At least nine people were killed and several wounded when a car loaded with explosives blew up near a mall in a busy market in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/blast-in-somalias-capital-mogadishu-report-195008">Somalia capital</a> on Monday, police said.

"The blast occurred close to Mogadishu mall and it has caused death and destruction. Nine civilians were confirmed dead and several others are wounded," police officer Ahmed Moalin Ali said.

"The terrorists parked a vehicle loaded with explosives in the vicinity of the mall to kill the innocent civilians."

He said some of the victims died in a building that collapsed as a result of the blast in the Hamarweyne market.

"I saw the dead bodies of four people recovered from the debris of a collapsed building and three others were strewn dead outside after the blast had blown them," said shopper Munira Abdukadir.

"I was not far away from the blast location, but I was lucky to have survived, several people were wounded and some were screaming before the ambulances arrived," said another witness, Abdulahi Mohamed.

Mogadishu is regularly targeted by the Al-Qaeda affiliated Islamist group Al-Shabaab.

The group was largely driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 and has lost many of its strongholds. But it retains control of large rural swathes of the country and continues to wage a guerrilla war against the authorities. 
&nbsp;

At least nine people were killed and several wounded when a car loaded with explosives blew up near a mall in a busy market in the Somalia capital on Monday, police said.

At least nine people were killed and several wounded when a car loaded with explosives blew up near a mall in a busy market in the Somalia capital on Monday, police said. "The blast occurred close to Mogadishu mall and it has caused death and destruction. Nine civilians were confirmed dead and several others are wounded," police officer Ahmed Moalin Ali said. "The terrorists parked a vehicle loaded with explosives in the vicinity of the mall to kill the innocent civilians." He said some of the victims died in a building that collapsed as a result of the blast in the Hamarweyne market. "I saw the dead bodies of four people recovered from the debris of a collapsed building and three others were strewn dead outside after the blast had blown them," said shopper Munira Abdukadir. "I was not far away from the blast location, but I was lucky to have survived, several people were wounded and some were screaming before the ambulances arrived," said another witness, Abdulahi Mohamed. Mogadishu is regularly targeted by the Al-Qaeda affiliated Islamist group Al-Shabaab. The group was largely driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 and has lost many of its strongholds. But it retains control of large rural swathes of the country and continues to wage a guerrilla war against the authorities.

At least nine killed, several wounded in Somalia market car bombing: Police

Highly venomous jellyfish have stung more than three thousand people on Australia's northeastern shores in just a few days, authorities said Monday, forcing the closure of several beaches.

The massive influx of Portuguese man o' war jellyfish, whose stings are notoriously painful, has been described as an "invasion" by local media in the state of Queensland.

Coastguard association Surf Life Saving said a "whopping" 3,595 people had suffered painful burns after encounters with the creatures, also known as bluebottles for their transparent bluish appearance.

At least four major beaches remained closed as the organisation warned that even more jellyfish were on their way.

"A wall of bluebottles is approaching #Rainbow beach. Lifesavers are closing the beach. Please stay out of the water," read one of several warnings from Surf Life Saving.

Bluebottle stings are a frequent occurrence and it is not uncommon to hear howls of pain from changing rooms along Australia's eastern beaches during the southern hemisphere's summer.

But the sheer number of people stung in the last few days has surprised authorities.

There are usually around 10,000 cases of bluebottle stings each year on the east coast of Australia, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

The extraordinary number of stings in the last few days has occurred as strong onshore winds have come in from the north-east, bringing the creatures into contact with swimmers.

The doctors' group describes the symptoms of a sting as an "immediate sharp pain and acute inflammatory skin reaction".

"The intense skin pain can last from minutes to many hours... The sting can also cause systemic signs such as nausea, vomiting and general feeling of malaise."

Treatment includes rinsing the wound with water at 45 degrees Celsius or using ice packs.

It is less straightforward to treat stings from the fearsome Irukandji variety of jellyfish, however.

Stings from these box jellyfish — which can be smaller than a fingernail — can cause acute muscular pain, violent vomiting, feelings of "impending doom", hair that stands on end, strokes, heart failure and death within minutes.

State-backed broadcaster ABC reported that the number of people taken to hospital with Irukandji stings in Queensland this season is already 20, double the normal yearly average. 
&nbsp;

Coastguard association Surf Life Saving said a 'whopping' 3,595 people had suffered painful burns after encounters with the creatures.

Highly venomous jellyfish have stung more than three thousand people on Australia's northeastern shores in just a few days, authorities said Monday, forcing the closure of several beaches. The massive influx of Portuguese man o' war jellyfish, whose stings are notoriously painful, has been described as an "invasion" by local media in the state of Queensland. Coastguard association Surf Life Saving said a "whopping" 3,595 people had suffered painful burns after encounters with the creatures, also known as bluebottles for their transparent bluish appearance. At least four major beaches remained closed as the organisation warned that even more jellyfish were on their way. "A wall of bluebottles is approaching #Rainbow beach. Lifesavers are closing the beach. Please stay out of the water," read one of several warnings from Surf Life Saving. Bluebottle stings are a frequent occurrence and it is not uncommon to hear howls of pain from changing rooms along Australia's eastern beaches during the southern hemisphere's summer. But the sheer number of people stung in the last few days has surprised authorities. There are usually around 10,000 cases of bluebottle stings each year on the east coast of Australia, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The extraordinary number of stings in the last few days has occurred as strong onshore winds have come in from the north-east, bringing the creatures into contact with swimmers. The doctors' group describes the symptoms of a sting as an "immediate sharp pain and acute inflammatory skin reaction". "The intense skin pain can last from minutes to many hours... The sting can also cause systemic signs such as nausea, vomiting and general feeling of malaise." Treatment includes rinsing the wound with water at 45 degrees Celsius or using ice packs. It is less straightforward to treat stings from the fearsome Irukandji variety of jellyfish, however. Stings from these box jellyfish — which can be smaller than a fingernail — can cause acute muscular pain, violent vomiting, feelings of "impending doom", hair that stands on end, strokes, heart failure and death within minutes. State-backed broadcaster ABC reported that the number of people taken to hospital with Irukandji stings in Queensland this season is already 20, double the normal yearly average.

Jellyfish invasion: Over three thousand people stung in Australia

Three people were injured, one of them seriously, when a country-made bomb exploded near Kuttiyadi police station limits, police said Tuesday.

The explosion occurred at around 12 last night at the compound of one Abdulla Musaliyar and his son, Sali, was among the injured, they said.

A country-made bomb has been recovered from the blast site, they added.

Police were informed about the incident this morning.

A case has been registered and the investigation has begun.

Further details are awaited.

The explosion occurred at around 12 last night at the compound of Abdulla Musaliyar and his son, police said.

Three people were injured, one of them seriously, when a country-made bomb exploded near Kuttiyadi police station limits, police said Tuesday. The explosion occurred at around 12 last night at the compound of one Abdulla Musaliyar and his son, Sali, was among the injured, they said. A country-made bomb has been recovered from the blast site, they added. Police were informed about the incident this morning. A case has been registered and the investigation has begun. Further details are awaited.

Three injured as country bomb explodes in Kerala

At least five people were killed and 21 others injured after a man carrying a knife hijacked a bus in the southeastern<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-plans-more-nuanced-anti-pollution-measures-in-2019-ministry-186341"> Chinese</a> city of Longyan in Fujian province on Tuesday, police said.

Longyan police said in a statement that the bus was hijacked mid-afternoon and hit pedestrians along the way as it careened down the street.

Police have detained the suspect and case is being investigated, the statement said, without giving details.

Pictures on Chinese social media, picked up by some Chinese news outlets, showed a chaotic scene on the street, with crushed motor-bikes and injured people on the ground.

One video showed police apparently wrestling the suspect to the ground.

Reuters was not able to independently verify the footage.&nbsp;

At least five people were killed and 21 others injured after a man carrying a knife hijacked a bus in the southeastern Chinese city of Longyan in Fujian province on Tuesday, police said.

At least five people were killed and 21 others injured after a man carrying a knife hijacked a bus in the southeastern Chinese city of Longyan in Fujian province on Tuesday, police said. Longyan police said in a statement that the bus was hijacked mid-afternoon and hit pedestrians along the way as it careened down the street. Police have detained the suspect and case is being investigated, the statement said, without giving details. Pictures on Chinese social media, picked up by some Chinese news outlets, showed a chaotic scene on the street, with crushed motor-bikes and injured people on the ground. One video showed police apparently wrestling the suspect to the ground. Reuters was not able to independently verify the footage.

5 killed, 21 injured as hijacked bus crashes into pedestrians in China's Fujian province

A total of 16 people were reported injured as of 17:30 on Sunday after a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Xingwen County, Yibin City, in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The 5.7 magnitude quake occurred at 12:46 on Sunday (Beijing Time).

The Ministry of Emergency Management initiated an emergency response after the earthquake.

People in towns near the epicentre felt the quake strongly. Some houses suffered minor damage while a small number of houses collapsed. Some households in the area suffered power and gas outages. Roads in several areas were also affected by landslides.

Local firefighters rushed to the epicentre to carry out search and rescue efforts, and more rescue workers are on the way.

The local government is carrying out comprehensive relief efforts including inspecting buildings and providing medical treatment. Emergency tents are being set up and relief goods have been sent to the quake site.

A total of 16 people were reported injured as of 17:30 on Sunday after a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Xingwen County, Yibin City, in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

A total of 16 people were reported injured as of 17:30 on Sunday after a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Xingwen County, Yibin City, in southwest China's Sichuan Province. The 5.7 magnitude quake occurred at 12:46 on Sunday (Beijing Time). The Ministry of Emergency Management initiated an emergency response after the earthquake. People in towns near the epicentre felt the quake strongly. Some houses suffered minor damage while a small number of houses collapsed. Some households in the area suffered power and gas outages. Roads in several areas were also affected by landslides. Local firefighters rushed to the epicentre to carry out search and rescue efforts, and more rescue workers are on the way. The local government is carrying out comprehensive relief efforts including inspecting buildings and providing medical treatment. Emergency tents are being set up and relief goods have been sent to the quake site.

Video: 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit southwest China county, 16 injured

Three people were killed and several injured in the attack at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village on Sunday,&nbsp;IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a> 3 dead &amp; 10 injured in the blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village: IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar <a href="https://t.co/O99yKBjQFu">https://t.co/O99yKBjQFu</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1064057526260563969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Reports said the attack occurred during a religious ceremony being held at Nirankari Bhawan.&nbsp;

Eyewitnesses said two bike-borne masked men came to the Nirankari Dera and threw a grenade at the congregation.

The victims were rushed to the nearest hospital, and police have begun an investigation.&nbsp;

The attack comes against the backdrop of multiple alerts issued by the intelligence agencies warning of the presence of Kashmiri terrorists in the state.&nbsp;

The state was put on alert after four persons snatched an SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Pathankot district last week.

&nbsp;Posters were also put up in the Amritsar region asking locals to provide information on al-Qaeda operative Zakir Musa, who was suspected to have entered the state.&nbsp;

Three people were killed and several injured in the attack at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village on Sunday, IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar said.

Three people were killed and several injured in the attack at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village on Sunday, IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar said. #UPDATE 3 dead & 10 injured in the blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village: IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar https://t.co/O99yKBjQFu — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2018 × Reports said the attack occurred during a religious ceremony being held at Nirankari Bhawan. Eyewitnesses said two bike-borne masked men came to the Nirankari Dera and threw a grenade at the congregation. The victims were rushed to the nearest hospital, and police have begun an investigation. The attack comes against the backdrop of multiple alerts issued by the intelligence agencies warning of the presence of Kashmiri terrorists in the state. The state was put on alert after four persons snatched an SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Pathankot district last week. Posters were also put up in the Amritsar region asking locals to provide information on al-Qaeda operative Zakir Musa, who was suspected to have entered the state.

3 dead, 10 injured in blast at Amritsar's Rajasansi village

A photojournalist was injured in clashes at Kerala's Sabarimala temple on Tuesday after a woman devotee, suspected to be of menstrual age, tried to enter the temple.&nbsp;

As per news agency ANI, the injured person has been identified as Amrita TV cameraperson Biju. &nbsp;

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Kerala: Amrita TV cameraman Biju, injured during protests at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SabarimalaTemple?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SabarimalaTemple</a> over the entry of a woman devotee <a href="https://t.co/ZbOqsbXS6u">pic.twitter.com/ZbOqsbXS6u</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1059633073686487040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The violence only stopped when the police confirmed that she is 52-years-old and allowed her to visit the shrine. She later performed prayers at the temple under police protection.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerala</a>: Lalitha (Pic 1: in the centre), a 52-year-old woman devotee from Thrissur, whose entry to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SabarimalTemple?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SabarimalTemple</a> was opposed by protesters, offered prayers at the temple under police protection. She had come along with her family. <a href="https://t.co/RdJeWflhk4">pic.twitter.com/RdJeWflhk4</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1059637779150319616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Sabarimala shrine <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sabarimala-turns-police-fortress-as-ayyappa-temple-is-set-to-open-for-special-puja-175656">opened yesterday</a> for the second time in three weeks for a two-day special puja amid unprecedented security over fear of protests by those opposing the Supreme Court's order allowing women of all age groups into the temple.

Kerala police has deployed nearly two thousand three hundred police personnel over fears that those opposing the supreme court's order allowing women of all age groups into the temple may stage protests.

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Kerala: Visuals of protests from Sannidhaman in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SabarimalaTemple?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SabarimalaTemple</a> <a href="https://t.co/XN9wODeIgW">pic.twitter.com/XN9wODeIgW</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1059630089904836608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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However, the security arrangements have not gone down well with the devotees and right-wing activists who protested at several places against the restrictions at Sabarimala, considered the sacred grove of Lord Ayyappa, a celibate.

A photojournalist was injured in clashes at Kerala's Sabarimala temple on Tuesday after a woman devotee, suspected to be of menstrual age, tried to enter the temple.

A photojournalist was injured in clashes at Kerala's Sabarimala temple on Tuesday after a woman devotee, suspected to be of menstrual age, tried to enter the temple. As per news agency ANI, the injured person has been identified as Amrita TV cameraperson Biju. Kerala: Amrita TV cameraman Biju, injured during protests at #SabarimalaTemple over the entry of a woman devotee pic.twitter.com/ZbOqsbXS6u — ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2018 × The violence only stopped when the police confirmed that she is 52-years-old and allowed her to visit the shrine. She later performed prayers at the temple under police protection. #Kerala: Lalitha (Pic 1: in the centre), a 52-year-old woman devotee from Thrissur, whose entry to #SabarimalTemple was opposed by protesters, offered prayers at the temple under police protection. She had come along with her family. pic.twitter.com/RdJeWflhk4 — ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2018 × The Sabarimala shrine opened yesterday for the second time in three weeks for a two-day special puja amid unprecedented security over fear of protests by those opposing the Supreme Court's order allowing women of all age groups into the temple. Kerala police has deployed nearly two thousand three hundred police personnel over fears that those opposing the supreme court's order allowing women of all age groups into the temple may stage protests. Kerala: Visuals of protests from Sannidhaman in #SabarimalaTemple pic.twitter.com/XN9wODeIgW — ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2018 × However, the security arrangements have not gone down well with the devotees and right-wing activists who protested at several places against the restrictions at Sabarimala, considered the sacred grove of Lord Ayyappa, a celibate.

Sabarimala: 1 injured in clashes after woman, thought to be of menstrual age, tries to enter temple

A highway in the Peruvian highlands near Lake Titicaca was the scene of a violent and deadly crash on Monday (November 05) that left at least 18 dead.

According to local media, a truck crashed head on into a passenger bus that left both vehicles completely destroyed and 18 people dead, among them 12 women and a child, and another 39 injured.

The bus could be seen lying on its side severely damaged by the crash.

The bus had departed earlier in the day from a city at Peru's border with Bolivia and was traveling along a highway that skirts the 3,812 meter (12,507 ft.) high Lake Titicaca when the crash occurred.

A highway in the Peruvian highlands near Lake Titicaca was the scene of a violent and deadly crash on Monday (November 05) that left at least 18 dead. According to local media, a truck crashed head on into a passenger bus that left both vehicles completely destroyed and 18 people dead, among them 12 women and a child, and another 39 injured.

A highway in the Peruvian highlands near Lake Titicaca was the scene of a violent and deadly crash on Monday (November 05) that left at least 18 dead. According to local media, a truck crashed head on into a passenger bus that left both vehicles completely destroyed and 18 people dead, among them 12 women and a child, and another 39 injured. The bus could be seen lying on its side severely damaged by the crash. The bus had departed earlier in the day from a city at Peru's border with Bolivia and was traveling along a highway that skirts the 3,812 meter (12,507 ft.) high Lake Titicaca when the crash occurred.

Peru bus crash leaves 18 dead, 39 injured

One laborer was killed and several were injured when an under-construction building collapsed in Noida's sector 39 on Sunday.&nbsp;

The incident occurred at the BPTP 'Capital City' in the morning when a tractor-trolley carrying sand reportedly hit the shuttering (temporary fixtures) bringing down six laborers who were working a few floors above the ground, they said.

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1 labourer dead, 5 injured after an accident at an under construction site in Noida's Sector 39 <a href="https://t.co/GFv0yfxclq">pic.twitter.com/GFv0yfxclq</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1048850807532257280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Soon after receiving the information about the incident, police force and rescue teams were rushed to the spot.

Those injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital.

"One man, who was driving the tractor, died after the fixtures came crashing down on him, while six others suffered injuries and are hospitalised," PTI quoted Amit Kumar Singh, SHO of the Sector 39 police station as saying.

"The labourers were wearing the helmets but were working without a safety harness," the SHO said, adding that no formal complaint was lodged with the police till the afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Greater Noida authority last month began cracking down against the unauthorised structures in Shahberi where a twin building collapse in July had killed nine people.&nbsp;

The Greater Noida authority, in July, had sealed around 30 buildings, which were illegal and unsafe as the building owners flouted building by-laws while constructing them.

One laborer was killed and several were injured when an under-construction building collapsed in Noida's sector 39 on Sunday. The incident occurred at the BPTP 'Capital City' in the morning when a tractor-trolley carrying sand reportedly hit the shuttering (temporary fixtures) bringing down six laborers who were working a few floors above the ground, they said.

One laborer was killed and several were injured when an under-construction building collapsed in Noida's sector 39 on Sunday. The incident occurred at the BPTP 'Capital City' in the morning when a tractor-trolley carrying sand reportedly hit the shuttering (temporary fixtures) bringing down six laborers who were working a few floors above the ground, they said. 1 labourer dead, 5 injured after an accident at an under construction site in Noida's Sector 39 pic.twitter.com/GFv0yfxclq — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 7, 2018 × Soon after receiving the information about the incident, police force and rescue teams were rushed to the spot. Those injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital. "One man, who was driving the tractor, died after the fixtures came crashing down on him, while six others suffered injuries and are hospitalised," PTI quoted Amit Kumar Singh, SHO of the Sector 39 police station as saying. "The labourers were wearing the helmets but were working without a safety harness," the SHO said, adding that no formal complaint was lodged with the police till the afternoon. Meanwhile, the Greater Noida authority last month began cracking down against the unauthorised structures in Shahberi where a twin building collapse in July had killed nine people. The Greater Noida authority, in July, had sealed around 30 buildings, which were illegal and unsafe as the building owners flouted building by-laws while constructing them.

1 dead, several injured after under-construction building collapses in Noida 

Prime Minister&nbsp;Narendra&nbsp;Modi&nbsp;on Thursday spoke with Naval office&nbsp;Abhilash Tomy&nbsp;who was rescued from high seas following a mishap during a solo circumnavigation sailing tour.

The 39-year-old&nbsp;naval officer&nbsp;was left adrift 3,500 kilometres from&nbsp;western Australia&nbsp;with a serious back injury when he was rescued through an internationally coordinated effort on Monday.

A solo competitor in&nbsp;the Golden Globe&nbsp;round-the-world race, he was badly injured during a storm that damaged his vessel in the&nbsp;Indian Ocean&nbsp;on Friday.

"Spoke to @abhilashtomy and enquired about his wellbeing. Every Indian is praying for his quick recovery. I also compliment the teams that were involved in his rescue,"Modi&nbsp;tweeted.

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Spoke to <a href="https://twitter.com/abhilashtomy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abhilashtomy</a> and enquired about his wellbeing. Every Indian is praying for his quick recovery. I also compliment the teams that were involved in his rescue. 
 
I have fond memories of my meeting with Abhilash, when he came with the team of INSV Tarini. <a href="https://t.co/Yefo9l4Ksu">pic.twitter.com/Yefo9l4Ksu</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1045322091745202176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The&nbsp;prime minister&nbsp;said he has fond memories of his meeting with Tomy when he came with the team of INSV Tarini.

Modi&nbsp;also posted a couple of photographs with the&nbsp;naval officer.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke with Naval office Abhilash Tomy who was rescued from high seas following a mishap during a solo circumnavigation sailing tour.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke with Naval office Abhilash Tomy who was rescued from high seas following a mishap during a solo circumnavigation sailing tour. The 39-year-old naval officer was left adrift 3,500 kilometres from western Australia with a serious back injury when he was rescued through an internationally coordinated effort on Monday. A solo competitor in the Golden Globe round-the-world race, he was badly injured during a storm that damaged his vessel in the Indian Ocean on Friday. "Spoke to @abhilashtomy and enquired about his wellbeing. Every Indian is praying for his quick recovery. I also compliment the teams that were involved in his rescue,"Modi tweeted. Spoke to @abhilashtomy and enquired about his wellbeing. Every Indian is praying for his quick recovery. I also compliment the teams that were involved in his rescue. I have fond memories of my meeting with Abhilash, when he came with the team of INSV Tarini. pic.twitter.com/Yefo9l4Ksu — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2018 × The prime minister said he has fond memories of his meeting with Tomy when he came with the team of INSV Tarini. Modi also posted a couple of photographs with the naval officer.

PM enquires about well being of naval officer Abhilash Tomy

Three security personnel were injured today in an IED blast in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region, officials said.

The security personnel were on a patrol duty when their vehicle hit the improvised explosive device (IED) in Jani Khel area of Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, they said.

According to the officials, the IED was being operated by the militants through a remote control device.

The injured were hospitalised.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and initiated the operation to trace the attackers, the officials said.

According to the officials, the IED was being operated by the militants through a remote control device.

Three security personnel were injured today in an IED blast in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region, officials said. The security personnel were on a patrol duty when their vehicle hit the improvised explosive device (IED) in Jani Khel area of Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, they said. According to the officials, the IED was being operated by the militants through a remote control device. The injured were hospitalised. Security forces have cordoned off the area and initiated the operation to trace the attackers, the officials said.

3 security personnel injured in IED explosion in Pakistan

An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 stuck Southwest Turkey on Tuesday, injuring at least 39 and damaging several buildings.&nbsp

As per reports, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was quoted saying no deaths had been reported so far in the district.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake, which struck at 0034 GMT, and occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.21 miles).

Turkey's health minister said of those injured, 35 were still receiving treatment, according to official Anadolu news agency. The regional governor said the injuries were caused as people fled their homes in panic.&nbsp

The earthquake was felt in nearby cities -- Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, and Diyarbakir -- while some buildings in surrounding villages and districts were damaged.

The quake was followed by eight small aftershocks.Elementary and high schools closed for the day, other local media said

As per reports, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was quoted saying no deaths had been reported so far in the district

An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 stuck Southwest Turkey on Tuesday, injuring at least 39 and damaging several buildings. As per reports, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was quoted saying no deaths had been reported so far in the district. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake, which struck at 0034 GMT, and occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.21 miles). Turkey's health minister said of those injured, 35 were still receiving treatment, according to official Anadolu news agency. The regional governor said the injuries were caused as people fled their homes in panic. The earthquake was felt in nearby cities -- Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, and Diyarbakir -- while some buildings in surrounding villages and districts were damaged. The quake was followed by eight small aftershocks.Elementary and high schools closed for the day, other local media said

Earthquake in Southwest Turkey injures several, damages buildings

At least two people were killed when a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) bomb exploded in Afghanistan`s capital city Kabul on Saturday.

Khaama Press quoted the security officials as saying that the explosion took place in the vicinity of Paghman district.

Deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Interior Nusrat Rahimi said two civilians were killed after a roadside bomb went off in Deh Ponba village.

One civilian also sustained injuries in the explosion, Rahimi added.

Earlier this month, at least nine people were killed in a suicide bombing in Mosalla-e-Mazar area of Kabul.Afghanistan has been hit by a series of deadly suicide attacks in the last few months, killing over 150 people, particularly in Kabul.&nbsp;

One civilian also sustained injuries in the explosion

At least two people were killed when a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) bomb exploded in Afghanistan`s capital city Kabul on Saturday. Khaama Press quoted the security officials as saying that the explosion took place in the vicinity of Paghman district. Deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Interior Nusrat Rahimi said two civilians were killed after a roadside bomb went off in Deh Ponba village. One civilian also sustained injuries in the explosion, Rahimi added. Earlier this month, at least nine people were killed in a suicide bombing in Mosalla-e-Mazar area of Kabul.Afghanistan has been hit by a series of deadly suicide attacks in the last few months, killing over 150 people, particularly in Kabul.

Two killed in roadside blast in Afghanistan

An 18-month-old baby was killed due to suffocation and four-year-old sustained major injuries after a fire broke out at an unauthorized structure built on top of the water pump room of a building at Perry Cross Road in suburban Bandra.

As per the fire brigades, the fire had started in a structure that was added to the pump room of Shoeb Manzil building and was being used as the residence of the building&#39;s watchman.

The baby girl was declared dead on arrival to the hospital while the four-year-old has been admitted to the ICU at Holy Family Hospital in Bandra (West).

Officials said that electrical wires and other household things added to the blaze which resulted in choking fumes.&nbsp;

&quot;A girl, about one-and-half-year-old, was rushed to the Holy Family hospital due to suffocation caused by the fumes but was declared dead on arrival. Another child is currently in the hospital&#39;s Intensive Care Unit,&quot; a fire brigade official said.

The blaze was doused in an hour.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are currently underway, an official said, adding that using the pump room for residential purposes was illegal and fire officials have been told to file a police complaint.

As per the fire brigades, the fire had started in a structure that was added to the pump room of Shoeb Manzil building and was being used as the residence of the building's watchman

An 18-month-old baby was killed due to suffocation and four-year-old sustained major injuries after a fire broke out at an unauthorized structure built on top of the water pump room of a building at Perry Cross Road in suburban Bandra. As per the fire brigades, the fire had started in a structure that was added to the pump room of Shoeb Manzil building and was being used as the residence of the building's watchman. The baby girl was declared dead on arrival to the hospital while the four-year-old has been admitted to the ICU at Holy Family Hospital in Bandra (West). Officials said that electrical wires and other household things added to the blaze which resulted in choking fumes. "A girl, about one-and-half-year-old, was rushed to the Holy Family hospital due to suffocation caused by the fumes but was declared dead on arrival. Another child is currently in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit," a fire brigade official said. The blaze was doused in an hour. Investigations into the cause of the fire are currently underway, an official said, adding that using the pump room for residential purposes was illegal and fire officials have been told to file a police complaint.

Baby dead, 4-year-old injured after fire at unauthorized structure in Bandra

Five people have been killed and four have been injured in an alleged arson attack in a motel in South Korean capital Seoul on Saturday, media reports said.

The fire broke out at 3 am on Saturday in a two-story building in Jongo district. The ones injured were immediately rushed to the hospital.&nbsp;

A 53-year-old man who said he started the blaze was arrested.

Witnesses said a delivery man carried out the attack in a fit of anger after being denied a room at the two-story motel for allegedly being drunk.

The man, identified only by his surname Yu, bought 10 litres of petrol at a nearby service station, poured it on the ground floor and set it ablaze, they said.

Neighbours used fire extinguishers in an attempt to tame the blaze but were unable to bring it under control.&nbsp;

Witnesses said a delivery man carried out the attack in a fit of anger after being denied a room at the two-story motel for allegedly being drunk

Five people have been killed and four have been injured in an alleged arson attack in a motel in South Korean capital Seoul on Saturday, media reports said. The fire broke out at 3 am on Saturday in a two-story building in Jongo district. The ones injured were immediately rushed to the hospital. A 53-year-old man who said he started the blaze was arrested. Witnesses said a delivery man carried out the attack in a fit of anger after being denied a room at the two-story motel for allegedly being drunk. The man, identified only by his surname Yu, bought 10 litres of petrol at a nearby service station, poured it on the ground floor and set it ablaze, they said. Neighbours used fire extinguishers in an attempt to tame the blaze but were unable to bring it under control.

5 killed 4 injured in arson attack in Seoul

Five policemen and three civilians were injured in a grenade blast at Pulwama area of south Kashmir on Friday.

Suspected militants lobbed a grenade towards police station Pulwama resulting in injuries to eight persons including five policemen. Soon after the attack, cops opened fire.

&ldquo;We have received eight persons with splinter injuries most of them are policemen&rdquo;, a doctor at the district hospital Pulwama said.

SSP Pulwama Mohammad Aslam Choudary told that militants attacked a naka party of police outside the police station.

Searches have been launched to nab the attackers.

 
#Kerala: Member of ABVP hacked to death near Kuthuparamba in Kannur while he was going on his bike. Police begins investigation.

Suspected militants lobbed a grenade towards police station Pulwama resulting in injuries to eight persons including five policemen.

Five policemen and three civilians were injured in a grenade blast at Pulwama area of south Kashmir on Friday. Suspected militants lobbed a grenade towards police station Pulwama resulting in injuries to eight persons including five policemen. Soon after the attack, cops opened fire. “We have received eight persons with splinter injuries most of them are policemen”, a doctor at the district hospital Pulwama said. SSP Pulwama Mohammad Aslam Choudary told that militants attacked a naka party of police outside the police station. Searches have been launched to nab the attackers. #Kerala: Member of ABVP hacked to death near Kuthuparamba in Kannur while he was going on his bike. Police begins investigation.

5 policemen, 3 civilians injured in Pulwama grenade blast

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday named Dinesh Karthik as a replacement for the wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha, who injured himself during a training session last week ahead of the second Test against South Africa.

Saha is also not part of the team playing the ongoing second Test due to the hamstring injury he suffered on January 11.

&quot;The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Dinesh Karthik as the replacement for Wriddhiman Saha for the third and final Test against South Africa. He is set to join the team before the third Test,&quot; said BCCI Acting Secretary Amitabh Choudhary.&nbsp;

The 32-year-old Karthik has played 23 Tests for India but his last five-day appearance for the team was back in 2010 against Bangladesh.&nbsp;

He has 51 catches and five stumpings to his credit.

Meanwhile, Saha broke former Test captain MS Dhoni&#39;s record of most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper in a single Test when he claimed 10 catches in the series opener in Cape Town.&nbsp;

However, he failed to make an impact with the bat registering a duck in the first innings and managing just 8 from the second as India lost by 72 runs.

The third and final Test of the series is scheduled to be held in Johannesburg from January 24. &nbsp;

Saha is also not part of the team playing the ongoing second Test due to the hamstring injury

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday named Dinesh Karthik as a replacement for the wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha, who injured himself during a training session last week ahead of the second Test against South Africa. Saha is also not part of the team playing the ongoing second Test due to the hamstring injury he suffered on January 11. "The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Dinesh Karthik as the replacement for Wriddhiman Saha for the third and final Test against South Africa. He is set to join the team before the third Test," said BCCI Acting Secretary Amitabh Choudhary. The 32-year-old Karthik has played 23 Tests for India but his last five-day appearance for the team was back in 2010 against Bangladesh. He has 51 catches and five stumpings to his credit. Meanwhile, Saha broke former Test captain MS Dhoni's record of most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper in a single Test when he claimed 10 catches in the series opener in Cape Town. However, he failed to make an impact with the bat registering a duck in the first innings and managing just 8 from the second as India lost by 72 runs. The third and final Test of the series is scheduled to be held in Johannesburg from January 24.

Injured Wriddhiman Saha to be replaced by Dinesh Karthik for 3rd Test

A&nbsp; major fire and stampede in a local leisure association in the town of Vila Nova da Rainha in northern Portugal has left eight people dead and dozens injured on Saturday.&nbsp;

According to Mayor Jose Antonio de Jesus, the fire occurred at a two-story gathering place attended by 60 people who had been watching and participating in a card tournament.&nbsp;

&quot;Several dozen people have been injured, some lightly and others gravely, and are still being assisted,&quot; he said.

The cause of the fire has yet to be disclosed, although, firefighters at the spot said that it happened due to the explosion of a heating boiler.&nbsp;

Dozens of firefighters and two rescue helicopters were deployed to tackle the blaze and help people vacate the spot, which lead to the stampede, media reports said.&nbsp;

The cause of the fire has yet to be disclosed, although, firefighters at the spot said that it happened due to an explosion of a heating boiler.

A major fire and stampede in a local leisure association in the town of Vila Nova da Rainha in northern Portugal has left eight people dead and dozens injured on Saturday. According to Mayor Jose Antonio de Jesus, the fire occurred at a two-story gathering place attended by 60 people who had been watching and participating in a card tournament. "Several dozen people have been injured, some lightly and others gravely, and are still being assisted," he said. The cause of the fire has yet to be disclosed, although, firefighters at the spot said that it happened due to the explosion of a heating boiler. Dozens of firefighters and two rescue helicopters were deployed to tackle the blaze and help people vacate the spot, which lead to the stampede, media reports said.

8 dead, dozens injured in fire, stampede in Portugal

A passenger train in South Africa caught fire after colliding with a truck, leaving at least 18 dead and around 268 injured on Thursday.&nbsp;

The train, which was carrying 700 passengers, derailed from its track after crashing into the truck and burst into flames.&nbsp;

The collision occurred near Kroonstad city in Free State province and also damaged power lines.&nbsp;

The emergency services rushed to the scene and battled the blaze on the train, which had been travelling from the coastal city of Port Elizabeth to the commercial capital, Johannesburg.

Officials said the truck driver allegedly tried to cross the tracks just ahead of the oncoming train, part of which burst into flames after the collision, trapping some passengers in carriages.

&ldquo;I have been briefed that the accident was the result of a truck that was driving through a level crossing... You can see for yourself the truck driver was taking chances,&rdquo; Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi said the train said on the news channel of national broadcaster SABC.

According to media reports, some bodies were severely burnt and could not be recognized.&nbsp;

The driver of the truck escaped but was later arrested by the police, reports said.&nbsp;

South Africa has the continent&rsquo;s largest railway network, but it has been plagued by mismanagement and under-investment that has seen train use dwindle despite it being the cheapest from of public transportation.

The train, which was carrying 700 passengers, derailed from its track after crashing into the truck and burst into flames near Kroonstad city in Free State province

A passenger train in South Africa caught fire after colliding with a truck, leaving at least 18 dead and around 268 injured on Thursday. The train, which was carrying 700 passengers, derailed from its track after crashing into the truck and burst into flames. The collision occurred near Kroonstad city in Free State province and also damaged power lines. The emergency services rushed to the scene and battled the blaze on the train, which had been travelling from the coastal city of Port Elizabeth to the commercial capital, Johannesburg. Officials said the truck driver allegedly tried to cross the tracks just ahead of the oncoming train, part of which burst into flames after the collision, trapping some passengers in carriages. “I have been briefed that the accident was the result of a truck that was driving through a level crossing... You can see for yourself the truck driver was taking chances,” Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi said the train said on the news channel of national broadcaster SABC. According to media reports, some bodies were severely burnt and could not be recognized. The driver of the truck escaped but was later arrested by the police, reports said. South Africa has the continent’s largest railway network, but it has been plagued by mismanagement and under-investment that has seen train use dwindle despite it being the cheapest from of public transportation.

At least 18 dead and hundreds injured in South Africa train crash

A 13-year-old girl who was allegedly gang-raped in Rangapani in Guwahati last week succumbed to her injuries on Saturday, reports said.&nbsp;

The girl was admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital and died there.&nbsp;

She was reportedly gang-raped by three locals outside her house on December 14, when her parents were not at home and was left to die.&nbsp;

The 13-year-old was rushed to a nearby healthcare&nbsp;after she was found unconscious the next day.&nbsp;

No charges were initially filed by the family. The police were only intimated once the girl was admitted to the hospital and an FIR was lodged at Sontoli police outpost two days after the incident.

The police are yet to receive a medical report of her condition while the investigation continues. One person has been arrested so far.&nbsp;

The victim&#39;s family reportedly said that she was unable to receive urgent medical treatment as she was from an economically disadvantaged background. Hospital authorities, however, disagreed to the charges.

She was reportedly gang-raped by three locals outside her house on December 14, when her parents were not at home and was left to die

A 13-year-old girl who was allegedly gang-raped in Rangapani in Guwahati last week succumbed to her injuries on Saturday, reports said. The girl was admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital and died there. She was reportedly gang-raped by three locals outside her house on December 14, when her parents were not at home and was left to die. The 13-year-old was rushed to a nearby healthcare after she was found unconscious the next day. No charges were initially filed by the family. The police were only intimated once the girl was admitted to the hospital and an FIR was lodged at Sontoli police outpost two days after the incident. The police are yet to receive a medical report of her condition while the investigation continues. One person has been arrested so far. The victim's family reportedly said that she was unable to receive urgent medical treatment as she was from an economically disadvantaged background. Hospital authorities, however, disagreed to the charges.

13-year-old girl gang-raped in Guwahati succumbs to injuries

A BJP leader was shot dead outside his house last night by unidentified assailants at Bagma village in extremist-hit Khunti district, police said.

His cousin and mother also suffered bullet injuries in the attack.

Superintendent of Police Ashiwini Kumar Singh, who rushed to the spot today after being informed about the incident, said the motive behind the killing of district secretary of the BJP&#39;s ST cell, Bhaiya Ram Munda, was yet to be ascertained.

&quot;We are investigating the incident from all possible angles to find out the motive behind the killing of the 38-year-old leader,&quot; the SP asserted.

A massive search operation led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Ranveer Singh has been launched to apprehend the culprits.

&quot;Munda&#39;s cousin Birsa and mother Aguni Devi were initially admitted in a local hospital with bullet injuries. The doctors there referred them to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi. Their condition is stable now,&quot; the SDPO said.

Initial investigations suggest Munda was killed by suspected members of an ultra group over levy demands, he added.

The district committee president of the BJP, Kashinath Mahato, said he has found out from the villagers that a group of assailants dragged Munda out of his house before pumping bullets into him.

Mahato today sought adequate compensation for Munda&#39;s kin, a government job for a family member and education expenses of his children.

He said that the BJP state committee has assured a sum of Rs 2 lakh from the party fund to the victim&#39;s family.

BJP leader Ram Mundi was shot dead outside his house last night by unidentified assailants at Bagma village in extremist-hit Khunti district, police said

A BJP leader was shot dead outside his house last night by unidentified assailants at Bagma village in extremist-hit Khunti district, police said. His cousin and mother also suffered bullet injuries in the attack. Superintendent of Police Ashiwini Kumar Singh, who rushed to the spot today after being informed about the incident, said the motive behind the killing of district secretary of the BJP's ST cell, Bhaiya Ram Munda, was yet to be ascertained. "We are investigating the incident from all possible angles to find out the motive behind the killing of the 38-year-old leader," the SP asserted. A massive search operation led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Ranveer Singh has been launched to apprehend the culprits. "Munda's cousin Birsa and mother Aguni Devi were initially admitted in a local hospital with bullet injuries. The doctors there referred them to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi. Their condition is stable now," the SDPO said. Initial investigations suggest Munda was killed by suspected members of an ultra group over levy demands, he added. The district committee president of the BJP, Kashinath Mahato, said he has found out from the villagers that a group of assailants dragged Munda out of his house before pumping bullets into him. Mahato today sought adequate compensation for Munda's kin, a government job for a family member and education expenses of his children. He said that the BJP state committee has assured a sum of Rs 2 lakh from the party fund to the victim's family.

BJP leader shot dead in Jharkhand's Khunti district

A man succumbed to his injuries as an ambulance allegedly failed to reach the accident site in Rajasthan&#39;s Bharatpur where a bus hit the bike.

The accident happened on Friday when a bus hit a bike killing one and injuring two women, who were later taken to a hospital in a rickshaw.

Assistant sub-inspector of police (ASI) Ram Ratan Chaudhary confirmed the incident and said, &quot;We reached the spot after receiving information and a private ambulance was called. The ambulance was taking time to reach the spot so we took them to the hospital in a rickshaw.&quot;

The bus driver is on the run at the moment.

The accident happened on Friday when a bus hit a bike killing one and injuring two women, who were later taken to a hospital in a rickshaw

A man succumbed to his injuries as an ambulance allegedly failed to reach the accident site in Rajasthan's Bharatpur where a bus hit the bike. The accident happened on Friday when a bus hit a bike killing one and injuring two women, who were later taken to a hospital in a rickshaw. Assistant sub-inspector of police (ASI) Ram Ratan Chaudhary confirmed the incident and said, "We reached the spot after receiving information and a private ambulance was called. The ambulance was taking time to reach the spot so we took them to the hospital in a rickshaw." The bus driver is on the run at the moment.

Man dies from ambulance delay in Rajasthan's Bharatpur

A tiger escaped from its cage during a circus show in a village in north China&#39;s Shanxi Province Saturday afternoon, creating mass panic among crowds before the animal was captured.

Two children were scratched as the tiger ran riot but were later discharged from the hospital, according to local authorities.

The circus troupe was giving a performance at a temple fair in Shengwang Village of Hongtong County when the tiger suddenly broke out of the cage.

The local public security department together with the forestry department are now investigating the case.

Two children were scratched as the tiger ran riot but were later discharged from the hospital, according to local authorities

A tiger escaped from its cage during a circus show in a village in north China's Shanxi Province Saturday afternoon, creating mass panic among crowds before the animal was captured. Two children were scratched as the tiger ran riot but were later discharged from the hospital, according to local authorities. The circus troupe was giving a performance at a temple fair in Shengwang Village of Hongtong County when the tiger suddenly broke out of the cage. The local public security department together with the forestry department are now investigating the case.

Watch: Tiger escapes from circus show in China

A factory explosion in a port city in the southern area of Shanghai injured several people and destroyed buildings surrounding the area&nbsp;on Sunday.

A factory located in the Ningbo City of Zhejiang Province, which is one of the busiest ports, had an explosion and struck the Jiangbei District on the Yong River at about 8:55 am.&nbsp;

The injured were carried to nearby hospitals. However, there was no information reported on possible casualties.

&quot;An unknown number of people were taken to a hospital but details of their injuries were unknown,&quot; China National Radio said&nbsp;on its website.

China has a long history of massive fires and accidents which are usually due to negligence. In 2015, 173 people in Tianjin, a port east of Beijing, died due to a blast that occurred because of wrongly kept chemicals, media reports said.

Authorities have taken safety measures. However, the increasing operation of industry and overhaul of urban neighbourhoods cause companies to become casual.

Sunday&rsquo;s blast knocked down nearby residential buildings which were vacant and in the process of being demolished, media reports added.

"An unknown number of people were taken to a hospital but details of their injuries were unknown," China National Radio said?on its website

A factory explosion in a port city in the southern area of Shanghai injured several people and destroyed buildings surrounding the area on Sunday. A factory located in the Ningbo City of Zhejiang Province, which is one of the busiest ports, had an explosion and struck the Jiangbei District on the Yong River at about 8:55 am. The injured were carried to nearby hospitals. However, there was no information reported on possible casualties. "An unknown number of people were taken to a hospital but details of their injuries were unknown," China National Radio said on its website. China has a long history of massive fires and accidents which are usually due to negligence. In 2015, 173 people in Tianjin, a port east of Beijing, died due to a blast that occurred because of wrongly kept chemicals, media reports said. Authorities have taken safety measures. However, the increasing operation of industry and overhaul of urban neighbourhoods cause companies to become casual. Sunday’s blast knocked down nearby residential buildings which were vacant and in the process of being demolished, media reports added.

Several injured in Chinese factory explosion

Parasitic worms found in a North Korean soldier, critically injured during a desperate defection, highlight nutrition and hygiene problems that experts say have plagued the isolated country for decades.

At a briefing on Wednesday, lead surgeon Lee Cook-jong displayed photos showing dozens of flesh-coloured parasites - including one 27 cm (10.6 in) long - removed from the wounded soldier&rsquo;s digestive tract during a series of surgeries to save his life.

&ldquo;In my over 20 year-long career as a surgeon, I have only seen something like this in a textbook,&rdquo; Lee said.

The parasites, along with kernels of corn in his stomach, may confirm what many experts and previous defectors have described the food and hygiene situation for many North Koreans.

&ldquo;Although we do not have solid figures showing health conditions of North Korea, medical experts assume that parasite infection problems and serious health issues have been prevalent in the country,&rdquo; said Choi Min-Ho, a professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine who specializes in parasites.

The soldier&rsquo;s condition was &ldquo;not surprising at all considering the north&rsquo;s hygiene and parasite problems,&rdquo; he said.

The soldier was flown by helicopter to the hospital on Monday after his dramatic escape to South Korea in a hail of bullets fired by North Korean soldiers.

He is believed to be an army staff sergeant in his mid-20s who was stationed in the Joint Security Area in the United Nations truce village of Panmunjom, according to Kim Byung-kee, a lawmaker of South Korea&rsquo;s ruling party, briefed by the National Intelligence Service.

North Korea has not commented on the defection.

While the contents of the soldier&rsquo;s stomach don&rsquo;t necessarily reflect the population as a whole, his status as a soldier &ndash; with an elite assignment - would indicate he would at least be as well nourished as an average North Korean.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He was shot in his buttocks, armpit, back shoulder and knee among other wounds, according to the hospital where the soldier is being treated.

The best fertiliser

Parasitic worms were also once common in South Korea 40 to 50 years ago, Lee noted during his briefing, but have all but disappeared as economic conditions greatly improved.

Other doctors have also described removing various types of worms and parasites from North Korean defectors.

Their continued prevalence north of the heavily fortified border that divides the two Koreas could be in part tied to the use of human excrement, often called &ldquo;night soil.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Chemical fertilizer was supplied by the state until the 1970s, but from the early 1980s, production started to decrease,&rdquo; said Lee Min-bok, a North Korean agriculture expert who defected to South Korea in 1995. &ldquo;By the 1990s, the state could not supply it anymore, so farmers started to use a lot of night soil instead.&rdquo;

In 2014, supreme leader Kim Jong Un personally urged farmers to use human faeces, along with animal waste and organic compost, to fertilize their fields.

A lack of livestock, however, made it difficult to find animal waste, said Lee, the agriculture expert.

Even harder to overcome, he said, is the view of night soil as the &ldquo;best fertilizer in North Korea,&rdquo; despite the risk of worms and parasites. 
&ldquo;Vegetables grown in it are considered more delicious than others,&rdquo; Lee said.

Limited diets

The medical briefing described the wounded soldier as being 170 cm (5 feet 5 inches) and 60 kg (132 pounds) with his stomach containing corn. It&rsquo;s a staple grain that more North Koreans may be relying on in the wake of what the United Nations has called the worst drought since 2001.

Imported corn, which is less preferred but cheaper to obtain than rice, has tended to increase in years when North Koreans are more worried about their seasonal harvests.

Between January and September this year, China exported nearly 49,000 tonnes of corn to North Korea, compared to only 3,125 tonnes in all of 2016, according to data released by Beijing.

Despite the drought and international sanctions over Pyongyang&rsquo;s nuclear programme, the cost of corn and rice has remained relatively stable, according to a Reuters analysis of market data collected by the defector-run Daily NK website.

Since the 1990s, when government rations failed to prevent a famine hitting the country, North Koreans have gradually turned to markets and other private means to feed themselves.

The World Food Programme says a quarter of North Korean children 6-59 months old, who attend nurseries that the organization assists, suffer from chronic malnutrition.

On average North Koreans are less nourished than their southern neighbours. The WFP says around one in four children have grown less tall than their South Korean counterparts. A study from 2009 said pre-school children in the North were up to 13 cm (5 inches) shorter and up to 7 kg (15 pounds) lighter than those brought up in the South.

&ldquo;The main issue in DPRK is a monotonous diet &ndash; mainly rice/maize, kimchi and bean paste &ndash; lacking in essential fats and protein,&rdquo; the WFP told Reuters in a statement last month.

The worms highlight nutrition and hygiene problems that experts say have plagued the isolated country for decades

Parasitic worms found in a North Korean soldier, critically injured during a desperate defection, highlight nutrition and hygiene problems that experts say have plagued the isolated country for decades. At a briefing on Wednesday, lead surgeon Lee Cook-jong displayed photos showing dozens of flesh-coloured parasites - including one 27 cm (10.6 in) long - removed from the wounded soldier’s digestive tract during a series of surgeries to save his life. “In my over 20 year-long career as a surgeon, I have only seen something like this in a textbook,” Lee said. The parasites, along with kernels of corn in his stomach, may confirm what many experts and previous defectors have described the food and hygiene situation for many North Koreans. “Although we do not have solid figures showing health conditions of North Korea, medical experts assume that parasite infection problems and serious health issues have been prevalent in the country,” said Choi Min-Ho, a professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine who specializes in parasites. The soldier’s condition was “not surprising at all considering the north’s hygiene and parasite problems,” he said. The soldier was flown by helicopter to the hospital on Monday after his dramatic escape to South Korea in a hail of bullets fired by North Korean soldiers. He is believed to be an army staff sergeant in his mid-20s who was stationed in the Joint Security Area in the United Nations truce village of Panmunjom, according to Kim Byung-kee, a lawmaker of South Korea’s ruling party, briefed by the National Intelligence Service. North Korea has not commented on the defection. While the contents of the soldier’s stomach don’t necessarily reflect the population as a whole, his status as a soldier – with an elite assignment - would indicate he would at least be as well nourished as an average North Korean. He was shot in his buttocks, armpit, back shoulder and knee among other wounds, according to the hospital where the soldier is being treated. The best fertiliser Parasitic worms were also once common in South Korea 40 to 50 years ago, Lee noted during his briefing, but have all but disappeared as economic conditions greatly improved. Other doctors have also described removing various types of worms and parasites from North Korean defectors. Their continued prevalence north of the heavily fortified border that divides the two Koreas could be in part tied to the use of human excrement, often called “night soil.” “Chemical fertilizer was supplied by the state until the 1970s, but from the early 1980s, production started to decrease,” said Lee Min-bok, a North Korean agriculture expert who defected to South Korea in 1995. “By the 1990s, the state could not supply it anymore, so farmers started to use a lot of night soil instead.” In 2014, supreme leader Kim Jong Un personally urged farmers to use human faeces, along with animal waste and organic compost, to fertilize their fields. A lack of livestock, however, made it difficult to find animal waste, said Lee, the agriculture expert. Even harder to overcome, he said, is the view of night soil as the “best fertilizer in North Korea,” despite the risk of worms and parasites. “Vegetables grown in it are considered more delicious than others,” Lee said. Limited diets The medical briefing described the wounded soldier as being 170 cm (5 feet 5 inches) and 60 kg (132 pounds) with his stomach containing corn. It’s a staple grain that more North Koreans may be relying on in the wake of what the United Nations has called the worst drought since 2001. Imported corn, which is less preferred but cheaper to obtain than rice, has tended to increase in years when North Koreans are more worried about their seasonal harvests. Between January and September this year, China exported nearly 49,000 tonnes of corn to North Korea, compared to only 3,125 tonnes in all of 2016, according to data released by Beijing. Despite the drought and international sanctions over Pyongyang’s nuclear programme, the cost of corn and rice has remained relatively stable, according to a Reuters analysis of market data collected by the defector-run Daily NK website. Since the 1990s, when government rations failed to prevent a famine hitting the country, North Koreans have gradually turned to markets and other private means to feed themselves. The World Food Programme says a quarter of North Korean children 6-59 months old, who attend nurseries that the organization assists, suffer from chronic malnutrition. On average North Koreans are less nourished than their southern neighbours. The WFP says around one in four children have grown less tall than their South Korean counterparts. A study from 2009 said pre-school children in the North were up to 13 cm (5 inches) shorter and up to 7 kg (15 pounds) lighter than those brought up in the South. “The main issue in DPRK is a monotonous diet – mainly rice/maize, kimchi and bean paste – lacking in essential fats and protein,” the WFP told Reuters in a statement last month.

Enormous parasitic worms found in North Korean defector

The Afghan Taliban attacked more than a dozen checkpoints over six hours in the southern province of Kandahar, killing 22 police and wounding 15, officials said on Tuesday, as militants killed eight soldiers in the west in a growing insurgency.

Government forces killed 45 insurgents and wounded 35 and none of the police checkpoints was captured in the overnight attacks, officials said.

&ldquo;Our forces resisted until they received reinforcements and air support,&rdquo; said Zia Durrani, spokesman for Kandahar&rsquo;s police chief. &ldquo;The Taliban were defeated.&rdquo;

The Taliban told reporters by WhatsApp that they killed 43 police and members of a militia and destroyed 13 armoured vehicles.

The insurgents often exaggerate battlefield casualties.

The Taliban, fighting to restore Islamic rule after their 2001 ouster by U.S.-led troops, also attacked Bala Boluk, in the western province of Farah, on Tuesday, killing eight soldiers and wounding three, according to the provincial government.

The government&rsquo;s control or influence over the country has fallen to just under 60 percent, down six percentage points from last year, according to the United States&rsquo; Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

The government?s control or influence over the country has fallen to just under 60 percent, according to the United States? Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

The Afghan Taliban attacked more than a dozen checkpoints over six hours in the southern province of Kandahar, killing 22 police and wounding 15, officials said on Tuesday, as militants killed eight soldiers in the west in a growing insurgency. Government forces killed 45 insurgents and wounded 35 and none of the police checkpoints was captured in the overnight attacks, officials said. “Our forces resisted until they received reinforcements and air support,” said Zia Durrani, spokesman for Kandahar’s police chief. “The Taliban were defeated.” The Taliban told reporters by WhatsApp that they killed 43 police and members of a militia and destroyed 13 armoured vehicles. The insurgents often exaggerate battlefield casualties. The Taliban, fighting to restore Islamic rule after their 2001 ouster by U.S.-led troops, also attacked Bala Boluk, in the western province of Farah, on Tuesday, killing eight soldiers and wounding three, according to the provincial government. The government’s control or influence over the country has fallen to just under 60 percent, down six percentage points from last year, according to the United States’ Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

Taliban attacks checkpoints in Afghanistan, 22 cops killed

Rescue operations have ended in areas of Iran hit by a powerful weekend earthquake that killed at least 450 people and injured thousands, state television reported on Tuesday, as many survivors, in need of food and water, battled the cold.

Sunday&rsquo;s 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck villages and towns in the mountainous area of Kermanshah province that borders Iraq while many people were at home asleep. At least 14 provinces in Iran were affected.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived in the morning in the earthquake-stricken area in Kermanshah and promised that the government &ldquo;will use all its power to resolve the problems in the shortest time&rdquo;.

State television said thousands were huddling in makeshift camps while many others spent the second night in the open for fear of more tremors after some 193 aftershocks.

A homeless young woman in Sarpol-e Zahab, one of the hardest-hit towns, told state TV that her family was exposed to the night cold because of lack of tents.

&ldquo;We need help. We need everything. The authorities should speed up their help,&rdquo; she said.

Television showed footage of rescue workers frantically combing through the rubble of dozens of villages immediately after the quake. But Iranian officials said the chances of finding any more survivors were extremely low.

&ldquo;The rescue operations in Kermanshah province have ended,&rdquo; Pir-Hossein Kolivand, head of Iran&rsquo;s Emergency Medical Services, said on state TV.

Iran&rsquo;s top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, offered his condolences on Monday and called on government agencies to do all they could to help.

Iranian police, the elite Revolutionary Guards and its affiliated Basij militia forces were dispatched to affected areas on Sunday night.

BITTER COLD

Hospitals in nearby provinces took in many of the injured, state television said, airing footage of survivors waiting to be treated. Hundreds of critically injured people were dispatched to hospitals in Tehran.

Iran&rsquo;s Red Crescent said emergency shelter had been provided for thousands of homeless people, but a lack of water, electricity, as well as blocked roads in some areas, hindered aid supply efforts.

Local authorities said traffic chaos on roads, caused by people from nearby provinces who were rushing to help, further hampered the flow of aid.

&ldquo;People in some villages are still in dire need of food, water, and shelter,&rdquo; governor of Qasr-e Shirin Faramarz Akbari told state television.

More than 30,000 houses in the area were damaged and at least two villages were completely destroyed, Iranian authorities said.

Houses in Iranian villages are often made of concrete blocks or mud brick that can crumble and collapse in a strong quake. Some people are angry that among the collapsed buildings were houses that the government has built in recent years under its affordable housing programme.

Photographs posted on Iranian news websites showed rescue workers digging people out of collapsed buildings, cars smashed beneath rubble and rescue dogs trying to find signs of life under the twisted remains of collapsed buildings.

&ldquo;More people will die because of cold. My family lives in a village near Sarpol-e Zahab. I cannot even go there. I don&rsquo;t know whether they are dead or alive,&rdquo; Rojan Meshkat, 38, in the Kurdish city of Sanandaj told Reuters by telephone.

Iran is crisscrossed by major fault lines and has suffered several devastating earthquakes in recent years, including a 6.6 magnitude quake in 2003 that reduced the historic southeastern city of Bam to dust and killed some 31,000 people.

The quake, centred in Penjwin in Iraq&rsquo;s Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region, killed at least six people in Iraq and injured more than 68. In northern Iraq&rsquo;s Kurdish districts, seven were killed and 325 wounded.

State television said thousands were huddling in makeshift camps while many others spent the second night in the open for fear of more tremors after some 193 aftershocks

Rescue operations have ended in areas of Iran hit by a powerful weekend earthquake that killed at least 450 people and injured thousands, state television reported on Tuesday, as many survivors, in need of food and water, battled the cold. Sunday’s 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck villages and towns in the mountainous area of Kermanshah province that borders Iraq while many people were at home asleep. At least 14 provinces in Iran were affected. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived in the morning in the earthquake-stricken area in Kermanshah and promised that the government “will use all its power to resolve the problems in the shortest time”. State television said thousands were huddling in makeshift camps while many others spent the second night in the open for fear of more tremors after some 193 aftershocks. A homeless young woman in Sarpol-e Zahab, one of the hardest-hit towns, told state TV that her family was exposed to the night cold because of lack of tents. “We need help. We need everything. The authorities should speed up their help,” she said. Television showed footage of rescue workers frantically combing through the rubble of dozens of villages immediately after the quake. But Iranian officials said the chances of finding any more survivors were extremely low. “The rescue operations in Kermanshah province have ended,” Pir-Hossein Kolivand, head of Iran’s Emergency Medical Services, said on state TV. Iran’s top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, offered his condolences on Monday and called on government agencies to do all they could to help. Iranian police, the elite Revolutionary Guards and its affiliated Basij militia forces were dispatched to affected areas on Sunday night. BITTER COLD Hospitals in nearby provinces took in many of the injured, state television said, airing footage of survivors waiting to be treated. Hundreds of critically injured people were dispatched to hospitals in Tehran. Iran’s Red Crescent said emergency shelter had been provided for thousands of homeless people, but a lack of water, electricity, as well as blocked roads in some areas, hindered aid supply efforts. Local authorities said traffic chaos on roads, caused by people from nearby provinces who were rushing to help, further hampered the flow of aid. “People in some villages are still in dire need of food, water, and shelter,” governor of Qasr-e Shirin Faramarz Akbari told state television. More than 30,000 houses in the area were damaged and at least two villages were completely destroyed, Iranian authorities said. Houses in Iranian villages are often made of concrete blocks or mud brick that can crumble and collapse in a strong quake. Some people are angry that among the collapsed buildings were houses that the government has built in recent years under its affordable housing programme. Photographs posted on Iranian news websites showed rescue workers digging people out of collapsed buildings, cars smashed beneath rubble and rescue dogs trying to find signs of life under the twisted remains of collapsed buildings. “More people will die because of cold. My family lives in a village near Sarpol-e Zahab. I cannot even go there. I don’t know whether they are dead or alive,” Rojan Meshkat, 38, in the Kurdish city of Sanandaj told Reuters by telephone. Iran is crisscrossed by major fault lines and has suffered several devastating earthquakes in recent years, including a 6.6 magnitude quake in 2003 that reduced the historic southeastern city of Bam to dust and killed some 31,000 people. The quake, centred in Penjwin in Iraq’s Sulaimaniyah province in the Kurdistan region, killed at least six people in Iraq and injured more than 68. In northern Iraq’s Kurdish districts, seven were killed and 325 wounded.

Iran earthquake: Rescue operations end, several still in makeshift camps

Nine labourers fell to their deaths from the 13th floor of a residential tower block under construction in western India on Friday after a concrete slab collapsed, an official said. 
 
Four other construction workers were injured in the accident in the city of Pune, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) from India&#39;s financial capital Mumbai. 
 
&quot;Nine workers fell to their death from the 13th floor after the slab collapsed at about 11 am (0530 GMT),&quot; National Disaster Response Force official Sachidanand Gawde told AFP. 
 
Pune police said they had launched an investigation into the incident. Deadly accidents at building sites are relatively common in India and are often blamed on a lack of safety measures. 
 
(AFP)

Four other workers were injured as a concrete slab collapsed

Nine labourers fell to their deaths from the 13th floor of a residential tower block under construction in western India on Friday after a concrete slab collapsed, an official said. Four other construction workers were injured in the accident in the city of Pune, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) from India's financial capital Mumbai. "Nine workers fell to their death from the 13th floor after the slab collapsed at about 11 am (0530 GMT)," National Disaster Response Force official Sachidanand Gawde told AFP. Pune police said they had launched an investigation into the incident. Deadly accidents at building sites are relatively common in India and are often blamed on a lack of safety measures. (AFP)

Nine construction workers die on site in India

One more youth was killed today in a clash between a stone-pelting mob and security forces in Kashmir, raising the toll in the five-day unrest to 35, even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed &quot;great sadness and sorrow&quot; over the deaths and promised a &quot;healing touch&quot;. 
Shattering the peace during most of the day, clashes erupted this evening at Harnag in Koimoh with a group of youth pelting stones on passing vehicles of security forces. 
In retaliatory action by the security forces, one youth was injured, officials said, adding he succumbed while being shifted to hospital. This raised the toll during the five-day unrest to 35. 
As soon as the news of death of the youth spread, angry protesters set ablaze a forest hut at Khannabal in Anantnag district town, the officials said. 
In another incident, a youth was injured when security forces opened fire at Koil in Pulwama district to disperse a mob which was pelting stones at an Indian Air Force base, the officials said. 
They said Reyaz Ahmad Padder was admitted to District Hospital Pulwama where his situation is stated to be stable. 
Earlier, barring some incidents of stone-pelting, Kashmir was relatively calm through the day as curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, restrictions were in place on movement of people in the rest of the Valley. 
A police spokesman said barring &quot;some incidents&quot; of stone pelting at various places, the situation &quot;remained under control&quot; in the valley. 
The stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Khudwani, Kulgam, Iman Sahib, Shopian and Kakpora in south Kashmir, Kralpora, Kupwara, Trehgam, Langate, Lalpora, Putkha Sopore and Main Chowk Sopore in north Kashmir, he said. 
Reaching out to people, Mehbooba sought their &quot;support in pulling J&amp;K out of the vortex of violence and bloodshed.&quot; 
She said she needs people&#39;s support in realising the dream of a politically-emancipated, economically self-reliant and socially secure Jammu and Kashmir. 
&quot;The 27-year-long violence has left deep wounds in almost each home here and we have to jointly safeguard our state and our people from further bloodshed and destruction,&quot; she said after paying homage to the martyrs of 1931 at the Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar area of downtown Srinagar. 
Commenting on the current unrest, Mehbooba said, &quot;My heart is overwhelmed with great sadness and sorrow as a result of the killings in the latest spate of violence in Kashmir.&quot; 
Asserting that &quot;I won&#39;t let the people down, despite facing a challenging task&quot;, she said, &quot;While my government&#39;s immediate priority would be to reach out to the affected families with a healing touch, in the long run a concerted effort shall have to be launched to make peace and stability a reality in J&amp;K, with youth being the focus of the government&#39;s welfare initiatives.&quot;&nbsp; 
Urging people not to &quot;play with peace&quot;, the Chief Minister asked them not to fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace in the state. 
&quot;I think the biggest tribute to them would be to protect that peace and not fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace here,&quot; said Mehbooba who was accompanied by some of her Cabinet colleagues, legislators, party functionaries and top officers of the civil and police administration. 
According to the latest figures available, most deaths over the last four days have taken place in Anantnag district (16) followed by Kulgam (eight), Shopian (five), Pulwama (three), Srinagar and Kupwara (one each). 
Meanwhile, militants fired at the vehicle of a Sub Divisional Police Officer in Shopian district but he escaped unhurt, police said. 
Normal life remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today due to the shutdown called by separatist groups to protest the civilian killings in the clashes with security forces. The separatists today extended the shutdown by two more days till July 15. 
Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads due to the strike. 
Mobile Internet and train services remained suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area following the death of a youth during protests yesterday. Mobile telephony is partially suspended in south Kashmir&#39;s four districts. 
Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained by police after they tried to defy restrictions and lead a march to Martyrs graveyard in downtown Srinagar. 
Geelani, who was under house arrest, was detained by the police on the airport road outside his residence in uptown Hyderpora after he defied restrictions and tried to take out a march to commemorate the 85th anniversary of those who laid down their lives fighting the Aristocratic rule in the state in 1931. 
Police also detained Mirwaiz, who was under house arrest, after he defied the restrictions and came out of his Nigeen residence to lead a march to the Martyrs graveyard. 
Mirwaiz climbed the main gate of his residence as a heavy deployment of police had barricaded the gate and did not open it, a spokesman of the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat said. 
 
(PTI)

Total toll reaches 35. Another youth is injured after security forces open fire to disperse a mob pelting stones at an air force base

One more youth was killed today in a clash between a stone-pelting mob and security forces in Kashmir, raising the toll in the five-day unrest to 35, even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed "great sadness and sorrow" over the deaths and promised a "healing touch". Shattering the peace during most of the day, clashes erupted this evening at Harnag in Koimoh with a group of youth pelting stones on passing vehicles of security forces. In retaliatory action by the security forces, one youth was injured, officials said, adding he succumbed while being shifted to hospital. This raised the toll during the five-day unrest to 35. As soon as the news of death of the youth spread, angry protesters set ablaze a forest hut at Khannabal in Anantnag district town, the officials said. In another incident, a youth was injured when security forces opened fire at Koil in Pulwama district to disperse a mob which was pelting stones at an Indian Air Force base, the officials said. They said Reyaz Ahmad Padder was admitted to District Hospital Pulwama where his situation is stated to be stable. Earlier, barring some incidents of stone-pelting, Kashmir was relatively calm through the day as curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, restrictions were in place on movement of people in the rest of the Valley. A police spokesman said barring "some incidents" of stone pelting at various places, the situation "remained under control" in the valley. The stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Khudwani, Kulgam, Iman Sahib, Shopian and Kakpora in south Kashmir, Kralpora, Kupwara, Trehgam, Langate, Lalpora, Putkha Sopore and Main Chowk Sopore in north Kashmir, he said. Reaching out to people, Mehbooba sought their "support in pulling J&K out of the vortex of violence and bloodshed." She said she needs people's support in realising the dream of a politically-emancipated, economically self-reliant and socially secure Jammu and Kashmir. "The 27-year-long violence has left deep wounds in almost each home here and we have to jointly safeguard our state and our people from further bloodshed and destruction," she said after paying homage to the martyrs of 1931 at the Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar area of downtown Srinagar. Commenting on the current unrest, Mehbooba said, "My heart is overwhelmed with great sadness and sorrow as a result of the killings in the latest spate of violence in Kashmir." Asserting that "I won't let the people down, despite facing a challenging task", she said, "While my government's immediate priority would be to reach out to the affected families with a healing touch, in the long run a concerted effort shall have to be launched to make peace and stability a reality in J&K, with youth being the focus of the government's welfare initiatives." Urging people not to "play with peace", the Chief Minister asked them not to fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace in the state. "I think the biggest tribute to them would be to protect that peace and not fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace here," said Mehbooba who was accompanied by some of her Cabinet colleagues, legislators, party functionaries and top officers of the civil and police administration. According to the latest figures available, most deaths over the last four days have taken place in Anantnag district (16) followed by Kulgam (eight), Shopian (five), Pulwama (three), Srinagar and Kupwara (one each). Meanwhile, militants fired at the vehicle of a Sub Divisional Police Officer in Shopian district but he escaped unhurt, police said. Normal life remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today due to the shutdown called by separatist groups to protest the civilian killings in the clashes with security forces. The separatists today extended the shutdown by two more days till July 15. Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads due to the strike. Mobile Internet and train services remained suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area following the death of a youth during protests yesterday. Mobile telephony is partially suspended in south Kashmir's four districts. Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained by police after they tried to defy restrictions and lead a march to Martyrs graveyard in downtown Srinagar. Geelani, who was under house arrest, was detained by the police on the airport road outside his residence in uptown Hyderpora after he defied restrictions and tried to take out a march to commemorate the 85th anniversary of those who laid down their lives fighting the Aristocratic rule in the state in 1931. Police also detained Mirwaiz, who was under house arrest, after he defied the restrictions and came out of his Nigeen residence to lead a march to the Martyrs graveyard. Mirwaiz climbed the main gate of his residence as a heavy deployment of police had barricaded the gate and did not open it, a spokesman of the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat said. (PTI)

While CM talks of 'healing touch', one more youth killed in Kashmir

At least 24 people were injured in an explosion on a train in Taiwan&#39;s capital late Thursday, in an incident described by the island&#39;s premier as &quot;malicious&quot;. 
 
The blast at around 10 pm (1400 GMT) caused a small fire and plunged the carriage into darkness as the train was pulling into a station in Taipei. 
 
&quot;It looks like somebody did this with a malicious intent and we will fully investigate this case,&quot; Taiwan&#39;s premier Lin Chuan told reporters. 
 
Local media quoted eyewitnesses saying they had seen a man carry a black rectangle-shaped object onto the train.&nbsp;Police were reviewing surveillance footage to try and identify the man, but also said that they had not received any threats prior to the incident. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s something like a firecracker that exploded ... I saw a rectangle-shaped firecracker on the seat. We will explain more after the forensics team inspect (the scene),&quot; said National Police Agency chief Chen Kuo-en. 
 
Television footage showed emergency workers treating injured passengers outside the train station, most of them suffering from burns. 
 
&quot;There was a blast and the carriage went dark. People were panicking and screaming,&quot; one passenger told a local news channel.&nbsp;&quot;I saw fire from the lights and I heard a sound and my hair was on fire,&quot; another woman said. 
 
Images from inside the train carriage showed shattered glass on the floor and part of a side wall blackened by flames.&nbsp;&quot;I want to tell the public to rest assured, as we have heightened the alert for the security of public areas and transport systems,&quot; premier Lin told reporters after he had visited the injured in hospital. 
 
The government set up an emergency taskforce to investigate the cause and a police probe is underway, his office also said in a statement.&nbsp;In 2014 a college student killed four people in a stabbing sprees on the Taipei metro, shocking the island and prompting a security overhaul of the city&#39;s public transport systems. 
 
(AFP)

It looks like somebody did this with a malicious intent and we will fully investigate this case: Taiwan's premier, Lin Chuan

At least 24 people were injured in an explosion on a train in Taiwan's capital late Thursday, in an incident described by the island's premier as "malicious". The blast at around 10 pm (1400 GMT) caused a small fire and plunged the carriage into darkness as the train was pulling into a station in Taipei. "It looks like somebody did this with a malicious intent and we will fully investigate this case," Taiwan's premier Lin Chuan told reporters. Local media quoted eyewitnesses saying they had seen a man carry a black rectangle-shaped object onto the train. Police were reviewing surveillance footage to try and identify the man, but also said that they had not received any threats prior to the incident. "It's something like a firecracker that exploded ... I saw a rectangle-shaped firecracker on the seat. We will explain more after the forensics team inspect (the scene)," said National Police Agency chief Chen Kuo-en. Television footage showed emergency workers treating injured passengers outside the train station, most of them suffering from burns. "There was a blast and the carriage went dark. People were panicking and screaming," one passenger told a local news channel. "I saw fire from the lights and I heard a sound and my hair was on fire," another woman said. Images from inside the train carriage showed shattered glass on the floor and part of a side wall blackened by flames. "I want to tell the public to rest assured, as we have heightened the alert for the security of public areas and transport systems," premier Lin told reporters after he had visited the injured in hospital. The government set up an emergency taskforce to investigate the cause and a police probe is underway, his office also said in a statement. In 2014 a college student killed four people in a stabbing sprees on the Taipei metro, shocking the island and prompting a security overhaul of the city's public transport systems. (AFP)

Explosion on Taiwan train, at least 24 injured

Nearly 120 people were killed and 200 wounded in two bombings overnight in Baghdad, most of them in a busy shopping area as residents celebrated Ramzan, police and medical sources said on Sunday. 
 
The attack on the shopping area of Karrada is the deadliest since US-backed Iraqi forces last month scored a major victory when it dislodged Islamic State from their stronghold of Fallujah, an hour&#39;s drive West of the capital. It is also the deadliest so far this year. 
 
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had ordered the offensive after a series of deadly bombings in Baghdad, saying Fallujah served as a launchpad for such attacks on the capital. However, bombings have continued.&nbsp; 
 
A convoy carrying Abadi who had come to tour the site of the bombings was pelted with stones and bottles by residents, angry at what they felt were false promises of better security.&nbsp; 
 
A refrigerator truck packed with explosives blew up in the central district of Karrada, killing 115 people and injuring at least 200. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement circulated online by supporters of the ultra-hard line Sunni group. It said the blast was a suicide bombing. 
 
Karrada was busy at the time as Iraqis eat out and shop late during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends next week with the Eid al-Fitr festival.&nbsp; 
 
Videos posted on social media showed people running after the SUV convoy of Abadi as he departed Karrada after touring the scene, throwing pavement stones, bottles of water, empty buckets and slippers, venting their anger at the inability of the security forces to protect the area. 
 
Another video posted on social media showed a large blaze in the main street of Karrada, a largely Shi`ite district with a small Christian community and a few Sunni mosques. 
 
Reuters TV footage taken in the morning showed at least four buildings severely damaged or partly collapsed, including a shopping mall believed to be the target, and gutted cars scattered all around.&nbsp; 
 
The toll climbed during the day as rescuers pulled out more bodies from under the rubble and people succumbed from their injuries. 
Comments posted on social media accused security forces of continuing to use fake bomb detectors at checkpoints filtering traffic in Baghdad, five years after the scandal broke out about a device commonly known as the `magic wand`. 
 
A police officer in Baghdad confirmed these hand-held ADE 651 detectors were still in use. They were sold to Iraq and other nations by a British businessman who was jailed for 10 years in 2013 in the United Kingdom for endangering lives for profit. 
 
AL SHAAB ATTACK 
In a second attack, a roadside explosive device also blew up around midnight in a market in al-Shaab, a Shi&#39;ite district in the North of the capital, killing at least two people, police and medical sources said. 
 
Iraqi forces on June 26 declared the defeat of IS militants in Fallujah, a historic bastion of Sunni insurgency, following a month of fighting. 
 
Now the militants were &quot;trying to compensate for their humiliating defeat in Falluja,&quot; said Jasim al-Bahadli, a former army officer and security analyst in Baghdad. 
 
&quot;It was a mistake for the government to think that the source of the bombings was restricted to just one area,&quot; he said. &quot;There are sleeper cells that operate independently from each other.&quot; 
 
Fallujah was the first Iraqi city to fall to Islamic State in January 2014. Abadi said the next target of the Iraqi forces is Mosul, the de facto capital of the militants and the largest city under their control in both Iraq and Syria. 
 
(Reuters) 
 
 
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The suicide car bombing and roadside explosion also injured almost 200. Islamic State claimed responsibility

Nearly 120 people were killed and 200 wounded in two bombings overnight in Baghdad, most of them in a busy shopping area as residents celebrated Ramzan, police and medical sources said on Sunday. The attack on the shopping area of Karrada is the deadliest since US-backed Iraqi forces last month scored a major victory when it dislodged Islamic State from their stronghold of Fallujah, an hour's drive West of the capital. It is also the deadliest so far this year. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had ordered the offensive after a series of deadly bombings in Baghdad, saying Fallujah served as a launchpad for such attacks on the capital. However, bombings have continued. A convoy carrying Abadi who had come to tour the site of the bombings was pelted with stones and bottles by residents, angry at what they felt were false promises of better security. A refrigerator truck packed with explosives blew up in the central district of Karrada, killing 115 people and injuring at least 200. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement circulated online by supporters of the ultra-hard line Sunni group. It said the blast was a suicide bombing. Karrada was busy at the time as Iraqis eat out and shop late during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends next week with the Eid al-Fitr festival. Videos posted on social media showed people running after the SUV convoy of Abadi as he departed Karrada after touring the scene, throwing pavement stones, bottles of water, empty buckets and slippers, venting their anger at the inability of the security forces to protect the area. Another video posted on social media showed a large blaze in the main street of Karrada, a largely Shi`ite district with a small Christian community and a few Sunni mosques. Reuters TV footage taken in the morning showed at least four buildings severely damaged or partly collapsed, including a shopping mall believed to be the target, and gutted cars scattered all around. The toll climbed during the day as rescuers pulled out more bodies from under the rubble and people succumbed from their injuries. Comments posted on social media accused security forces of continuing to use fake bomb detectors at checkpoints filtering traffic in Baghdad, five years after the scandal broke out about a device commonly known as the `magic wand`. A police officer in Baghdad confirmed these hand-held ADE 651 detectors were still in use. They were sold to Iraq and other nations by a British businessman who was jailed for 10 years in 2013 in the United Kingdom for endangering lives for profit. AL SHAAB ATTACK In a second attack, a roadside explosive device also blew up around midnight in a market in al-Shaab, a Shi'ite district in the North of the capital, killing at least two people, police and medical sources said. Iraqi forces on June 26 declared the defeat of IS militants in Fallujah, a historic bastion of Sunni insurgency, following a month of fighting. Now the militants were "trying to compensate for their humiliating defeat in Falluja," said Jasim al-Bahadli, a former army officer and security analyst in Baghdad. "It was a mistake for the government to think that the source of the bombings was restricted to just one area," he said. "There are sleeper cells that operate independently from each other." Fallujah was the first Iraqi city to fall to Islamic State in January 2014. Abadi said the next target of the Iraqi forces is Mosul, the de facto capital of the militants and the largest city under their control in both Iraq and Syria. (Reuters)

Death toll in Baghdad twin bombing rises to 120

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