Briefly

ZIMBABWE

Death toll in ferry disaster rises to 44

At least 44 people died after a passenger ferry capsized in a lake in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, police said, roughly tripling an earlier estimate of the death count after more bodies were found. Investigations suggested the boat was overloaded when it went over during heavy winds on Lake Kariba, officers said on Wednesday. The vessel was built to carry 90 passengers, but more than 120 people could have been on board as it crossed the lake that borders Zambia, police said in a statement. So far 67 people have been rescued and taken to a primary school for medical attention.

NEW ZEALAND

PM survives caucus confidence vote

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon survived a caucus confidence vote on Wednesday and will remain leader of the governing National Party, after an hourslong caucus meeting in the capital Wellington. Luxon said he had survived the confidence vote with the "full support" of his caucus and confirmed he would remain the National Party leader at a news conference at Parliament. The confidence vote came less than 90 days before New Zealand's general election, putting renewed focus on Luxon's leadership as the governing party prepares for the campaign.

UNITED STATES

Inflation cools, but costs remain elevated

US consumer inflation slowed slightly to 3.4 percent in July despite turbulent oil prices due to the Iran conflict, government data showed. The consumer price index rose 0.1 percent from a month earlier, but fell on a year-on-year basis, according to data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data was in line with analysts' expectations. The figures could bolster officials at the Federal Reserve who believe the central bank can leave its key rate on hold at about 3.6 percent while inflation steadily declines on its own as those temporary factors fade.

XINHUA-AGENCIES