IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Israel

Rocket fired from Gaza

A rocket fired from Gaza exploded in Israel on Tuesday, the first such attack since a November truce and an apparent show of solidarity with West Bank protests after the death of a Palestinian in an Israeli jail. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a militant group, claimed responsibility for the rocket strike.

United Kingdom

Explorer pulls out of journey

British explorer Ranulph Fiennes on Monday pulled out of an expedition to cross Antarctica during the region's winter after developing frostbite, a bitter disappointment for an adventurer who had spent years preparing for one of the last great polar challenges.

Czech Republic

Record cocaine haul seized

Customs officers at Prague international airport seized a record 31 kg of cocaine hidden in the luggage of three Dutch passengers, they announced on Tuesday. The haul on Monday, worth $3.07 million, "was without doubt the largest" ever at the airport, customs spokesman Jiri Bartak said.

Dprk

Rodman arrives in Pyongyang

Retired US basketball player Dennis Rodman arrived in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to film a television documentary on Tuesday, DPRK state television reported. Rodman, 51, won five NBA championships, achieving a mix of fame and notoriety for his antics on and off the court.

Syria

Dozens die in heavy fighting

Anti-government activists say dozens of rebels and government forces have been killed in fighting near a police academy near the northern city of Aleppo. Observers said on Tuesday that the dead in the last two days of clashes included at least 26 rebel fighters, 40 soldiers and five pro-government militiamen.

AP-Reuters-AFP

(China Daily 02/27/2013 page12)