China

Tokyo slammed on oil rig issue

China urged Japan "not to create new obstacles" to improving strained bilateral ties, the Foreign Ministry told China Daily on Friday. The statement came after Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday request that China dismantle its oil rigs in the East China Sea. The oil and gas development operations by China in the undisputed areas are "beyond questioning", and Beijing requires Tokyo to respect its lawful rights and interests, said the ministry's spokesperson's office.

Russia

PM reprimands Roscosmos chief

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Friday issued an official reprimand to the head of Russia's space agency Roscosmos after a series of embarrassing rocket launch failures. The reprimand presents a warning to Roscosmos chief Vladimir Popovkin that he faces dismissal if he does not rectify the stated shortcomings in his work.

Greece

Civil servants protest cuts

Greek civil servants protesting mass staff cuts have taken their campaign to the gates of the ancient Acropolis, after the government announced that 500 workers at the Culture Ministry would be suspended next month. State archaeologists gathered at the entrance of the ancient site on Friday, but did not block the entrance. Several museums around the country including the popular Archaeological Museum on the island of Santorini were closed in protest.

Israel

Netanyahu bashes Rowhani

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized anti-Israeli comments on Friday by Iranian president-elect Hassan Rowhani, saying he was showing his "true face". The prime minister made the remark in response to a statement by Rowhani that Israel was a "wound that must be cleansed". "Even if the Iranians work to deny these comments, this is what the man thinks, and it reflects the regime's plans," Netanyahu said.

Egypt

Morsi backers plan new rallies

Backers of Egypt's deposed president Mohammed Morsi readied defiant rallies on Friday, as police prepared to disperse their Cairo protest camps amid international appeals to avoid further bloodshed. The fresh rallies calling for Morsi's reinstatement were set to begin as US Secretary of State John Kerry said millions had requested the military's removal of Morsi.

China Daily-AFP-AP

(China Daily 08/03/2013 page8)