Blasts at Yemen weapons factory

A blast at an ammunition factory in southern Yemen has killed at least five people and wounded 50, reports say.

The explosion shook the southern Yemeni town of Jaar and could be heard up to 10 miles (15km) away.

Reports said the plant had recently been seized by militants who, on Sunday, clashed with government forces in the town.

Officials said they expected the death toll to rise as bodies were still being recovered from the scene of the blast.

Twin attacks strike at Western targets in Yemen

Twin attacks on Western targets in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, have left one person dead and at least four injured.

Militants fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a British embassy car, slightly injuring one staff member as well as bystanders, officials said.

In the other incident, a French national died when a guard at an Austrian gas company near Sanaa opened fire, security sources said.

Yemen has seen a string of militant attacks on Western targets.

The armoured UK embassy car was said to have been carrying the deputy chief of the British mission in Yemen when it was hit by shrapnel from the blast.

In a statement, the UK Foreign Office said the attack happened at about 0815 local time (0515 GMT).

"The vehicle was on its way to the British embassy with five embassy staff on board," the statement said.

"One member of staff suffered minor injuries and is undergoing treatment, all others were unhurt. We are informing their families at the moment. We are aware of at least two bystanders injured during the attack, and are seeking further details."

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague told BBC Radio 5 that all UK diplomats were remaining at home or in the embassy.

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