Pistorius back in court

    OSCAR PISTORIUS was back in court yesterday as his lawyers argued for bail while they appeal his conviction.

    Last week, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal overturned his conviction of culpable homicide and found Pistorius guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

    His lawyers say they will appeal that decision to the Constitutional Court and that Pistorius should be allowed to remain free on bail while they do so.

    India FM visits Pakistan

    INDIAN Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj will hold talks with Pakistan today, the first visit by India’s top diplomat to its rival in three years, part of efforts to restart a peace dialogue plagued by militant attacks and distrust.

    Swaraj will lead an Indian delegation to Islamabad for talks on Afghanistan, India’s foreign ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said on his Twitter page yesterday.

    Whaling opposed

    A COALITION of 33 nations is opposing Japan’s recent decision to resume so-called research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean this season.

    New Zealand led an international protest Monday against Japan’s plans to resume killing whales, while Australia said it was considering further legal action.

    India’s bullet train

    JAPAN is set to build India’s first bullet train, with Tokyo financing the project through an US$8 billion loan to New Delhi, a leading Japanese business daily reported yesterday.

    The Nikkei, which did not cite sources, said the bullet train will link the cities of Mumbai and Ahmedabad and that the two countries will issue a joint statement about the deal Saturday during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to India.