IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Russia

Tokyo sanctions 'inappropriate'

Russia criticized on Tuesday the additional sanctions imposed by Tokyo on Moscow, and warned that the move could adversely affect relations between the two countries. The decision will "inevitably harm the entire complex of bilateral relations and will cause a setback," the Russian Foreign Ministry said, adding that it was "particularly inappropriate" to tie sanctions to the recent downing of Malaysian passenger plane MH17 in Ukraine.

Japan

Heat wave claims 15 lives

Sweltering summer heat in Japan has left at least 15 people dead over the past week, while more than 8,000 others were rushed to hospitals with heatstroke symptoms, official figures showed on Tuesday. At least six people died on Saturday alone, when the state weather agency warned temperatures had topped 35C.

United States

Govt 'disturbed' over release

The United States is "deeply disappointed" the Netherlands released a former Venezuelan military intelligence chief detained over US drug trafficking allegations, and is "disturbed" at reports indicating Caracas used threats to obtain his freedom, the State Department said. Instead of being extradited to the US, retired Venezuelan general Hugo Carvajal flew home on Sunday after the Dutch government ruled he had diplomatic immunity.

Libya

Embassy urges nationals to leave

China called on Monday on its nationals to leave Libya citing the recent deteriorating security situation. The Chinese embassy in Libya suggested that businessmen, corporate personnel and contract workers in foreign companies "leave Libya as soon as possible".

Afghanistan

President's cousin killed

A cousin and close associate of outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai was assassinated on Tuesday by a suicide bomber who hid his explosives under his turban, a provincial official said. The bomber walked up to the home of Hashmat Khalil Karzai to greet him after morning prayers for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, and detonated the explosives after shaking hands with the president's cousin.

Australia

Qantas to keep flying over Iraq

Australian airline Qantas said on Tuesday it would continue flying over Iraqi airspace, despite alliance partner Emirates deciding to alter its routes over concerns about jihadist missile attacks following the MH17 crash. Qantas said while it no longer flew over Syria or Ukraine over fears their airspace could be "unsafe", "there is no information to suggest that there is risk to commercial aircraft passing over Iraq".

Xinhua-AFP-AP-Reuters

(China Daily 07/30/2014 page11)