Philippines

Envoy suspected of trafficking

Philippine police have filed a child trafficking complaint against a vacationing Italian diplomat arrested at a resort south of Manila in the company of three street boys aged 9 to 12. A police spokesman said on Monday that officers arrested Daniele Bosio on Saturday at the resort in Laguna province, where members of the child rights group Bahay Tuluyan were also on an outing. The 46-year-old Italian is a diplomat in Turkmenistan.

Libya

Rebels agree to reopen oil ports

Libyan rebels occupying four eastern oil ports have agreed to end their eight-month petroleum blockade, which has cost the North African state billions in lost revenues. Zueitina and Hariga ports, held by federalist rebels demanding more autonomy from Tripoli, will open immediately, while the larger ports, Ras Lanuf and Es Sider, will open in two to four weeks after more talks, the government said.

United Kingdom

Man attacks women in hotel

Police are hunting for a man who broke into an upscale London hotel and battered three women with a hammer. The Metropolitan Police said the women, all from the United Arab Emirates and all in their 30s, have head and face injuries. The women and three children were asleep in adjoining rooms at the Cumberland Hotel in central London when a man broke in early on Sunday. Police say the women were attacked after they awoke and disturbed the intruder.

China Daily - AP - Reuters

(China Daily 04/08/2014 page11)