Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Newsline


India says situation in Iraq receiving attention on high priority


          India says situation in Iraq receiving attention on high priority
India said situation in Iraq is receiving attention on high priority while External Affairs Minister is monitoring and reviewing situation of Indian nationals in Iraq.


MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin toady tweeted that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is monitoring and reviewing the situation of Indian nationals in Iraq.

Secretary West Anil Wadhwa in the ministry today met Iraqi Ambassador to New Delhi Ahmed Derwari in this connection. Earlier, on Monday India said that it "firmly stands by" the Government and people of Iraq in their fight against "international terrorism" while expressing serious concern over the safety and security of its nationals in the violence-hit country.

Strongly condemning the violence, the government said it was "deeply concerned" with deteriorating security situation in Iraq resulting out of recent attacks and taking over of some cities, by terrorist outfits since June 8.

The Ministry of External Affairs said "the safety and security of the Indian nationals currently in Iraq remains a matter of serious concern for the Government".

The government had already asked Indians residing in Iraq to consider leaving the country in view of the "precarious" security situation.

People have also been advised not to travel to the country.

The Indian Embassy in Baghdad has already set up a a 24- hour helpline to offer assistance to Indian nationals there.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that India's Mission in Iraq is in touch with nurses in Tikrit.

International Red Crescent Society volunteers visited them on Monday to ensure safety.

Boat sinks off Malaysian coast, dozens reported missing

A boat from Indonesia with 97 on board sank off the western coast of Malaysia, and 61 of the passengers are still missing, according to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. The passengers are suspected of aiming to reach Malaysia illegally, an agency spokesman said, according to Reuters. The agency is sending several boats to the area to search for survivors. The boat sank around midnight local time on Tuesday, about two miles (3 km) from the town of Banting on the Strait of Malacca.

​Blast hits World Cup viewing area in northern Nigeria

A suicide bombing in northeast Nigeria at an outdoor World Cup viewing space has killed several people, witnesses told AP. The bomber detonated a tricycle taxi full of explosives at the event in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state. While no deaths are official thus far, local hospital workers said at least 15 people are critically wounded, and casualties are still arriving at General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, according to AP and Reuters. Police Assistant Superintendent Nathan Cheghan confirmed the blast and said rescue workers are on watch for possible secondary explosions.

 

Spain's King Juan Carlos's abdication approved by Senate

The Spanish Senate has approved King Juan Carlos's abdication, finalizing the last legislative procedure ahead of the proclamation of Felipe VI as Spain's next monarch. King Juan Carlos is expected to sign the law on Wednesday, his last act as head of state after 38 years on the throne. The 233-5 vote, with 20 abstentions paved the way for the king's son to ascend to the throne on Thursday. Some 160 guests are invited to the Hall of Columns at the Royal Palace in Madrid to witness the ceremony.

Turkey evacuates Iraq consulate in Basra to Kuwait

Turkey evacuated its consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Tuesday due to a growing security risk, Reuters reported. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu wrote on his Twitter account that the staff has been transferred to Kuwait. The 18 staff members, including the consul general, would return to Turkey from Kuwait, according to a foreign ministry official. Ankara has no plans to evacuate the embassy in Baghdad.

More than 202 million Chinese older than 60 years

The number of people who are older than 60 years has reached 202.43 million people, or 14.9 percent of the population, by the end of 2013, ITAR-TASS reported. This number increased in 2013 by 17.43 million people, according to the Ministry of Civil Administration. Analysts believe that the increasing number of pensioners will make problems for the country’s financial system and propose urgent measures aimed at diversifying funds.

15 more killed in new militant attack on Kenyan coast

Somali-linked Islamist militants killed at least 15 people in a second night of attacks on Kenya’s coast, a day after an assault on a nearby town left almost 50 dead, Reuters said. Armed men reportedly went door to door hours before dawn in the village of Poromoko, ordered people outside and made them recite the Islamic creed, according to a witness. Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the two days of attacks. However, Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta, said Tuesday that the attacks were planned by “local political networks.”

Experts find painting underneath Picasso masterpiece ‘The Blue Room’

Scientists and art experts have found a hidden painting beneath one of Pablo Picasso’s first masterpieces, “The Blue Room,” AP said. Advances in infrared imagery were used to reveal a bow-tied man with his face resting on his hand. Over the past five years, experts from The Phillips Collection, National Gallery of Art, Cornell University and Delaware's Winterthur Museum have developed a clearer image of the mystery picture under the surface – a portrait of an unknown man painted in a vertical composition.

Blast reported at chemical plant in Netherlands

An explosion and fire at a chemical plant in the southern Netherlands was reported on Tuesday, Reuters said. Regional Dutch emergency services tweeted that there had been a blast at a plastics production plant run by chemical company Caligen Europe in the southern town on Breda. No injuries were immediately reported. Witnesses reported a lot of smoke and strong odors at the scene.

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