Quake hits Japan

Tokyo, March 3 (IANS) An earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale jolted a part of Japan Sunday evening, the US Geological Survey said. No tsunami, however, was predicted. The temblor struck 110km NNW of Nago, a city located in the northern part of Okinawa Island, at 8.11 GMT Sunday, Xinhua reported. The quake’s epicentre, having […]

Lifting of sanctions conducive to final n-deal: Iran

Lifting of sanctions conducive to final n-deal: Iran

Tehran, March 3 (IANS) Lifting all sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme will help Tehran and world powers reach a final agreement regarding the issue, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Sunday. In the nuclear talks, “what is important is boosting the Iranians’ confidence and respecting their rights” by the P5+1 group, namely Britain, […]

Ukraine sacks Navy chief

Ukraine sacks Navy chief

Kiev, March 3 (IANS) Ukraine’s acting Defence Minister Igor Tenyukh Sunday dismissed Navy Commander Denis Berezovsky, who reportedly swore allegiance to pro-Russian Crimean authorities earlier in the day. “The vacancy has been fulfilled by Rear Admiral Sergey Hayduk,” Xinhua quoted the Ukrainian defence ministry as saying in a statement. Information from Ukraine’s Security Council said that […]

China urges political solution to Ukraine situation

China urges political solution to Ukraine situation

Beijing, March 3 (IANS) Expressing deep concern, China Sunday urged all sides involved in the Ukraine situation to comply with international law and seek a political solution to their disputes through dialogue and negotiations. “China is deeply concerned with the current Ukraine situation,” Xinhua quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Qin Gang as saying while responding to a […]

EU condemns terrorist attacks in China

EU condemns terrorist attacks in China

Brussels, March 3 (IANS) EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton Sunday condemned the Kunming terrorist attacks and sent condolences to the victims’ families. “The High Representative is appalled by the reports she has received of the significant loss of life and the many casualties caused by a mass knife attack that took place at Kunming train […]

29 Chinese judges, court staff punished for corruption

29 Chinese judges, court staff punished for corruption

Beijing, March 3 (IANS) China investigated and punished 829 judges and other court staff for corruption in 2013, the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) said Sunday. The latest statistics show 42.3 per cent rise. Among the 829 court officials, 157 were transferred to judicial organs for prosecution, 294 punished for violation of Party disciplines, and 531 punished […]

29 Chinese judges, court staff punished for corruption

29 Chinese judges, court staff punished for corruption

Beijing, March 3 (IANS) China investigated and punished 829 judges and other court staff for corruption in 2013, the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) said Sunday. The latest statistics show 42.3 per cent rise. Among the 829 court officials, 157 were transferred to judicial organs for prosecution, 294 punished for violation of Party disciplines, and 531 punished […]

16 Afghan militants killed in security operations

16 Afghan militants killed in security operations

Kabul, March 3 (IANS) At least 16 Taliban militants were killed in two military operations carried out by Afghan security forces, officials said Sunday. Nine militants were killed and five wounded when Afghan army commandos launched an operation in Dar-e-Sangara area of Laghman province early Sunday, Xinhua quoted local authorities as saying. Four militants were also […]

France seeks G8 preparatory talks’ suspension

France seeks G8 preparatory talks’ suspension

Paris, March 3 (IANS) France has urged for suspension of this week’s preparatory meetings for the G8 summit in Russia’s Sochi city in June. “France wishes the preparation for G8 Sochi should be suspended because our Russian partners are contrary to the principles of the G7 and G8,” Xinhua quoted French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius as […]

Egypt’s new PM urges people to stop strikes

Egypt’s new PM urges people to stop strikes

Cairo, March 3 (IANS) Egypt’s new Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab urged citizens to stop strikes and protests to let the production process to continue in a nation hit by a three-year turmoil. “I understand life pressures and hard living conditions,” Xinhua quoted Mahlab as saying in a televised speech, adding “I realise that many demands require […]