Briefs, December 11, 2012
Vietnam and South Africa signed a deal Monday to tackle rhino poaching and the lucrative illicit trade in the creature's horns for use in traditional medicine.
HANOI - Vietnam and South Africa signed a deal Monday to tackle rhino poaching and the lucrative illicit trade in the creature's horns for use in traditional medicine. Minister of Agriculture Cao Duc Phat vowed to seek a total ban on the import of all rhino products, according to a statement. AFP
HANOI - Laos has expelled the outspoken head of a major Swiss charity for criticising the government. Anne-Sophie Gindroz, Helvetas country director for Laos, left on Saturday after ignoring several warnings over her criticism of the government, an official said. The government took particular issue with a letter written by Gindroz to other development partners criticising Laos's government "and the situation for free speech in the country", a Helvetas spokesman said. AFP
LONDON - The father of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl shot by the Taliban for campaigning for girls' education, has been named a UN special advisor on global education, UN envoy Gordon Brown said. He added that the 15-year-old schoolgirl, who is recovering in a British hospital after being brutally attacked on her school bus in October, will join the campaign when she is better. AFP
NEW DELHI - An Indian college banned girls from wearing jeans, short dresses and T-shirts to crack down on sexual harassment, angering pupils and rights campaigners. The Adarsh Women's College in Haryana state said students would be fined 100 rupees (HK$14) for breaking the code. AFP
