IN BRIEF (Page 11)

The Philippines

Nine fishermen charged in court

Nine out of the 11 Chinese fishermen arrested by local police on May 6 near China's Half Moon Shoal in the South China Sea were formally charged by the Palawan Regional Trial Court in western Philippines on Monday. Palawan Province Prosecutor Allen Ross Rodriguez said the charges were filed following inquest proceedings that were pushed through despite the fishermen's refusal to be represented by counsel. Rodriguez dismissed charges against the other two Chinese fishermen as they were said to be minors.

Nigeria

Islamists offer swap of girls

The leader of the Nigerian Islamist rebel group Boko Haram has said he will release more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by his fighters last month in exchange for prisoners, according to a video seen by AFP on Monday. Around 100 girls wearing full veils and praying are shown in an undisclosed location in the 17-minute video in which Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau speaks, according to the French news agency.

India

National vote in final phase

Millions of Indian voters wrapped up the country's mammoth national election on Monday, braving the searing sun on the final day of polling in which Narendra Modia, a Hindu nationalist opposition candidate, is seen as the front-runner for prime minister. With 814 million eligible voters, India has been voting in phases over six weeks, with results expected on Friday. Early polls suggest there is deep dissatisfaction with the governing Congress party's 10 years in power.

Norway

Israeli leader's visit stirs protest

Israeli president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shimon Peres has arrived in Norway amid political anger and protests over Israel's policies in the occupied territories. The 90-year-old Peres, who won the prize in 1994 for his role in the Middle East peace talks, is the first Israeli head of state to visit the country.

Peres was welcomed on Monday by Norway's King Harald as demonstrators were dispersed from outside the royal palace, with more protests planned during the three-day visit.

Yemen

Airstrike kills five militants

An airstrike killed five al-Qaida militants in Yemen on Monday, state media said, as the army sent reinforcements to two regions in what appeared to be a further expansion of an offensive against the Islamist group. The attack destroyed a car carrying the militants in the Wadi Abida district of the northern province of Maarib, a military source and a local official told Reuters. Both had earlier said it was carried out by a drone.

AP-Xinhua-Reuters-AFP

(China Daily 05/13/2014 page11)