IN BRIEF (Page 11)

India

Ex-PM Vajpayee dies at age 93

Former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has died after a prolonged illness. He was 93. Vajpayee had been hospitalized for more than two months after being admitted for treatment of a kidney infection and chest congestion. He suffered a stroke in 2009. Vajpayee ordered nuclear weapons tests in 1988 that stoked fears of atomic war with rival Pakistan. But he later launched a groundbreaking peace process with Islamabad. Both his supporters and critics agreed that he was a man untainted by corruption scandals.

Italy

Funds allocated after tragedy

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared on Wednesday a 12-month state of emergency in Genoa following the collapse of a motorway bridge that killed at least 39 people. "A cabinet meeting took place in which we have decreed a 12-month state of emergency and made available a first allocation worth 5 million euros ($5.7 million) for the national emergencies fund," Conte said in a news conference in the northwestern port city after the meeting, which lasted around an hour.

Brazil

Lula registers for presidential race

Brazil's Workers' Party, or PT, on Wednesday officially registered ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as its presidential candidate with the nation's top election body, the Superior Electoral Court. Some 13 presidential hopefuls have registered to run in the Oct 7 race while all eyes are on Lula, since the electorate's favorite candidate is fighting an uphill battle to be in the running. Brazilian law bars those convicted of a crime from running for elected office and the two-time president is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption.

Thailand

Three-year-old dies in school van

A 3-year-old child died after she was left behind in a hot school van in Thailand, police said on Thursday after arresting the driver. The girl was discovered on Wednesday afternoon after her mother went to pick her up at the end of the school day in the southern province of Pattani and was told the child was absent. The mother and a teacher located the driver, who led them to the locked van where they found the body. The heat inside the stuffy van and a lack of air caused her death, Montri said, citing the autopsy results. The 23-year-old driver admitted to failing to check whether all the children had gotten out of the vehicle.

Vietnam

Pho named among world's best food

"Pho", Vietnam's iconic noodle soup, has been named the world's 20th best food experience by world travel guide book publisher the Lonely Planet, local media reported on Thursday. The list was topped by pintxos in San Sebastian, Spain, followed by curry laksa in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and sushi in Tokyo, Japan, Vietnam News Agency reported. A bowl of pho contains flat, soft rice noodles dipped in a fragrant beef or chicken broth flavored with different condiments. It is served with beef or chicken, shallots and chili and lemon to taste.

Reuters - Ap - Xinhua

(China Daily 08/17/2018 page11)