World Briefs

CHINA A shoe factory collapses in eastern China during a weekend shift, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 30.

HONG KONG  The Land Registry revealed yesterday that a total of 43,636 sale and purchase agreements for building units were recorded in the region during the first half of the year, down by 7.7 percent from the second half of 2014 but having increased by 27.6 percent year-on-year. The total consideration for these agreements was HKD311.5b (about USD40b), down seven percent from the second half of 2014 but up by 46.6 percent year-on-year.

SOUTH KOREA The 92-year-old widow of late South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, who was a strong proponent of Korean reconciliation, will visit North Korea early next month, ex-aides to Kim said yesterday.

THAILAND Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha said yesterday that 14 student activists, who were earlier arrested for violating junta orders, would be tried by a military court. The 14 university students were detained late last month after staging a street rally in Bangkok to protest against the military rule, in defiance of the ban of the coup-making National Council for Peace and Order on political gatherings of more than five people. They also face sedition charges under Article 116 of the Criminal Code.

THAILAND Customs officials seize 250 kilograms of ivory — or about 130 tusks and pieces — hidden in crates being shipped from Africa to Asia.

AFGHANISTAN Dozens of Afghans rally to denounce last week’s court ruling that overturned the death sentences for four men convicted for taking part in the mob killing of a woman outside a Kabul shrine in March.
NORWAY Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, who was shot by the Taliban for asserting her right to an education, wants world leaders to spend more money to secure 12 years of free primary and secondary education for all children across the world.

IRAN-USA A day before the new deadline for a nuclear accord, Iran pushed yesterday to lift the U.N. arms embargo on the country as a parallel deal — a demand that the United States opposes as it seeks to limit Tehran’s Mideast clout. Speaking on the eve of a belated target date for a complete agreement, a senior Iranian official said his country and the six world powers it is negotiating with are also working on a U.N. resolution that endorses any future nuclear deal.

SPAIN Tens of thousands douse each other with red wine to celebrate the start of the famed Running of the Bulls a day before daredevils take to the streets for eight straight days of sprints with hulking bulls at their heels.

ARMENIA Demonstrators who have been blocking a main avenue in Armenia’s capital for two weeks say they will start moving their barricades closer to the presidential residence if the government does not cancel hikes in electricity rates. They set a deadline of yesterday evening.

ECUADOR Pope Francis has landed in Guayaquil, an Ecuadorean port city where he plans to celebrate Mass in a park. More than 1 million people are expected to attend Mass at the Samanes Park in northern Guayaquil. While in the city, Francis also plans to meet with members of his Jesuit order.

YEMEN A massive airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition targeting rebels hit a local marketplace in Yemen, killing over 45 civilians yesterday, security officials and eyewitnesses said.