Globe Trotting

10 killed as typhoon lashes Philippines

Manila: Ten people were killed while thousands fled to higher ground as powerful typhoon Goni brought torrential rains to the northern Philippines, triggering landslides and floods, officials said on Saturday. 

two UN peacekeepers hurt in Mali mine blast

Bamako: Two United Nations peacekeepers were seriously injured on Saturday when their vehicle triggered a landmine in northern Mali. MINUSMA, the UN’s peacekeeping mission in the volatile west African nation, said the vehicle, part of a logistics convoy, hit the explosive device some 70 kilometres (40 miles) east of the small town of Ansongo.

Italy rescuing migrants, 18 boats in trouble

Rome: Italy’s coastguard said on Saturday it was coordinating the rescue of up to 3,000 migrants from waters off libya after receiving SOS calls from 18 different crowded vessels. At least seven boats — six Italian and one from Norway — were involved in an operation to get the migrants safely off 14 rubber dinghies and four other vessels carrying an estimated total of between 2,000 and 3,000 people.

20 civilians dead near Damascus

Beirut: Shelling and air raids by Syrian Government forces killed at least 20 civilians and wounded or trapped 200 on Saturday in rebel-held Douma east of Damascus, a monitoring group said. “At least 20 civilians were killed in the heavy shelling and air attacks since this morning on Douma,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

China has become 2nd home for Yoga

Beijing: Over 1,000 yoga enthusiasts in China participated in the third international yoga conference held on Saturday, prompting India’s envoy to call the Communist country a second home for the ancient physical and spiritual discipline. large number of Yoga lovers took part in 2015 China International Yoga and Naturopathy Conference, which is an invaluable gift from ancient Indian tradition, said 

Ashok K Kantha, Indian ambassador to China.