IN BRIEF (Page 12)

France

MoDem exit party 'simplifies things'

Government spokesman Christophe Castaner said on Wednesday that the resignation of all ministers from the MoDem party allied to President Emmanuel Macron would "simplify things". A source in the prime minister's office confirmed Justice Minister and MoDem party head Francois Bayrou and Junior European Affairs Minister Marielle de Sarnez were quitting the cabinet.

Brazil

Temer accused of receiving bribes

Federal police on Tuesday said there was solid evidence embattled President Michel Temer received bribes, a legal development that could see him suspended from office. In a report, the Supreme Court said Temer benefited from bribes, even if he did so using someone else to collect or deposit the bribes. Temer has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Japan

300,000 warned of heavy rain

An evacuation advisory has been issued for 300,000 residents of Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka, with the Japan Meteorological Agency on Wednesday warning of possible flooding and mudslides. Local authorities have warned that water levels of the Tsuribashi River in Hamamatsu have already reached dangerous levels, with its banks likely to breach and flood the vicinity if the heavy rain continues.

United Kingdom

Death toll 'may never be known'

The death toll from the fatal tower block blaze in London last week may never be known, because some of the apartments in the building may have been irregularly sublet, said Victoria Vasey, a local lawyer. At least 79 people lost their lives due to the blaze that destroyed the 24-story tower block in the Kensington district of the city on June 14. The police also said the death toll was expected to rise.

Denmark

4 presumed dead after tsunami

Authorities in Greenland said four people who were reported missing after a tsunami flooded a village on the Arctic island's west coast are presumed dead. Police spokesman Lars Kirkegaard said on Tuesday they are three adults and one child from the settlement of Nuugaatsiaq. Local broadcaster KNR said those missing are three members of a family and an elderly person.

Kazakhstan

Airport renamed after president

The airport in the oil-rich country's capital Astana has been renamed after long-reigning President Nursultan Nazarbayev, state media reported on Wednesday. According to the directive published in the state-owned Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper, the resolution to change the name of Astana International Airport is effective immediately.