News In Brief

Yemen govt, rebels meet aboard UN ship
AFP, Dubai
The head of the UN mission in Yemen launched talks between the government and Huthi rebels aboard a boat in the Red Sea on Sunday aimed at shoring up a ceasefire, a government official said.
Retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert chaired the meeting aboard a UN vessel docked off the coast of the flashpoint city of Hodeida after the rebels refused to hold talks in government-held areas, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

China cracks down on CPC officials in Tibet
Agencies, Beijing
China’s ruling Commu­nist Party is cracking down on its officials who are taking part in religious activities violating party’s ideology of adhering to atheism and secretly maintaining contacts with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, branded as “separatist” by Beijing.
A video produced by the Tibetan provincial govt has revealed cases where local Communist Party of China (CPC) members violated the CPC regulations on religion, anti-separatism and anti-corrupt­ion, state-run Global Times rep­orted.

Indian train derails killing six
AFP, New Delhi
At least six passengers were killed and more than 20 injured Sunday after an express train derailed in eastern India’s Bihar state, officials said. Nine coaches of the Delhi-bound Seemanchal Express came off the tracks early Sunday near Sahadai Buzurg station, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) east of the state capital Patna. “Six people have died and nearly 24 have been injured,” Indian Railways spokesman Rajesh Kumar told AFP.

Bomb threat shuts Australia int’l
airport
AFP, Sydney
One of Australia’s busiest international airports was locked down after a man brandished a knife and made a bomb threat at a food court, prompting travellers to flee in panic, officials said Sunday.
Queensland state police said they evacuated Brisbane Airport’s international terminal late Saturday after finding a “suspicious device” when they responded to reports of the 50-year-old man, who spoke Arabic, threatening a woman.