IN BRIEF (Page 12)

China Daily | Updated: 2017-10-19 07:40

Syria

IS extremists defeated in Raqqa

US-backed militias declared victory over the Islamic State group in its capital Raqqa on Tuesday, raising flags over the last jihadist footholds after a four-month battle. The fighting was over and the alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias was clearing the city's stadium of mines and any remaining militants, said Rojda Felat, a commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces.

United Kingdom

Hate crimes spike after Brexit vote

Authorities said hate crimes spiked after Britain's vote to leave the European Union and following several extremist attacks this year, raising concerns about a backlash against Muslims, immigrants and others groups. Data released by the Home Office showed hate crimes rose 29 percent to 80,393 in the year ended March 31. That included the EU referendum in June 2016 and the attack on Westminster Bridge in March.

Fiji

Climate-change bonds to be sold

Fiji will issue a $50 million "green" bond in coming weeks to help combat the effects of global climate change, the first developing country to do so, its prime minister said on Wednesday. The nation is seen as particularly vulnerable to climate change. The bond will be the first to earmark the cash raised to address the issue, according to the World Bank.

Sweden

Police station damaged in blast

Authorities said a powerful explosion outside a police station in southern Sweden has caused significant damage to the building. There have been no injuries and nobody has been arrested. No one has claimed responsibility for the blast.

(China Daily 10/19/2017 page12)