Off the wire
• Las Vegas horse wedding marks two-month countdown to equestrian FEI World Cup Finals  • Gov't admits difficulty in passing key law for southern Philippines after deadly clash  • Iran condemns terror attacks in Pakistani mosque  • China's anti-graft watchdog publishes corruption cases in environmental protection sector  • Aston Villa names Sherwood as manager  • Security forces bust terrorist group in SE Iran  • Iraq's Sunni MPs boycott parliament sessions for killing of tribal leader  • Spotlight: World awaits ceasefire in eastern Ukraine with mixed feelings  • Turkish gov't, Kurds prepare "joint statement" over progress on peace process  • Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Feb. 14  
You are here: 　 Home

Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1630 GMT, Feb. 14

Xinhua, February 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

India's anti-graft Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal was Saturday sworn in as the new chief minister of Delhi at an open ground in the national capital.

The 46-year-old former civil servant-turned-politician was administered the oath of office, along with six others, by Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung at Ramlila ground, in a ceremony attended by over 50,000 people, amid tight security. (India-Delhi- Chief Minister)

- - - -

KABUL -- Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Saturday strongly condemned a terrorist attack against a mosque in Pakistan.

"Killing of defenseless individuals, particularly those offering prayers, is solely un-Islamic and inhuman act that is never justifiable," the Afghan leader said in a statement released by Presidential Palace. (Afghanistan-Attack)

- - - -

DHAKA -- Bangladesh's opposition alliance on Saturday announced another nationwide strike to press for a new general election under a non-party caretaker government system.

Spokesperson of former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Salahuddin Ahmed, said in a press release that the 72-hour strike will start at 6:00 a.m. local time Sunday (0000 GMT) and will continue till 6:00 a.m. local time Wednesday.

The announcement came just two days after it staged a five-day nationwide strike last Sunday amid violent clashes, vandalism, arson and crude bomb attacks. (Bangladesh-Strike)

- - - -

MANILA -- The Philippine government said on Saturday that it was hard to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) after a deadly clash in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao that left 44 policemen dead.

"It's very difficult right now to discuss the Bangsamoro Basic Law given the emphasis on the investigation and inquiry on the Mamasapano incident," said presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in an interview with a state-run radio. (Philippines-Law) Endi