IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Russia

Moscow warns over US move

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday his government will take retaliatory measures if Russia's international news network RT America is forced to register as a foreign agent in the United States. "If we talk about tit-for-tat (measures), it means adequate. ... The president has said that our reaction will be quick and mirror-like," the minister said. On Monday, RT America registered as a foreign agent in the US at the demand of the US Department of Justice.

Lebanon

Hariri's return can prove he is free

Saad al-Hariri can only prove he is free by returning home from Saudi Arabia where he went to announce his resignation as prime minister, Lebanon's foreign minister said on Tuesday. Hariri's abrupt resignation on Nov 4 threw Lebanon into crisis and put it center stage in a power struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Hariri said on Tuesday he would return to Lebanon within two days.

South Korea

Tremor causes minor damage

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake shook the southeastern coastal region on Wednesday, breaking some windows and crumbling walls near the epicenter. No casualties were reported. The quake was centered off the coast about 9.3 kilometers northwest of Pohang, according to the US Geological Survey. Residents in the capital, more than 300 km away, felt tremors and said their buildings shook.

Australia

People endorse same-sex marriage

Nearly two-thirds of Australians supported same-sex marriage in a postal survey that ensures Parliament will consider legalizing same-sex weddings this year, although the form any law would take and its allowances for religious objections sparked immediate debate. The conservative government promised to allow a bill creating marriage equality to be considered in Parliament before Dec 7.

United Kingdom

New attempt to improve health

Scotland is to become one of the first countries in the world to introduce minimum alcohol pricing, in an attempt to improve public health. The Scottish government said it was a "landmark moment" for public health and that the measure would be introduced as quickly as possible. Alcohol-related deaths in Scotland have risen 10 percent since 2015.

Czech Republic

Zoo fetes health of rare tiger cubs

The Prague zoo on Tuesday celebrated the health of two rare Malayan tiger cubs - a male and a female - born there six weeks ago. Zoo officials said that the small size of the female - belonging to the critically endangered subspecies - had been a cause for concern after two underweight cubs born this spring died.

(China Daily 11/16/2017 page12)