Briefs | Brad Pitt back in China after reported ban over Tibet film

Brad Pitt has made his first promotional appearance for a movie in China since reportedly being banned over a film about Tibet almost 20 years ago. He spent 40 minutes giving autographs to Chinese fans yesterday and 20 minutes at a tightly controlled media event promoting his latest movie. The Chinese government reportedly didn’t like his 1997 film “Seven Years in Tibet” because of its portrayal of harsh Chinese rule in Tibet. Reporters were not allowed to ask questions at the event in Shanghai held to publicize the World War II romantic thriller “Allied.” Interest is high in his recent divorce from Angelina Jolie Pitt.

Austrian police claim bust of big Chinese prostitution ring

Austrian police say they have arrested six people suspected of running a large-scale prostitution ring with young Chinese women who were recruited with promises of jobs as masseurs or au pairs. A police statement says six Chinese nationals have been detained and a seventh is being sought for allegedly forcing around 150 “frightened and cowed” women into prostitution. The victims had to pay up 10,000 euros (USD10,750) for Austrian entry visas and were forced to hand over their passports before being sent to bordellos in and around Vienna. Once there, they were under constant watch and their earnings were confiscated. The suspects were arrested late last week. They are not being identified in keeping with Austrian confidentiality laws.

Teheran and Beijing sign military cooperation agreement

Iran’s state TV is reporting that Iran and China have signed an agreement to hold joint military drills and cooperate in fighting terrorism. Iranian Defense Minister Gen. Hossein Dehghan signed the agreement yesterday along with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan. In addition to the joint military training exercises, the report said that Iran and China seek to “create a collective movement to confront this threat” of terrorism. The two nations have upgraded their military ties in recent years, with each country’s naval ships visiting the other’s ports.