Pakistan frees 172 Indian fishermen
Afp, Karachi

Pakistan, as a goodwill gesture, yesterday released 172 Indian fishermen who had been held for violating territorial waters in the Arabian Sea, officials said. Despite the releases, 349 Indian inmates still remain Pakistan's in custody.

3,415 Americans ditch their passports
Cnn Online

The number of Americans choosing to give up their passports hit a record 3,415 last year, up 14% from 2013, and 15 times more than in 2008, when only 231 people renounced their citizenship. Experts say the surge is coming from expats who no longer want to deal with complicated tax paperwork, a burden that has only gotten worse in recent years.

China opposes Iran deadline extension
Afp, Tehran

China is against another extension of the deadline for Iran to reach a deal with world powers in talks on its nuclear programme, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Tehran yesterday. Two deadlines for a permanent agreement on Iran's nuclear programme have been missed since an interim deal was reached in November 2013. The deadline is now extended to  June 30.

Japan pledges $15m to fight terror
Afp, Tokyo

Japan, reeling from the murder of two nationals by ISIS, will offer an extra $15 million in aid to fight terrorism in Middle East and Africa. Japan hopes to demonstrate its resolve not to cave in to terrorism with the fresh assistance, which will be announced at a global counter-terrorism conference starting on Wednesday in Washington, the Sankei Shimbun said.