Briefly

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Floods in Thailand, Malaysia kill over 30

Tens of thousands of people in Thailand and neighboring Malaysia were displaced by widespread flooding, with streets submerged, homes inundated and at least 34 dead, officials said on Wednesday. The Thai government declared a state of emergency in Songkhla Province on Tuesday, with torrential rains since last week drenching several southern provinces. Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said 33 people have died across seven provinces, including from drowning and electrocution. In Malaysia, flooding from days of heavy rain swept through eight states, with forecasters predicting more rain in the region in the coming days. More than 27,000 people were evacuated to dozens of temporary shelters this week, with one death recorded in one of the worst-hit states, Kelantan, on the northeastern coast, according to rescue officials.

FRANCE

4 more arrested over Louvre Museum heist

The Paris prosecutor announced four more arrests on Tuesday in connection with the stunning heist at the Louvre Museum last month by a gang that made off with $102 million worth of jewels. The two men and two women taken into custody are from the Paris region and range in age from 31 to 40, said the prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, whose office is heading the investigation. Her statement did not say what role they are suspected of having played in the Oct 19 theft. Police can hold them for questioning for 96 hours. French media report that one of those arrested, a 39-year-old already known to police services, is believed to be the fourth member of the team thought to have carried out the daylight robbery and is from Aubervilliers, a suburb north of Paris with which other suspects have connections.

Agencies Via Xinhua