SHANGHAI: The death toll from H7N9 bird flu in China reached 10 yesterday with another victim in Shanghai, as cities banned people from raising chickens at home to try to contain the outbreak. China has confirmed 38 human cases. A young boy in Shanghai was discharged from hospital but the city reported the death of a 74-year-old man. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation expressed concern the virus could spread across borders in poultry. Tokyo received from China samples of the new strain and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases will begin the process of developing a vaccine.
Three killed in Bangla clashes
DHAKA: At least three people were killed and scores injured yesterday as clashes erupted in parts of Bangladesh on the fourth day of a nationwide strike called by an Islamist opposition. Police said two men were beaten to death in Buzpur town in southeastern Chittagong district in violence between supporters of the ruling Awami League party and Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami. In the southern district of Khulna, a protester from Jamaat was shot dead after police opened fire at protesters. Protests stem from a continuing war crimes tribunal at which almost the entire Jamaat leadership is in the dock for crimes committed during the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. Jamaat called yesterday’s strike for the release of the head of its student wing.
Ex-detainee will not return shirt
YANGON: For almost two decades in Myanmar’s notorious Insein Prison, Win Tin wore the blue shirt issued to all inmates. He kept it after his release in 2008 out of solidarity with other prisoners. Now police want it back, but Win Tin has refused. “So long as there are political prisoners, I feel that I am still in jail, so I will wear the blue shirt,” he said.
Two crushed to death at festival
KATHMANDU: Two people died in Nepal after being crushed under the wheels of a 10-metre-high wooden chariot during a new year festival that descended into chaos, police said yesterday. Thousands of devotees gathered in the ancient town of Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley to worship Bhairav, a Hindu deity, to mark the Nepalese New Year. Eight people were injured and taken to hospital.
Beijing liaison office plan
TAIPEI: Taiwan’s cabinet yesterday approved regulations governing the opening of a China liaison office on the island, a priority in efforts to normalise relations. The draft rules will be submitted to parliament this month, said the Mainland Affairs Council which handles cross-strait policy.
Fukushima plant leaks again
TOKYO: Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear plant has sprung yet another leak of radioactive water, its operator said yesterday. Tokyo Electric Power Co said around 22 litres of highly radioactive waste water leaked from a pipe as work crews were trying to empty a reservoir that had sprung leaks. The firm said it had not seen evidence that the water had gone beyond the plant. Agencies
