IN BRIEF (Page 12)

China Daily | Updated: 2017-09-11 08:57

Russia

Moscow celebrates 870th anniversary

Massive festivities were staged at the weekend across Moscow to mark the 870th anniversary of the city's founding. According to the Moscow municipal government, 427 events were held in more than 300 locations. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a gala concert on Saturday in Red Square, where he congratulated Moscow residents and visitors on City Day. "This day is always marked by grand and festive celebrations, with people expressing their sincere love for Moscow, its centuries' old history and its contemporary achievements and their pride for our beautiful capital," he said.

Finland

US, Russian officials to meet in Helsinki

Finnish officials on Saturday confirmed that US Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov will meet in Helsinki on Monday and Tuesday. The agenda of the meeting has not been reported. The US State Department noted that the two ministers will address "areas of bilateral concern and cooperation". Russian news agency RIA Novosti also reported the upcoming meeting on Saturday, quoting Russian diplomatic sources.

Mali

Nation inaugurates anti-jihadist HQ

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Saturday inaugurated the headquarters for a planned five-nation force to combat jihadists in the Sahel region, officials who attended the ceremony told AFP. The HQ is located in central Mali at Sevare, about 10 kilometers east of Mopti, in a region that has been hit by a wave of terror attacks in recent months. The five-battalion, 5,000-strong force, decided at a summit in Bamako on July 2, is to comprise troops from Niger, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Burkina Faso.

Niger

River authorities warn of flooding

The Niger Basin Authority issued a warning on Saturday of possible flooding in Benin and Nigeria, two countries downstream on the river, which is currently flooding in Niger. "We appeal to all residents downstream (of the Niger River)... because the water keeps rising," the NBA's Soungalo Kone said late on Saturday, speaking on Niger television. The NBA has issued its second-highest alert level of orange, warning that further flooding is highly likely following months of heavy rain in Niger and Mali.

Xinhua - AFP - AP

(China Daily 09/11/2017 page12)