IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Russia

Syria deal bans coalition aircraft

The "de-escalation zones" to be established in Syria will be closed to military aircraft from the US-led coalition, the Russian official who signed the agreement said on Friday. Alexander Lavrentyev spoke a day after he and officials from Turkey and Iran agreed to establish the zones, in the latest attempt to reduce violence in the Arab nation.

Iraq

US combat troops won't be staying

US combat troops will not remain in Iraq after the fight against the Islamic State group is over, Iraq's Prime Minister said on Friday. In his statement, Haider al-Abadi emphasized there are no new foreign combat troops on Iraqi soil and that any US troops who stay on once IS militants are defeated will be advisers working to train Iraq's security forces to maintain "full readiness for any future security challenges".

United Kingdom

Flights suspended over safety issue

Departures from Terminal 3 of London's Heathrow airport were briefly suspended on Friday morning over a security issue. "Departures were suspended for a short time from Terminal 3 due to a security issue," an airport spokesperson said. "We are very sorry to any passengers whose journeys were affected. The safety and security of our passengers and colleagues is paramount."

Thailand

Red Bull heir has disappeared

Thai authorities said on Friday that they have revoked the passport of a fugitive heir to the Red Bull energy drink fortune who is wanted on deadly hit-and-run charges. Vorayuth Yoovidhya flew to Singapore two days before he was due to appear before prosecutors last month, but left two days later. Authorities say his location is unknown. Interpol has issued a Blue Notice advising officials in 190 countries that Vorayuth is wanted.

United States

Water park will pay millions

The family of a 10-year-old boy who died on a giant waterslide at a Kansas water park will receive nearly $20 million in settlement payments, according to court documents. The largest payment to Caleb Schwab's family, $14 million, will come from SVV 1 and KC Water Park, two companies associated with Texas-based water park operator Schlitterbahn.

Indonesia

Overcrowding sparks jailbreak

About 200 prisoners broke out of an overcrowded Sumatra jail on Friday, tearing down a gate near a mosque in the prison complex after being allowed out of their cells to pray. Inmates had complained about overcrowding in the jail in Pekanbaru, Riau province, and accused some guards of being violent, said Ferdinand Siagian, head of the regional office of the Law Ministry.

(China Daily 05/06/2017 page8)