IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Afghanistan

British govt will double its troops

The British government is planning to almost double the number of its troops in Afghanistan after a request from US President Donald Trump for reinforcements to help tackle the fragile security situation there. Prime Minister Theresa May announced the government will send an extra 440 troops, which would bring Britain's total to about 1,100, to help Afghan troops fighting the Taliban and Islamic State extremists. The extra troops will be from the Welsh Guards regiment, with around half deploying in August and a second contingent to follow in February.

Iran

Bus-tanker collision kills 11

At least 11 people died on Wednesday when a fuel tanker collided with a bus in western Iran, state media reported. The vehicles crashed shortly after midnight in Sanandaj, the capital of Iran's Kurdistan province, around 400 kilometers west of Teheran, according to state television. The IRNA news agency said four bus passengers and three passers-by were also injured in an "enormous explosion" following the collision.

Japan

Nurse may have killed 20 patients

A former nurse who allegedly killed as many as 20 elderly patients by injecting their intravenous drips with chemicals is in police custody, Japanese media have reported. The suspect reportedly said she wanted to control when her patients died. Police said on Wednesday 31-year-old Ayumi Kuboki was in custody over the alleged murder of an 88-year-old man at a hospital in suburban Tokyo. They declined to confirm the broader investigation.

United Nations

Israeli blamed for key Gaza crossing

The United Nations on Tuesday criticized Israel's closure of its only cargo crossing with the Gaza Strip, warning that the measure could have negative consequences. In a statement, UN Special Coordinator Nickolay Mladenov urged Israel to reverse its decision. Israel said it was closing the Kerem Shalom crossing on Monday to everything except essential humanitarian supplies in response to the incendiary kites and balloons that have been flown from Gaza into Israel over the last few months.

Romania

Assad's son wants 'normal' treatment

The teenage son of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has asked to be treated as a "normal student" while competing in the International Mathematical Olympiad in Romania, an education official said on Tuesday. Hafez al-Assad, 16, is one of the 615 students participating in the annual competition, taking place in the central city of Cluj-Napoca until Saturday. Every country represented has a team of 6 students. Hafez al-Assad, told local media that maths is his "childhood passion" and he is hoping for a good result.

Reuters - AFP - AP

(China Daily 07/12/2018 page12)