IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Brazil

14 killed in gun attack on club

At least 14 people were killed and six others injured in a shooting attack at a dance club in the northeastern Brazilian city of Fortaleza, local authorities confirmed on Saturday. Eyewitnesses told local Globo TV channel that a group of gunmen arrived at the club in three cars and sprayed bullets into the front of the building for almost half an hour before fleeing. Police were investigating whether the killings were part of an ongoing turf war between two drug gangs.

Japan

Exchange to refund customers

Japan-based virtual currency exchange Coincheck said on Sunday it will refund about $400 million to customers after hackers stole hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of digital assets. The company said it will use its own funds to reimburse about 46.3 billion yen to all 260,000 customers who lost their holdings of NEM, the 10th biggest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation.

Iran

Fire injures 31 workers at mill

Iranian media said a fire that broke out at a paper mill has injured 31 workers in southern Iran. Saturday's state TV report said 11 workers were taken to local hospitals and 20 received on-site treatment as their injuries were not severe. The report said firefighters are still trying to put out the fire in the town of Khorambid, some 700 kilometers south of the capital Teheran.

Honduras

President pledges series of reforms

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez promised on Saturday to bring about significant reforms in various fields to resolve the country's ongoing political crisis. Hernandez, who was sworn in after his election victory, said his first act would be to create a "task force" that will immediately coordinate actions to maximize employment through existing programs and new initiatives to help families.

New Zealand

Ferry survivors found on dinghy

New Zealand rescuers have found seven survivors from a ferry carrying an estimated 50 people that went missing more than a week ago from the Pacific nation of Kiribati. Defence Force Air Commodore Darryn Webb says a military Orion plane found the survivors on Sunday aboard a small dinghy and dropped them supplies including food, water and a radio.

United States

One of oldest gorillas dies

One of the world's oldest known gorillas, Vila, died at age 60 on Thursday at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, local media reported. Officials did not disclose the cause of death to the media.

(China Daily 01/29/2018 page12)