Cold War conferred odd benefit, it limited species invasion
By IANS,
Washington : The Cold War did confer an odd benefit -- limiting the spread of invasive species, a recent study has shown.
The study found that post World War II, when trade and travel between eastern and western Europe were minimal, there were far fewer introduced bird species.
"Last year, people worldwide celebrated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain and the end of the Cold War," said Susan Shirley, research associate in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University (OSU).
US welcomes rise of ‘prosperous, peaceful, stable China’
Beijing : President Barack Obama Monday said the US welcomes the rise of a prosperous, peaceful and stable China.
Speaking at the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic...
Greece Nixes Atlanta Decision on the Five
By Prensa Latina,
Athens : Thousands of Greek young people and workers condemned the recent decision taken by Atlanta’s Court of Appeals against the antiterrorists Cuban Five imprisoned in US, local media reports Wednesday.
The demonstrators, gathered at US embassy in Athens, expressed their solidarity to the people of Cuba and their indignation before the decision issued by that hearing on June 4.
Sri Lankan prison riot toll rises to 27
By IANS,
Colombo: The toll in the prison riot here rose to 27 Saturday after prisoners and the military overnight exchanged gunfire, police and prison officials said.
US stocks surge as oil price falls below $70
By DPA,
New York : US stocks surged Thursday after a steep dive a day earlier amid ongoing fears of a global recession.
The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 401.35 points, or 4.68 percent, to 8,979.26 in a late rally, partly on the back of falling oil prices.
In a sign of the uncertain times, the index dipped and rose during the day over a span of more than 700 points for the sixth straight day, according to Bloomberg News.
Slimming pills no substitute for healthy lifestyle
By IANS
Toronto : Anti obesity drugs are no substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle for those who want to lose weight, scientists in Canada have found.
Researchers at the University of Alberta reviewed the evidence from thirty trials involving nearly 20,000 people who took one of three anti-obesity drugs -- orlistat, sibutramine or rimonabant -- for a year or longer.
They found that in many cases the pills achieved little in terms of weight loss, reported the online edition of BBC News.
Georgian woman, ‘world’s oldest person’, turns 130
By IANS,
London : A woman from a remote mountain village in Georgia has turned 130, making her the oldest person on earth, officials in the former Soviet republic have claimed.
Antisa Khvichava from western Georgia was born July 8, 1880, said Georgiy Meurnishvili, spokesman for the civil registry at the justice ministry.
According to records, the woman, who lives with her 40-year-old grandson in a country house in the mountains, retired from her job as a tea and corn picker in 1965 when she was 85, the Daily Mail reported.
Bush calls global financial summit for Nov 15
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : US President George W. Bush will host a summit meeting on the global financial crisis Nov 15, bringing together world leaders from the Group of 20 developed developing countries including India.
The first in a series of conferences aimed at reforming the international financial system, the summit, to be held 11 days after the US presidential election, will include leaders of the Group of 20, the White House announced Wednesday.
17 Tamil Tigers killed in clashes in Sri Lanka
By IRNA
New Delhi : At least 17 LTTE cadres were killed in clashes in the embattled northern Sri Lanka as fighter jets attacked a target in the rebel stronghold of Mullaitivu.
Air Force fighter planes attacked a sea Tiger camp in Chemmalai area in Alampil in the rebel stronghold area on Thursday and confirmed the air strike was a total success, PTI reported here quoting Sri Lankan defence official.
In ground clashes security forces killed one rebel in North of Janakapura in North-eastern Welioya on Thursday.
Hundreds flee as 27 die in massive Greek inferno
By DPA
Athens : At least 27 people have died and hundreds have fled from wildfires that spread and caused widespread destruction across the Greek mainland and islands, radio reports said Saturday.
The authorities fear that the death toll will rise as hundreds were trapped in remote villages encircled by flames on the Peloponnese peninsula.
Tibetan call centre employee stabbed in Delhi
By IANS,
New Delhi: A 27-year-old Tibetan employed in a call centre was stabbed to death by his Tibetan friend in south Delhi's Amar colony area, police said Sunday.
According to police, Thupten was stabbed by Tashi, 23, around 11.30 p.m. Saturday. Tashi has been arrested.
The altercation between the friends began after Thupten’s missing mobile phone was found with Tashi, police said.
US Congress approves $18 bn jobs stimulus package
By DPA,
Washington : The US Congress Wednesday approved a nearly $18-billion package of incentives to revive the struggling US labour market.
The Senate approved the HIRE Act by 68-29, sending the measure to President Barack Obama for signature after months of wrangling. The House of Representatives passed the bill earlier this month.
"It is the first of what I hope will be a series of jobs packages that help to continue to put people back to work all across America," Obama said after a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen.
Vietnam, US cooperate in developing renewable energy
By IANS,
Ho Chi Minh City: The US is willing to provide technical assistance and share experience in developing renewable energy in Vietnam, US Consul...
Israeli jets shoot down unidentified drone
By IANS,
Jerusalem: The Israel Air Force intercepted and shot down a drone that had penetrated the country's airspace, the military said.
German exit polls leak via Twitter
By DPA,
Berlin : Data from exit polls in Germany was widely distributed via the online service Twitter Sunday, breaking a confidentiality law and upsetting electoral officials.
The data was embargoed until 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) Sunday when polls closed, but began coursing hours earlier through Twitter, a web service that broadcasts very short personal messages. The originator of the initial message was anonymous.
Survey companies compute the most likely poll outcome about four hours before voting booths close, based on interviews with voters who have just cast their ballots.
Britain’s economy facing biggest threat in 20 years: Official
By Xinhua,
London : The Bank of England governor has said that Britain's economy is facing the biggest threat in 20 years, giving a grim picture of the country's financial future, a media report said Thursday.
Speaking at the annual dinner for bankers and merchants here Wednesday, Mervyn King said that consumers could expect sharp rises in the gas and electricity prices.
And with no likely pay rise in the near future, there may be a steep fall in the purchasing power, Sky News reported.
Jenna Bush’s lush, private wedding lifts dad’s spirits
By Pat Reber, DPA,
Washington : Presidential daughter Jenna Bush donned an Oscar de la Renta dress of embroidered and beaded organza and married her long-time boyfriend Henry Hager under the Texas stars.
It was a private but lush affair Saturday night , with 200 family members and close friends.
It was also a rare moment of levity and joy for US President George W. Bush, who is bogged down in an unpopular war in Iraq, some of the lowest ratings ever for a president and a mushrooming subprime mortgage crisis that has dragged the country to the brink of recession.
African doctors leave patients behind to find a better life
By DPA
Kampala (Uganda) : Lydia Mungherela left her home country Uganda in 1986 as it was in the throes of war and the burgeoning of a new disease called AIDS - a time the East African nation needed her the most.
The 49-year-old physician loved her country but she packed her bags and left anyway, turning her back on the thousands of people who had no access to a doctor, and hoping to find a new life in South Africa.
But it wasn't the mounting deaths from a new insurgency in the north or the spread of AIDS that forced her from her home.
UN secretary general expresses impatience with Myanmar
By DPA
Bangkok : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Monday expressed impatience with Myanmar's junta for its slow progress in democratisation since its latest crackdown on its own people last September.
"The international community is impatient. In fact, our patience is running out," Ban said after meeting with Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.
"The people of Myanmar have suffered from isolation for such a long time, it is high time for the Myanmar authorities to allow the people to be able to enjoy genuine democracy, freedom and human rights," Ban said.
South Korea’s central bank leaves interest rates unchanged
By IANS,
Seoul : The Bank of Korea (BOK) left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.25 percent Thursday.
Landmark Zimbabwe election begins
By DPA
Harare : Voting got underway in Zimbabwe Saturday in an election where President Robert Mugabe faces an uphill battle to retain his 28-year grip on power.
Some 5.9 million Zimbabweans are listed as registered to vote in the presidential, parliamentary and local polls.
Mugabe, 84, faces a stiff challenge in his bid for another five years as president from Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai and former finance minister Simba Makoni, standing as an independent.
Jordan, France’s Areva discuss plans to build nuclear plant
By Xinhua,
Amman : Energy-thirsty Jordan on Sunday discussed with French nuclear giant Areva plans to join hands to build a nuclear plant in the kingdom.
Talks between Jordan's Prime Minister Nader Dahabi and visiting Areva CEO Anne Lauvergeon covered a timetable for the project, Areva's key role in helping Jordan raise sufficient funds for construction, and operation of the nuclear power facility.
UN Sec Gen to embark on four-nation tour of Asia later this month
By NNN-UNNS,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will depart for Asia later this month on a four-country tour whose itinerary includes stops in the Philippines, India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
While in Manila, Mr. Ban will meet with President Gloria Arroyo, who will present him with the nation’s order of diplomatic merit. He will also receive an honorary doctorate from the University of the Philippines and address the Second Global Forum on Migration and Development.
Serbia hints at compromise over Kosovo
London, Aug 2 (DPA) Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic has said he believes a compromise formula can be found to resolve the demand for independence by the Kosovo Albanian leadership.
He told the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) Wednesday that Kosovo could be given "the widest possible autonomy in the world" to meet Albanian independence demands.
Serbia is even ready to give up certain "sovereign prerogatives", Jeremic said.
The province of Kosovo, currently part of Serbia, has been governed by the United Nations since the conflict there ended in 1999.
Only one Hindu in 1828 New South Wales Census
By Neena Bhandari, IANS
Sydney : Hinduism may be the fastest growing religion in Australia. But there was only one Hindu amongst the 36,000 or so residents in the 1828 census of the state of New South Wales.
Australia's first Hindu stockman, Ramdial, who was born most probably in 1788, arrived in Australia aboard the ship Mary in 1818 with Sophia Browne, the wife of his employer William Merchant Browne, and three of Browne's children from Calcutta (now Kolkata).
Demand for Mexican security firms’ services soars
By IANS/EFE,
Mexico City : Mexico's private security companies saw demand for their services soar 25 percent in 2010 due to a surging crime rate, an industry association said.
Nigerian attacker had syringe sewn into his underwear: NYT
By IANS,
Washington : A 23-year-old Nigerian man charged with trying to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day claims he obtained explosive chemicals and a syringe that were sewn into his underwear from a bomb expert in Yemen associated with Al Qaeda.
Federal authorities have not independently corroborated the Yemen connection claimed by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who was burned in his failed attempt to bring down the airliner, the New York Times reported Saturday.
Over 2.6 million poor children living in Germany
By IRNA
Berlin : More than 2.6 million poor children are living in Germany as a result of the government's tough unemployment and social welfare cuts, the head of the German DKSB child advocacy group, Heinz Hilgers announced in Berlin on Monday.
Speaking at a news conference, Hilgers called the latest record- breaking number of poor children a "scandal".
He accused the center-rightist government of Chancellor Angela Merkel of ignoring the plight of poor children.
Russia proposes Middle East meet in Moscow
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Syria, Israel and the Palestinian territories March 19-21 to discuss holding a Middle East meeting in Moscow, a ministry spokesman said Tuesday.
Mikhail Kamynin said in a statement the issue of a Middle East meeting is being discussed with the Palestinians, the Israelis, countries involved in mediating the conflict, and members of the Arab League.
UN chief in Myanmar to inspect cyclone damage, hasten aid
By DPA,
Yangon : United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Myanmar Thursday to inspect areas devastated by Cyclone Nargis, which hit the country's coastal region 20 days ago, and talk to the ruling junta about speeding up disaster relief for the people.
Ban, who arrived at Yangon International Airport on a Thai Airways flight, was tentatively scheduled to visit the Irrawaddy delta, the area hardest hit by Cyclone Nargis May 2-3.
Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win and UN officials were at the airport to greet Ban.
AirAsia crash: Two more bodies recovered, metal objects located
Jakarta : Recovery teams Tuesday found two more bodies and located two large metal objects on the sea bed as they expanded the search...
Philippine president greets Muslim citizens on Ramadan-eve
Manila: Philippine President Benigno Aquino III Saturday expressed his solidarity with the Muslim population ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan.
Aquino said in his...
Britan’s Labour Party sees sharp drop in European vote
By DPA,
London : Britain's ruling Labour Party appeared Sunday to be heading for a mauling in the elections for the European Parliament as first results showed a sharp fall in support compared with 2004.
Results in the North-East region, a Labour stronghold, were down by nine percent, compared with 2004. It was the first of 12 regions where the counting of votes was completed.
While the Labour Party won the most votes in the North-East of England at the European Elections, its 25-percent share of the vote in the region was "well down" on 2004.
Jailed Russian ex-diplomat leaves U.S. for Moscow
By RIA Novosti,
New York : A former Russian UN official, sentenced by a U.S. court to four years and three months in prison on money laundering charges, has left for Moscow after being handed over to Russian officials.
Kuznetsov, 50, who worked for the United Nations Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, was arrested in September 2005 after borrowing $300,000 from a Russian colleague. U.S. investigators said that he was aware the funds had been acquired by criminal means.
Trucks set on fire in Chile
By IANS/EFE,
Santiago : Hooded assailants intercepted two freight trucks, pulled out the drivers and set the vehicles on fire in a southern town in Chile.
The incident took place Wednesday in Araucania region, where ethnic Mapuche Indian activists have torched vehicles, highway toll booths and lumber shipments on earlier occasions as part of a protest to reclaim ancestral lands from business and forest products companies.
Russia will get through global crisis: Putin
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Thursday he expects the country to come out of the current global financial crisis with minimum losses.
Speaking during a live televised question-and-answer session, his first as premier, Vladimir Putin said: "We have every chance of getting through this difficult period with minimum losses for the economy and, what is most important, for ordinary people."
He also noted that Russia, affected by what he called a unique global crisis, had the third largest gold and foreign currency reserves in the world.
LTTE asks Ravi Shankar to facilitate ceasefire
By IANS,
New Delhi : Sri Lanka's beleaguered Tamil Tiger guerrillas Monday urged Indian spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to facilitate a ceasefire in the island nation.
The appeal was made in a telephonic conversation between Ravi Shankar and B. Nadesan, chief of the political wing of the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Nadesan said thousands of people "are suffering due to an acute shortage of food and medical facilities" in the narrow strip of land still held by the LTTE.
Political coup in Canada; Dion to replace Harper as new PM
By Gurmukh Singh, IANS,
Toronto : In a political coup, Canada's three opposition parties have joined hands to oust the just elected minority government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
In a deal signed by the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party (NDP) and backed by the separatist Bloc Quebecois in Ottawa Monday, the first two parties will form a new government, with the third supporting them from outside.
Under the deal, Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion will become the new prime minister till May when his party chooses a new leader to replace him.
New quake hits southwest China, killing at least 2 miners
By RIA Novosti,
Beijing : At least two coal miners were killed and another three injured in a 5.0-magnitude earthquake that hit southwest China's Sichuan Province on Wednesday, Xinhua reported on Thursday.
The quake, which the agency said was an aftershock following the 8.0-magnitude May 12 quake, occurred early on Wednesday with its epicenter in Qingchuan County in the city of Guangyuan.
Seven miners were working at the mine when the roof collapsed. Five managed to escape, Xinhua cited local officials as saying.
NATO troops raid home of Radovan Karadzic
By SPA,
Pale, Bosnia-Herzegovina : NATO troops searched Radovan Karadzic's family home Tuesday for evidence of contacts to the network that has helped genocide suspect
Ratko Mladic evade arrest.
NATO spokesman Derek Chappell said family members were questioned at their home in Pale, near Sarajevo. Soldiers were seen carrying out suitcases and boxes from the house.
Karadzic's wife and daughter were among those at home.
Former Bosnian Serb leader Karadzic has been in the custody of the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague since July, according to a report of Associated Press.
China’s Quake Orphans Face Uncertain Future
By Bernama,
Beijing : She held hands of her mum and dad on the way to kindergarten, with no idea that she would soon lose her parents to the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Beichuan County in China's southwest Sichuan Province on May 12.
Shielded by the bodies of her parents, three-year-old Song Xinyi survived the catastrophe that claimed more than 50,000 lives and left 5 million homeless.
Bangladesh enhance chances of featuring in 2017 Champions Trophy
Mirpur (Bangladesh): Bangladesh have enhanced their chances of securing a Champions Trophy berth after their brilliant win over India in the first One-Day International...
Sharif sentenced to 10 years for graft, daughter gets 7 (Lead)
By IANS
Islamabad, July 6 (IANS) Dealing a severe blow to the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) ahead of the general elections, former Prime Minister Nawaz...
Myanmar riot: Toll rises to 32
By IANS,
Yangon: The death toll in a communal riot in Meikthila in northern Myanmar has risen to 32, state-run media reported.
One killed in French nuclear plant blast
By IANS,
London : One person was killed and three others were injured Monday in an explosion at a French nuclear plant, BBC reported.
Half a million in Britain strike for more pay
By IRNA,
London : Over half-a-million local council staff were expected Wednesday to join in the biggest bout of industrial action in Britain for years, forcing schools to close and affecting a host of other services.
The 48-hour strike action, which began at midnight Tuesday, was being led by three trade unions, Unison, Unite and PCS, whose members also include driving test examiners and coast guards.
Council workers were planning to stage rallies in towns and cities across the country during the strike, after rejecting a 2.45 per cent pay rise.
Russians celebrate Orthodox Easter
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Easter celebrations have revived in Russia since the demise of the Soviet Union, with both practicing Christians and non-believers celebrating the holiday.
Many people started Easter Sunday with jubilant greetings "Christ is risen!" and "He has indeed risen!" followed by three kisses and the exchange of Easter eggs. Both the pious and non-believers have long family feasts with paschal delicacies, including Easter cakes and generously spiced and sweetened cream cheese, or barbeques.
Russian apex court rejects man’s claim to Vatican
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : The Russian Supreme Court has overturned an appeal from a Russian who urged the country's judiciary to recognise his ownership of the Vatican.
Thousands attend Havana concert for peace
By DPA
Havana: Hundreds of thousands of Cubans gathered at the Revolution Plaza in Havana Sunday for a "Peace Without Borders" concert headlined by popular Colombian singer Juanes.
An estimated 650,000 people attended the concert making this the biggest event in Havana since Pope John Paul II's visit in 1998, CNN reported.
Most people wore white to symbolize peace and many held up signs that said "Peace on Earth" and "We Love You Juanes".
Some American IS recruits are back in US: White House
Washington: The Obama administration believes that some of the roughly 100 Americans who may have travelled to the Middle East to join the ranks...
World leaders hold crisis talks on global food prices
By DPA,
Rome : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was expected to urge world leaders attending a summit in Rome Tuesday to lift trade restrictions, taxes and other price controls that have helped spur food prices to their highest levels in 30 years.
Ban was set to address delegates from some 50 countries at the UN Conference on World Food Security's inaugural ceremony scheduled to begin at 0700 GMT.
Nepal ushers in New Year ahead of world
By DPA,
Kathmandu : The new republic of Nepal Tuesday ushered in the New Year ahead of the rest of the world - among the five New Year days observed in the country in a year.
The Gurungs, an ethnic community living in west Nepal who are known for their valour and form the backbone of the Gorkha regiments in the Indian and British armies, celebrate Dec 30 as the beginning of their New Year.
Tamu Lhosar Tuesday was the beginning of the ethnic year 2065, marked as the year of the cow. Parties began in Nepal and abroad where the Gurung diaspora lives.
Spanish web users clash with government over anti-piracy law
By IANS/EFE,
Madrid : Associations of web users and hundreds of Spanish bloggers have said that they were ready to fight measures planned by the government to prevent illegal downloads of movies and music from the Internet, which would include the blocking and closure of offending websites.
The activists announced in Madrid Tuesday the creation of the "Red SOS-tenible" (SOS-tainable Network) as civil society's response to the government offensive to protect intellectual property on the Internet.
German states elect representative councils
By KUNA
Berlin : Two German states of Lower Saxony and southwestern Hesse elected their representative councils here on Sunday.
Initial results show that the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Christian Wolf, gained 42 percent against 48 percent in the 2003 polls, Social Democrats, led by Heinrich Wilhelm; 31 percent compared to 33.4 percent in the previous polls, and Free Democratic Party (FDP); 7.8 percent against 8.1 percent in the previous elections.
Sentinel birds sing the ‘watchman’s song’
By IANS,
London : Like soldiers guarding their posts in hostile territory and keeping comrades informed by radio that all is well, birds too are just as conscious about discharging similar "responsibilities", according to a study.
Researchers from the University of Bristol have demonstrated that by warbling a distinctive "watchman's song", birds scanning for danger ensure their larger feathered family can focus on foraging, and so get more food.
Israeli war planes bombard Rafah S. Gaza
By KUNA,
GAZA : Israeli war planes launched last night and early Saturday morning air strikes targeting several areas in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Witnesses said that f-16 fighter jets and Apache helicopters launched more than 15 sorties during a raid against the southern and eastern parts of the border city.
The witnesses added the Israeli missiles inflicted damage to tunnels area south of the city without causing casualties.
100,000 visit T&T Diwali exposition
By Paras Ramoutar, IANS,
Port of Spain : More than 100,000 people thronged an annual exposition over 10 days to celebrate Diwali in this Trinidad and Tobago capital.
African countries want to see aid commitment “fully implemented”
By Xinhua,
Toyako, Japan : African countries said that Group of Eight (G8) has provided many aid promises to African countries in the past years, and they want to see the commitment "fully implemented", according to a news briefing held here Monday.
Leaders from seven African countries and the G8 nations held an outreaching working session on the sidelines of the G8 summit which opened here Monday in Japan's resort Toyako.
UNHCR to verify Tibetans in Nepal
By Xinhua,
Kathmandu : The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Nepal is set to verify the identity of the Tibetans arrested in course of demonstrations before Nepal-based Chinese embassy, consular section and other places, state-run newspaper The Rising Nepal reported on Friday.
Cuba-Russia Solidarity Festivities
By Prensa Latina
Moscow : The battles against the US blockade and for the liberation of the five Cuban anti-terrorists jailed in the United States gathered more than 200 Russian activists in a Cuba solidarity festival held here.
Called Cuba Fiesta, the gathering was held in the Budu Lunch club and was opened by the political advisor of the embassy, Carlos Valdes who thanked the efforts made by the solidarity movement in 2007.
World needs $30 billion yearly to eradicate hunger
By Xinhua,
Rome : The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Tuesday appealed to world leaders for $30 billion a year to re-launch agriculture and avert future threats of conflicts over food.
In a speech at a summit called to defuse the current world food crisis, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf noted that in 2006, the world spent $1,200 billion on arms while food wasted in a single country could cost $100 billion and excess consumption by the world's obese amounted to $20 billion.
US may give lethal weapons to Syrian rebels: Report
By IANS,
Washington: The US is considering providing lethal weapons to Syrian opposition forces and a decision is expected within weeks, a media report said Wednesday.
Sharif’s UN speech a monumental error of judgement
By Hardeep S. Puri
Absent good advice, democratically-elected leaders are capable of making serious mistakes which have far-reaching repercussions on the future of their...
Quake rocks Indonesia
By IANS,
Jakarta: An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale rocked Indonesia Saturday, authorities said here.
North Korean involvement in sinking of warship obvious: Seoul
By DPA,
Seoul : The South Korean government for the first time pointed its finger at Pyongyang Wednesday for the sinking of one of its warships, saying North Korean involvement in the incident was "obvious".
An examination of the salvaged wreck showed it was sunk in March by "a strong underwater explosion generated by the detonation of a torpedo," Foreign Minister Yu Myung Hwan said at a meeting with European business representatives.
Asked by the press whether he thought North Korea was responsible, he replied: "It's obvious."
Russia, US to hold nuclear security drills
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Washington : Russia and the US will hold joint nuclear security drills under the bilateral military cooperation committee, the US State Department said.
Kremlin welcomes Bush decision to visit Russia after NATO summit
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : The Kremlin said on Thursday it welcomes the U.S. president's decision to visit Russia for talks on missile defense plans for Europe and other strategic issues after next month's NATO summit in Romania.
George W. Bush told reporters in Washington on Wednesday that he had accepted President Vladimir Putin's invitation to visit his holiday residence in Sochi on the Black Sea on April 6 "to discuss the strategic agreement, a crucial part of which is missile defense."
Putin’s foreign policy: achievements and failures
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : As Russia braces for presidential elections Sunday, strategic planners are looking at the achievements and failures of the country's foreign policy under President Vladimir Putin.
First, the achievements:
Russia regained its status as a leading world power. Economic revival and stable economic growth have increased Russia's international prestige. Its views now carry far more weight in the international arena than they did in the 1990s.
Hillary slams Canada, leaves Arctic summit
By IANS,
Ottawa : US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton slammed Canada Monday for not inviting Sweden, Finland, and Iceland for the Arctic summit held near Ottawa and made an early exit from the gathering.
Attended by foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Russia, the US and Norway, the summit was organized to discuss the future of the resource-rich Arctic region which contains one fourth of the world's oil and gas reserves as well as unfathomed mineral wealth.
UN chief welcomes signing of peace accord in Mali
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon has welcomed the signing of a peace accord by the Malian government and armed groups in...
Anti-smoking hospital programmes successful: Indian American expert
By IANS,
Washington : Hospital-based anti-smoking programmes, along with referrals for cardiac rehabilitation, seem to help patients quit smoking after a heart attack, according to a study co-authored by Indian American cardiologist Susmita Parashar.
Sarkozy continues diplomatic pressure on Caucasus conflict
By KUNA,
Paris : As tensions remain high in the Caucasus region despite a commitment to a cease-fire by Russia and Georgia, French President Nicolas Sarkozy is continuing Thursday his diplomatic pressure to lend support to the peace-process and muster international support for his initiatives in this area.
Later Thursday, the French leader, who also heads the rotating European Union presidency, is meeting in southern France with US Secretary-of-State Condoleezza Rice, who is stopping off here on her way for talks in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.
Irish Prime Minister Ahern to step down in May
By DPA
Dublin : Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern announced Wednesday here that he would step down May 6 amid speculation about his financial affairs.
In announcing his date of resignation, Ahern said that he was "putting the interests of the Irish people and his Fianna Fail party" before his "personal interests".
Ahern has recently faced tough questions about his personal finances at the Mahon Tribunal and was due later Wednesday to face questioning in Ireland's parliament, the Dail, over what the opposition claims are inconsistencies in his evidence to the tribunal.
US stocks up slightly, capping a strong week
By DPA,
New York : US stocks edged up Friday, ending another positive week that was led by better-than-expected earnings from the banking industry.
The rise capped a sixth straight weekly advance for major US stock indices amid some signs that the US economic crisis may be easing.
Four major US banks reported first-quarter earnings this week that surprised analysts, giving investors hope that the financial sector at the heart of the wider global downturn may be stabilizing.
Indian-American Nikki Haley South Carolina’s first woman governor
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
US mum on Nepal policy after Maoist victory
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The US has declined to say if it plans to take the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) off its list of terrorist organisations, now that the Maoists are poised to lead the new government in the Himalayan kingdom.
"Well, I'm not sure what, if any discussions, might be going on in that regard," State Department spokesperson Tom Casey told reporters Monday when asked if the US was rethinking its Nepal policy following the Maoists' election victory.
Three dead in US in evacuation ahead of Hurricane Gustav
By DPA,
Washington : Three seriously ill hospital patients had died during the emergency evacuation ahead of the threatening Hurricane Gustav, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has said.
In remarks broadcast Sunday, Jindal said there were "three deaths of critical care patients who died during evacuation".
The Gulf Coast region was bracing for Gustav's arrival as a category 3 storm by mid morning Monday, aimed toward New Orleans.
Jindal said that 84 of 150 nursing homes in the target area had been evacuated and yet another nursing home had just asked for help.
Guard commits suicide at Mandela’s residence
By DPA,
Johannesburg: A police guard committed suicide Saturday at the Johannesburg residence of former South African president Nelson Mandela, police said.
The sergeant shot himself in front of his colleagues at the guard house at the entrance to Mandela's home in the Johannesburg suburb of Houghton.
He had been part of the unit from the police's VIP protection department assigned to the 91-year-old anti-apartheid icon.
European Parliament celebrates 50th anniversary
By Xinhua
Brussels : The European Parliament has celebrated its 50th anniversary in a special sitting in Strasbourg, France.
European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pottering, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, whose country holds the European Union (EU) presidency, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso addressed the house Wednesday.
Ugandan president threatens to quell election demos with army
By DPA,
Kampala : Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has warned he would quickly mobilise the army should threatened violent protests follow elections planned for this Friday.
Blair exit fails to revive Labour gov’t fortunes in 2007
By IRNA
London : Events during 2007 in Britain were marked by the departure of Prime Minister Tony Blair, nationalists winning elections for the first time in Scotland and a power-sharing executive being set up in Northern Ireland.
Foreign affairs were dominated by the beginning of Britain's military retreat from Iraq in contrast to a deepening quagmire in Afghanistan.
Canada warns Sikh radicals against violence
By IANS,
Toronto: In a stern warning to Sikh radicals here, the Canadian government said Monday that "threats of violence" by extremists will not be tolerated.
The warning comes after last week's threats in Vancouver by hardliner Sikhs to Indo-Canadian leader and former Canadian health minister Ujjal Dosanjh.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Deepak Obhrai, Indian-origin parliamentary secretary, said his government "strongly condemns the recent threats of violence made by extremists within the Canadian Sikh community.
This is unacceptable.''
Fires spark friction as police hunt arsonists
By DPA,
Sydney : Australian police said they were homing in on arsonists Wednesday as victims vented their anger over forest fires north of Melbourne expected to claim well over 200 lives.
At least 1,000 houses were razed, 450,000 hectares blackened and 5,000 rendered homeless in the nation's worst natural disaster. The official death toll from Saturday's inferno stands at 181 but some expect the body count to go as high as 300.
China’s netizens to become world’s largest this year
By Xinhua
Beijing : The number of netizens or people using Internet in China is set to become the world's largest in 2008, surpassing the US.
China had 210 million Internet users at the end of 2007, only five million less than the US, according to a survey released Thursday on the web site of the China Internet Network Information Centre (CINIC).
China's Internet penetration ratio has risen to 16 percent, although it is still below the world average of 19.1 percent.
France discussing “Ponant” pirates fate with Somali authorities
By KUNA,
Paris : France said on Monday that it was in close contact with the Somali government regarding the fate of six sea pirates captured Saturday by French Special Forces.
The pirates had been involved in the week-long hostage taking aboard the luxury yacht "Le Ponant" before fleeing Friday, allegedly with a ransom for the boat and its 30-member crew, 22 of whom were French and eight Philippino.
Greenpeace wants nuclear liability bill reviewed
By IANS,
New Delhi : Greenpeace is collecting signatures to force the government to review the nuclear liability bill which it says allows foreign corporations to get away by paying a meagre compensation in case of a nuclear accident.
With already over 1.8 lakh signatures online, the petition will be forwarded to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, requesting him to stop the bill in its current form and review it.
Spain Protests Week Labour Hours Extension
By Prensa Latina,
Madrid : Voices began to be heard in Spain on Tuesday protesting the decision taken by the European Union to increase labor hours to 65 a week in the member states.
One of the first to protest was governing PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers Party) which summoned people to create a democratic front in opposition to the decision, adopted on Monday by Labour Ministries of the EU that must later be ratified by European Parliament.
France criticizes US decision to block Guantanamo visit
PARIS, Jan 30 (KUNA) -- France on Wednesday criticized a decision by US authorities to block a visit to the military compound in Guantanamo, Cuba, by former French Minister and human rights defender Robert Badinter.
The French politician had petitioned to take part in a hearing regarding a Canadian citizen, Omar Khadr, who was captured in fighting in Afghanistan seven year's ago, when he was just 15 year's old.
He was the youngest so-called "enemy combatant" picked up by US forces and transferred to Guantanamo after the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.
Iran parliament to discuss bill reducing cooperation with IAEA
By DPA,
Hamburg : The Iranian parliament is to discuss a bill on reducing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Fars news agency reported Saturday.
Parliament deputy Hami-Reza Fouladgar told Fars that the bill will be raised Sunday in parliament with the aim of revising and reducing cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog following this week's UN resolution against the Islamic state.
The UN Security Council Wednesday voted overwhelmingly in favour of its fourth sanctions resolution against Iran.
WHO confirms Taiwan invited to World Health Assembly
By DPA,
Geneva : The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed Friday that Taiwan has been invited to attend the World Health Assembly later this month in Geneva, symbolically marking a step in Taipei's fight to end its international isolation.
WHO spokesman Thomas Abrahams said the move to invite Taiwan as an observer followed a consensus reached between Taiwan and China on the assembly and attendance.
Taiwan lost its WHO seat in 1972, one year after it was expelled from the UN.
Obama’s economic, foreign policy teams taking shape
By DPA,
Washington : US President-elect Barack Obama has already settled on much of his economic and foreign policy team, including Hillary Clinton for secretary of state and New York Federal Reserve Chairman Timothy Geithner to head the Treasury, US media reported Friday.
Obama will unveil his entire economic team, including Geithner, on Monday, broadcaster NBC reported, offering some clarity on who will manage the world's largest economy in a time of global economic crisis.
A room of one’s own: Why Rohingya refugees keep returning to Aligarh
Meher Ali for TwoCircles.net
Aligarh:-- Guran Miya (30), a Rohingya refugee, returned with his family to Aligarh in mid-2018, just nine months after he had...
110 suspected prostitutes rounded up at biggest casino
By DPA,
Hong Kong : More than 100 suspected prostitutes have been rounded up in a police raid on the world's biggest casino, the US-owned Venetian resort in Macau, a news report said Friday.
Briton jailed for blog on imaginary rape
By IANS,
London : A 40-year-old Briton has been jailed for writing a blog on the imaginary rape and murder of an author who he has been harassing for two years.
Greg Downing wrote in an online novel about an imagined attack on Katharine Quarmby, an author of children's books and a journalist, the London Evening Standard newspaper reported.
Downing bombarded Quarmby with phone calls and email after they met through a dating website in 2008, a crown court was told.
Obama ‘disappointed’ at Pakistan’s blocking of FMCT talks: NYT
By Manish Chand, IANS,
Washington: A day before the 47-nation Nuclear Security Summit opens here, US President Barack Obama has "expressed disappointment" over Pakistan's bid to block the opening of negotiations on a treaty to halt the production of new bomb-making material.
Quoting an unnamed senior American official, The New York Times said in its Monday edition that Obama used his private meeting Sunday afternoon with Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to "express disappointment" over the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT).
Drug dealers to fund Russian rehab programmes
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: Funds seized from drug traffickers should be spent on treatment and rehabilitation programmes, director of Russia's Federal Drug Control Service Viktor Ivanov.
Crane accident in Miami kills 2, hurts 5
By SPA
Miami : Authorities are investigating what caused a section of construction crane to plummet 30 floors into a home that a contractor used for storage, killing two workers in the nation's second deadly crane accident in 10 days.
The accident occurred at a downtown Miami high-rise condominium Tuesday when workers tried to raise the crane section to extend the equipment's reach, said Miami fire spokesman Ignatius Carroll.
Warming India-US ties will not alter with change in government
By IANS,
New Delhi : India-US relations that have warmed up considerably over the past few years are not dependent on a change in government in either country, US Deputy Chief of Mission Steven J. White said here Friday.
"There is a broad bipartisan support in the US for our growing ties with India," White said in his address at the annual meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce at the ITC Maurya hotel.
Brazil flood toll rises to 110
By SPA,
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil : At least 110 people have died in flooding and subsequent landslides in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, the state news agency said Saturday.
An estimated 80,000 have been evacuated from the area, in one of the worst weather-related catastrophes to hit the South American country in decades.
Myanmar president meets EU trade commissioner
Yangon: Myanmar President U Thein Sein met visiting European Union (EU) Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht in Nay Pyi Taw Thursday, said the...
Romanian man advertises wife for sale on used car website
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : A Romanian man has put his 25-year-old wife up for sale on a used car website, saying he was fed up with her, the Ananova news portal reported on Wednesday.
Alex Cretu, 20, of Bucharest, placed the advert on a used car website hoping to fetch 4 million pounds ($6.4 million), but later lowered the price to 3,000 pounds ($4,800) for a "quick sale," the news portal said.
His advert reads: "Wife for sale. Model 1983, good condition. Full option, nice suspensions, spacious boot, second owner."
North Korea conducts second nuclear test, fires missile
By IDPA,
Seoul : North Korea said Monday it "successfully" conducted a nuclear test and also appeared to have fired a short-range missile, following up on earlier threats issued after the UN Security Council criticised a rocket launch by the Stalinist state.
"According to the demand of our scientists and technicians, our republic has successfully conducted another underground nuclear test on May 25... as part of measures to strengthen its nuclear power in self-defence," the state-run Korean Central News Agency said.
US blames Tamil Tigers for Sri Lanka blasts
By IANS
Colombo : The US Sunday "strongly" condemned the bomb blasts in Sri Lanka and blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the attacks just ahead of the country's independence day Monday.
"The United States strongly condemns the terrorist bombing on Feb 3 at Fort railway station and Dehiwela Zoo in Colombo, and on Feb 2 in a bus in Dambulla," a release from the US embassy here said.
Surveying the German angst: terrorism in foreground
By DPA
Berlin : The risk of being bombed by terrorists is surging within Germans' generalised angst, that chilling feeling that something awful is about to happen, according to a survey by an insurance company.
R und V Versicherung, which offers policies to insure against many of those risks, regularly takes the pulse of German fears, and says the greatest worries for the average German are inflation, ending up paralysed or incontinent, and being hurt in a natural disaster.
Indian American physicians to focus on giving back to society
Washington: An influential body of Indian American physicians will hold its annual convention in San Antonio, Texas, in June focusing on how to enhance...
Two Syrians seriously hurt in anti-foreigner attack in Germany
By IRNA
Berlin : Two Syrians, aged 24 and 19, were severely injured during a racial attack in the north German city of Braunschweig Wednesday evening, according to news reports.
The accused assailants, aged 21 and 23, shouted anti-foreigner slurs and then proceeded to beat up their victims.
The older victim was hospitalized with serious head wounds after being hit repeatedly with a stone.
The younger victim was time and again punched in the face.
The assailants were reportedly drunk at the time of the attack.
Notting Hill Carnival draws tens of thousands to party in west London
By Xinhua,
London : Notting Hill Carnival, the largest street party in Europe, unveiled itself on Sunday with tens of thousands of people beating the poor weather to celebrate with colors and music in west London.
With this year's theme "Welcoming the World," the annual carnival sets out to impress the world that London is a prime place for world class events.
More than 1.5 million people are expected to attend the carnival both on Sunday and Monday, in what promises to be the best and biggest spectacle of color, energy and music.
White rice with goodness of brown cousin developed
By IANS,
London : Scientists have refined the milling process to create a rice that has all the taste of white rice but many of the health benefits of the brown variety.
Salma Hayek proud of Mexican roots
By IANS,
London: Actress Salma Hayek says she is proud of her Mexican heritage and has even taught her daughter to embrace the same.
N. Korea Exposed S. Korea Harm on Ties
By Prensa Latina,
Seoul : The PDR of Korea denounced the South Korean newly elected government has been rising pro-US support to the detriment of reunification with North Korea.
Communist party daily, Rodong Sinmun, calls President Lee Myung Bak and his group traitors for they talk cooperation to try and calm disgust in Pyongyang.
The PDR of Korea will not talk or negotiate with a group that does not respect our nation and refuses to observe the joint statements of Jun 15, 2000 and Oct 4, 2007.
Indian-American develops tool for efficient use of water
By IANS,
Washington: Greater accuracy in climate forecasts permits better estimates of how much rain is likely to fall, months in advance. An innovative water management method developed by an Indian-American scientist would rely on these forecasts to plan for droughts or excess rain in order to make efficient use of an area's water resources.
Accordingly, water managers can plan better for potential shortages due to drought, says Sankar Arumugam, assistant professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering at North Carolina State University (NCSU), who led the study.
Three killed in Philippines ambush
By Xinhua,
Zamboanga (The Philippines) : Three civilians were killed and several wounded in an ambush reportedly staged by Al Qaeda linked militants in the southern Philippine island of Basilan Monday, police said.
The victims were employees of a local company who were on board a pick-up truck passing through Tairan village of Lantawan town. They were "rained with bullets" by heavily armed militants, the police report said.
Two killed in a bomb attack on mosque in Nepal
By KUNA
New Delhi : As many as two persons have been killed in a bomb attack on a mosque in eastern Nepal, merely 11 days ahead of the election.
The attack took place in Biratnagar, native place of Nepal's Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, late on Saturday, news agency Indo Asian News Service reported Sunday from capital Katmandu.
Four people were injured in the attack. Two of them succumbed to their injuries while being taken to a local hospital, the news agency said.
Foreign policy expert stresses resolution of root causes behind world turmoil
WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (APP): Urging avoidance of confrontational policies, a foreign policy expert has underlined the need for a conciliatory approach to achieving durable world peace through resolution of root causes behind current turmoil affecting countries around the globe.
“The language of hate produces hateful consequences in an already inflamed global environment,” said Mowahid Hussain Shah, attorney-at-law, who also serves as Special Assistant to Chief Minister, Punjab, at a well-attended forum at American University.
Protesting Buddhist monks to stop rally
By NNN-TNA
Bangkok : Members of a Buddhist organisation who had planned to hold another round of a rally here if the proposed constitution which does not officially recognise Buddhism as Thailand's religion sails through next week's referendum have agreed to suspend their activities after Her Majesty the Queen suggested that religion should not be mixed with politics.
Time for Copenhagen deal running out: UN climate chief
By Joydeep Gupta, IANS,
Bangkok : "Time is running out for Copenhagen," the UN climate chief said here Thursday, exactly two months before the start of the summit that is expected to seal a deal to tackle global warming.
The 4,000-odd negotiators from 177 countries, who are here for the Sep 28-Oct 9 talks to prepare for the December summit, have one day here and five days in Barcelona next month to draft an agreement for Copenhagen, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer pointed out.
4 die in New York State shootings, suspect at large
By IANS,
New York: Four people were killed in two separate shootings Wednesday morning in Herkimer County in New York State, the state police confirmed.
Cuban scientists develop cancer drug from scorpion venom
By IANS
Cienfuegos (Cuba) : Cuban scientists have developed a drug from scorpion venom, which they say could go a long way in fighting cancer, Spanish news agency Prensa Latina reported Thursday.
"The researchers have been studying the breeding, handling and use of scorpion venom in their Cienfuegos breeding centre, which has 400 scorpions at present but would increase to 5,000 next year," team leader Fabio Linares of the Pharmaceutical Biological Laboratories in Havana said Wednesday.
The drug can be used to treat brain tumours, pancreas and prostate cancer.
Thieves steal helicopter, leave pilot stranded
By DPA
Mexico City : Three people stole a helicopter in Mexico when the machine landed in the state of Hidalgo, near the Mexican capital, to pick up the alleged thieves, Mexico City police said.
Tornado Kills 33 in Southern US
By Prensa Latina
Washington : A series of tornados crossed the US South and left at least 33 dead people, the Los Angeles Times daily reported on Wednesday.
The fatalities occurred in Tennessee, Arkansas and Kentucky and, although Mississippi and Alabama were hit by the tornadoes, no deaths were reported.
The strong winds destroyed houses, stores, shops, and caused blackouts in several cities of this region.
In Nashville, Tennessee, a fire described as spectacular caused several deaths.
Survivors found in Haiti supermarket rubble
By DPA,
Port-au-Prince/Washington : A Haitian who was rescued after being buried for five days in a crushed supermarket Sunday gave a triumphal thumbs-up as Turkish and US rescuers helped him out, CNN reported.
He told rescuers he had eaten a lot of peanut butter and jelly while he was trapped.
He was among the last of five people pulled out of the three-storey Caribbean Supermarket in devastated Port-au-Prince to safety by a team of US and Turkish rescue workers.
China’s top political advisory group vows to promote economy
By IANS,
Beijing : China's top political advisory committee, which began an annual meeting in the capital Saturday, vowed to promote economy and stability in the country.
Obama denies G20 split, sets new foreign policy aims
By DPA,
London : US President Barack Obama rejected Wednesday talk of deep divisions between the world's big economic powers gathering in London for a summit on the global economic crisis, while he also laid out new foreign policy directions for his administration.
The differences between world leaders attending the Group of 20 (G20) meeting of the leading industrialised nations and emerging economies had been "vastly overstated", Obama said at a joint press conference with G20 host, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Prisoners begin fast unto death in Bhutan
By IANS,
Kathmandu : Ten people, including an exiled journalist, have begun a fast unto death in Bhutan's Chemgang Central Jail from Monday, a media organisation said.
The Association of Press Freedom Activists, a Bhutanese media group in exile, said that its former reporter Shantiram Acharya and nine other rights activists of Nepali origin have begun the protest after the Bhutan government forced a 69-year-old prisoner to break his hunger strike.
Sri Lanka’s opposition invites Fonseka to contest polls
By IANS,
Colombo: Sri Lanka's main opposition party United National Party (UNP) said Monday that the door is still open for the defeated presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka to join it in the parliamentary elections April 8.
UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayaka told reporters that the UNP's invitation is not only for Fonseka but also for the JVP and any other party interested in bringing democracy back to the country, Xinhua reported.
Japan seeks Mexico’s backing to fight global warming
By IANS
Mexico City : The Japanese government has asked Mexico to support its "Cool Earth 50" initiative that seeks to extend the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012 on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, EFE news agency reported Thursday.
Japan has on several occasions shown interest in "promoting cooperation schemes with Mexico with regard to climate change and energy", the Mexican environment and natural resources secretariat Semarnat said.
Germany proposes second meet to settle Ukraine crisis
Berlin : German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for a second conference in Geneva to settle the Ukraine crisis, a media report said Monday.
"I...
Some 200 Thai troops stationed at border area with Cambodia
By Xinhua,
Phnom Penh : Thailand has stationed around 200 troops at the border area with Cambodia over a land dispute around the Preah Vihear Temple, according to the provincial authority of Preah Vihear Wednesday.
The Cambodian side insisted that the Thai force entered its territory, while the Thai side denied.
Both forces were in armed situation, the provincial authority said.
Nepal kings’ arch-enemy returns after 100 years
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : When he died in 1877, Bal Narsingh Kunwar had irretrievably changed the course of Nepal's history, reducing the mighty Shah kings to figureheads while his clan wielded the real power.
Kunwar, better known as Jung Bahadur Rana, the astute nobleman who survived attempts by his uncle and the queen to sideline him to become the all-powerful prime minister in 1846, demolished the power of the Shah kings and began a reign of hereditary prime ministers that continued till a pro-democracy movement in 1950 reinstated the king.
13 kids die in Myanmar school fire
By IANS,
Yangon : As many as 13 children were killed in a fire that broke out at a school in a mosque in Yangon's Botataung township Tuesday, authorities said.
Turkey and Armenia sign protocols on ties
By DPA,
Zurich : Turkey and Armenia Saturday signed two protocols that will pave the way for a new era of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties and the opening of their common border after years of hostility.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Armenian counterpart Eduard Nalbandian signed the documents and exchanged firm handshakes to applause.
Sri Lanka’s truce begins, LTTE kills soldier
By IANS,
Colombo : Sri Lanka's temporary truce with the Tamil Tigers to mark the Sinhala and Tamil New Year began Monday even as the rebels killed a soldier in sniper attack, the military said.
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fired a mortar shell wounding one soldier and killing another in Puthukkudiyiruppa area in Mullaitivu district.
"Other than these two incidents, things are smooth in the battle area," he said.
There has been no response from the LTTE regarding the unilateral halt in fighting by the government.
Musharraf forgotten, Bush to call new bosses in Pakistan
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : US President George W. Bush is expected to have high-level contacts with the new government of Pakistan soon, but the White House would not say if and when he would call his "personal friend" Pervez Musharraf.
"I would expect that the president will have high-level contact with Pakistani authorities in the near future. We'll certainly keep you updated on that," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters at Bush's Crawford, Texas ranch.