IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Syria

Army denies chemical attack

Syria's military command denied opposition reports that the army had used chemical weapons on Wednesday against districts east of Damascus, saying they were a sign of "hysteria and floundering" by President Bashar al-Assad's opponents. The denial was issued by an officer speaking on state television. Information Minister Omran Zoabi said the allegations were "illogical and fabricated".

Malaysia

37 dead as bus crashes in ravine

At least 37 people are confirmed dead after a bus tumbled into a deep Malaysian ravine on Wednesday in the country's worst-ever road accident, an official said. The toll could climb, however, as 16 other passengers were injured, with hospitals reporting some in critical condition.

Police said the bus was carrying 53 passengers when it tumbled down a steep 70-meter slope in the Genting Highlands.

Thailand

Police rescue wild elephants

Thai police said on Wednesday they had seized 16 elephants from tourist destinations as part of a campaign to stop the animals being taken from the wild and used for entertainment. The animals were removed from camps in the southern and eastern resort areas of Ko Chang, Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga.

The Philippines

Rain hammers weary Manila

Heavy rain pounded the Philippine capital and surrounding areas for a third day on Wednesday, adding to the misery of nearly 300,000 exhausted people displaced from their flooded homes. Fifteen people have been confirmed killed by the monsoon rains and floods that have battered the country's main island of Luzon.

Reuters-AFP

(China Daily 08/22/2013 page12)