IN BRIEF (Page 12)

United Nations

Clash over Syria chlorine attacks

The United States and Russia clashed at the UN Security Council on Monday over a push by Washington to condemn reported chlorine gas attacks in Syria that have left many injured in recent days, including children. US Ambassador Nikki Haley said there was "obvious evidence from dozens of victims" to corroborate the attacks in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta. Russia hit back and accused the US of waging a "propaganda campaign" aimed at falsely blaming President Bashar al-Assad for the attacks.

India

Pirates free ship with 22 Indians

A tanker with 22 Indian crew on board has been released by pirates who had seized the vessel off the coast of West Africa, the company that manages the ship said on Tuesday. The Panama-registered MT Marine Express, loaded with 13,500 tons of petrol, was anchored off Benin when authorities lost contact on Thursday.

Japan

Heavy snow traps nearly 1,000 cars

More than 1,000 cars were trapped after heavy snowfall in central Japan brought road traffic to a standstill on Tuesday. Local officials said they have asked the military for help and have not heard of any injuries or illness among those trapped. Snow has reached 1.36 meters in Fukui prefecture, 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, as of 2 pm on Tuesday, the heaviest snowfall in nearly four decades in the region, a local meteorological observatory said.

Australia

7 charged over 'child abuse ring'

Seven people, including four women, were charged on Tuesday with the alleged sexual and physical abuse of young boys at a circus training school, including producing child pornography. The systemic abuse of the children, all aged under eight, occurred between 2014 and 2016, police claim, reportedly at a facility in Katoomba, north of Sydney, which caters for youngsters with and without disabilities.

Mongolia

Endangered antelopes starving

Sixteen endangered Saiga antelopes and an undetermined number of gazelles were reportedly found dead due to a food shortage as the temperature slips to -40 C. Experts from the World Wildlife Fund Mongolia have been taking biotechnical measures and placing some hay in areas near wildlife habitats to help them survive.

Afp - Reuters - Xinhua

(China Daily 02/07/2018 page12)