Priest dismissed for beating drug patients

BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhuanet) -- A Serbian Orthodox priest -- who headed a drug addiction treatment centre -- was fired by the Serbian Orthodox Church after a video showed him beating and punching patients with a shovel.

Bishop Artemije announced Wednesday dismissal of priest Branislav Peranovic at the Crna Reka center, about 300km southwest of Belgrade,Wednesday.

Artemije saidan investigation has been ordered into Peranovic's activities and the centermay be shut down if investigators determine violence occurs there.

It is open for the time being, after numerous pleadings by the patients -- there are around 200 people currently receiving treatment at the centre -- and their parents, the Bishop said.

"We are also asking state authorities to investigate the matter and punish those responsible," hesaid.

(Agencies)

Sweden confirms its first A/H1N1 flu case

STOCKHOLM, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Swedish health officials on Wednesday confirmed the country's first case of A/H1N1 influenza in a woman who recently returned from the United States.

A woman in her 50s in the Stockholm area fell ill for three days with mild flu symptoms after returning from the United States. She quickly recovered without needing medical treatment, the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control (SMI) said in a statement.

The SMI said tests conducted by its virological laboratory confirmed she was infected with the A/H1N1 virus.

Stockholm's health authority said Sunday people who had been in close contact with her had been receiving antiviral treatment.