IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Japan

Govt rejects new Abe scandal claim

Top government spokesman denied on Wednesday that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had intervened to help an educational institution run by a friend get permission to set up a veterinary school in a state special economic zone. It is Japan's second political controversy over a school in recent months. In the other case, an educational group with ties to Abe's wife got what critics said was a favorable land deal to build a new school. Abe has denied involvement in either affair.

France

Film festival under heavy security

The 70th Cannes Film Festival opened on Wednesday under heavy security which was greater than ever at the French festival, with stepped up efforts to restrict access and even an anti-drone system. France remains under a state of emergency since the 2015 Paris attacks.

Afghanistan

Extremists attack state TV station

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for an attack on a state television station on Wednesday that killed at least six people as well as the attackers and wounded 17. The attack in Nangarhar was the latest in a series on Afghan journalists and media in recent years. It came just a week after it was confirmed that the leader of IS group in Afghanistan had been killed in a US drone strike.

United States

Chelsea Manning released from jail

Chelsea Manning has been released from a Kansas military prison after serving seven years of her 35-year sentence for leaking classified government materials to WikiLeaks. The transgender soldier was freed from Fort Leavenworth on Wednesday in accordance with former president Barack Obama's decision to grant her clemency in his final days in office. She was known as Bradley Manning before transitioning in prison.

Australia

PM considers laptop banning

Australia is considering following the United States and the United Kingdom in banning laptops from inbound airliner cabins, the prime minister said."As prime minister protecting our national security and the national interest, I have to be circumspect and discreet on matters of national security,"Malcolm Turnbull said.

Switzerland

Diamond earrings fetch $51million

Sotheby's sold a pair of pear-shaped diamond earrings at a hammer price of about$51million on Tuesday, though the 14.54-carat flawless Fancy Vivid Blue diamond that was the auction's highlight fell short of the expected range. Sold as separate lots, the "Apollo Blue" and "Artemis Pink" diamonds together cracked the low end of the expected range of $50 million to $70 million, but were a record for earrings sold at auction, Sotheby's said.

(China Daily 05/18/2017 page12)