IN BRIEF (Page 11)

India

Over 30 die in thunderstorms

More than 30 people have been killed and many others injured in thunderstorms and lightning in India, disaster management officials said on Tuesday. The deaths took place in the eastern states of Bihar and Jharkhand, and the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in the past 24 hours after the areas were lashed by heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.

European Union

US, EU at odds over subsidies

The EU told the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement body on Monday that it had acted within days of a WTO ruling to bring its funding of plane maker Airbus into line with WTO rules, a trade official who attended the meeting said. The United States won a partial victory on May 15 against EU support for Airbus at the WTO, clearing the way for possible US sanctions in a 14-year-old dispute over claims of illegal handouts for aircraft makers.

Middle East

Palestinian leader leaves hospital

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas left hospital on Monday after eight days of treatment for pneumonia that led to intense speculation over the 83-year-old's condition and who will eventually replace him. Dressed in a suit as usual and walking without assistance, Abbas gave a statement on being discharged, saying he planned to be back at work in his office as normal on Tuesday. He thanked all international leaders who had called about his health and wished him well.

Israel

Abramovich gets Israeli citizenship

An Israeli official said Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has received Israeli citizenship after his British visa was not renewed. The official, from Israel's Immigration Ministry, said the Chelsea soccer club owner arrived in Israel on Monday. Israel grants automatic citizenship to anyone of Jewish descent. The official was not authorized to talk to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Paraguay

Nation to have its first woman leader

Paraguay will have a woman president for the first time in its history, at least temporarily, after outgoing leader Horacio Cartes stepped down on Monday ahead of schedule. Vice-President Alicia Pucheta, 68, will complete Cartes's mandate after he resigned to become a senator. On Aug 15, fellow conservative Mario Abdo Benitez, elected in April 22 polls, will begin his five-year term as president of one of the Latin American country.

United States

Officers probed as woman punched

Police officers have been reassigned to administrative duty amid an investigation into a video posted online showing an officer punching a woman on a beach in New Jersey. Police said that 20-year-old Emily Weinman faces several charges, including two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Video of the incident shows an officer striking the woman's head twice as she's down on the sand. Voices are heard yelling "stop resisting", though it's unclear who was talking. The video doesn't show what led to the confrontation.

Xinhua - Afp - Ap - Reuters

(China Daily 05/30/2018 page11)