PTI, Colombo
At least 202 have died in Sri Lanka’s flood while 94 people are missing in the island nation’s worst torrential rains since 2003 that displaced nearly half-a-million people. The Disaster Management Centre or DMC said at least over six lakh people are affected. The DMC said 1,505 houses were fully damaged and 7,617 houses were partially damaged due to floods and landslides.
Over 77,000 people have been displaced. “There was good news on the receding water levels in rivers during the past 24 hours due to low rainfall that ended at 3.30 pm,” the Irrigation Department said.
Spain, India PMs meet to boost security ties
AP, Madrid
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met with his Spanish counterpart, Mariano Rajoy, for talks centering on security, fighting terrorism and economic relations.
The visit Wednesday was the first time in 25 years that an Indian leader had come to Madrid to meet the head of the Spanish government.
S Korean parliament endorses new PM
AFP, Seoul
South Korea’s parliament on Wednesday approved Lee Nak-Yon as the country’s new prime minister, paving the way for President Moon Jae-In to replace ministers appointed by his ousted predecessor Park Geun-Hye.
The National Assembly voted 164 to 20 in favour of Lee, a journalist-turned-politician, as new prime minister, amid a boycott by the conservative opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP).
China postpones portion of cybersecurity law
AP, Beijing
China has postponed enforcement of part of a cybersecurity law that companies warn violates Beijing’s free-trade pledges but says most of it will take effect Thursday as planned.
Communist authorities say the measures are needed to prevent crime and terrorism and to protect privacy. Companies and foreign governments complain the law will hamper market access and is being rushed into force before Beijing has told companies how to comply.
Taiwan backlash over Emirates flag ban
AFP, Taipei
Emirates, the Middle East’s largest airline, faced fierce criticism in Taiwan Wednesday after it reportedly banned cabin crew from wearing the island’s flag on their uniforms due to pressure from China.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had lodged protests with Emirates in both Dubai and Taipei.
Journalist abducted in Georgia
AP, Baku
A lawyer for an independent Azerbaijani journalist says his client has been abducted from Georgia, where he had been living, and forcibly taken to Azerbaijan.
A court in this former Soviet republic is due to hold a hearing on Wednesday to arrest Afgan Mukhtarli, who is facing charges of smuggling and crossing the border illegally.
