IN BRIEF (Page 11)

VIETNAM

US aircraft carrier to visit in post-war first

In a post-war first, the United States will send an aircraft carrier to Vietnam, Hanoi's Defense Ministry said on Thursday, a major demonstration of deepening military ties between the former enemies more than four decades after the Vietnam War. The announcement came during a two-day visit by US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. The proposed visit is set for March at the central port of Danang, the ministry said. Such a visit by a US aircraft carrier could bring the most US forces to Vietnam since the conflict ended in 1975.

UNITED STATES

Trump willing to be questioned

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he is willing to talk to special counsel Robert Mueller as part of the ongoing Russia probe that appears to have inched closer to the president's inner circle. Mueller is investigating allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US election and possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow. Trump has repeatedly denied such allegations while describing the Russia probe as a "hoax" or a "witch hunt".

Users given control of older iPhones

Apple's next major update of its mobile software will include an option that will enable owners of older iPhones to turn off a feature that slows the device to prevent aging batteries from shutting down. The free upgrade announced on Wednesday will be released this spring. The company is still facing an investigation by French authorities, a series of questions from US Senate and a spate of consumer lawsuits alleging misconduct.

BRAZIL

Lula loses appeal over corruption

An appeals court on Wednesday upheld ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's conviction for corruption, dealing a body blow to his hopes of running for re-election this year. The three-judge panel sitting in the southern city of Porto Alegre unanimously ruled that his original 9.5-year jail sentence be extended to more than 12 years. Thousands of Lula supporters rallied in Sao Paolo to protest the verdict.

INDONESIA

Shutdown urged for animal markets

Campaigners are calling for the closure of Indonesian animal markets touted as tourist attractions where dogs are bludgeoned by the thousands and blow-torched alive. One of the markets on the island of Sulawesi, known as Tomohon Extreme Market, was previously listed on TripAdvisor as a top attraction until animal welfare groups complained. Local tour operators and officials continue to promote the markets as destinations.

(China Daily 01/26/2018 page11)