Australian ship reacquired two underwater signals
The search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been further refined, after the Australian vessel Ocean Shield again picked up underwater signals.
The first signal was detected on Tuesday afternoon and lasted over five minutes, while a second was picked up on Tuesday night.
Over the weekend, the Australian ship detected two signals in the same area, consistent with that of a plane's black box locater.
As a result, on Wednesday, up to 15 planes and 14 ships searched the southern Indian Ocean in a region northwest of Perth, Australia.
But a submersible will not be sent into the depths unless more signals are picked up and the area refined even further.
Meanwhile, a new debris field has been spotted in the area that's being searched.
Chinese Premier thanks Australia for search help
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has thanked Australia for the nation's efforts in searching for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.
The Chinese Premier made the comment while meeting with visiting Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in South China's Hainan Province.
"China highly values the efforts made by Australia in searching for the missing jetliner. Mr. Prime Minister Abbott himself also put in great efforts toward the search. During our phone conversations days ago, we agreed that we will continue to beef up the search to provide an answer to the families of the passengers. It is heartening news that Mr. Prime Minister Abbott is confident of a certain conclusion to the incident."
For his part, Abbott says Australia will put in its upmost efforts in the search.
"I very much appreciated how committed China is to the search of MH370, how deeply sad everyone in China is at the loses of its so many citizens. I am very grateful as the leader of Australia which is leading the search and cover efforts for China's extraordinary assistance and I want to pledge to you Mr. Premier that Australia will not rest until we have done everything humanly possible to locate the plane."
The two prime ministers also agreed to accelerate negotiations on a bilateral free trade deal.
Tony Abbott is in China to attend the annual Bo'ao Forum for Asia, which kicks off today.
Putin instructs lenient gas policy with Ukraine
Russia's president has instructed his government to drop contractual options and allow Ukraine to get natural gas without one-month pre-payment.
Vladimir Putin says that given the difficult situation in Ukraine and negotiations with Europe, contract options should not be activated.
The Russian leader then took the opportunity to critize European countries that supported the current government in Kiev, saying those foreign governments have done nothing to assist Ukraine.
Despite not recognizing Ukraine's current leadership, Putin says Moscow will continue to support the former Soviet republic.
Iranian nuclear talks cover all issues needed for final agreement
The EU's foreign policy chief says the latest round of talks between Iran and the P5+1 group have been "substantive," covering all the major issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program.
But Catherine Ashton also acknowledges that "a lot of intensive work will be required to overcome the differences" at the bargaining table.
The head of the Chinese delegation at the talks, Wang Qun with the Foreign Ministry, is expressing optimism about the talks and the ground that's been covered during discussions.
The United States, Britain, France, and Russia are also represented at the bargaining table, as each is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Germany is also participating.
The goal is to begin writing a draft agreement in May and a final deal by July 20th, limiting Iran's nuclear program to civilian use and preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.
In return, western sanctions against Iran are to be eased.
Israel launches new reconnaissance satellite
Israel has launched a new reconnaissance satellite into space.
The Ofek 10 went up on Wednesday night.
Once it achieves orbit around the earth, officials say it will undergoe several tests to confirm its serviceability and the accuracy of its performance.
Israel's defense ministry the satellite is capable of operating day or night in all weather conditions.
Israel maintains an extensive spy satellite program and invests hundreds of millions of shekels a year in space development and satellite industry.
Israel is one of the 12 countries in the world that are capable of producing and launching satellites.
WHO issues first hepatitis C treatment guidelines
The World Health Organization has issued its first-ever guidelines for the treatment of hepatitis C, a chronic infection affecting up to 150-million people globally.
The goal is to improve access to more effective and safer medicines for those in need.
The new guidelines, launched on the eve of the opening of the 2014 International Liver Congress in London, make nine key recommendations.
These include approaches to increase the number of people screened for hepatitis C infection, advice as to how to mitigate liver damage for those who are infected, and how to select and provide appropriate treatments for chronic hepatitis C infection.
The disease is responsible for up to half-a-million deaths annually.
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