Japan

Dozens injured by tornado

A tornado ripped through parts of eastern Japan on Monday, injuring several dozen people, tearing off roofs and uprooting buildings. Footage of Koshigaya, north of Tokyo, from public broadcaster NHK showed a number of homes destroyed, upturned cars and schools with shattered windows. A warehouse had been lifted from its foundations and hurled into other buildings.

Egypt

Court advised to dissolve NGO

An Egyptian judicial panel advised a court to dissolve the Muslim Brotherhood as a legally registered non-governmental organization on Monday, posing a legal challenge to the group as the army-backed government presses a crackdown. The case brought by Brotherhood opponents is seeking the dissolution of the NGO registered by the movement in March. The court hearing the case set its next session for Nov 12, judicial sources said.

India

Night gas pumps to continue: govt

India's government denied on Monday it was considering shutting filling stations at night to reduce oil imports, a widely ridiculed measure reportedly under discussion to tackle a deepening economic crisis. Oil Minister Veerappa Moily sparked the speculation on Sunday when he told a local news agency that "shutting petrol pumps during night" was one of several austerity measures being assessed to cut the imports bill.

South Africa

Mandela spends 1st night at home

Nelson Mandela has spent his first night at his Johannesburg home since the former South African president left a hospital after nearly three months of treatment there. There were no official updates on Monday on the condition of the 95-year-old anti-apartheid movement leader, who was taken to his home in an ambulance on Sunday.

Afghanistan

Insurgents kill 3 in base attack

Militants attacked a US base in Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan on Monday, setting off bombs, torching vehicles and shutting down a key road used by NATO supply trucks, officials said. At least three people - apparently all attacking insurgents - were killed. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the strike in the Torkham area.

Tunisia

50 convicts escape from jail

Around 50 common criminals escaped from jail overnight in southern Tunisia after attacking the guards, Habib Sboui, head of the country's prison service, said on Monday. Sixteen of the escapees were detained several hours after fleeing the prison in Gabes, he said.

AFP-AP-Reuters

(China Daily 09/03/2013 page11)