First bodies retrieved from sunken S.Korean ferry, 36 confirmed dead
Bodies were retrieved for the first time from a sunken South Korean ferry late Saturday night.
The emergency management headquarters says divers retrieved three bodies from inside the hull of the submerged ship Saturday night, the first such recovery nearly four days after the ferry capsized off Jindo Island on Wednesday morning.
The divers broke a window glass to enter the passenger compartment, pulling the male passengers' bodies out of the submerged ship.
The retrieval of the three more bodies raised the total death toll to 36, with 266 still missing. The number of the rescued remained unchanged at 174.
Four bodies were discovered Saturday evening in waters near the site of the accident.
Malaysian minister says next two days "crucial" in search for MH370
Malaysian acting Transport Minister Hussein says the next two days will be "very crucial" as the search area for the missing flight MH370 has been narrowed.
He told a press conference in Kuala Lunpur that the autonomous underwater vehicle Bluefin-21 will complete its scanning of the key area of the seabed in the southern Indian Ocean next week, but the search operation will continue.
Hishammudin said other approaches would be considered, including widening the scope of search and utilizing assets that could be relevant to the search.
He denied media reports that it would take six weeks to two months to scan the seabed in the search.
Over 100 killed in clashes over cattle robbery in South Sudan
More than 100 people were killed and dozens injured when suspected cattle raiders attacked a village in South Sudan's Warrap state.
Reports say at least 28 civilians and over 85 attackers were killed in the clashes between police and the attackers who infiltrated security arrangement of Tonj North County and entered Alabek village.
The governor of Warrap has condemned the "barbaric" act on innocent people in the state, vowing to carry on thorough investigations into the incident.
Boko Haram claims Nigerian capital blast
Nigeria's Boko Haram sect on Saturday claimed responsibility for Monday morning's deadly explosion at a crowded bus station in capital Abuja that killed at least 75 people.
Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram which has been responsible for major killings in Nigeria since 2009, said in a video message that the network was behind the bomb attack in Abuja.
First foreign warship arrives in China for joint exercise
The first foreign naval ship, a frigate from Bangladesh, arrived at east China's Qingdao on Saturday afternoon to take part in a multi-national marine exercise.
The exercise will be held around April 23, which marks the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.
The exact date of the drill has not been announced yet.
First trials end for mafia-style gang members
The first trials of 36 members of an alleged mafia-style gang led by former mining tycoon Liu Han ended Saturday in central China's Hubei Province.
Prosecutors say Liu Han, his brother Liu Wei and 34 other defendants were accused of crimes including organizing and leading a gang, intentional homicide and assault, illegal detention, blackmailing, illegal possession of guns and ammunition, and defrauding banks of loans.
Trials of the ring members began on March 31.
Most of them confessed and repented for their crimes, while Liu Han denied the charges, according to the court in Xianning City, Hubei.
The verdict will be announced at a date yet to be decided.
Eight killed in east China factory blast
The death toll has risen to eight in a chemical plant explosion on Wednesday in east China's Jiangsu Province.
The last body was found at the scene Saturday afternoon, bringing the death toll of the blast at Shuangma Chemical Plant in Rugao City to eight.
China reports new human H7N9 case
One more human H7N9 case has been confirmed in east China's Jiangsu Province.
A 35-year-old woman surnamed Lu, who was confirmed to have the infection on Saturday, is in critical condition, according to the provincial health department.
China has reported more than 120 human H7N9 cases this year, including at least 39 deaths.
Chinese premier stresses protection of local chronicles
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has stressed better compilation and protection of local chronicles nationwide.
Li Keqiang said in a statement given at a meeting on Saturday that Local chronicles carry the long Chinese civilization and historical wisdom, and they help educate the people and provide experience for governance.
He thanked the staff working in the area for their efforts and encouraged them in their profession.
Local chronicles are documents recording the history of local places, which help provide a more accurate and comprehensive picture of Chinese history. They can also be used for the study of natural and social sciences. |