Venezuela struggles with refinery blaze after deadly blast

11:35 | In the world Outstanding Teen Kristina Ayanian to receive Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Medal, to interview Prince Edward

“This is a dream come true for me and a rare opportunity for any television reporter to interview a member of the British Royal family,” she said.
Source: Wicked Local
10:48 | Armenia Armenian government not to sell Vorotan HPP to subsidize gas price

“The negotiations and discussions with Russia are underway and when they are over, we will see how to solve these problems and how to subsidize the gas price,” Armenian Minister of Energy said.
Source: Panorama.am
10:48 | Region Moscow finds Karabakh status quo ‘unacceptable’

Lavrov, who was hosting Mammadyarov in Moscow, added that the current status quo continued Armenia’s economic blockade.
Source: Asbarez.com
10:39 | Armenia Cuban ambassador presents credentials to Armenian President

Newly appointed ambassador of Cuba to Armenia Emilio Losada Garcia (seat in Moscow) presented his credentials to President Serzh Sargsyan.
Source: presidential press service
10:17 | Armenia Sargsyan-Aliyev meeting may take place in June

The “long-awaited” meeting between Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev may take place on June 12 in Salzburg.
Source: Hraparak
09:15 | Region Iran bars candidates for presidential election

Iranian authorities barred two potentially powerful and disruptive candidates from running in next month's presidential election on Tuesday.
Source: Reuters
09:09 | In the world Freeport Indonesia says death toll rises to 28 after tunnel accident

"We continue to grieve with the families even as we close this grim chapter," Freeport Indonesia President Director Rozik Soetjipto said in a statement.
Source: Reuters
09:05 | In the world Japan considers resuming talks with North Korea

Through the inter-governmental talks, Japan aims to not only solve the abduction issue but also address North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
Source: Reuters
08:59 | In the world 3 scientists conspired to take Chinese bribes for their U.S. research

Three university researchers working on medical technology are facing federal charges -- and up to 20 years in prison if convicted -- for allegedly taking Chinese money for their U.S.-funded research.
Source: CNN
08:53 | In the world US tornado rescue effort nears end

Fire chief Gary Bird said he was "98% sure" there were no more survivors or bodies to recover from the rubble.
Source: BBC
08:49 | In the world Spanish couple kidnapped in Colombia

The kidnappers contacted the hostages' family and identified themselves as members of the left-wing rebels Farc.
Source: BBC
08:44 | Armenia Mostly clear weather expected in Armenia

The air temperature will go up both at night and in daytime by another 2-3 degrees.
Source: Meteo-TV
22:31 | Region Former consultant: Heydar Aliyev was killed for not acting within interests of West

Elman Jalilov, who was Heydar Aliyev’s former consultant on legal issues, while being at the office of chairman of Armed Forces of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic said that Heydar Aliyev did not die a natural death, the Azerbaijani news agency "Haqqin.az" writes.
Source:Haqqin.az
22:00 | In the world Suicide at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

Some 1,500 visitors were cleared out of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after a man put a letter on the altar of the 850-year-old monument Tuesday, pulled out a gun and shot himself in the head.
Source: ABC news
21:45 | In the world Putin calls on shipbuilder to speed up naval deliveries

Russian President criticized the United Shipbuilding Corporation on Tuesday for delays in delivery of warships to the Russian Navy and demanded the shipbuilders improve efficiency.
Source: Ria.ru
21:36 | Region Iran cracks down on activists in runup to election

Political prisoners in some of the country's most notorious jails have had their parole or visiting rights withdrawn and some transferred to solitary confinement.
Source: The Guardian
21:30 | In the world EU mission seeks to rebuild Mali army after U.S. faltered

Under a blazing sun and the critical gaze of British and Irish instructors, a line of 11 Malian soldiers lie prone in the dust firing AK-47 rounds at targets, one-by-one.
Source: Reuters
21:20 | In the world Marks & Spencer admits fashion mistakes for women as it unveils annual profits fall to £665 million

Profits at Marks & Spencer have slumped to their lowest level in four years amid a succession of fashion disasters with dowdy designs and lack of stock.
Source: The Daily Mail
21:12 | In the world Guatemalan Court overturns genocide conviction of ex-Dictator

The decision by Guatemala’s Constitutional Court was a dramatic legal victory for General Ríos Montt, 86.
Source: The New York Times
21:05 | In the world China’s culture of hacking cost the country $873 million in 2011

That estimate is according to a recent study by academics at China’s prestigious Tsinghua University.
Source: The Washington Post
20:56 | In the world Syria and Israel in exchange of fire

Israel returned fire after one of its military vehicles was hit by shots from Syria, Israel's defence forces say.
Source: BBC
20:50 | In the world Saudi Arabia says arrests 10 from iranian Spy Ring

Eight are Saudis, one Lebanese and one Turkish national.
Source: ABC news
20:40 | In the world Syria's gains renew pressure on U.S.

The Syrian army battled Monday alongside Hezbollah militants to reclaim a rebel-held city, amplifying pressure on President Barack Obama to find a way to alter the course of events in the widening civil war.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
20:33 | In the world Russia outraged over Eurovision vote count fault

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned the disappearance of votes awarded by Azerbaijan to Russian singer Dina Garipova at the recent Eurovision Song Contest as “an outrageous action”.
Source: Ria.ru
20:25 | In the world Obama pledges all necessary help for tornado-hit Oklahoma

President Barack Obama promised on Tuesday to make available all necessary U.S. government resources to Oklahoma to help in the rescue and recovery effort in the aftermath of a devastating tornado.
Source: Reuters
20:17 | In the world David Cameron: I would never work with those who sneer at activists

UK Prime minister sends personal note to party members as senior figure claims he is 'worse than John Major'.
Source: The Guardian
20:12 | Region Mexican intellectuals are outraged by Azerbaijani ambassador’s comparison of Jose Sarukhanyan with Himmler

Mexican Professor at the Center for Economic Research, Jean Mayer responded to the article of Ilgar Mukhtarov, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Mexico, published in the newspaper "Milenio".
Source: Milenio
20:11 | In the world Apple's Tim Cook set to defend tax strategy in Senate

The appearance comes just a day after the same panel branded Apple's complex structure the "Holy Grail of tax avoidance".
Source: BBC
20:05 | In the world Syrian opposition groups say Assad must go

Syrian opposition groups meeting in Spain say they oppose all negotiation with President's government unless it is aimed at his giving up of power.
Source: ABC news
20:00 | In the world Oklahoma Twister is worst in recent memory including one that hit same town in 1999

The catastrophic storm that tore through Moore, Oklahoma on Monday bears striking similarities to other powerful tornadoes that have killed hundreds of people and caused billions in damage.
Source: The Daily Mail
18:59 | Region NKR President meets with Armenian deputy attorney-general

Issues related to the activities of prosecutor’s office were discussed during the meeting.
Source: presidential press service
18:29 | Armenia Increase in public transport fares not discussed by Yerevan Mayor’s Office

“The so-called “news” that has appeared in social networks under the title “URGENT” saying that public transport fares will increase from June 1 is untrue,” said the head of the Public Relations Department of Yerevan Mayor’s Office.
Source: Panorama.am
17:54 | In the world Radioactive leak found at US nuclear power plant

Half-inch long cracks around a nozzle on one of the tanks of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant have been discovered.
Source: Voice of Russia
17:20 | Region Artsakh leader meets with Armenian Police Chief

Issues related to the activities of law enforcement bodies and cooperation between police departments of the two Armenian states in this field were in the focus of the discussion.
Source: presidential press service
16:56 | In the world Wayne Rooney welcomes second son

Coleen and Wayne Rooney proudly showed off the first snap of their new baby boy after the ‘delighted’ couple welcomed his arrival in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Source: Metro.co.uk
16:43 | Armenia Vardan Ayvazyan: Gas price increase is purely economic issue

According to the MP, the gas price increase is a challenge to Armenia’s economy.
Source: Panorama.am
16:41 | Armenia Mher Hovhannisyan takes second prize at Limburg Open

GM Vladimir Dobrov (Russia) became the winner.
Source: armchess.am
15:48 | Region U.S. State Department: Religious freedom in Azerbaijan continues to be violated

In the U.S. annual International Religious Freedom Report notes that the religious freedom in Azerbaijan is still violated.
Source: U.S. annual International Religious Freedom Report
15:48 | Armenia Khachatur Kokobelyan: New government program does not differ from previous one

“I would ask to take it back, to outline all problems and present the ways of their solution,” said the independent MP.
Source: Panorama.am
15:13 | Armenia DPA leader: Membership to Customs Union could help solve Karabakh issue

“We should have joined the Customs Union if we wanted the gas price to remain equal to Russia’s internal price,” said Aram Sargsyan.
Source: Panorama.am
14:13 | Armenia ANC MP Hrant Bagratyan proposes government to solve three important problems

Former Armenian Prime Minister Hrant Bagratyan says the government program submitted by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan is not satisfactory because it involves all sectors but says nothing about the future actions of the government.
Source: Panorama.am
13:37 | Armenia Alexander Arzumanyan to vote against government program

MP Alexander Arzumanyan says the government program submitted to the parliament is not new, but is rather the revised version of the old program.
Source: Panorama.am
12:51 | Armenia ARFD MP: Government program lacks clear formulations

“The program does not reflect the main challenges faced by the country,” Artsvik Minasyan said.
Source: Panorama.am
12:00 | Armenia Tigran Sargsyan unveils reason of gas price increase

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan admits that Russia increases the price for natural gas supplied to Armenia due to the fact that Armenia refused to join the EurAsEC customs union.
Source: 168 Hours
11:22 | In the world Mourinho to leave Real Madrid at end of season

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez announced at a news conference following a board meeting Monday that a mutual agreement was reached for Mourinho's departure.
Source: AP
11:08 | In the world Iran’s Saeed Jalili warns West over Syria

Iran – which maintains strong connections with President Bashar-al Assad’s regime – has come out strongly, warning the West against arming the rebels.
Source: euronews
10:34 | Armenia Orinats Yerkir cannot oppose RPA

While the other parliamentary factions are going to vote against the government program, Orinats Yerkir faction will vote for it.
Source: Zhamanak
09:45 | Armenia Prosperous Armenia opposed to government program

Despite the recent statement of Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan that his party cannot be opposition, PAP will vote against the government program submitted to the parliament.
Source: Zhamanak
09:43 | In the world Henrikh Mkhitaryan called by Armenia national team

From 28 May to 12 June, Armenia will hold a training camp.
Source: FC Shakhtar
09:29 | In the world Today marks World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

The day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together better.
Source: UN
09:07 | In the world US and China leaders to hold summit

The US and Chinese presidents will hold their first summit in California in June.
Source: BBC
09:06 | In the world Obama urges Myanmar to stop violence against Muslims

Obama called for an end to the killings of Rohingya Muslims in western Myanmar's Rakhine state.
Source: Reuters
09:02 | In the world Guatemala court overturns ex-dictator's genocide conviction

Guatemala's top court overturned the genocide conviction of former dictator Efrain Rios Montt and ordered on Monday that his trial restart.
Source: AP
08:56 | In the world Iraq Shiites targeted in fresh violence

A string of car bombings and shootings across Iraq left more than 50 people dead Monday.
Source: CNN
08:51 | In the world North Koreans 'free Chinese crew'

A Chinese fishing crew seized by North Koreans two weeks ago has been freed along with their boat.
Source: BBC

09:30 27/08/2012 » Society

Venezuelan firefighters struggled on Sunday to put out a blaze at the country's biggest refinery sparked by an explosion that killed 41 people in one of the global oil industry's deadliest accidents, Reuters reported.

Officials at the 645,000 barrel-per-day Amuay refinery are trying to stop the fire still raging at two storage tanks from spreading to other nearby fuel storage facilities. That would delay Amuay's restart beyond the current estimate of two days.

On Sunday, the skeletal remains of a National Guard barracks destroyed in the blast sagged amid broken concrete and rubble, to a backdrop of flames and huge plumes of smoke coming from the two burning tanks.

Officials said a gas leak caused the explosion and that more than 200 homes were damaged by the shockwave. Some were located just across the street from the refinery, which is on a peninsula in the Caribbean Sea in western Venezuela.

The victims from Saturday included 18 National Guard troops and 15 civilians; six remain unidentified. On Sunday, two of the dozens of people wounded died in hospital, a National Guard general told reporters.

Source: Panorama.am