SEVEN KILLED IN POWERFUL BLAST IN CHINA

BEIJING: A powerful explosion ripped through a building in a northern Chinese city on Monday, killing seven people and injuring scores more.

Media reports said the blast in Yulin, which destroyed or damaged nearby buildings including a hospital, may have been caused by explosives illegally stored in the building.

The official Xinhua news agency said dozens of firefighters were sent to the scene in Shaanxi province, and rescuers were hunting for survivors who may be trapped in the rubble.

Pictures showed widespread damage, with windows blown out of buildings, dense grey smoke engulfing the streets and bloodied people, some lying on the ground.

The explosion occurred at around 2 pm (0600 GMT), city hall said.

“So far, 94 people have been hospitalised and seven have died.” WASHINGTON: With presidential nominee Hilary Clinton holding her lead over rival Donald Trump, Democrats have turned their attention to congressional races hoping to flip both chambers — the Senate and the House of Representatives — that are currently dominated by Republicans.

President Barack Obama, who has hit the campaign trail recently, was expected on Monday to endorse 30 more Democrats — including Ami Bera, an Indian-american seeking a third term from California — running for the House. Clinton had plowed $1 million in Indiana and Missouri,