IN BRIEF (Page 9)

Russia

Day of silence before election

Russia began observing preelection silence on Saturday ahead of the presidential election slated for Sunday. On the day of silence, candidates and parties are not allowed to hold rallies, meetings or distribute leaflets. Pre-election silence is stipulated by many countries in order to give voters time to make their choices without any pressure.

Iran

EU sanctions will affect nuke deal

Any new European sanctions against Iran will have a direct effect on the nuclear deal struck between world powers and Teheran, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday, according to state media. His comments were in reaction to a report that Britain, France and Germany have proposed fresh EU sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missiles and its role in Syria's war to try to persuade Washington to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal with Teheran.

Syria

Thousands more fleeing Ghouta

Russia's military said more than 11,000 people have left Syria's besieged eastern Ghouta outside the capital Damascus as government forces step up an offensive on the rebel enclave. Major General Vladimir Zolotukhin was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying that some 3,000 people have been leaving every hour on Saturday through a government-run humanitarian corridor monitored by the Russian military. Zolotukhin is spokesman for the Russian center for reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria.

Vietnam

Former PM passes away

Former prime minister Phan Van Khai died on Saturday at the age of 85. As one of the high-ranking Party and State leaders in the first phase of the country's Renewal and nation-building cause, Phan Van Khai was active and determined to build the institution under the spirit of renewal to utilize the capacity of all economic sectors, especially the private one, together with opening door to the world and integrating internationally, Vietnam News Agency reported on Saturday.

The Philippines

7 killed as small plane crashes

A small plane crashed into a house north of Manila on Saturday, killing at least seven people, officials and media said. The Piper 23 Apache twin-engine aircraft, operated by Lite Air Express, had just taken off from a small nearby airport, said Eric Apolonio, spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. It was carrying six people, including two pilots, and was en route to Laoag in northwestern Luzon.

Australia

Cows throng beach for health cause

Moos sounded across Sydney's Bondi Beach on Saturday as drovers on horseback mustered dozens of cows across its famous soft sands to raise awareness about rural health needs. The unusual sight of 40 heifers - who traveled thousands of kilometers from Australia's remote outback - and six stockmen and women at one of the world's most iconic beaches attracted hundreds of excited onlookers.

(China Daily 03/18/2018 page9)