World Briefs

CHINA Tourism officials have closed a newly opened glass walkway in a central China tourism spot after cracks appeared in the structure at the height of the weeklong National Day holiday. More on p11

JAPAN A new study argues thyroid cancer among children in Fukushima, northeastern Japan, is linked to the low-dose radiation that spewed from the nuclear disaster four and half years ago — countering the government position that the 137 cases were found only because of stringent monitoring. More on macaudailytimes.com

MYANMAR During Myanmar’s darkest days of dictatorship, they gained notoriety because of their brazen, sarcastic stabs at the military leaders. But now, with crucial elections right around the corner, the feisty comedic duo has suddenly stopped joking around. It’s time to get serious, the Moustache Brothers say.
Nepal issues a notice seeking suppliers to bring in fuel by air or by any other means to ease a shortage ahead of the biggest festival celebrated in the Himalayan nation.

NUCLEAR In the backwaters of Eastern Europe, authorities working with the FBI have interrupted four attempts in the past five years by gangs with suspected Russian connections that sought to sell radioactive material to Middle Eastern extremists, The Associated Press has learned.
More on macaudailytimes.com

SYRIA Russian warships in the Caspian Sea fire cruise missiles yesterday as Syrian government troops launch a ground offensive in central Syria, the first major combined air-and-ground assault since Moscow began its military campaign in the country last week.

US-AFGHANISTAN President Barack Obama apologizes to Doctors Without Borders, offers condolences over US attack in Afghanistan. Investigators of the deadly U.S. air attack on a hospital in Afghanistan are looking at whether the decision to open fire broke the military’s own rules.

USA Hillary Rodham Clinton declares her opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade accord, her most significant break with President Barack Obama since launching her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

ISRAEL-PALESTINE Palestinian assailants carry out a series of stabbings across Israel, jolting an anxious country unnerved by weeks of violence, as violent clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian demonstrators spread across the West Bank.

HOLLYWOOD Spike Lee says he hasn’t had time to plan what he’ll say when he finally gets his Oscar — an honorary one, and about 25 years too late, according to his many fans. But he promises his speech in November will be a positive one, though he still thinks Hollywood has a long way to go to achieve real diversity.