IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Germany

Parties agree on 'grand coalition'

Three German parties reached an agreement on a "grand coalition" after tough negotiations on Wednesday. The Christian Democratic Union, Christian Social Union and German Social Democrats, or SPD, ended the allocation of cabinet members among their parties, reports said. Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU would take the economy and defense ministries in a new cabinet, while the SPD would take the foreign, finance and labor ministries.

Maldives

Supreme Court reverses ruling

President Abdulla Yameen on Wednesday welcomed a Supreme Court move to rescinded its ruling issued last week ordering the release of nine opposition leaders. The new order was signed by the three remaining judges of the court. The fresh move came after Yameen on Tuesday accused Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed of being bribed to issue last week's court order, in a bid to overthrow the government.

South Africa

Zuma's address postponed

The Parliament on Tuesday announced its decision to postpone the State of the Nation Address amid growing calls for President Jacob Zuma to resign. Parliament spokesman Moloto Mothapo said the decision was to avoid disruption and chaos that have characterized this annual joint sitting of Parliament in the past four years. Zuma was originally scheduled to deliver SONA on Thursday.

India

Probe after mass HIV infection

India is investigating claims an unlicensed doctor infected at least 46 people with HIV by reusing syringes, the latest case to expose the paucity of healthcare in the country of 1.25 billion. Police in Uttar Pradesh have registered a criminal case against Rajendra Yadav, who provided cheap medical services to poor villagers.

France

Govt bans cell phone use in cars

Using one's cell phone while pulling over could lead to the suspension of one's driver's license, local media reported. In a new high court ruling in February, drivers are banned from cell phone use not only when driving, but even when the engine is off, as long as one has not stopped in a designated parking area, newspaper Le Figaro said.

Xinhua - AFP - Reuters

(China Daily 02/08/2018 page12)