News In Brief

Sarkozy hit by new phone tap leaks
Afp, Paris

The corruption scandal surrounding former French president Nicolas Sarkozy deepened further yesterday with fresh leaks of telephone conversations purporting to show he offered to get a judge a plum job in return for favours.  Sarkozy, who was charged two weeks ago with corruption and influence peddling in a case related to his campaign to win the presidency in 2007, claims he is the victim of a "grotesque" set-up. He accuses his enemies of using the justice system to undermine a possible political comeback. But according to extracts from tapped calls published by the French daily Le Monde yesterday, the ex-president appears to lobby for a job for the judge in Monaco in return for his help on one of six bribery and funding scandals in which Sarkozy is embroiled.

New Canadian sanctions over Ukranian crisis
Afp, Ottawa

The Canadian government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper has added 14 individuals to a list of people facing economic sanctions and travel bans related to the Ukranian crisis. This brings to 43 the number of Russian targeted by Canada in sanctions coordinated with the US and the EU. Thirty pro-Russian Ukrainians have also been hit with visa bans and other measures by Ottawa.

Quake triggers minor tsunami in Japan
Afp, Tokyo

A minor tsunami of 20 centimetres hit large swathes of northeastern Japan early yesterday, including in a city near the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, after a strong 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the country's Pacific coast. There were no immediate reports of damage following the quake and tsunami, however, with authorities lifting all advisories roughly two hours later.

Taliban attack kills three Pak troops
Afp, Khar

Militants killed at least three Pakistani soldiers in an attack early yesterday on a border post in the restive northwestern tribal belt, officials said. Around two dozen militants armed with sophisticated weapons crossed from the Afghan province of Kunar to launch the pre-dawn ambush in Bajaur district, Pakistani officials said.

Blast kills eight Afghan civilians
Afp, Kabul

A roadside bomb killed eight civilians travelling in a vehicle in a volatile district of southern Afghanistan yesterday, officials said, days after the UN reported a surge in civilian casualties in the country. They were going from Panjwayi district to Kandahar city when the bomb hit their vehicle on a main road. An interior ministry statement confirmed the blast and said the victims belonged to one family.

Buildings collapse in Mumbai; 3 killed
The Hindu Online

Three people were killed in two different incidents in Mumbai following incessant rainfall over the last two days in Mumbai.  Since Friday, in total 15 cases of wall collapse, 71 cases of tree fall and 16 cases of short circuit have been reported across the city.