China Scrambles Fighter Jets In Islands Row

Chinese fighter jets have reportedly been sent to patrol disputed air space over the East China Sea after Japanese and South Korean planes flew into the region.

The move, described as a "defensive measure" by an air force spokesman quoted by a state news agency, raises the stakes in the long-running row over a string of tiny islands.

The military is on "high alert and will take measures to deal with diverse air threats to firmly protect the security of the country's airspace", Xinhua reported.

The warning comes days after China laid claim to the islands, which it calls the Diaoyu but are known as the Senkaku in Japan.

It previously threatened "emergency" action would be taken against aircraft which do not comply with new identification rules.

The islands cover an area of just seven square kilometres - roughly 2% of the size of the Isle of Wight.

However, they are thought to be surrounded by energy-rich waters.

Chinese and Japanese boats have been patrolling the coastline and there have been several reports of military aircraft flying too close to each other.

In October, Chinese military aircraft flew near Japan for three days in a row.

Japan scrambled fighter jets each time in response.

Earlier this week, the US sent two unarmed B-52 bombers to the disputed region without telling China first.

US Vice President Joe Biden is visiting China, Japan and South Korea next month, when he is expected to attempt to diffuse tensions over the islands.

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Falklands Oil Row: Argentina's Threat To Firms

Argentina has threatened oil firms seeking to operate off the Falkland Islands with 15-year jail terms, huge fines and confiscation of assets.

It is just the latest chapter in the dispute with Britain over sovereignty.

Its London embassy announced that new laws have been passed by the Argentine Congress to punish exploration it claims is in breach of a UN resolution.

But the Foreign Office insisted the activities were "wholly legitimate and legal" and entirely under the control of the Government of the island - a British overseas territory.

A spokesman said: "The UK Government unequivocally supports the right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their natural resources for their own economic benefit.

"This right is an integral part of their right of self-determination, which is expressly contained in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

"Argentine domestic law does not apply to the Falkland Islands or South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, which are UK overseas territories."

Buenos Aires has issued repeated written legal warnings to firms that they face administrative, civil and criminal action for operating off the islands - which Argentina calls Las Malvinas.

In a statement, the embassy said the new law "provides for prison sentences for the duration of up to 15 years; fines equivalent to the value of 1.5 million barrels of oil; the banning of individuals and companies from operating in Argentina; and the confiscation of equipment and any hydrocarbons that would have been illegally extracted".

It added: "The Argentine Government has protested against and rejected all of the United Kingdom's attempts to promote and authorise such hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities in the area of the Argentine continental shelf."

Islanders voted by 1,513 to three to remain a British overseas territory in a referendum in March but Argentina has since stepped up its claim over the territory at the UN.

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World Cup Stadium Delay After Crane Deaths

The deaths of two construction workers at a Brazilian World Cup stadium mean the venue may now be completed up to two months late.

Fifa is expecting a delay of 45 to 60 days after a crane hoisting a 500-tonne structure collapsed, causing damage to the outer walls of the venue and a giant LED screen.

Football's world governing body had originally set a December 31 deadline for the completion of all stadiums for next summer's tournament.

The delay will increase existing worries over whether Brazil can get all its building work done in time for the June 12 kick-off.

The stadium was said to be very close to completion

Six stadiums have already been declared ready but there are concerns the venues in Cuiaba, Manaus and Curitiba may not meet the deadline.

Stadium bosses at Sao Paulo's Arena Corinthians said the "structure of the grandstand was not compromised" in the incident and that work on the 70,000-seat venue will resume on Monday, after a three-day period of mourning.

Andres Sanchez, operations director at the stadium, which is due to host the World Cup opener, said the two workers were crushed to death.

Fifa had set a December 31 deadline for all stadium building work

They have been named as Ronaldo Oliveira dos Santos, 44, and Fabio Luiz Pereira, 42, who was reportedly inside his truck when it was hit by the falling structure.

Most of the 1,700 workers were on a lunch break when the incident took place.

In a statement, Corinthians said it was the 38th time the crane had performed the procedure and that a similar structure had been successfully installed a week ago.

Investigators are looking into the reason for the collapse.

Two died when the crane "derailed" and dropped a 500-tonne structure

Fifa said the "safety of workers is the top priority" of World Cup organisers, while the organisation's' president, Sepp Blatter, said he was "deeply saddened by the tragic death of workers".

"Our heartfelt condolences are with the families," he said

The incident is not the first to hit the country's World Cup preparations however.

One worker died last year during construction of a stadium in the capital, Brasilia, and one was killed at the Manaus stadium last March.

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Thai PM Shinawatra Survives No-Confidence Vote

Thailand's embattled prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has easily survived a parliamentary no-confidence vote against her.

The vote is unlikely to defuse tensions or end the biggest anti-government protests since deadly political unrest three years ago.

Protesters plan to march to the national police headquarters and defense ministry later.

"I will not dissolve the house," a defiant Ms Yingluck told reporters before the vote.

"It is clear the protesters are not looking for house dissolution so, starting today, let us find a way out this together," she said.

Yingluck needed more than half, or 246 votes, out of the 492 votes in the lower house to prevail. She won 297, with 134 votes against her.

The motion was filed by the opposition Democrat Party, which alleges widespread corruption in government and accuses the prime minister of acting as a puppet for her brother, the ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Ms Yingluck denies the allegations and urged demonstrators to end their occupation of a number of key government buildings.

"They want to rally until the end of this month. I think they have expressed their political stand enough," she said.

Protesters are demanding the end of the "Thaksin regime" and want to replace the government with an unelected "people's council".

The protests have triggered growing international concern, with UN leader Ban Ki-moon the latest world leader to voice alarm.

Ban "is concerned by the rising political tensions in Bangkok", said his spokesman Martin Nesirky.

"The secretary-general calls on all sides to exercise the utmost restraint, refrain from the use of violence and to show full respect for the rule of law and human rights."

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Indian Dentists Who Slit Daughter's Throat Jailed

A couple who slit the throats of their daughter and a servant have been sentenced to life in prison by a court in India.

A judge handed the sentence to wealthy dentists Rajesh and Nupur Talwar who were convicted the previous day of murdering Aarushi, 14, and Nepalese servant Hemraj Banjade.

The killings happened at their home in the affluent New Delhi suburb of Noida in 2008.

"It's life," independent lawyer Naresh Yadav told reporters outside the court in Ghaziabad, a satellite city just outside the capital.

Judge Shyam Lal spared the couple the death penalty, which had been sought by the prosecution after their conviction on Monday.

"Life imprisonment is the basic sentence. We are satisfied with the judgement. The case has come to an end," prosecutor R.K. Saini said.

The sentence was the latest dramatic twist in the long-running case that has been awash with sexual rumour and charges of police bungling and media bias.

Rajesh Talwar was attacked outside court in 2011

Investigators allege the Talwars killed Aarushi in a fit of rage after finding her with the 45-year-old domestic servant in an "objectionable position", suggesting the double-murder was a so-called honour killing.

The couple - successful, middle-class dentists - have vowed to appeal, insisting that they are victims of police incompetence and a media witchhunt.

Aarushi was found on her bed with her throat cut "with clinical precision" one morning in May 2008.

Police initially blamed the missing servant - only to find his decomposing body on the roof a day later with a similar cut and head wounds.

Rajesh Talwar recently told the AFP news agency: "We loved Aarushi, we have no lives without her. This has been a never-ending nightmare."

Early in the investigation, police alleged Rajesh Talwar had murdered Aarushi and Hemraj in a rage after finding them in a compromising situation.

The prosecution had conceded there was no forensic or material evidence against the couple, and based its case on the "last-seen theory" - claiming the victims were last seen with the accused.

Defence lawyer Satyaketu Singh said after sentencing that "there is no evidence against them" and expressed confidence that "this judgment will be overturned."

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Gibraltar Diplomatic Bag Row Heightens Tensions

Britain has made a formal protest after Spanish police opened a diplomatic bag on the border with Gibraltar.

An explanation is being demanded by the Foreign Office of the "serious infringement" of international protocols.

Assurances are also being sought that there will be no repeat of the incident, in which a diplomatic bag being carried by a courier into Spain, was opened and searched by Guardia Civil officers.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Diplomatic bags are inviolable."

It comes amid continuing tensions between London and Madrid over the British overseas territory.

Tensions have been growing between London and Madrid over the territory

Diplomatic bags, which are used to carry documents and other items, between governments and their diplomatic missions abroad are protected by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The spokesman said: "This was a serious infringement of the principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

"We take very seriously any reported abuse of the protocol surrounding official correspondence and the diplomatic bag.

"We have asked the Spanish authorities to investigate what occurred and take action to ensure it does not happen again.

"As far as we are concerned there is no justification for this infringement of the UK's rights under the Vienna Convention. Official correspondence and diplomatic bags are inviolable."

Frictions over the disputed territory have been rising since the construction of an artificial reef by the Gibraltar government earlier this year, which the Spanish said interfered with their fishermen.

Tighter border controls imposed by Spain led to long delays at frontier

Madrid responded by imposing tighter border controls, leading to long delays at the frontier.

Earlier this month, the Spanish ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office over what was said to be an unauthorised incursion into Gibraltarian waters by a Spanish survey vessel.

It was the third time the Spanish ambassador had been publicly summoned over the Gibraltar issue since the current Spanish government took office in December 2011.

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Israel Says Nuclear Deal Is 'Historic Mistake'

It's "an historic mistake" that will "make the world more dangerous" - the result of cosmetic concessions - and the consequences "threaten Israel". And: "We will not allow Iran to obtain military capability."

Benjamin Netanyahu's take on the interim deal to limit Iran's nuclear programme could not be more out of tune with how the US President plays it.

Barack Obama said the agreement "opened up a new path toward a world that is more secure".

That the two men don't get along could be a diplomatic understatement. But why the huge gulf over what is an historic turning point in Iran's relations with the outside world?

It's partly caused by policy, and partly by personality. The deal with Iran is less of a turning point - more a junction.

The Israelis contend the world's superpowers and global diplomats have been suckered and that Iran has taken a devious route. The Saudis probably agree - though may not say so out loud.

Israel sees an Iranian nuclear weapon as an existential threat - the Saudis fear Iran's Shi'a agenda which has already established an arc of influence from Iraq to Syria.

The US, Europe, Russia and China see Iran has opted for a different road - one that will lead it back into the community of nations - and one that will have checkpoints manned by the International Atomic Energy Authority.

It will only be clear which direction Iran has really chosen over the next six months. These are rational differences of difference of policy.

Mr Obama says the deal opens a path to 'a world that is more secure'

An objective analysis of the interim deal, which is intended to lead to a permanent end to Iran's nuclear weapons programme in return for the end of crippling sanctions in six months, it is pretty good.

Enrichment of uranium will be halted at 5% (well below the weapons threshold purity of 90%). Iran's stockpile of 30% enriched uranium will be neutralised.

Tehran's capacity to re-start its nuclear weapons programme is also being rolled back. Centrifuges for enrichment will be put out of action and no new ones built. The plutonium reactor at Arak will, effectively, be mothballed before its completion.

IAEA inspectors will be given regular and unrestrained access to the nuclear sites and even access to CCTV cameras to try to ensure that Iran isn't backsliding.

In return, Iran gets access to airplane parts, and partial lifting of sanctions on the oil and gold industry worth $1.5bn a year.

It will also get, in instalments, revenues from $4.2bn worth of oil revenues - and $400m will be allowed to be sent to Iranian students and other educational projects abroad.

Iran will still be losing out on $4bn a month in oil sales because of caps on its exports, and $100bn of its foreign exchange will remain in frozen bank accounts.

The nuclear talks in Geneva

These simply are not the "cosmetic concessions" that the Israeli Prime Minister claims.

It is true that many western intelligence agencies share the Israeli fear that the international community may be falling into an Iranian trap.

"They are world class liars," one senior spook said.

But there is no need to say so - yet.

"All Bibi (Benjamin Netanyahu) needs to do is say he reserves judgement on the interim agreement and hope that diplomacy will work - give the whole thing its six months and then if Iran is indeed cheating, Israel will have global support for more drastic action," said one western diplomat.

He risks being 'tuned out' by the international community - even if what he may say, in the end, is proved incorrect, the diplomat added.

Often belligerent Israel, led by Mr Netanyahu's personal style, is now being seen as petulant.

Behaviour that is trying the patience of its father figure -  the USA.

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Iran Nuclear Deal Reached At Talks In Geneva

An agreement has been reached between Iran and six world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

The deal, announced by European Union policy chief Catherine Ashton, is a first step towards resolving a decade-old stand-off between Tehran and the West.

The agreement between the Islamic state and the US, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia was nailed down after more than four days of negotiations in Geneva.

US President Barack Obama said it was an important first step towards a comprehensive solution to Iran's nuclear programme.

William Hague hailed the agreement as 'very important and encouraging'

He said Iran could not use its next-generation centrifuges under the deal and the limitations under the agreement "cut off Iran's most likely paths to a bomb".

He added that if Iran did not meet its commitments during a six-month period, the US would turn off sanctions relief and "ratchet up the pressure".

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the nuclear deal as an "historic mistake" and reserved his country's right to defend itself.

"Today the world became a much more dangerous place because the most dangerous regime in the world made a significant step in obtaining the most dangerous weapons in the world," he said.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran's Mohammed Javad Zarif

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the agreement recognises Tehran's "rights" to maintain a nuclear programme, and it would "never" seek atomic weapons.

The country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said: "This can be the basis for further intelligent actions. Without a doubt the grace of God and the prayers of the Iranian nation were a factor in this success."

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron said the deal leaves Tehran further from getting a nuclear weapon and "demonstrates how persistent diplomacy and tough sanctions can together help us to advance our national interest".

Foreign Secretary William Hague said the agreement was "very important and encouraging", adding that it meant "the nuclear programme won't move forward for six months".

However, he acknowledged that "legitimate concerns" remained.

The Iranian foreign minister got a hero's welcome back in Tehran

He and US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the deal, as well as the latest developments in Syria, during talks in London on Sunday.

Speaking in London, Mr Kerry said: "This could not have happened if our friends had not come together to create sanctions and force sanctions and to press this agreement.

"Now the really hard part begins; the effort to get the comprehensive agreement in terms of verification, transparency and accountability.

"We are determined to work together. We will start today to continue the efforts out of Geneva. President Obama could not be more grateful for David Cameron's support."

High purity uranium stockpiles will be destroyed or diluted

Mr Kerry offered assurances to Israel over the nuclear agreement, saying it would make the Jewish state safer over the next six months because the world would have "insights" into Iran's nuclear programme.

President Obama also telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the deal, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

He said the US was looking forward to consulting with Israel over ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Speaking on Iran's Press TV, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the deal was an opportunity for the West to restore trust with the Iranian nation.

He said Tehran would expand co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog.

European Union policy chief Baroness Catherine Ashton and Javad Zarif

The easing of sanctions could boost Iran's economy by up to $7bn (£4.3bn).

In return, it has committed to stop uranium enrichment above a purity of 5% - enough for medical use and nuclear power, Iran's stated goal, but not enough for a weapon.

Any uranium it has above 20%, which is close to the level needed for weapons, will be destroyed or diluted. 

Equipment capable of enriching weapons-grade uranium will also be switched off and the deal calls for intrusive UN nuclear inspections.

The agreement has sparked fears in Israel, said Sky's Middle East Correspondent Sam Kiley.

"Israel's economy minister Naftali Bennett has said this deal could result in the use of suitcase nuclear devices five years down the line. It could be traced to this historic moment," he said.

"What they're really saying is that the international community, the world's diplomats, have been suckered by Iran in the same way that the international community was successfully suckered, let's face it, by the North Koreans who agreed to a similar deal to downscale their nuclear programme, and after a few months went by actually demonstrated that they had developed a nuclear weapon in secret.

"That is precisely what worries the Israelis."

Diplomacy was stepped up after the landslide election of Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate, as Iranian president in June, replacing nationalist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

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Latvia Supermarket Collapse 'Was Murder'

Rescuers are still searching for 10 people who may have been killed in the collapse of a supermarket which Latvia's president has described as "murder".

Fifty-two deaths have been confirmed after the roof of the Maxima store caved in in the capital Riga on Thursday.

Meanwhile a third section of the roof collapsed on Saturday, but rescue workers said no one was injured.

President Andris Berzins said: "This case must be treated as the murder of many unprotected people."

The rescue operation has been dangerous for firefighters

He called for the disaster to be "investigated at maximum speed", adding: "This is a case where we need to say clearly that an enormous number of defenceless people were killed, and that's how we should proceed."

Some 40 people were wounded, including 13 firefighters, and 23 people remained in hospital as of Saturday afternoon.

It was the worst accident in the Baltic country since it regained independence in 1991. The government has declared three days of mourning and thousands of floral tributes and candles have been placed at the scene.

Laila Rieksta-Riekstina, head of the state's child welfare department, told Latvia Radio that 16 children lost parents in the accident. Three of them lost both parents.

Antons Ryakhin said "about 100 people" had been inside the building with him.

At least 52 people were killed

The 19-year-old said: "I was queuing at the cash desk when the roof suddenly caved in. It all happened within a few seconds.

"It was dark but still light enough to see the exit. I ran out. The doors were open, but a lot of rubble fell in front of them - I think that's why some people couldn't get through."

The rescue operation has been hampered by the risk of further collapses.

Preliminary reports indicate the roof caved in due to either faulty construction or building activities on the roof, where workers were creating a garden area and children's playground for a new high-rise residential building adjacent to the supermarket.

Pictures show that a large amount of building materials, including bags of soil, were left in areas of the roof that, according to Riga city officials, could have been vulnerable to heavy loads.

The police investigation could take several weeks to complete.

The central government, Riga's city council and the Maxima retailer have promised compensation to victims, while charities are also raising cash.

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Iran: Nuclear Deal Reached At Talks In Geneva

An agreement has been reached between Iran and six world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

The agreement, announced by European Union policy chief Catherine Ashton after days of talks in Geneva, is a first step towards resolving a decade-old stand-off between Tehran and the West.

The deal between the Islamic state and the US, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia was nailed down after more than four days of negotiations.

US President Barack Obama has hailed the deal as an important first step towards a comprehensive solution to Iran's nuclear programme.

William Hague hailed the agreement as 'very important and encouraging'

Speaking from the White House, Obama said Iran could not use its next-generation centrifuges under the deal and that the substantial limitations under the agreement "cut off Iran's most likely paths to a bomb".

He added that if Iran did not meet its commitments during a six-month period, the US would turn off sanctions relief and "ratchet up the pressure".

"While today's announcement is just a first step, it achieves a great deal," Mr Obama said.

"For the first time in nearly a decade, we have halted the progress of the Iranian nuclear programme, and key parts of the programme will be rolled back."

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran's Mohammed Javad Zarif

Britain's foreign secretary William Hague said the agreement was "very important and encouraging", adding that it meant "the nuclear programme won't move forward for six months".

Iran will get access to $4.2bn (£2.6bn) in foreign exchange as part of the accord, a Western diplomat said.

A senior US official added that the agreement halted progress on Iran's nuclear programme, including construction of the Arak research reactor.

It would neutralise Iran's stockpile of uranium refined to a fissile concentration of 20%, which is a close step away from the level needed for weapons, and calls for intrusive UN nuclear inspections, the official said.

Iran has also committed to stop uranium enrichment above a fissile purity of 5%, a US fact sheet said.

The deal has no recognition of an Iranian right to enrich uranium and sanctions would still be enforced, the US official added.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and foreign ministers of the five other world powers joined the negotiations with Iran early on Saturday as the two sides appeared to be edging closer to a long-sought preliminary agreement.

European Union policy chief Baroness Catherine Ashton and Mr Javad Zarif

The talks were aimed at finding a package of confidence-building steps to ease decades of tensions and banish the spectre of a Middle East war over Tehran's nuclear aspirations.

The Western powers' goal had been to cap Iran's nuclear energy programme, which has a history of evading UN inspections and investigations, to remove any risk of Tehran covertly refining uranium to a level suitable for bombs.

Tehran denies it would ever "weaponise" enrichment.

Refined uranium can be used to fuel nuclear power plants - Iran's stated goal - but also provide the fissile core of an atomic bomb if refined much further.

Diplomacy was stepped up after the landslide election of Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate, as Iranian president in June, replacing nationalist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

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