The Chinese government mounted a detailed defense on Thursday (April 9) of its reclamation work in the disputed South China Sea, saying its activities were aimed at meeting both military and civil needs. Newly-published satellite images show that China is quickly reclaiming land around a submerged reef within an area the Philippines regards as its exclusive economic zone, with several dredgers in operation and seawalls built. The work on Mischief Reef is China’s most recent […]
International
U.S. says Chinese activity in South China Sea causes regional ‘anxiety’
China on Thursday (April 9) sketched out plans for the islands it is creating in the disputed South China Sea, saying they would be used for military defense as well as to provide civilian services that would benefit other countries. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a news briefing that the reclamation and building work in the Spratly archipelago of the South China Sea was needed partly because of the risk of typhoons in […]
Boston bombing suspect may face death penalty
The 21-year old suspect in the Boston marathon bombing last April 2013 may face death penalty.
Boston Marathon bombing jury finds Tsarnaev guilty of deadly 2013 attack
The jury hearing the Boston Marathon bombing on Wednesday (April 8) foundDzhokhar Tsarnaev guilty of killing three people and injuring 264 in the April 15, 2013 attack on the city’s best-attended sporting event, as well as fatally shooting a police officer four days later. Tsarnaev, 21, was tried on a sprawling 30-count indictment, with 17 of the charges carrying the death penalty. The jury that found him guilty will now decide whether to sentence him […]
Islamic State releases more than 200 captive Yazidis in Iraq
More than 200 Yazidis who were held captive by Islamic State militants were freed on Wednesday (April 8) in northern Iraq, a Reuters witness said. All those released were elderly or infirm, and also included two Christians. “These people were taken captive by the criminal Daesh. We call for the liberation of our areas and we want to get back to our areas. We also ask for protection of our areas in order to prevent […]
World Health Day 2015: From farm to plate, make food safe
Obama says confident Iran sanctions could be reimposed if deal broken
U.S. President Barack Obama said in an interview released on Tuesday (March 7) he is confident sanctions against Iran could be reimposed if Tehran violates an agreement to restrict its nuclear program. Obama told National Public Radio (NPR) that U.S. and European negotiators are trying to reach a deal with Iran in which sanctions could be reimposed without a U.N. Security Council vote, where Tehran-ally Russia would have a veto. In an excerpt released on […]
UNICEF: 74 Children Killed In Yemen Since Saudi-Led Airstrikes
An estimated 540 people have been killed in Yemen and 1,700 wounded by violence since March 19, a UN representative said Tuesday (April 7). “Estimations from 6 April, as of yesterday, are: 540 people have been killed and some 1,700 wounded by the violence in Yemen since 19 March,” World Health Organization (WHO) spokesman Christophe Lindmeier told reporters at a news briefing. More precisely, the United Nations says 549 people were killed and more than […]
Pakistani warship evacuating almost 150 Pakistanis including Filipinos from Yemen arrives in Karachi
Pakistan warship ‘Aslat’ arrived in Karachi on Tuesday (April 7) carrying 182 people who had been stranded in the ongoing conflict in Yemen. The vessel, carrying 146 Pakistanis and 36 other foreigners, departed from the Yemeni port city of al Mukalla after a successful evacuation operation on April 5. There were women and children are among the 147 Pakistanis on board the ship. The foreigners include 11 Indians, 8 Chinese, 5 Filipinos, 4 Britons, 2 […]
Woman finds pearls in restaurant
In the United States, a lucky woman found 50 pieces of tiny pearls from the oyster that she ordered.
Indonesia to push through with death penalty
Indonesia said that it will push through with the imposition of death penalty through firing squad against nine drug smugglers caught in Bali.
Japan’s 2015 foreign policy report expresses deep remorse over World War II
Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday (April 7) Japan had added references in its annual foreign policy Diplomatic Blue Book to “remorse” as the country reflected on the 70 years since World War II. According to the Kyodo news agency, a draft of the 2015 report says “Japan has continued its path as a pacifist nation for 70 years since the end of World War Two based on its ‘deep remorse’ over the […]