IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Indonesia

At least 8 dead as boat capsizes

A speedboat carrying 51 people capsized off Indonesia's part of Borneo island on Monday, killing at least eight passengers, an official said. The accident happened when the boat, the Anugrah Express, was traveling from Tanjung Selor, the capital of North Kalimantan province, to Tarakan in the same province. Manangap Djumala, a rescue official, said in addition to the deaths, several other people were believed to be missing. Unconfirmed reports said 40 people were rescued.

Mexico

10 killed in fiery crash along coast

Five US tourists were among 10 people killed in a fiery car crash on a coastal highway, authorities said on Sunday. Guerrero state security spokesman Roberto Alvarez Heredia said the crash on Friday also left two US residents hospitalized. A van carrying the family from Washington state as well as at least two local people collided with a motorcycle and another car. All of the vehicles caught fire.

France

Storm cuts power to 40,000 homes

Winter storm Carmen has cut power to about 40,000 households in the Brittany region of western France, power grid company Enedis said in a statement on Monday. Enedis, which has mobilized 1,500 staff to restore power, said the storm is now moving to other regions. Major power cuts or blackouts are rare in France, which produces 75 percent of its power with nuclear energy.

The Philippines

Firework injuries down after ban

Nearly 200 people were injured during traditionally raucous New Year celebrations in the Philippines despite President Rodrigo Duterte's order limiting the use of firecrackers, the health minister said on Monday. Health Secretary Francisco Duque said 191 people were hurt during the 2018 revelry - down 77 percent compared with the average over the past five years - but added his department might recommend a total firecracker ban to ensure zero casualties.

India

Flights and train services disrupted

Flights and train services were severely affected in New Delhi on Monday as a blanket of dense fog enveloped the city for the second day in a row, officials said. The runway visibility at the airport had dropped below 50 meters, an aviation official said. Fog is common in northern India in the winter months of December and January, and is responsible for many road accidents.

(China Daily 01/02/2018 page11)