News in Brief- (5-11-2018)

New Caledonia rejects independence

NOUMEA, Nov 04: Partial results from an independence referendum in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia showed that a large majority of voters had opted to remain part of France, local media reported on Sunday. With 70 per cent of voting slips counted, 59.5 per cent of people had rejected the proposition that New Caledonia become independent, television channel Nouvelle-Caledonie la 1ere reported. — AFP

Dozens of Yemeni rebels lose lives in battles

HODEIDA, Yemen, Nov 04: Dozens of Yemeni rebels have been killed in battles and air strikes in Hodeida, medics said on Sunday, as pro-government forces advanced in the insurgent-held Red Sea port city. Fifty-three Huthi rebels were killed and dozens were injured over the past 24 hours, medical sources in the area said. According to a pro-government military source, clashes intensified in Hodeida city and centred around its university on Saturday and Sunday morning. — AFP

Egypt police kill 19 jihadist suspects

CAIRO, Nov 04: Nineteen suspected jihadists linked to a deadly attack on Coptic Christians in central Egypt have been killed in a shootout with police, the interior ministry said on Sunday. Those killed in the exchange of fire were part of a cell that left dead seven pilgrims in Friday's attack in Minya province, a statement by the ministry said. "The terrorist elements opened fire on the (security) forces who responded," the statement said. — AFP

Heavy snowfall causes power outage in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Nov 04: Heavy snowfall that hit colder parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir caused a major power outage in the region, officials said on Sunday. The electricity supply got snapped Saturday morning and was yet to be restored. Officials at Power Development Department (PDD) said they were trying to restore power supply. "Our ground staff is making efforts to restore the electricity supply," a senior official told Xinhua. "The heavy snowfall has snapped supply lines and at places trees have damaged the transmission network." — Xinhua