IN BRIEF (Page 12)

United States

Plea in Boston bombing

Victims of the Boston Marathon bombings got little satisfaction from suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's first public appearance in court. His arm in a cast and his face swollen, Tsarnaev pleaded not guilty on Wednesday during a seven-minute arraignment in federal court in Boston. His only words: "Not guilty," were spoken over and over in a Russian accent as the charges were read.

India

Gang rape verdict deferred

A New Delhi court trying a teenager over a fatal gang rape last December that shocked India deferred announcing the first verdict in the case on Thursday, lawyers said. A juveniles' court has finished hearing the case of the youngest suspect, aged 17 at the time of the assault on a moving bus, and had been widely expected to announce a verdict on Thursday.

Portugal

Political crisis deepens

Portugal's political crisis deepened on Thursday after the president rejected a plan to heal a government rift and critics accused him of igniting a "time bomb" by calling for early elections next year.

Ireland

Parliament delays bill

Ireland's parliament adjourned debate early on Thursday on a bill that would legalize abortion for the first time, following an overnight session of emotional speeches on an issue that has long polarized the staunchly Roman Catholic country.

Reuters-AFP

(China Daily 07/12/2013 page12)