Gorilla exhibit reopens with higher barrier

WASHINGTON • The gorilla enclosure at Ohio's Cincinnati Zoo has reopened and the exhibit's public barrier is now 15cm higher than before with a solid wood beam frame and knotted rope netting.

The heightened security is in response to last week's incident in which a three-year-old boy slipped underneath the barrier, pushed through brush and tumbled 3m into the enclosure occupied by a 204kg gorilla named Harambe, which was shot to death by zoo employees after it grabbed the conscious boy and dragged him into the corner of the place.

The incident sparked widespread discussions as Harambe's shooting went viral online, with many criticising the zoo for flawed protection as well as its decision to kill the animal.

XINHUA

Municipal polls seen as test for Italian PM

ROME • Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's party was locked in battle yesterday for control of Rome and other cities in municipal elections seen as a test for the ruling party and the country's divided right.

The focus is on the major cities of Bologna, Milan, Naples, Turin and especially the capital, Rome, where the populist, anti-establishment Five Star is heading the race for the mayor's seat.

More than 13 million people are eligible to choose members of 1,300 municipal councils in a two-round ballot to be completed on June 19.

REUTERS

Swedish nurse who saved Jews made a saint

VATICAN CITY • A Swedish nurse who converted to Catholicism and helped dozens of Jews during the Holocaust was made a saint yesterday, Sweden's first in six centuries.

Pope Francis canonised Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad at a ceremony in Saint Peter's Square that took place just a few months before he is due to visit Sweden, a largely secular country.

Hesselblad had been beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000 after a 30-year campaign.

She is only the second Swede to receive sainthood, following Saint Bridget 625 years ago.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE