news los angeles timess: report

Showing posts with label report. Show all posts

Friday, 27 December 2013

Report: Explosion at Egyptian government building

A man takes photographs at the site of a powerful car bomb explosion in Mansura, Egypt, on December 24, 2013.The acting PM calls Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group but stops short of blaming itTwo blasts hit an Interior Ministry building in MansouraBlasts come as nation prepares for a referendum on a new constitutionMore than 130 people were injured, media reports

(CNN) -- At least 12 people were killed and more than 130 injured Tuesday when two explosions hit an Interior Ministry building in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, Egyptian media reported.

Previously, the semi-official Al Ahram news agency reported 14 dead, citing the country's Health Ministry. It was not immediately clear why the death toll was lowered.

Among the people injured is the head of the security directorate of Dakahlia governorate, state-news agency MENA said, citing Health Ministry officials. Part of the building collapsed after the explosion, MENA said.

One blast occurred on one of the top floors of the building and was followed by a car bomb, MENA reported.

Egypt's interim Prime Minister Hazem al Beblawi called it a terrorist incident and said the perpetrators will not go unpunished.

Without directly blaming the Muslim Brotherhood, the party that backs ousted President Mohamed Morsy, he called that party a terrorist group in his statement to the nation.

The Muslim Brotherhood tweeted Tuesday that it "strongly condemn(ed) the cowardly bombing in #Mansoura & express deep condolences to families of the victims #Egypt."

An Egyptian court in September ordered a ban on activities by the Muslim Brotherhood and froze its finances, in a move that diminished its political power.

Witness: Heavy damage at the site

Ahmed El Shabrawy was at his home when he heard a loud blast. He told CNN it took him five minutes to run to the building where he saw a man pulled by other residents from the rubble of the building. He estimated that dozens of cars were damaged, and there was a large area around one of the blast sites were there was "heavy material damage."

At least 10 ambulances had responded to the scene, he said. So many people rushed to a blood donation center that workers had to turn people away, he added.

CNN first learned of the blasts from Twitter.

Upcoming vote on proposed constitution

The blasts come in the lead-up to Egypt's referendum on a new constitution, which will be held January 14 and 15.

The draft constitution would ban religious parties and put more power in the hands of the military.

A military coup in July unseated Morsy, who was democratically elected.

Since then there have been almost daily protests, some of which have ended in violence and other bombings, such as one on December 12 when 20 police recruits were injured in a car bomb attack.

On Sunday, Ansar Jerusalem, a self-proclaimed jihadist group responsible for several terrorist attacks, mainly in the Sinai Peninsula, issued an online statement calling on army and police members to quit.

"With your staying in these institutions from evening to morning, you are incurring the anger of Allah," the statement said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for Tuesday's bombing.

Morsy, an Islamist leader, has endured a series of legal troubles.

He and 132 others will face trial for escaping from prison in 2011, state media reported Saturday.

Morsy will be tried along with members of the Muslim Brotherhood and Palestinian Hamas, al Ahram reported.

He is also charged with raiding other prisons, and killing soldiers and officers in Rafah, it said.

He has been in custody since his ouster.

CNN's Saad Abedine contributed to this report.

/* push in config for this share instance */cnn_shareconfig.push({"id" : "cnn_sharebar2","url" : "http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/23/world/africa/egypt-explosion/index.html","title" : "Report: At least 12 killed in explosions at Egyptian government building"});

December 26, 2013 -- Updated 0853 GMT (1653 HKT)

By the early 2020s, we will have the means to program our biology away from disease and aging and print our own organs. December 26, 2013 -- Updated 1221 GMT (2021 HKT)

The Pope's message on Christmas focused on the poor and the forgotten. CNN's Erin McLaughlin reportsDecember 26, 2013 -- Updated 0716 GMT (1516 HKT)

CNN Travel reveals its top destinations for 2014. Plus, the most beautiful place you've probably never heard of. December 22, 2013 -- Updated 1727 GMT (0127 HKT)

Who could've ever predicted that 140 characters could screw up so many people's lives? December 24, 2013 -- Updated 2232 GMT (0632 HKT)

Two weeks ago, South Sudan was best known as the youngest African country. Today, it is possibly the next Rwanda.December 26, 2013 -- Updated 0944 GMT (1744 HKT)

The mood at the 120th anniversary of Chairman Mao Zedong's birthday is relatively muted, by Chinese standards.June 12, 2013 -- Updated 1052 GMT (1852 HKT)

At just 21 years old, Yityish Aynaw has gone on a remarkable journey from a little girl playing barefoot in a village to an Israeli beauty queen.December 25, 2013 -- Updated 2128 GMT (0528 HKT)

Photographers worldwide captured memorable moments throughout the year. Click through the gallery to see 2013 unfold.December 25, 2013 -- Updated 1604 GMT (0004 HKT)

Here are some starter tips to make the most of your new device, whether it's an iPad Mini, Nexus 5 smartphone or Kindle Fire HDX. December 24, 2013 -- Updated 1747 GMT (0147 HKT)

Something was different in 2013. This year, it was individuals who created the most unexpected or dramatic events.December 25, 2013 -- Updated 1813 GMT (0213 HKT)

Browse through images you don't always see in news reports, taken by CNN teams all around the world.December 26, 2013 -- Updated 1234 GMT (2034 HKT)

Each day, CNN brings you an image capturing a moment to remember. Look back at the photographs that chronicled 2013.

Today's five most popular stories More

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Report: 8 dead in suicide bomber attacks near Benghazi

A burnt-out vehicle is seen at the scene of a suicide bomber attack on December 22 outside Benghazi.Three days of mourning to mark first suicide attack since Gadhafi regime's fall Most of the dead were soldiers and members of security forces, government saysNo one has claimed responsibility; residents have protested rising Islamist violence

(CNN) -- The Libyan government on Sunday declared a three-day national mourning period after the country's first suicide bombing since the fall of the Gadhafi regime more than two years ago.

At least 13 people were killed in the attack on a checkpoint leading to the eastern gates of Libya's second city, Benghazi, early Sunday, the government said.

Most of those killed were soldiers and members of the security forces, the government said. At least two others were still missing in the aftermath of what has been described as a powerful blast.

A security official told the state news agency LANA that a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into the Barsis checkpoint -- about 50 kilometers (30 miles) east of Benghazi -- killing and wounding security forces and civilians who were in the area.

The security situation in Benghazi has been worsening over recent months with a noticeable uptick in bombings and assassinations that have mostly targeted members of the security forces.

While no one has claimed responsibility for these attacks, many residents blame the violence on Islamist militants in the eastern region, and some of these groups have ties to al Qaeda.

People in Benghazi and the eastern city of Derna, angered by the increasing bloodshed, have recently taken to the streets protesting against extremist groups.

One group many have accused of being responsible for attacks on the security forces is Ansar al-Sharia, the same group the United States believes attacked its consulate in Benghazi last year, killing U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.

Ansar al-Sharia has denied involvement in the attack on the consulate and other acts of violence targeting security forces.

Last month fierce fighting erupted in Benghazi between soldiers from the army's special forces, who have been trying to secure the city, and members of Ansar al-Sharia. At least nine people were killed in the rare confrontation between security forces and militants.

The weak central government has been struggling to secure the country, especially the city of Benghazi where militants have attacked diplomatic missions forcing western countries to shut down their consulates.

The United States, the United Kingdom and other countries advise their nationals against traveling to Benghazi.

Earlier this month, an American teacher in the city was shot dead while jogging. No one has claimed responsibility for his killing.

As locals and security forces began confronting militants, analysts monitoring the violence trends in Benghazi have been concerned about an escalation in violence and shift in tactics used by these groups.

"This cowardly act is an attempt to obstruct the strenuous efforts made by members of the national army, with the Thunderbolt (special) forces at the forefront, to establish security and preserve the life of citizens in Benghazi," the government said in its statement.

Widow of American teacher forgives attackers who killed her husband in Libya

/* push in config for this share instance */cnn_shareconfig.push({"id" : "cnn_sharebar2","url" : "http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/22/world/africa/libya-blast/index.html","title" : "At least 13 dead in suicide attack on military post near Benghazi"});