IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Russia

Gas exports 'unaffected'

An explosion at a transit pipeline in central Ukraine has not cut Russian gas exports to Europe as the fuel is flowing through a parallel pipe, a source at Russia's top natural gas producer, Gazprom, said on Tuesday. "Exports have not been cut. There is a parallel pipeline," the source told Reuters. Media said an explosion had struck a pipeline in Poltava region. Witnesses said flames from the blast were up to 200 meters high.

Papua New Guinea

PM vows to fight arrest warrant

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has launched a legal fight against a warrant for his arrest on fraud allegations, which he claims are "politically motivated", reports said on Tuesday. O'Neill reportedly refused to leave the Pacific nation's Parliament on Monday after the warrant was issued, and launched an urgent legal bid to have it stayed.

Austria

Iran nuclear talks resume

Six world powers and Iran began their fifth round of nuclear negotiations on Tuesday in hopes of salvaging prospects for a deal over Teheran's disputed atomic activity by a July deadline. With time running short if a risky extension of the nuclear talks is to be avoided, negotiators face huge challenges in bridging gaps in positions over the future scope of Iran's nuclear program in less than five weeks.

Japan

30 whales killed after UN ban

Japan has slaughtered 30 minke whales off its northeast coast, in the first hunt since the UN's top court ordered Tokyo to stop killing the animals in the Antarctic, the government said. The Japanese whaling fleet that left the northeastern fishing town of Ayukawa in April completed its mission last week, the Fisheries Agency said.

France

Hollande slams assault on teen

French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday slammed the brutal assault of a Roma teenager in a poor Paris suburb as an "unspeakable and unjustifiable" act. In a statement issued by the presidency, he asked "that everything be done to find those responsible for this attack" that left the 16-year-old, who is accused of burglary, fighting for his life.

Egypt

Prosecutor orders journalist released

Egypt's top prosecutor has ordered the release of an Al-Jazeera journalist who has been on hunger strike for more than four months to protest his prolonged detention without charges or trial. A statement from the prosecutor's office said Abdullah Elshamy, 26, and 12 others will be set free, citing "health conditions". The statement only named Elshamy.

AFP-Xinhua-AP-Reuters

(China Daily 06/18/2014 page11)