Aden At least 48 Yemeni soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber in the latest attack aimed at military recruits. Yemeni officials said that 84 people were injured in the bombing, which happened as a crowd of servicemen gathered to collect their salaries near a base in the city of Aden. The bomber “took advantage of the gathering and detonated his explosives”, according to Colonel Nasser Sarea. Isis claimed responsibility, saying in a statement that a “martyrdom seeker” had got through security checkpoints before blowing himself up. The attack comes eight days after a similar bombing in Aden claimed by Isis killed 48 soldiers. (AFP)
Maduro reform U-turn
Caracas President Maduro of Venezuela has been forced into a U-turn over a currency reform after four deaths in rioting at the weekend. He said that the 100 bolivar note, the highest denomination, would remain legal tender until January 2, despite having declared that it would be taken out of circulation. The borders with Colombia and Brazil would remain closed to combat currency “mafias”.
Indonesia plane crash
Jayapura City An Indonesian military transport plane crashed in bad weather, killing all 13 people on board. The Hercules C-130 was minutes away from a scheduled landing in Wamena, in the province of Papua. Low cloud in the mountainous Jayawijaya region was believed to be a factor. “The tower in Wamena spotted the plane but it was not certain that the plane saw the runway,” an air force official said. (Reuters)
Union protest march
Madrid Several thousand workers took to the streets to protest against the conservative government’s labour reforms and cuts in public spending. Spain’s two main trade unions, UGT and CCOO, organised the march in the capital, which followed more than 60 protests in recent days across the country. The march was backed by the leaders of Spain’s Socialist Party and the far-left Podemos party. (AP)
Seven killed in siege
Amman Gunmen killed seven people including four police officers and a Canadian tourist in Karak, a popular tourist destination in southern Jordan that has one of the biggest Crusader castles in the region. Police freed ten people who had been taken hostage in the castle, from which shots had been fired at security personnel. Local reports suggested that more hostages were being held. (Reuters)
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Carry on screening
Ismalabad Cinemas in Pakistan will start showing Indian films again after a two-month boycott in protest against the conflict in Kashmir. Tension has risen in the divided Himalayan territory claimed by both countries but, in spite of that, Pakistanis are big fans of Bollywood films. The Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association said that its boycott followed a similar move by the Indian film industry. (AP)