Indian-origin lawmakers launch anti-Brexit campaign

London: Indian-origin MPs in the UK have launched a new cross-party group to campaign for Britain to remain a member of the European Union in the June 23 referendum. The “British Indians for IN” campaign was launched on Tuesday with the backing of 15 British-Indian lawmakers including Keith Vaz, Shailesh Vara, Lord Karan Bilimoria, Virendra Sharma and Seema Malhotra among others. PTI

1,300 engineers to rebuild quake-hit Nepal buildings

Kathmandu: Nepal will mobilise over 1,300 engineers this week as part of its post-quake reconstruction efforts, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said. Oli said a large number of volunteers will be mobilised in the 14 affected districts to assist the engineers in the reconstruction works. Nearly 800,000 houses were damaged in the devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake on April 25 last year. PTI

Despite damage, Palmyra retains ‘authenticity’

Paris: The UN cultural agency said the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra had suffered significant damage at the hands of Islamic State fighters, but that the archaeological site retains much of its authenticity. UNESCO sent experts to the world heritage site to study damage caused by the Islamic State group which held the city for nearly a year before it was retaken by President Bashar al-Assad's forces last month. AFP

N Korea erects mock-up of Seoul presidential palace

Seoul: South Korea said North Korea has built a half-size mock-up of the South's presidential palace at a firing range in what appears to be preparations for a live-fire drill. It comes ahead of a crucial North Korean ruling party congress next month during which leader Kim Jong Un is expected to shake up the country's political elite and announce major state goals in an effort to further consolidate his power. AP