Two new satellites join the Galileo constellation
Kourou, French Guiana (ESA) Apr 02, 2015 -
The EU's Galileo satellite navigation system now has eight satellites in orbit following the launch of the latest pair. Galileo 7 and 8 lifted off at 21:46 GMT (22:46 CET, 18:46 local time) on 27 March from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on top of a Soyuz rocket. All the Soyuz stages performed as planned, with the Fregat upper stage releasing the satellites into their target orbit close to ...
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China ex-security chief charged with bribery, power abuse
Beijing (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
China's former security chief Zhou Yongkang was charged Friday with bribery, abuse of power and disclosing state secrets, authorities said, making him the most senior official prosecuted in decades and setting the stage for a dramatic trial.
Zhou - seen as an adversary of President Xi Jinping - is the most prominent victim of the Communist Party's much-publicised anti-corruption drive, whi ...
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French energy company invests in drones
Paris (UPI) Apr 1, 2015 -
French energy company GDF Suez said Wednesday it was investing in Redbird, a civilian drone company, to monitor natural gas infrastructures.
The French company's venture capital subsidiary said it invested $2.1 million in Redbird to facilitate drone monitoring of natural gas infrastructure, survey topography and monitor "security for public institutions."
GDF Suez said the invest ...
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N. Korea fires four short-range missiles into sea
Seoul (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
North Korea test-fired four short-range missiles into the sea off its west coast Friday in an operation apparently supervised by leader Kim Jong-Un amid heightened military tensions, a South Korean military spokesman said.
The missiles were launched from a base on the west coast and flew more than 100 kilometres (60 miles), the spokesman for the South's joint chiefs of staff told AFP.
"T ...
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Pentagon chief heading to Japan, S.Korea next week
Washington (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
Pentagon chief Ashton Carter will travel to Japan and South Korea next week to underscore President Barack Obama's commitment to a strategic shift towards Asia, even as crises in the Middle East preoccupy Washington.
Carter embarks on the first of two trips to Asia on Tuesday, stopping in Tokyo and Seoul before meeting the head of US Pacific Command in Hawaii, officials said.
In May, Car ...
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Iran says nuclear deal will open 'new page' with world
Tehran (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
Iran vowed to stand by a nuclear deal with world powers Friday as President Hassan Rouhani promised it would open a "new page" in the country's global ties.
Keen to win over domestic sceptics, Iran's leaders pushed the merits of a potentially historic agreement, with clerics touting its virtues at Friday prayers in mosques.
The framework agreement - reached Thursday after marathon talks ...
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Despite nuclear deal, US-Iran relations far from rosy
Washington (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
US President Barack Obama, eager to resolve at least one intractable conflict in his final two years in office, has his eye on a major prize: reconciliation with Iran.
Thursday's agreement on a road map for the final phase of negotiations on a nuclear accord could open a way to a broader realignment that would redraw the map of the Middle East.
But analysts warn that the long-time foes r ...
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