Sunday, May 24, 2015

Myanmar to deport migrants

A group of migrants recently rescued by Myanmar will be deported to Bangladesh, officials confirmed Saturday, as the United Nations chief called on regional nations to prioritise saving the lives of those still stranded at sea.
Southeast Asia is currently battling an exodus of boat people fleeing persecution and poverty, with up to 2,000 vulnerable migrants thought to be stranded in the Bay of Bengal, many at the mercy of ruthless people smugglers.
Most are Muslim Rohingyas from the western Rakhine state in Myanmar, where they are not recognised as citizens and instead referred to as "Bengalis" or illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
Bangladeshis, meanwhile, are also trying to escape grinding poverty.
More than 3,500 migrants have swum to shore or been rescued off the coasts of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh since a Thai crackdown in early May on human-trafficking threw the illicit trade into chaos.
Myanmar has faced increasing international pressure to stem the deluge from its shores and deliver urgent humanitarian relief to thousands still trapped at sea.
On Friday the country´s navy said it had carried out its first rescue of a migrant boat when scores of bare-chested men were found crammed into the hull of a wooden fishing vessel and taken to shore.
Myanmar officials say all 208 men are from Bangladesh and will soon be returned there. AFP wasn´t able to independently verify where the migrants were from.
"We are giving humanitarian assistance to them. After that we will deport them back to the relative country," Zaw Htay, director of the presidential office, told AFP on Saturday.
"We have made contact with Bangladeshi border officials on the ground regarding the arrived persons," he added.
- ´Save lives´ -
The rescue by the Myanmar navy comes as fears grow for migrants still stuck at sea at a time when the dry winter months are about to give way to the regional monsoon.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said finding and saving the lives of those migrants should be a "top priority".
Speaking during a visit to Hanoi, he called on regional nations to tackle the "root causes" of the current exodus at an upcoming conference in Thailand later this month.

"But when people are drifting on the sea, how we can search and rescue them and provide life saving humanitarian assistance, that is a top priority at this time," he said.

News spread

​Saudi mosque bomber was wanted ISIS militant 

Saudi mosque bomber Abdul Rahman Saleh Qashimi was wanted by the country’s security forces for belonging to a terrorist group “which received guidance from the Islamic State abroad”, the Saudi Interior ministry said in a statement, cited by Reuters. “It was exposed late last month and 26 of its members have been arrested to date,” the statement says. The blast in a Shi'ite mosque in the small Saudi town of Al-Kudaiha claimed the lives of at least 21 people, with about a hundred suffering injuries. The bomber activated the explosive device during a Friday prayer which was attended by over 150 people. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack and said that the suicide bomber hid the explosive belt under his clothes.

​Iran sends troops to help retake key Iraq oil refinery

Iran has entered the fight to retake a major Iraqi oil refinery from Islamic State militants, supplying a small number of troops. The soldiers are supporting advancing Iraqi ground forces, US officials told AP on condition of anonymity. They said Iranian forces have taken an offensive role in the Beiji operation in recent days, in conjunction with Iraqi Shiite militia. The refinery, captured by ISIS in June 2014, plays a key role for Iraqis as it refines the country's crude into petroleum for domestic consumption.

Greece wants 'viable solution' to debt crisis, not another deal

"We demand of our European partners a viable solution to our country's debt problem, not another useless agreement," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said at a meeting of his party, Syriza. He said that his government would not budge in the talks "if the partners keep putting forward baseless demands." Tsipras warned that "most of the country's population cannot bear new austerity measures." Greece and international lenders are expected to finalize a new plan of financial assistance to Athens. The current austerity program lasts until the end of June, and the new plan could extend it until the end of the year.

Peru declares state of emergency after 4th death in copper-mining protests

The government in Peru has declared a state of emergency in the south of the country following the fourth killing at a demo against a copper-mining project. The emergency is set to last for 60 days, with security stepped up and troops joining 2,000 police on the streets. Among the suspended rights, are freedom of assembly, freedom of movement and protection against warrantless searches, Al-Jazeera reported. Tensions rose two months ago after local farmers started the protest against a $1.4 billion copper-mining project that might lead to water pollution and crops being contaminated.

Tokyo to give $453m to Pacific islands to curb climate change

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged $453 million in aid to Pacific island nations in the upcoming three years “to foster resilient capabilities that will not be defeated by climate change or disasters,” AFP reported. The leaders of 14 Pacific island nations got together in Iwaki, southern Fukushima, to discuss their development needs, such as rising sea levels eroding coastlines and the growing severity of such extreme climate phenomena as super-typhoons. Developed nations, believed to be mostly responsible for the emissions associated with global warming, have been pushed to offer more help to cope with damage caused by harsh climate change. Japan is hosting this year's Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting (PALM) to raise awareness of the devastation caused by the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.

44 killed in Mexico drug battle, including 2 police

At least 44 people were killed during clashes between security forces and suspected drug gang members on Friday in western Mexico, according to local officials. At least two police officers were shot dead and another one badly wounded, Reuters quoted a source as saying. The other 42 people killed were suspected members of the of the Jalisco New Generation (JNG) cartel. The armed battle took place in the Tanhuato municipality, Michoacan state – an area known for drug cartels. Police reportedly received a tip about armed men gathering at a local ranch and moved in by air and land.

Global News

Eiffel Tower re-opens following worker protest against pickpockets

The Eiffel Tower has re-opened following a walk-out protest by workers against a rise in pickpockets around the Paris landmark. Paris authorities said a day ago that crimes against tourists in the French capital had dropped this year, thanks to reinforced police presence and video surveillance. Workers at the Louvre staged a similar walkout in 2012, expressing the same concerns.

13 injured as ISIS claims attack on Houthi mosque in Sanaa

Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) has claimed a bomb attack on a Shiite Houthi mosque in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, on Friday which wounded 13 people, Reuters reported. IS made a statement on Twitter saying it claimed responsibility for the explosion in the mosque.

Russia, Azerbaijan to hold 1st joint navy maneuvers in Caspian Sea

Russia and Azerbaijan will conduct joint navy maneuvers in the Caspian Sea for the first time, RIA Novosti said. About 10 ships will take part in the drills in September, according to the press service of Russia’s Southern Military District. The two navies will be conducting carrying out training activities to ensure the safety of international navigation in the sea. Joint artillery firing practice exercises and other maneuvers will be conducted.

FBI detains 2 suspected ISIS recruits in California

The FBI has arrested two men in southern California suspected of attempting to travel abroad to join Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), NBC News reported. One of them was detained at Los Angeles International Airport and the other in Orange County, according to law enforcement officials. FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller confirmed that two men in those locations had been arrested following a joint terrorism task force investigation, Reuters said.
New suspect investigated in Russian opposition politician Nemtsov murder
Russian investigators have found another suspect in the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, Sputnik said. It was found out that it was Ruslan Mukhadinov who had the car in Moscow used in the Nemtsov murder in central Moscow on February 27, Kommersant daily reported. The investigators have failed so far to contact and question Mukhadinov, according to the newspaper. Five persons were detained on suspicion of involvement in the murder and arrested a week after the killing.

2 children killed by US airstrikes in Syria – military

US airstrikes last year against Islamist extremists in Syria killed two children by mistake, according to the results of an investigation, AFP reported, citing officials. “We regret the unintentional loss of lives,” Lieutenant General James Terry, head of the US-led air campaign against Islamic State, said Thursday. This is the first time the US military has acknowledged inflicting civilian casualties in the war.

​4.1 magnitude earthquake hits California

An earthquake of 4.1 magnitude was recorded in Yountville, California on Thursday evening, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake was about 5.5 miles deep and struck at 7:53 pm local time. The tremor was recorded about 9 miles north of Napa and 42 miles from Sacramento.

Ukraine ends operation to search for human remains at MH17 crash site

Ukrainian authorities on Friday officially announced an end of an operation to search for human remains at the MH17 crash site. Gennady Zubko, the head of the government commission investigating the crash, said that 297 bodies had been found, and 295 of them were identified, Gazeta.ru reported. The bodies were repatriated to the Netherlands, according to the official. The Netherlands also said earlier this month that it had ended the search for human remains, personal belongings and wreckage. The Malaysia Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur is believed to have been shot down on July 17 last year over the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people aboard, mostly Dutch citizens.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Friday, May 22, 2015

Three Rulers of Delhi, Najeeb Jung, Arvind Kejriwal & Rajnath
May22, 2015 (C) Ravinder Singh progressindia008@yahoo.com

It is unbelievable National Capital of India is ruled by Honorable Lt Governor Shri Nazeeb Jung, Honorable Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal and Honorable Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh as the Super Boss and Controlling MCD.  

DELHI WOULD BE RUINED FOR THE 8TH TIME.

HIGH COST OF SUBSTANDARD SERVICES, WATER, POWER, IMPACT EDUCATION, SPREAD CORRUPTION, LAWLESSNESS, POLLUTION OF WATER, AIR, CONGESTION, HIGH COST OF LIVING, SLUMMED STREETS, PILING UP COURT CASES AND GARBAGE DUMPS, UNPLANNED DEVELOPMENT, UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT ETC.

I wanted to study the Notification regarding appointments of Secretaries & Principal Secretaries but found one Budget Speech and learnt Delhi has Gross GDP of Rs.4,51,154 crore Growth of 15.35% for 2013-14, 87.48% derived from Services?

Industry Contributes Just 1% to GSDP, Filthy Stinking Subzi Mandis [Markets].

In the Budget Speech FM Complained his government doesn’t own an inch of land which is the most valuable resource ‘Land that is available to other States. Government has to purchase land from DDA at a very high cost for development of various infrastructures--’

[Budget of Government of NCT of Delhi for the current year 2014-15 was revised Rs.34,790 crore against Rs.36,766 crores > or just 7.5% of the GSDP and against say 20% of GDP for other states.]

‘61% of plan budget was utilized by February, 2015 (11 months)
and Revenue Receipts of the Government have also declined.’

Clearly Political Uncertainty Impacted Delhi Economy In
FY 2014-15 – Projects Were Delayed, Tax Collection Declined

Expenditure of Rs.37,750 Cr for FY2015-16 or [6.5% of GDP] will be financed from own tax revenue to the extent of Rs.32,641 Cr.

The annual per capita income in Delhi at current prices in 2014-15 is anticipated to increase to Rs. 2,40,849 as per advance estimates of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), which is 2.7 times higher than the per capita income at national level. I would like to inform in this context that the per capita income at national level is Rs.88,533.

Delhi has Lowest TAX REVENUE in the World.

Colombia’s FARC rebels end ceasefire

Colombia’s FARC rebels end ceasefire after army raid kills 26 

Colombia’s largest rebel group, FARC, has announced the end of a unilateral ceasefire in response to a military raid on a guerrilla camp that killed 26 of its fighters, AP reported. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia said it had to lift the five-month ceasefire after the “constant military pursuit of the rebels.”However, the rebels are not reportedly walking away from ongoing peace talks in Cuba after Friday’s announcement. They also urged the government to join them in declaring a bilateral ceasefire.

NATO to hold next summit in July 2016 in Warsaw

NATO has announced its next summit will take place July 8-9, 2016 in Warsaw, Poland, AP reported. The alliance’s secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, made the announcement Friday, saying that the meeting“comes at a crucial time for the alliance, as the tectonic plates of Euro-Atlantic security have shifted.” NATO leaders, who last met in Wales in September 2014, agreed on a Readiness Action Plan to adapt the 28-nation alliance to the new security environment.

5.4 quake hits near Las Vegas

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 struck the state of Nevada near the city of Las Vegas on Friday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported. The quake's epicenter was at a depth of 12 miles, USGS said, with quakes in such depth range potentially being felt stronger than their actual magnitude. People in several states, including California, Arizona and Utah also felt the tremor, according to the USGS's "Did You Feel It?" study.

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