China lodges solemn representations over Obama-Dalai Lama meeting

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai has summoned the U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman and lodged solemn representations over U.S. President Barack Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama.

In spite of China's strong opposition, Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met respectively with the Dalai Lama in Washington on Thursday.

In a further statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said the U.S. act seriously damaged the Sino-U.S. ties. He demanded the U.S. immediately adopt measures to wipe out the baneful impact and stop conniving and supporting anti-China separatist forces that seek "Tibet independence."

China embraces post-holiday railway traffic boom

China's railways are challenged by travel rush as millions of people begin to return to work toward the end of the week-long Spring Festival holiday.

The Ministry of Railways says the number of long-distance travellers increased markedly as more people decided to make an earlier return trip to avoid the traffic boom.

China's retail sales up 17 pct during Spring Festival

China's retail sales hit 340 billion yuan (some 50 billion U.S. dollars) during the "golden week" of Spring Festival, up over 17 percent over the same period of last year.

Boosted by various sales promotion activities, the weeklong Spring Festival holiday, which started from Feb. 13 this year, is China's closest equivalent to the West's Christmas shopping season.

Food, tobacco and liquor were in great demand during the festival. Sales of food by China's major retailers grew over 16 percent year on year, while sales of tobacco and liquor were up over 13 percent.

Communication equipments, Jewelry, garments and home appliances were also customers' hot choices.

China sets national standards for primary school buses

China is to standardize all the primary school buses to ensure safety of pupils.

The set of standards, the first of its kind in the country, require the school buses to bear unified tag.

Double-deck bus and articulated bus are not allowed to serve as primary school buses for safety concern.

The standards will come into force on July 1.

TTP confirms death of Taliban leader's brother in drone attack

A Taliban spokesman in Pakistan has confirmed that Mohammed Haqqani, the brother of senior Taliban commander Siraj Haqqani, was killed in a U.S. missile strike in northwest Pakistan.

Mohammed Haqqani was killed when a U.S. drone attack targeted a militant compound and vehicle Thursday night in North Waziristan tribal area.

His brother, Siraj Haqqani, is a top Taliban commander with suspected close ties to al-Qaida.

Reports say AU to suspend Niger

The African Union (AU) says it will suspend Niger, a country in west Africa.

The development came after Chairperson of the AU Commission Jean Ping on Friday condemned the seizure of power by force in Niger.

He said in a statement released to media that the relevant AU instruments systematically condemn any unconstitutional change and, accordingly, he condemns the seizure of power by force that took place in Niger.

Death toll from Morocco mosque collapse rises to 25

Death toll from a partial collapse of a mosque during a Friday prayer in Morocco has risen to 25.

A local civil protection official says the minaret and part of the ceiling of the 16th-century Khnata bent Bekkar mosque in the northern city of Meknes broke down onto the courtyard when worshippers were about to perform the Friday prayer.

50 people were injured.

The rescue operation is still ongoing.

Two killed, 28 injured in southern Russia blasts

Multiple explosions have hit Russia's troubled North Caucasus reublic of Ingushetia, killing two people and injuring 28 others.

Russian news agencies report that at least three blasts rocked a derelict house in Ingushetia's largest city of Nazran as police were inspecting the site.

Russia against crippling Iran sanctions: deputy FM

Russia says it opposes crippling sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov says the term 'crippling sanctions' on Iran is totally unacceptable, adding the sanctions should aim at strengthening the regime of non- proliferation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who paid a visit to Russia earlier this week, said "crippling sanctions" must be imposed immediately against Iran's energy sector.

Brazil: all 64 rescued after Canadian ship sinks

A sailing ship owned by a Canadian school sank off the coast of Brazil in strong winds, but all 64 passengers have been rescued from rafts.

Brazil's Navy said a distress signal was picked up from the ship Thursday afternoon. It was located about 300 miles off the coast of Rio de Janeiro.

The Concordia is owned by West Island College International in Nova Scotia.

UN reports initial negative testing results of white powder found in suspicious envelope in cafeteria

A UN spokesman says the initial testing results of the white powder found in a suspicious envelope in the UN cafeteria "are negative."

He says confirmation testing continues" and is "most likely to be determined (on) Monday."

The cafeteria, located on the first floor of the UN Secretariat Building, remained closed on Friday after it was evacuated on Thursday afternoon due to a "suspicious envelope" found in the main UN cafeteria.

The initial UN reports mean that the white powder found in the envelope is non-toxic.