IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Libya

63 missing in new shipwreck

A new shipwreck off the Libyan coast has left 63 people missing in the latest disaster to hit migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean. The group are feared drowned after the inflatable boat they were on sank, said a spokesman for Libya's navy General Ayoub Kacem, citing eyewitness accounts from survivors. Kacem said that 41 people wearing life jackets were rescued. According to survivors, there were 104 people on board the vessel, which sank off Garaboulli, east of Tripoli.

Indonesia

Ferry carrying 140 people capsizes

Authorities in Indonesia were scrambling on Tuesday to rescue about 140 passengers from a ferry that sank off the coast of Sulawesi island, killing at least 12, officials said. The disaster came in the wake of last month's sinking of an overcrowded ferry on the southeast Asian nation's Lake Toba, one of the world's deepest volcanic lakes, which took about 200 lives. Indonesia suffers frequent boat sinkings, with basic safety rules often flouted and vessels overloaded.

Malaysia

Ex-PM arrested amid graft probe

Former prime minister Najib Razak was arrested on Tuesday, three sources familiar with the matter said, amid an investigation into how billions of dollars went missing from a state fund he founded almost a decade ago. Authorities picked up Najib from his home after serving him with a remand order, two sources close to the family said. One of the sources said Najib was expected to be charged in court on Wednesday.

Japan

Emperor cancels duties for 2nd day

Japan's aging Emperor Akihito canceled his official duties for a second day on Tuesday, after being treated for insufficient blood supply to the brain. The 84-year-old shocked the country in 2016 when he signaled his desire to step down after nearly three decades in the job, citing his age and health problems. Akihito has previously had surgery for prostate cancer and heart problems, and the state of his health is carefully watched in Japan.

United States

'Trump-shaped' ecstasy pills seized

Police in Indiana seized "Trump-shaped" ecstasy pills during an anti-drug operation, local media reported on Monday. Authorities found the pills during patrols at the end of June. They have US President Donald Trump's face on one side, and "GREAT AGAIN" on the other, apparently modeled after Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again".

Afp - Xinhua - Ap - Reuters

(China Daily 07/04/2018 page12)