IN BRIEF

Sri Lanka

Worst dengue outbreak kills 225

Sri Lanka is suffering its worst dengue outbreak, with the mosquito-borne virus killing 225 people and infecting more than 76,000 this year. Alarmed by the magnitude of the crisis, the government deployed 400 soldiers and police officers on Tuesday to clear away rotting garbage, stagnant water pools and other potential mosquito-breeding grounds. The number of infections nationwide is 38 percent higher than last year, when 55,150 people were diagnosed with dengue.

United Arab Emirates

No word on Qatari response

The UAE's top diplomat said his country has yet to receive details on a response by Qatar to demands made by the Gulf federation and three of its allies. Foreign Minister Abdullah bin ZayedAl Nahyan told reporters in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday that it would be premature to discuss further steps that could be taken against Qatar in its dispute with the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain.

The Philippines

Top court upholds martial law

The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld as constitutional President Rodrigo Duterte's imposition of 60 days of military rule on a southern island, a ruling that would reinforce unity in the fight against militancy, his spokesman said. Duterte placed the island of Mindanao under military rule on May 23, hours after hundreds of pro-Islamic State militants seized control of the town of Marawi.

India

Modi's stall may attract tourists

The government is reportedly planning to develop a small tea stall in the state of Gujarat, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi sold tea in his childhood along with his father, into a popular tourist attraction. The shop is located at the Vadnagar railway station. Modi often talks about his "humble beginnings" as a tea vendor.

Niger

Boko Haram kills 9, kidnaps 45

Boko Haram militants have killed nine people and kidnapped 45 others, most of them women and children, after attacking a village in Niger's southern Diffa region, according to local media reports. The attack occurred between Sunday night and Monday morning. Earlier in last week, two Boko Haram members carried out a suicide bomb attack in the same region, killing themselves and two others, and injuring 11.

Italy

Austrian envoy summoned

The Foreign Ministry summoned Austria's ambassador on Tuesday after Vienna said it was likely to set up controls to stop migrants passing the border between the two countries. The Austrian Defense Ministry said earlier that it is ready to deploy armored vehicles to the Brenner border crossing between the two countries within 72 hours.