Oz updates its travel advisory for India
Melbourne: Australia has updated its travel advisory for India following recent severe weather conditions in Uttrakhand, asking its citizens to monitor media for information and follow the advice of local authorities. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) revised the advisory on Tuesday saying, “It contains new information under Natural disasters, severe weather and climate.”
Brazil officials reverse subway, bus fare hike
Sao Paulo: leaders in Brazil’s two biggest cities said on Thursday that they reversed an increase in bus and subway fares that ignited anti-government protests that have spread across the nation in the past week. Many people doubted the move would quiet the demonstrations, which have moved well beyond outrage over the fare hikes into communal cries against poor public services in Brazil.
landslides, floods claim 39 lives in Nepal
Kathmandu: At least 39 people have been killed due to floods and landslides triggered by incessant rain over a period of five days in 10 districts across Nepal, the Government said on Thursday. Thirty nine people were killed and 18 others have gone missing since Sunday, according to the Home Ministry. Seven people were killed in Dailekh district, six each were killed in Kalikot and Doti, and five were killed in Baitadi, the ministry said. Four people each died in Humla and Palpa whereas three people were killed in Achham district.
Vasco da Gama’s India journal in focus
Washington: The hand written journal of Vasco da Gama’s pioneering voyage to India, during the 15th century, has been included in the list of world’s most prestigious documents by the UNESCO. The journal handwritten by an anonymous eyewitness who accompanied the Portuguese explorer in his journey has now been included in the Memory of World Register.
Palestinian PM submits resignation
Ramallah: The new Palestinian Prime Minister submitted his resignation to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, after two weeks on the job, because of a conflict over authority. It was unclear if Rami Hamdallah, a former university dean, would step down or was using the threat of resignation to obtain more powers from Abbas. Abbas' office declined comment, and there was no word if Abbas would accept Hamdallah's resignation.
Indian missing from london found in Scotland
london: A 17-year-old girl from Mumbai who went missing in london while on holiday in the UK has been tracked down in Scotland, officials said on Wednesday. Emaan Shah, who was last caught on CCTV shopping with her mother on Oxford Street in central london on June 10, was found safe in Northern Perthshire, Scotland. The reason behind her mysterious disappearance remains unclear at the moment. “Investigating officers from the Metropolitan Police Service are currently liaising with police in Scotland,” Scotland Yard said.
Kate opts for natural childbirth
london: Kate Middleton, pregnant with her first child, has decided to give birth naturally rather than opting for a Caesarian section and the delivery will take place in the same hospital where Prince William was born. Asked whether the Duchess had opted for an elective Caesarian birth, an option which has led to some mothers being dubbed "too posh to push", palace sources said she intended to give birth naturally.
Outrage over Pak lawmaker’s demand
Islamabad: A parliamentarian from Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party triggered a furore on Thursday by calling for the release of Mumtaz Qadri, the man convicted for gunning down former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer. Mujahid Ali Khan made the demand during a debate on the budget in the lower house of parliament. Khan was recently elected to the National Assembly from Mardan constituency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
Saudi arabia to expel Hezbollah supporters
Beirut: The Saudi envoy to lebanon says the kingdom will deport lebanese citizens who support the militant Hezbollah group because of its role in the Syrian civil war. Ambassador Ali Awad Assiri told lebanon’s Future TV on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia will deport “those who financially support this party.”