IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Australia

12 women tried to join IS group

At least 12 Australian women from one city have attempted to join the Islamic State group, police said on Friday, warning of a trend toward a "romanticized view" of violent jihadists. More than 100 Australians have left the country to support IS in Syria and Iraq, raising concerns about radicalization and whether they pose a security threat on their return, officials said.

Saudi Arabia

3 die in bombing of Shiite mosque

A suicide bomber disguised in women's clothing blew himself up at the entrance to a Saudi Shiite mosque during Friday prayers, killing three people, the Interior Ministry said. The Islamic State group claimed it was behind the attack at Al-Anoud mosque in Dammam. A ministry spokesman said the bomber detonated the explosives at the mosque entrance as security officials were on their way to inspect him.

India

Radioactive leak at Delhi's airport

Radioactive material leaked from a medical shipment on Friday at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, Indian government and airport officials said, adding that the incident had been contained and there was no risk to passengers. The leak was found at the airport's cargo-handling complex in a consignment of sodium iodide 131 - a radioactive liquid used in so-called nuclear medicine.

Philippines

Soldier takes bus riders hostage

A soldier took more than 30 bus passengers hostage on Friday in the northern Philippine province of Camarines Sur, local media reported. According to rappler.com, the military identified the suspect as 36-year-old Corporal Rene Prajele. He was reported to be carrying his M16 rifle when he went on a tour bus.

Nepal

Climbing permits may be extended

Nepal may allow hundreds of foreign mountaineers to climb Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest in the West, on the same permit next year, after they were forced to abandon their expeditions due to an avalanche triggered by last month's earthquake, a minister said on Friday. More than 350 foreign climbers abandoned their attempts to reach the summit after an avalanche buried part of the Everest base camp.

Nigeria

Buhari sworn in as new president

Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as Nigeria's new president on Friday, vowing to tackle the country's many problems "head-on". A 21-gun salute rang out across the capital, Abuja, after he took the oath of office to begin his four-year term.

Reuters - Xinhua - AFP

(China Daily 05/30/2015 page12)