IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Venezuela

37 inmates killed in prison riot

As many as 37 inmates were killed in a prison riot in the southern state of Amazonas, the Prosecutor General's Office said on Wednesday. The deaths at a state detention center resulted from a clash between inmates and police officers, which also left 14 officials injured, officials said. The country has witnessed several deadly prison riots in recent years. In April, at least 12 people died and another 11 were injured in violence at a prison in the eastern state of Anzoategui.

The Philippines

Landing visas mulled for Chinese

Chinese tourists and investors will soon be able to get a visa upon arrival, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration said on Thursday. In a bid to lure more Chinese tourists and investors to the Philippines, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the bureau will soon issue landing visas to Chinese nationals who wish to visit the country.

Saudi Arabia

Border reopened for Qatari pilgrims

King Salman has ordered the reopening of the border with Qatar to hajj pilgrims, state media said on Thursday, despite a major diplomatic crisis roiling the region. The Salwa border crossing has been closed since June 5 when Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates severed diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar over accusations the emirate fostered Islamist extremists. Qatar has denied the allegation. The hajj, a pillar of Islam that capable Muslims must perform at least once, is to take place at the beginning of September.

United States

5 missing after helicopter crashes

A multiagency team scoured the ocean off Hawaii on Wednesday for five soldiers aboard an Army helicopter that went down during a nighttime training exercise. The UH-60 Black Hawk went missing when another Army helicopter training with it lost visual and radio contact about 9:30 pm on Tuesday, said Lieutenant Colonel Curtis Kellogg, a spokesman for the 25th Infantry Division. Two pilots and three crew members were on board, he said.

India

10-year-old rape victim gives birth

A 10-year-old rape victim whose plea for an abortion was rejected by India's Supreme Court has given birth to a baby girl, a doctor said on Thursday. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was raped several times allegedly by an uncle who has since been arrested. Last month her parents asked the top court to allow her to have a late-term abortion but the request was turned down.

Bangladesh

Two die taking flood selfies

Two teenagers have died taking selfies in raging floodwaters, officials said on Thursday, as the death toll from fresh monsoon downpours reached 56 with nearly five million affected. Police said the 15-year-old boys were snapping selfies at a flooded road in the northern town of Melandah on Wednesday when they were swept away by powerful currents.

(China Daily 08/18/2017 page11)