National network to connect all knowledge institutions: Pitroda
By Mayank Chhaya
IANSChicago : A network of all knowledge institutions in India will be one of the most consequential outcomes of the National Knowledge Commission, its chairman Sam Pitroda says.
Bhutan’s royal astrologers plan for 2008 elections
By Syed Zarir Hussain
IANSThimphu : Yeshey Rinchen looks like any other maroon-robed Buddhist monk chanting hymns at the famous Tashichhodzong monastery, the summer residence of the head abbot of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.
Bhutan’s brush with democracy begins with mock polls
By Syed Zarir Hussain
IANSThimphu : The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan Monday made yet another historic leap towards democracy with voting for the final round of the mock polls beginning with the nation preparing to transform its 100-year-old monarchy to democracy.
‘Democracy has risks, but Bhutan ready for challenge’
Thimphu : Bhutan is ready to take up the challenge of transforming from a monarchy to parliamentary democracy despite "risks" from the historical shift, says Bhutan's Chief Election Commissioner Dasho Kunzang Wangdi.
Nepal king fulfills 117-year-old Indian’s wish
By Sudeshna Sarkar
IANSKathmandu : After almost a century, a 117-year-old Indian woman in Nepal finally had her two biggest dreams fulfilled - becoming a bona fide Nepali citizen and getting an audience with King Gyanendra.
Sarkozy wins 65 percent public support in new poll
Paris : France's new President Nicolas Sarkozy has won two-thirds of public support in the latest opinion poll.
Will the best and brightest find it harder to get into US?
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : For years, Uncle Sam has opened its doors a bit wider to "aliens of extraordinary abilities" - no, not visitors from Mars or Moon with a trick or two up their sleeves, but simply the best and the brightest from other parts of the world.
Beaten-up teachers shut down Kathmandu valley
By Sudeshna Sarkar
IANSKathmandu : Residents of Kathmandu valley had the eerie feeling of living in the past Sunday after aggrieved teachers called a general strike, reviving memories of the turbulent days of the Maoist insurgency and the short-lived direct rule of King Gyanendra when shutdowns and violence had become a way of life.
Bhutan ready to shed monarchy for democracy – peacefully
By Syed Zarir Hussain
IANSThimphu : Tenzin Chhoeda, 42, is getting restless by the day and discusses animatedly with friends Bhutan's planned transition from monarchy to parliamentary democracy.
Namibian land reforms gain attention in southern Africa
Windhoek (Namibia) : Namibia's land reform process, despite some glitches, for speedy and efficient redistribution of land looks set to becoming exemplary in terms of cooperation and support from within the farming community.
US helicopter crashes in Jordan
Amman : A US helicopter crashed during a routine training mission in Jordan, injuring two pilots on board, the US military said.
Long trek up to track Rwanda’s rare mountain gorillas
By Tia Goldenberg
DPA
Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) : After a four-hour hike through dense jungle, up steep, seemingly endless muddy trails, we arrived at our destination.
Finnish women return to their roots
By Vishnu Makhijani
IANSHelsinki : In a country where 83 of the 200 parliamentarians are females, it is hardly surprising that there are very few Finnish women who do not work - or that many are even returning to their roots to pay back their communities.
World’s oldest camera fetches record price
Vienna : The oldest commercially built photo camera, a so-called Daguerrotype Susses Freres was auctioned at Vienna's WestLicht gallery and auction house Saturday for 588,613 euros ($792,333), making it the most expensive camera ever sold.
Nepal government puts off announcing poll date
Kathmandu : The uncertainty over Nepal's crucial election was further prolonged Saturday with the ruling coalition putting off the announcement of a fresh date despite mounting concerns expressed by the international community.
Pro-junta group defends extension of Suu Kyi detention
Yangon : Myanmar's ruling junta has extended Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest by another year to assure the successful conclusion of the National Convention process, a pro-government group said Saturday.
China reports bird flu infection in military
Beijing : China's Health Ministry Saturday confirmed a case of H5N1 infection known as bird flu in a 19-year-old soldier.
White House considering force reduction in Iraq
Washington : The Bush administration is working up several plans that would reduce US combat forces in Iraq by one-third or more by mid-2008, The New York Times reported Saturday.
Nepal’s Terai MPs not happy with new commission
Kathmandu : Though Nepal's coalition government announced the formation of a probe panel to investigate the violence in the Terai plains this year, MPs from the area said they were still not satisfied.
Bush signs Iraq funding bill passed by reluctant Congress
Bush referred to the dispute in a statement late Friday saying: "Rather than mandate arbitrary timetables for troop withdrawals or micromanage our military commanders, this legislation enables our servicemen and women to follow the judgement of commanders on the ground."
Castro’s message doesn’t herald early return, dissidents say
Havana : There is no indication that the ailing Fidel Castro is returning to power, members of Cuba's internal opposition say.
EU condemns detention of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi
Berlin : The European Union's German presidency has "deeply condemned" the one-year extension of the house arrest of Myanmar opposition leader and Nobel Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Technical problem forces delay of missile defence test
Washington : Technical problems forced the Pentagon to delay a test of the controversial missile defence system the US wants to deploy to Eastern Europe.
Swarm of bumblebees halts British holiday flight
London : A swarm of bumblebees forced a British passenger jet to turn back to base, delaying for 11 hours some 200 holidaymakers on their way to Faro, southern Portugal, the charter airline said Friday.
Myanmar junta extends Suu Kyi’s detention
Yangon : Brushing off calls by the international community for her release, Myanmar's ruling junta has sentenced opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, 61, to another year under house arrest, informed sources said Friday.
Cyprus backs India for UN seat, discuss nuclear energy
Nicosia : India and Cyprus, a member of the European Union, Friday enhanced their bilateral ties by signing three agreements and discussed civilian nuclear cooperation as Nicosia came out strongly in support of New Delhi's claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
US expects to resolve Korea nuke issue this month
Manila : The United States' chief negotiator in North Korean disarmament talks said Friday he expects the "roadblock" to Pyongyang's promised shutdown of its Yongbyon nuclear reactor to be resolved this month.
Eurasia’s tallest building in Moscow on fire
Moscow : The tallest structure in Europe and Asia, Ostankino Tower, caught fire Friday afternoon in Moscow, Russian emergency officials said.
Yangon International Airport opens new terminal
Yangon : Yangon International Airport on Friday opened its new passenger terminal with a capacity to handle 2.7 million visitors a year, state officials said.
ITU draws road map to connect world’s cities, villages
Geneva : The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has drawn up a road map to reach the benefits of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to the remotest corner of the world as part of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2015.
Canada to help foreign professionals get accredited
Toronto : In an effort to attract more foreign skilled workers to Canada, a new project was launched by the government to help professionals from countries like India have their credentials assessed and recognised even before they arrive in the country.
Sikhs upset over improper screening in US airports
New York : A prominent US based Sikh organisation has approached the country's Transportation Security Agency (TSA) after it received several complaints from fellow Sikhs that they are being subjected to pass through undue security checks at various US airports.
Himalayan Ski Village gets a Finnish boost
By Vishnu Makhijani
IANSRuka (Finland) : What began as a hunt for timber to build log houses at an upcoming 350 million euro ski resort in the Himalayan slopes of India has blossomed into a vibrant partnership involving the Finnish government, a municipality in the north of the country and a semi-government body supported by the European Union.
‘Dead Lucky’ climber to return to Nepal
By Sudeshna Sarkar
IANSKathmandu : An Australian climber, who was given up for dead on the icy slopes of Mt Everest but miraculously survived the long night of exposure, will return to Nepal soon to raise funds for charitable work.
NRI radio presenter wins British award
London : Radio presenter Lucky Dhillon, who has worked in the Asian media in Britain for the last 20 years, and entrepreneur Sharon Kaur have been selected for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards this year.
Indian American’s family accused of bribery in slavery case
New York : Prosecutors at a bail hearing for a wealthy Indian American couple charged with slavery and keeping illegal migrants have told the court that the mother of one of the accused tried to bribe a relative of a victim.
US Congress passes revised Iraq spending bill
Washington : The US Senate and House of Representatives passed a spending measure for the war in Iraq after centre left Democrats agreed to remove deadlines for troop withdrawals, knuckling under a long-running confrontation with the White House.
China and Japan hold talks on offshore gas dispute
Beijing : China and Japan held an eighth round of formal talks Friday aimed at resolving differences over exploitation of oil and gas fields in the East China Sea.
Ban urges G8 summit to act on climate change
United Nations : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged the G8 summit of the world's top industrialised nations to take measures to combat climate change, warning that inaction would be costly.
Indians largest group of new British citizens in 2006
By Prasun Sonwalkar
IANSLondon : Indians were the largest group to be given British citizenship during 2006, according to latest official figures that also reveal that a million foreign nationals have been given British citizenship's during the Labour party's decade in office.
Muslims in the US – assimilated but apprehensive
Washington : Muslims living in the US are better integrated and have higher living standards than their counterparts in Europe, yet most have doubts about American intentions in the war on terrorism and have become more fearful since Sep 11, pollsters have found.
Leicester is declared Curry Capital of Britain
By Prasun Sonwalkar
IANSLeicester : The people of Leicester knew it all along, but after years of trying, the east Midlands town with a large minority of Indian origin has just been officially declared the 'Curry Capital of Britain' - a tribute to its delicious, palate-tingling tradition of Indian cuisine.
Rights groups want UN to monitor Sri Lanka abuses
By M.R. Narayan Swamy
IANSNew Delhi : Alarmed by the scale of abuses in Sri Lanka, not just in the northeastern war theatre but also in capital Colombo, human rights groups are advocating UN intervention.
Rights groups want UN to monitor Sri Lanka abuses
By M.R. Narayan Swamy
IANSNew Delhi : Alarmed by the scale of abuses in Sri Lanka, not just in the northeastern war theatre but also in capital Colombo, human rights groups are advocating UN intervention.
Missile-defence test comes at pivotal time
Washington : The Pentagon plans to conduct a test of its missile-defence system in the next few days that could be crucial for US President George W. Bush's effort to get Congressional support for deploying the shield to Eastern Europe.
Indian analyst sees EU Kashmir report as growing Indian influence in Europe
Malaysia to hold 50th independence celebrations at London’s Convent Garden
Chinese leaders also tried to impress Rice, says biographer
Islamabad : Did former Chinese president Jiang Zemin have a crush on US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice? Her biographer Marcus Mabri thinks so and goes on to narrate how Jiang asked her for a dance during one of his US visits.
Lebanese army sinks boats carrying militants
Nahr al-Bared (Lebanon) : A Lebanese warship Thursday shot and sank two inflatable boats carrying militants of the Fatah al-Islam group who were trying to flee the Nahr al-Bared camp in northern Lebanon, a Lebanese army spokesman said.
Merkel appeals to G8 demonstrators to stay peaceful
Berlin : German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is to host next month's G8 summit, appealed Thursday to demonstrators coming to the June 6-8 event on the Baltic coast to stay peaceful.
35 killed in Siberia mine blast
Moscow : A methane explosion in a coal mine in western Siberia Thursday morning killed 35 miners while three miners are still missing, a Russian emergencies ministry spokesperson said.
Nepal parliament adjourned again, schools still closed
Kathmandu : Adjourned for more than a month due to protests by unruly MPs, Nepal's parliament couldn't convene Thursday either despite Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala holding interminable parleys with the speaker and leaders of the main parties.
Russia to call urgent conference on arms control
Vienna : Russia plans to call an emergency meeting of the signatories to the treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.
Maoist chief fails to move ADB
Kathmandu : Persuasion by top Maoists leaders has failed to placate the Asian Development Bank (ADB), that has announced its decision to pull out of Nepal's biggest development project after a Maoist minister refused to honour an old contract.
Venezuela steps up demand for extradition of Posada
Caracas : Venezuela has stepped up its demand for the extradition from the US of Luis Posada Carriles, reported to be involved in anti-Cuba terror acts, and asked the the Organization of American States (OAS) to rally in its support.
New Zealand Prime Minister criticized for attending Hindu meet
Auckland : New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark has been criticized for attending a conference organised by the Hindu Council of New Zealand in Auckland last week. The group is alleged to have strong anti-Muslim views and links with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindu radical outfit.
Castro says he’s recovering
Havana : Ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro broke the silence he had maintained for the past few months about his health to reveal in an article that he suffered several surgeries. He said he now feels better and has gained weight although he does not mention a possible date for a comeback to power.
UN envoy to discuss refugee return with Bhutan
Kathmandu : Despite an offer by the US and other western countries to provide a new home to Bhutanese refugees, many of who want to go back, UN's top envoy for refugees is going to Bhutan Thursday to broach the repatriation issue afresh.
Nepal’s ‘pro-democracy’ climbers abandon sick woman on Everest
By Sudeshna Sarkar
IANSKathmandu : A team of Nepali climbers, who sought to summit Mt Everest with the blessings of the government, abandoned a sick woman climber in the 'Death Zone' above 8,000 m.
‘Coffee to go’ as Europe adapts to American trends
Berlin : On the Unter den Linden, close to the heavily fortressed American embassy, you find the Cafe Einstein in Berlin. Most days it heaves with politicians, actors, writers and media types.
Eight more climbers atop Everest
Kathmandu : Eight more climbers, including two Germans and an Austrian, have reached the summit of Mount Everest, the Nepalese government confirmed Wednesday.
Red Cross withdraws from Sri Lanka checkpoints
Colombo : The movement of civilians between government and rebel controlled areas in northern Sri Lanka came to a standstill after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) withdrew amid ongoing clashes, reports said Wednesday.
Ten-year plans for Russia from 2008
Moscow : Russia is to introduce a 10-year financial planning system beginning in 2008.
Sri Lanka gripped by lawlessness, says rights body
Colombo : Sri Lanka is facing "a situation of lawlessness of epidemic proportions", says the Asian Human Rights Commission, adding that graft too had reached unprecedented levels.
Fidel Castro for investment in health, not arms
Havana : In a new reflection on the dangers currently gripping humanity, Cuban President Fidel Castro called for governments of the world to invest in public health and not arms.
Putin to visit Austria, may discuss US missile shield
Moscow : Russian President Vladimir Putin is due in Vienna Wednesday for his first foreign visit since a summit with European Union leaders in Russia last week, fraught with disagreements.
US readying new plan for Iraq
Washington : Top US commanders and diplomats in Iraq are close to completing a new campaign plan for the country, which foresees the removal of hardened sectarian players from Iraq's security forces and government.
South Asian couple indicted on slavery charges
New York : An affluent South Asian couple in the US, who were arrested last week for keeping two Indonesian slaves at their Long Island house, have formally been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Pakistan, US allies get billions in US military aid post-9/11
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : Controversial US allies recruited into the global war on terror, such as Pakistan, Indonesia and Djibouti, have received billions of dollars in additional, new military aid thanks to a dramatic shift in policy in the post-9/11 era.
Woman climber found abandoned on Mt Everest
Kathmandu : In a year when nearly 500 people are said to have summited the Mt Everest, the darker side of the expeditions has also begun to surface, with six deaths and now the news of a woman climber being abandoned on the way to the summit.
US states plan trade missions to India
By Arun Kumar
IANS
Washington : A large number of American states are planning trade missions to India in the near future after the success of the largest ever trade delegation from the state of Virginia, the US-India Business Alliance (USIBA) has said.
UN official named to work for democracy in Myanmar
New York : A United Nations official who held talks last year on democratic reforms with the Myanmar government has been reappointed to continue his efforts.
Indian journalist wins UN media award
United Nations : A HIV-positive couple in India, an indigenous group in Malaysia and nomadic children in China are the focus of stories that have won United Nations prizes for media.
Democrats to drop demand for Iraq withdrawal timeline
Washington : The centre-left Democrats who control the US Congress have said they would drop demands for firm withdrawal deadlines in pending legislation to pay for the continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
When Santa dropped in for lunch
By Vishnu Makhijani
IANSRuka (Finland) : Imagine Santa Claus dropping in for lunch and handing out presents - in May!
ADB pulls out of Nepal’s biggest development project
Kathmandu : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Tuesday pulled out of Nepal's largest development project, saying it would not be able to meet the deadline.
Anti-G8 groups say pre-summit demo to be peaceful
Berlin : Despite continued violence by radicals, major groups critical of G8 said Tuesday that a main demonstration four days before a summit of the world's eight rich nations in Germany would be peaceful.
Indian-born mathematician accepts Abel Prize
Oslo : Indian-born Srinivasa S. R. Varadhan Tuesday accepted the Norwegian Abel Prize, known as the 'Nobel Prize for mathematics'.
Europeans favour ban on smoking in public
Brussels : An overwhelming majority of Europeans are in favour of a ban on smoking in workplaces and indoor public places, new data showed Tuesday.
Everest heroine, Nepal’s pride, perishes in Himalayas
By Sudeshna Sarkar
IANS
Kathmandu : Pemba Doma Sherpa, who rose from an impoverished set-up to become the first Nepali woman to summit Mt Everest from Tibet, has perished in an accident in the Himalayan ranges that also killed two more sherpas.
Senator asks US to pay dues to UN
United Nations : US Senator Joseph Biden has said that he was pressing the US Congress to pay in full Washington's dues to the United Nations.
Mandela wants Spice Girls for birthday party
London : Former South African president Nelson Mandela reportedly wants the disbanded Spice Girls to perform at his 89th birthday party.
Bhutanese refugees in India eager for resettlement in US
Kathmandu : The US government's offer to resettle Bhutanese refugees languishing in Nepal for nearly two decades has triggered eagerness among their peers in India to start a new life on American soil.
Bush reassures Russia over missile shield in Europe
Washington : US President George W. Bush has said the Pentagon's plans to deploy elements of its missile shield in Central Europe were not directed against Russia.
Romania faces new political landscape after referendum win
Bucharest : Romania is facing a realignment of its political forces after the vast majority of the electorate voted not to depose President Traian Basescu. Basescu now returns to the office he had to leave during the referendum campaign with a strengthened mandate after three quarters of the public voted not to impeach him.
Bush immigration plan gets off to a slow start
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : President George Bush's controversial plan to give millions of unlawful immigrants, including some 300,000 Indians, legal status in the United States cleared its first hurdle with the Senate taking up the issue for debate amid widespread opposition.
Bush urges NATO allies to share risks in Afghanistan
Washington : US President George W. Bush has urged NATO allies to share more of the burden and risks in Afghanistan war.
Teaching migration routes to the Waldrapp ibis
Vienna : Speedy almost made it. The three-year old Waldrapp ibis male needed only five days to fly from his hibernation grounds in southern Tuscany 1,000 km into Austria to find his breeding grounds. He crossed three mountain ranges en route, but 40 km from his summer grounds he lost his way and had to be collected by his parents.
Chernobyl lurking in Himalaya’s main rivers?
By Sudeshna Sarkar
IANSKathmandu : If concerted efforts are not made to recover two missing radiation detectors in the Himalayan ranges, another Chernobyl could erupt, poisoning two of Asia's biggest rivers, a Japanese filmmaker has warned.
Indian American wins Young Democrat of the Year award
New York : A 27-year-old Indian American lawmaker has won the Ohio Young Democrat of the Year award.
Newborn baby declared dead by doctors found alive
Kuala Lumpur : A premature baby, who had been proclaimed stillborn by doctors in northern Malaysia, turned out to be alive, local press reported Monday.
Guiliani expected for Republican presidential nomination
New York : US Republican leaders are expected this week to endorse former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani for the Republican presidential nomination.
Indian American named among Washington’s top lobbyists
Washington : A newspaper covering US Congress and its members has named an Indian American among the capital's top lobbyists.
Nepal okays pocket money for Maoist guerrillas
Kathmandu : Nepal's Maoist guerrillas, once carrying a price on their heads, will now be paid pocket money by the government in a move to keep the peace process on track.
New Jersey Asians celebrate heritage
New York : Hundreds of South Asians in New Jersey gathered over the weekend to celebrate the South Jersey Asian Heritage Festival.
Twenty women die in accident in China
Shenyang (China) : A motor tricycle overturned on a mountain path in a Hengren Manchus autonomous county in northeast China's Liaoning Province, leaving 20 women dead and four injured.
Police said that all the women on board were farmers and were on their way home from picking potherb Sunday when the accident occurred.
Chernobyl lurking in Himalaya’s main rivers?
By Sudeshna Sarkar
IANS
Kathmandu : If concerted efforts are not made to recover two missing radiation detectors in the Himalayan ranges, another Chernobyl could erupt, poisoning two of Asia's biggest rivers, a Japanese filmmaker has warned.
South Korea suffers first military casualty in Iraq
Two Czechs conquer Mount Everest, another dies
Prague : Two Czech mountaineers conquered Mount Everest last week even as one died before reaching its summit.
Sri Lanka to reopen entry point to rebel territory
Colombo : The northern most entry point to the Tamil Tiger rebel territory from areas under government control is to be reopened Monday, officials said Sunday.
‘Brown readying Iraq troops for withdrawal’
London : British prime minister-designate Gordon Brown is planning an about turn in the country's Iraq policy by bringing the troops home as soon as possible, British press reports said Sunday.
Nepal deity ‘sweats’ — bad times ahead?
Kathmandu : As the political stalemate in Nepal continued and the security situation worsened in the southern Terai plains, priests of a temple in the mountainous north reported "sweat" oozing out of the deity's stone idol - spelling further woes for the Himalayan nation.
Sikhs complain of rising discrimination in Europe
Brussels : Around 200 Sikhs from across Europe have met the British member of the European Parliament to discuss problems faced by their community in Europe.
Two years after tobacco ban, Bhutan still awaits law
Kathmandu : More than two years after it made history by becoming the first nation to ban tobacco sales and smoking in public, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is still awaiting a law to back the ban while a black market in tobacco flourishes.
Deal or no deal: that’s the question for Bush
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : With just 20 months to go before he leaves the White House, George W. Bush is looking for a deal, any deal that would overshadow the botched war in Iraq and be remembered as the legacy of his presidency.
Punjab violence finds echo in Birmingham
London : Over 100 Sikhs gathered outside the Consulate General of India office in Birmingham to protest against Dera Sacha Sauda sect leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for portraying himself on the lines of Sikh guru Gobind Singh.
‘US has paid Pakistan $5.6 bn to counter terrorism’
Washington : The United States is paying Pakistan roughly $1 billion a year for what it calls reimbursements to the country's military for conducting counter-terrorism efforts along the border with Afghanistan, the New York Times reported.
NRI elected mayor of London borough
London : Harshadbhai B Patel, who was elected as a councillor in Brent during three successive local council elections since 1996, has now been elected mayor of the London borough that has a large minority of Indian origin.
US right to pick World Bank chief questioned
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : As the search for a new World bank chief to replace Paul Wolfowitz begins, many are questioning the United States' traditional right to pick the top man - a claim reasserted by the White House.
Blair on surprise visit to Iraq
Baghdad : Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a surprise visit to Iraq Saturday and started talks with Iraqi President Jalal Talbani and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, al-Iraqiya state television reported.
The British premier was also due to visit British forces in Basra, 550 kilometres south of Baghdad.
Blair will demit office in late June.
Run to support fight against kidney disease
New York : The third Zayed International marathon to mobilise public support for the fight against kidney diseases was kicked off here Saturday.
‘World bank can now refocus on poverty in South Asia’
By Arun Kumar
IANS
Washington : The resignation of World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz would help the institution battered by a crisis of governance to resume the battle against poverty in South Asia, according to a senior bank official.
White House, senators strike deal on immigration
French president unveils new cabinet
‘Blair could be in run for World Bank top job’
Three Indian American students get USA TODAY award
New York : Three Indian Americans are among twenty students selected by USA TODAY, one of America's top-selling newspapers for its annual All-USA High School Academic First Team.
Bhutanese refugees brace for Indian crackdown
Kathmandu : Bhutanese refugees, who are planning to start a march to the kingdom from Nepal on the day Thimphu holds a mock election, say they fear Indian authorities may stop them while they enter that country on their way to the Druk kingdom.
Sikhs in New Zealand plead for air security tolerance
Auckland : A New Zealand Sikh association has told a parliamentary select committee it fears its community members could be targeted if changes are made to the country's aviation security legislation.
Michael Jackson fights memorabilia auction, may get embarrassed
By Parveen Chopra
IANS
New York : Michael Jackson has been warned not to try to block a planned charity auction of his memorabilia on May 30-31 because it could cause the singer-in-decline embarrassment.
Britain to probe identity leak of Indian visa seekers
By Prasun Sonwalkar
IANS
London : A Channel 4 report that personal data of Indian citizens applying for British visa in India may have been compromised due to flaws in the online application system there has prompted an investigation here.
Fiji plans to return to democracy in three years
By Shubha Singh
IANS
New Delhi : Fiji's interim government has set a three-year timeframe for taking back the country to a democratically elected government and plans to hold elections by June 2010.
Scottish universities see 45 percent rise in Indian students
London : There has been a 45 percent rise in the number of Indian students studying in universities in Scotland following the implementation of a scheme that allows foreign students to work for two years there after graduation.
Nevada University graduates blessed with Gita verses too
New York : Graduating students of University of Nevada in the US were blessed with Sanskrit slokas (verses) from the Bhagavad Gita, one of the holiest of Hindu scriptures, during their second annual interfaith baccalaureate service.
World cities join hands to combat climate change
New York : Fifteen of the world's largest cities have agreed on a $5-billion initiative with major banks to retrofit buildings in their cities to save energy, in the first such enterprise to combat climate change.
US to open path to citizenship for illegal immigrants
Nepal gays ask UN to save arrested peers in Iran
Kathmandu : In a show of solidarity, Nepal's burgeoning homosexual community is seeking international support for the release of 80 gay men arrested in Iran.
17 Indian American students among 141 Presidential Scholars
By IANS
New York : Seventeen Indian American students are among 141 high school seniors selected as the 2007 Presidential Scholars for their outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, and contribution to school and the community.
Burns to do what’s most effective for nuclear deal: US
World cities join hands to combat climate change
World Bank chief to quit under fire over ethics
Seven Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes
U.S. offers $200,000 for finding missing soldiers
Sarkozy names Francois Fillon as prime minister
Gordon Brown to be next PM of Britain
Gordon Brown to be next PM of Britain
British Army considers Harry’s role after Iraq ban
Brown to be elected Labour leader unopposed
Wolfowitz’s exit from World Bank imminent
Goal of Unified Korean Peninsula achievable: Ban Ki-moon
US Senate rejects proposal to cut Iraq war funds
US may accept Wolfowitz’s resignation: report
Iran, EU to hold nuclear talks
Iran, EU to hold nuclear talks
Wolfowitz defiant as World Bank crisis lurches toward climax
UN joins with Holocaust Museum to foster genocide prevention
Planet earth facing catastrophe, time running out: report
US goverment awards Lockheed Martin fro F-16 ATPS FOR PAKISTAN
US gives Pakistan 18 Sniper spy pods for F16s
By Arun Kumar
IANS
Washington : The US government has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin for 18 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP), a part of the new advanced block 52 F-16 aircraft programme for Pakistan.
Egypt’s Mubarak, African leaders invited to G8 summit
By DPA
Berlin : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as well as top African leaders have been invited to attend next month's summit of the Group of Eight leading industrial nations in Germany, a government spokesman said Monday.
Nepal parliament remains paralysed
By IANS
Kathmandu : Nepal's parliament was disrupted again Monday as protesting MPs have blocked house proceedings for nearly a month, forcing Speaker Subhash Chandra Nembang to adjourn it till Wednesday.