IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Syria

Govt to let civilians flee rebel-held Idlib

Syria said on Thursday that it is opening a corridor for civilians to leave the opposition-held northwestern region of Idlib. The announcement came a day after government forces recaptured the strategic town of Khan Sheikhun in Idlib Province from extremists and allied rebels. Damascus has opened such corridors out of rebel bastions in the past as a prelude to retaking them either by force or through negotiated surrenders. The Idlib region, which sits on the Turkish border, is now the last major stronghold of opposition. The Syrian government said it would provide shelter, food and medical care for civilians who chose to leave the region. The Syrian army on Friday also captured remaining rebel-held areas in the northern countryside of Hama Province in central Syria.

India

At least 4 pilgrims die in stampede

At least four people died and several others were injured at a temple stampede in India's eastern state of West Bengal, media reported on Friday. According to the reports, a boundary wall collapsed creating panic among pilgrims, who had gathered in large numbers for "Janmashtami" celebrations at Kachua temple in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The injured were moved to a nearby hospital for treatment. "Janmashtami" is an annual festival that marks the birth anniversary of Hindu god Krishna.

France

Daily 'polypill' reduces heart disease, stroke

A cheap, once-a-day pill combining aspirin with drugs that lower blood pressure and cholesterol cuts the risk of major heart failure and stroke by a third, researchers said on Friday. In clinical trials, the so-called polypill was especially effective among people with no history of cardiovascular disease, reducing the number of severe events by 40 percent, they reported in The Lancet, a medical journal. In patients with a history of heart problems and strokes, the drug combo was only half as effective compared to the control group, who received advice on healthy living but no drugs.

Agencies - Xinhua

(China Daily 08/24/2019 page8)