LIVE! Explosion hits hospital in Yemen's southern city of Aden

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Sun, 16 August 2015

Explosion hits hospital in Yemen's southern city of Aden

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23:25 Explosion hits hospital in Yemen's southern city of Aden

A powerful explosion hit a hospital in Yemen's southern city of Aden on Sunday, wounding three, setting off a fire and forcing the staff to evacuate patients, hospital and security officials said.

Doctors at the May 22 hospital in Mansoura district brought patients to a nearby mosque, while others lay on the ground in public squares, the officials said.

The fighting in Yemen pits Shiite Houthi rebels and troops loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh against southern separatists, local and tribal militias, Sunni Islamic militants and troops loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who is exiled in Saudi Arabia.

Heavy fighting continued across Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city which has seen intense ground combat. Security and hospital officials said 45 pro-Houthi fighters were killed and 30 wounded on Sunday, while anti-rebel forces counted 36 dead and more than 27 wounded. At least 8 civilians were killed and more than 20 wounded, they added.

Also Sunday, Aden's port authority said installations there were up and running and ready to accept incoming ships. In a statement, it said more than a dozen ships carrying relief aid had docked there since Saudi-backed forces pushed rebels out of the city in July.

All officials spoke under condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters.

Read more HERE.

PM Narendra Modi certainly scored a point with the expatriate Indians in UAE who were informed by a tweet by MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup at the end of Modi's first day in Saudi Arabia.

A long wait for the Indian community ends. On the occasion of PM's visit, UAE Govt decides to allot land for building a temple in Abu Dhabi: Swarup tweeted late in the night.

Modi had earlier in the day visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the third largest mosque in the world.

Donald Trump said Saturday that he's prepared to spend $1 billion on his campaign if necessary.

"It's irrelevant," he said when asked by CNN's Jeremy Diamond outside the Iowa State Fair on how much he has spent so far on his campaign. "I make $400 million a year, so what difference does it make? What I want to do is make the country great."

Pressed again later in the afternoon if he would spend up to $1 billion, Trump was more definitive: "If necessary, I will spend it, yes."

Trump said he does not have to worry about pleasing lobbyists like other candidates because his race is self-funded. The businessman said he recently turned down $5 million from a lobbyist wanting to contribute to his campaign.

The bombastic billionaire, who has claimed he's worth $10 billion, has given to candidates in the past -- including Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton -- so, according to him, they will do his bidding.

That's why he said Saturday the more than $100 million raised by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will make him a "puppet" controlled by his donors.

Trump also said outside the fair that he had just put out a position paper on immigration, which will be revealed on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday morning. On Friday, Trump said he was going to release detailed proposals on immigration and overhauling the tax code next month.

Read more HERE.

22:36 Noted Urdu author Hamida Salim passes away

Eminent Urdu writer Hamida Salim passed away today at the age of 93.

She died this afternoon at her residence in Jamia Nagar, family sources said.

The author is survived by her husband Abu Salim, son Irfan Salim and daughter Sumbul Warasi.

Salim was the first woman graduate of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). She had penned down many books including 'Shorish-e-Dauran', 'Ham Saath Thhe','Parchhaiyon Ke Ujale' 'Hardam Rawan Hai Zindagi'.

In her lifetime, she had taught at AMU, Jamia Millia Islamia and other prominent institutes.

She was sister of the legendary poet Israrul Haqu Mazaj, and aunt of famous lyricist Javed Akhtar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two day visit to the UAE, arrives at ICAD Residential City.

The Indian settlement of workers welcomed the PM and are interacting with him.

The prime minister's visit is of especial importance since he is the first Indian PM to visit the nation in 34 years.

The PM had earlier visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

Prime Minister Modi took selfies at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

PM Narendra Modi was also seen signing Visitors Book at the mosque.

PM Modi is set to address the expatriate Indian community in UAE tomorrow.

20:24 Modi looks inside the Sheikh Zayed Mosque

PM Modi being taken within the mosque premises a first ever for an Indian prime minister.

The mosque has often been called a symbol of cultural unity.

PM Narendra Modi has arrived at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

The mosque is the third largest in the world after the ones in Mecca and Madina in Saudi Arabia.It is named after the founder and first president of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Notably, a large portion of the 2.6 million Indians in the UAE are from Bihar and many are Muslims.

This will be Modi's first public appearance in the country and is the first state visit by an Indian prime minister to UAE since Indira Gandhi did over thirty years ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who reached Saudi Arabia earlier today is set to make his first public appearance.

Modi's first public engagement will be to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a key place of worship in UAE and known as a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.

The mosque is the third largest in the world after the ones in Mecca and Madina in Saudi Arabia.

It is named after the founder and first president of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Notably, a large portion of the 2.6 million Indians in the UAE are from Bihar and many are Muslims.

An under treatment prisoner at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bangalore snatched a fire arm from a police guard and opened fire in the hospital premises.

Reports indicate that the situation under control, no casualties.

The gunman, identified as Vishwanath, was chased away into an empty room, which was immediately latched from the outside.

Police opened fire at the prisoner after which he was brought to hospital where he was declared dead.

An Indonesian domestic passenger aircraft carrying 54 people has crashed in the Oktabe area of Papua, a government official said on Sunday.

The plane had been missing for several hours after losing contact with air traffic control in the eastern part of Indonesia.

The plane was flying between Jayapuras Sentani airport and Oksibil, the capital of Papua province.

Transport ministry spokesman Julius Barata said the ATR 42-300 twin turboprop lost contact with the airport nine minutes before it was scheduled to land.

Read more HERE.

Julian Bond, a US civil rights activist and longtime board chairman of the

NAACP, a group that fights discrimination against black people, has died at age 75.

Bond died last night in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, after a brief illness, the Southern Poverty Law Center said in a statement today.

The Nashville, Tennessee native was considered a symbol and icon of the 1960s US civil rights movement. As a Morehouse College student, Bond helped found the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and as its communications director, he was on the front lines of protests that led to the nation's landmark civil rights laws.

Bond later served as board chairman of the 500,000-member NAACP for 10 years but declined to run again in 2010. Bond also served in the Georgia state legislature and was a professor at American University and the University of Virginia.

The SPLC called Bond a "visionary" and "tireless champion" for civil and human rights.

The first batch of 349 pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh today left for the annual Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia from the Chaudhary Charan Singh international airport, here.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who flagged off the batch, congratulated the pilgrims and wished them safe and memorable journey.

Stating that his government was making best efforts to provide various amenities to the pilgrims at the Ali Miyan Haj house, he said endeavours were also being made to increase the quota of Haj pilgrims from the state.

Addressing the first batch of pilgrims, the CM said that despite several hurdles, his government has been successful in getting quota increased this year.

"Maximum elderly person of every religion wish that they get a chance to visit their holy religious place. You all are blessed that your wish is being fulfilled. My congratulations to all pilgrims," he said.

Speaking on the occasion state Haj and Minority Minister Mohd Azam Khan condemned the "divisive and communal forces" and urged people not to get provoked by such elements and to strengthen unity and strong relationship with love.

UP Haj Committee secretary Zubair Ahmad said that two flights left from Chaudhary Charan Singh airport on the first day. He said that flight from Varanasi would start from August 18.

He said that this year UP has a quota of 24,700 pilgrims as against 23,000 last year.

This year 10,700 pilgrims from Lucknow, 4,200 from Varanasi and rest 9,800 from Delhi would leave for the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, the Secretary said.

He said that the sequence of taking pilgrims from these three places would continue till September 1.

Ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Kanga Gali, Manjakote sector in Jammu & Kashmir's Rajouri.

Three civilians have been injured in the latest attack from across the border.

All the injured have been admitted to Rajouri Hospital.

The ceasefire violation is part of the ongoing violations across the border.

17:04 PM Modi attends UAE dignitaries meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrive at the UAE Dignitaries meeting.

PM Modi's two-day trip to UAE will make his the first Indian prime minister to visit the nation since Indira Gandhi.

Showing his gratitude towards the crown prince the prime minister tweeted: 'I deeply appreciate kind gesture of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who received me at the airport '

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport to commence his two-day state visit.

The prime minister was received by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport.

PM Modi will be the first Indian PM visiting UAE in over three decades. The last Indian prime minister to visit the nation was Indira Gandhi.

Upon his arrival the PM tweeted: 'Hello UAE. I am very optimistic about this visit. I am confident the outcomes of the visit will boost India-UAE ties'

An Indonesian airliner carrying 54 people has lost contact over the country's easternmost province of Papua, an official said today.

Transportation Ministry spokesman Julius Barata said a plane belonging to Trigana Air Service lost contact this afternoon while flying from Papua's provincial capital, Jayapura, to the Papua city of Oksibil.

He said the ATR42-300 twin turboprop plane was carrying 49 passengers and five crew members.

He said the plane lost contact 33 minutes after taking off.

Read more HERE.

India will summon Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit to lodge a strong protest over the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the LoC in which six people, including a woman, have been killed.

According to sources, Basit will be summoned to the External Affairs Ministry by Secretary East Anil Wadhwa during which India will convey its strong protest over the issue.

Six people have been killed in heavy firing and mortar bomb shelling by Pakistani troops at several Indian posts and civilian areas since yesterday.

On Independence Day yesterday, five civilians, including a sarpanch were killed and five others injured in heavy firing and mortar bomb shelling. A woman was killed today in heavy mortar shelling from the Pakistani side.

Basit will be summoned even as the two countries get ready for the first-ever NSA-level talks here on terrorism related issues next week.

National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan -- Ajit Doval and Sartaj Aziz -- will hold talks on terrorism-related issues for the first time on August 23.

During the talks, India is expected to present strong evidence of terrorism emanating from Pakistan highlighted further by recent attacks in Gurdaspur in Punjab and near Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir.

The French government has rejected Indian negotiators' demand for a 50 per cent offset clause citing sharp cost escalation but offered to participate in Make in India projects to carry forward the talks for 36 Rafale fighter jets that have hit turbulence.

Defence sources said Indias insistence on the offset clause, tweaking of weaponary technology and plans to set up two bases for Rafale fighter jets would lead to cost escalation.

Offset policy was first introduced as part of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), 2005, under which a foreign company has to invest back a portion of the deal into India.

"The 50 per cent offset clause was part of the original tender that was floated for 126 fighter jets. The French President and Indian Prime Minister have now decided to go in for a direct purchase of 36 Rafale jets. So, how can 50 per cent offset clause be asked when the French are offering the fighters at the same rate at which its Air Force is buying,"

defence sources said.

They added the French have instead offered to undertake Make in India initiatives. "The French can look at the option for making Falcon business jets in India or even the Rafales for future besides other projects," the sources said, adding the French government has made it clear that their

companies would like to be part of 'Make in India' initiative.

The sources said the offset clause will simply drive up the cost of each aircraft.

14:05 PM Modi leaves for UAE on two-day visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today left for the UAE on a two-day visit packed with a string of engagements high on substance and symbolism, including talks with the country's leadership and an address to the Indian diaspora.

During his visit, first by an Indian Prime Minister in 34 years, Modi will seek to enhance cooperation in energy and trade and reach out to investors to hardsell India as an attractive business destination.

Given that late Indira Gandhi was the last Indian Prime Minister to have visited United Arab Emirates in 1981, Modi's trip is being seen as an opportunity to boost India-UAE ties in key areas of trade and security.

Modi, ahead of his visit, described UAE as a "valued partner". This fact, he said, was reflected in India being UAE's second largest trading partner, while the Arabian nation comprising seven Sheikhdoms was the third largest trading partner for the country.

A powerful blast today blew up the political office of Pakistan's Punjab province Home Minister Shuja Khanzada in Attock, killing at least seven persons and burying him and several others under the rubble.

The blast brought down the roof of the building and around 20 to 25 people, including the minister, were buried under rubble.

Seven persons were killed in the blast, Dawn reported.

Khanzada was in the office at the time of the blast and he was buried under the rubble, his son Sohrab Khanzada told Geo News.

The nature of the blast is not yet known, though some witnesses claimed that a suicide bomber blew himself up.

Khanzada was given charge of the home department in October 2014 and has been actively involved in major operations against terror outfits.

Picture for representation only.

Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal lost to Spains Carolina Marin in the World Badminton Championships title on Sunday.

Marin won 21-16, 21-19.

The World Badminton Championships final, the fifth meeting between Indias Saina Nehwal and defending champion Spains Caroline Marin got of to a thrilling start.

After an early lead, Saina lost the game 16-21.

Winning the toss and starting on the near side of the court, Marin served and won the first point after a long rally.

Saina smashed to win the second point to tie early and then go up 5-3 forcing her opponent to commit errors.

A beautiful aggressive rally then saw Saina take a 6-4 lead after a smashing winner.

Saina played a game that oscillated from attack and defence but Marin fought back from 5-7 down to tie 7-7.

Marin then crawled to a 11-7 lead after forcing the Indian to play erroneous shots and flat-footing her at times.

With her game failing her at the net, Saina was pushed back to 8-13 and Marin winning 8 points in a row.

Saina challenged a line call at 15-9 and won the point.

Marin played brought on her aggressive and fast paced game to keep Saina on the back foot.

Saina made another challenge for a line call at 12-16 and again the review called it and Marins lead was cut to three points.

She trailed 20-13 and Marin had seven game points.

But Saina did well to save three of those but fell 21-16.

13:00 3 earthquakes jolt Nepal

Three earthquakes of moderate intensity have jolted Nepal but no damage was reported.

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck Dolakha district, 110 kilometres east of capital Kathmandu, early today.

Two more quakes were recorded yesterday.

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake shook Taplejgunj district, some 300 kilometres east of Kathmandu, yesterday morning while another 4.1 magnitude quake jolted Dolakha later in the day.

A total of 479 aftershocks of 4 or more magnitude have been recorded since a massive earthquake devastated the Himalayan nation in April. About 9,000 people died in the tremor.

Crews searched for an unknown number of civilians and soldiers Saturday who are believed trapped by multiple explosions that killed at least 112 people this week in this eastern Chinese city.

As of Sunday morning, more than 50 people have been rescued in Tianjin, city government spokesman Gong Jiansheng said. They include a 19-year-old firefighter who lay on the ground for hours with burns and a cracked skull until he was found, officials said.

Relatives of some of the 95 people missing, mainly firefighters, stormed an official news conference demanding to know the whereabouts of their loved ones. Families wrote the names of missing people on posters lining a street outside a temporary shelter near the rescue site.

On Saturday, fires sent plumes of black smoke skyward near where explosions devastated a chemical warehouse in Tianjin on Wednesday.

But officials denied news reports that an evacuation order had been immediately issued for everyone within 1.8 miles (3 kilometers), with Gong calling the reports "false information."

Read more HERE.

Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal will look to become the first Indian clinch the World Badminton Championships title on Sunday.

In a repeat to this years All-England final, the second seeded Saina will fight it out with defending champion and world No 1 Carolina Marin of Spain in the summit clash on Sunday.

The world No 2 Indian notched a 21-17, 21-17 victory over Indonesias Lindaweni Fanetri, who was struggling with her right knee, in the semi-finals of the womens singles on Saturday.

It will be Indias fifth medal at the World Championships following P V Sindhu's bronze in 2013 and 2014 and Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa bronze in womens doubles at the 2011 edition.

Sixty eight Indian nationals have been taken into custody while allegedly trying to enter the US illegally near Seattle in the US state of Washington, American immigration department has said.

According to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, at present 68 Indians are in custody at its contract detention center in Tacoma, said Virginia Kice, ICE's western regional spokesperson.

While their arrest dates vary widely, majority of them were taken into custody this year and about half were arrested in the last 30 days, she said.

Of the 68, about half were detained in the last one month while they tried to sneak illegally into the US from across the border, said Satnam Singh Chahal, the director of US-based North American Punjabi Association which obtained information from the ICE.

Ahead of his talks with the Emirati leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the Gulf region is vital for India's economic, energy and security interests and he wants to see the UAE as the foremost partner in trade and countering terrorism.

Noting that both India and UAE have a range of common security and strategic concerns in the region, including terrorism and extremism, the Prime Minister said he is keen to foster a strategic partnership, particularly in the security, energy and investment sectors, with the fastest growing Arab economy and its visionary and pragmatic leadership.

Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit UAE in 34 years, will have talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and Prime Minister of UAE, a day after his arrival here.

"We have a range of common security and strategic concerns in the region, including terrorism and extremism. So India and the UAE have everything to be a top priority for each other. This is the way I look at the UAE. The Gulf region is vital for India's economic, energy and security interests," Modi said in an interview to Khaleej Times newspaper.

Noting that he has begun his regional engagement with the UAE which reflects the importance that he attaches to the country, Modi said he would like to see a truly comprehensive strategic partnership evolve between the two countries.

"I want to see the UAE as our foremost trade and investment partner. We would build regular and effective cooperation in a full range of security challenges. Our armed forces would engage with each other more. We will work together more closely in international forums and in addressing regional challenges. There are no limits to our relationship," Modi said.

Asserting that terrorism poses a grave danger to humanity, he said all those countries who believe in humanity, must stand together without delay as it was extremely necessary to challenge the forces of terrorism.

"Basic Instinct" star Sharon Stone has bared all for a magazine cover and opened up about her past health problems.

Stone appeared nude in the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar magazine, in a stunning black and white pictorial shot by celebrity photographer Mark Abrahams.

In the accompanying interview. the 57-year-old actress opens up about the cerebral hemorrhage she suffered in 2001 and how she has rebuilt her life and career since her health scare.

"When I came to, the doctor was leaning over me. I said, 'Am I dying?' And he said, 'You're bleeding into your brain,'" Stone remembers.

"I said, 'I should call my mom,' and he said, 'You're right. You could lose the ability to speak soon'," she recalled.

Stone was eventually diagnosed with a ruptured vertebral artery, and revealed she had been hemorrhaging so much that her brain had been pushed into the front of her face.

"It took two years for my body just to absorb all the internal bleeding I had. It almost feels like my entire DNA changed. My brain isn't sitting where it used to, my body type changed, and even my food allergies are different."

Read more HERE.

11:52 Hooch claims six lives in Bengal

Six persons, including a woman, died and ten others were seriously ill after they consumed illicit liquor at Radhaballavpur in South 24 Parganas district, an official said today.

Sixteen people drank the country liquor from a shop in the village under Kultali police station last night. Of them two died on the spot and as many in the near-by Nimpith hospital, Sub-divisional Officer Partha Acharya said.

Two of the rest died in the Bangur hospital this morning. Ten others were admitted to the same hospital.

Of the deceased were five of an Adivasi family, he said.

11:31 PM wishes Delhi CM Kejriwal on birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today wished Arvind Kejriwal on his birthday and the Delhi Chief Minister immediately responded with thanks and desired to meet him to discuss the situation in the national capital.

"Spoke to Delhi CM Shri @ArvindKejriwal & wished him on his birthday. My prayers for his long life and good health," the Prime Minister tweeted.

The Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister for the wishes.

"@narendramodi Thank u so much sir for your wishes. I am touched. I look forward to meeting u soon to brief u on Delhi's situation," Kejriwal said.

The exchange came amid a standoff between the Centre and Delhi government over struggle of power in the national capital and other issues.

A woman was killed in heavy firing and mortar bomb shelling by Pakistani troops at several Indian posts and civilian areas today, raising the death toll to six in multiple ceasefire violations along the LoC in Poonch district overnight.

Army retaliated effectively and heavy exchanges are going on.

Today is the eight day of continuous ceasefire violations by Pakistan, which has resorted to firing and mortar shelling along the LoC in Poonch district since August 9.

Pakistani Army resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling on forward posts and civilian villages in Poonch and Balakote sectors since this morning, Defence Spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said.

In the heavy mortar shelling, a woman identified as Nussarat Bi died in Behrote village in Balakote sector, a police officer said, adding that very heavy mortar shelling of 82 mm mortars is going on.

With her death, the the toll has gone up to six and five other are injured.

Of the injured three injured are undergoing treatment in Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Jammu and rest in Poonch.

11:15 Top headlines in the last 24 hours

No peace at all: 5 killed, 10 injured in Pakistani firing on Independence Day

Can't trust PM anymore, say ex-servicemen demanding OROP

Jobs, development, corruption: Buzz words from PM's I-Day speech

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