IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Mexico

Weekend violence claims 18 lives

At least 18 people were killed in weekend violence on Mexico's west coast, authorities said on Sunday. The bloodshed came after 30 people were killed over two days of drug trafficking-fueled violence in Chihuahua. In Guerrero, people opposed to a proposed dam attacked a village during a festival, sparking a series of clashes that left 11 dead, police said.

Sweden

1 dead, 1 injured in explosion

A man in Stockholm picked up an unknown object from the ground that detonated in his hand on Sunday, accidentally killing himself and injuring his female companion near a subway station, police said. Regional police spokesman Sven-Erik Olsson said nothing has indicated that terrorism was involved.

Germany

Mass strikes over pay, working hours

Germany's powerful metalworkers union launched mass strikes on Monday over pay and working hours that could impact a key industry and the shape of labor nationwide. IG Metall aren't just asking for a pay rise but also demanding the right for workers to temporarily switch to a 28-hour week to care for children or elderly relatives. Employers said such a drastic change would be illegal and have threatened to go to court to stop the industrial action.

Papua New Guinea

Residents flee as volcano erupts

A remote island off the northern coast is continuing to spew volcanic ash on Monday, causing several hundred residents to flee their homes. Although exact details regarding the total number of local villagers that have been affected remains unclear. Thought to be dormant, the 365-meter-high volcano began erupting on Friday and has not stopped since.

United Kingdom

PM rules out return of fox hunting

Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday ruled out a change in the law that would have seen the return of the countryside sport of fox hunting. May confirmed in a television interview that there will be no vote on the issue during the current parliament which runs until 2022.

(China Daily 01/09/2018 page12)