Briefly

AFGHANISTAN

China aid distributed to families in Jawzjan

Authorities in Afghanistan's northern Jawzjan Province began distribution of China-donated aid to 500 destitute families on Saturday, said Abdul Qayum Nazari, head of refugees and repatriation affairs in the province. "On the first day of distribution which began today, 100 families received aid including blankets and coats," Nazari said. The remaining 400 families would receive the aid in the next four days. Around 20,000 displaced and poor families living in Jawzjan are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

BELGIUM

Gas blast kills 4, shatters apartment blocks

Four people died in a gas explosion that shattered two apartment blocks in northern Belgium on New Year's Eve, the local mayor told Agence France-Presse on Saturday. Two women survived the blast and were taken to hospital. The explosion occurred early on Friday, blowing a hole in one four-story block containing 16 apartments.

SOUTH AFRICA

Parliament building fire partly contained

South Africa's parliament in the legislative capital caught fire on Sunday morning and has spread to the National Assembly building, or the lower house, an official said. The fire has been contained in the old wing and firefighters were trying to control the fire in the new wing. About 36 firefighters were at the scene and they requested for more resources to contain the fire. Initial reports indicated that the fire started in an office space.

Agencies - Xinhua