Daily Archives: January 20, 2014

6 car bombs in 2 hours: 13 dead

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Բաղդադ,մեքենա,պայթյուն

 

 

Car bombs rocked a number of predominantly Shiite Muslim neighborhoods of Baghdad on Monday, killing at least 13 people and wounding 53 others, police officials told CNN.

 

Six car bombs detonated Monday in five neighborhoods across Baghdad within a period of about two hours, police said.

 

The United Nations said 2013 was the deadliest year in Iraq since 2008, with almost 8,000 people killed in violence, most of them civilians.

 

On Saturday, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden talked with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki about U.S. support for Iraq’s fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, a group trying to overthrow the Iraqi government.

 

  Անկախ

Fifty people in hospital after huge blaze destroys wooden homes in historical Norwegian village

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Norwegian village

 

More than 50 people have been injured after a huge fire ripped through a Norwegian village made famous by its historic wooden houses.

At least 23 buildings caught alight in the village of Laerdalsoyri, southern Norway, while hundreds of residents were evacuated as high winds fanned the blaze.

The popular tourist destination in the West Norwegian Fjords area is famous for more than 160 well-preserved wooden houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Officials said that it was not immediately clear what had caused the fire, which started on Saturday night and continued to burn today.
Approximately 52 people have been hospitalised with minor injuries. It is not believed anyone was killed in the blaze.

Of the 23 buildings to catch fire, 16 homes were burnt down to the ground as well as industrial buildings, community centers and holiday homes.

The 280-acre tiny village has a population of around 1,150 people.

 

 Անկախ

Iran begins to halt uranium enrichment as landmark nuclear deal goes into effect

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րոհանի

 

Iran started suspending high levels of uranium enrichment Monday as an interim deal struck with six world powers went into effect, state media reported, making way for more talks and less financial sanctions.

The nation stopped enrichment of uranium to the 20% purity level and disconnected cascades of centrifuges enriching uranium in Natanz, a top nuclear official told Press TV.

International inspectors were present when Iran started implementing the historic deal, Press TV said.

The action is part of a six-month interim agreement that gives Iran and six other countries — the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany — more time to negotiate a permanent solution.

Iran struck the deal with the nations on November 24 in exchange for lighter sanctions.

If all conditions are met, Iran will get sanctions relief totaling about $7 billion, including access to $4.2 billion in frozen assets, during the six months the interim deal is in effect.

 

 Անկախ

Hollande: French First Lady on the Mend, Resting

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Francois Hollande - Valerie Trierweiler

France’s  President Francois Hollande says his first lady is recovering at a state residence at Versailles after being hospitalized over a report that he is having an affair with an actress.

The story has drawn widespread attention abroad, and overshadowed Monday’s visit to the Netherlands, his first foreign trip since the report.

Hollande told reporters that Valerie Trierweiler is “doing better” but refused to respond to a question from The Associated Press on his personal life. Trierweiler was hospitalized with what aides called extreme shock after the report earlier this month.

Hollande has never married, and the reported affair with actress Julie Gayet has prompted questions about whether Trierweiler will stay in the state-financed office of first lady. Neither Hollande nor Gayet has denied the affair.

 Անկախ

Floods Slam French Riviera, Killing 2

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ֆրանսիական Ռիվերա,ջրհեղեղ

Unusually heavy rains have flooded the French Riviera, leaving two people dead and thousands without electricity or access to roads.

The administration for the Var region evacuated some residents and urged others to stay indoors until the waters recede. It said a 73-year-old man was killed in his basement and another man died when his car was washed away by rains. Another man is missing, last seen on his boat.

 

ֆրանսիական Ռիվերա

Dozens of roads were closed across the region, which includes resort towns such as Saint-Tropez and and villages in Provence. Up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) of rain were registered over the weekend at some points, and rivers and streams that feed the Mediterranean flowed into residential areas.

 

Անկախ

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE FOR YEAR OF CRYSTALLOGRAPHY

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This year marks the centenary of the birth of modern crystallography.  We celebrate 100 years of ground-breaking advances.

Crystallography is fundamental to understanding the structure of matter.

It is critical for materials science, health care, agriculture and biotechnology.

Today, crystallography is at the core of structural sciences, revealing the constitution of minerals and the molecules of life, helping scientists to design new-generation materials and life-saving medicine.

In recognition of these important contributions, the United Nations General Assembly designated 2014 as the  International Year of Crystallography.  The goal is to raise awareness about the power of crystals, deepen cooperation and create new partnerships across the globe.

Crystallography has an important place as we work for inclusive sustainable development — policies that are good for people and the planet.

I thank UNESCO, along with the International Union of Crystallography and all other partners.

Thank you for working to help societies harness the full power of sciences for sustainable development.  Let us make the Year a great success!