IN BRIEF

Colombia

5 killed in Cartagena building collapse

At least five people were killed on Thursday when a building under construction collapsed in the northern Colombian city of Cartagena, local media reported. Some 17 people were injured and as many as 20 others were believed to be trapped under the rubble of the five- or six-story structure after one of the supporting columns snapped, local authorities said. Cartagena's Fire Department said heavy rains in recent days could have weakened the structure.

Japan

Warning after Sakurajima erupts

A volcano in Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan erupted on Friday, sending ash and smoke as high as 3 kilometers into the sky. Japan's Meteorological Agency said Mount Sakurajima erupted at 11:01 am and warned that similar eruptions could occur, although there have been no immediate reports of injury or damage. Sakurajima also erupted on July 26.

Cuba

Bio-electric plant gets under way

The largest Cuban bio-electric plant with foreign investment for clean energy production began construction on Thursday in the central Cuban province of Ciego de Avila. Located in the town of Ciro Redondo, about 430 kilometers east of Havana, the plant will use Chinese technology under a joint venture with Biopower S.A.. According to Francisco Lleo, official of the Cuban sugar state company AZCUBA, the $186 million plant will start operations in Dec 2019.

Macedonia

President seeks talks after riot

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov called an emergency meeting of political leaders on Friday, hours after supporters of the country's dominant conservative party invaded parliament and assaulted opposition lawmakers. It was unclear whether opposition leaders would attend, and political tension remained high after the riot in which 77 people were injured, mostly lightly. Victims included opposition Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev, the head of a small ethnic Albanian opposition party, and 22 police.

Germany

Lawmakers approve partial burqa ban

German lawmakers on Thursday approved a partial ban on the full-face burqa Islamic veil and a package of security measures aimed at preventing extremist attacks. The new laws follow several jihadist attacks, including a truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market that claimed 12 lives, and come ahead of September elections. The new law on facial coverings falls short of a total ban in public places demanded by right-wing parties, like that in effect in neighbouring France since 2011. The prohibition will apply to public servants - including election officials, military and judicial staff - performing their duties.

United Kingdom

Gorilla man nears marathon finish

The London Marathon started five days ago and Tom Harrison is nearly done. It's not that he's a slow runner. It's that he's a slow crawler, particularly wearing his gorilla suit. The man dubbed Mister Gorilla is raising money for the Gorilla Organization so far more than 22,000 pounds ($28,500) have been pledged. He's hopeful of finishing the race on Saturday, with his two sons expected at the finish line to celebrate his feat. Harrison says the money will be used to protect endangered gorillas in Africa.