News In Brief

Iraq violence kills 13
Afp, Baghdad

Attacks in Iraq killed 13 people yesterday, including four who died in a blast targeting Shia worshippers, while militants bombed a major oil pipeline to Turkey, halting exports, officials said.
The attacks are the latest in a surge in violence that security forces have failed to curb, despite carrying out major operations against militants said to have resulted in scores of arrests, including 82 on Monday.
The attacks came a day after bombs targeting a cafe, a football field and a market in areas north of Baghdad killed 28 people.

Canada makes work visa difficult
Tnn, Bangalore

Just as the US, Canada too is tightening its temporary foreign worker program (TFWP) that allows foreign nationals to work in Canada for short periods. The effort is to improve employment opportunities for its locals.
Effective July, employers in Canada will have to pay $275 as processing fee for each application that they file to bring in a foreign worker. Till now there was no fee. The new fee is non-refundable in case the application is rejected.

Czech cabinet resigns
Afp, Prague

The Czech government formally resigned yesterday after losing a confidence vote last week, ahead of snap elections to drag the country out of a deepening political crisis.
A request to dissolve parliament which would trigger early elections has been filed by three major parties, which together hold 122 out of 200 seats, and a vote will take place on August 20.
Under the constitution, parliament can only be dissolved with the president's consent, and he must set an election date to follow within 60 days.

Floods in Nepal kill seven
Afp, Kathmandu

A flooded river swept away part of a small village in northeastern Nepal yesterday, killing seven people, a local police official said.
According to the latest government figures, more than 100 people have been killed in floods and landslides triggered by rains during the monsoon, which runs from June to September.