A top Chinese official will visit Vietnam regarding China’s deployment of a giant oil rig off Vietnam’s coast.
International
Palace will not launch an offensive vs China in UN meeting
Malacañang says it will not launch an offensive regarding China’s accusation against the Philippines during a recent meeting of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). During the 24th meeting of state parties of the UNCLOS, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative Wang Min accused the Philippines of deceiving the international community regarding the South China Sea dispute to win the sympathy of other countries.
Tornado obliterates Nebraska town, killing one and injuring 16
(Reuters) – A swarm of tornadoes, some appearing two at a time, struck several farming communities in northeastern Nebraska on Monday, killing at least one person and injuring 16 others in one tiny town obliterated by a direct hit, officials said. The tornadoes, part of a super-cell thunderstorm system, appeared to be class EF-2 or EF-3 twisters, meaning they packed cyclonic winds of up to 165 miles per hour (265 kph), said Rich Thompson, the […]
China sentences three to death for Tiananmen Square attack
(Reuters) – China sentenced three people to death on Monday over a deadly attack at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square last October, state television reported, an incident blamed by the government on Islamist militants. One attacker was given a life sentence, and four others received jail terms ranging from five to 20 years. Five people were killed and 40 hurt when a car plowed into a crowd at the northern edge of Tiananmen Square and burst into flames. Those […]
Russia cuts gas to Ukraine, flows to EU threatened
(Reuters) – Russia cut off gas to Ukraine on Monday in a dispute over unpaid bills that could disrupt supplies to the rest of Europe and set back hopes for peace in the former Soviet republic. After weekend violence that included the loss of 49 troops in the downing of a Ukrainian plane, Russia said Kiev missed a deadline for a $1.95 billion debt payment and it would now only get gas it has paid for in […]
U.S. considers air strikes, action with Iran to halt Iraq rebels
(Reuters) – The United States said it could launch air strikes and act jointly with its arch-enemy Iran to support the Iraqi government, after a rampage by Sunni Islamist insurgents acrossIraq that has torn up traditional alliances in the Middle East. Militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have routed Baghdad’s army and seized the north of the country in the past week, threatening to dismember Iraq and unleash all-out sectarian warfare with no regard for national […]
Moscow threatens to cut off gas supply in Kiev
Ukraine faces the threat of Russia cutting off the country’s gas supply after the two nations failed again to come into terms regarding their gas-pricing dispute.
US boots embassy security in Iraq
US embassy beefed up security in Baghdad and some personnel were evacuated as tensions in Iraq worsen.
Iraq rebels seize Northwest town in heavy battle
Poaching threatens African elephants
African elephants at risk of extinction after more than 20,000 African elephants killed for their ivory in 2013, a U.N.-linked wildlife conservation agency says.
Ukraine faces gas cut threat as talks with Russia fail
(Reuters) – Ukraine faces the threat of Russia cutting off gas supplies when a 0600 GMT deadline passes on Monday after talks on a long-running gas pricing dispute failed. Russian natural gas producer Gazprom said it was not extending the deadline for Ukraine to start paying off its gas debts after the discussions ended in the early hours of the morning in Kiev, raising the prospect of disruptions to gas flows to the European Union […]
Afghans ignore Taliban threats and vote again in final test
(Reuters) – Millions of Afghans turned out for a second time on Saturday to elect a successor to President Hamid Karzai on Saturday, a decisive test of the country’s ambitions to transfer power democratically for the first time in its tumultuous history. Most foreign troops will leave by the end of 2014, and whoever takes over from Karzai will inherit a troubled country plagued by an assertive Taliban insurgency and an economy crippled by corruption and the […]
