News In Brief

Tunisia opposition figure shot dead
Afp, Tunis

Opposition figure and MP Mohamed Brahmi was shot dead by unknown gunmen outside his home near the Tunisian capital yesterday, state media announced.
Watanya television said Brahmi was struck by a hail of 11 bullets fired from point-blank range. The February 6 assassination of Chokri Belaid, another opposition figure, in front of his home sparked a political crisis in Tunisia.

JFK's daughter named Japan ambassador
Afp, Washington

President Barack Obama on Wednesday nominated Caroline Kennedy to become US ambassador to Japan, in the biggest foray into public service for John F Kennedy's sole surviving child.
The former first daughter, who long resisted running for public office, if confirmed will enter a limelight not seen since her childhood as she becomes the face of the United States in one of its closest allies.

95 killed in Guinea ethnic  violence
Afp, Conakry

At least 95 people died and around 100 more were wounded in ethnic violence last week in Guinea, a government spokesman said Wednesday, revising higher a previous toll of 58.
Communal violence is common in the region, near the border with Liberia, where clashes between the two tribes regularly break out over religious and other grievances.

China to spend $277b to improve air quality
Afp, Beijing

China's government plans to spend 1,700 billion yuan ($277 billion) to tackle air pollution over the next five years, state media reported yesterday, after smog became a major source of social discontent.
The money will be spent on reducing concentrations of damaging particles known as PM2.5 in the air, the state-run China Daily newspaper cited an official as saying.
Across China, levels of PM2.5 -- tiny particles that are generated by burning coal and can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing damage -- regularly exceed limits suggested by the World Health Organization.

China to spend $277b to improve air quality
Afp, Beijing

China's government plans to spend 1,700 billion yuan ($277 billion) to tackle air pollution over the next five years, state media reported yesterday, after smog became a major source of social discontent.
The money will be spent on reducing concentrations of damaging particles known as PM2.5 in the air, the state-run China Daily newspaper cited an official as saying.
Across China, levels of PM2.5 -- tiny particles that are generated by burning coal and can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing damage -- regularly exceed limits suggested by the World Health Organization.