News in Brief--(12-04-2018)

Twenty die in attempted breakout from Brazil prison

Santa Izabel Prison, Apr 11: A number of inmates at a jail in the northern Brazilian city of Belem have died during an attempted mass breakout. They were aided by an armed group outside the jail which used explosives against one of the prison walls. One of the dead was a guard while the other 19 were prisoners or their accomplices. The fighting at the Santa Izabel Prison Complex outside Para's state capital had been as intense as war, the state security service said in a statement. Four other guards were injured. One of them was seriously wounded. The security service said the prison guards took on attackers from both inside and outside the prison. The authorities are now trying to determine if any of the prisoners managed to escape. — BBC

US House Speaker Paul Ryan 'to stand down'

Washington, Apr 11: US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan will not run for re-election this year. Congress' most powerful lawmaker has told friends he will not stand for another term in his Wisconsin district this autumn. His exit would be a blow to the Republican party ahead of November's mid-term elections. Republicans are already facing a tough challenge from Democrats to retain control of Congress' lower chamber. Mr Ryan's reported resignation will spark a frenzy of speculation in Washington about whether he could mount a potential presidential campaign. — BBC

Elephant water battle heralds Thai new year

AYUTTHAYA (Thailand), Apr 11: Elephants used their trunks to shower floral-clad Thais with water on Wednesday in a street fight celebrating the kingdom's traditional new year, a raucous festival known as Songkran that will bring revellers out for a nationwide water battle this week. The animals, whose wrinkled hides were decorated with paint, splashed and sprayed in the streets of Thailand's former capital Ayutthaya, a tourist hotspot famed for its ancient temple ruins.

— AFP

Taliban group commander among 10 killed in Afghanistan

LASHKAR GAH (Afghanistan), Apr 11: Up to 10 militants including a Taliban group commander have been killed and 10 others injured as security forces stormed Taliban positions in Nad Ali district of southern Helmand province on Tuesday, provincial police spokesman Abdul Salam Afghan said Wednesday. The operations, according to the official, was launched on Tuesday and the Taliban militants, besides suffering casualties and leaving 10 bodies behind, have also been evicted from several villages. No security personnel and civilians have been hurt, the official said. Taliban militants, who are in control of the poppy growing and troubled Helmand province, have not commented.

— Xinhua