News of the Day From Around the World, March 29
1 Missile attack: Saudi Arabia’s Air Defense Forces intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile over the capital of Riyadh around midnight, state media said Sunday. Saudi state TV reported that American Patriot missile defense systems were used in the interception. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Another missile was also intercepted and destroyed over the southern Saudi city of Jizan, which borders Yemen. The incidents come amid an intensification of fighting in Yemen between Saudi-led forces and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The Houthis frequently launch missiles across Yemen’s border into Saudi Arabia, but the missiles rarely reach the capital. Riyadh is around 620 miles north of the border with Yemen.
2 Plane fire: A plane carrying eight people, including an American and a Canadian, burst into flames Sunday while attempting to take off from Manila’s airport on a flight bound for Japan, killing all those on board, officials said. The Westwind 24 plane, which was carrying six Filipino crew members and the American and Canadian passengers, was bound for Tokyo on a medical mission when it caught fire near the end of the main runway, Manila airport general manager Ed Monreal said.
3 Prison riot: Officials in Thailand say a riot at a prison in a northeastern province was set off when inmates plotting to escape spread false rumors that several prisoners were infected with the coronavirus. Fires were set in parts of Buriram Prison during a riot on Sunday in which about 100 prisoners took part, and gunshots were fired in the operation to quash the violence. The facility houses about 2,100 inmates. Corrections Department Director-General Narat Sawettanan said no one was killed in the uproar but several people were injured. Thai media reported five...