IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Afghanistan

3 Chinese people killed in Kabul

Three Chinese citizens were killed on Thursday and another two are missing in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul, according to the Chinese embassy on Friday. The killings occurred in an apartment building in Kabul and specifically targeted the Chinese citizens, the embassy said in a statement. The embassy has urged the Afghan government to investigate the killings and ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in the country.

Somalia

Ethiopian plane crash claims 4

An Ethiopian military cargo plane crash-landed at Mogadishu's international airport on Friday, killing four crew members, airport staff and security officials said. The plane was reportedly carrying weapons and ammunition when it crashed as it landed just before 8 am. Ethiopian troops are supporting Somalia's fight against al-Qaida-linked militants in the country, although they are not part of an African Union peacekeeping force.

Lebanon

Two Turkish pilots abducted

Gunmen kidnapped two pilots working for Turkish Airlines early on Friday on Beirut's airport road, said Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel. The incident is believed to be linked to the abduction of nine Lebanese pilgrims in Syria, whose families have urged Turkey to use its influence to secure their release. Lebanese sources said four gunmen were involved and that seven other passengers were not targeted. Charbel said he had spoken with Turkey's ambassador to Lebanon and that an investigation was under way.

The Philippines

Massive oil spill hits Manila Bay

Half a million liters of diesel oil leaked into Manila Bay, the busiest waterway in the northern Philippines, on Thursday, raising environmental and health concerns, local media reported on Friday. Rappler, a local news website, quoted a Filipino Coast Guard as saying that the spill, which has reached Cavite province, is continuing to spread and is threatening the livelihood of local people.

Czech Republic

PM to hand in resignation

Czech Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok will submit his cabinet's resignation to President Milos Zeman on Tuesday after suffering defeat in a parliamentary confidence vote, a government spokesman said. The cabinet will stay in office in a caretaker capacity, possibly for more than two months as political parties in the central European state hone plans to hold an election in the fall.

Xinhua-AFP-Reuters

(China Daily 08/10/2013 page8)