Tears, shock over Kennedy’s brain cancer diagnosis
By Pat Reber, DPA,
Washington : Stunned silence swept across the US Congress, observers said. One colleague wept. Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy, left-wing icon and champion of the rights of workers and the poor, had been diagnosed with brain cancer.
The announcement Tuesday sent shockwaves throughout Washington's political establishment, with Republican and Democratic leaders alike paying tribute to his achievements and significance in US political life.
Iraqi PM wants defence deal with Russia
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: Iraq needs Russian assistance in its defence sector, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said.
U.N. Chief Urges ‘Transparency’ in Zimbabwe Election Results
By SPA
United Nations : United Nations (U.N.) Chief Ban Ki-Moon on Monday in a statement through his spokesperson urged the electoral commission in Zimbabwe to disclose recent election results “expeditiously and with transparency.”
Ban expressed concern that the election results will not be released. “The Secretary-General is concerned that presidential results have yet to be released in spite of the constitutional deadline,” he said through his spokesperson.
Pakistan, India must work out differences: Daily
Islamabad: India and Pakistan should resume dialogue and work out their difference, a Pakistani daily said on Friday.
The News International said in an editorial...
Two vessels collide on Chinese river killing at least seven
By RIA Novosti,
Beijing : At least seven people died and three are still missing in northwest China after a cargo and a passenger vessel collided at the weekend, the Xinhua news agency said on Monday.
The accident took place on the Hanjiang River in the Shaanxi province on Saturday afternoon. The passenger ship, which was badly damaged, sank with all 14 passengers onboard.
The agency said, citing rescue authorities, that seven bodies had been recovered by Monday morning with the search for the three missing continuing.
CIA closes most “black stations” in Europe
By Xinhua
Los Angeles : The CIA has closed most of the "black stations" which were set up as spy companies in Europe following the Sept. 11 terror attacks, it was reported on Sunday.
After spending hundreds of millions of dollars setting up as many as 12 of the companies, the CIA shut down all but two after concluding they were ill-conceived and poorly positioned, the Los Angeles Times said.
Hundreds of protesters leave Bangkok airport: AFP witnesses
By ANTARA News,
Bangkok : Hundreds of anti-government protesters began leaving Bangkok's main airport in cars, taxis and buses Wednesday after ending a crippling eight-day blockade, an AFP correspondent said.
Vehicles packed high with demonstrators' belongings began streaming out of Suvarnabhumi shortly after the 10:00 am (0300 GMT) time set by leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy for the end of the protest.
The airport authority said the first international flights from the three-billion-dollar airport would resume on Thursday.
Britain scraps bonds for family visitors
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London : The British government Wednesday scrapped a controversial proposal to introduce financial bonds for people visiting their relatives in Britain, following a strong campaign by the ethnic Indian community in Britain.
The proposal, which was criticised as unnecessary and too harsh, would have hit South Asians hardest as they are the largest ethnic group in Britain with near and extended families still in their countries of origin.
27 killed in Myanmar
By Xinhua
Yangon : A total of 27 people were killed and 11 wounded in two shooting incidents by insurgent groups in Myanmar's Kayin and Kayah states last weekend, a state-run newspaper reported Monday.
Syrian opposition rejects Russian chemical weapons experts
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Dubai : The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces have opposed Russian experts investigating a possible use of chemical weapons in the country.
Indian toll in Haj stampede rises to 81
New Delhi : The toll of Indian pilgrims killed in the stampede near Makkah in Saudi Arabia during Haj has risen to 81, the...
UN head concerned by global fallout from U.S. financial crisis
By RIA Novosti,
United Nations : The UN secretary general has said he is deeply concerned by the negative impact that the U.S. financial crisis could have on the global economy.
Markets have been unsettled by the fallout from the mortgage crisis in the United States and the collapse of investment bank Lehman Brothers.
Dominican rape victims keep mum, fear husbands will leave them
By EFE,
Santiago (Dominican Republic) : Over two dozen victims of a serial rapist arrested in this northern Dominican city are refusing to file complaints against him as they are afraid their husbands will leave them if they learn they were raped, police said.
Police turned over to the courts a man arrested Sunday in connection with 34 rapes in Santiago between June and September.
Regional police spokesman Col. Jesus Cordero Paredes told the media that Carlos Miguel Henry Patina Santana, 30, pretended to be a taxi driver so that he could get the victims to get into his car.
Car bomb in Spain injures at least 17
By IRNA,
Madrid : A car bomb injured 17 people Thursday at a university in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona after police searched the wrong campus for explosives following a telephone call purportedly from the Basque separatist group ETA warning of an imminent attack, Spain's Interior Ministry said.
The government blamed ETA for the incident.
The bomb exploded in a parking lot at the University of Navarra at 11 a.m., according to the Interior Ministry in Madrid. Few students were in the area where the bomb exploded because of rain.
Wedding bouquet tradition causes plane crash in Italy
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : The tradition of the bride throwing the wedding bouquet led to a plane crash in Livorno on Italy's western coast, a media report said.
The centuries old tradition of the bride throwing the wedding bouquet to a group of single women turned into a tragedy after the happy couple hired a light plane in an effort to add some novelty to the custom, Corriere della Sera said.
Zimbabwe election to go ahead despite Tsvangirai withdrawal
By DPA,
Harare/Johannesburg : Zimbabwe's violence-wracked run-off presidential election will go ahead Friday despite the withdrawal of the leading candidate, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, state radio said Monday.
It quoted George Chiweshe, chairman of the state-run Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, as saying that the organization was "going ahead with preparations for the election ... as Tsvangirai has not made any of the required notification" of his withdrawal.
Air Canada begins in-flight internet service
By IANS,
Toronto : Air Canada Thursday unveiled its plans to offer in-flight internet service.
The national carrier said it has started trials from Thursday to offer internet service on select flights on its Toronto-Los Angeles and Montreal-Los Angeles routes. With the trial run, Air Canada joins many international airlines which already offer in-flight internet service.
Passengers can access the service on their own laptop for $9.95 per flight or Personal Electronic Device (PED) for $7.95 per flight.
BlackBerry Storm unveiled to take on iPhone
By IANS,
Toronto : To pitch itself in direct competition with Apple's iPhone3 and woo general consumers, Canadian wireless giant Research in Motion (RIM) Tuesday unveiled its much-expected first clickable touch-screen BlackBerry Storm.
The Waterloo-based wireless major said the new device would be available exclusively to Verizon customers in the US and Vodafone customers in Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand in the autumn.
The announcement comes within days after RIM shares took a massive hit on the Toronto Stock Exchange after it reported less-than-expected profits.
Ecuador expels Colombian envoy over cross-border action
By Xinhua
Quito : Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has ordered immediate expulsion of Colombia's ambassador to protest Colombia's cross-border anti-rebel attack.
He also ordered troop reinforcement at the border with Colombia.
"The Ecuadorian territory has been outraged and bombed by an air attack and the later incursion of (Colombian) troops," Correa told a news conference.
China backs U.S. over Iranian nuclear issue
By RIA Novosti,
Beijing : China agrees with the U.S. that Iran must prove its nuclear program is of a peaceful nature and not aimed at producing an atomic bomb, U.S. President Barack Obama said in Beijing on Tuesday.
"We agreed that the Islamic Republic of Iran must provide assurance to the international community that its nuclear program is peaceful and transparent," Obama said, speaking at a joint news conference with Chinese leader Hu Jintao.
Vatican pre-conclave participants sworn to silence
By IANS/AKI,
Vatican City : Cardinals and translators taking part in meetings in Rome ahead of a conclave to elect Pope Benedict's successor have been sworn to silence, the Vatican said.
Greek PM to miss EU summit for eye surgery
By IANS,
Athens : Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will not attend the June 28 EU summit in Brussels as doctors have advised him to rest following eye surgery.
Building fire injures 12 in New York
New York:A massive fire broke out after an explosion in a building in New York City's East Village neighbourhood, leaving 12 injured, three critically,...
British job market bleak for fresh graduates
By IANS,
London : An estimated 500,000 British graduates are about to join the queue for jobs this year, but the market has become tougher with employers raising the bar for minimum education qualifications.
Most employers in Britain will not be recruiting graduates with lower than a 2:1 pass degree, equivalent to a second class honours degree with 60 percent marks or above.
Latest research by the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) reveals that eight out of 10 British employers have slapped a ban on recruiting anyone without a 2:1 degree because of the current job squeeze.
News reports: two NATO supply trucks destroyed in NW Pakistan
By Xinhua,
ISLAMABAD : Two trucks to carry luggage for NATO forces in Afghanistan were destroyed Saturday in northwestern Pakistan, the NNI news agency reported.
The private NNI news agency said that unidentified gunmen attacked a truck terminal at the Ring Road in Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
Police officer Muhammad Afaq said that dozens of armed men attacked the Bilal terminal with rockets which caused the destruction of two trucks.
Indian PM arrives in US to chants of ‘Modi, Modi’
New York: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York Friday on a five-day visit to the US to a tumultuous welcome by...
Two children among nine civilians killed in Lanka blast
By DPA
Colombo : Nine civilians including two children fleeing a fresh military offensive in north western Sri Lanka were killed in a claymore mine explosion, civilian sources said Saturday.
Fourteen civilians travelling in a van to a safer area were caught in the mine explosion in Seelavathurai, 320 km north of the capital Saturday. Six were injured, civilians leaving the area told reporters.
It was not clear who had set off the mine. Rebels said an army deep-penetration unit carried out the attack - a claim denied by the security forces.
Ukraine seeks integration with European missile defence
By IANS,
Moscow/Kiev (Ukraine) : Ukraine may integrate its early warning missile system with Europe or propose other countries use its missile defence capabilities, the foreign ministry has said.
Earlier in the year, Russia and Ukraine had withdrawn from an agreement on Moscow's renting radar sites in Ukraine. The agreement, signed in 1992, defined the main principles for using early-warning missile systems located in Ukraine and funding for their modernization and reconstruction.
Myanmar to open permanent residency for foreigners
Yangon: Myanmar will introduce, for the first time , a permanent residence system for foreigners, officials said Saturday.
According to the officials, this system will...
Miley to sell Grammy dress for Haiti
By IANS,
London : Teen sensation Miley Cyrus is stepping up her efforts to help victims of the Haiti earthquake as she's raising money by selling the dress she wore to the Grammy Awards.
The 17-year-old stepped out on the red carpet in Los Angeles wearing a teal-coloured gown by Herve Leger and she's decided to put her fashion-forward frock on Internet auction site eBay.com to raise money for charity efforts in Haiti, which was devastated by a massive tremor last month, reports contactmusic.com.
On climate, leadership in Asia, rhetoric in the West: WWF
By IANS,
Bangkok : International NGO WWF is "worried about a mismatch between credible leadership in Asia and empty rhetoric in Europe and the US" on ways to tackle climate change. "While key Asian countries are offering concrete contributions to reach a deal in December, EU and US are emerging as major stumbling blocks."
As delegates from 177 countries gathered here Monday for the start of a two-week preparatory meet for December's climate summit in Copenhagen, WWF applauded Japan, China and India for outlining concrete action to mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases.
Envoy: U.N. body ready to help Nepal in ongoing peace process
By Xinhua,
Kathmandu : The chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Tuesday said the U.N. body has a further role to play in Nepal as more challenges lie ahead in the ongoing peace process.
Ian Martin said that the U.N. is ready to assist Nepal in challenges such as army integration, return of seized properties and publicizing the situation of the disappeared.
The U.N. envoy said here that challenges like the formation of a consensus government and drafting a new inclusive constitution still exist.
Tibetan PM to launch campaign to resolve Tibet issue
Dharamsala : With the deadlock over talks between China and the Dalai Lama's envoys continuing for more than four years, the Tibetan government-in-exile Monday...
BAE systems gets $29 mn US homeland security contract
By IANS
London : British defence and aerospace major BAE Systems has received a $29 million award from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to test JETEYE, its infrared aircraft missile defence system, on passenger aircraft.
"The tests will evaluate the system's compatibility with daily passenger airline operations and maintenance," a BAE Systems statement said Tuesday.
Human brain can hear words before they are uttered
By IANS,
Washington : Scientists have shown how the brain automatically considers many possible words and their meanings before we've even heard the final sound of the word.
Previous theories have proposed that listeners can only keep pace with the rapid pace of spoken language - up to five syllables per second - by anticipating a small subset of all words known by the listener, much like Google search anticipates words and phrases as you type.
1.28 bn Chinese covered by medical insurance
By IANS,
Beijing : China's three basic medical insurances programmes currently cover 1.28 billion people, or 95.5 percent of the nation's total population, the government said Wednesday.
Survivors of 1972 ‘cannibal crash’ pitch in for saviour
By IANS
Santiago (Chile) : The Uruguayan rugby players who survived a plane crash in the Andes mountains of Chile in 1972 and had to resort to eating human flesh to survive have come together for the man who saved them, paying for an operation to relieve his degenerative arthritis.
Nepal exporters rejoice as India rolls back garment duty
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : Nepal's beleaguered garments industry has heaved a sigh of relief with neighbour India, currently one of the biggest destination for Nepali products, slashing customs duty on garments by 50-75 percent.
Kantipur, Nepal's biggest daily, Saturday quoted a senior official of the Garment Association of Nepal (GAN) as saying that India's union government has issued an announcement, rolling back the "unfair decision" to raise customs duty.
EU urges Russia to keep moratorium on death penalty
By RIA Novosti,
Brussels : The European Union (EU) is hoping that Russia will not abolish the moratorium on the death penalty, an official of the 27-member block has said.
Russia undertook to scrap the death penalty when it signed Protocol 6 to the European Convention on Human Rights, but it has not yet ratified the document.
Air China to issue 400 mn shares for more aircraft
By Xinhua
Beijing : China's national flag carrier Air China announced Thursday plans to issue up to 400 million A-shares - 5.1 percent of its total shares - to raise funds to purchase aircraft and replenish the company's working capital.
The company intends to utilize the proceeds from the offering to finance the acquisition of 15 Boeing-787 aircraft, 24 Airbus-320 series aircraft and 15 Boeing-737 series aircraft in an effort to increase the airline's transport capacity. It will also spend up to 1.5 billion yuan ($200 million) to supplement its working capital.
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.
India asks Nepal not to meddle with army
By Sudeshna Sarkar,IANS,
Kathmandu : India's ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood Sunday conveyed his government's suggestion to Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda not to meddle with the army's chain of command even as the Maoist government sought to dismiss army chief Gen Rookmangud Katawal just four months before he is due to retire.
Australia rejects 2020 emissions target
By DPA
Sydney : Australia will not take to Bali a 25 to 40 percent emissions reduction target for 2020, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's principal climate change adviser said Monday.
Rudd leaves Tuesday for Indonesia to attend the UN-sponsored conference in Bali, fresh from signing the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, which mandates binding emissions-reduction targets for developed countries.
China urges US support on Tibet issue
By KUNA
Tokyo : China urged the US to see clearly the true nature of the Dalai clique and support the position of the Chinese government to control unrest in Tibet, state run Xinhua News Agency reported Thursday.
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi made the remarks in Beijing during his meeting with US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, the news agency said.
Yang stressed that the measures taken by the Chinese government according to law, which "won understanding and support from majority of the countries" in the world.
E-book era begins in Britain
By Venkata Vemuri, IANS,
London : The digital era will worm its way into the world of books in Britain later this week.
Sony and leading British bookseller Waterstone's are launching the Sony Reader Thursday, believing the 199 pound ($400) gizmo will promise to make people keep reading longer.
Another woman says Paraguay president fathered her child
By EFE,
Asuncion : A week after Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo admitted to fathering a illegitimate child while he was a Catholic bishop, another woman claimed that she had a child from the head of the country.
"What I want is that this gentleman acknowledge my son, that's all I ask. I will wait one day for him, and if he doesn't take responsibility, tomorrow I will file a complaint," Benigna Leguizamon told reporters.
No ‘untouchables’ in Russia’s fight against corruption
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: No one in Russia, including high-ranking officials and lawmakers, should be immune to prosecution for corruption, a top Kremlin official has said.
Brown Might Call for Early Elections
London, Oct 3 (Prensa Latina) British Prime Minister Gordon Brown might pay attention to intention of vote surveys which support his Labor Party, and call for early elections next month, The Guardian daily reported on Wednesday.
The most recent poll on the intention of vote offers Labor members an advantage between seven and eleven points on the conservatives.
Before calling to early elections, said The Guardian, Brown will make two speeches at the House of Commons when it resumes its sessions on Monday.
Obama names Indian-American lawyer Preeta Bansal to key post
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : President-elect Barack Obama has appointed a leading Indian-American lawyer Preeta Bansal as General Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor at the Office of Management (OMB) and Budget at the White House.
The announcement Monday on the eve of his taking over as the 44th president of US was an indication of how quickly he wants to get on with the business of tackling the economic crisis by cutting waste and making the government more efficient.
20 foreign traffickers arrested in Algeria
Algiers : Algerian army has arrested 20 foreign traffickers near its border with Niger.
"As part of the fight against trafficking and organised crime, the...
EU conditionally approves GE-Alstom deal
Brussels : Competition regulators of the European Union (EU) have approved the acquisition of the energy businesses of French company Alstom by US-based...
Tamil protester ends hunger strike after 23 days
By IANS,
London : A Tamil man, on a hunger strike for the past 23 days to support his demand for ceasefire in Sri Lanka, ended his protest here after requests from his friends and well-wishers, including Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes.
Parameswaran Subramanyam, 28, ended his fast Thursday minutes before Foreign Secretary David Miliband addressed MPs in the House of Commons over his visit to Sri Lanka.
ASEAN members ‘tiny blips’ compared to India, China: Singapore PM
By IANS,
Singapore : Members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are only "tiny blips" on investors' radar screens compared to China and India, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Wednesday.
Opening the 29th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) session, Lee said the 10-member group has to struggle to get its share of investments, jobs and growth.
Damage from Greek wildfires estimated at $6.8 bn
By DPA
Athens : The wildfires raging in Greece have caused an estimated damage worth 5 billion euros ($6.8 billion), Athens-based business publication Imerisia reported Wednesday, citing the Greek Finance Ministry.
"Experts at the ministry estimate the damage to be from three billion to five billion euros," the newspaper said.
The flames have also destroyed 4.5 million olive trees, and 60,000 sheep and goats have died.
The Greek government has not yet released any official figures about the destruction caused by the fires.
NASA skips Thursday’s landing opportunities
By Xinhua
Washington : NASA managers decided to skip Thursday's two landing opportunities for shuttle Atlantis. Now hopes turn to Friday's opportunities, said NASA TV.
    Rain showers and a low cloud ceilings in the vicinity of Kennedy Space Center in Florida forced flight controllers to wave off both opportunities on Thursday.
US slips in world life expectancy ranking
By Xinhua
Washington : The US is continuously slipping in world life expectancy ranking, lagging behind most of the other industrialised nations.
According to latest figures compiled by the Census Bureau, the average life expectancy of Americans now stands at 77.9 years, ranking 42nd in the world, down from 11th two decades ago.
Japan, Singapore, most of Europe and even Jordan have longer life expectancy than the US.
France Telecom working on damaged Mediterranean cables
By KUNA,
Paris : Telecommunications operator, France Telecom, has begun its task of repairing three damaged, subsea cables between Sicily and Tunisia, which have been causing communications disruptions in the Middle East and parts of Asia.
The operator said Monday that the ship it sent to the area last Friday was already on-site and was undertaking the work of bringing the cables to the surface from over 300 meters and sometimes 400 meters depth.
There was no indication how the cables were damaged but it may have been a ship anchor or some form of similar, dredging device.
Lennox committed to helping Mandela fight AIDS
By IANS
London : Singer Annie Lennox is dedicated to helping former South African president Nelson Mandela fight AIDS in Africa.
Lennox has tirelessly campaigned against the disease and is the main force behind the Sing Project. Contactmusic.com reports that the project aims to provide better treatment and access to HIV drugs in Africa.
Lennox began her quest after she heard Mandela give a passionate speech on this issue. She says she cannot comprehend how can more people died of AIDS in Africa than "the combined figures of the two world wars".
Literacy enhances dignity and peace: Ban Ki-moon
By IANS/WAM,
New York : Literacy unlocks the capacity of individuals to imagine and create a more fulfilling future, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday.
China destroys 100,000 seized guns
By IANS,
Beijing : Over 100,000 guns have been destroyed in China as part of a police crackdown on illegal arms in 150 cities across the country.
Six South African Indians in Zuma cabinet
By Fakir Hassen, IANS,
Pretoria: Six South Africans of Indian origin have been included in the cabinet of new President Jacob Zuma, including the much-spoken about Pravin Gordhan as finance minister and Ebrahim Patel as minister of economic affairs.
The four deputy ministers are Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, deputy minister of international relations and co-operation affairs; Roy Padayachee, public services and administration; Enver Surtee, basic education; and Yunus Carrim, co-operative government and traditional affairs.
Chile quake toll reaches 711, 90 aftershocks
By DPA,
Santiago: The streets were deserted Sunday night in Concepcion, Chile's second largest city, amidst a curfew imposed to clamp down on looting a day after the South American nation was rocked by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake that has claimed at least 711 lives.
An estimated 90 aftershocks continued to rattle the region since the early Saturday temblor, according to the US Geological Survey. The aftershocks included a 6.9 magnitude quake off the coast.
Ethiopia faces $1-bn shortfall in export revenues
By Groum Abate,IANS,
Addis Ababa : Ethiopia's export revenues are expected to fall short of the target by more than $1 billion this year, bucking the positive trends of the past few years, an official report has indicated.
Demand for Ethiopian goods has fallen on account of the global economic slowdown, while the nation's biggest export product, coffee, has been affected by hoarding, the government has said.
Singapore ex-PM Lee’s condition deteriorates
Singapore : Former Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's condition has deteriorated due to an infection, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office...
50 injured in Spain bomb blast
By DPA,
Madrid : A car bomb planted by suspected members of the militant Basque separatist group ETA injured 46 people overnight in the northern Spanish city of Burgos, hospital sources said Wednesday.
The car had been parked behind police barracks where families of police officers live.
Thirty-eight of the injured were taken to hospital, but none of them were reported to be in a serious condition. The victims included police officers, their wives and children. Most of them had bruises or cuts from shards of glass.
US network’s `Sikhs in America’ to check hate crime
By IANS
Sacramento (California) : The US Public Broadcasting System (PBS) has produced a documentary on American Sikhs to create awareness about the community traumatized by post 9/11 racial attacks.
Called "Sikhs in America", the half-hour documentary captures their culture, spiritual beliefs, social ceremonies, martial arts, the game of kabbadi and the Yuba City Sikh Parade.
Releasing it here, channel president David Hosley said "Sikhs in America" would teach mainstream Americans about the community.
Spain to push for Turkey’s EU membership during its presidency
By DPA,
Madrid: Spain will do its best to encourage Turkey's entry into the European Union during its EU-presidency in the first half of 2010, government sources said Monday.
King Juan Carlos discussed Turkey's relations with the EU with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who was visiting Madrid Monday.
On Sunday, Davutoglu met his Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos, who told him Spain would encourage negotiations on Turkey's eventual EU membership.
China’s cold, snowy winter has left 129 people dead
By SPA
Beijing : The freakish winter storms that coated much of central and southern China in snow and ice have left 129 people dead so far this year, AP quoted a senior Chinese official as saying Saturday.
Aside from the death toll, which was higher than previously reported, Civil Affairs Vice Minister Li Liguo said in remarks carried by the official Xinhua News Agency that four others remain missing.
‘Kerala IT companies closely monitor US economic crisis’
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : The IT companies in Kerala, many of which have huge business interests in the US, are closely monitoring the financial crisis in that country, according to a top industry official.
Kerala's joy of crossing the Rs.10 billion ($217.4 million) mark in software exports earlier this year would be short-lived if the US finacial sector did not survive the current crisis, V.K. Mathews, chairman and chief executive of IBS Software Services, a leading IT company in Kerala, told IANS.
India urges Togo to release detained Indian nationals
New Delhi: India on Wednesday urged the western African nation of Togo to take steps for the early release of five Indian nationals who...
Wage rise at Foxconn after string of suicides
By DPA,
Beijing/Taipei : Taiwan electronics company Foxconn Technology said Wednesday it planned to raise wages for its Chinese workers by 30 percent after a spate of suicides at its plant in southern China.
A company spokesman in Taipei said the wage increase from 900 yuan ($132) to 1,200 yuan was effective immediately. The raise was higher than a 20-percent hike announced last week.
A series of suicides at the factory in Shenzhen triggered a debate about working conditions, wages and the company's strict, "military-like" management style.
Netanyahu admits Israel’s aggressiveness: PM
Jerusalem: Israel inevitably resorts to "aggressive" military action sometimes to maintain security and quiet on its northern frontier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted Wednesday...
Canadian Sikh’s turban sparks online campaign
By IANS
Toronto : An incident where a Canadian Sikh was allegedly denied entry into an upscale restaurant has grown into an international campaign after details were posted on a popular social networking portal.
Gaurav Singh, an employee of a multinational bank, claims that after waiting in line for an hour to get into the Marlowe Restaurant and Wine Bar in Ontario Saturday to celebrate a friend's birthday, he was told by the doorman and the manager that he would not be allowed in because of the establishment's no-headgear policy.
Peruvian cop arrested for YouTube video
By IANS/EFE,
Lima : A Peruvian police officer who posted a video on YouTube to complain about corruption and irregularities on the force has been arrested, a media report said.
Sgt. Rogelio Escalante, 49, was charged with conspiracy and insubordination, El Comercio newspaper said Wednesday.
The video, which was posted on the Internet last month, shows Escalante in uniform demanding a pay raise for police and denouncing the "gag rule" imposed on the force by former Interior Minister Mercedes Cabanillas, an influential figure in Peru's ruling APRA party.
16 die in Venezuela prison violence
By IANS/EFE,
Caracas : Sixteen prisoners were killed and 35 others hurt when clashes broke out between rival gangs at a prison in northern Venezuela, an official said.
UNSC resolves to limit nuclear exports, punish violators
New York, Sep 24 (DPA) The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Thursday that allows the global body to address nuclear threats and adopts measures curbing the export of nuclear materials.
The 15-nation council adopted the resolution pushed forward by the US to open its one-day meeting on nuclear disarmament. US President Barack Obama called for the vote immediately after he opened the meeting.
Colombian rebels free four kidnapped tourists
By DPA
Bogota : The leftist Colombian rebels have released four of six tourists they kidnapped in January at a beach surrounded by jungle in the north-western Colombian province of Choco, bordering Panama.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) handed over the four hostages Wednesday to officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Choco.
"We are very happy about our release," said Cesar Hoyos, one of the hostages. "I do not know why the other two people were not released."
Racist word sprayed on Indo-Canadian’s poll sign
By Gurmukh Singh, IANS
Toronto : The word "Paki", once used against South Asian immigrants in Britain, has made its first appearance in Canada's election fray.
Thirty-three-year-old Aman Gill, an Indian-origin candidate who is contesting an Edmonton seat in Alberta province for the March 3 polls, had her campaign signboard at her office sprayed with racial graffiti.
Gill, who is contesting for the Liberal Party - which has not ruled the province since 1921 - said the miscreants painted her campaign sign with the word "Paki" in black some time Friday night.
36 killed in Congo plane crash
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Khartoum: At least 36 people were killed after a twin-propelled passenger aircraft crashed upon landing in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern city of Goma.
14 rebels killed in Sri Lanka fighting
By Xinhua
Colombo : At least 14 Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed in fighting with government troops in north Sri Lanka, the military said Friday.
Officials from the Media Centre for National Security said nine Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels were killed Thursday in Vavuniya district while another five died in Mannar district.
In Vavuniya, eight rebels were killed while three soldiers were injured in a battle in West Mullikulam area and another rebel was killed when the troops attacked and destroyed an LTTE bunker at Vilayathikulam.
Zimbabwe poll officials detained
By IRNA
Pretoria : Zimbabwean police have arrested at least five officials for allegedly under-counting votes cast for President Robert Mugabe in March election.
Police said the election officials have been charged with fraud and criminal abuse of duty, accused of taking nearly 5,000 votes away from Mugabe.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joined international calls for the urgent release of the results.
The opposition MDC is seeking a court ruling to force publication of results.
Five suspected kidnappers killed in Bolivia
By IANS,
La Paz : Five suspects in the kidnapping of a Colombian businessman were killed in a shootout with the police in eastern Bolivia Sunday, EFE news agency reported quoting officials.
The shootout took place on the outskirts of Santa Cruz, when the police tried to arrest a group of men who allegedly abducted a Colombian businessman and held him for 24 hours, prosecutor Joadel Bravo said Sunday.
Tamil Rebels Lose 73 in Combat
By Prensa Latina,
Colombo : At least 73 Tamil rebels died in combat with government troops in the last three days in several regions of northern Sri Lanka, the Defense Ministry reported Tuesday.
According to the source, seven members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) died in the last 24 hours in clashes with the army in the districts of Jaffna, Mannar and Welioya.
In that fighting two soldiers died and 20 others were wounded.
The military press release said that 66 rebels died in battles on April 12 and 13 in the area of Mannar.
No minor quakes before devastating tremor in China
By Xinhua,
Beijing : There had been no minor quakes in the area around the epicentre of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in China's southwestern province of Sichuan May 12, the provincial seismological bureau said Friday.
Therefore, the earthquake could not be forecast, a senior official of the bureau said.
He said no typical earthquake precursors were detected in the short period before May 12 and the activity level of quakes around the area was reported to be low.
New sites on world heritage list soon
By IANS,
Brasilia : Representatives from over 100 countries will meet here to discuss the inclusion of new sites in the Unesco World Heritage List.
This year, 32 new sites have been submitted for inclusion in the world heritage list: six natural, 24 cultural and two mixed (both natural and cultural at the same time).
The sites include Darwin's Landscape Laboratory in Britain, palaeolithic rock art ensemble in Siega Verde, shared by Portugal and Spain, historic monuments in Dengfeng in China's Henan province and the Ngorogoro Conservation Area in Tanzania.
Hate crime targets proposed Islamic school in Sydney
By DPA
Sydney : The heads of two pigs and an Australian flag were left Wednesday at the site of a proposed Islamic school in an outer suburb of Sydney.
The school, for 1,200 Muslim pupils, has been at the centre of controversy with opponents claiming that Muslims are not integrating and that the school would promote further separation.
Human rights campaigner Stepan Kerkyasharian said the protest showed racism was behind opposition to the school.
1.3 tonnes hashish seized in Turkey
By IANS,
Ankara : Turkish security forces have seized 1.3 tonnes of hashish, worth over $1.5 million, during an operation in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir, said an official Friday.
New book creates fresh worry for Sobhraj
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : Counting the days for Nepal's top court to deliver its final verdict in a decades-old murder case that has put him behind bars for life, yesteryear's crime maestro Charles Sobhraj is now in a fresh tizzy over media reports about a new book that could rake up the past life he had hoped to put behind him.
Nepal hit by deadliest fuel crisis
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS
Kathmandu : After days of acute fuel shortage, the Kathmandu valley was Tuesday hit with its worst crisis in history as the state-owned petroleum importer and distributor reached the lowest level of fuel stocks and stopped supplies to gas stations.
Indonesian president condemns violence by hardliners
By Xinhua,
Jakarta : Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday condemned attacks on a peaceful rally by the Islamic Defender Front (FPI) that left scores of people injured and vowed to take stern actions.
"I deeply regret the violence that broke in Jakarta yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, and I condemned with the strongest word possible those responsible for the violence that injured a number of citizens," the president said in a press conference here without citing name.
Germany vows not give in to blackmail of kidnappers
By Xinhua
Berlin : German Chancellor Angela Merkel has vowed that her country wouldn't give in to the demands of kidnappers and would not be blackmailed to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.
Merkel said in an interview with Germany's ARD television that she had no new information about the fate of a German engineer being held hostage in Afghanistan or the circumstances surrounding the death of another German hostage.
A crisis team at the German foreign ministry was working to secure the release of the second hostage, she said.
Windies begin final preparations for World T20
By IANS,
By CMC,
Bridgetown (Barbados): The West Indies will put the finishing touches on their preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup with the launch of a week-long camp here Saturday.
‘India-Japan co-operation to help link south India to ASEAN’
Kolkata:Stressing the importance of enhancing connectivity in India's northeastern states, Japanese Ambassador to India Takeshi Yagi Saturday said the "bigger picture" is to eventually...
Police being taught to use Facebook to track killers
By IANS,
London : Detectives will be taught how to track down killers and other criminals on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks.
Sikhs, Muslims seek end to racial profiling
By Arun Kumar,IANS,
Washington : Sikh, Muslim and African-American groups have related stories of being racially profiled across the US to lawmakers as they explored potential legislation to stop the practice.
"It's not fair. It's not safe," said Amarjeet Singh, programme director of Sikh Coalition, appearing before the house judiciary subcommittee Thursday for what the Sikh advocacy group said was the first time they had testified about profiling before the US Congress.
Sea secrets – over 5,000 new marine species found
By Richa Sharma, IANS,
New Delhi : They were the sea's best kept secrets - until now. As work on the world's first ocean census inches closer to completion, scientists working on the decade-long project claim to have found over 5,000 new marine organisms that were not known to mankind all this while.
A network of 2,000 scientists from 82 nations have been working since the year 2000 to prepare an inventory of marine organisms in the world, which will be released in London in October this year. The project costs around $650 million.
Faith groups warn against voting for fascists at UK elections
By IRNA,
London : Faith organisations have joined minority community bodies in issuing a pledge against supporting extreme right-wing candidates at next month’s general elections in Britain.
The pledge, signed by nearly 50 groups, urged every British citizen to “use their vote to support any party of their choice which stands opposed to the destructive politics of hatred, to vote for freedom not fear, partnerships not prejudice, and hope not hate.”
China ‘punishes’ 160,000 for indiscipline
By IANS,
Beijing: Over 160,000 people in China were "punished" by the government for disciplinary violations in 2012, official figures said Wednesday.
Changing climate displaces people around the world
By Joydeep Gupta, IANS,
Bonn : Sena Alouka from Togo, Peter Triloff from Germany and Ana Romero of Mexico have one thing in common - they all have to deal with farmers who can no longer cope with climate change.
Alouka grew up in a village called Tsiko, on the banks of river Wuto in northern Togo. By the time he became a teenager, his parents did not have a job any more. They were the traditional water carriers of the village, but the river had dried up.
IAEA to oversee Belarus nuclear plant project
By RIA Novosti,
Minsk : An IAEA mission will arrive in Belarus on Tuesday for a three-day visit to oversee a project to build the country's first nuclear power plant, the general designer said.
The proposed plant, with a capacity of 2,000 MW, is expected to provide electricity equal to that generated from five billion cubic meters of natural gas, at half the cost.
G8 leaders tackle soaring oil prices, Africa aid and emission cuts
By Xinhua,
Toyako, Japan : The leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) nations, meeting on the second day of their annual summit on Tuesday, expressed concern over the sharp rise in oil and food prices, reaffirmed their promise to increase aid to Africa and agreed on a long-term reduction target of greenhouse gases.
Climate change, the world economy and African development have been chosen as the main topics of three days of discussions in Toyako, a resort town on the northern island of Hokkaido.
26 killed in Nepal landslides
Kathmandu: At least 26 people were killed and scores others were missing after landslides hit western Nepal, a media report said on Thursday.
The authorities...
Police probe actress Brittany Murphy’s death
By DPA,
Washington : Los Angeles police were investigating the death of US actress Brittany Murphy, and the coroner plans to carry out an autopsy, People magazine reported.
Murphy, who played in films such as "Sin City", "8 Mile", "Girl Interrupted", "Clueless" and "Just Married", died early Sunday at age 32 after going into cardiac arrest, according to media reports.
Murphy, who had been acting since age two, was apparently found unconscious at her home, in her shower, Sunday morning by her mother, the celebrity gossip website TMZ reported.
China publishes military dictionary based on US terms
By Xinhua
Beijing : China has published a new bilingual military dictionary including more than 250,000 entries of military terms, most of which are taken from US armed forces publications.
The major sources of "An English-Chinese Military Dictionary" include the DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms that was published by the Pentagon in 2002.
The Chinese dictionary has been compiled by linguists and military experts in collaboration with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) University of Foreign Languages.
British kids learn how to hack off thieves’ hands
By IANS,
London: Children as young as six in Britain are being taught brutal Sharia law punishments, including how to hack off a criminal's hand or foot, a media report said Monday.
White House suffers cyber attack
By IANS,
Washington : The White House has confirmed its computer system was targeted in a cyber attack, but the effort was thwarted and no classified networks were compromised.
Millions of Colombians hold protest march against rebels
By IANS
Bogota : Millions of Colombians have poured into the streets of the country's main cities to protest against the leftist rebels, demanding they release their captives and abandon hostage-taking, EFE news agency reported Tuesday.
People of all ages carrying posters and banners Monday took to the streets of Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cartagena and dozens of other cities and towns to demonstrate against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels.
New method to test vaccines against flu strains
By IANS,
Washington : A computerised method could more accurately and speedily test efficacy of proposed flu vaccines against multiple strains of the disease.
Avian flu or bird flu is a particularly deadly type of flu that is transmitted from birds to humans. It hasn't yet evolved into a form that can be transmitted readily between humans, but scientists and health authorities are trying to prepare for a potential outbreak.
Russian customs officers seize 21 kg of cocaine on Ecuador ship
By RIA Novosti,
St. Petersburg : Russia customs officers in St. Petersburg have discovered 21 kg of cocaine on board a ship from Ecuador, the customs press-service said on Monday.
The ship arrived in Russia's second largest city on Friday.
A crew member later admitted during questioning that the drugs belonged to him. The ship was travelling under a Maltese flag.
An investigation has been launched. The sailor now faces up to seven years behind bars.
Obama, McCain trade blows after Bush’s ‘appeasement’ remarks
By AFP,
Washington : White House hopeful Barack Obama Thursday accused President George W. Bush of stooping to the "politics of fear" after the US leader implied in Israel that Democrats would appease terrorists.
Bush's comments ignited a fierce three-way row between the White House, the Obama campaign, and Republican presidential candidate John McCain, and exposed a key foreign policy flashpoint heading into November's general election.
Families of Sydney siege victims visit memorial
Sydney : The families of Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson, who were killed in the Sydney cafe siege, visited a makeshift memorial in Martin...
UN Security Council condemns terrorists attacks in Iraq
United Nations: The UN Security Council Friday condemned the recent vicious string of attacks in Baghdad and its surrounding provinces, demanding perpetrators be brought...
China Denies Being Sudan Biggest Arms Supplier
By Prensa Latina
Beijing : China denied being the biggest supplier of small arms to Sudan, as the US-based Human Rights First group recelntly claimed.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said Chinese arms exports to Sudan were limited, adding that his country has always been cautious with arms sales.
China always complies with the UN Security Council resolutions and has never exported arms to countries or regions under UN embargo, which is not even the case of Sudan,
‘Israel will not apologize to Turkey’
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Israel will not apologize to Turkey for the killing of nine activists on the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara while intercepting the ship as it sought to break Gaza blockade, a senior government official said Friday.
"Hostile elements" had been among the passengers on board the ship and they attacked the Israeli naval commandos overtaking the ship with "cold weapons" including knives and sticks, the Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Israel Radio.
Therefore there was "no chance" Israel would apologize for defending itself, the official said.
China plans to set up rocket company
By Xinhua
Beijing : China will set up an umbrella company to integrate the technical and marketing aspects of rocket building, an official with the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology said Monday.
The planned share-holding company is expected to integrate a number of institutions involved in rocket research, development, manufacturing and testing, and would be listed in the share market, said Liang Xiaohong, the academy's vice-president.
Nine killed in bus crash in China
By Xinhua
Lanzhou : Nine people were killed and 20 others injured when a bus crashed through a barrier and tumbled off a highway in northwest China's Gansu province Sunday.
The accident occurred near Tongwei county in central Gansu. The bus skidded off the road and plunged into a ten-meter-deep trench, said a local traffic policeman.
Seven people were killed on the spot and two others died in the hospital.
Nine killed in China kindergarten attack
By IANS,
Beijing : Seven children and two adults at a kindergarten were hacked to death Wednesday while 11 students sustained injuries in a frenzied attack in China's Shaanxi province. The attacker later committed suicide.
A 48-year-old villager, identified as Wu Huanming, hacked to death five boys, two girls and the kindergarten owner-cum-teacher, Wu Hongying, using a kitchen meat knife at around 8 a.m. local time Wednesday at a privately-run kindergarten in Linchang village in Nanzheng County, Xinhua quoted officials of the Shaanxi Provincial Emergency Response Office as saying.
Death toll in S.Russia food store gas blast rises to four
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : The death toll has risen to four following a natural gas supply explosion in a food store in Nazran, a city in Russia's North Caucasus Republic of Ingushetia, investigators said on Friday.
The blast occurred at about 9:20 Moscow time (5:20 GMT) on Friday in a food and liquor store located close to a filling station. The explosion damaged the store building.
"The explosion killed four people, and another four have been put in intensive care," Vladimir Markin, a spokesman for national investigation committee, said.
South Korea to build ballistic missiles
By IANS,
Seoul : South Korea will build ballistic missiles to better respond to "perceived threats" from North Korea, the presidential office here said Sunday.
Students who feel ‘macho’ likely to disdain STD vaccines
By IANS,
Washington : College students who feel invincible or impervious to physical harm are likely to disdain vaccines to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV and herpes.
Conversely, students who feel impervious to psychological harm or those who didn't care what others thought, are more likely to get the vaccine.
Int’l aid experts move into Myanmar cyclone zone
By Xinhua,
Yangon : Aid experts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations began moving into Myanmar's cyclone-hit Irrawaddy Delta for an assessment of the cyclone damage and the needs of local people on Thursday, diplomatic sources said.
The first batch of members of the joint ASEAN-U.N. "Emergency Rapid Assessment Team" flew by helicopters into two main townships of Labutta and Pyapon.
The 200-strong team will report on its findings in mid-July, ASEAN said.
EU ministers discuss ‘Blue Card’ to fill worker shortage
By DPA
Brussels : European Union (EU) interior ministers met in Brussels Thursday to discuss plans for an "EU Blue Card" designed to lure skilled workers from Asia and Africa in order to fill labour shortages in the wealthiest members of the 27-member bloc.
This is the first time that national governments came together to debate the initiative, which was first proposed by EU Commissioner Franco Frattini several months ago and which was adopted by the EU's executive Oct 23.
Zimbabwe Shuns Anti-Election Drive
By Prensa Latina,
Luanda : Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mubengegwi lashed at the international drive to call off the presidential runoffs.
On behalf of President Mugabe, Mubengegwi made his statement after an interview with Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos at a meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Mubengegwi admitted to isolated, not general, violence caused by opposition Democratic Change (MDC) of Morgan Tsvangirai to stall Friday’s runoffs and termed the situation stable.
Few Chinese presidents ever visited Tibet in five decades
By Pranay Sharma, IANS,
Beijing : Tibet may well be an "inalienable" part of the People's Republic of China, but few Chinese presidents or its paramount leaders have ever visited the region in the past five decades.
Tibet forms a large part of the total landmass of China and has remained in the international focus for the Dalai Lama and his supporters' demand for "greater autonomy." But Chinese officials cannot say for sure when was the last time a Chinese president visited Tibet.
Mandalay now more Chinese than Indian: Harvard professor
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London : More than 70 years after Myanmar opted for independence from the Indian administration, its second largest city and former imperial capital is more Chinese than Indian, a Harvard academic and writer said.
Mandalay's transformation, Harvard Business School professor Tarun Khanna told a meeting of businessmen in London, showed how China's "hard power" was winning the day over India's "soft power".
Bush mixes sports, politics at Olympics
By IANS,
Beijing : US President George W. Bush said China has come a long way since he rode a bike here in 1975 and believes that the current Olympics will open up the country even further.
"I think the Olympics are going to serve as a chance for people to come and see China the way it is, and let the Chinese see the world and interface and have the opportunity to converse with people from around the world," Bush told American broadcaster NBC in an interview Monday.
"This is a very positive development, in my view, for peace."
Nepal landslide, flood toll crosses 50
By DPA,
Kathmandu: The death toll from flooding and landslides in western Nepal rose to 54 with thousands displaced from their homes, officials said Thursday.
The flash floods and landslides were triggered by heavy rains which began Sunday evening and left a trail of destruction as the system moved east across the Himalayan nation.
Government officials and police said at least a dozen deaths were reported Thursday from western Nepal.
Growing calls in Nepal to halt animal slaughter during Dussehra
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Authorities in Chad must act to prevent extrajudicial executions
By KUNA
London : The Chadian government must take urgent action to prevent extrajudicial killings in the aftermath of clashes between rebel and government forces earlier this week, Amnesty International said Friday.
The human rights group is alarmed at reports it has received of the extrajudicial execution of civilians by armed men, allegedly belonging to the Chadian army, it said in a press release here.
EU threatens Mugabe with new sanctions
By DPA,
Luxembourg : The European Union (EU) Monday threatened to impose new sanctions on Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and his allies unless a power-sharing deal with pro-democracy leader Morgan Tsvangirai is promptly implemented.
EU foreign ministers issued the warning during a meeting in Luxembourg.
"The Council stands ready to consider additional measures in case of continued deadlock in the implementation of the Sep 15 agreement," ministers said in a joint statement.