Current Affairs for IAS Exams – 13 June 2016
:: National ::
India seeking help from Rusia for NSG
- Back from his visits to Washington, Geneva and Mexico City to lobby for India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now asking Russia for help with the countries still holding out.
- He is scheduled to meet with President Vladmir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the SCO summit later this month.
- The outreach is particularly important as China continues to maintain that “NSG members remain divided” on the issue of membership, claiming that “many countries within the group share China’s stance.”
- Officials expect a final decision may not come till the eve of the NSG meeting in South Korea on June 24, when the Prime Minister is expected to meet Mr. Xi at the SCO in Tashkent.
At least 50 people were killed by a gunman at a gay night club in Florida
- At least 50 people were killed by a gunman at a gay night club in Orlando, Florida, in the worst mass shooting incident in the U.S.
- The shooter, Omar Mateen, an American citizen of Afghan origin, used to live in Ft. Pierce, Florida, and was killed in the police operation that followed.
- The 29-year-old may have been a radicalised Islamist and the investigation will probe that angle too, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- President Barack Obama termed the shooting an “act of terror” and an “act of hate.” Speaking at the White House, Mr. Obama said it’s a “sobering reminder” that an attack on any American is an attack “on all of us.”
- According to a report quoting investigators, the shooter called the emergency helpline number 911 and pledged allegiance to Islamic State chief Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi before starting the carnage.
- Islamic State claimed responsibility for the shooting, the Amaq news agency tied to the group reported. But thus far there is no indication of a direct connection with the IS in terms of training or instruction to carry out the attacks.
- Omar Mateen was earlier investigated by the FBI for suspected terror links. The targeted club being a known gathering place of the LGBT community, a homophobia angle too is suspected.