IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Britain

Strike shuts down schools

A mass public sector workers strike is crippling Britain, with hundreds of schools closed on Thursday morning. Teachers, council staff, firefighters and civil servants are taking part in the action in a series of disputes with the government over pay. It was estimated that 2 million public sector workers were out on strike, which might be the country's largest strike in three years.

India

New budget to cut deficit

India's new right-wing government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled its premiere budget on Thursday, promising a new era of fiscal discipline, higher growth and greater opportunities for foreign investors. Government overspending would be slashed in the next three years, with the fiscal deficit reduced from a targeted 4.1 percent of GDP this year to 3.0 percent in the 2016-17 financial year.

South Sudan

Military chiefs face sanctions

The European Union slapped a travel ban and asset freeze on Thursday on two South Sudanese military leaders for committing atrocities and obstructing the peace, an official statement said. The sanctions against the two, whose names will be released on Friday when the sanctions take effect, come after months of violent clashes between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those supporting his rival and former deputy, Riek Machar.

Indonesia

Court may decide new president

A day after Indonesia's presidential elections failed to produce a clear winner, Jakarta's police chief promised to prevent violence by cracking down on anyone celebrating prematurely. With both candidates continuing to claim victory, the next leader of the world's third-largest democracy could be decided in court. Fears of unrest surfaced after Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo and ex-army general Prabowo Subianto both declared a win after the quick-count results were released.

Iraq

Nuke material 'low grade'

The United Nations atomic agency said on Thursday it believed nuclear material that Iraq said had fallen into the hands of insurgents was "low grade" and did not pose a significant security risk. Iraq told the UN that the material was used for scientific research at a university in the northern town of Mosul and appealed for help to "stave off the threat of their use by terrorists in Iraq or abroad".

Reuters - AFP - Xinhua - AP

(China Daily 07/11/2014 page12)