IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Europe

5,000 'Dieselgate' deaths per year

Emissions from diesel cars rigged to appear eco-friendly may be responsible for 5,000 air pollution deaths per year in Europe alone, according to a study published on Monday. The numbers are in line with previous assessments of deaths due to the so-called "Dieselgate" scandal, which erupted when carmaker Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to cheating on vehicle emissions tests. Many other carmakers have since fallen under suspicion.

Cuba

US considering embassy closure

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Sunday that the United States was considering whether or not to close down its embassy in Cuba after some diplomats fell ill. The US State Department revealed last month that at least 16 US citizens working at the embassy suffered physical symptoms caused by some "incidents". No details of the injuries have been released, but media reports said the affected people suffered a severe hearing loss.

Qatar

Doha agrees to buy 24 UK jets

Qatar on Sunday signed an agreement to buy 24 Typhoon fighter jets from the United Kingdom, a second major defense deal signed by Doha during its lengthening diplomatic dispute with its neighbors. The British ambassador to Doha, Ajay Sharma, took to Twitter to announce the deal, which he called a "major step" in defense relations between the two countries.

Romania

Powerful wind storm kills eight

A storm packing powerful winds ripped off roofs and toppled trees in Romania on Sunday, killing eight people and injuring dozens more, authorities and witnesses said. With gusts that reached nearly 100 km/h, the storm pounded the area around the western city of Timisoara before heading north toward Ukraine. Most of the victims were outside when the winds swept in. The Interior Ministry said that 67 people were injured in the unexpected storm.

Vietnam

70% of people have HP bacteria

About 70 percent of Vietnam's population are infected with Helicobacter Pylori bacteria which can lead to duodenal ulcers and stomach cancer, according to one of the biggest hospitals in the country. Besides the high rate of people having HP bacteria in their stomachs, Vietnam faces another problem: the bacteria has developed resistance to many kinds of antibiotics due to abuse of antibiotics among patients, Bach Mai Hospital said on Monday.

India

Goa bans alcohol in public places

The local government in the western state of Goa has decided to ban drinking of alcohol in public places from next month. Goa is one of the very few states in India where liquor consumption in public places is allowed as it is very popular with foreign tourists for its beautiful beaches. Goa has already banned drinking in selected public places, including beaches.

Xinhua-AFP-AP

(China Daily 09/19/2017 page11)