AP, Beijing
A shallow magnitude-5.5 earthquake struck the mountainous region of Tibet on Wednesday, injuring 60 people, collapsing houses and damaging bridges and roads, authorities said.
The quake struck at 9:15 a.m. (0115 GMT), 70 kilometers (44 miles) northwest of Gyamotang village at a depth of just 10 kilometers (6 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake region is near Tibet’s border with Qinghai province to the north.
US patrols justify defensive deployments: China
AP, Beijing
Upping the ante in the feud over who is responsible for rising tensions in the South China Sea, China on Wednesday said repeated U.S. Navy patrols in the area are forcing it to boost the defense capabilities of the islands it controls and may require it to launch more air and sea patrols.
In a strongly worded statement, the Defense Ministry said it deployed two navy fighter jets, one early warning aircraft and three ships to track and warn-off the destroyer USS William P. Lawrence as it passed nearby Fiery Cross Reef on Tuesday.
EU ready for migrant return talks with Nigeria
AP, Brussels
The European Commission says it’s ready to start negotiating an agreement with Nigeria to send back Nigerian migrants who do not qualify to stay in the European Union.
The Commission said in a statement Wednesday that the move would ensure that returns are done “rapidly and efficiently.” It said the so-called readmission agreement would respect international law.
Italy holds confidence vote on gay unions bill
AFP, Rome
Italy is set to legalise gay civil unions with a confidence vote in parliament Wednesday on a bill hailed as a historic turning point but criticised as a missed opportunity for greater change.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi called the vote, which begins at 2:10 pm (1210 GMT) in the lower house, to force the controversial bill through, putting his cabinet on the line in a challenge to the Catholic right and rebels in his own party.
India to seek tycoon Mallya’s extradition
AFP, New Delhi
India will seek to extradite indebted tycoon Vijay Mallya, the country’s finance minister said on Wednesday, after Britain turned down its request to deport him.
Arun Jaitley told parliament that Britain had refused to deport Mallya, who left India owing $1.34 billion, because he entered the country on a valid passport, even though it was later revoked.
Egypt reopens Gaza border crossing
AP, Rafah
The militant Hamas group says Egypt has temporarily reopened its border with the Gaza Strip, the first time the border was opened in three months.
The Rafah crossing is Gaza’s main gateway to the outside world.
