Macaques struck by virus, exports stopped
MANILA • The Philippines has suspended macaque exports after an Ebola virus strain that is non-fatal to humans struck 20 monkeys, killing 11, officials said yesterday. The macaques died after contracting the bat-borne Ebola Reston virus, they said.
"All exports are suspended while we investigate this incident," Mr Simeon Amurao, assistant director of the Bureau of Animal Industry, said. The Philippines is a major exporter of laboratory monkeys.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Big payout for Tianjin's 'martyred' firefighters
BEIJING • China will give unusually large payouts to the families of firefighters killed in giant explosions in Tianjin last month, local media reported, after the disaster raised questions over whether the young men's training was inadequate.
Each family will receive 2.3 million yuan (S$511,000) in compensation, which includes money for "martyrdom", the Beijing News reported on Wednesday.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Bandung bans Uber after three months
BANDUNG, Indonesia • Uber has fallen foul of the authorities in the Indonesian city of Bandung, with the local government banning the controversial taxi-hailing app, the latest in a series of setbacks for the company internationally. Just three months after launching in Bandung, the popular ride-sharing service has been told it does not possess the right permits and cannot operate.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
