Iraqi prime minister survives assassination bid with drones
Baghdad (AP): Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi survived an assassination attempt with armed drones that targeted his residence early Sunday and officials said he was unharmed.
The attack was a major escalation amid tensions sparked by the refusal of Iran-backed militias to accept last month's parliamentary election results.
Two Iraqi officials told The Associated Press that seven of al-Kadhimi's security guards were injured in the attack with two armed drones which occurred in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone area.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give official statements.
"I am fine and among my people. Thank God," the prime minister tweeted shortly after the attack. He called for calm and restraint, for the sake of Iraq.
He later appeared on Iraqi television, seated behind a desk in a white shirt, looking calm and composed. Cowardly rocket and drone attacks don't build homelands and don't build a future, he said.
In a statement, the government said an explosives-laden drone tried to hit al-Kadhimi's home.
Residents of Baghdad heard the sound of an explosion followed by heavy gunfire from the direction of the Green Zone, which houses foreign embassies and government offices.
The statement released by state-run media said security forces were taking the necessary measures in connection with this failed attempt.
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Congress gets final eviction notices for Akbar Road, Raisina Road offices
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress party has received notices from the Estate department to vacate its 24, Akbar road office and 5, Raisina Road premises in Lutyens Delhi by March 28, according to sources.
The party faces eviction of its old party office, which it has held since 1978, as this is the final notice sent by the estate department.
The party continues to have its headquarters at its Akbar Road office, while the Indian Youth Congress functions from the Raisina Road premises.
The sources said that the notice was delivered a few days and has not even given a week's time to the grand old party.
Sources in the party said the Congress is yet to formulate its strategy on the issue and may even approach court in view of the sudden notice.
The Congress has already constructed its new party office at Indira Bhawan.
While the party did not say anything officially, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said the government should apply its rule uniformly to all and not single it out.
