IN BRIEF

Thailand

High-speed rail project approved

The Thai government on Tuesday approved $5.3 billion to build the first stretch of a 252-kilometer high-speed railway linking Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima under Thailand-China rail cooperation, which is set to start operation in 2021. All the funding is to be raised by the Thai government. There will be six stations along the railway on which trains will run at a maximum speed of 250 km/h. The high-speed rail is designed to link with the China-Laos railway to form a mega railway from southwest China's Kunming to Bangkok.

United States

Baghdadi's death not confirmed

The US-led coalition battling the Islamic State group does not have concrete information about whether IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead or alive, the US general leading the campaign said on Tuesday. "Despite all the helpful reports to us from every source imaginable, I'm unable to confirm or deny either where he is or whether he is alive or dead," Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend said.

Japan

'Black Widow' admits killing

A one-time millionairess dubbed the "Black Widow" over the untimely deaths of lovers and a husband, admitted poisoning her last partner at her trial this week in a multiple murder case that has gripped Japan. Chisako Kakehi, 70, has become notorious over accusations she dispatched a number of elderly men she was involved with, drawing comparisons with the spider that kills its mate after copulation. Kakehi is on trial for the murders of three men - including a husband - and the attempted murder of another, all to allow her to collect on insurance policies.

Malaysia

77 held in migrant worker crackdown

Authorities have raided a construction site and detained 77 foreigners as part of a fresh crackdown on illegal immigration. Officials said more than 3,100 foreigners and 63 employers who allegedly hired workers illegally have been detained since a sweep began on July 1. The crackdown is targeting migrants who come to Malaysia illegally to work mostly low-wage jobs in the construction, plantation and manufacturing industries.

India

Court suspends cattle slaughter ban

The Supreme Court has suspended a government ban on the trade of cattle for slaughter. In May, the government decreed that the cattle trade should be restricted for agricultural purposes, such as plowing and dairy production, on the grounds of stopping cruelty to animals. The order triggered protests from the Muslim community which dominates the country's multibillion dollar beef and leather industries. After the verdict, the government said it would modify the regulation.

Germany

Yacht explosion injures at least 13

At least 13 people were injured when a yacht exploded in northern Germany on Tuesday, German news agency dpa reported on Wednesday, citing police sources. Most of the injured are firemen, because they had been called to put out a blaze on the yacht in the town of Minden. The blast blew the yacht several meters into the air and completely destroyed a car parked nearby. Two other boats were also damaged in the powerful explosion.