news in brief

14 pro-govt fighters killed by ‘mistake’ in Yemen
AFP, MARIB, Yemen: At least 14 pro-government troops were killed when a Saudi-led coalition air raid targeted their position “by mistake”, tribal and military sources said Friday.
“The air force bombed a gathering of fighters in the region of Harib believing them to be Huthi rebels,” a military source said.  A tribal chief confirmed the overnight strike, saying that those killed appeared to be local tribesmen fighting on the side of the forces loyal to exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.
Harib is around 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of Marib, the capital of the central province.

IS claims attack on Tripoli airport, 3 killed
AFP, TRIPOLI: Militants attacked Tripoli’s airport on Friday and killed three security personnel, a Libyan official said, in an assault claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.
“An armed group carried out an attack this morning on the prison located on the Mitiga air base, to try to free the detainees,” the airport security official said. “First there was an explosion... and then a clash with automatic weapons,” he said, adding that at least eight attackers died.
An AFP journalist who was at the airport heard a blast followed by gunfire.
IS later claimed the attack on Twitter.
Flights were unaffected by the incident at what is the only airport still functioning in the militia-held city.

Scottish leader warns Cameron a year after vote
AFP, LONDON: Scotland’s First Minister on Friday warned that a united Britain was “on borrowed time” unless Prime Minister David Cameron devolved more powers to Edinburgh, on the first anniversary of a historic independence referendum.
Scottish voters decided to stay part of the United Kingdom by 55 percent to 45 percent on September 18 last year, but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told supporters that she would favour another referendum if polls showed renewed public demand.
“Only the people can decide if we will have another referendum,” the Scottish National Party (SNP) leader said in the anniversary address.
“Only the people can decide when that will be. And only the people can decide if Scotland will become independent.”

California wildfires death toll rises to five
AFP, LOS ANGELES: The death toll from monster wildfires raging in northern California has risen to five with the discovery of two new victims, authorities said on Thursday.
Both were killed in the so-called Valley fire, one of two giant blazes that have destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced thousands in the drought-stricken state.
Police located their remains while searching the burn zone with sniffer dogs on Wednesday morning.
“Human remains were located in the Hidden Valley area and the Anderson Springs area,” Steven Brooks, spokesman for the sheriff of Lake County, said in a statement.
The remains are presumed to be those of Bruce Beven Burns, reported missing on Tuesday, and Leonard Neft, who has been missing since Monday.
“Identification of the decedents is being withheld until positive identification can be made,” the statement added.

 

news in brief

14 pro-govt fighters killed by mistake in Yemen AFP, MARIB, Yemen: At least 14 pro-government troops were killed when a Saudi-led coalition air raid targeted their position by mistake, tribal and military sources said Friday. The air force bombed a gathering of fighters in the region of Harib believing them to be Huthi rebels, a military source said. A tribal chief confirmed the overnight strike, saying that those killed appeared to be local tribesmen fighting on the side of the forces loyal to exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. Harib is around 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of Marib, the capital of the central province. IS claims attack on Tripoli airport, 3 killed AFP, TRIPOLI: Militants attacked Tripolis airport on Friday and killed three security personnel, a Libyan official said, in an assault claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group. An armed group carried out an attack this morning on the prison located on the Mitiga air base, to try to free the detainees, the airport security official said. First there was an explosion... and then a clash with automatic weapons, he said, adding that at least eight attackers died. An AFP journalist who was at the airport heard a blast followed by gunfire. IS later claimed the attack on Twitter. Flights were unaffected by the incident at what is the only airport still functioning in the militia-held city. Scottish leader warns Cameron a year after vote AFP, LONDON: Scotlands First Minister on Friday warned that a united Britain was on borrowed time unless Prime Minister David Cameron devolved more powers to Edinburgh, on the first anniversary of a historic independence referendum. Scottish voters decided to stay part of the United Kingdom by 55 percent to 45 percent on September 18 last year, but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told supporters that she would favour another referendum if polls showed renewed public demand. Only the people can decide if we will have another referendum, the Scottish National Party (SNP) leader said in the anniversary address. Only the people can decide when that will be. And only the people can decide if Scotland will become independent. California wildfires death toll rises to five AFP, LOS ANGELES: The death toll from monster wildfires raging in northern California has risen to five with the discovery of two new victims, authorities said on Thursday. Both were killed in the so-called Valley fire, one of two giant blazes that have destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced thousands in the drought-stricken state. Police located their remains while searching the burn zone with sniffer dogs on Wednesday morning. Human remains were located in the Hidden Valley area and the Anderson Springs area, Steven Brooks, spokesman for the sheriff of Lake County, said in a statement. The remains are presumed to be those of Bruce Beven Burns, reported missing on Tuesday, and Leonard Neft, who has been missing since Monday. Identification of the decedents is being withheld until positive identification can be made, the statement added.