PPP Victory Ahead in Thai Elections
By Prensa Latina
Bangkok : PPP (People´s Power Party) won 233 seats out of the 480 seats of Parliament, although without reaching absolute majority in general voting, Thailand Electoral Commission confirmed Tuesday.
In that way, the supporters of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra widely surpassed their main rival the Democratic Party, which obtained 165 seats in the House of Representatives.
China begins final countdown to spacewalk mission
By DPA,
Beijing : China Thursday afternoon intitiated the final eight-hour countdown to its Shenzhou VII space mission, which is scheduled to feature the nation's first spacewalk.
The Jiuquan space centre in the north-western province of Gansu began the countdown at 1:10 pm (0510 GMT), state media said.
The start of the countdown put the mission on course for its previously announced launch time of 9:10 pm (1310 GMT), although officials Wednesday said the exact time could still vary between 9:07 pm and 10:27 pm.
Spaniards dining out less during recession: Study
By EFE,
Madrid : Amid the worst recession in decades, Spaniards are cooking much more at home instead of frequently going out to restaurants, according to a new study.
The head of business development for the consulting firm TNS Worldpanel, Stephane Roger, Monday presented figures for the consumption sector so far in 2009, noting that the average value of purchases year to date had declined by 1.6 percent from its level in 2008.
China patriotism soars in Hong Kong ahead of Olympics
By DPA,
Hong Kong : Pro-China sentiment in Hong Kong has risen sharply ahead of the Beijing Olympics, with 55 percent of people in the territory considering themselves Chinese compared to 28 percent who see themselves as Hong Kongers, according to a survey Monday.
The findings of the survey of more than 1,100 people showed a sharp upswing from the fewer than 22 percent of respondents who said they considered themselves Chinese in a similar poll conducted in November.
31 Chinese officials under scanner for coal mine mishaps
Beijing : China's top procuratorate is investigating 31 officials for cover-ups in three coal mine accidents that killed 39 people, authorities said Thursday.
According to...
Over 360 mn people live with hearing loss: WHO
By IANS,
Geneva : More than 360 million people in the world are suffering from hearing loss, a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated.
With Bernanke, Obama seeks continuity in time of crisis
By Chris Cermak, DPA,
Washington : President Barack Obama made the safe choice in re-appointing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to a second term, preferring not to roil financial markets and keep his economic team in place as the US begins to pull out of recession.
The announcement Tuesday was expected and welcomed by most economists.
Some lawmakers reacted with scepticism, but his nomination is nearly certain to be approved by the Senate before his current term ends Jan 31.
Belgian vote on burqa ban in doubt as government risks collapse
By DPA,
Brussels : A parliamentary vote that would have turned Belgium into the first European country to ban the wearing of the burqa and other types of Islamic veil risked being cancelled Thursday, as the country's government was nearing collapse.
The lower house of parliament was expected to approve a law making it a crime to be out "in public places with their face completely or partly covered or masked, so that they are no longer identifiable".
Information center opens in Moscow to cover Sunday’s polls
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : An information center, Election 2008, opened in Moscow on Friday ahead of the presidential elections due at the weekend
The center, located at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry near Red Square, offers free telephone calls and Internet access to over 2,000 Russian and foreign accredited reporters.
Election officials said the center will hold hourly news conferences, briefings and roundtables with international observers, NGO representatives, Russian and foreign political analysts and election law experts.
South Korea’s central bank cuts 2013 growth outlook
By IANS,
Seoul : Bank of Korea (BOK), South Korea's central bank, Thursday cut its 2013 growth outlook to 2.6 percent from an earlier forecast of 2.8 percent.
Sri Lanka airs concern at Myanmar situation
By DPA
Colombo : Sri Lanka expressed concern Monday about the situation in Myanmar, where peaceful demonstrations have been met with a brutal government crackdown, and said it expected the country to resolve "all issues through a peaceful process of national reconciliation and political accommodation".
Sri Lanka, which maintains close ties with Myanmar, was criticized for its silence until now on the deadly crackdown that began last week after more than a month of peaceful anti-government protests.
BlackBerry’s iPad to use US Army’s Crusher-vehicle tech
By IANS,
Toronto : BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) will pack its soon-to-be-launched iPad with a unique software technology currently being used in navigating the powerful Crusher combat vehicle by the US Army.
The iPad will likely be called BlackPad as RIM has already registered the domain name of blackpad.com for it.
It is expected to be unveiled by November when other major players such as Motorola, Samsung and Hewlett-Packard are also likely to release their tablets.
Talks on Zimbabwe cabinet deferred
By DPA,
Harare : Talks set for Tuesday between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and prime minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai on the appointment of ministers in a new unity government have been postponed indefinitely.
While both Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and Mugabe's Zanu-PF confirmed the postponement, they would not be drawn on whether the delay spelled trouble for the country's day-old power-sharing deal.
Sri Lankan Air Force pounds rebel positions
By Xinhua
Colombo : Sri Lankan Air Force Thursday launched air raids twice against Tamil Tiger rebel positions in the northern part of the country, the military said.
The Media Centre for National Security said in a statement that air force fighter jets bombed gun positions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at Mannar and Mullaithivu districts at 12 p.m. and again an hour later.
"These centres were used by LTTE terrorists to fire artillery at troops on the forward defence line," the statement said, claiming that the air strikes were successful.
U.N. Relief Agency Urges Countries to Fulfill Myanmar Pledges
By SPA,
United Nations : The U.N. flash appeal for post-cyclone aid to Myanmar has only raised $77.5 million, over $100 million less than member states had pledged, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Friday.
Death toll from hand, foot and mouth disease rises to 28 in China
By RIA Novosti,
Beijing : The number of children who have died in China of complications caused by hand, foot and mouth disease has climbed to 28, with all the victims being under the age of six, the Xinhua news agency said on Wednesday.
The number of infected children has also risen by around 4,000, to almost 16,000. The majority of the infected are under two years of age.
Indian Association of Bihar and Jharkhand, Qatar (IABJ Qatar) celebrate Eid Milan
By TCN News:
DOHA : Indian Association of Bihar and Jharkhand (IABJ) Qatar, affiliated organization of Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) under the aegis of Embassy...
Obama may get Chicago 2016 Olympics
By Sebastian Fest,DPA,
Madrid : Spain's International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative Juan Antonio Samaranch jr. thinks US President Barack Obama has the chance to get the 2016 Olympics for his home city, Chicago, thereby eliminating rivals Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.
However, Samaranch - the son of the former IOC president of the same name - warned in an interview with DPA in Madrid that the popular US leader will need more than his proven charisma and skills as a public speaker to make that happen.
Slain rebel leader killed by comrades: Colombia
By IANS
Bogota : Colombia has claimed that a senior rebel leader of the country's largest leftist insurgent group was slain by his comrades and not killed by government forces as reported earlier.
Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos said Friday the government has "100 percent confirmed intelligence" that Ivan Rios, one of top seven leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), was killed by his own comrades who were under intense pressure from the troops, Spanish news agency EFE reported Saturday.
AirAsia crash: Three more bodies found
Jakarta : Three more bodies of those who perished in the AirAsia plane crash Dec 28 in the Java Sea while it was flying...
Bangkok blasts ‘worst attack on Thailand’
Bangkok: Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has said the bombing of a shrine in here that claimed 20 lives, including those of three foreigners,...
‘Obama win to be mixed news for Canada’
By IANS,
Toronto : Barack Obama's victory in the Nov 4 US presidential election would be a mixed blessing for Canada, America's biggest trading partner, says an Ottawa-based think tank.
In its report 'How the next US president could affect our country' released Tuesday, the Rideau Institute said "an Obama administration would be mixed news" for Canada.
"The United States presidential election will dramatically shift the continental political dynamic, no matter who wins on November 4, 2008," said Steven Staples, president of the Rideau Institute.
Russia reopens investigation into last tsar’s death
By RIA Novosti
Yekaternburg (Russia) : Russia's prosecutors have reopened investigations into the execution of the Romanov family following the alleged discovery of the remains of Tsar Nicholas's II son and daughter in the Urals region in late July.
The remains of a boy and a young woman were exhumed near the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, where Russia's last tsar, his wife, their four daughters and son, and several servants were shot by Bolsheviks in 1918. Archaeologists said the site had been spotted after declassifying archival documents recently.
Now corporate conference in a bus
By IANS,
Chenna: Conferences on aircraft and ships are passé. The novelty is a conference in a bus.
The Rs.160 crore turnover Parveen Travels (P) Ltd, which operates a fleet of buses, has hit upon the idea of conference on wheels to hold corporate and other meetings in a specially designed hi-tech bus.
Launching the service here Tuesday, Managing Director A. Afzal told reporters: "With a lot of projects - industrial and real estate - coming up away from Chennai, corporate executives coming from outside can have their meeting inside our bus and save time.
Probe into threats on White House Facebook page
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Washington : The US Secret Service is investigating terrorist attack threats posted by an unknown user on the White House page in Facebook Sunday, a spokesperson said.
Bikers chop off man’s arm in Nepal road rage
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : Two bikers, alleged to be drug addicts, chopped off the arm of a public bus driver in southeastern Nepal in full view of passengers in a bout of road rage, accusing him of deliberately blocking their way, Nepal's official media reported Tuesday.
The bikers, Dipak Limbu and Rajesh Rai, accosted the bus at Tarahara town in Biratnagar city, near the Indian border, Monday and began an altercation with the driver, Raju Shrestha, accusing him of not allowing them to pass him.
Good relations with Canada a priority: Modi to Harper
Brisbane : Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper on the margins of the G20 summit here Saturday and emphasised on...
Myanmar to assist education in cyclone-hit region
By Xinhua,
Yangon : Myanmar authorities will provide assistance to the students who lost their parents in the deadly cyclone Nargis early last month for enabling them to continue pursuing of education till completed, state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported Saturday.
Pakistan says it values China’s support for SCO membership
Islamabad: Pakistan Friday said it appreciates China's support for the country's quest to become member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as the group...
Bus passengers kidnapped for recruitment in Mexico gangs
By IANS/EFE,
Mexico City : A bus was hijacked in a northern Mexican state to recruit the male passengers as gunmen in drug gangs, according to witnesses.
Eleven South African cabinet ministers quit
By DPA,
Johannesburg : South Africa's ruling African National Congress' (ANC) hopes for a smooth transition of power after its ousting of President Thabo Mbeki were quashed Tuesday when 11 cabinet ministers resigned in a shock move.
Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, credited with keeping the country on a steady course over a decade, was among those who quit in sympathy with Mbeki. Three deputy ministers also resigned.
However, Manuel and his deputy, Jabu Moleketi, said they were "ready to serve" a new administration, ministerial spokeswoman Thoraya Pandy said in a statement.
UN seeks urgent action on CAR food crisis
United Nations: A senior UN relief official has stressed the need to act quickly to assist people suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition in...
New snake species discovered in Tanzania
By IANS,
London : The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has announced the discovery of a spectacularly coloured snake from a remote area of Tanzania in East Africa.
Bush signs n-deal law today; 123 to follow ‘at some point’
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : With US President George W. Bush set to sign a bill Wednesday to ratify the India-US civil nuclear deal, Washington expressed confidence that the implementing 123 accord would also be inked "at some point".
"Let me just say the agreement will be signed at some point by both sides. I just can't tell you when at this point, but the agreement will be signed," State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters Tuesday.
Vietnam, Cuba for Greater Trade
By Susana Ugarte Soler, Prensa Latina
Hanoi : Vietnam and Cuba held Thursday in this capital the third session of their Bilateral Managerial Committee, which advocated boosting trade.
Over 40 Vietnamese companies and about 20 from Cuba, including three corporations, attended the meeting, opened by Bui Quang Do and Antonio Gonzalez Fernandez, respective presidents of the Committee who said it was feasible to complement both economies.
Russia opposes NATO expansion in principle
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says his country is in principle against NATO expansion toward its borders.
Putin made the statement in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde Saturday.
"We are against NATO's enlargement on the whole, in principle," Putin said, commenting on Ukraine and Georgia's drive to join the alliance.
History at noon: Obama is US president
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Barack Obama made his tryst with destiny as the first black president of the United States at noon Tuesday, an epochal event that was unthinkable in his own country even two years ago and which was watched with fascination and admiration around the world.
As the clock struck 12, Obama stood on a flag-bedecked wooden special inaugural platform on the West Front of the Capitol overlooking the national monuments to take the oath of office as the 44th president of the world's oldest democracy.
SLFP ready to be ‘flexible’ over power sharing: Sri Lankan minister
By M.R. Narayan Swamy,
Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi : A Sri Lankan minister overseeing the preparation of a power sharing formula to end the ethnic conflict says the ruling party will be "flexible" over its devolution proposal that has not enthused the minorities.
"They are prepared to accept the majority view, prepared to be flexible," Science and Technology Minister Tissa Vitarana said in a telephonic interview as the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) made its proposals public on May Day.
British PM gorges on roadside hot dog
By IANS,
New York : David Cameron was treated to a roadside hot dog by New York mayor Michael Bloomberg after the British prime minister arrived in the city for his first official visit.
Bloomberg met Cameron at a street corner outside Penn station after the premier arrived by train from Washington. The two men grabbed a quick bite at a food stand but ignored questions from reporters while they ate. Cameron even flashed a thumbs-up sign when asked about his lunch, the Telegraph reported.
3 killed, 6 injured in police firing in far-western Nepal
By Xinhua,
Kathmandu : At least three people were killed and six others injured when protesters of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) clashed with police in Dhangadhi municipality of Kailali district in far-western Nepal Wednesday afternoon.
According to a report of the leading website THT Online, police opened fire at the protesters after they tried to vandalize district administration office (DAO) following a dispute with local journalists.
US bill aims to make it tough to hire foreign workers
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Two US senators have introduced a bill to make it tougher for American firms to employ foreign professionals under its H-1B and L1 visa programmes utilised the most by Indians and the Chinese.
The bill introduced by Senators Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin Given Thursday would require US firms looking for skilled foreign professionals to make a "good faith" attempt to employ Americans first before seeking foreign workers.
NATO creates “kill or capture” list for Taliban: German report
Berlin, Feb 10, IRNA -- NATO has created a "kill or capture" list for Taliban leaders, the weekly news magazine Stern reported Wednesday on its website.
The secret list allows NATO troops in Afghanistan to liquidate or capture mid-and high ranking Taliban members.
German and US special forces are reportedly involved in these secret operations.
A so-called "JPEL-list" (Joint Priority Effects List) indicates who will be included in the "c" (capture) category and who will be listed in the "k" (kill) section.
Blast in Colombo, two wounded
By IANS,
Colombo : Two people were wounded in a minor bomb explosion near the Red Mosque in Colombo Saturday evening, defence sources said.
Two vehicles were also damaged in the blast around 4.55 p.m. The wounded were rushed to the Colombo National Hospital.
"According to available evidence, the blast occurred inside a van," the defence ministry said.
The motive behind the blast was not immediately known.
Out of White House, Obama aide denies role in gatecrash
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Days after quitting, White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers has claimed her office followed protocol the night an uninvited couple gatecrashed President Barack Obama's state dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Rogers also denied reports that her staff wasn't present at the main gate when the wannabe reality TV stars Tareq and Michaele Salahi got through layers of security to enter the White House and shake hands with both Obama and Manmohan Singh at the Nov 24 event.
Riots in Greece’s Athens leave 16 banks, 20 shops burned
By RIA Novosti,
Athens : The riots that have erupted after police shot dead a teenage boy in Athens have left 16 banks, 20 shops and 12 cars burned in the Greek capital, the police said on Sunday.
The riots began in the Greek capital late on Saturday soon after the shooting in the central Exarchia district where youths threw petrol bombs at police, burned cars and smashed shop windows.
The riots, the worst violence in years, quickly spread to Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, and other towns in the north of the country.
US wholesale inventories go up
By IANS,
Washington: US inventories at the wholesale level posted an increase of 1.2 percent in January from December, while wholesale sales declined, data from the US Commerce Department showed.
Iran awaits lift of sanctions to resume crude exports
Tehran: Iran has signed a preliminary document with South Africa to resume its oil exports when the western sanctions against Tehran are lifted, a...
Foreign adoption last resort for Haiti quake orphans: Unicef
By IANS/EFE,
Geneva : The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) said Tuesday that international adoption should be the "last resort" for children orphaned by last week's catastrophic earthquake in Haiti.
"Unicef's position has always been that whatever the humanitarian situation, family reunification must be favoured," spokeswoman Veronique Taveau said during a press briefing in Geneva.
"The last resort is inter-country adoption," she said.
North Korea fires short-range missiles
Seoul: North Korea fired two short-range missiles into its eastern waters Monday when South Korea and the US launched their joint annual war games,...
Germany’s first driverless mass-transit train in service
By DPA,
Nuremberg (Germany) : Germany's first driverless mass-transit train line has officially begun service in the southern city of Nuremberg, with a computer in charge of the underground trains.
Driverless trains are already in use in other nations, including Singapore's North East Metro Line (NEL) operating since 2003, but Nuremberg's 600-million-euro ($900-million) system is unique because it mixes human-driven and computer-controlled trains on the same track.
China to test deep-sea submersible – report
By SPA
Beijing : China is to test a manned submersible that can reach up to 7,000 metres (23,000 feet)
below sea level, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Friday, citing the State Oceanic Administration, according to Reuters.
Research on the submersible will be given "equal importance with China's space endeavours", the report said. China put a man in space in 2003, part of an ambitious space programme that
includes its first lunar probe launched last year.
Recession batters Spain’s tourism industry
By EFE,
Madrid : Spain's tourism industry is forecast to end 2009 down 5.6 percent from last year's already depressed level, its worst performance in a decade, the Alliance for Tourism Excellence, or Exceltur, said.
The crucial summer season "has not been at all encouraging" and the signs of a possible recovery in 2010 are still "very weak", the group said Thursday.
Although between July and September the pace of decline in tourist activity moderated slightly, that was achieved only by a steep reduction in prices.
Sobhraj poised between freedom, fresh fight
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS
Kathmandu : With Nepal's Supreme Court set to announce its final verdict on a more than 30-year-old murder case that put Charles Sobhraj behind bars for life, the 63-year-old is wavering between hope and alarm.
Sobhraj, once a dominant name in the underworld of several countries and wanted by police forces for forgeries and thefts targeting foreign tourists, became convicted for murder for the first time in Nepal.
Modi meets UN chief in Seoul
Seoul : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Monday on the last leg of his three-nation tour and held a meeting with UN...
Greenpeace warns of climate change
By Xinhua
Bali (Indonesia) : International environment watchdog Greenpeace Monday launched a move by unveiling a giant thermometer outside the venue of the UN climate conference here to warn the delegates of rising global temperatures.
Delegates from more than 180 countries and regions began their battle in Nusa Dua Bali, Indonesia, from Dec 3 to 14 to share responsibility in securing the planet from global warming.
Words on the 6.7-meter high thermometer said: "Don't cook the climate!"
EU condemns terrorist attack in Russia’s Chechnya
Brussels: The European Union here Monday condemned the deadly terrorist bombing that took place Sunday in which at least five police men were killed...
Spanish monarchs welcome Michelle Obama
By IANS/EFE,
Palma de Mallorca (Spain) : Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, accompanied by Princess of Asturias Letizia, welcomed US first lady Michelle Obama and her daughter Sasha to a private luncheon before they concluded their vacation in Spain.
The wife and younger daughter of US President Barack Obama reached the Marivent Palace, the royal family's summer residence, shortly after midday Sunday after arriving by airplane from the southern coastal city of Malaga, where they had been vacationing since last Wednesday.
Drunk Indian-origin driver rams bus into low bridge
By IANS,
London : An Indian-origin schoolbus driver in Britain, who was drunk three times over the permissible limit, ran his double-decker bus into a low bridge, causing its roof to tear off, a British court was told.
Gurdeep Singh Sagoo, 49, of Middlesex, had just dropped off 46 students home from the Chalfonts Community College in Buckinghamshire, and ran his bus into a low bridge. Metal and glass were sent flying and the roof of the bus was ripped off, the East Berkshire magistrates' court heard.
Singapore`s Navy in “Rim of the Pacific” exercise with 9 countries
By ANTARA News,
Singapore : Singapore's Navy is participating for the first time in the "Rim of the Pacific" exercise with 20,000 personnel from the maritime forces of nine other countries, the Navy said on Sunday.
Hosted by the US Navy, the exercise consists of an onshore planning phase as well as a 22-day sea phase off the coast of Hawaii.
4 policemen, 1 civilian killed in surprise attack in Somalia
By SPA
Mogadishu, Somalia : A fire fight between Somali insurgents and police has killed five people, AP quoted witnesses as saying Thursday.
Four police officers and one civilian were killed in the gunbattle that started late Wednesday after insurgents raided a police checkpoint outside Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.
The insurgents used machine-guns, rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles in the surprise attack, according to witnesses.
Brown delighted at world cluster bomb ban
By KUNA,
London : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Thursday he was "delighted" after diplomats from more than 100 countries unanimously passed a treaty to ban the use of cluster bombs around the world.
Delegates in Dublin, in the Irish Republic, also agreed to destroy any stockpiles of the weapons within the next eight years.
Campaigners against the use of cluster bombs declared the historic announcement in the Irish capital a triumph.
37 injured as New York ferry hits dock
By IANS,
New York : At least 37 people were injured when a ferry boat, carrying 252 passengers and 18 crew members, struck a pier as it approached the dock in New York's Staten Island, authorities have said.
The brakes failed Saturday on the Andrew J. Barberi ferry boat as it hit the dock of the St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island at about 9.25 a.m. local time, Janette Sadik-Khan, commissioner of the city's department of transportation, told NY1 television channel.
South Korea buys Indonesian aircraft for coastguard
By ANTARA News,
Seoul : South Korea has signed a 90-million-dollar deal with Indonesia to buy four transport planes for the coastguard, officials said Tuesday.
Under the deal signed on Monday, Indonesia will deliver four CN235-110 aircraft by 2011, the Defense Acquisition Programme Administration said.
"They will be used for various missions," a spokesman told AFP, adding the plane, which is equipped with an advanced radar system, is already used by South Korea's air force.
Sri Lanka navy arrests 54 Australia-bound asylum seekers
By IANS,
Colombo : The Sri Lankan navy Thursday arrested 54 Australia-bound asylum seekers, Xinhua reported.
South Africa to boost trade with Cuba
Cape Town (South Africa), Nov 11 (IANS) South Africa and Cuba are to establish a task force to boost trade between the two countries.
"We have identified this [trade] as a challenge and we have agreed to establish a task team of officials from both countries to pay more attention to trade and to see how we can improve the trade and economic co-operation between our two countries," South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said here Saturday.
Britain may go to polls in mid-2009: Minister
By IRNA-PTI
London : Britain may go for general election in about one-and-a-half years -- in the middle of 2008, a British Minister and one of Premier Gordon Brown's closest confidants, has suggested.
The polls are due in 2010. "You can talk about cancelled elections until the cows come home, but no one out there is. It has not been a big issue for the public. I don't think it will have any impact on the general election result in a year-and-a-half's time," Ed
Russia ready for new arms reduction talks with US
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russia was ready to hold talks with the new US administration on cuts in strategic offensive weapons, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
"We are ready for talks, which will allow us to preserve the mechanism of limitations and reductions of strategic offensive weapons and we are glad that the new US administration is paying priority attention to this subject," Lavrov said in an interview with Russia's Vesti-24 TV news channel.
Indian-born civil rights leader takes on British culture secretary over slur
By Venkata Vemuri, IANS,
London : Shami Chakrabarti, one of Britain's most powerful Asian women, has threatened to sue Culture Secretary Andy Durnham for "smearing" her relationship with well-known Conservative leader David Davis.
In a letter to Durnham and the prime minister, civil rights campaigner and lawyer Chakarabarti has charged the former with "debasing" his office and warned of a libel suit if he does not apologise right away.
US Senate approves Elena Kagan as Supreme Court Justice
By IANS,
Washington : The US Senate has voted to approve Elena Kagan as Supreme Court Justice, making her the fourth woman to enter the high court, Xinhua reported.
The Senate voted 63 to 37 Thursday to confirm Kagan, the second Supreme Court nominee of President Barack Obama. She serves as Solicitor General for the administration and will replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens in the court's fall session.
Google cleared of spying in New Zealand
By IANS,
Auckland : Internet giant Google has been cleared of gathering personal wireless internet data during its street view operation in New Zealand.
New Zealand police Thursday said they have found no evidence that Google committed a criminal offence, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Police have, however, referred the matter back to the Privacy Commission, which in June had asked police to investigate after concerns were raised that Google had collected unencrypted Wi-Fi data while photographing streets with 3D cameras for its street view mapping service.
U.S. Senate panel subpoenas White House, Cheney’s office
By Xinhua
Washington : The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee issued subpoenas on Wednesday to the White House and the office of Vice President Dick Cheney for documents about the warrantless eavesdropping program.
The committee also subpoenaed the Justice Department and the National Security Council over the program, which President George W. Bush authorized shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
S Korean ambassador protests over Japan’s claim of disputed islets
By Xinhua,
Tokyo : South Korean Ambassador to Japan Kwon Chul Hyun protested Tuesday morning over Japan's claim of ownership of two disputed islets during meeting with Japanese foreign ministry officials.
Kwon, who is scheduled to leave Japan later in the day at the South Korean government's recall in protest, met with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka for about 40 minutes at the Foreign Ministry.
Nuclear issues of Iran, North Korea different: Medvedev
By Xinhua,
Moscow : Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said the nuclear issues of both Iran and North Korea are different and Pyongyang's activities have raise more concerns than that of Tehran.
"I believe that the situation, say, in Iran and North Korea are different ... We are closely watching nuclear programmes in these countries," Interfax news agency quoted Medvedev as saying Saturday.
The president said Russia was ready to assist the US in establishing closer and sincere relations with Iran.
US posts hefty bounty on four key IS figures
Washington : The US administration has posted a bounty of $20 million for information on four key figures of the Islamic State (IS), an...
New Zealand firm to hold fair to attract investors
By IANS,
New Delhi: Auckland-based investment company NZ Financial Solutions is organising a two-day event here from Jan 23 to boost investments in real estate, sports and lifestyle opportunities in New Zealand.
Investors and entrepreneurs will also get to explore possibilities of business tie-ups in pinewood shipping, meat processing, food processing, dairy farming and fruit packing, the company said in a statement.
The event will be inaugurated by former cricketer Richard Hadlee, it said, adding that similar events will also be held in Chandigarh and Ludhiana.
Russia to sell six multi launch rocket systems to Turkmenistan
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Turkmenistan has signed a $70 million contract with Russia to buy six Smerch multi launch rocket systems (MLRS), a Russian business daily said on Tuesday.
Kommersant said that under the contract, the first major military-technical deal with Ashgabat in the past decade, the Smerch manufacturer, OAO Motovilikhinskiye Zavody, will deliver the first two systems before the end of this year and the other four next year.
The manufacturer said it would also complete deliveries of Smerch systems to India in July under a $300 million contract.
10 percent of US soldiers in Iraq mistreating civilians
By Xinhua
Washington : About 10 percent of US soldiers serving in Iraq have reported mistreating civilians or damaging their property when it was not necessary, according to a Pentagon survey.
Toll rises to 259 in South Korean ferry sinking
Seoul : Toll rose to 259 Monday in the South Korean ferry disaster as divers were struggling to enter passenger cabins blocked by floating...
Honduras to hold presidential election on Nov. 29
By RIA Novosti,
Mexico : Presidential elections will be held in Honduras on November 29, even if they are not internationally recognized, the country's interim leader told a delegation from the Organization of American States.
"No matter what, presidential elections in Honduras will be held on November 29," Roberto Micheletti said. "It does not matter if they are recognized by the international community or not."
21st Indian jailed for Singapore riots
Singapore : An Indian was Tuesday jailed for 14 months for his involvement in the Dec 8, 2013, riots here.
Chinnathambi Malesan, 23, a worker,...
Emirates to launch first airbus A380 services to China
By IANS,
Dubai : Emirates Airlines will launch the world's largest commercial plane, airbus A380, services between China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Aug 1, WAM news agency reported.
The new Dubai-Beijing-Dubai services signals the first A380 operation to China, and follows an impressive series of A380-firsts to New Zealand, Thailand and Korea by the Dubai-based airline.
The 517-seater aircraft will be deployed on the existing EK 306 service that departs Dubai daily for Beijing.
Tibetan origin woman held for trying to get fake Nepali passport
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : A 22-year-old woman of Tibetan origin, suspected to be a refugee living in Bangalore, has been arrested after she tried to obtain a fake Nepali passport.
Google removes racist image of Michelle Obama
By IANS,
London : Google removed a racially offensive image of US First Lady Michelle Obama from its search engine Wednesday while the blog hosting it apologised in Chinese.
The image of Michelle with monkey features, which appeared at the top of Google's search results, was posted on a blog called Hot Girls, which is hosted by the Google-owned blog service, Blogger.
Hot Girls later removed the image and displayed an apology in Chinese with a loose English translation.
UK warns Libya over celebrating Lockerbie bomber release
By IRNA,
London : Britain has warned Libya not to hold celebrations to mark the first anniversary of the return home of the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbasset al-Megrahi, amid suggestions from Tripoli that he could live for up to seven more years.
"The celebrations that greeted Megrahi's return to Libya a year ago were insensitive and deeply distressing to the [Lockerbie bombing] victims' families," the Foreign Office said.
Blatter to vote for Rio 2016, governor says
By DPA,
Rio de Janeiro : International Football Federation (FIFA) president Joseph Blatter said he will vote for Rio de Janeiro as the host of the 2016 Olympics, Rio de Janeiro Governor Sergio Cabral said Tuesday.
As a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Blatter is set to take part Friday in Copenhagen in the crucial vote to pick the host of the 2016 Games, in a race which pits Rio against Madrid, Chicago and Tokyo.
Cabral said that Blatter made his intention known Monday, on the eve of a meeting of FIFA's Executive Committee in Rio.
Sacked Brazil coach Menezes thanks players
By IANS,
Rio de Janeiro: Sacked Brazil coach Mano Menezes has paid tribute to his former players after being told his services with the national team were no longer required.
10 Russians found guilty of terrorism
By IANS,
Moscow : A group of 10 Russian teenagers were Thursday found guilty of terrorism, illegally making bombs, damaging property and humiliating people on the basis of race or nationality.
Pentagon uses TV as message machine: NY Times
By IRNA,
New York : The New York Times said that Pentagon uses the TV as message machine to justify its military approach in the international community.
Citing examples, the mainstream US daily said that in the summer of 2005, the Bush administration confronted a fresh wave of criticism over Guantanamo Bay. The detention center had just been branded "the gulag of our times" by Amnesty International, there were new allegations of abuse from United Nations human rights experts and calls were mounting for its closure.
The US administration's communications experts responded swiftly.
World Bank pledges aid boost for poor nations
Washington, Sep 28 (DPA) World Bank member countries have pledged to more than double the bank's aid to the poorest countries and agreed to make loans for developing nations cheaper.
The lender's governing board approved plans to offer $3.5 billion in 2008-2010 for grants and loans to help the 81 poorest nations, especially in Africa, up from $1.5 billion in the current three-year effort, bank president Robert Zoellick said.
Porn sites to be filtered in Sri Lanka
By P. Karunakharan, IANS,
Colombo : To protect children from internet pornography, Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed the country's Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) to immediately filter all websites containing obscene and pornography materials.
A government statement here said the president has recognised the "serious threat posed" to the children in the country as a result of unrestricted access to the websites meant for adults and wanted to bring in restrictions against this with immediate effect.
Four Tibetans held during sombre Dalai Lama birthday in Nepal
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Turkey President ratifies troop deployment to Qatar
Ankara, (IANS): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ratified two deals allowing Turkish troops' deployment to Qatar and training the Gulf nation's gendarmerie, according...
Europe’s Apocalyptic View of Climate Change
By Prensa Latina
Brussels : The European Union presented a nearly apocalyptic view of the world as a result of climate change, even if greenhouse emissions are reduced.
The report, jointly drawn up by the office of EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana and the Commission warns the European Union against those risks and the consequences for its future, which will be threatened by uncontrollable waves of immigrants.
OPEC must call for drastic output cut: president
By DPA,
Algiers/Paris : The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) must decide on a "drastic" cut of oil production during its next meeting, OPEC president Chakib Khelil, told Algerian radio Thursday.
The next meeting is scheduled for Dec 17 in Oran.
"The Oran meeting must decide on a drastic (production) cut to establish an equilibrium between supply and demand," Khelil said during an interview on Radio Algerienne. Khelil is also Algeria's energy minister.
UN General Assembly Reforms Likely
By Prensa Latina,
United Nations : The president of the UN General Assembly Srgjan Kerim presented a report with recommendations on reforms of the Security Council before the end of his mandate, official sources informed.
In a meeting with the press the former foreign minister of Macedonia referred to consultations with working groups on changing the maximum UN body, a priority of the 62nd period he is presiding over.
China axes 1,600 cops for violations
By IANS,
Beijing : Over 1,600 police officers across China have been relieved of their duties for violating a list of rules introduced to regulate police behaviour, the government said.
Discovering Ukraine’s Carpathia Mountain region
By DPA
Yakivsko (Ukraine) : Spicy Hutsul sausages sizzle over our fire, ignored by placid cows and yapping shepherd dogs in the pasture nearby. Down in the valley, on a deserted road, a horse-drawn wagon clops homeward, carrying field workers and their scythes past pastoral haystacks, pumpkin patches, and split rail fences straight from the 19th century. Above, the blue-green Carpathian Mountains roll their way to the EU.
Russia, China see nuclear power as a priority in economic ties
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russia and China consider cooperation in nuclear power to be a priority of bilateral economic ties, a communique rounding off President Dmitry Medvedev's two-day visit to the country said on Saturday.
"The heads of state consider cooperation in nuclear power to be a priority area of economic cooperation, and express their satisfaction with the success that has been achieved in this sphere, and the readiness of the two countries to continue mutually beneficial cooperation," the document said.
Adolescents who eat with family eat healthier
By IANS,
Washington : Adolescents who ate regularly with family members developed healthier meal patterns and diets, compared to counterparts without regular family meals, says a new study.
Data for the study were drawn from Project EAT, a population-based, longitudinal project designed to examine socioenvironmental, personal, and behavioural determinants of dietary intake and weight status among an ethnically diverse sample of adolescents.
Clinton wins big in West Virginia, but Obama on track to nomination
By Ronald Baygents, KUNA,
Washington : Hillary Clinton gave Barack Obama his worst election loss of the year on Tuesday, beating him by a 2-to-1 ratio in West Virginia.
But with less than three weeks before the U.S. Democratic presidential primary season ends, Obama remained poised to capture the nomination, despite the former first lady vowing to persevere.
"I am more determined than ever to carry on this campaign, until everyone has had a chance to make their voices heard," New York Senator Clinton said at a victory rally in Charleston, West Virginia.
China’s farm census shows massive shift of labour
By Xinhua
Beijing : The number of rural Chinese engaged in agriculture shrank by more than 80 million between 1996 and 2006, according to the figures of a national agriculture census released Thursday.
At the end of 2006, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said, 70.8 percent of working rural people were engaged in some type of agriculture - farming, forestry, livestock breeding, fishing and related services. That was nearly five percentage points down from that of 1996, the NBS said.
The rest were in the secondary and tertiary industries.
Kosovo Albanians seek freedom without further delays
By DPA
Pristina : Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku Friday reiterated the Kosovo Albanians' intention to proclaim independence for the breakaway Serbian province before the end of the year.
"We are not going to accept any further negotiations, delays or postponements of status resolution," Ceku said.
The deadline for the Kosovo Albanian leaders is December 10, which marks the end of the 120-day period given for last-ditch negotiations on Kosovo's status between Belgrade and Pristina.
Indonesia executes three Bali bombers
By DPA,
Jakarta : Indonesia executed early Sunday three Muslim militants convicted for their roles in the 2002 Bali bombing by firing squad, media reports said.
Imam Samudra, Amrozi and Ali Ghufron alias Mukhlas were executed simultaneously by firing squads shortly after midnight Saturday, the television network TvOne said.
The execution took place on Nusakambangan Island where the men were being held, the report said, citing an anonymous source.
The Bali bombings killed 202 people, most of them foreign visitors.
Aguilera likes her fuller figure
By IANS,
Los Angeles: Singer Christina Aguilera prefers having a fuller figure.
Chinese, U.S. presidents hold telephone talks on ties, Iranian, Korean nuclear issues
By Xinhua
Beijing : Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush discussed bilateral relations and the Iranian and Korean Peninsula nuclear issues during a telephone conversation Thursday.
Hu said China-U.S. relations have moved forward in 2007, adding that the two sides have continued deep dialogue and exchanges at a strategic level.
Indian American Bobby Jindal elected governor of Louisiana
By IANS
New York : US Republican Bobby Jindal has won the Louisiana governor's race - making him the first-ever politician of Indian descent to become governor of one of the 50 US states.
Jindal secured 444,550 votes or 53 percent.
His nearest competitors were: Democrat Walter Boasso with 155,154 votes or 18 percent; Independent John Georges had 120,103 votes or 14 percent; Democrat Foster Campbell with 109,375 or 13 percent. Eight candidates divided the rest.
Obama calls on Iran to release three Americans
By DPA,
Washington: US President Barack Obama called on Iran Friday to release three Americans hikers who have been held for a year, saying their continued detention is "unjust".
Saturday marks one year since Iranian authorities arrested Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal, who were hiking in Iraq's Kurdistan region when they allegedly crossed an unmarked border into Iran.
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.
UN receives up to $2 bn for Haiti quake
By DPA,
New York: United Nations agencies involved in assisting Haiti have received donations and pledges worth up to $2 billion, the top UN humanitarian emergency coordinator said.
John Holmes said Friday the total included the flash appeal he launched after the Jan 12 earthquake for $575 million for emergency relief for the Haitians. He said 80 percent of that appeal has been met.
Russia denies bombing Georgia’s civil airport
By Xinhua,
Moscow : Russia has denied reports that its air force bombed the international airport in Georgian capital Tbilisi amid protests across the south Caucasus country against the strikes.
It was a "disinformation campaign" by Georgia to divert the attention of the international community about events in South Ossetia, Interfax news agency quoted a Russian defence ministry spokesman as saying Sunday.
Earlier reports have said the Russian air force had bombed a civilian international airport in Tbilisi as well as a military airstrip in a suburb of the city.
60 penguins die after oil spill on Uruguay coast
By IANS,
Montevideo(Uruguay) : More than 60 penguins have died along the Uruguayan coast after two cargo ships collided in the Rio de la Plata estuary and spilled fuel oil, Spains' EFE news agency reported Monday.
Some 20 of the aquatic flightless birds with heavy layers of oil on their bodies are receiving veterinary care.
The penguins are currently making their yearly migration from southern Argentine waters to the warmer climes along the Brazilian coast.
Zimbabwe ruling, opposition parties sign power-sharing deal
By Xinhua,
Harare : Zimbabwe's ruling party and the opposition formally signed here Monday a power-sharing deal which is aimed at solving the political and economic crisis in the country.
The deal was signed by President Robert Mugabe who headed the ruling ZANU-PF party and opposition leaders in the Zimbabwean capital.
Mugabe and the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai reached the power-sharing deal last Thursday.
Under the deal, the new Zimbabwean cabinet will comprise 31 members, 16 of them drawn from the opposition.
End hatemongering is Bihar’s message to Modi, says NYT
Washington: Bihar's electorate has sent Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a message: "Put an end to hatemongering", said the influential New York Times on...
US troops ‘mistakenly’ kill eight Afghan soldiers
Kabul: At least eight Afghan army soldiers were killed and five wounded after the US Air Force contingent of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission...
Brown, Sarkozy want ‘supertax’ on bankers’ bonuses
By IANS,
London : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy Thursday jointly called for urgent reforms to the global financial market in what was described as a rapprochement following a diplomat spat.
The two leaders, writing jointly in the Wall Street Journal, called for "a new compact between global banks and the society they serve".
"A compact that ensures the benefits of good economic times flow not just to bankers but to the people they serve; that makes sure that the financial sector fosters economic growth."
President Patil visits ‘Republic of India’ in Chile
By Liz Mathew, IANS
Santiago (Chile) : Jamin Andrale, the 11-year-old Spanish girl does not know where India is. But she sings "Jana Gana Mana", India's national anthem, every morning along with her 789 schoolmates. The Escuela Republica De La India, a small school in the outskirts of the Chilean capital, would make any Indian proud.
Obama unveils economic team, backs Bush approach to crisis
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Vowing to "jolt this economy back into shape", US president-elect Barack Obama has said he and the Bush administration are "united" in their efforts to deal with a financial crisis of "historic proportions".
As Obama unveiled his economic team "with the vision and expertise to stabilise our economy, create jobs, and get America back on track", he said there isn't "a minute to waste" when it comes to rebuilding the economy.
FC Barcelona president Rosell to visit China
By IANS,
Madrid : FC Barcelona president Sandro Rosell will lead a club delegation to China in a bid to strengthen "institutional and commercial" links between the club and the country.
Russian NATO envoy rails at military alliance, West over Georgia
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : The West's stance on the situation in Georgia is certain to affect Russia's relations with NATO, Moscow's ambassador to the North Atlantic organization said on Thursday.
Dmitry Rogozin also accused Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili of war crimes and a number of Western media of complicity.
NATO foreign ministers condemn Mumbai attacks
By IANS,
Brussels : Foreign ministers of the 26-member NATO block Wednesday condemned the terror attacks in Mumbai and expressed their determination to combat terrorism in all its forms, EuAsiaNews reported.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the attacks in Mumbai last week and express our sincere sympathy to the victims and their families," the ministers said here in a joint statement after a two-day meeting of the group.
At least 183 people were killed and more than 300 injured Nov 26 when terrorists attacked several places in Mumbai.
Russia, Ukraine to revive An-70 joint project – defense minister
By RIA Novosti
Kiev : Russia will resume a joint project with Ukraine to build An-70 military transport aircraft after an almost 2-year delay in setting up the program, the Ukrainian defense minister said on Friday.
Russia withdrew from the program in May 2006 to build the giant plane, which was launched in 1984, on the grounds that it was outdated.
"Russia has confirmed that it will continue this work, and we will jointly construct the An-70. This was personally disclosed to me by my Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov," Yuriy Yekhanurov said.
Mountain ranges rise faster than believed: study
By IANS,
Washington : Mountains can double their heights within two to four million years - many times faster than the existing tectonic theory surmises, a new study has found.
The rapid uplift implies that the current theory of plate tectonics will have to be modified to include a process of “delamination”, according to Carmala Garizone of the University of Rochester.
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore collaborated in the study.
Taiwan leader welcome, but no flag please: China
By Manish Chand
IANSNew Delhi : China has told India that it has no issues with the coming visit of Taiwanese opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou as long as he does not sport a Taiwanese flag on his car or flaunt any independent Taiwanese insignia or identity.
Zimbabwe presidential run-off set for June 27
By DPA,
Harare/Johannesburg : Zimbabwe's presidential run-off election between President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will take place June 27, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission head George Chiweshe said Friday.
The date was also contained in a government gazette that appeared Friday.
Mugabe, 84, leader since independence in 1980 and accused of gross human rights violations, and former national trade union leader Tsvangirai are due to square off again after neither achieved over 50 percent of the vote needed for outright victory in elections March 29.
Federer declines Kooyong place; doors open for Murray, Roddick
By DPA,
Melbourne: Roger Federer Sunday declined to play the AAMI Classic Australian Open tune-up event, with the late decision opening possible doors for the likes of rivals Andy Murray and Andy Roddick.
The Swiss, who lost to Nikolay Davydenko in the Doha semi-finals, had a place reserved in the eight-man field in Melbourne at the round-robin event considered the prime preparation for the Open from next Monday.
Canadians among foreigners held as ‘combatants’ in Sri Lanka
By IANS,
Toronto : Sri Lanka is holding captive several foreign nationals, including Canadians of Tamil origin, for allegedly fighting alongside Tamil Tigers for an independent homeland, reports here say.
Quoting Sri Lankan authorities, reports say some foreign-based Tamils, allegedly conscripted by the Tamil Tigers, are being held in camps for former rebels.
The Canadian foreign ministry has confirmed that at least four of its nationals are currently being held by the Sri Lankans. It has sought confirmation from Colombo about their exact numbers.
Japan, Australia agree to disagree over whale hunt
By SPA,
Tokyo : The leaders of Japan and Australia agreed on Thursday not to let a dispute over Japan's annual whale hunts hurt bilateral ties, and pledged to strengthen their security and economic partnership, Reuters reported.
The two countries will also work to find a solution to the whaling controversy, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told reporters after meeting Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.
France, Chad for Children Compensation
By Prensa Latina
Paris : While 103 Chadian children are being gradually returned to their families without having an idea that they could have been adopted by French families, the governments of Paris and Djamena are in dispute over the 6.3 million euros compensation.
Two days ago Chad President Idriss Deby granted pardon for the release of six French citizens charged with kidnapping of children and were serving sentences up to eight years in prison here.
Nepali minister resigns after leading land grab
By DPA,
Kathmandu : Nepal's Land Reforms Minister Matrika Yadav resigned Friday amid a growing dispute over a land grab by former Maoist rebels that he led and that threatens the future of the Maoist-led government.
Yadav, who is a Maoist central committee member and ethnic Madhesi from southern Nepal, submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
UN Security Council slams attacks on peacekeepers in Mali
United Nations: The UN Security Council Tuesday condemned the targeted attack on peacekeepers in Mali in which one personnel was killed.
The Senegalese peacekeeper was...
With Tamil Tigers gone, Sri Lanka opens the Ramayana trail for Indians
By Rahul Dass, IANS,
Ella (Sri Lanka) : With a quarter-century of ethnic conflict and terrorism in Sri Lanka left behind, the island nation, known for its sun-kissed beaches and rolling tea gardens, is wooing Indian tourists like never before by developing a Ramayana trail to enable them to visit the Lanka of demon king Ravana.
The Sri Lankan tourism department has identified about 50 sites that are said to be connected to the Ramayana that tells the tale of the Hindu god Rama, whose wife Sita was kidnapped by Ravana and taken to 'sone ki Lanka', or the golden kingdom of Lanka.
Six civilians killed by suspected Tamil rebels in Sri Lanka
By DPA
Colombo : Six civilians were killed and a paramilitary guard was injured in an ambush by suspected Tamil rebels in a remote village in south-eastern Sri Lanka which had been infiltrated by the rebels, military sources said Friday.
The incident took place in Thanamalwila, 290 km southeast of the capital, late Thursday night.
Reports from the area said the death toll could go higher.
The attack took place some 40 km from where rebels set off a claymore mine on a bus Wednesday, killing 27 passengers and injuring 63 others, and later shot dead six farmers.
Somalia in Tense Hostage Negotiation
By Prensa Latina
Nairobi : Abdulrahaman Mohamed Bankah, Somali Information Minister for the Puntlandia region, confirmed Wednesday that negotiations are underway with the kidnappers of two collaborators of Doctors without Frontiers.
Bankah issued radio statements that authorities are in contact with the four remaining kidnappers of Spanish Doctor Mercedes Garcia and Argentine nurse Pilar Bauza.
This information clarified stories of possible dead or injured people in a shootout between police and kidnappers.
Cristiano Ronaldo seeks public help to find missing child
By Xinhua
Lisbon : Manchester United's Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has made a public appeal for information about a missing child, Madeleine McCann, who went missing last week.
Indian American body concerned over Bush plan
By Arun Kumar
IANSWashington : As US president George W. Bush began promoting his plan to legalise some 12 million immigrants, an association of Indian Americans expressed serious reservations against some of its key provisions.
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