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Egypt’s Mubarak, African leaders invited to G8 summit

By DPA

Berlin : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as well as top African leaders have been invited to attend next month's summit of the Group of Eight leading industrial nations in Germany, a government spokesman said Monday.

Where brown bears roam – Kodiak Island is ideal for wildlife fans

By DPA Kodiak (Alaska) : Alaska is considered one of the prime destinations for people who like to get far away from the madding crowd and who long to spend their days in unadulterated natural surroundings. Fishing, hiking and wildlife observation are very popular thereabouts and Kodiak Island, the 9,000-sq-km land mass across the Shelikof Strait to the south of Alaska, is one of the best places to pursue all of these activities. It is home to countless grizzly bears, eagles and fascinating marine life, including whales.

Huntington-Whiteley wanted to be fashion designer

By IANS, London: Actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley reveals that she always wanted to be a fashion designer but got carried away by modelling world.

Canadian markets at five-year low

By IANS, Toronto : Canadian markets plunged to their lowest level in five years Monday with financial and energy sectors diving sharply on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) on the first day of the week. The third biggest stock exchange in North America saw the TSX composite index retreat by 302.32 points to close at 7,647.67. This is the lowest point to which the market has sunk since October 2003. Monday's plunge also took the index almost half-way to its historic high of 15,000 points recorded last June.

Obama’s inauguration brings booming business to US capital

By Johannes Jolmes, DPA, Washington : Ticket scalpers, hotels, airlines, bus services and some Washington residents are quickly cashing in on the unprecedented interest in Barack Obama's inauguration on Jan 20, 2009. An overwhelming demand for tickets to the swearing-in ceremony of the 44th president of the United States - even 70 days before the event - has proved to be a boon for scalpers, with some trying to sell them for $20,000 and up on the internet.

China for ‘constructive role’ in Iranian nuclear talks

By Xinhua, Sanya (China) : China has expressed its willingness to play a "constructive role" in the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear crisis. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said his country respects Iran's nuclear programme meant for peaceful purposes and is willing to play a mediator's role in the talks to resolve the standoff.

Markets close in red on US bailout plan concerns

By IANS, Mumbai : Indian equities markets closed in the red Tuesday on concerns that the US bailout plan may not help the Indian economy. Trading was lacklustre and there was no strong selling pressure, analysts said. The 30-share benchmark sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) finished at 13,570.31, down 424.65 points or 3.03 percent from its previous close Monday at 13,994.96. The Sensex erased early losses on short covering, especially in Reliance Industries but then could not sustain the rally and went into the red by close.

Courtroom trial tells on India-Myanmar relations

By Syed Ali Mujtaba The trial of the infamous 1998 ‘Operation Leech’ in Kolkata court is turning out to be a public relations disaster for New Delhi. This is crucially at a time when several big business deals with Myanmar's military junta hang in the balance. ‘Operation Leech’ refers to Indian intelligence sting operation capturing 34 Myanmar nationals in Andaman’s Landfall Island on February 8, 1998. The Army’s version says they captured an "international gang of gun smugglers" waging a war against the nation.

Indian-origin techie sues British firm for race bias

By IANS, London : An Indian origin software professional, Vinod Rajdev, is suing his former British employer, Civica, for allowing his former colleagues to taunt him as a "terrorist" and an Al Qaeda "mastermind". Rajdev's 50,000 pound ($78,400) suit claims that the employees routinely called him a "Paki" and even framed on his desk mock-up photos showing him sitting next to Osama bin Laden in a cave with an AK-47 rifle beside him. The 58-year-old alleges he was nicknamed "Shahbaz" after gay Pakistani contestant Shahbaz Chauhdry on Channel 4 reality show "Big Brother 7".

Sikh gurdwara in US embroiled in controversy

By IANS

New York : A Sikh religious flag displayed at a soon-to-be-opened gurdwara in California is at the centre of a controversy, with some residents saying the American flag should also be put up there.

Modi arrives in UAE, received by Abu Dhabi crown prince

Abu Dhabi : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived in the UAE, in the first prime ministerial visit after three decades....

Nine killed in highway accident in China

By Xinhua Changsha (China) : Nine people were killed and 52 injured in a pile-up involving four vehicles on a highway in central China's Hunan province in the early hours of Monday, the police said. The accident occurred at 3:28 a.m. Monday on a section of highway in Hengyang county. According to the police, a passenger van, heading from southern Guangdong to Loudi in Hunan, bumped into a heavy transport vehicle running ahead of it. Two other vehicles following the van crashed into the truck.

Thai Court orders anti-gov’t demonstrators to open roads

By Xinhua, Bangkok : Thailand's Civil Court in Bangkok Monday ordered the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), an anti-government civil group which has launched protests around the Government House for several days, to open Rama V and Phitsanulok roads for public and traffic. The court also prohibited the PAD from using speakers during weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. because it caused troubles for students and teachers at schools near the rally site, local news network The Nation reported.

Leicester-Mumbai video conference to promote business link

By IANS, London : In an attempt to facilitate investment from India to Britain's Midlands region, a video conference will be held June 20 between business heads in Mumbai and investment facilitators in Leicester. Law firm Nelsons and global banking institution HSBC will play host to the session on trade and investment, the Leicester Mercury reported.

Jammu and Kashmir gets ready for cross LoC trade

By IANS, Jammu : It's ready, steady and go for business between the two parts of Jammu and Kashmir divided between India and Pakistan on the cross-LoC Poonch-Rawlakote route. From Oct 28, trucks would start rolling between Poonch and Rawlakote - a week after it would begin on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route. The move comes after an announcement from New York, following a meeting between Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, that business across the Line of Control would begin on the two routes from Oct 21.

53-day fast wins Iranian asylum in New Zealand

By DPA, Wellington : An Iranian man who went on a hunger strike for 53 days in a New Zealand prison to highlight his request for asylum was given permission Monday to stay in the country after his third appeal, news reports said. Ali Reza Panah, who claimed he would be executed for converting from Islam to Christianity if sent back to Iran, was held in jail for 20 months for refusing to sign the travel papers he needed before he could be deported.

U.S. says not to remove DPRK from terror list until verification

By Xinhua, Washington : The United States said Monday it will not remove the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)from the list of state sponsors of terrorism until the DPRK agrees to a way to verify its nuclear weapons program. ;The United States will not do so until the DPRK agrees to a "strong verification regime," State Department official Robert Wood said.

Global economic downturn putting migrants at risk: Ban

By IANS, United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stressed that migrants were highly vulnerable to the global economic crisis. "The world's more than 200 million migrants are especially vulnerable to the financial downturn shaking the global economy," Ban said on the occasion of the International Migrants day.

Sri Lanka slams German comments at slain editor’s funeral

By DPA, Colombo : The Sri Lankan government sharply criticised German Ambassador Jurgen Weerth for his comments at the funeral of a slain newspaper editor, a foreign ministry official said Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona Tuesday summoned Weerth to express the government's "displeasure", the official said on condition of anonymity.

Wall Street falls on swine flu, banking fears

By DPA, New York : Major US stock indices fell for a second straight day Tuesday as concerns over the economic impact of a growing swine-flu outbreak and the state of US banks overshadowed a massive jump in consumer confidence. There were 64 confirmed cases of swine flu in five US states, and alerts have been raised across the globe. In Mexico, where the outbreak originated, more than 150 people have died of an influenza-type illness. Delta Air Lines Inc led a drop in travel shares on Wall Street.

49 Tamil Tigers killed in Sri Lanka

By IANS, Colombo: At least 49 Tamil rebels, including 14 Sea Tigers, were killed in two clashes with Sri Lankan forces, the defence ministry said Saturday. Two Sea Tiger boats, including an explosive-laden boat, were destroyed when the Sri Lankan Navy thwarted a "desperate attempt by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam)" to attack the well fortified naval cordon in the seas off Vellemullivaikkal around 3 a.m. Saturday. Fourteen guerrillas on board were killed.

Six million pounds for Indo-British science collaboration

By IANS, London : India and Britain Tuesday announced six million pounds of funding for large-scale science and technology collaboration between their universities and institutions. The three collaborations will be funded jointly by Research Councils UK (RCUK), a government-funded body, and the Indian Department of Science of Technology. A three-year grant for three million pounds has been made to Aston University and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, aiming to deliver “sustainable decentralised bioenergy” for both the developed and developing world.

Modi arrives in Washington for summit meeting with Obama

Washington: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington Monday evening for his summit meeting with US President Barack Obama. US Deputy Secretary of State...

BP’s top-kill operation temporarily stops oil leak

By DPA, Washington : Oil giant BP's top-kill operation was proceeding as expected Thursday and may have already succeeded in temporarily plugging the leak at a ruptured oil well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. US Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that BP had managed to stop the leak. Engineers had forced enough heavy mud into the damaged well head to reduce the upward pressure and prevent oil and gas from gushing out.

Merkel spokesman reiterates commitment to clamp down on juvenile crime

By IRNA Berlin : A spokesperson for German Chancellor Angela Merkel reaffirmed her commitment to step up efforts to fight juvenile crime amid the latest wave of youth crimes. Addressing a press briefing in Berlin on Monday, chief government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm urged a "broad approach" to combat youth violence. The strategy must include better prevention, integration and educational programs, he added, warning against "hasty decisions." A focus should also be placed on juvenile crime laws, Wilhelm said.

Thai premier flies to Myanmar on persuasion mission

By DPA, Bangkok : Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej flew to cyclone-devastated Myanmar Wednesday on a mission to persuade the ruling junta to grant visas to relief experts trying to enter the country, officials confirmed. The prime minister left Don Muaeng Military Airport aboard an Air Force plane loaded with 100 satellite phone sets and related equipment as well as medicine to hand over to Myanmar's generals in Naypyitaw, the country's new capital.

Obama’s team faces disorganised Guantanamo case files: Report

By DPA, Washington : President Barack Obama's orders to close the Guantanamo Bay prison by this year's end face several hurdles, including the lack of comprehensive case files on many of the 245 terrorism suspects, the Washington Post reported Saturday online. The article, which quoted unnamed senior administration officials and former military prosecutors, said that Obama officials have found that information about the prisoners was "scattered throughout the executive branch."

Ukrainian PM calls for autonomy to ease tensions

Kiev : Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk urged lawmakers Tuesday to amend the country's constitution to grant more power to local governments in a...

More delay in Colombian hostage release

By IANS Caracas : The much-awaited handover of three high-profile hostages by Colombia's Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels may take a few more days, officials have said. Officials engaged in the hostage release mission said the left-wing rebels have so far failed to finalise the forest location where the release was to take place, Spain's EFE news agency reported Monday.

Bill Clinton finally backs Obama’s White House bid

By Arun Kumar, IANS, Washington : Two weeks after Hillary Clinton conceded the Democratic presidential nomination race, former President Bill Clinton has finally announced his support for Barack Obama's bid for the White House. But the announcement of support for his wife's former rival ahead of a joint Obama-Hillary Clinton rally Friday was not made in person. A Clinton spokesman made the announcement saying he was committed to working for an Obama win.

Michael Jackson: The musical genius who lived many lives

By IANS, Los Angeles : He was one of the strangest celebrities ever. But history will remember Michael Jackson as a black man who managed to break through every racial and artistic barrier to become a global pop icon, a true musical genius. A winner of 13 Grammy awards, he etched a place for himself in the hearts and minds of people as the King of Pop with his signature song and dance moves, unusual wardrobe, feminine voice - and also as Wacko Jacko for the weirdest controversies.

5.1 magnitude quake hits southwest China

By Xinhua, Beijing : An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale jolted southwest China early Sunday but initial reports spoke of minor damage but no casualty. The quake hit Pingwu county of Mianyang city of Sichuan province at 6.59 a.m. with its epicentre about 170 km from the provincial capital Chengdu. The aftershock occurred at a depth of 22 km. County official Wang Jihui said first reports spoke of minor damage to some houses in the rural areas, no death or injuries to people.

Venezuela to quit OAS,WB and IMF

By NNN-Prensa Latina Caracas : Venezuela might quit several international organisations that it considers illegitimate and subordinated to US interests. The agencies are the Organisation of American States, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, institutions that are campaigning against the Venezuelan revolution, according to Caracas. The government’s stance on those agencies was repeated by President Hugo Chavez after the Inter-American Human Rights Commission accused Venezuela of violating the freedom of expression.

US media warns of dangers after Musharraf exit

By Arun Kumar, IANS, Washington : The US media Tuesday warned of the dangers posed by the added uncertainty caused by Pervez Musharraf's resignation as Pakistan president to US efforts against Al Qaeda with one daily raising the spectre of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan. "The United States has a keen national-security interest in the affairs of Pakistan due to its nuclear arsenal and the fact that it borders India - which is also a nuclear power," the Washington Times said in an editorial.

Violent protests resume in Greece’s Athens

By RIA Novosti, Athens : Hundreds of Greek youths staged fresh protests in Athens, clashing with police amid Greece's worst riots in decades sparked by the recent killing of a teenager by police, local TV channels reported Sunday. Students threw stones and firebombs at police in the Athens district of Exarchia where 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos had been shot dead on December 6, and also erected roadblocks around the nearby Polytechnic University. The police responded with tear gas, TV channels said.

Mahatma Gandhi’s statue to be installed in Leicester City

By NNN-PTI, London : A search is on for a suitable sculptor after the Leicester City Council gave its approval to install a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the multicultural city, ending months of contentious campaign and debate over the merits of the issue. The council planning committee met last evening and after a presentation by officials on all aspects of the issue, the approval was given.

Cuban weekly warns of more austerity

By EFE, Havana : The weekly publication of Cuba's only legal labour union says residents of the communist-ruled island will have to get used to belt-tightening "with intelligence" amid a severe recession and little prospect of improvement in the short term. Cuba is struggling to cope with the effects of the global slump at a time when it has yet to recover from the $10 billion in losses left by three hurricanes in 2008, Trabajadores said in an editorial Monday. "Let us tighten our belts, but with intelligence: that is the alternative," the union weekly said.

China reacts angrily to US military report

By Xinhua, Beijing : China Thursday criticised a report by the US Defense Department on China's military strength. "We have lodged solemn representations to the US side," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said. He added that the report continued disseminating the "Chinese military threat" theory, severely distorted the facts and interfered in China's internal affairs. The Pentagon Wednesday released its annual report to Congress on the Chinese military.

Corruption cases on the rise in China

By IANS, Beijing : There has been an increase in the number of bribery cases involving government officials in China, a senior official has said.

World snooker enters crucial stage

By Anand Philar, IANS, Hyderabad: Over the next few days, the chaff will be separated from the grain and the men from the boys as the ONGC-IBSF World snooker championship flows into the "business end" Sunday. Although Saturday was designated as a rest day in the 10-day competition that attracted about 200 players from 60 countries, Friday night's postponed 7 pm session was played out this morning, leaving remainder of the day free.

No survivors in Kenya crash: rescuer workers

By IANS

Nairobi : Rescue workers have given up all hopes of finding any survivors of the Kenya Airways plane that crashed into a swamp near the Cameroonian capital Douala.

World on cusp of recession, says IMF managing director

By DPA, Washington : The US financial crisis has gone global, putting the world on the brink of a recession that can only be resolved through international cooperation, International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said Thursday. In a press conference at IMF headquarters in Washington, Strauss-Kahn warned that a lack of confidence was the most immediate crisis gripping financial markets. He said it had rendered typical government tools - such as lowering interest rates - much less effective.

Sri Lanka President Visits China

By Prensa Latina Colombo : Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa began a working visit to China that also includes attendance to the Forum of Boao for Asia (FBA), beginning Saturday. The local on-line media and the TV covered the statesman welcome in Sayan, Hainan, by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. During his stay, Rajapaksa who also plans to visit Beijing, will be welcomed by Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao and other officials to study the development of bilateral relations and to exchange views on ways to improve those ties.

S Korean education minister sends protest letter to Japan over islands dispute

By Xinhua, Seoul : South Korean Education Minister Kim Doh-yeon on Tuesday sent a letter to his Japanese counterpart to express his regret over Japan's territorial claim to the disputed islets of Dokdo, which Japan calls Takeshima, in a guidebook for Japanese middle school. Lee sternly protested Japan's move in his letter to his Japanese counterpart Kisaburo Tokai, said Kim Dae-in, a spokesman for the Education Ministry.

Six former Maoists nabbed for Nepal poll rally blast

By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS Kathmandu : Moving swiftly after a powerful blast at the election rally of the ruling parties that injured over three dozen people, Nepal's security forces Thursday arrested at least six former Maoists, including their self-styled chief of the district. Nanda Kishore, Parsa district chief of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha headed by former Maoist guerrilla Jwala Singh, was arrested from near the Indo-Nepal border along with at least five comrades, police said. The group was said to be carrying explosives.

People of higher status choose better diets — but pay more

By IANS, Washington : The higher one's education level, the greater the preference for low-calorie diets which are rich in nutrients, but cost more. University of Washington (UW) researchers compared eating habits and food costs of a sample of 164 adults in the Washington area. The energy density of the diet (i.e. available energy per unit weight) is one indicator of diet quality. Lean meats, fish, low-fat dairy products and fresh vegetables and fruit provide fewer calories per unit weight than do fast foods such as sweets, candy and desserts.

US crude oil crosses $100 mark

By IANS, New York : US crude oil price rebounded sharply Thursday as supply concerns and higher demand expectations lifted the market, Xinhua reported.

Russian jailed for bombing that killed 19

By IANS/RIA Novosti, Moscow : A Russian was Friday sentenced by a court to 19 years in jail over a market bombing in 2010 that killed 19 people.

20 injured in clashes during referendum in Bolivian province

By IANS, Santa Cruz (Bolivia) : At least 20 people were injured Sunday in violence during the referendum in this eastern Bolivian province which seeks more autonomy from the rest of the impoverished country, EFE news agency reported. The referendum is part of a power struggle between Bolivia's poor, indigenous majority and the wealthier Bolivians of European descent who populate the eastern part of the country, including relatively affluent Santa Cruz province that wants to keep more control over security, energy reserves and local finances.

China releases democracy activist after nine years

By DPA, Beijing : China Thursday released a well-known dissident after he served more than nine years of a 13-year prison sentence, a Hong Kong-based rights group said. Veteran activist Liu Xianbin was released from the Chandong prison in the south-western province of Sichuan, the Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said. Liu, 40, had returned to his family in Sichuan province's Suining city following his early release for good behaviour, the group said.

India rejects China threat, ready to embrace democratic Maldives

By Manish Chand, IANS, Male : India Monday rejected speculation about China's threat to its interests in the Maldives and underlined its close and special ties with the Indian Ocean archipelago that it said will continue to thrive under the new democratic dispensation. Hailing “smooth democratic transition” in the Maldives, known better as a luxury holiday getaway, Vice-President Hamid Ansari said the multi-party elections that brought Mohamed Nasheed, a former political prisoner, to power last month has been “widely welcomed” in India.

Mandela’s daughter, grandchildren attacked after his birthday party

By DPA, Cape Town : A daughter and some of the grandchildren of former South African president Nelson Mandela were attacked by gunmen in Johannesburg as they returned home from a weekend birthday party for the 92-year-old statesman, police confirmed Thursday. Zindzi Mandela and her children were approached by the two armed strangers in the driveway of their home early Sunday evening, according to police spokesman Govindsamy Mariemuthoo.

UK Independence Party leader resigns

London : Nigel Farage on Friday resigned as leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) after having failed to gain the seat of Thanet...

Gunmen seize buildings in Ukraine’s eastern towns

Kiev: Pro-Russia militants took over a police headquarters in Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, BBC reported Saturday citing local media and witnesses. This followed a gun...

Japan n-plant to stabilise in 6-9 months

By IANS, Tokyo : The crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant will be stabilised to a condition known as "cold shutdown" in about six to nine months, the plant's operator said Sunday.

Bush team vows to work for n-deal till the last day

By Arun Kumar, IANS, Washington : The Bush administration has vowed to work till the last day to get the stalled India-US civil nuclear deal approved by the US Congress, while hoping the next administration too would want to move forward with it. "The bottom line is, from now until Jan 20, we'll continue to work to support this agreement," said State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey Tuesday, noting that each passing day leaves less time to complete the voting process.

Nigerian embassies open condolence registers

By IANS, Abuja : Nigerian embassies abroad have been ordered to open condolence registers for the victims of an air crash three days ago in the country.

After 29 years as MIC chief, Samy Vellu wants to contest again

By IANS, Kuala Lumpur : Prominent Malaysian Indian leader S. Samy Vellu is keen to contest again for president of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) - a post he has held for the past 29 years, and has declared it would be the last time. Vellu has also rejected the idea of limiting it to three terms as "too short a period" for anyone to deliver.

Copenhagen aims to be first carbon neutral capital

By IANS, Copenhagen : The capital of Denmark has set itself the ambitious target of becoming the world's first carbon-neutral capital by 2025 by bringing its net carbon dioxide emissions down to zero. The target was announced by the seven mayors of Copenhagen here Tuesday, while they launched the city's new climate plan. The plan has 50 specific initiatives to achieve the city's target of a 20 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2015.

Obama to keep Robert Gates at Pentagon for one year

By SPA, Washington : US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has agreed to stay in the job for at least one year of president-elect Barack Obama's administration, ABC News and Politico reported Tuesday, citing unnamed officials. Gates is a registered independent but has served in numerous Republican administrations. He replaced Donald Rumsfeld as Pentagon chief in December 2006. Obama has spent this week announcing his economic team, and is next week expected to present his national security and foreign policy appointments, DPA reported.

China, South Korea plan strategic partnership, cooperation on North

By DPA, Beijing : China and South Korea Tuesday agreed to develop a strategic partnership and promised more cooperation on regional issues such as North Korea. Chinese President Hu Jintao and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung Bak, agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a "strategic cooperative partnership," state television said. Hu said the two sides should expand trade and investment ties, and become more involved in multilateral cooperation on security in North-east Asia, UN reform and climate change.

No agreement in North Korea denuclearization talks

By Xinhua, Beijing : Negotiators from the six nations involved in the North Korean denuclearization talks continued their deliberations Wednesday over a verification protocol that eluded agreement for the past three days. The US delegation held bilateral meetings with North Korea and China Wednesday morning. According to sources, China held bilateral meetings with the other members of the six-party group - Russia, North korea, the US, South Korea and Japan Tuesday over the verification proposals. China also held a separate meeting with North Korea Tuesday.

No trace of US diplomat missing in Cyprus

By DPA

Nicosia : Cypriot police said Monday they had found no trace of a US embassy staff member who had been missing for four days but added that their extensive hunt would continue.

Package with garbage dumped outside US embassy in Bulgaria

By IANS/RIA Novosti, Moscow: A suspicious package reported to the Bulgarian police by the US embassy in Sofia turned out to be a bag full of garbage.

Russia offers NATO strategic missile defence partnership

By RIA Novosti

Brussels : Russia has offered to engage NATO in a strategic partnership to counter possible missile threats, a senior foreign ministry official said here Thursday.

"We are offering (NATO) strategic partnership - an international system to neutralize missile threats," said Anatoly Antonov, director of the foreign ministry security and disarmament department.

Saarc nations agree on joint fight against climate fallout

By IANS, Dhaka : Ministers from eight South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) countries have resolved to work together to build regional capacity for mitigating the impacts of climate change and consult each other before international negotiations. In the Dhaka Declaration adopted Thursday, they pointed out that climate change is substantively the result of greenhouse gas emissions by the developed countries for over two centuries.

Fair trial for human rights violations in Cote d’Ivoire: UN

By IANS, Geneva : The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office has demanded a fair trial for all perpetrators of violence on both sides of the conflict in Cote d'Ivoire.

Firecracker factory explosion kills five children in China

By Xinhua Taiyuan (China) : Five children have been killed in a blast at an abandoned firecracker factory in Yuncheng city in north China's Shanxi province. The six, all about 10 years old, were playing inside the factory near Wangjia village of Nanzhang township, Wanrong county Sunday, when the explosion occurred. A small amount of expired explosives stored in the factory went off at about 1 p.m., killing five instantly and seriously injuring another, sources said.

Taiwan’s top negotiator heads to China for historic talks

By DPA, Taipei : Taiwan's top negotiator with China Wednesday headed to Beijing for historic talks that will pave the way for cross-strait rapprochement after six decades of impasse. "We hope through the talks this time, the two sides would be able to achieve a win-win situation so that people across the Taiwan Strait can live better," said Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), before departing.

Russia to supply Iran 100 passenger airliners

By RIA Novosti Moscow : Russia will sign a deal with Iran to supply 100 Tu-204 and Tu-214 medium-haul passenger airliners, a spokesman of the aircraft manufacturer said Tuesday. A memorandum of intent was signed last week when a delegation of the United Aircraft Building Corporation (UABC), led by its president Alexei Fyodorov, visited Iran. The spokesman said a contract, worth an estimated $2.5 billion, would be signed in 2009 and that deliveries would start in 2010.

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.

Bush: Economy Slowing, Need to Focus on Housing, Trade

By SPA Washington : U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday was optimistic about the state of the U.S. economy, but said that it is in a definite “slowdown.” Amidst widespread concern about the health of the U.S. economy and the prospect of a recession, Bush said that the country is not “headed to recession,” but added that “no question, we’re in a slowdown.”

Fifty arrested in New Zealand student riots

By DPA, Wellington : At least 50 people were arrested as students rioted for a second night in New Zealand's university city of Dunedin, news reports said Sunday. Police donned riot gear as drunken students threw bottles, set fire to furniture in the streets and created general disorder in the three hours after midnight, Radio New Zealand reported. Twenty people were arrested Friday night following the arrival in Dunedin of carloads of students from Canterbury University in Christchurch, 360 km to the north, on an annual pub crawl that has caused mass disturbances in the past.

IL&FS investment banking arm launches UK operations

By IANS, London : The investment banking arm of Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS), one of India's leading infrastructure development and finance companies, has launched its British operations to tap European channels of financing. "The Indian infrastructure and manufacturing sector requires large investments both in the form of debt and equity. The domestic funding will therefore need to be complemented with financing from international sources," the company said.

Eurocopter to invest up to $550 mn in Mexico

By IANS/EFE, Mexico City : Eurocopter plans to invest up to $550 million in Mexico over the next few years, the European aviation company's president and CEO, Lutz Bertling, said.

Philippines for Food Crisis Meeting

By Prensa Latina, Manila : Philippine Minister of Agriculture Arthur Yap said that his country is in favor of an Asian meeting on the rice crisis and rising food prices. A declaration of the International Rice Research Institute includes the call of the Philippine minister for a ministerial meeting to discuss the issue. The forum would also study provisional assistance to the most affected populations due to the lack of rice and the increase in prices, said IRRI as backing the proposal.

UAE charity funds Iftar programmes in Switzerland

By IANS, Geneva : The permanent mission of United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the UN office here is hosting Iftar programmes for the Muslim community in Switzerland. The Iftar programmes, being funded by the Khalifa bin Zayed Charity Foundation, will cover many cities in Switzerland including Geneva and Zurich, WAM news agency reported Saturday. The permanent representative of UAE at the UN office Obeid Salem Al Zaabi said that the the UAE has always extended its hand of charity towards people in all parts of the world.

Baby born in toilet bowl saved by cops

By IANS, Winnipeg: Two Canadian police officers are being hailed as heroes for saving the life of a baby accidentally born in a toilet bowl. The two officers were at a home on Flora Avenue and Andrews Street Sunday afternoon when they heard a woman screaming for help from the washroom. They rushed in to see what was happening, Winnipeg Police spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen told the Vancouverite News Service. They found a woman had just given birth to the baby while she was seated on the toilet.

Bible quotes in Pentagon papers remind of ‘clash of civilisations’

By IANS, Washington : Intelligence reports are the last thing one would expect to contain biblical quotations, but in the beginning of the war in Iraq a series of briefs for then US defence secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and others quoted from the Bible - giving fodder to the theory of 'clash of civilisations'.

European group of states affirms need for regional cooperation

By KUNA Sofia : The group of states of the Regional Cooperation in Southeastern Europe affirmed at conclusion of a three-day conference on Saturday necessity of commitment toward regional cooperation. The states, in the final statement of the conference, indicated at keenness on continuing processes of political and economic reforms in the regional countries.

Maoists begin Nepal shutdown as PM refuses to quit

By IANS, Kathmandu : With a constitutional crisis and President's Rule threatening Nepal, its former Maoist guerrillas Sunday began an indefinite general strike paralysing the entire nation after talks with the ruling parties failed and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal refused to quit.

Nuclear submarine accident probe to end in March

By RIA Novosti, Moscow : An investigation into an accident on board a Russian nuclear submarine will be completed by March, a source in the investigation commission said Thursday. The accident occurred Nov 8 last year when the Nerpa submarine was undergoing sea trials in the Sea of Japan. Three submariners and 17 shipyard workers died in the accident. There were 208 people, 81 of them submariners, on board the vessel at the time.

Strong quake rattles central Mexico

By EFE, Mexico City : An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale rattled central Mexico Friday, bu there were no reports of damage, the National Seismological Service (SSN) said. The temblor hit at 14:24 p.m. and was felt with a certain intensity in Mexico City, though no casualties or significant damage have yet been reported. The quake's epicentre was located in the state of Puebla, southeast of the Mexican capital the SSN said.

Rights abuse reports surface on Nepal’s festival of lights

By IANS, Kathmandu: As Nepal Friday began celebrating its five-day festival of lights, the merry-making was marred by human rights groups resurrecting tales of unpunished killings and torture and accusing the coalition government of failing to provide justice.

Snowed-in Washington digging itself out of ‘historic mess’

By Arun Kumar,IANS, Washington : This capital city of the world's most powerful nation and the areas around were still trying hard Monday to dig themselves out of what President Barack Obama called a "Snowmaggedon" and a local daily a "historic mess". With Saturday's record-setting blizzard piling up over two feet of snow across the Washington-Baltimore belt, federal workers were asked to stay home Monday except for emergency employees. Most schools and colleges in the nation's capital also got a snow day off.

BBC plans ‘thriller’ documentary on `Satanic Verses’

By Gurmukh Singh Toronto(IANS) : The BBC is set to produce a documentary on Salman Rushdie's controversial novel 'Satanic Verses' and it will be "a thriller", says the director. Gurdip Bhangoo, who heads the BBC Asian Programmes Unit, said the documentary, "Words that Shook the World", would capture the cultural and religious turmoil that "Satanic Verses" created in the late 1980s. The 1988 novel had angered many Muslims for allegedly blaspheming the Prophet and forced Rushdie into hiding after Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for his death.

Six dead in Argentina metro, bus collision

By IANS, Buenos Aires : At least six people were killed and over 100 injured when a metro train and a bus collided near the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires early Tuesday, Xinhua reported.

19 militants killed in clashes in Libya

Tripoli: Nineteen militants were killed on Wednesday in clashes between local jihadis and the Islamic State (IS) AFFILIATE in the eastern Libyan city of...

Britain sends fighter jets to target IS in Iraq

London: Britain has sent two Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado jets to participate in the US-led airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) Sunni radical...

Americans threatened more by IS than Russia, Iran: Poll

Washington : Americans see the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group as a bigger threat to the US than Iran, Russia or other countries, according...

13 civilians shot dead in Afghanistan

Kabul: A group of unknown men shot dead 13 civilians in Afghanistan's northern Balkh province on Saturday, a local official said. "The group of armed...

LTTE asked to surrender by Tuesday noon

By IANS, Colombo : Closing in on the last Tamil Tiger base, Sri Lanka Monday ordered rebel chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and his fighters to surrender by Tuesday noon or face death. "We have issued the last and final 24-hour ultimatum to Prabhakaran and his group to surrender," defence ministry spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told reporters Monday. "The ultimatum began this noon (Monday and) will expire tomorrow noon. Otherwise they will have to face the military course of action," he said.

Misuse of energy rife in industrial methods: Study

By IANS, Washington : Fabricating microchips is a prime example of how energy misuse is rife in industrial methods. It uses up more energy than making manhole covers, according to a detailed Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study. Overall, such manufacturing systems are anywhere from 1,000 to one million times bigger consumers of energy - per pound of output - than more traditional industries. Initially, it might seem strange to make comparisons between such widely disparate processes as metal casting and chip making.

Former Argentine archbishop gets jail term for sexual abuse

By DPA, Buenos Aires : A former Argentine Roman Catholic archbishop was sentenced to eight years in jail for aggravated sexual abuse of a seminarian, the former prelate's lawyer said Wednesday. The former seminarian had filed suit against Edgardo Storni, former archbishop of the Argentine city of Santa Fe, in 1993.

UN Sec Gen to embark on four-nation tour of Asia later this month

By NNN-UNNS, United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will depart for Asia later this month on a four-country tour whose itinerary includes stops in the Philippines, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. While in Manila, Mr. Ban will meet with President Gloria Arroyo, who will present him with the nation’s order of diplomatic merit. He will also receive an honorary doctorate from the University of the Philippines and address the Second Global Forum on Migration and Development.

New limits to Antarctic tourism

By IANS, London : Countries with ties to Antarctica have adopted US proposals to limit tourism in the region, in a bid to protect the fragile ecosystem of the continent, BBC reported Saturday. Parties to the Antarctic Treaty agreed to limit the size of cruise ships and the number of tourists taken ashore at a meeting in the US city of Baltimore. Limiting tourism has taken on urgency due to a surge in visits and a number of cruise ship accidents. Antarctic visits have risen from 6,700 in 1992-93 to over 45,000 last season.

Moderate aftershocks jolt China’s quake zone

By Xinhua, Beijing : A moderate aftershock measuring 6 on the Richter scale jolted Jiangyou city in China's quake-hit Sichuan province early Sunday, officials said. No casualties were reported. The temblor jolted two townships in Jiangyou city, northern Sichuan, at 1.08 a.m., causing cracks in a mountain and seriously damaging roads. One of the crevices runs 300 meters. Jiangyou is situated near Beichuan county and Mianyang city, which are among places hardest hit by the May 12 earthquake that measured 7.8 on the Richter scale.

154 illegal immigrants rescued from Sudan-Libya border

Khartoum : Sudanese authorities have rescued 154 illegal immigrants from the Sudan-Libya border, a media report said on Tuesday. The immigrants were onboard a truck...

Abkhazia says Tbilisi reluctant to resume peace talks

By RIA Novosti, Sukhumi : The president of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia accused Tbilisi during an annual parliamentary address Tuesday of trying to avoid resuming peace talks. He said "Georgia is taking action depriving Abkhazia of a possibility to participate in the negotiating process, including attempts to maintain a regime of sanctions against the republic, obstructing any measures for Abkhazia's social-economic and humanitarian development and using special reconnaissance flights."

Rain displaces 12,000 in Argentina

By IANS, Buenos Aires : Heavy rain has killed three people and displaced 12,000 in northeast Argentina, authorities said. Two children drowned near Resistencia city, the capital of Chaco province, about 1200 km north of Buenos Aires, Xinhua reported. In Goya City, 730 km north of Buenos Aires, a seven-year-old girl died when her house collapsed while she was sleeping. About 5,000 people were evacuated in Chaco province while 3,500 were evacuated in Corrientes province, and 3,200 in Concordia city.

European Parliament’s interest in India growing

By Indo-Asian News Service Brussels: The European Parliament is increasingly showing interest in India, said a British MP here. Charles Tannock, re-elected as co-chairman of the informal parliamentary group "Friends of India in the European Parliament", Wednesday hosted a reception to introduce the office-bearers of the body. The function of the group is to promote India and provide a vehicle for visiting Indian officials, dignitaries and parliamentarians to meet Members of European Parliament (MEPs), Tannock told the news agency INEPNEXT.

Ecuador lifts emergency in oil-rich province

By IANS Quito : The Ecuadorian government has lifted the state of emergency proclaimed Nov 29 in the oil-rich Orellana province following large-scale agitation for better public amenities, Spanish news agency EFE reported Wednesday. Interior Minister Fernando Bustamante said the emergency rule has been called off after an agreement was reached with human rights organisations and regional leaders.

Nepal PM begins China visit

By IANS, Kathmandu: Accompanied by three ministers, Nepal's Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Saturday left for his first official visit to China, pledging it would create a new high in economic ties. During the five-day trip, Nepal will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao, his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao and senior officials of the Communist Party of China. He will also speak on Sino-Nepali relations at Tsinghua University and tour Lhasa, Xian and Shanghai cities.

Castro wants Bush to lift embargo

By IANS Havana : Convalescing Cuban leader Fidel Castro has called on US President George W. Bush to lift the trade embargo on the island, according to the Spanish news agency EFE. A brief statement from Castro released here Sunday also quoted the Cuban leader asking US "not to threaten the world with nuclear war".

Five kids killed in Russia house fire

By IANS/RIA Novosti, Moscow : Six people, five of them children aged between 18 months and seven years, died in a fire in Russia's Krasnoyarsk territory, officials said Sunday.

U.N. Chief Condemns Violence in Mogadishu

By SPA, United Nations : U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned weekend violence in the Somali capital of Mogadishu that reportedly killed dozens of civilians. A human rights group in Mogadishu reported that at least 81 civilians were killed and that over 100 were when Somali transitional government forces and Ethiopian troops battled opposition militias.

Gulf region’s first ‘mergers and acquisitions conferenc’e concludes

By IANS, Dubai: A three-day "Mergers and Acquisitions conference" - first in the Gulf region - concluded Thursday, WAM news agency reported Saturday. The event took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi from Dec 8-9 The event themed - "Strategies and opportunities for companies to enhance profit and growth in the region" and addressed concerns resulting from some of the major challenges facing the Gulf region such as lack of regulations necessary for regional merger and aquisition activity, and the lack of transparency and disclosure in the region.

Mexico issues 1 kg commemorative gold coin

By IANS/EFE, Mexico City : Mexico' central bank Monday brought into circulation the country's first 1 kg gold commemorative coin.

China quake death toll, now 15,000, continues to soar

By DPA, Beijing : Military helicopters flew aid Wednesday to settlements cut off near the epicentre of a devastating earthquake in southwest China that killed some 15,000 people and left tens of thousands missing in toppled buildings. Heavy rain had initially prevented the helicopters from flying emergency aid to Wenchuan county, Sichuan province, while troops were still trying to restore the badly damaged main road to the county. The nearby city of Mianyang reported more than 7,000 dead and an estimated 18,000 buried in collapsed buildings.

ASEAN summit cancelled after protests in Thailand

By DPA, Pattaya (Thailand) : Thai officials cancelled a summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Saturday after anti-government protesters broke into the summit venue at Pattaya, a resort town 100 km south of Bangkok. The Thai government said the summit between ASEAN members and six dialogue partners, including China, Japan and India, was cancelled due to security concerns and would be held again into about two months time.

Malaysian media expert: China won’t achieve this much without reform and opening-up

By Xinhua, Kuala Lumpur : China could not have today' s achievements if it had not carried out the policy of reform and opening-up some thirty years ago, says a Malaysian media expert. China's reform and opening-up has navigated into its 30th anniversary now, and its astonishing achievements since 1987 have not only been experienced by its own people, but also witnessed bythe world, Kee Hong Tan, a Malaysian researcher working for Malaysia Press Institute, told Xinhua during a recent interview.

Children in violent households likely be violent as adults

By IANS, Washington : Children who grow up in aggressive or violent households are more likely to become violent or aggressive in future relationships. What has been unclear is the link between witnessing aggressive behaviour as a child and carrying it out as an adult. What changes occur in a child that affect whether he or she will choose to deal with conflict in aggressive or violent ways?

Britain mulls steps to combat extremism

London: To discourage extremist elements originating from Britain, Home Secretary Theresa May has plans to bring in new laws that may strip Britons fighting...

Probe into death of prisoner playing hide and seek

By Xinhua, Kunming (China) : The death of a prisoner while playing a game of hide-and-seek in China's Yunnan province was being probed by a 15-member investigation team that includes five netizens. Li Qiaoming, 24, a resident of Yuxi City, was taken into custody in Jinning Jan 30 for cutting trees without authorisation. He was hospitalised Feb 8 and died four days later from severe brain injuries.

28 killed in Kazakhstan chopper crash, flood

By DPA, Astana : At least 28 people were killed in the central Asian Republic of Kazakhstan after severe flooding and a helicopter crash, local media reported Friday. In the village of Kysyl-Agasch, in the eastern Almaty region, the river Karatal burst its banks, flooding dozens of houses and drowning 20 people. A rescue helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from the village of Makanchi, killing all eight people on board. The causes of the crash were not yet known. Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev set up a government commission to help victims.

China preparing to drain swelling quake lake

By Xinhua, Mianyang : Rescuers are preparing to dynamite the barrier of a swelling quake lake, which has posed a new threat after a devastating 8.0-magnitude temblor ravaged southwest China's Sichuan Province. Helicopters had airdropped professionals and materials for the operation by 7:49 a.m. Monday onto the dam of the barrier lake at Tangjiashan in Beichuan County, which was formed by landslides that blocked a local river known as Jianhe after the May 12 earthquake.

Obama discusses Koreas with Chinese president

By DPA, Beijing: US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao discussed the Korean Peninsula by telephone Monday as Hu said he was worried by the "fragile situation" there.

China asks world to stop Taiwan’s UN admission campaign

New York, Sep 29 (DPA) China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has asked the United Nations to "oppose and repulse" Taiwan's campaign to gain UN membership, and warned countries supporting Taiwan. Yang Friday spoke strongly about not permitting any challenges to the so-called "one China" policy and UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, which in 1971 ousted the Republic of China on Taiwan from the UN and gave the seat to the People's Republic of China.

Deal reached to reinstate ousted Honduran president

By DPA, Tegucigalpa (Honduras) : The Organization of American States (OAS) has announced an agreement between Honduras' interim president Roberto Micheletti and the ousted president Manuel Zelaya to reinstate the latter to end the political crisis in in the country. The deal should lead to the formation of a government of national reconciliation, Micheletti said. Elections scheduled for late November should take place as planned. The deal was struck Thursday night.

Over 250 law enforcers killed in Pakistan in two years

slamabad: Over 250 law enforcers have been killed and many injured in Pakistan's city of Karachi over the last two years, officials said. At...

CIA no longer uses secret prisons, says spy chief

By Xinhua, Washington : CIA Director Leon Panetta has said that the US spy agency no longer uses secret prisons to detain terrorism suspects and is working on a plan to close the existing facilities. Panetta made the remarks in a letter Thursday to the employees of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Panetta said in accordance with President Barack Obama's order to ban controversial detention and interrogation practices, CIA "no longer uses secret sites" and plans to close all remaining sites.

NATO exercises in Georgia open provocation: Russia

By RIA Novosti, Moscow : Russia Thursday said NATO's planned military exercises in Georgia next month are an "open provocation" and warned of negative consequences. "NATO's plans to hold exercises in Georgia... are an open provocation. Exercises must not be held there where a war has been fought," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said. He also warned that the exercises could have negative consequences for those who made the decision to hold them.

Sentencing of 30 Tibetans in China criticised

By IANS, Dharamsala : The Tibetan government-in-exile Thursday criticised a Chinese court's sentence on 30 Tibetans involved in anti-China protests last month. "We strongly condemn the arbitrary sentences. The penalty imposed on the 30 Tibetans range from three years to life imprisonment for merely exercising their freedom of expression," a spokesman of the Tibetan-government-in-exile here said.

Serbia arrests 10 for 1999 Kosovo killings

By Xinhua, Belgrade : The Serbian police Friday arrested 10 former guerilla fighters of Kosovo Liberation Army suspeced of involvement in crimes against Serb and non-Albanian civilians in the former Serbian province of Kosovo in 1999, the authorities said. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said the suspects had been arrested in the southern town of Presevo, near the border with Kosovo, the official Serbian news agency Tanjug reported.

Five dead, 19 injured in Nepal accident

By IANS, Kathmandu : At least five people were killed and 19 others injured Monday when a bus skidded off a road and rolled down a hillside in Nepal.

Ukraine seeks urgent UN meeting as tensions escalate

Kiev : Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk Thursday called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council over the Russian military presence in...

Better baby care key to reducing deaths: reports UN health agency

By IRNA, Tehran : Better care for babies during the first month after they are born is key to reducing child mortality rates in developing countries, the United Nations health agency said Monday. According to a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) here on Tuesday, the agency made the announcement in an update on measures that are essential for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

China’s millionaires to cross 450,000 mark

By IANS, Beijing : The personal wealth of the rich in China has continued to expand despite the global economic downturn, and a new study says their number could cross 450,000 by the year-end. The phenomenal growth comes despite the global economic slowdown, said a report from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Thursday. Assets under management have hit $1.73 trillion, China Daily quoted the report as saying.

Abkhazia says some 7,500 Georgian troops amassed in border area

By RIA Novosti, Moscow : Georgia has deployed almost 7,500 troops on its border with Abkhazia, the defense minister of the breakaway republic said on Sunday. Merab Kishmaria said should a military operation begin, some 3,000 troops will apparently be used to seize the Kodori Gorge, in the northeast of Abkhazia. "We are watching the movement of troops in the Kodori Gorge. According to our intelligence, up to 7,500 Georgian troops on the Georgian-Abkhaz border are on alert, with 3,000 of them to be used in attempting to take the Kodori Gorge," he said.
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