Briefly

CHINA

New naval escort fleet heads for Gulf of Aden

The 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy set sail from a military port in the coastal city of Zhanjiang in Guangdong province on Wednesday to take over an escort mission from the 45th naval fleet in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. The 46th fleet includes the guided-missile destroyer Jiaozuo, missile frigate Xuchang and the comprehensive replenishment vessel Honghu. It has more than 700 officers and soldiers, including dozens of special forces personnel, and two helicopters onboard.

VENEZUELA

16 dead in illegal gold mine collapse

At least 16 people died when an illegal gold mine collapsed in the jungles of southern Venezuela, officials said on Wednesday. The incident happened on Tuesday at the "Bulla loca "mine in the state of Bolivar, a seven-hour boat ride from the nearest town, La Paragua, where family members waited anxiously for news. Edgar Colina Reyes, Bolivar's secretary of citizen security, said 16 people were dead. President Nicolas Maduro said another 11 were injured, and search and rescue teams continue to be deployed on ground and air to find trapped miners.

AUSTRALIA

Retired bishop charged with child sex abuse

A retired Roman Catholic bishop appeared in court in Western Australia state on Thursday on charges of sexual offenses against children. The charges against Christopher Saunders were presented in Broome Magistrates' Court, a court spokesperson said. Police said the 74-year-old has been charged with 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault and two counts of sexual penetration without consent — a legal term for rape. Court documents show Saunders' alleged offenses took place in 2008-14.

Agencies - Xinhua