IN BRIEF (Page 11)

United Kingdom

Prince William to visit China

Prince William will travel to China early next year in the first visit to the mainland by a member of the British royal family in almost three decades, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday. William, Queen Elizabeth's grandson and second-in-line to the throne, will leave for a three-day trip to Japan in late February before heading to China. William's trip to China is the first since the queen and her husband Prince Philip paid a visit in 1986.

Afghanistan

Embassy suicide bomber kills 6

A suicide bomber rammed his explosives-packed car into a British embassy vehicle in Kabul on Thursday, killing one Briton and at least five Afghans in the latest attack to highlight fragile security as NATO troops withdraw. Five children were among more than 30 bystanders injured in the blast, officials said.

India

Visa rules eased for 43 countries

Tourists traveling to India from 43 countries, including the United States and Russia, will no longer have to line up at their local consulates to obtain visas after New Delhi announced on Thursday a long-awaited easing of border controls. Tourists from countries that include Australia, Brazil, Germany and Japan will now be able to apply online and then receive the green light within four days before getting their visa at an airport on arrival.

Greece

Frigate rescues ship of migrants

A Greek frigate towed a disabled cargo ship packed with 700 migrants to safety just off the island of Crete on Thursday, in one of the biggest sea rescues mounted by the Mediterranean nation, coast guard officials said. The Kiribati-flagged MV Baris issued a distress call on Tuesday after developing engine problems 45 km southeast of Crete.

AFP - Reuters

(China Daily 11/28/2014 page11)