Briefly

EUROPEAN UNION

Suspension of Israel pact divides bloc

European countries including Spain and Ireland pushed on Tuesday to suspend a pact governing the European Union's ties with Israel but failed to garner enough support. A number of foreign ministers called for suspending the pact at a meeting in Luxembourg over concerns about settlements in the occupied West Bank, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and a new death penalty law for Palestinians. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the proposal "inappropriate", while Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani said "no decision will be taken today".

UNITED STATES

3rd lawmaker resigns amid scandal wave

Democratic US Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned on Tuesday, becoming the third House member to step down in just over a week. Cherfilus-McCormick announced her resignation ahead of a disciplinary hearing by the House Ethics Committee, which had been weighing potential sanctions over a string of campaign finance violations. Her departure follows the resignations of Democrat Eric Swalwell and Republican Tony Gonzales, who resigned last week amid separate sexual misconduct allegations.

INDIA

Schools to ring water bells to beat heat

Schools in India's capital have been ordered to ring regular "water bells" to remind students to stay hydrated as the megacity braces for a heat wave. Forecasters expect New Delhi and the surrounding area of about 30 million people to reach 41 to 43 C on Wednesday. In guidelines issued on Tuesday, the Delhi education directorate instructed schools to take a range of measures, including sounding a bell every 45 to 60 minutes to prompt students to drink water and prevent dehydration.

Agencies - Xinhua