News brief: Big stories of the day

Strongly urge US to immediately drop extradition request for Huawei's Meng Wanzhou: China

After reports emerged that the US may formally extradite Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou from Canada, the Chinese foreign ministry said it is an abuse of extradition treaties between the United States and Canada and a serious violation of Chinese citizen's safety and legitimate rights and interests.

20 may have died after fire engulfs two ships near Crimea; Indian nationals also affected

Up to 20 people were presumed dead off Russia-annexed Crimea in the Black Sea after a fire engulfed two ships sailing under the Tanzanian flag, authorities said Tuesday.

China collected $1.62 billion in unpaid taxes from celebrities & entertainment companies: Report

Chinese authorities have collected more than $1.62 billion in unpaid taxes from celebrities and entertainment companies since they hit the industry with a crackdown, state media Xinhua reported on Tuesday.

BSF hands overs 31 Rohingyas to Tripura police ending standoff with Bangladesh

The Border Security Force Tuesday handed over the 31 Rohingya Muslims, who were stranded on the India-Bangladesh border for three days, to the Tripura police, ending a standoff with its counterpart, the BGB, on the issue, officials said.

Russian President Putin, Japan PM Shinzo Abe hold summit to break island impasse

The leaders of Russia and Japan were meeting in Moscow Tuesday for talks over a disputed island chain that has long prevented agreement on a peace treaty to formally end World War II.