Tight security cover for Carter’s Nepal trip
Kathmandu : Intensive security arrangements are being made for former US president and Nobel laureate Jimmy Carter who arrives here Wednesday to show international support for Nepal's ongoing peace process and the crucial November election.
At 73 he has 101 grandchildren
Kemerovo : Alexei Shapoval, a 73-year-old resident of Novokuznetsk in West Siberia, has become a grandfather for the 101st time, one of the man's sons said Wednesday.
At 73 he has 101 grandchildren
Kemerovo : Alexei Shapoval, a 73-year-old resident of Novokuznetsk in West Siberia, has become a grandfather for the 101st time, one of the man's sons said Wednesday.
Bolivian president protests FIFA altitude rules, plays at 6,000 metres
La Paz : Bolivian President Evo Morales played football at an altitude of 6,000 metres to protest FIFA rules banning matches above 2,500 metres.
European Parliament keen on Lok Sabha ties
Brussels : The European Parliament (EP) is keen on establishing a forum to boost parliamentary cooperation with India.
Media is like a feral beast, says Blair days before leaving
By Prasun Sonwalkar
IANSLondon : British Prime Minister Tony Blair will ride into the political sunset on June 27, but for one who is credited with turning spin into a fine art, he used a public lecture Tuesday to berate the news media and to brand them as a "feral beast' that rips apart reputations and hunts in a pack.
Hillary Clinton leads Democratic presidential hopefuls
Washington : US Senator Hillary Clinton has maintained her leading position in New Hampshire among her fellow Democratic contenders vying for the presidency next year, since the Democratic presidential debate in the state on June 3.
Hillary to interact with IIT alumni next month
New York : Senator Hillary Clinton is set to take time out of her tightly packed presidential campaign next month to interact with an influential alumni group of the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Approximately 4,000 Indian Americans are expected to attend the event, which is just one sign of the growing clout of the community in US politics.
Sudan okays armed force for embattled Darfur
Addis Ababa : Sudan accepted Tuesday a hybrid United Nations-African Union (AU) force to be deployed in its war-torn Darfur region after months of wrangling over the mission, an official said.
One injured in London building collapse
London : At least one person was injured when the top of a building next to Scotland Yard police headquarters in central London collapsed Tuesday, leaving the streets strewn with rubble and causing extensive damage to parked cars and motorbikes.
Tories host ball to celebrate India@60
London : Conservative party leader David Cameron lauded Britain's traditional links with India and Pakistan at a ball held here to celebrate 60 years of independence of the two countries.
Nepal poll juggernaut starts rolling
Kathmandu : Nepal's election juggernaut has finally started rolling with the parliament forming a committee for amending the constitution, the UN sending a team of election observers and former US president Jimmy Carter arriving in Kathmandu Wednesday to discuss poll preparations.
Body of missing mountaineer found after 26 years
Chengdu (China) : A rescue team in Sichuan province of China has discovered a body believed to be that of a Japanese mountaineer who went missing 26 years ago, the mountaineering association said Tuesday.
Threat of nuclear terrorism all too real: US
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : Citing the "clandestine nuclear trafficking network" of A.Q. Khan, known as the father of Pakistan's atom bomb, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned other countries that the "threat of nuclear terrorism is all too real".
Strike for higher pay lands Nepali workers in Qatar jail
Kathmandu : Hundreds of Nepali workers who went on strike demanding higher pay in Qatar have been put behind bars as strikes are banned in the oil-rich Islamic state.
850 million go hungry the world over
Geneva : More than 850 million people world-over are hungry and suffering from diseases and malnutrition, a United Nations report has said.
Aid workers to fly supplies to Darfur
Khartoum : Humanitarian workers in Darfur have been asked to fly to remote locations to distribute aid to avoid rising incidents of gunmen holding up vehicles and commandeering them to their hideouts.
Sikhs challenge French law banning turbans on IDs
Brussels : Sikhs in France have filed a case before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg challenging a French law that demands that turbans be taken off while being photographed for identity cards.
India, Zimbabwe ties deepen: envoy
Harare : The outgoing Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ajit Kumar has said India and Zimbabwe have deepened their bilateral relations and boosted economic cooperation.
UN chief ‘gravely troubled’ by tense Middle East
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that he was "gravely troubled" by the ongoing escalation of tension in the Middle East.
US, Russia welcome Pakistan’s participation to combat nuclear terrorism
Washington : The US and Russia have welcomed Pakistan's decision to join a global initiative to combat nuclear terrorism.
Indian Americans push for the best as Bush vows to revive bill
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : As President George W. Bush vowed to revive his derailed immigration bill, an Indian American advocacy group said it would push for a fairer law that would let the best and brightest to stay permanently.
New monthly for Asian professionals in UK launched
London : A new monthly magazine targeting the large number of professionals with origins in India and elsewhere in Asia working in Britain has been launched from Manchester.
Ugandan chimps threatened by massive felling of forests
Kampala : Somewhere in the remote jungles of western and northwestern Uganda, a struggle for survival reigns between the impoverished peasants and chimpanzees.
Southern China rainstorm death toll rises to 71
Beijing : Seventy-one people have been killed in southern China by torrential rains which are expected to resume over the next couple days, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Denmark halts adoption of Indian children temporarily
Copenhagen : Adoption of children from India to Denmark has been temporarily halted to ensure that all safeguards are met, Danish Family Minister Carina Christensen said Monday.
CIA plans cutbacks, limits on contractor staffing
Washington : The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has decided to trim its contractor staffing by 10 percent, under pressure from Congress, The Washington Post reported Monday.
Tributes paid to Indian origin anti-apartheid leader
Durban : Rich tributes were paid to George Sewpersadh, the anti-apartheid leader of Indian origin, with mourners describing him as a people's hero during the dark days of apartheid.
UN to start verifying Maoist troops from Thursday
Kathmandu : The UN will start verifying Maoist troops from Thursday after a deadlock between the guerrillas and the Nepal government ended Monday with the ruling alliance increasing funds for the corralled rebel soldiers.
Kubica fine after F1 crash
Montreal : BMW-Sauber driver Robert Kubica has spoken to medics and is reported to be not injured after a serious crash at the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix here Sunday.
India main military spender in South Asia: SIPRI
Stockholm : Global military spending, mainly driven by the US and its "war on terrorism", rose to a new high in 2006, with India the main military spender in South Asia, a peace institute said Monday.
China, Taiwan launch first cross-Strait flights
Beijing : For the first time, China and Taiwan will launch cross-Strait charter flights for the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on June 19 this year.
Attacks against Sikh students in NY schools
New York : Over 40 percent of Sikh students who wear turbans to schools here have been subjected to some form of physical harassment, and a community group says that complaints to schools often go unheeded.
Putin proposes ruble to international payment system
St. Petersburg : Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed adding ruble - the Russian currency - transactions to the international system of payments.
Israel launches spy satellite into orbit
Tel Aviv : Israel successfully launched a new spy satellite, Ofek 7, overnight to Monday into orbit, Israeli media reported.
Russia hopes to complete WTO talks this year
St. Petersburg : Russia hopes to complete bilateral negotiations on its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) with Guatemala, Vietnam and Cambodia this year, Russia's deputy economics minister said.
Leaders of Commonwealth of Independent States pledge more integration
St. Petersburg : Post-Soviet leaders, who had gathered for an informal Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit, have reaffirmed their intention to continue closer integration within the alliance, Kazakhstan's president said.
Indian workers flee Niger Delta after abductions
Abuja : Expatriate workers including Indians are fleeing the Niger Delta in Nigerial because of unending abductions by militants.
Belgian PM concedes defeat in general elections
Brussels : Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt conceded defeat in new parliamentary elections after preliminary results showed his Flemish Liberals (Open VLD) was lagging behind the Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V).
US welcomes Russia’s willingness to discuss missile defence
Washington : The US is encouraged by Russia's willingness to discuss missile defence system, White House spokesman Tony Snow has said.
Fiji’s ousted PM allowed to capital Suva
Wellington : Deposed Fiji prime minister Laisenia Qarase has been allowed to travel to capital Suva after the country's highest court Monday said it was his individual right that cannot be curbed.
Blur images of potential terror targets, Google Earth told
New York : New York state lawmaker Michael Gianaris has called on Google Earth to blur views of potential terror targets on its maps.
Indians, other immigrants fuel US technology firms
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : A majority of immigrants from India and five other nations who started one fourth of the technology and engineering companies in the United States in the last 10 years were not educated in elite institutions, says a study.
Sarkozy’s party scores big win in French general election
Paris : French President Nicolas Sarkozy's Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) and its allies scored a resounding victory in first round of the general elections.
Atlantis arrives to take Sunita back home
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams welcomed the crew of US space shuttle Atlantis to her home in space as it arrived to take her back after a six month sojourn amid stars.
US military action against Iran possible: senator
Washington : The US might take military action to stop Iran's alleged involvement in Iraq war by training and equipping extremists of war torn country, a senator has said.
Heavy rains kill 66 in China
Beijing : Torrential rains in southern China have killed at least 66 people, ministry according of civil affairs said.
Monet’s masterpiece to be star of Sotheby’s show
By Uma Nair
IANSLondon : Claude Monet's 1904 masterpiece "Nymphéas" will be the star of Sotheby's auction here next week and is estimated to fetch upto 15 million pounds.
Sri Lanka takes responsibility for Tamils’ expulsion
Colombo : Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake Sunday took full responsibility for the government's decision to throw the Tamils from the capital expressing regrets that the expulsion "should never have been done".
Outsize G8 beach chair may be sold for charity
Berlin : The outsize blue-and-white wickerwork beach chair in which G8 leaders posed at Heiligendamm, could be sold to raise funds for charity, according to an official of the German state that hosted the event.
Russia to transfer North Korea funds via US bank
Seoul : Russia has accepted a US request to help facilitate the transfer of $25 million of North Korea's funds to push forward the six-party talks on halting Pyongyang's nuclear programme.
Rath Yatra draws crowds in New York
New York : A Ratha Yatra (chariot festival) organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) drew hundreds of people in New York.
Rath Yatra draws crowds in New York
New York : A Ratha Yatra (chariot festival) organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) drew hundreds of people in New York.
Rath Yatra draws crowds in New York
New York : A Ratha Yatra (chariot festival) organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) drew hundreds of people in New York.
Fall of Bush bill: Is it good news or bad news for Indians?
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : It was hailed as a "grand bargain", a please all panacea, before it came unstuck at the first hurdle. But what hit President George W. Bush's wonder immigration bill wasn't the amnesty bugaboo, but a new animal called 'cloture'.
Indian Americans in mad rush to wed on July 7
New York : Wedding planners and marriage venues have reported a marked increase in the number of Indian Americans, especially in Las Vegas, who want to get married on July 7 in the belief that the date - 7-7-07 - has good luck written all over it.
Pope for negotiated Mideast solution
Rome : Pope Benedict XVI has called for a regional negotiated solution to conflicts in the Middle East.
Nepal gives month’s notice to Indian squatters
Kathmandu : The Nepali authorities have given encroaching Indian squatters in the southern Terai plains a month's time to quit or face forcible ouster, Nepal's state media said Sunday.
Diana married prince Charles for his title, says book
London : New Yorker editor Tina Brown's book about the late Diana, Princess Of Wales, claims she married Prince Charles for his title and lied about throwing herself down the stairs when she was pregnant.
Prince Harry at military base in Canada for pre-Afghanistan training
London : Prince Harry is training at a British army base in Canada to prepare for a possible military deployment to Afghanistan, The Sunday Times reported.
Prince Harry at military base in Canada for pre-Afghanistan training
London : Prince Harry is training at a British army base in Canada to prepare for a possible military deployment to Afghanistan, The Sunday Times reported.
Indonesia installs 90 tsunami early warning systems
Jakarta : Indonesia has installed 90 tsunami early warning systems in a number of regions in 2007, Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) official said Saturday.
Indonesia installs 90 tsunami early warning systems
Jakarta : Indonesia has installed 90 tsunami early warning systems in a number of regions in 2007, Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) official said Saturday.
Indonesia installs 90 tsunami early warning systems
Jakarta : Indonesia has installed 90 tsunami early warning systems in a number of regions in 2007, Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) official said Saturday.
China, US hold consultations on IPR protection
Geneva : China and the US have held consultations here on issues involving the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) within the framework of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) dispute settlement system , Chinese mission to the trade body said Saturday.
London saddles up for nude bike race
London : Cyclists in Britain and around the world are gearing up to celebrate the fourth World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR), in protest against global oil dependency.
Nepal scribes rally behind beleaguered Pakistan media
Kathmandu : Nepal's media, which had been subjected to stringent control during King Gyanendra's regime but defied arrests and shutdowns to stay at the vanguard of the pro-democracy movement, has asked its SAARC neighbour Pakistan to lift curbs on the country's media.
British Gurkhas to start recruiting Nepali women
Kathmandu : The British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas, regarded as a symbol of male valour for tales of unswerving loyalty and fierce courage under enemy fire, is now set for a change. It will start recruiting Nepali women as well for the first time.
Bush reaches out to critics of immigration proposal
Washington : US President George W. Bush took time out from meetings with European leaders to appeal to critics back home who have effectively killed an immigration bill seen as a major component of the president's domestic agenda.
India, China rise would not end American century: Rice
By Arun Kumar
IANS
Washington : Notwithstanding the rise of India and China, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice does not believe that "American Century" is giving way to the era of American decline or the coming of "somebody else's century."
US, India to talk non-proliferation cooperation
Washington : US Assistant Secretary of State John C. Rood will lead a delegation to India June 13-14 to continue the long-standing dialogue between the two countries on non-proliferation and security issues.
Convention against nuclear terrorism enters into force July 7
New York : An international convention banning acts of nuclear terrorism will enter into force next month after it is expected to be ratified by 22 of the 115 countries that have signed it, said the UN.
Last stand of the Baltic eagle
Riga (Latvia) : The European Union is one of the most ecologically aware societies the world has ever seen, but its expansion is now threatening rare species in its new member states with disaster.
G8, outreach partners for more structured dialogue
By Arvind Padmanabhan
IANSHeiligendamm : The group of eight developed countries (G8) and its five outreach allies including India Friday pledged to continue their dialogue on key issues including investment and energy efficiency in a more structured manner under what is being called the "Heiligendamm Process".
Evicted Tamils to return to Colombo
Colombo : Sri Lankan police said Friday that some 186 minority Tamil civilians, who had been sent out of the capital Colombo in a security operation, are to be brought back.
G8 urges Sudan to accept Darfur peace mission
Heiligendamm : Leaders from the Group of Eight (G8) leading industrialized nations Friday urged the Sudanese government to accept an international peace mission to solve the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region.
Report claims proof of secret CIA jails in Europe
Paris : A Council of Europe report made public Friday said that investigators have proof that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ran clandestine prisons for terror suspects in Europe, with the full cooperation of government leaders.
Climate change solution developed countries’ responsibility: China
Heiligendamm : Chinese President Hu Jintao told world leaders gathered in Heiligendamm for the Group of Eight (G8) summit that responsibility for tackling climate change lay with industrialised nations.
FAO says biofuels threatening food security
United Nations : The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that diverting food crop land to extensive cultivation for biofuels would damage biodiversity and lead to a serious threat to food security.
Harvard dropout billionaire Gates finally gets his degree
New York : Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates finally got his Harvard degree, more than 30 years after dropping out of the prestigious university to enter the software business and become the richest man in the world.
Celebrating Indian mangoes’ arrival in the Big Apple
By Parveen Chopra
IANSNew York : Presentations on the 'king of fruits' and a dinner featuring mango delicacies was how the Indian consulate in Manhattan celebrated the arrival of Indian mangoes - banned by the US for 18 years.
G8 agrees to fund programme for fighting AIDS, TB, malaria
Heiligendamm (Germany) : The Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations, at a summit meeting here, has agreed to fund a new global programme to combat infectious diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Indo-Canadian honoured for community service
Toronto : An Indo-Canadian is among the nine people awarded the 2007 Civic Awards by the city of Peterborough, Ontario.
G8 leaders meet counterparts from emerging nations
Heiligendamm (Germany) : Leaders of the world's wealthiest nations opened talks Friday with their counterparts from key emerging states, including economic powerhouses China and India.
Over 30 Indian Americans named Ernst and Young awards finalists
New York : Over 30 Indian Americans are among the regional finalists selected for the Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of The Year awards for 2007.
North Korea speeds up its missile programme: Russian source
Moscow : New test launches of short-range missiles by North Korea prove that the Communist regime has plans to continue with its missile programme, a high-ranking Russian defence source said.
24 Indonesian islets disappear, more are threatened
Jakarta : Twenty-four Indonesian islets have disappeared in the past two years as a result of environmental degradation and more are threatened, said an official.
New trunk call of distress from Nepalx
Kathmandu : Though four countries have signed agreements with the Nepal government to build new hospitals and the SAARC regional centre for tuberculosis (TB) research is located in Nepal, the disease has become a jumbo menace - stalking elephants doing tourist duty in the southern plains.
Armed forces in Asia mull concerted efforts in disaster relief
Shijiazhuang (China) : The armed forces of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have voiced their intention of better cooperation in international disaster relief operations.
Indian techie designs networking portal for Indian Americans
New York : An Indian American has created a new social networking and community website specifically designed for the large Indian population in the US.
Post-Kyoto agreement could be reached by 2009: Merkel
Heiligendamm (Germany) : German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that a new agreement replacing the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, could be reached by 2009.
US magazine’s Hindu god illustrations upset Hindus
New York : The June issue of a popular US magazine that allegedly depicts Hindu god Ganesha holding an alcoholic beverage in each hand and deity Hanuman in an obscene pose has drawn the ire of many Hindus in the country.
Taiwan leader welcome, but no flag please: China
By Manish Chand
IANSNew Delhi : China has told India that it has no issues with the coming visit of Taiwanese opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou as long as he does not sport a Taiwanese flag on his car or flaunt any independent Taiwanese insignia or identity.
Azerbaijan ready to discuss radar use with Russia, US: diplomat
Baku (Azerbaijan) : Azerbaijan has said it is willing to hold bilateral and multilateral talks with Russia and the United States on the joint use of a radar installation in the country, a Russian diplomat said.
Bush veto looms on US embryonic stem-cell plan
Washington : US lawmakers approved plans to expand government funding for stem-cell research using human embryos, defying a promised veto by President George W. Bush, who called the measure a "grave mistake."
39 people disappeared, children held, by US: Rights groups
New York : A number of people secretly detained by the US in its global war on terrorism have "disappeared," six human rights groups said.
Greek therapy: Fresh air, sun and water
Hamburg (Germany) : Every year countless vacationers take a beach holiday to relax, feel the surf on their feet, the warmth of the sun on their skin and the wind in their hair.
G8 agree on climate change deal, US-Russia tensions ease
By Shada Islam
DPA
Heiligendamm : Leaders of the world's key industrialized nations Thursday reached an agreement on measures to combat climate change, including efforts to halve global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
US immigration reform hits major bump
Washington : A plan hailed last month as a historic immigration reform proposal hit a major road bump Thursday when the US Senate refused to close off debate, defying plans by the Democratic leadership.
G8 to hold regular contacts with India, China
Heiligendamm (Germany) : The group of the world's eight leading industrialised nations Thursday agreed to open an intensive dialogue with key emerging nations, including India and China.
Nigeria assures India on its abducted workers
By Arvind Padmanabhan
IANSBerlin : Nigeria has assured India that it will take all steps to ensure the safe return of 12 Indian workers abducted in the African country and said economic ties between the two countries, especially in energy, will be strengthened.
US denies patents on yoga postures
New Delhi : Amid a raging row in India over reported attempts to patent the ancient Indian practice of yoga overseas, the US Thursday denied granting patents on yoga positions.
‘Breakthrough’ G8 deal agreed on climate change
Heiligendamm (Germany) : Leaders of the world's key industrialized nations have agreed a breakthrough deal on combating climate change, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday.
Sun shines on Merkel at G8 greeting ceremony
Heiligendamm (Germany) : The red carpet was rolled out precisely so that no hint of a shadow would fall on it as Chancellor Angela Merkel prepared to welcome G8 leaders at the start of the main proceedings in the Baltic resort of Heiligendamm.
US, Japan urge G8 to censure North Korea
Heiligendamm : The US and Japan called on the Group of Eight (G8) leaders to send a "convincing message" to North Korea to shut down its nuclear weapons programme.
China is India’s ‘greatest neighbour’, PM tells Hu
By Arvind Padmanabhan
IANSBerlin : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday called China India's "greatest neighbour" and said the 10 point programme devised with Beijing had given new substance and meaning to Sino-India cooperative ties.
China, Costa Rica establish diplomatic ties
Beijing : China and Costa Rica announced Thursday that they had agreed to establish diplomatic ties after the Latin American country agreed to break official relations with Taiwan.
G8 leaders get down to business, seek climate change accord
Heiligendamm (Germany) : Leaders of the world's key industrialized nations got down to formal business Thursday amid divisions over tackling climate change and strained relations between Russia and the West.
India ‘very friendly country’, says Sri Lanka
Colombo : Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake has described India as a "very friendly country" and said his government will never do anything that harms longstanding bilateral ties.
Confucius foundation promotes Chinese culture on Web site
Jinan : The Chinese Confucius Foundation has established an official web site dedicated to disseminate the teachings of great sixth century Chinese thinker Confucius.
China, US agree to deepen parliamentary exchanges
Washington : Sheng Huaren, vice-chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met US vice-president Dick Cheney in the White House and both sides agreed to further consolidate and deepen inter-parliamentary exchanges.
China wants role of NGOs and organizations better defined
Beijing : China's state council or cabinet has called for tighter supervision and faster development of the country's rising professional, industrial and non-governmental organizations after a long-standing oral health organization was disbanded for selling endorsements to private companies.
G8 leaders’ spouses to hold parallel summit in Germany
Heiligendamm (Germany) : As the leaders of the world's eight leading industrialized nations meet in northern Germany for a three-day summit expected to be dominated by differences over defence and climate policy, their spouses will come together for a parallel forum, with a less divisive agenda to pursue.
Indian woman is Outstanding American by Choice
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : One of the first Indian Americans to become a provost at a comprehensive research university in the United States, Renu Khator has been recognised as an Outstanding American by Choice.
Bhutanese entrepreneurs dreaming big, eye world bazaar
By Syed Zarir Hussain
IANSThimphu : Bhutan looks like a speck on the world map and the Himalayan kingdom generally loves basking in its pristine natural beauty and exotic culture. But with the winds of globalisation sweeping across the globe, more and more people in this nation of just 700,000 are beginning to dream big - especially the country's business community.
US House approves aid to Afghanistan
Washington : The US House of Representatives passed a bill to grant $6.4 billion in development, economic and security aid to Afghanistan.
Gorbachev blasts Bush on missile defence issue
Washington : Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev weighed in on the tense Russia-US situation, blasting the US president for provoking another arms race with plans to station anti-missile silos and a radar system in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Berlin highlights Reagan’s famous Tear-down-this-Wall speech
Berlin : Â Berliners roared their approval when Hollywood actor-turned-US president Ronald Reagan made his famous Tear-down-this-Wall speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate 20 years ago - on June 12, 1987.
India to propose global fund for clean energy technologies
By Arvind Padmanabhan
IANSBerlin : Calling itself a responsible nation towards climate change, India will propose a dedicated global fund at the G8 Outreach Summit Friday to finance the development of clean energy technologies based on the resources available with the developing world.
Manmohan Singh arrives for G8 Summit in Germany
Berlin : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here Wednesday for the G8 Outreach Summit to be held at the Baltic resort of Heiligendamm June 8.
‘Everybody speaks English, right?’ Bush asks Merkel
Heilgendamm : US President George W. Bush Wednesday expressed surprise at the need for a German translation of his comments to the press at the G8 summit at Heiligendamm.
Bush, Merkel vow to fight poverty, disagree on climate
Heiligendamm (Germany) : Leaders from the world's key industrialized nations will vow joint action to fight poverty and HIV/AIDs, US President George W. Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday.
WTO head wants G8 to become ‘G20’
Paris : World Trade Organization head Pascal Lamy has said that he would like to see the G8 expand and accept a number of growing economic powers.
German troop withdrawal would be Taliban success, warns minister
Kabul : German Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung Wednesday ruled out withdrawal of his country's 3,000 troops from Afghanistan despite recent losses, saying this would deliver a success to the Taliban insurgency.
Turkey launches large-scale attack on Kurdish militants
Ankara : The Turkish army has mounted a massive military operation against Kurdish separatists in the southeast of the country, local media reported Wednesday.
Russia will not talk withdrawal at CFE: Lavrov
Moscow : Russia will not raise the issue of its withdrawal from the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty at a conference in Vienna in mid-June, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday.
Demonstrators clash with police at G8 summit in Germany
Heiligendamm (Germany) : An estimated 6,000 anti-globalisation protesters evaded police roadblocks Wednesday and approached the fence around the G8 summit in Heiligendamm in defiance of a police ban.
Pentagon plans three missile interceptor tests this summer
Washington : The US is planning to conduct three test launches of ballistic missile interceptors by the end of September as part of its missile defence programme, a spokesman for Missile Defence Agency (MDA) said.
Demonstrators evade police at G8 summit
Heiligendamm (Germany) : Thousands of demonstrators determined to conduct a sit-down protest at the G8 summit evaded a police roadblock and streamed towards the summit venue Wednesday.
Brazilian state bets on green economy to slow global warming
Manaus (Brazil) : The Brazilian state of Amazonas marked World Environment Day by enacting a law that aims at both curbing global warming and fostering development of a "green" economy.
Solzhenitsyn gets Russia’s top award for human rights
Moscow : Russian President Vladimir Putin has honoured Nobel literature laureate Alexander Solzhenitsyn with the top state award as a champion of humanitarian causes.
East-West tensions, discord on climate top G8 summit
Heiligendamm (Germany) : Russia's tough-talking President Vladimir Putin is set to grab centre stage at the meeting of the world's leading industrialized nations opening Wednesday at the Baltic coastal resort of Heiligendamm.
Ecuador seeks funding to keep Amazon oil untapped
Quito : The Ecuadorean government has launched a campaign to raise money to save the Yasuni National Park in the Amazon rain forest region from oil exploration, Environment Minister Ana Alban has said.
Three Kashmiri shahtoosh traders arrested in Nepal
Kathmandu : Three Kashmiris were arrested in Nepal for selling shawls made from shahtoosh, the wool of an endangered Tibetan chiru antelope, trading in which is banned world over.
Blair believes he can influence Bush on climate change
London : British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday he believes he can persuade US President George W. Bush to agree for the first time to a global target for a "substantial cut" in greenhouse gas emissions.
Internet penetrates Nepal village
Kathmandu : Although villages of Parbat district, some 170 km west of Kathmandu lacks electricity, locals can now receive news flashes through Internet.
Malaysian prime minister to marry
Kuala Lumpur : The Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, will marry Saturday, officials said Wednesday.
China starts crackdown in Tibet after journalists’ visit
Kathmandu : China has intensified its crackdown in Tibet after a visit by two western journalists, a rights organisation has charged.
Zimbabwe faces food shortage: UN
United Nations : Zimbabwe is faced with food shortage of a serious nature and a let up in the situation, if any, cannot be expected before next year, the World Food Programme (WFP) has said.
G8 summit: A peep into past
Heiligendamm (Germany) : Leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations will start their annual three-day summit, on the theme of "Growth and Responsibility", in this German Baltic resort Wednesday.
US watching Pakistan, wouldn’t tell it what to do
By Arun Kumar
IANS
Washington : The US is watching events in Pakistan closely but would not tell its ally what to do even as three lawmakers demanded that President Pervez Musharraf be encouraged to restore democratic processes.
UN calls its African achievement great,urges more support
United Nations : The United Nations has called for continued support from the international community to help it stabilize situation in Africa and eradicate poverty there and said great progress has been made in the continent.
Cuba to promote culture of environmental preservation
Havana : An extensive technical-scientific and social programme is being developed in a metropolitan park here, as part of Cuba's current efforts to promote a culture of environmental preservation.
Indian American caucus launched in Edison
New York : A new caucus has been formed to bring New Jersey's Indian American community closer to the local political process and address the growing needs of the people.
‘Pretty tough’ talks ahead on India nuclear deal: US
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : The US says it would like the civil nuclear deal with India done quickly, but admits "some pretty tough negotiations" are underway to get the terms right.
Bush slams Russian democracy raising stakes ahead of summit
Moscow/Prague : US President George W. Bush criticized what he called the derailing of democratic processes in Russia in a speech in Prague that is likely to fuel tensions ahead of the Group of Eight (G8) summit.
Russian missile centre under probe for alleged export breach
Moscow : Russia's missile centre in the Urals is under investigation for alleged failure to declare sensitive technical documents sent to Brazil worth $3.6 million, a Russian daily reported.
NATO decries Russian threat to withdraw from arms reduction treaty
Moscow : NATO has condemned Moscow's threat to impose a unilateral moratorium on an arms reduction treaty between the Western security alliance and the erstwhile Eastern Bloc countries, warning of serious consequences.
Lecturers, diplomats, broadcasters – all in Bhutan’s politics
By Syed Zarir Hussain
IANSThimphu : From broadcasters and diplomats to civil servants, lecturers and retired generals, people from varied streams have started dabbling in politics as Bhutan embarks on a historic transformation from monarchy to democracy.
US closely watching Pakistan’s tightening of media
Washington : The US has said it is closely watching Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's decree to tighten the regulation of media.