Briefly

THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Death toll in roof collapse rises to 231

The death toll in last week's nightclub roof collapse in the capital of the Dominican Republic rose to 231, the Minister of Interior and Police said on Monday, as families of victims began filing lawsuits against the nightclub's owners. The Holy Week will be different this year in the Caribbean tourist destination, with multiple events and activities canceled and beach parties banned, according to the Dominican Navy. Municipal authorities have also suspended the traditional Easter activities that take place in public squares and parks.

SINGAPORE

President dissolves parliament, polls soon

Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Tuesday dissolved the parliament, initiating the process for the country's next general election, local media reported. A Writ of Election is expected to be issued soon, specifying the polling day. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will lead the ruling People's Action Party into the contest. The upcoming election will have four more seats compared to the last vote in 2020, with 97 lawmakers elected from 15 single-member electoral divisions and 18 divisions with 4 or 5 members each.

NIGERIA

Over 40 killed in attack by gunmen

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Monday confirmed that over 40 people were killed in an attack by a group of unknown gunmen who wreaked havoc in a local community in the country's north-central Plateau State. The attack occurred late on Sunday night when the gunmen stormed the Zike community in the Bassa local government area of Plateau State, shooting indiscriminately at residents, local authorities said. In a statement on Monday night, Tinubu expressed "profound sorrow" over the deaths and instructed security agencies to thoroughly investigate the crisis and identify those responsible for orchestrating the violent acts in Plateau State.

Xinhua - Agencies