Briefly

BOLIVIA

Vice-minister dies from COVID-19

The Bolivian government on Saturday said Gonzalo Rodriguez, who served as vice-minister in charge of fighting smuggling, has died from COVID-19. Rodriguez was admitted to hospital two weeks ago after contracting the coronavirus. His situation worsened and he died on Friday night. Bolivian President Luis Arce expressed his regret over the vice-minister's death and sent his condolences to his family. Rodriguez was a career soldier and became vice-minister in 2018 as part of the government of then president Evo Morales. He resumed the position in November 2020 to lead the fight against the illegal entry of goods into the country.

YEMEN

Houthi rebels admit to foiled Riyadh strike

Houthi rebels on Sunday claimed responsibility for a thwarted missile strike that targeted the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh and other regions overnight, threatening more attacks. "The operation was carried out with a ballistic missile and 15 drones …targeting sensitive areas in the enemy's capital of Riyadh," said Huthi spokesman Yahya al-Saree, according to the rebels' Al-Masirah TV channel. "Our operations will continue and will expand as long as the aggression and siege on our country continues." A Saudi-led military coalition said on Saturday it thwarted the Houthi ballistic missile that targeted Riyadh. Fragments of the missile scattered over several Riyadh neighborhoods, damaging at least one home but no casualties were reported, Saudi's state-run Al-Ekhbariya television said.

HAITI

Jailbreak leaves 25 dead, 200 at large

More than 200 prisoners were on the run in Haiti on Friday, a day after they escaped from jail in a violent breakout that left 25 people dead including the prison director, officials said. About 400 inmates fled on Thursday and"25 people died, including six prisoners and Divisional Inspector Paul Hector Joseph, who was in charge of the prison", said Secretary of Communication Frantz Exantus. "Among those killed were some ordinary citizens who were killed by the prisoners during their escape," Exantus said. About 200 prisoners were still at large, but "the police are working hard" to get them back. "Some are in handcuffs; they will not be able to go far," Exantus said.

INDIA

Rooster kills owner with cockfight blade

A rooster fitted with a knife for an illegal cockfight in southern India has killed its owner, sparking a manhunt for the organizers of the event, police said on Saturday. The bird had a knife attached to its leg ready to take on an opponent when it inflicted serious injuries to the man's groin as it tried to escape, officers said. The victim died from loss of blood before he could reach a hospital in the Karimnagar district of Telangana state last week. The man was among 16 people organizing the cockfight in the village of Lothunur, Jeevan said. The rooster was briefly held at a police station before it was sent to a poultry farm. Cockfights are banned but still common in rural areas of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha states.

Agencies - Xinhua