Quake kills five
A magnitude 8.3 earthquake hit off the coast of Chile on Wednesday, shaking buildings in the capital city of Santiago and killing five people. The authorities assessed damage in several coastal towns that saw flooding from small tsunami waves set off by the shocks. Numerous aftershocks shook the region after the initial earthquake. President Michelle Bachelet urged people who evacuated from coastal areas to stay on high ground until the authorities could fully evaluate the situation.
Hungary's treatment of refugees unacceptable: UN
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the Hungarian government’s treatment of refugees on its southern border, arguing that the use of teargas, pepper spray and water cannon on people fleeing war and hardship is unacceptable. Hungary sparked outrage on Wednesday after firing gas canisters and spraying water at crowds of frustrated refugees who had briefly broken through a border gate to protest against being prevented from crossing from Serbia.
Saudi-led coalition pounds Yemen rebels
A Saudi-led coalition pounded Yemen's Shiite rebels on the outskirts of the city of Marib in its push to retake the capital Sanaa. The thud of artillery fire rumbled across the city Thursday but residents were unperturbed by the nearby fighting. Marib is the capital of the largely desert province of the same name. Authorities say the coalition is targeting Houthi positions near the key Marib dam and the town of Sirwah, about 40 kilometers west on the road to Sanaa. The provincial capital itself is under control of loyalists to exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.
Vietnam, India seek closer economic ties
A multi-sector delegation of 30 businesses from India met with executives of more than 100 Vietnamese companies in HCM City on Wednesday to explore business opportunities. The visiting companies operate in pharmaceuticals (both raw materials and finished products), engineering products and consultancies, plastics, chemicals, lubricants and agriculture biotech products. They are also involved in innovative nanotechnology products for roads, garments, raw materials for steel industry and knitwear. Vietnam's key exports to India include mobile phones and accessories, computers, electronic devices and accessories, rubber, black pepper, wood and wooden products.
Fire in Mecca hotel, 1,000 pilgrims evacuated
About 1,000 Asian pilgrims were evacuated early on Thursday as their hotel in the Saudi city of Mecca was hit by a fire that injured two people, the country's civil defence agency said. Firefighters rescued two pilgrims who were hurt by the fire in an eighth-floor room of the unidentified hotel. More than one million faithful have already arrived in Mecca for this year's hajj, which begins on Tuesday.
A magnitude 8.3 earthquake hit off the coast of Chile on Wednesday, shaking buildings in the capital city of Santiago and killing five people. The authorities assessed damage in several coastal towns that saw flooding from small tsunami waves set off by the shocks. Numerous aftershocks shook the region after the initial earthquake. President Michelle Bachelet urged people who evacuated from coastal areas to stay on high ground until the authorities could fully evaluate the situation.
Hungary's treatment of refugees unacceptable: UN
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the Hungarian government’s treatment of refugees on its southern border, arguing that the use of teargas, pepper spray and water cannon on people fleeing war and hardship is unacceptable. Hungary sparked outrage on Wednesday after firing gas canisters and spraying water at crowds of frustrated refugees who had briefly broken through a border gate to protest against being prevented from crossing from Serbia.
Saudi-led coalition pounds Yemen rebels
A Saudi-led coalition pounded Yemen's Shiite rebels on the outskirts of the city of Marib in its push to retake the capital Sanaa. The thud of artillery fire rumbled across the city Thursday but residents were unperturbed by the nearby fighting. Marib is the capital of the largely desert province of the same name. Authorities say the coalition is targeting Houthi positions near the key Marib dam and the town of Sirwah, about 40 kilometers west on the road to Sanaa. The provincial capital itself is under control of loyalists to exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.
Vietnam, India seek closer economic ties
A multi-sector delegation of 30 businesses from India met with executives of more than 100 Vietnamese companies in HCM City on Wednesday to explore business opportunities. The visiting companies operate in pharmaceuticals (both raw materials and finished products), engineering products and consultancies, plastics, chemicals, lubricants and agriculture biotech products. They are also involved in innovative nanotechnology products for roads, garments, raw materials for steel industry and knitwear. Vietnam's key exports to India include mobile phones and accessories, computers, electronic devices and accessories, rubber, black pepper, wood and wooden products.
Fire in Mecca hotel, 1,000 pilgrims evacuated
About 1,000 Asian pilgrims were evacuated early on Thursday as their hotel in the Saudi city of Mecca was hit by a fire that injured two people, the country's civil defence agency said. Firefighters rescued two pilgrims who were hurt by the fire in an eighth-floor room of the unidentified hotel. More than one million faithful have already arrived in Mecca for this year's hajj, which begins on Tuesday.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!