China to launch 50 bln yuan fund to fight pollution
China plans to launch a 50 billion yuan ($8.13 billion) environmental protection fund in stepped-up efforts to reduce widespread pollution, the official China Securities Journal reported on Wednesday.
Egyptian court sentences 185 to death for attack on police
An Egyptian judge sentenced 185 people to death on Tuesday over an attack on a police station on the outskirts of Cairo in 2013 in which police officers were killed.
Agni-IV launch successful: India
India said that the launch of Agni-IV, its strategic missile, from the Wheeler Island, off the Odisha coast this morning was a success, the Hindu reports.
Second Sino-Nepal trade route opens
With China officially opening the Gyirong Port on the Rasuwagadhi border on Monday, the second land route has opened for bilateral trade between Nepal and China. Tatopani border was the sole trade transit with China for a long period.
China refuses to let British lawmakers visit Hong Kong
British lawmakers will not be allowed to enter Hong Kong as part of an inquiry into Britain’s relations with its former colony and progress towards democracy there, the head of a parliamentary committee said on Sunday.
Pope says it is wrong to equate Islam with violence
Pope Francis said on Sunday that equating Islam with violence was wrong and called on Muslim leaders to issue a global condemnation of terrorism to help dispel the stereotype. Francis, the leader of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, told reporters aboard his plane returning from a visit to Turkey that he understood why Muslims were offended by many in the West who automatically equated their religion with terrorism.
Ferguson officer who shot Michael Brown resigns
The white police officer who killed Michael Brown has resigned from the Ferguson Police Department, his attorney said Saturday, nearly four months after the fatal confrontation with the black 18-year-old that led to protests across the US.
Air strikes failed to weaken IS: Syria
US-led strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria have failed to weaken the jihadist organisation, according to Syria’s foreign minister Walid Muallem. Speaking on Friday night to two Middle Eastern television stations, Muallem also said ‘more time’ was needed before a dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition could begin.
Pak agencies backing terror groups: India
India’s home minister hit out at Pakistan on Saturday, accusing its state agencies of using terror to try to destabilize India, and rejecting Pakistan’s assertion that non-state actors are involved in terrorism.
Venezuela plans salary cuts due to oil price slide
Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro said on Friday he and other government officials should take salary cuts as part of budget reductions in response to the lower price of oil.
