Earthquake of magnitude 6.9 strikes off PNG: USGS
(Reuters) – An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck off Papua New Guinea on Thursday, 154 km south of Rabaul, at a depth of 85 km (53 miles), the United States Geological Survey reported.
Italy’s Renzi wins second confidence vote on electoral law
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi won the second of three confidence votes on a fiercely contested new electoral law on Thursday, defying the anger of opposition parties and dissidents within his own Democratic Party (PD).
China says worried by new U.S. cyber strategy
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Defence Ministry expressed concern on Thursday at the Pentagon’s updated cyber strategy that stresses the U.S. military’s ability to retaliate with cyber weapons, saying this would only worsen tension over Internet security….
EU chief demands Orban drop Hungary death penalty revival
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker issued a strong demand to Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban on Thursday to drop his suggestion that the country might reintroduce capital punishment.
Philippines may seek clemency anew for drug convict in Indonesia
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines may renew its appeal for clemency for a Filipina drug convict granted a temporary reprieve from a death sentence in Indonesia, depending on the outcome of a related human trafficking case, a foreign ministry spokesman…
China, Russia to hold first joint Mediterranean naval drills in May
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will hold joint naval drills with Russia in mid-May in the Mediterranean Sea, the first time the two countries will hold military exercises together in that part of the world, the Chinese Defence Ministry said on Thursday.
One Ukrainian serviceman killed in separatist attacks: Kiev military
KIEV (Reuters) – One Ukrainian serviceman has been killed in fresh separatist attacks on government forces in eastern Ukraine despite a ceasefire, Interfax news agency quoted the Ukrainian military as saying.
China says army helps to investigate murders near North Korea border
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Defence Ministry on Thursday said its forces were helping with an investigation of three murders near the sensitive border with North Korea, although it declined to confirm reports the suspects were North Korean army deserte…
U.S. diplomat says told Burundi president of “serious concerns” about violence
BUJUMBURA (Reuters) – A senior United States diplomat told Burundi president Pierre Nkurunziza in a meeting on Thursday that the U.S. government has “serious concerns” about tensions in the east African country, and urged him to allow peaceful protests…
Besieged Yemeni city sees worst fighting yet: residents
ADEN (Reuters) – Arab air strikes and artillery fire rocked the southern Yemeni city of Aden overnight as combatants battled for control of the main airport in fighting described by residents as the worst in over a month of war.
