Briefly

CHILE

Nation mourns 123 killed in forest fires

Chile began two days of national mourning on Monday for at least 123 victims of raging wildfires, with the search continuing for the missing as survivors pick through the scorched remains of their lives. The streets were strewed with charred cars, debris and ash after flames tore through crowded hilltop neighborhoods in the coastal region of Valparaiso, in the world's third-deadliest wildfire this century. The state forensic agency on Monday reported the death toll stood at 123. Nearly 15,000 homes have been damaged, according to the interior ministry.

CANADA

Police chief apologizes for sexual assault case

The police chief of London, Ontario, issued a public apology on Monday to a woman who says she was sexually assaulted by five hockey players on Canada's 2018 world junior team for the length of time it took to complete an investigation of a case that has rocked the sport for years. It will, however, take much longer for Thai Truong to provide any specifics as to why it took nearly six years for charges to be filed, and what led the initial investigation to be closed in 2019 before being reopened in 2022. As for what caused the delay and how it reflects on his department, Truong repeatedly said he was unable to get into the details.

COLOMBIA

Govt, ELN announce cease-fire extension

The Colombian government and the National Liberation Army guerrillas announced on Tuesday a six-month extension of a ceasefire in effect since August, with the ELN agreeing to suspend kidnappings for ransom. The two sides had started the sixth round of peace talks in Cuba last month, seeking to agree an extension of a cease-fire that expired at the end of January. The cease-fire, which expired on Jan 29, had been extended by seven days last week to give negotiators more time.

Agencies Via Xinhua