IN BRIEF (Page 12)
India
World's tallest statue unveiled
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the world's tallest statue in the country's western state of Gujarat. The 182-meter-tall statue of the country's first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, more popularly known as Sardar Patel or "Iron Man of India", is situated in Kevadiya village in Gujarat. The statue was built at a cost of more than $400 million. Sardar Patel played a key role in India's freedom struggle.
United States
Trumps pay tribute to attack victims
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump paid solemn tribute on Tuesday to each of the 11 people slain in the worst instance of anti-Semitic violence in the country's history. On their arrival in Pittsburgh, the Trumps entered the vestibule of the synagogue, where they lit candles for each victim before stepping outside. Shouts of "Words matter!" and "Trump, go home!" could be heard from demonstrators gathered not far from where a gunman had opened fire on Saturday.
United Nation
Guterres to name new Syria envoy
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has informed the Security Council that he intends to appoint veteran Norwegian diplomat Geir Pedersen as his special envoy for Syria. Pedersen is currently Norway's ambassador to China and previously served as his country's UN ambassador. He will replace Staffan de Mistura, who announced this month that he will be leaving the post at the end of November.
Brazil
Govt to create 'superministry'
Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro plans to create a "superministry" of economy when he takes office in January, his economic adviser said on Tuesday. According to Paulo Guedes, economic coordinator of the campaign of Bolsonaro, the current ministries of Finance and Industry and Foreign Trade will be fused into one to streamline the decision-making process. The goal is to reduce by half some 29 ministries by combining others, such as Agriculture and Environment.
Xinhua - Ap - Afp
(China Daily 11/01/2018 page12)
