Russia calls new sanctions on Crimea ‘collective punishment’
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday new Western sanctions against Ukraine’s Crimea region were a “collective punishment” on residents who voted last March to join Russia, adding it was preparing to retaliate.
India PM Modi’s party distances itself from religious conversions
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party said on Saturday it does not support forceful religious conversions, distancing itself from a sensitive issue that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and hurt the governme…
Magnitude 5.9 earthquake hits Japan’s Honshu island: USGS
TOKYO (Reuters) – A 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan’s Honshu island on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, shaking Fukushima where crippled nuclear power plants are located, but local media said there was no tsunami warning.
North Korea proposes joint probe with U.S. into Sony cyber attack: KCNA
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea proposed a joint investigation with the United States on the cyber attack against Sony Pictures, calling the charge by the FBI that it was behind the attack “slander”, state media said on Saturday.
China offers $3 billion in aid and loans to neighbors: Xinhua
BANGKOK/SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China has offered more than $3 billion in loans and aid to neighbors Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos to improve infrastructure and production, and to fight poverty, state media reported on Saturday.
North Korea says to boost nuclear power to counter U.S. hostile policy
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea vowed on Saturday to boost its “nuclear power” to counter Washington’s hostile policy, saying it had become apparent the United States aimed to invade the North under the guise of human rights abuses.
China offers $3 billion in aid and loans to neighbors: Xinhua
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China has offered more than $3 billion in loans and aid to neighbors Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos to improve infrastructure and production, and to fight poverty, state media reported on Saturday.
Bomb blast in Bahraini Shi’ite village wounds three policemen
MANAMA (Reuters) – A bomb blast in a Shi’ite Muslim village in Bahrain late on Friday injured three policemen, the interior ministry said, in a further sign of anti-government sentiment since the opposition boycotted elections last month.
Italy’s Renzi wins confidence vote to pass budget in Senate
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi won a confidence vote to get his tax-cutting 2015 budget through the Senate on Saturday and it is expected to be definitively approved by the lower house of parliament next week.
Cuban relatives of U.S. spy in dark after news of release
WASHINGTON/MIAMI (Reuters) – His release from a Cuban prison has been as cloak-and-dagger as his spying career ever was.
