IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Brazil

Petrobras to pay $3b over lawsuits

Brazil's state-controlled oil company, Petroleo Brasileiro SA, said on Wednesday that it has agreed to pay $2.95 billion to settle a US class action brought by investors who claim they lost money as a result of a corruption scandal. Petrobras, as the company is known, denied any wrongdoing under the deal, which is one of the largest securities class action settlements in the United States. US District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan must approve the settlement.

Nigeria

Suicide bomber kills 11 at mosque

A suicide bomber killed 11 people on Wednesday in an attack on a mosque in northeast Nigeria, the epicenter of the conflict with Boko Haram extremists, military officials said. The bomber hit the mosque in the town of Gamboru in Borno state, near Nigeria's border with Cameroon, during dawn prayers.

Syria

Russian helicopter crashes, 2 die

The Russian military said one of its helicopters has crashed during an emergency landing in Syria's west, killing both pilots onboard. The Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that the Mi-24 helicopter was en route to the city of Hama when crashed on Sunday. The ministry cited a technical fault as the cause of the crash and said the helicopter did not come under fire.

India

Govt limits visitors to save Taj Mahal

India is to restrict the number of daily visitors to the Taj Mahal in an attempt to preserve the iconic 17th-century monument to love. Millions of mostly Indian tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year. Experts said the vast crowds increase wear and tear on the white marble tomb, which already must undergo regular cleaning to stop it turning yellow from polluted air, and could put pressure on its foundations.

United States

NY to install more security barriers

New York will install 1,500 new security barriers in high-profile locations to guard against vehicle attacks and other terror-related incidents, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Tuesday. He said metal bollards will replace some of the concrete cubes and barriers that have been in place as temporary measures near pedestrian areas. He said it was part of the city's effort to spend $50 million on public areas that are vulnerable to attacks.

Germany

Far-right MP faces police complaint

German police have filed a complaint against a prominent member of Germany's far-right AfD party over a tweet on New Year's Eve that they say violated laws against incitement to hate. Beatrix von Storch, deputy leader of the party's parliamentary faction, had criticized Cologne police for sending a New Year's greeting in Arabic on Twitter.

AFP - Reuters - Xinhua - AFP

(China Daily 01/04/2018 page12)