IN BRIEF (Page 7)

Spain

Migrants try to enter enclave

Some 800 African migrants tried to climb barbed-wire fences to enter the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco on Friday, Spanish officials said. Most were turned back by security forces from both sides. A statement from the Interior Ministry's office in Melilla said people made several attempts to scale the fences early Friday, and at least 10 managed to get across. The ministry said Moroccan forces kept back more than 1,000 who made attempts on Thursday.

Bangladesh

Collapse victims compensated

Survivors and families of victims of Bangladesh's worst industrial disaster, which killed over 1,100 people last year, began getting compensation on Friday, a senior union official said. British fashion clothing retailer Primark sent payments of $640 to survivors and relatives of victims of the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse, said Roy Ramesh, a union leader who belongs to a group coordinating compensation.

Libya

Gadhafi's son apologizes

Libyan state TV has aired footage showing one of late leader Muammar Gadhafi's sons, who was jailed in Libya, apologizing to the nation and asking for forgiveness. Prison authorities say the video, broadcast late on Thursday, was in response to "rumors" that al-Saadi Gadhafi is being tortured in custody. Al-Saadi was extradited to Libya this month from Niger, where he took refuge in 2011 as his father's government crumbled.

The Philippines

Govt signs deal for fighter jets

The Philippines signed on Friday contracts worth $527 million to buy 12 fighter jets from South Korea and four combat utility helicopters from Canada, the biggest deal so far signed under the military's long-delayed modernization program. Armed forces chief of staff General Emmanuel Bautista signed a contract with Korean Aerospace Industries for 12 FA-50 fighters worth 18.9 billion pesos ($420.4 million) and another with Canadian Commercial Corp for four Bell 412 combat utility helicopters worth 4.8 billion pesos. Deliveries start next year.

Sweden

Couple jailed for child abuse

A Swedish court sentenced a Malaysian couple to prison for beating their four children with sticks and clothes hangers. The Solna District Court ruled on Friday that the couple, who were not identified, violated a Swedish law banning all forms of corporal punishment. The parents denied the charges. The court said evidence was based on videotaped interviews of the children. Swedish social services had been caring for the children, aged between 7 and 13. They were taken back to their home country following a massive social media campaign calling for their return.

AP-AFP

(China Daily 03/29/2014 page7)