IN BRIEF (Page 12)

France

Hollande urges unity on terror

French President Francois Hollande called on Monday for united international action to tackle the threat from Islamic State militants as he opened a conference on Iraq, bringing together members of a US-led coalition. He said the threat "is global so the response must be global. ... Iraq's fight against the terrorists is also our fight".

Thailand

King wraps up 6-week checkup

Thailand's aging King Bhumibol Adulyadej left a Bangkok hospital on Monday after a stay of almost six weeks for a checkup. The Royal Household Bureau said the king, 86, the world's longest-serving monarch, left the hospital for his coastal palace in the town of Hua Hin.

India

Spacecraft nears Mars orbit

An Indian spacecraft is on course to reach Mars, an official said on Monday, following a 666-million-kilometer voyage that could see New Delhi's low-cost space program win Asia's race to the red planet. The 350-metric-ton rocket, carrying an unmanned probe, is set to enter Mars' orbit next week after 10 months in space.

Afghanistan

Five face death for robbery

An Afghan appeals court sentenced five men to death on Monday for armed robbery and sexual assault for an attack on an Afghan family driving home from a wedding just outside Kabul. The panel of three judges also invalidated the death sentences given to two other defendants, whose sentences were reduced to 20 years in prison for unrelated crimes.

Reuters-AFP-AP

(China Daily 09/16/2014 page12)