Rice to talk missile, Kosovo issues in Moscow
Moscow : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during her visit to Moscow Monday will have to tackle number of issues that recently soured bilateral relations between US and Russia.
UK tribunal brings cheer to skilled Indian migrants
By Prasun Sonwalkar
IANSLondon : A ruling by a tribunal court, allowing an appeal by a highly skilled migrant from Kerala who faced deportation to India due to changes in immigration laws, has brought cheers to thousands of Indians in a similar situation here.
Nepal crown prince hits headlines anew over boxer’s claims
By Sudeshna Sarkar
IANSKathmandu : Nepal's Crown Prince Paras has hit the headlines anew, with a boxer claiming he bailed out the royal but was rewarded with accusations for his act of good samaritanism.
Beijing considers ban on smoking near Olympic venues
Beijing : Beijing is considering a ban on smoking in public areas in different venues during the Olympic Games next year.
Indian cultural fest held to raise funds for temple
New York : An extravaganza of Indian culture and cuisine was organised by the Hindu Association of Arkansas to raise funds for the construction of a Hindu temple. Nearly half the people at the event were non-Hindu, creating an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange.
Avalanche sweeps Spanish climbers away
Kathmandu : Tragedy struck Sunday as two Spanish mountaineers were swept away by an avalanche while they were climbing Mt Dhaulagiri in Nepal, the seventh highest peak in the world.
Former Commons speaker Jack Weatherill, friend of India, passes away
London : Bernard 'Jack' Weatherill, who was speaker of the House of Commons for almost a decade and was known as a friend of India, has died at the age of 86.
Kerala-origin pupil wins UK community award
London : A nine-year-old-girl from Kerala who moved to Liverpool with her family three years ago has won a community award for her special efforts to look after new Asian children joining her school.
Berlin exhibition focuses on Nazi slave and forced labour
Berlin : It's easy to miss; only on closer inspection does a sign reveal its guilty secret. Here, during World War II, hundreds if not thousands of slave and forced labourers toiled day and night in a cluster of low-slung buildings.
Former Nepal army chief stopped from exiting counry
Republicans, Democrats, prepare to tackle immigration
Washington : As the US Senate prepares to take up the immigration debate next week, US President George W Bush Saturday pushed for his comprehensive reform programme that would include a temporary worker programme to take pressure of the borders.
Released French aid worker arrives in France
Paris : A French aid worker kidnapped in Afghanistan by the Islamic extremist Taliban arrived in Paris Saturday in a visibly weakened condition.
Schoolboy taunts Moss by asking for cocaine
London : A schoolboy shocked onlookers when he taunted supermodel Kate Moss and asked for some cocaine when she refused him an autograph.
Non-proliferation meet ends without final statement
Vienna : A preliminary meeting on revising the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has ended without reaching a final statement on global nuclear disputes due to objections from Iran and other nations.
India must improve transparency in power sector: Report
By Arun Kumar
IANS Washington : India, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines must improve transparency and public participation in their electricity sectors to provide citizens with affordable, reliable and clean energy, concludes a new report.
Four weeks after massacre, graduation at Virginia Tech
Washington : Four weeks after the bloody massacre at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, nearly 5,000 students received their degrees in a solemn yet joyful ceremony that memorialised the 32 people killed by a student gunmen.
Russian embassy hostage crisis ends
San Jose : A tense crisis at the Russian embassy in Costa Rica ended without injuries, according to comments by the Russian ambassador in a radio interview.
An unfortunate traveller: Pope again stirs controversy
Sao Paulo : Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Brazil once again demonstrated his knack of stirring up hard feelings when he steps outside Italy for foreign trips.
UN General Assembly President urges unity among cultures
Blair is a ‘hero’ of Iraq’s freedom: Talabani
London : Iraqi President Jalal Talabani Friday hailed outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a "hero" of the liberation of Iraq and said he was "sorry that British boys and girls" were dying in Iraq.
Blair gives ‘full support’ to Brown in Britain’s leadership change
London : Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair Friday gave his "full support" to Gordon Brown, his likely successor, saying he was certain that Brown would make a "great prime minister."
‘Koirala in favour of Nepal elections in November’
Kathmandu : Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala favours holding Nepal's constituent assembly election, put off for more than five decades, in November, a leading lawyer quoted him as saying Friday.
US House approves military funding
Washington : The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that will provide funding for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in two stages.
Brown prepares to take over as next British PM
By Prasun Sonwalkar
IANS London : Prime Minister Tony Blair Friday endorsed the candidature of Chancellor Gordon Brown as the next Labour leader, paving the way for him to take over as the next prime minister of Britain in June.
Obama fundraiser draws young South Asian professionals
San Francisco : At a kick-off event for US Senator Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, the local chapter of South Asians for Obama (SAFO) raised over $1,200 as contribution last week.
Willis, Sarandon team up for war veterans
London : Actors Bruce Willis and Susan Sarandon have teamed up to campaign for better treatment for US' injured war veterans.
‘US, India determined to make the nuclear deal happen’
By Arun Kumar
IANS Washington : The United States says its civil nuclear deal with India is important to both countries and they are "determined to make it happen".
Under fire, Bush offers talks on Iraq ‘benchmarks’
Washington : US President George W. Bush has said he will consider setting benchmarks for progress in Iraq to help end a tense deadlock with Congress that is delaying money for US troops.
New US trade standards to protect labour, environment
Washington : The Democratic-controlled Congress wrestled major trade concessions from the Republican administration to make international labour and environment standards the gold standard for US free-trade agreements.
On eve of Jamestown events, native Indian recognition closer
Washington : The descendants of Native Americans who encountered the first permanent British settlement in the New World are one step closer to a long-sought goal.
Congress panel cuts funds for missile defence in Europe
Washington : A US congressional committee voted to reduce funding for the Pentagon's plan to install missile defence in Europe, but left open the possibility of restoring the money once Poland and the Czech Republic agree to host the bases.
US praises outgoing British prime minister
Washington : The White House Thursday described outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair as "an extraordinary leader" and a friend and ally of the United States.
Gordon Brown, prime minister in waiting, is an enigma
London : Despite having played a pivotal role in government for the past 10 years, Gordon Brown remains something of an enigma.
Blair decade leaves a double-edged legacy
London : During his 10 years at the helm of British politics, Prime Minister Tony Blair, at once charismatic and controversial, has put his stamp on an era that will forever be linked to his name.
Protest during Rajasekhara Reddy’s Chicago visit
Chicago : Over 400 Indians, including Hindu groups, held a protest here during the visit of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy against what they claimed were his government's highly detrimental policies towards Hindu institutions in the state.
Blair to resign on June 27; Brown set to take over
By Prasun Sonwalkar
IANS
London : Tony Blair Thursday signalled the beginning of the end of what has come to be known as the 'Blair era' during which he was hailed as a political hero as well as a villain as the prime minister for Britain's role in Iraq.
Nepal poll meet put off
Kathmandu : The political stalemate in Nepal deepened Thursday with the ruling coalition calling off a crucial meeting to decide fresh poll dates and find a way to revive parliament, blocked for nearly a month due to protests by legislators.
Blair plans ‘farewell tour’ to US, Europe, Africa
London : Tony Blair will use the remaining weeks of his premiership for a "farewell tour" to several countries around the world, it was reported Thursday.
Hindu community in Britain fights to save sacred bull
London : The Hindu community in Britain has launched a spirited fight to save a sacred bull from slaughter, which has tested positive for tuberculosis.
Cristiano Ronaldo seeks public help to find missing child
Lisbon : Manchester United's Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has made a public appeal for information about a missing child, Madeleine McCann, who went missing last week.
Wolfowitz given time to answer critics
By DPA
Washington : The World Bank's embattled President Paul Wolfowitz has been given time until Friday to respond to an internal ethics investigation against him, the development agency's board of directors said in a statement.
Bush’s daughter dating college sweetheart?
New York : Rumours abound that US President George W. Bush's daughter, Barbara, might be back with her college sweetheart Jay Blount.
London mayor lauds Britain’s Hindu community
London : Lauding Britain's high-achieving Hindu community, London Mayor Ken Livingstone has said that he was proud that a large proportion of the community had chosen London as their home.
A new EU constitution – a matter of the right packaging?
By Gaby Mahlberg
DPA
Cork (Ireland) : When the European Union celebrated its 50th anniversary in March, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she intended to present a roadmap setting out how Europe should go forward before Portugal took over the EU presidency this summer.
Blair to announce his stepping down today
London : Tony Blair will Thursday formally announce his intention to stand down as Labour leader and end his decade as Britain's prime minister, Downing Street has confirmed.
Australia’s Aborigines become first-time homeowners
Sydney : Residents of the Northern Territory town of Nguiu will become the first Aborigines to own their own homes under a ground-breaking agreement reached between the Australian government and traditional landowners.
Nepal border towns rejoice at Indian ganglord’s death
Maoist rampage casts shadow on Nepal poll meet
A new EU constitution – a matter of the right packaging?
Blair to announce his stepping down today
Drew Barrymore becomes advocate for UN World Food Programme
Arrests, arson mark third night of anti-Sarkozy protests
Protests in Chicago against Andhra chief minister
Chicago : Around 300 people held a peaceful protest during Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's visit here against what they called his anti-temples policies in Andhra Pradesh.
Kenya crash: Bodies found, Indian mission official to help kin
New Delhi : Rescue teams Tuesday waded through a mangrove swamp to recover some badly mangled bodies of the 114 people, including 15 Indians, who died in the Kenyan Airways plane crash near Douala in Cameroon, with officials saying it was near impossible to identify the dead or their nationalities.
Tagore statue unveiled in Cuba on birth anniversary
Havana : Indian Ambassador Mitra Vasisht called Rabindranath Tagore "an icon of humankind" at the unveiling of a statue of the acclaimed poet in the Cuban capital to commemorate his 146th birth anniversary Wednesday.
90 percent Asian Americans go online: survey
New York : The Internet plays a critical role in the life of Asian Americans, including Indian Americans, with 90 percent going online and 70 percent visiting ethnic websites every day, a survey said.
Historic power-sharing government in Northern Ireland
Belfast/London : Northern Ireland embarked on a new era Tuesday as Protestants and Catholics joined in government in an historic pact between former political arch enemies.
Tagore statue unveiled in Cuba
Havana : Indian Ambassador to Cuba Mitra Vasisht called the famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore "an icon of humankind," during the unveiling of his statue to commemorate his 146th birth anniversary in Havana.
Rescuers find black box from crashed Kenyan plane
Nairobi/Douala : Cameroonian rescuers pulled a black box and more bodies from the wreckage of a crashed Kenyan jetliner after a two-day search for the accident site, reports said Tuesday.
Indian students in US pool accident identified
New York : Two Indian students, whose bodies were found in a swimming pool Sunday in Texas, have been identified by investigators, reports said Tuesday.
US accused of subversive attempts in Cuba
Havana : Subversive attempts by the US have increased dramatically in Cuba, a senior investigative officer here has said.
No survivors in Kenya crash: rescuer workers
Nairobi : Rescue workers have given up all hopes of finding any survivors of the Kenya Airways plane that crashed into a swamp near the Cameroonian capital Douala.
EU hailed as an ‘inspiring model’ for ASEAN
Singapore : Southeast Asian countries were urged Tuesday to look to the European Union's "inspiring model" and integrate further in response to the growing strength of China and India.
Canada trying to discredit Kanishka testimony?
Toronto : The head of the inquiry commission probing the 1985 bombing of Air India's Kanishka plane has accused the Canadian government of trying to undercut Ontario lieutenant governor James Bartleman's startling testimony about what transpired in the days leading up to the terror attack.
Nepal meet to plan for HIV hit children’s future
Kathmandu : Under the aegis of the SAARC Secretariat and Unicef, experts and policy makers are taking part in a two-day meet here to plan for the future of over 10 million children affected by HIV/AIDS.
North Korea brings up sea border dispute at military talks
Seoul : North Korea put the sensitive issue of the western sea border of the divided Korean peninsula on the agenda at high-profile military talks Tuesday to open a rail line between the two Koreas, local media reported.
British schools will be forced to build multicultural links
London : To promote community relations, 'all-white' schools in Britain will have to send their children to multiethnic schools from September so they can mix with other races and religions.
Wolfowitz violated ethics rules, says panel
Washington : A panel investigating World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz has found that he violated ethics rules when he secured a promotion and pay-raise for his girlfriend who worked at the bank, say media reports.
Rice postpones trip to Israel, West Bank
Washington : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has postponed a trip this month to Israel and the West Bank because of the political turmoil surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the US State Department said.
Swamp, forests hampering rescue: Indian mission in Nairobi
New Delhi : Darkness, thick forests and swamp forced rescue workers Monday evening to call off search operations to locate the wreckage of the crashed Kenyan Airways plane which had 114 passengers on board, including 15 Indians. There is not much hope of finding any survivors, the Indian mission in Nairobi said.
The search will resume Tuesday.
Queen Elizabeth greeted at White House
Washington : A 21-gun salute marked the arrival Monday of Queen Elizabeth II at the White House, where she stood with US President George W. Bush during the playing of the two countries' national anthems.
Sarkozy prepares his presidency as Socialists weigh future
Paris : French President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy left Paris for an undisclosed destination Monday with wife Cecilia and son Louis to rest for two days or three and to reflect on the formation of his government, aides said.
Merkel congratulates Sarkozy after election victory
Berlin : German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke with Nicolas Sarkozy over telephone Monday and congratulated him on his "great victory" in the French presidential elections.
Boucher to visit Sri Lanka
Colombo : Richard Boucher, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, is arriving here Tuesday on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka calls for review of truce pact
Colombo : The Sri Lankan government said Monday its truce agreement with Tamil Tiger rebels signed in February 2002 needs to be reviewed in the light of over 10,000 violations since its implementation.
Hundreds arrested after Sarkozy victory in France
Paris : French police arrested 270 people as scattered protests took place throughout the country after the victory of conservative Nicolas Sarkozy in Sunday's presidential election, the office of the national police (DGPN) said Monday.
Lightning kills three children in Indonesia
Jakarta : Three children were killed when their house was struck by lightning in Indonesia's northern province of Sumatra, media reported Monday.
Six killed in London motorway crash
London : Six people were killed in a motorway crash Monday morning near London.
Singaporeans are fastest walkers in the world
By Parveen Chopra
IANS
New York : The speed at which city folk walk has increased by 10 percent in the last decade, with Singaporeans rated the most brisk walkers, says a new study.
Roeder quits as Newcastle boss
London : Glenn Roeder resigned as manager of Newcastle United after being called to an emergency board meeting, fuelling speculation that the former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce could be installed as his successor.
Unsung heroine behind Nepal’s priceless archaeology finds
Kathmandu : A Harvard graduate, whose feats include unearthing a 500-year-old frozen mummy in Peru and bringing to light the Sherpa climbers who made the earliest Everest expeditions successful, triggered the search for archaeological finds in northern Nepal - and the discovery of a treasure trove.
Sarkozy ‘to give everything to France’
Paris : President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy said in his victory speech that he was ready to "give everything to France".
‘Andaz’ is brand name for new Hyatt chain
By Parveen Chopra
IANSNew York : There was a time when Indian hotels and restaurants used to be named after big names in British hospitality: Claridges, Lyons, and so on. Now, in a reversal of roles, Global Hyatt Corporation (GHC) has given the brand name 'Andaz' (meaning personal style in Hindi/Urdu) to its new chain.
Anti-Sarkozy demonstrations turn violent
Paris : Dozens of cars and rubbish containers were set on fire overnight during protests against Nicolas Sarkozy's win in France's presidential elections, and police fired tear gas and clashed with young people in Bastille Square in Paris.
How Sarkozy won and Royal lost the French presidency
Paris : France's conservative president-elect Nicolas Sarkozy won Sunday's election nearly four months before the actual vote took place, thanks largely to a fatal miscalculation by his opponent, Segolene Royal.
Wreckage of Kenyan aircraft found in Cameroon
Nairobi : The wreckage of a Nairobi-bound airliner that was lost after issuing a distress signal shortly after takeoff from Cameroon has been found after two days of searching, said Kenyan Airways.
Nicolas Sarkozy, France’s neo-conservative president
Paris : France's new president-elect, Nicolas Sarkozy, represents a new type of leader for the country in many ways.
Crashed Kenya aircraft found: TV
Nairobi : The Kenyan airliner believed to have crashed in Cameroon on Saturday with 114 people aboard has been found, Kenya television broadcaster KTN reported citing official Cameroonian sources.
French vote in large numbers to elect president
Paris : The French were going to the polls in large numbers Sunday to elect a president to follow Jacques Chirac as head of state for the next five years.
20 dead in China coal mine explosion
Taiyuan (China) : At least 20 miners were confirmed dead as rescuers Sunday recovered their bodies trapped in Saturday's gas explosion in a coal mine in Linfen, in Shanxi Province.
Crashed plane reported found in Cameroon
Nairobi : An airliner bound for the Kenyan capital Nairobi which went down in southern Cameroon with 114 people including 15 Indians aboard early Saturday has been located, Cameroon radio reported Sunday.
Nine killed in Egypt plane crash
Cairo : A plane of multi-national peacekeeping force crashed in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula Sunday, killing nine people on board, an official of Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) said.
China coalmine blast death toll rises to 20
Taiyuan : The death toll in the coalmine gas explosion in north China's Shanxi province has risen to 20, reports said Sunday.
Three killed in Egypt plane crash
Cairo : A plane carrying multi-national observers crashed in Egypt's Sinai Peninsular Sunday, killing three on board, pan-Arab satellite TV al-Jazeera reported.
US science academy inducts two Indians
New York : Two Indian Americans are among 72 new members inducted into the prestigious National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in Washington.
Indon house members to return to sessions on Monday
French begin voting in presidential election
Paris : Former interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy was the heavy favourite as France's 44.5 million registered voters began casting their polls Sunday to elect their next president.
Pattani doves croon, coo helping locals cast away fears
Thai ICT ministry set to file lawsuit against Google
China reaffirms support for 10,000 MW power project
Bush stops short of accepting compromise with democrats over troops funding
Nepal’s first bishop appointed officially
Kathmandu : Nepal began celebrating the official appointment of its first bishop by the Vatican with the incumbent, Bishop Anthony Francis Sharma, pledging greater participation by Christians for the development of the nation.
Fifth Palestinian refugees ” conference concludes with right to return
For a professional, free, independent press that is aware of its responsibilities
Mexico initiates guns for goods
Nearly 13.5 hectares Honduras Forests burned
Nicaragua gets to roots of hunger
Zambian President calls Chiefs for cooperation on land issues
Brazil breaks with US drug co.
Kenyan Airways Airliner crashed in Cameroon
China breaks links with Saint Lucia
Kenyan Transport Minister to lead team of investigators to Cameroon
Havana event snubs US trade deals
Queen fulfils lifelong dream at Kentucky Derby
Washington : Britain's Queen Elizabeth II realized a lifelong dream by watching the most important annual US horse race, the 133rd Kentucky Derby, with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.
Sri Lanka rights activists speak about ‘challenging’ task
By M.R. Narayan Swamy
IANSNew Delhi : One of two Sri Lankan Tamils who have won a highly respected rights award say recording human rights abuses by both sides in their country for two decades despite death threats has been a challenging task.
15 killed in China coalmine blast
Taiyuan (China) : At least 15 miners have died in a gas explosion in a coalmine in north China's Shanxi province, reports said Sunday.
Dalai Lama says he may live out his years in India
By DPA
Taipei : After living in exile for nearly half a century, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has said he may have to live out his remaining years in India, a Taiwan magazine said Saturday.
Kenyan plane crashes in Cameroon
By DPA
Nairobi : A passenger jet en route to the Kenyan capital Nairobi with 114 people aboard, most of them from India, Cameroon and South Africa, has crashed in southern Cameroon, officials and radio reports said Saturday.
15 Indians were on board crashed Kenyan airliner
By IANS
Nairobi : There were 15 Indians among the 106 on board a Kenya Airways airliner that is reported to have crashed in the Cameroon Saturday.Media reports said 14 people have been killed.
Presidential voting begins in French overseas territories
By Xinhua
Paris : Voting in the French presidential elections began in the country's overseas territories Saturday, a day before polls open in mainland France, French news media reported.
Tornado hits US town, one killed, dozens injured
By Xinhua
Washington : A powerful tornado swept through a town overnight in southwest Kansas, a state in central US, killing at least one person and injuring dozens, US media reported Saturday.
ASEAN+3 vow to further deepen ties over finance, trade
Labour’s loss in Scotland casts shadow over PM-in-waiting Brown
By Prasun Sonwalkar
IANS
London : The Labour party finds itself in a piquant situation - Chancellor Gordon Brown, a Scot, is poised to take over from Tony Blair as the next prime minister, but the party has just lost its 50-year domination of Scotland politics.
Kenyan plane crashed in Cameroon
By DPA
Nairobi : A plane flying to the Kenyan capital Nairobi carrying 106 passengers and nine crew members crashed in Cameroon, Cameroon radio reports said Saturday.
Kenyan aircraft with 115 people missing
By Xinhua
Nairobi : A Kenyan aircraft with 115 people on board went missing Saturday after taking off from Douala in west Cameroon, authorities said.
Brazil bypasses US giant for Indian drugs
By Xinhua
Rio De Janeiro : Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has allowed his country to ignore US pharmaceutical giant Merck's patent on AIDS drug Efavirenz and opted for a cheaper generic alternative from India.
10 percent of US soldiers in Iraq mistreating civilians
By Xinhua
Washington : About 10 percent of US soldiers serving in Iraq have reported mistreating civilians or damaging their property when it was not necessary, according to a Pentagon survey.
US, Russia agree to solve anti-missile disputes
By Xinhua
Washington : The US has decided to hold top-level meetings with Russia to resolve an escalating dispute over America's plans to build an anti-missile system in Eastern Europe, a senior US official said.
US plans to sell arms to Iraq, Turkey
By Xinhua
Washington : The US Defence Department has notified Congress that it plans to sell small arms ammunition and explosives worth over $500 million to Iraq and missiles costing $71 million to Turkey.
Political will needed to fight greenhouse emission: Ban
By Xinhua
United Nations : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged governments to demonstrate the political will to reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emission causing global warming.
US hesitant about goals in reducing emissions
By DPA
Washington : The US has emphasized the importance of the latest international report on global warming, but said it would not adopt corrective actions that would seriously damage the economy.
Mangoes from India stir nostalgia in community
By IANS
New York : The arrival of Indian mangoes in the US has generated a wave of excitement and nostalgia among the Indian American community.
Pope faces tough challenges in Brazil
By DPA
Vatican City : If the Catholic Church is the world's biggest organised religion, it is largely thanks to Latin America, where nearly half of its 1.1 billion followers live. But in recent decades, Latin America has also become a source of constant trouble for Rome.
20 dead as migrant boat capsizes off US coast
By RIA Novosti
Washington : At least 20 people died and 58 are missing after a sailboat packed with Haitian migrants capsized to the southeast of the Bermuda Islands, a spokesman for the US Coast Guard Service said Friday.
Ukrainian parliament agree on election plan to end crisis
By DPA
Kiev : Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko Friday agreed with his political opponent Viktor Yanukovich to hold national parliament elections, as a first step towards ending the country's month-old constitutional crisis.
Britain’s Labour Party suffers losses in local polls
By DPA
London : Britain's ruling Labour Party suffered marked losses in local and regional elections, the last of the Blair era, but results Friday showed that the party steered clear of an "electoral disaster" that had been widely predicted.
Pope Benedict XVI meets former Iran leader Khatami
 By DPA
Vatican City : Pope Benedict XVI and former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami met at the Vatican Friday as part of ongoing Church efforts to improve relations with Muslims.
Heavy rains kill 15 in Sri Lanka
By XinhuaÂ
Colombo : Death toll in Sri Lanka's floods and heavy rains over the last two days has risen to 15, relief officials said Friday.
Olmert fears coalition break-up
By DPAÂ
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was bracing for a possible break-up of his coalition as soon as early next month over a harsh report criticising his management of last summer's Lebanon war.