IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Japan

Abe pledges to change charter

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe renewed his pledge on Sunday to push for a revision to the country's war-renouncing Constitution, in which he wants the military explicitly mentioned. Speaking before a field of about 4,000 troops, Abe said that a revision is needed to give his troops a sense of pride. "Now it's time to fulfill our responsibility as politicians to accommodate an environment where all Self-Defense Force can accomplish their duties with sense of pride," he said.

Portugal

Storm smashes into Portugal, Spain

Storms packing nearly 180 kilometers-per-hour winds hit Portugal early on Sunday leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power before carrying heavy rain on into Spain, authorities said. There were fears it could be the worst storm to hit the region in more than 150 years, but it weakened before reaching the Portuguese coastline in the early hours of Sunday. With electricity down, dozens of people also left their homes and fled to safety.

Macedonia

Govt to vote on name change deal

Parliament will vote on Monday on whether to ratify a deal to change the country's name, in a bid to finally settle one of Europe's longest running disputes. Prime Minister Zoran Zaev faces an uphill battle to get the necessary votes to rename the Balkan state North Macedonia to end the row with Athens and open a path to EU and NATO membership.

Somalia

At least 16 dead in twin explosions

A suicide bomber struck in a restaurant in the Somali town of Baidoa and another blast hit a hotel nearby, leaving at least 16 people dead and more than 30 wounded, authorities said on Saturday. Most of the casualties were caused by the bomber who walked into the restaurant with explosives strapped around his waist, official said. The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group claimed responsibility for the blasts via its radio arm.

Tanzania

20 arrested in hunt for billionaire

Twenty people have been arrested as police press a manhunt for Africa's youngest billionaire who was kidnapped in Dar es Salaam two days ago, a minister said on Saturday. Mohammed Dewji, who at 43 is Africa's youngest billionaire, was snatched by gunmen as he entered a hotel gym in Tanzania's economic capital on Thursday morning. "Up until now, 20 people have been arrested," Interior Minister Kangi Lugola said.

AP - AFP

(China Daily 10/15/2018 page11)