South Korean delegation in North Korea for talks
By Xinhua,
Seoul : A South Korean delegation reached North Korea Tuesday morning to participate in talks amid mounting tensions in the Korean Peninsula.
"The delegation has crossed the border," a spokesman of South Korea's Unification Ministry said.
It would be the first time that South Korea and North Korea hold talks since South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office in February 2008.
North Korea had last Thursday offered to hold the talks with South Korea.
WHO to convene experts discussion on experimental Ebola treatment
United Nations: The World Health Organisation said Thursday it will convene a panel of experts in medical ethics next week to explore the use...
EU envoys to visit Georgian rebel region to discuss conflict
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : A delegation of 15 ambassadors of EU states to Georgia will arrive in the country's breakaway region of Abkhazia on Friday to discus means of resuming peace talks, the Abkhaz foreign minister said.
Peace talks broke off when Tbilisi sent troops into Abkhazia's Kodori Gorge in July 2006 and established an alternative Abkhaz administration there. The province is also the focus of a dispute currently raging between Russia and Georgia, amid accusations that Russia shot down a Georgian unmanned spy plane over the region.
Shell to cut 5,000 jobs to enhance efficiency, 3Q production drops
By DPA,
Amsterdam : Royal Dutch Shell reported Thursday a sharp drop in third-quarter earnings and production due to the weak global economy, and said it would cut 5,000 jobs.
The cutbacks are part of the so-called Transition 2009 programme already announced by CEO Peter Voser upon taking up his position July 1.
By cutting the number of divisions from five to three, the company wants to streamline the corporations' structure and make it more efficient.
Holy Quran among top religious books in US
Washington – (IINA) January 17, 2008 – The Holy Quran is among top religious books that the Americans thirst to read and comprehend, head of the Washington-based Islamic Teachings Center said. Hojatul Islam Ahmad Bahraini told IQNA that American Muslims and non-Muslims make efforts to promote mutual understanding of Islam. Pointing to the pivotal role of the Holy Quran in consolidating solidarity among Muslim communities, he noted that the holy book enlightens the communities through do and undo commands.
Pakistan once again misusing UNGA, distorting reality: India
New York/New Delhi : In a strong rebuttal of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's anti-India statement at the UN General Assembly, India on...
Violence against women denounced in Argentina
Buenos Aires : With a call to end all forms of violence against women, nearly 40,000 participants brought Argentina's 29th National Women's Conference to...
Hillary calls herself ‘proud supporter of Barack Obama’
By DPA,
Denver (Colorado) : Hillary Clinton made a triumphant arrival at the Democratic convention as delegates wildly cheered for minutes and waved white "Hillary" signs.
The New York senator Tuesday night appealed for the 18 million people who voted for her in the intra-party presidential race to get solidly behind rival Barack Obama in November's general elections.
"My friends, it is time to take back the country we love," Clinton said, declaring herself a "proud supporter of Barack Obama".
Violence in Zimbabwe continues amid arrests
By DPA,
Johannesburg/Harare : Post-election violence in Zimbabwe continued unabated Sunday as the country headed for a presidential run-off, with more than 50 opposition members arrested in the past days for allegedly burning property at a farm belong to the country's top cop.
Police in Mashonaland Central province confirmed the arrests of 56 members of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) for rioting and destroying property at a farm in Shamva - about 100 km northeast of Harare.
Serbia Warns Of Damages In Ties With S. Korea
By Bernama
Seoul : Serbia warned Friday that South Korea risks damaging ties with the Balkan nation by recognizing Kosovo, which declared independence last month.
"It is a very unfortunate decision," Serbian Ambassador to Seoul Zoran Veljic told Yonhap News Agency by phone, adding that "It is an act that denies Serbia's territorial sovereignty."
He said Serbia-South Korea relations will not "be the same as before."
Army operations will continue: Sri Lankan president
By DPA,
Colombo : Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has declared that "humanitarian operations" by the military to rescue civilians held hostage by Tamil rebels will continue unabated, a state-run newspaper said Thursday.
One killed, 17 injured in US dust storm
By IANS,
Houston : One person was killed and at least 17 others were injured in a series of accidents triggered by a dust storm in the US state of Texas, Xinhua reported.
Obama, Calderon pledge cooperation against drug violence
By DPA,
Mexico City : US President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon pledged Thursday to work together to combat escalating drug violence along the border.
"Both of our efforts have to be coordinated, both of our efforts have to be strengthened," Obama said during his first visit to Mexico since taking office, before he heads to the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago.
German Citizens Protest Against Anti-Islam Congress In Cologne
By AFP,
Cologne, Germany : German police said tens of thousands of Cologne residents took to the streets Saturday in protest at an "anti-Islamisation" conference of European far-right leaders.
Carrying banners saying: "We are Cologne -- Get rid of the Nazis!," protesters gathered outside the city's cathedral to demonstrate against the congress organised by the local far-right group Pro-Koeln (For Cologne).
Pro-Koeln began two days of seminars Friday during which speakers denounced an influx of Muslims to Germany and the construction of one of Europe's largest mosques in the city.
Poll shows Bush’s approval rating hits new low
By Xinhua
Washington :Â The latest Newsweek poll found U.S. President George W. Bush's approval rating has hit a record low, with only 26 percent of the respondents endorsing him.
    Meanwhile, a record high 65 percent disapprove of him, including nearly a third of Republicans, according to poll results released by the Newsweek website on Thursday.
After Kilinochchi, fall of Elephant Pass imminent: Military
By P. Karunakharan, IANS,
Colombo : Hot on the heels of dealing a body blow to the Tamil Tigers by capturing their politico-military power centre of Kilinochchi, the Sri Lankan troops Sunday were engaged in fierce battles with the rebels to capture the next major landmark, the Elephant Pass in the north, military sources here said.
Kilinochchi town is located 350 km north of here. And Elephant Pass, lying about 12 km away from Kilinochchi on the Jaffna-Kandy main highway, is the isthmus to the northern Jaffna peninsula.
Russia tells US envoy to tone down comments
BY IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : The US ambassador to Russia should remain diplomatic in his public comments and not jeopardise his country's ties with Russia, a Russian presidential aide said.
US will give up missile shield plans: Russian speaker
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : The speaker of Russian parliament's upper house has hoped that the US could give up its plans to deploy a missile shield in Poland and Czech Repubic as President Barack Obama has shown least interest in the controversial issue.
Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov told Ekho Moskvy radio Saturday that he has reasons to believe that "ultimately, this thoughtless and very dangerous step will not be made - there will be neither radar nor missiles".
Russia will maintain, not build up n-arsenal: Medvedev
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russia is not planning to build up its strategic potential, but will keep its nuclear weapons, President Dmitry Medvedev said Friday.
"Today we have no need to build up the potential of our strategic deterrence, but possession of nuclear weapons is a key condition for Russia to pursue its independent policies, for safeguarding its sovereignty, for peace efforts and for preventing any military conflict and also settling post-conflict situations," Medvedev said during a meeting at the defence ministry.
YouTube says hi to high-definition
By DPA,
San Francisco: Online video site YouTube is to introduce high definition video capabilities next week in a move that marks another milestone in the transformation of the internet into a full-fledged video viewing platform.
The Google-owned company said Friday that users will be able to upload and view 1080p video rather than the 720p limit that has been available for just over a year.
While the move will make it easier to use high definition home videos, it will also improve YouTube's ability to offer its viewers television shows and movies.
30 killed in Indonesian military plane crash
Jakarta: At least 30 people were killed on Tuesday when a Hercules C-130 military cargo aircraft crashed into a residential area in Medan city...
Tibetans pray for Nepal quake victims
Dharamsala : Thousands of Tibetans assembled on Tuesday in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, to pray for the victims of the earthquake that devastated Nepal last...
Miley Cyrus denies romance rumours with ex
By IANS,
London : Teen star Miley Cyrus has quashed rumours that she has revived her romance with ex-boyfriend Nick Jonas insisting they are just "best friends".
Speculation about the couple, who split in 2007, began to brew earlier this month when Cyrus teamed up with the Jonas Brothers to record a new song. The 16-year-old singer-actress, currently dating model-singer Justin Gaston, was subsequently spotted enjoying a lunch date with her ex, reports contactmusic.com.
Obama challenges Congress: Health care at ‘breaking point’
By DPA,
Washington : President Barack Obama has challenged US lawmakers to end a vicious dispute over health care and approve an overhaul of the system before it is too late.
Looking to regain momentum on his top domestic issue after a tumultuous summer, Obama warned in a major speech to a joint session of Congress late Wednesday that the world's costliest health care system had reached a "breaking point" and must be reformed by the end of the year.
Crude futures fall on weak US earnings outlook
By Xinhua,
New York : Crude futures tumbled Monday as investors worried that weak corporate earnings could drag down energy demand.
US aluminum producer Alcoa said Monday it lost $1.19 billion during its fourth quarter, as prices and demand for the metal plunged in a troubled global market.
The company is cutting 13,500 jobs and making deep production cuts as many other US manufacturers have slashed spending on fuel.
Russia wants presence at Czech missile defence sites
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russia has said it will stop opposing the US-sponsored anti-missile radar system in the Czech Republic if Russian observers are permanently posted at the facilities.
Only this (the permanent deployment of Russian observers) could end Russia's objection to the project, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists Monday.
"A one-off visit would not change anything, but only increase our suspicions," he stressed.
Thai senators criticize government’s performance
By Xinhua,
Bangkok : Thai senators on Monday criticized the government for its "failure" to solve the country's political turmoil and economic plight during an Upper House debate on the four-month-old cabinet's performance.
Some senators also criticized Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama for signing a deal recently to endorse Cambodia's plan to register the ancient Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage Site, which involves long territory disputes between the two countries.
Maoists ready to parley with Terai rebels
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : Alarmed by reports that 14 armed groups, including its former comrades, were holding secret talks in India to begin a united revolt against the state, Nepal's Maoist government has formed a ministerial team to open talks with the rebels who are demanding greater rights for Madhesis, people of Indian origin.
Cambodian PM contracts swine flu
By DPA,
Phnom Penh : Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and five other government officials have contracted the A(H1N1) virus, also known as swine flu, the ministry of health said.
Minister of Health Mam Bunheng said late Tuesday the prime minister has received treatment and is recovering.
Mam Bunheng said the six were likely exposed to the virus at the weekly cabinet meeting last Friday.
Among the other officials infected are Deputy Prime Minister Yim Chhay Ly and two senior ministers.
Gordon Brown is ‘a little tiny dot on world stage’: Mugabe
By DPA
Harare/Johannesburg : Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe had sharp words for Prime Minister Gordon Brown after the British leader issued his second call in as many days for the release of results from Zimbabwe's March 29 elections.
"Brown is the world?" the 84-year-old Zimbabwean leader asked rhetorically following a meeting in Harare with South African President Thabo Mbeki.
"Brown is a little tiny dot in this world," he said scathingly.
US daily has a scoop: “Obama Wins!”
By IANS,
Washington : The US presidential election may be a week away, but the New Mexico Sun News has already declared Democratic nominee Barack Obama the winner!
"Obama Wins!" is the headline of the edition on newsstands now, complete with "special collector's edition" in red bold typeface, CNN reported calling it "either a major scoop or 'Dewey Beats Truman' déjà vu 60 years later."
'Dewey Defeats Truman' was a famously incorrect banner headline on the front page of the first edition of the Chicago Tribune Nov 3, 1948.
Italy’s new government wins confidence vote
By IANS,
Rome: Italy's new government headed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi Tuesday won the confidence vote in the Lower House, hours after the Senate...
Coke to pull out of Mexican schools to promote anti-obesity drive
By IANS/EFE,
Mexico City : Soft-drink major Coca-Cola will pull its products out of nearly 300,000 public schools in Mexico in an effort to comply with the government's call to reduce obesity among children.
"We are committed to joining government efforts to support campaigns for dealing with problems like obesity," Soledad Izquierdo, Coca-Cola de Mexico director of corporate communications, said.
Mexico's education secretariat and health secretariat announced a series of measures in May banning the sale of junk food in public and private elementary schools from August.
Diamonds, a super efficient laser material
By IANS,
Sydney: Diamond is best known for being a prized gem and the hardest cutting element available. Now, thanks to research, it is also proving to be a super efficient laser material.
Richard Mildren, associate professor, and his colleagues at the Macquarie University Photonics Research Centre discovered in late 2008 that it was possible to generate a coherent laser beam from synthetic diamond.
They have now demonstrated diamond lasers with efficiency higher than almost all other materials.
McCain understands the lessons of 9/11: Bush
By DPA,
Washington : US President George W. Bush has called Republican presidential hopeful John McCain the candidate who "understands the lessons" of the terrorist attacks of Sep 11, 2001 in an address by satellite to the Republican Party's nominating convention.
Bush, whose low approval ratings have kept him from playing a larger role in the McCain campaign to date, was originally to appear in person Monday at the St. Paul, Minnesota convention. He cancelled the visit due to Hurricane Gustav's arrival on the Gulf coast.
Jyothirmayee murder suspect detained for eight more weeks
By IANS,
London : The detention of an Indian man held on suspicion of murdering his roommate Samrajyo Jyothirmayee Vempala was extended by another eight weeks Friday at the request of his lawyer.
Nagraj Kumar Nalluri, 24, was produced before the Birmingham magistrate's court but made no request for bail.
At the request of his lawyer, the judge fixed the next date of hearing July 25.
The body of 23-year-old Jyothirmayee, who hailed from Andhra Pradesh, is expected to be taken to India next week by a family friend, Hari Gopal, official sources said.
Climate change may cause massive coral reef destruction: study
By DPA,
Manado (Indonesia) : Coral reefs would disappear from the Coral Triangle by the end of this century unless effective action is taken on climate change, said a study released Wednesday.
The study, commissioned by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), said the destruction of the Coral Triangle would reduce the ability of coastal environments to feed people by 80 percent and result in the livelihoods of around 100 million people being lost or badly affected.
Taiwan’s incoming president says earthquake good opportunity to help China
By SPA,
Tipei, Taiwan : Taiwan's incoming President Ma Ying-jeou says the earthquake that struck China earlier this week provides a good opportunity for the two long time rivals to work together, according to AP.
Ma says Taiwan will contact the mainland through appropriate channels to share the island's experiences in connection with the 7.9 quake that hit Sichuan province Monday.
He made the comments Thursday in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. He will be sworn in as president in five days.
China slaughterhouse fire toll rises to 120
By IANS,
Beijing : The toll in Monday's fire at a slaughterhouse in northeast China's Jilin province has risen to 120, authorities said.
Obama’s aunt may be illegal immigrant: Report
By Xinhua,
Washington : US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama didn't know his aunt might be living illegally in the country, his campaign spokesman has said.
"Senator Obama has no knowledge of her status but obviously believes that any and all appropriate laws (should) be followed," campaign spokesman Bill Burton told reporters Saturday.
US media reported that a court refused to accept four years ago the asylum application of Zeituni Onyango, 56, half-sister of Obama's Kenyan father.
However, Onyango has continued to live in a public housing complex in South Boston.
Obama to lead UN debate on nuclear disarmament
By DPA,
New York : US President Barack Obama is scheduled to preside over a UN Security Council session next month on nuclear disarmament - the first such event by the body that was formed to maintain peace and security around the world, UN officials said Wednesday.
The meeting Sep 24 at UN headquarters in New York would be attended by some, if not all, of the heads of state of the council's 15 members. As the US holds the rotating presidency of the council in September, the US president gets to chair the nuclear debate.
US diplomat sacked over Okinawa ‘extortion’ remarks
By DPA,
Tokyo : The US has dismissed an American diplomat over his reported disparaging remarks about people on the Japanese island of Okinawa, news reports said Thursday.
EU Foreign Ministers meet in Paris to discuss Zimbabwe
By KUNA
Paris : Seven European Union Foreign Ministers, including the Slovenian Presidency, met late Monday in Paris to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe following the elections held there on March 29.
The ministers, from France, Britain, Italy, Holland, Slovakia, Spain and the Slovene rotating presidency of the EU, commended the turnout in the Zimbabwean vote that could end the decades-old monopoly on power of controversial president, Robert Mugabe, who is in his early eighties but reluctant to cede power.
Endeavour astronauts finish final spacewalk
By Xinhua,
Washington : Two US astronauts on space shuttle Endeavour Monday finished the mission's fourth and final spacewalk to work on joints on the solar panels that power the International Space Station (ISS), according to NASA TV.
Mission specialists Steve Bowen and Shane Kimbrough completed the cleaning and lube job on the station's right-side solar array joint and replaced the final bearing of the 12 bearings for the massive gear.
World Bank projects 8.4 percent growth for China in 2012
By IANS,
Singapore : The World Bank Tuesday projected a growth of 9.1 percent for China in 2011, followed by a slower growth of 8.4 percent in 2012.
Kenya in carnival mood in expectation of Obama victory
By Xinhua,
Nairobi : Carnival mood has gripped Kenya as citizens were planning massive parties with the expectation that US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will make history by becoming the first African American president of the world's biggest economy.
The 47-year-old Illinois senator Obama, whose father was a Kenyan, held a seven-point lead over rival Republican John McCain on the final day of the campaign.
Former envoy of Indonesia to Malaysia jailed for corruption
By Xinhua,
Jakarta : Former Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia Roesdihardjo was sentenced to two years in jail here on Wednesday for having collected illegal levies on immigration documents at the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
The sentence was handed down to Roesdihardjo, the former police chief, by a panel of judges at the Corruption Criminal Court.
Presiding judge Moerdiono said Roesihardjo had been proven guilty of committing corruption by Law 20 / 2001 on Eradication of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 point (1) and Article 64of the Criminal Code.
16 killed in Chad suicide bomb attack
N'Djamena : A suicide bomb attack on Saturday killed 16 people and injured 80 here, police said.
A man dressed as a woman wearing...
Distinguished Indian-Americans call on Modi
New York : A group of distinguished members of the Indian-American community called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday and said issues such as...
Chavez returns home after cancer surgery
By IANS,
Caracas : Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on his Twitter account Monday that he has returned home after a two-month cancer treatment in Cuba.
Five killed in China hotel fire
By IANS,
Beijing : At least five people were killed and dozens injured in China when a fire broke out in a hotel Sunday, authorities said.
Blast in China chemical plant kills four
By Xinhua,
Nanning (China) : At least four people were killed and about 44 injured in an explosion at a chemical plant in southwestern China Tuesday morning, officials said.
About 17 people were also missing since the blast inside the plant, owned by Guangxi Guangwei Chemical Co, in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said a source from the regional rescue headquarters.
More than 10,000 residents living within three kilometres of the plant were evacuated fearing more such explosions at the plant, the source said.
Gold trafficking ring busted in Russia
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: Russia's Federal Security Service has shut down an illegal operation that smuggled gold from Siberia to the western mountain region of North Caucasus.
Medvedev says Moscow, Kiev should protect ‘historic ties’
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Moscow and Kiev should take each other's interests into account when drawing up foreign policy, and should work to resolve the issue of Russia's Black Sea fleet, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Sunday.
Worst of economic downturn may be over in US, say economists
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : US economists are generally agreed that America's worst economic downturn since the Great Depression is over, but an average American is unlikely to feel things are significantly better anytime soon.
The Wall Street Journal's survey of top economists, published Wednesday, found that 57 percent believe the recession is already over, while another 23 percent believe that the economy will turn in the next month or two.
Defiant Nepal king staves off ‘calamity’
By IANS
Kathmandu : Nepal's embattled King Gyanendra, who had been impassively watching the new government usurp all his powers, finally took a defiant stand when he refused to be kept away from receiving the blessings of a goddess -- regarded as essential for the protection of the royal family.
Oscar academy gets 1,000 original movie posters
By IANS,
London: More than 1,000 original Hollywood movie posters have been donated to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by a private collector from Chicago, BBC reported.
45 percent Canadians want apology for Air India bombing
By IANS
Toronto : Forty-five percent of Canadians surveyed in a poll want the government to apologise to Air India victims for the 1985 bombing that killed 329 people on Kanishka Flight 182 from Toronto to New Delhi.
In a survey by Angus Reid Strategies, about 30 percent respondents opposed any apology at all. The survey was carried out last month in which 1,085 people were interviewed.
More than half of them blamed the federal police, the airport security and the nation's spy agency for the tragedy. Forty-five percent said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) should be blamed.
Six Dead in Bank Robbery in North-Eastern Brazil
By SPA
Rio de Janeiro : Six people were killed in a bank robbery carried out by an armed gang in north-eastern Brazil on Friday, DPA quoted media reports as saying.
The dead included three police officers, one of the suspected robbers and two passers-by, officials said. The killings took place in the Aracoiaba community.
Sri Lanka’s axing of Norway shows uneasiness with West
By M.R. Narayan Swamy,IANS,
New Delhi : Sri Lanka's move to dump Norway as the peace facilitator marks the end of a tortuous peace process that showed promise at one time, and points to Colombo's uneasiness with the West as it prepares to militarily overwhelm the Tamil Tigers.
Colombo declared Monday that it no longer desired Norway as a facilitator vis-a-vis the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) following an attack by a Tamil mob on the Sri Lankan embassy in Oslo Sunday.
Anti-drug drive leaves 18 dead in Rio
By IANS
Rio de Janeiro : At least 18 people were killed and nine wounded during a massive police drive against drug trafficking in the outskirts of here, the Spanish news agency EFE said.
31 endangered species added to UN protection list
Quito : The 11th Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) has ended in Quito with a decision to include 31...
Hans Beck, inventor of Playmobil, dies at 79
By DPA,
Zirndorf (Germany) : Hans Beck, who invented the Playmobil dolls and matching model cars collected by millions of children, has died at the age of 79, the German manufacturing company which employed him said Monday.
Playmobil men and women, which are 7.5 centimetres tall and have moveable arms and legs, have developed over the years into a complete fantasy world with police stations, trains, boats and castles.
Nationwide campaign to commemorate World Heart Day
By IANS,
New Delhi: To commemorate World Heart Day on Sep 26 and motivate people to take care of their heart and health, a nationwide campaign was launched here Thursday, an official said.
DPRK blockades its nuclear plant against int’l inspectors
By Xinhua,
Vienna : The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) formally informed the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday that their access to facilities at Yongbyon would no longer be permitted, IAEA confirmed in a statement.
The DPRK has also stated it has stopped its disablement work, which was initially agreed upon within the Six-Party Talks, IAEA spokesperson Marc Vidricaire said in the statement.
Want to go north? Ask a cow
By IANS,
London : The cow is considered sacred in India. Now scientists know it is also a dependable, navigational compass.
Scientists watched thousands of Google images of the humble quadruped in India, Britain, Ireland, USA to conclude cows automatically point to the north because they have their own inbuilt compasses aligning with the earth's magnetic field.
Although, in many cases, the images were not clear enough to determine which way the cattle were facing they were aligned on a north/south axis.
Colombian army helicopter lands in minefield, four dead
Bogota : Four of the 15 soldiers on board a Colombian army Black Hawk helicopter were killed in an explosion after it landed in...
New York mayor plays golf with holidaying Obama
By IANS,
New York : New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg paid a visit to Martha's Vineyard, where Barack Obama is on a holiday, and played golf with the US president.
The mayor was invited by Obama to talk about the economy, a White House spokesman told New York Post Friday.
"The president and Mayor Bloomberg took the opportunity to discuss plans for short- and long-term economic growth at a pivotal point in our recovery," said Reid Cherlin.
West Nepal shut down by group seeking Hindu state
By IANS,
Kathmandu : Violence erupted in western Nepal Monday as a Hindu group clamped a shutdown demanding the restoration of a Hindu state ahead of the promulgation of a new constitution in May.
A little-known group calling itself the Vishwa Ekata Parishad set two buses and a motorcycle on fire in Kailali district for venturing out during the general strike that has affected nearly five remote districts.
Three held for anti-Putin protest
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: Three political activists were detained on Moscow's Red Square for attempting to hold an unauthorised protest against President Vladimir Putin, police said.
Russian tycoon Usmanov ranked 5th on Britain’s rich list – paper
By RIA Novosti,
London : Russian tycoon Alisher Usmanov has been ranked as the 5th wealthiest person in Britain according to The Sunday Times Rich List published on Sunday.
Usmanov, a Kremlin-friendly tycoon with interests in mining, steel, media and banking; was placed on the list of the richest 1,000 people in Britain after becoming the largest shareholder in Arsenal football club. Usmanov's worth is estimated at 5.7 billion British pounds ($11 billion), the paper said.
Nepal peace pact slides towards new abyss
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS
Kathmandu : Nepal's fragile peace process is sliding towards a new abyss with confrontation between the ruling parties and the Maoists looming large and still no indication that the long festival break has forged a reconciliation.
"As of now, chances of a compromise are not bright," senior Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai told IANS Wednesday, four days before a critical debate on his party's key demands resumes in parliament.
"Efforts are still on to reach an understanding. But if they fail, the peace process will be in grave jeopardy."
Climate change to precipitate Antarctic ice sheet collapse
By IANS,
Toronto : Rising carbon dioxide levels will precipitate the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet by the year 3000, causing sea levels to rise by four metres.
Putin may take the reins of Russia’s ruling party
By DPA,
Moscow : Russia's ruling party said Monday it would create a new supra-leader post to offer outgoing President Vladimir Putin when he makes an appearance at its congress Tuesday.
"To this end we will make amendments to party charter ... It's not a simple technical question, but an important political question," news agency Interfax quoted United Russia chief Boris Gryzlov as saying.
Multi-religious, cross-cultural historical museum for Sri Lanka in Kataragama
By NNN-Govt Portal,
Colombo : Island's first museum depicting beliefs and cultural strains of all religious faiths represented in Sri Lanka will be ceremoniously opened tomorrow by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kataragama.
The Museum is housed in the Kataragama Devalaya premises and built at a cost of Rs 65million with financial assistance from the Netherlands.
Nazi bomb under Britain’s Olympic stadium?
By IANS,
London : There may be an unexploded Nazi bomb under the Olympic stadium in Britain, a media report said Sunday.
OECD forecasts protracted economic slowdown in US, Europe
By DPA,
Paris : The United States and the nations of the euro zone have entered an economic recession that will be long and could be severe, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said in a preliminary forecast released here Thursday.
"Economic activity is expected to fall by 0.9 percent in the US next year, by 0.5 percent in the euro area and by 0.1 percent in Japan as OECD countries enter a protracted slowdown," the OECD said.
U.S. Supreme Court allows foreign prisoners in Guantanamo to appeal
By Xinhua,
Washington : U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that foreign terrorism prisoners held in U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo, Cuba, can challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts.
In response, the White House said that President George W. Bush, who is currently in his visit to Europe, has expressed strong disagreement with the Supreme Court ruling for not keeping American people safe, but he said he would abide by the decision.
Game almost over for Prabhakaran, says Rajapaksa
By IANS,
New Delhi/Colombo : Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa Monday said the game was almost over for Tamil Tigers chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and all efforts were being made to catch him alive. He also said if caught, the Tamil Tigers boss would face trial in his country.
Speaking to the CNN IBN television channel, the Sri Lankan president also said his government has not announced any ceasefire in the military operation against the LTTE. "We haven't announced any ceasefire," he said.
Community forestry helps re-green the Himalayas
By T.V. Padma, IANS
Kathmandu : The shaded path, the buzz of insects and the distant calls of birds signal the beginning of a small forest in Nepal's middle Himalayas.
But this is no ordinary forest. It is one of many "community forests" in the region that have been entirely rejuvenated from denuded mountain land by local communities that now manage them, reports science portal Scidev.net.
Moscow urges Belgrade, Pristina to continue Kosovo talks
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : Moscow has called on Belgrade and Pristina to continue negotiations on the status of Kosovo, and hopes that a compromise is still possible, Russia's UN envoy said on Friday.
The Contact Group's troika of mediators - Russia, the United States and the European Union - submitted to the UN Security Council and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon a report on December 10 saying that the parties had failed to reach an agreement after "120 days of intensive negotiations."
Experience helps Cruise do his own stunts
By IANS,
London: Actor Tom Cruise says with years of experience behind him, he can confidently do the action stunts himself.
Darfur Air Raids Prevent Aid
By Prensa Latina
United Nations : Air raids on the volatile province of Darfur, Sudan forced the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to halt assistance to people fleeing toward neighboring Chad.
UNHCR had a team in Birak, on the common border with Chad, but the bombings of several villages in western Darfur Monday night and Tuesday morning forced the team to move to safer zones.
Georgia calls for ceasefire in South Ossetia
By Xinhua,
Moscow : Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili called for a ceasefire in the breakaway province of South Ossetia, reports reaching here from Tbilisi said Saturday.
Georgia launched a large-scale offensive to seize control over the province early Friday using tanks, combat aircraft, heavy artillery and infantry.
Local authorities say numerous civilians were killed, and the Russian Defence Ministry says at least 15 Russian peacekeepers lost their lives in the onslaught.
China’s private sector work force now 200 million
By Xinhua
Beijing : Nearly 200 million Chinese, out of a total population of 1.3 billion, are working in private business enterprises, said a report issued by the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce here Friday.
China registered about 5.39 million private companies by September last year, 8.2 percent more than at the end of 2006, the report said. They have contributed to 60 percent of the country's GDP.
Sri Lankan Tamil separatists hail Kosovo’s independence declaration
By IRNA
New Delhi : Separatist Sri Lankan Tamils have hailed the emergence of an independent Kosovo with Western support, saying it augurs well for the liberation of "oppressed" minorities like the Tamils of northeast Sri Lanka.
Canadian currency makes record gains against dollar
By IANS,
Toronto : The Canadian dollar reached its highest level against the greenback in four months Wednesday, touching 83.24 cents US as markets continued their rally.
The energy-rich Canadian markets have gained about 20 percent since the second week of March as oil prices have made a marginal recovery. The Canadian dollar - or the loonie as it is known - made its strongest showing against the US dollar since January 12 as the Toronto Stock Exchange composite index rose marginally on strong financial shares Wednesday.
Man kills six in central Tokyo stabbing spree
By RIA Novosti,
Tokyo : At least six people were killed and 12 injured in central Tokyo on Sunday when a man drove a truck into a crowd before stabbing several passersby, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported.
The agency said the assailant, Tomohiro Kato, 25, from the Shizuoka Prefecture, was arrested and has admitted to the attack.
The agency quoted Kato as telling investigators: "I came to Akihabara to kill people. I am tired of the world. Anyone would do. I came alone."
Australian PM to bless former FM for UN job
By Xinhua,
Canberra : Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Thursday he would not stand in the way of former foreign minister Alexander Downer for a job with the United Nations.
Reports said earlier in the day that Downer has been approached about a job with the UN helping to revive the stalled peace process in Cyprus, aimed at reunifying the island.
Rudd said he had given the government's blessing to a UN role for Downer.
Russia completes lab module for ISS
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: Russia's Khrunichev space company has completed assembly of the Nauka ("Science") multirole laboratory module (MLM) for the International Space Station.
Vice President urges local gov’ts to “offer whatever” to help quake victims
By Xinhua,
Xi'an : Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping has urged local officials to help solve living difficulties for people who have suffered from a major earthquake.
Xi made the call during his inspection to northwestern Shaanxi Province, in which some counties were seriously affected by the deadly quake in neighboring Sichuan Province on May 12.
Prachanda’s leadership questioned by Nepal Maoists
By IANS,
Kathmandu : Ahead of a critical meeting of the formerly guerrilla Maoist party starting Thursday, which is expected to have a strong impact on the ongoing peace process and the drafting of a new constitution by 2010, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda's leadership is being challenged by the hawks in the party.
On Thursday, the national convention of the top leaders of the party will kick off in the capital, the first in over a decade.
‘300 arrested in Tibet in 2009; still in detention’
By IANS,
Dharamsala: Around 300 people, "arbitrarily" arrested in Tibet last year, are still under detention, the Tibetan government-in-exile said here in its report Friday.
"In 2009, some 300 Tibetans were arbitrarily arrested and they are still under detention. Eleven Tibetans were sentenced to life imprisonment," said Ugen Tenzin, executive director of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, in this north Indian hill station.
No takers in Nepal for slain king’s memorabilia
By IANS,
Kathmandu : Slain music icon John Lennon's possessions continue to fetch astronomical prices at auctions more than 25 years after his death.
So do the effects of Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe and Britain's Princess Diana, whose tragic death in a car crash was mourned worldwide.
However, there are no takers for the memorabilia of Nepal's assassinated king Birendra, who was considered the most pragmatic member of the 239-year-old royal dynasty of the Himalayan nation.
India, US sign nuclear reprocessing deal
By IANS,
Washington: India and the United States have signed an agreement on the nuclear fuel reprocessing arrangements under the India-US civil nuclear deal completing another key step in implementing the landmark accord.
The agreement signed by Indian ambassador to the US Meera Shankar and the US Secretary of State at the State Department Friday will enable reprocessing by India of US-obligated nuclear material at a new national reprocessing facility.
American boy indicted for hate crime against Sikh student
By Parveen Chopra
New York, Sep 27 (IANS) A grand jury has filed an indictment against Umair Ahmed, a 17-year old schoolboy, for forcibly cutting a 15-year-old Sikh boy's hair in a school in Queens borough of New York.
Ahmed faces nine charges, including coercion.
Michael Brovner, assistant district attorney of Queens, Monday said: "The indictment was filed today of all the original five charges and four additional charges as hate crimes. The defendant will be arraigned within the next few weeks."
Bodies of eight Chinese officers found in Haiti
By IANS,
Beijing : The bodies of eight Chinese police officers buried under the UN building that collapsed in the devastating earthquake in Haiti were found Sunday, authorities said here.
The ministry of public security said that the first body was found Jan 16 after more than 80 hours of search and rescue work, Xinhua reported.
Of the victims, four were officers of China's peacekeeping force in Haiti and the rest were in a team sent to Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, for peacekeeping consultations, according to the ministry.
Alcohol kills 2.5 million people worldwide: WHO
By IANS/WAM,
Geneva : Harmful use of alcohol kills 2.5 million people annually and is the eighth leading factor for deaths globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.
Of the 2.5 million people, 320,000 people are between 15 and 29 years of age, it said.
For the first time, representatives from 193 member states of the WHO have reached a consensus at the World Health Assembly May 17-21 on a resolution to confront the harmful use of alcohol.
The resolution urges countries to support initiatives to tackle the problem.
China’s first human rights action plan next year
By Xinhua,
Beijing : China will release its first action plan on human rights early next year, a senior official said here Tuesday.
"The document has concrete measures, including efforts in poverty reduction, protection of women and children's rights, and (promoting) economic and social equality," Wang Chen, minister in charge of the State Council (cabinet) Information Office, told reporters.
MH17 crash: Investigations to continue till 2016
Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Najib Razak on Saturday said that the investigations into the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine last...
US House passes defence bill, kills F-22
By DPA,
Washington : The US House of Representatives passed a $636-billion defence bill Thursday after removing money to continue production of the F-22, meeting a key demand by President Barack Obama.
The bill, for fiscal 2010 and including $128 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, passed by a 400-30 vote. Lawmakers voted 269-165 to slash $369 million designated as down payments for the F-22 Raptor.
Singapore, Australia conduct joint naval exercise
By Xinhua,
Singapore : Singapore and Australia are conducting a joint naval exercise in the South China Sea Sep 18-25, officials said.
Navies of the two countries will conduct a range of exercise such as surveillance, air defence and anti-submarine warfare, Singapore's defence ministry said.
Singapore Navy's frigate RSS Intrepid, missile corvette RSS Valour, and submarine RSS Conqueror will participate in the eight-day exercise called 'Singaroo'.
The Australian Navy will send its guided missile frigate HMAS Arunta and patrol boat HMAS Bathurst.
Japan launches satellite to gather disaster data
By IANS,
Tokyo : Japan Monday launched a satellite to gather intelligence and data on natural disasters, authorities said.
Climate change will also worsen respiratory diseases
By IANS,
Washington : Global climate change magnifies the effects of pollution and will worsen the incidence of asthma, allergies, infections and cardiovascular diseases worldwide, says a study.
Indonesian parliament to pass military tribunal law
By Xinhua,
Jakarta : The Indonesian House of Representatives is poised to pass an amended law on military tribunals that would allow civilian courts to try soldiers involved in non-military offenses, local press said Wednesday.
The planned passage of the much-awaited law has been lauded by experts and human rights activists who say the bill is essential in curbing impunity and ensuring transparency within the Indonesian Military (TNI).
15 dead in Peru accident
By DPA,
Lima : An overloaded bus drove off a mountain road and plunged 500 metres into a ravine, killing at least 15 people in southern Peru, a media report said Monday.
The newspaper El Comercio reported that the bus was licensed for 48 passengers but was carrying nearly 70 at the time of the accident Sunday in the Cusco region in the Peruvian Andes.
The steep mountainside was complicating the recovery of bodies from the wreckage, and death toll could still rise, authorities said.
Terror threat: British airports put on alert
London : Britain's airports were put on alert Thursday amid fears that Islamist groups are working on an undetectable "stealth bomb" which could be...
More debate on constitutional change expected: Bryce
By Xinhua,
Canberra : Australian governor-general designate Quentin Bryce said Monday she expects the Commonwealth member-nation to hold comprehensive discussions on whether to declare itself a republic.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who was elected last year, had restated his policy of declaring the country a republic when he met Queen Elizabeth II last year in London.
Bryce, who is currently governor of Queensland, will succeed Major General Michael Jeffery in September as the Queen's representative in Australia.
Russia launches two European satellites
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : A carrier rocket with two European satellites has been successfully launched from the Plesetsk space centre in northwest Russia, a spokesman for the Russian Space Forces said Monday.
"A Rokot carrier rocket with the SMOS spacecraft and the Proba-2 mini-satellite, developed under European Space Agency's initiative, has been successfully launched," Aleksei Zolotukhin said, adding the launch took place at 4.50 a.m.
Russian parliament backs independence for Georgia’s rebel regions
By DPA,
Moscow : Russian lawmakers Monday unanimously passed a resolution backing the independence of Georgia's rebel regions, a move sure to deepen a rift with the West over Moscow's military actions in the former Soviet state.
In an emergency session, the two houses of parliament unanimously voted in a motion urging President Dmitry Medvedev to recognize the provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent.
The rush toward recognition of the ethnically separate regions follows the brief but bloody war between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia earlier this month.
Spectator killed, four injured in Dakar Rally
By DPA,
Buenos Aires : One woman died and two other spectators were seriously injured when German driver Mirco Schultis lost control and drove into a crowd along the first stage of the Dakar Rally in Argentina.
The dead spectator was Sonia Gallardo, 28, doctor Norberto Brusa said in front of television cameras at a hospital in Cordoba. Her heart stopped twice during a helicopter flight from the accident scene, and she died of head and other injuries here Saturday.
Russian, Moldovan leaders to discuss trade, Transdnestr
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss bilateral trade and a settlement to the Transdnestr issue.
"One of the priority issues will be discussing the dynamic development in trade and economic cooperation," a Kremlin source said.
Air Canada to provide in-flight internet service
By IANS,
Toronto : Air Canada may soon follow American Airlines in providing in-flight internet service for its passengers.
WestJet, Canada's biggest private airline, is also likely to follow suit.
American Airlines, which is the world's largest airline, offers in-flight internet service on its long-haul flights - New York to Los Angeles, New York to San Francisco and New York to Miami - within the country.
The service, which was introduced Aug 20, costs a passenger about $13 for the duration of the flight.
DPRK technically ready for delivery of U.S. food aid
By Xinhua,
Pyongyang : The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is ready to provide all technical conditions necessary for the delivery of U.S. food aid, the official news agency KCNA said Saturday.
The United States announced Friday that it will send 500,000 tons of food to the DPRK, beginning in June.
Of the food aid, 100,000 tons are to be offered through NGOs in the United States and the remaining 400,000 tons through the World Food Program, said the KCNA.
Obama meets Brown, Blair
By DPA,
London : US presidential contender Barack Obama held talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Middle East Quartet envoy Tony Blair here Saturday.
On the final leg of a trip aimed at enhancing his foreign affairs image, Obama also met British opposition Conservative Party leader David Cameron.
In contrast to his Berlin visit, which saw lengthy foreign policy address to a crowd of some 200,000 at the city centre, the London visit was a low key affair.
Straight or gay? Your genes hold the key
By IANS
Toronto : Is sexual orientation something people are born with or a matter of choice? In findings that are bound to re-ignite the debate, a new study weighs in on the side of genetics.
Researchers at McMaster University and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre here have found new evidence that shows that your genes are what make you straight or gay.
Led by neuroscientist Sandra Witelson, the study scanned the brains of healthy, right-handed homosexual and heterosexual men using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Japan approves law to freeze transactions by terror groups
Tokyo : The Japanese parliament Wednesday passed a law to freeze financial and real estate transactions by individuals and organisations involved in international terrorist...
Mugabe: talks with opposition can start only after run-off outcome accepted
By Xinhua,
Harare : Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Friday said the ZANU-PF headed by him will engage in talks with the opposition Movement for Democratic Changes (MDC) only after the opposition and its western allies accept the outcome of the June 27 presidential run-off.
Addressing thousands of party supporters who thronged the Harare International Airport to welcome him on his arrivals from the just ended African Union Summit in Egypt, Mugabe said another condition for the talks was the removal of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe.
16 killed in El Salvador fire
By DPA,
San Salvador : At least 16 minors died and a further 24 were injured in a fire at a youth detention centre in the Salvadoran town of Ilobasco, El Salvador's police said Wednesday.
Obama for streamlining H2B visa process
By NNN-PTI,
Washington : Driving home the point that he is for creating jobs in the US, Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama has favoured streamlining the process for the high-skilled H2B visas for Indians and other foreigners to make sure that employers were not "gaming" the system.
UK urged to ban all cluster bombs
By IRNA,
London : Some of the most senior British former generals and NATO commanders are urging the government to agree to a total ban on cluster bombs, describing them as "inaccurate and unreliable".
Their call comes as negotiations began in Dublin on Monday for an international treaty outlawing cluster munitions, which scatter large numbers of bomblets over a wide area, including many that fail to explode and lead to many civilians being later killed and maimed.
Two killed in US tornado
By IANS,
Washington : A tornado hit southern US state of Mississippi, killing at least two and damaging around 20 houses, authorities said.
The tornado razed across three counties in mid-eastern Mississippi Saturday.
Yazoo City Mayor McArthur Straughter said at least two were killed in the "devastating" fury in which 15 to 20 buildings sustained extensive damage, Xinhua reported.
The tornado was reported to be over a kilometer wide, striking Valley Park, Yazoo City and Durantand.
Shanghai residents most benevolent in China
By IANS,
Beijing : Residents of Shanghai are the most benevolent among Chinese citizens in terms of donating to charity.
A survey by MasterCard International has said 60 percent of Shanghai residents plan to donate to charity over the next six months, the highest across the country, China Daily reported.
In terms of generosity, Shanghai is followed by Beijing, where 45 percent of respondents plan to donate to charity. Guangzhou's rate was 43 percent and next was Wuhan with 36 percent.
2010, International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures
By IRNA,
Tehran : Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova has launched the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures with the establishment of the High Panel on Peace and Dialogue among Cultures.
“This year marks the beginning of an intellectual journey throughout which we will reflect on ways to trace new perspectives for peace in the 21st Century,” declared the director-general.
Aging a risk factor for heart failure: study
New York, Nov 5 (IANS) As we grow old our heart not only becomes weak but also loses pumping capacity, according to a new study that defines precisely why age is a risk factor for heart failure.
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine studied a large group of people in the age group 45 to 84 from different ethnic backgrounds and with no existing symptoms of heart disease.
They analysed more than a half-dozen measurements of heart structure and pumping function to assess minute changes in the hearts of the participants, reported science portal EurekAlert.
Andhra techie Arpana was strangulated to death: US police
By Lalit K. Jha, IANS,
New York : Arpana Jinaga, a software professional from Hyderabad who was working with a major IT company in Seattle, was strangulated to death in her apartment in the wee hours of Saturday, an autopsy report has revealed.
James Sosik, investigator at the King County Medical Examination Office who conducted the autopsy, told IANS that Arpana was strangulated to death in her apartment at about 3.30 a.m. Saturday.
South Africa braces for BRICS summit
By IANS,
Johannesburg : As part of preparations to host the BRICS summit next month, South African has launched a road show to educate its citizens about the importance of the meet.
US, Bangladesh to hold security talks
By IANS,
Dhaka: The US and Bangladesh will hold a dialogue April 19 here on security challenges facing the two countries and the region at large, Xinhua reported.
Militants demand $1.5 mn for release of Russian sailors
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Nigerian militants are demanding a $1.5 million ransom for the release of two Russian sailors abducted from a ship at a Cameroon port last month, a media report said Wednesday.
The North Spirit vessel with a Russian-Ukrainian crew and owned by Greece's Balthellas Chartering S.A., was attacked May 16 while anchored in Cameroon's largest port of Douala, the Jour newspaper reported.
"The hostages will not be released until the ship owners pay $1.5 million," the newspaper said, citing a local militant called Perewei.
Around 200 rescued from Mount Everest
Kathmandu : Around 200 people have been rescued from the Mount Everest, Nepal's tourism ministry said on Tuesday and added that 19 people are...
Spielberg quits Olympic role in Darfur protest
By DPA
Los Angeles : Renowned film director Steven Spielberg resigned as artistic director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics in protest against China's support for the Sudan government and its actions in Darfur.
Spielberg was joined by actress Mia Farrow and others in a "Global Day of Action" Tuesday that included an open letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Chinese Mission to the UN, condemning Beijing's support of the Sudanese government.
Changes in walking speed could signal dementia
By IANS,
Washington : Changes in walking speed in late life could indicate early stages of dementia known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), says a new study.
Two killed in Italy quake
By Xinhua,
Rome : Two people were killed Monday in a strong earthquake in central Italy, television station TG24 reported.
The earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 rocked central Italy early Monday and caused the collapse of some buildings in the town of Aquila, where the epicentre was located, some 95 km northeast of Rome, the ANSA news agency reported.
Quoting Aguila's public safety officials, Italy's state television said the quake measured 5.8 on the Richter scale.
Indian-origin hair doc jailed for lewd acts on clients
By IANS,
London : An Indian-origin hair specialist accused of groping women while giving them head massages has been jailed for three years in Britain.
The Reading crown court also banned Praminder Mankoo for life from giving treatment without a witness present. He will also have to sign on to the Sex Offenders' List indefinitely.
Mankoo had been charged with lewd acts with his clients on Sep 14.
Mankoo ran a successful clinic in Thame, Oxfordshire. The instances of his lewd acts occurred between 2003 and 2007, but three of his victims came forward only recently to nail him.
Sri Lanka Destroys Tamil Rebel Base
By Prensa Latina
Colombo : Warplanes bombed a command base of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the northern Sri Lankan city of Kilinochchi, said sources from the Ministry of Defense.
The air raid was staged shortly after the government ended the cease-fire agreed with the LTTE on February 23, 2002, frequently violated by both parties for the last five years.
According to the Defense ministry report, the Sri Lankan air force jets attacked a meeting of Tamil rebel leaders near the city of Killinochchi.
Bangladesh, China ink deal for better cultural ties
Dhaka: In a move towards strengthening bilateral cultural ties, Bangladesh and China signed a "Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP)" Wednesday.
Ranjit Kumar Biswas, secretary of Bangladesh's...
Smartphones could play key role in US elections
By IANS,
Washington : Smartphones may play a significant role in future US elections by enabling online voting, new research claims.