China to launch major energy projects

China to launch major energy projects

Beijing, April 21 (IANS) China will kick off a number of major energy projects to ensure stable economic growth and restructure its energy layout, Premier Li Keqiang has revealed. Li made the remarks at a meeting of the State Energy Commission held Friday, Xinhua reported. The projects will mainly include nuclear power plants on the […]

Two Chinese engineers abducted in Sudan

Two Chinese engineers abducted in Sudan

Khartoum, April 21 (IANS) Unidentified men kidnapped two Chinese engineers working at an oil field belonging to Sudanese companies in the country’s West Kordofan state Friday, Chinese embassy sources said here Sunday. The emergency mechanism at the Chinese embassy in Khartoum started its work through contacting the concerned Sudanese authorities, Xinhua reported citing sources. The […]

15 Afghan Taliban killed since Saturday

15 Afghan Taliban killed since Saturday

Kabul, April 21 (IANS) A total of 24 militants have been killed in different parts of the country during security operations launched by Afghan police with the help of army since Saturday, the government said Sunday. “Units of police in conjunction with the national army have carried out series of cleanup operations in Logar, Kandahar, […]

Saudi Arabia to launch hotline for domestic workers

Saudi Arabia to launch hotline for domestic workers

Riyadh, April 21 (IANS) Saudi Arabia will soon launch a hotline to receive complaints from domestic workers in eight languages, a local daily reported here Sunday. The call center, which will be under the labour ministry, will also answer inquiries and inform domestic workers of their rights and duties, Xinhua quoted Al Eqtisadia newspaper as […]

Eight killed in Mexican plane crash

Eight killed in Mexican plane crash

Mexico City, April 21 (IANS) A total of eight people were killed in a plane crash in northern Mexico late Saturday, local authorities said. The Hawker 800 jet came down in an industrial estate in Coahuila state’s Ramos Arizpe city, Xinhua quoted the Coahuila attorney general’s office as saying in a statement. Preliminary findings showed […]

Pakistan, China hold joint military exercise

Pakistan, China hold joint military exercise

Islamabad, April 21 (IANS) A two-week Pakistan-China joint military exercise started Sunday near the garrison city of Rawalpindi, the military said. Flags of both countries were hoisted and national anthems played to mark the opening of the joint military exercise in a ceremony, Xinhua quoted Pakistani army’s media wing as saying. “The joint exercise is […]

South Korean ferry toll rises to 64

South Korean ferry toll rises to 64

Jindo (South Korea), April 21 (IANS) The toll in the South Korean ferry sinking reached 64 Monday, as divers kept entering inside the hull of the submerged vessel while ships were scouring the waters, Xinhua reported. So far, 64 people have been confirmed dead with 238 others still missing. The number of the rescued remained […]

Japanese PM makes offering at Yasukuni shrine

Japanese PM makes offering at Yasukuni shrine

Tokyo, April 21 (IANS) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made an offering to the notorious war-linked Yasukuni Shrine Monday during its three-day spring festival. The sacrifice came ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit to Japan later this week and Abe, in a move to avoid provoking the US, decided not to worship the shrine […]

Ukraine criticises Russia for gun attack

Ukraine criticises Russia for gun attack

Kiev, April 21 (IANS) Russia should be responsible for a fatal shootout between unidentified gunmen and pro-Moscow activists in the eastern Ukrainian town of Slavyansk, authorities said Sunday. “Armed lawbreakers and saboteurs who are terrorising the local population around Slavyansk … have turned to cynical provocation,” Xinhua quoted the Ukrainian Security Service as saying in […]