Netherlands

Explosion wounds 16

A powerful explosion apparently caused by a gas leak ripped through a crowded shopping district Saturday in The Hague, wounding 16 people, including a boy who was buried in rubble for five hours.

The explosion occurred about 10 a.m. in the basement of a snack bar. It damaged two apartments in one building and a jeweler and a clothing store in two adjacent buildings.

Ambulances shuttled victims to municipal hospitals, and some of the wounded were treated at a makeshift first aid center at a nearby library, city spokesman Martin Van Bruggen said.

St. Kitts

American rapper DMX arrested for profanity

Authorities arrested American rapper DMX on Saturday for using profanity during a concert the night before on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts and Nevis, police said.

DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was released on bail of $376 until Monday, when he is due in Basseterre Magistrate’s Court.

The 32-year-old rapper left the Caribbean island on Saturday afternoon, but he pledged to return for his court date.

“I’ll go to court on Monday,” he said before leaving. “I just want to thank all my fans for showing the support they did show,” he said.

Malawi

Protesters attack U.S. charity, churches

Angry demonstrators attacked an American children’s charity and several churches in protests Saturday against the removal of five Muslim foreign nationals suspected of working for al-Qaida.

It was the second day of protests after the CIA whisked five men out of the country Monday.

Eleven people were arrested Saturday after angry mobs in predominantly Muslim district of Mangochi, east of Blantyre, vandalized and looted offices of Save the Children USA and at least seven churches.

Medical staff at Mangochi District Hospital, said three people were injured.