Yemen rebels launch missile attack

Yemen rebels launch missile attack

SANAA, Yemen

In the first such attack of the 10-week-old conflict in Yemen, Shiite Muslim rebels said they had launched three Scud missiles toward a large Saudi air base early Saturday. The Saudis acknowledged the firing of one missile, which they said was shot down.

The use of Scud missiles by the Houthi rebels – and U.S.-provided Patriot missiles to deflect them – marked a significant escalation of the conflict, in which more than 2,200 people in Yemen have been killed and about 1 million displaced, according to international estimates.

The episode comes as the United Nations struggles to bring the two sides together for talks that could begin next Sunday. Both sides appear to be seeking to shore up their gains in advance of any negotiations.

2 teens suspected in multistate spree

COLUMBUS

A teen couple from Ohio who authorities suspect in a crime spree spanning three states was apprehended in West Virginia after a police pursuit, investigators said Saturday.

The sheriff’s office in Wyandot County, Ohio, said the 16-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl were in the custody of West Virginia State Police. The two crashed a vehicle that had been stolen in Pennsylvania and fled on foot before they were caught, authorities said.

The teens, from the communities of Upper Sandusky and Sycamore, had been reported missing Monday. Family members had expressed fear for their safety.

Now, West Virginia and Pennsylvania state police are jointly investigating a series of crimes – including armed robbery, car theft and fleeing from police – that may be connected to the juveniles.

9 cops hurt in Kiev gay-march clash

KIEV, Ukraine

Opponents of a gay-rights march that took place Saturday in Ukraine’s capital threw smoke bombs and tear gas, and nine police officers were injured in the clash.

The Interior Ministry said 25 people were detained in the violence surrounding the march of an estimated 300 people. News reports said at least four of the marchers were injured.

One of the policemen was in serious condition with a shrapnel wound to his neck, the ministry said.

As in other parts of the former Soviet Union, animosity to gays persists. The tensions are aggravated by opponents’ claims that Ukraine’s political turn toward the West will promote gay marriage.

Aggressive moose injures onlookers

FAIRBANKS, Alaska

A cow moose with two calves at Denali National Park and Preserve has injured at least two visitors in the past 10 days.

Park staff members are urging visitors to be especially careful around wildlife after the moose’s defensive and erratic behavior near Riley Creek Campground over the past several weeks, reports the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

One woman was hurt badly enough to be sent to the hospital for treatment.

UK: 500K migrants could try crossing

ROME

Naval vessels from Italy, Britain, Ireland and other countries steamed toward the waters off Libya on Saturday to rescue the latest wave of migrants from smugglers’ boats. British authorities warned that up to 500,000 people could attempt the perilous crossing this summer.

During Saturday, a total of 3,480 migrants had been safely rescued in 15 separate operations, the Italian coast guard said.

Combined dispatches