IN BRIEF (Page 12)
MYANMAR
Monsoon flooding, landslides kill 90
At least 90 people were killed with 65 others injured by severe monsoon flooding and landslides, which occurred nationwide in Myanmar since late June this year, an official from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. From June 25 to Aug 26, monsoon rains have led to widespread flooding and landslides, displacing a total of 211,800 residents across Myanmar, said an official from the National Disaster Management Committee under the ministry. During the two-month period, 291 houses were destroyed, along with floods and landslides across the country. Flash floods and landslides accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong wind are frequent in Myanmar during the monsoon period, especially in hilly areas and low-lying areas. The country suffered serve monsoon flooding in July 2015, which claimed at least 103 lives.
RUSSIA
Moscow, Ankara discuss jets supply
Russia and Turkey are discussing the possibility of deliveries of the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jets and Su-35 aircraft to Turkey, the RIA news agency cited a Russian official as saying on Wednesday. Russia began delivering S-400 missile defense systems to Turkey this year, in a step that strained ties with Ankara's NATO allies and prompted Washington to begin removing Turkey from its program for manufacturing F-35 jets, which Turkey also planned to buy. Dmitry Shugaev, head of Russia's Federal Service of Military-Technical Cooperation, said that he planned to discuss the S-400 missile defense system with a Turkish colleague later on Wednesday as well as "possibly deliveries of the Su-35 or Su-57". Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Ankara wants to continue defense industry cooperation with Moscow.
ITALY
Over 200 migrants rescued this week
An Italian charity ship rescued around 100 migrants in the Mediterranean on Wednesday, bringing the total number of migrants saved to more than 200 this week. The Mare Jonio vessel, run by Italian NGO Mediterranea, said on its Twitter page that those rescued included 22 women and 28 children, most of them under the age of 10. The charity group said it was awaiting instructions from the Italian Maritime Coordination Center for the ship to dock. Italy has taken a hard line on immigration and has in the past turned away charity rescue ships. In the latest standoff, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini refused to let a German rescue ship, carrying nearly 100 migrants, to enter Italian waters on Tuesday.
Xinhua - Agencies
(China Daily 08/29/2019 page12)