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Russia sends new military satellite into space

By RIA Novosti, Moscow : Russia sent a new military satellite into space Thursday intended to improve communication facilities. The Raduga-series satellite was launched with a Proton-M rocket from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, said Alexei Zolotukhin, a spokesman for the Space Forces. Space Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Oleg Ostapenko said the satellite "is a new project that will help significantly increase the capabilities of the space communication system".

Taiwan’s court denies bail request by ex-president

By DPA, Taipei : Taiwan's High Court Thursday maintained a previous ruling to refuse bail for ex-president Chen Shui-bian, dashing hopes of release for the graft-tainted former leader. Chen was given a fresh chance for freedom after the Supreme Court Thursday ordered the high court to hold another hearing on his bail request. The Supreme Court said in a statement earlier Thursday the reasons given by the high court to continue to hold Chen were insufficient to prove that the ex-president had hidden huge funds abroad, and that he would flee and threaten witnesses if freed.

UNHCR concerned at Indian forces clash with Bhutanese refugees

By IANS

United Nations : The United Nations refugee agency is "extremely concerned" over a clash between Bhutanese refugees and Indian border forces on the Mechi bridge dividing India and Nepal.

South Asian organisations in US accuse BJP of vendetta politics to persecute Muslims

By TCN News The Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA) on Tuesday condemned the Indian Government for slapping criminal charges against Muslim activists, students, and...

ASEAN to help resolve Thai-Cambodian border dispute

By Xinhua, Singapore : Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will help member states Thailand and Cambodia end the tense border dispute over an ancient temple, ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said on Tuesday. Surin said that foreign ministers will look into the real situation in the border area. ASEAN has urged Thailand and Cambodia to exercise utmost restraint and resolve peacefully their border dispute.

76 held for oil theft in Nigeria

By IANS, Abuja : Nigerian troops operating in the oil-rich Niger delta region have arrested 76 suspects and seized two boats used for oil bunkering, the military said Sunday.

Iran sets up naval base in Strait of Hormuz

By IANS/RIA Novosti, Moscow: Iran has set up a naval base in the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil route accounting for 25 percent of the world's crude oil transportation.

Helicopter crashes in Belarus

By IANS, Moscow : A chopper crashed during a competition for helicopter tactical sport near Minsk, capital of Belarus, killing its pilot. The helicopter operated by German pilot Guenther Zimmer was approaching the landing strip at the CIS Open Cup in Helicopter Sport near Minsk, but crashed and started burning, an official of the emergency situations ministry said Sunday. "A US-made MD-500 helicopter operated by a pilot from Germany fell at the airfield in Borovaya. The pilot died," Xinhua quoted the official as telling Interfax news agency.

Sobhraj hopes 13 will prove lucky for him

By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS Kathmandu : From his bleak cell in Kathmandu's central prison, Charles Sobhraj, serving a 20-year jail term for an ancient crime, is waiting for Feb 13, hoping the date considered inauspicious by many will prove lucky for him. The 63-year-old, whose hope to be free was dashed by Nepal's Supreme Court last month, is gearing for a fresh legal battle with the apex court ordering a retrial. While he waits for the Feb 13 retrial, Sobhraj is also exploring other avenues to freedom.

FIFA chief Blatter to visit Cuba

By IANS, Havana: FIFA president Joseph Blatter is expected to arrive in Havana Tuesday on a two-day work visit for meetings with national sports officials.

Chinese media blank out ‘despicable’ shoe thrower

By IANS, London : Just as it did with Barack Obama’s sharp references to Communism, the Chinese media has blanked out any mention of a shoe being thrown at their premier in Britain, according to reports here Tuesday. A 27-year-old protester has been arrested by British police after throwing a shoe at Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during an address in Cambridge Monday - a protest that the visiting leader described as “despicable.”

Putin to visit Austria, may discuss US missile shield

By RIA Novosti

Moscow : Russian President Vladimir Putin is due in Vienna Wednesday for his first foreign visit since a summit with European Union leaders in Russia last week, fraught with disagreements.

China launches navigation satellite

By Xinhua, Beijing : China successfully launched its second navigation satellite Wednesday. The carrier rocket, Long March 3C, blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province. An official with the National Engineering Center of Satellite Navigation said the successful launch of the geostationary satellite was of great importance as it was the second satellite navigation system independent from foreign technology.

May-day elections to test Gordon Brown’s sway

By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS, London : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's faltering leadership of the Labour Party is expected to be sorely tested Thursday in key elections to the London mayor's office and local authorities across England and Wales.

Java quake toll rises to 49

By DPA, Jakarta : UN agencies and the Indonesian government were dispatching relief teams Thursday as the death toll from a magnitude 7.3 earthquake that struck Java island rose to 49, officials said. Dozens were still missing and feared dead after the quake Wednesday triggered a landslide in Cianjur district in West Java. Fahmi Azhar, an official at the West Java disaster relief coordination agency, said 49 people had been killed in the disaster but the number was likely to rise as news of more casualties came in.

US signals readiness to resolve outstanding issues over nuclear deal

By Arun Kumar, IANS Washington : The United States has signalled its readiness to "resolve the remaining outstanding issues" on the India-US civil nuclear deal as a team of senior Indian officials headed to Washington for critical talks on the 123 agreement. "The United States stands ready to resolve the remaining outstanding issues on the 123 agreement," State department Spokesman Sean McCormack stated Saturday ahead of the officials' four-day visit here starting Monday.

China sends 1,500 more medical staff to quake-hit areas

By Xinhua, Beijing : Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has sent 50 medical teams comprising 1,500 staff to the quake-hit areas in the country's southwestern province of Sichuan, a defence ministry spokesman said Wednesday. According to the spokesman, staff from the PLA hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an in northwestern Shaanxi Province are flying to the disaster-hit areas for relief work. With this batch, a total of 68 PLA medical teams will be operating in the quake-hit areas.

China plans low-priced houses for urban poor

By Xinhua Beijing : China plans to earmark 6.8 billion yuan ($951 million) in its 2008 budget to build low-priced houses for the urban poor, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said here Wednesday at the inaugural session of the country's parliament. The projected amount is 1.7 billion yuan ($238 million), or 33 percent, more than last year's figure, Wen said in his report to the first session of the 11th National People's Congress, which opened at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing. Local governments are required to increase funding in this area, he said.

Signs that US may be headed slowly toward recovery

By DPA, Washington : More than a year into one of the longest and deepest US recessions in living memory, there are signs that the world's largest economy may finally be coming around. US President Barack Obama spotted "glimmers of hope" in his latest progress report Tuesday on the US economy. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke of "tentative signs that the sharp decline in economic activity may be slowing".

Prague Renews Talks on US Missile Shield

By Prensa Latina Prague : Discussions on the legal aspects of the installation of radar for the US missile shield in the Czech Republic began in Prague on Monday. Issues discussed at the Ministry of Defense include legal status and criminal responsibility of US military officials, who will operate the radar Washington intends to station in this European country. Disregarding the competence of The Hague International Court of Justice in handling extraterritorial crimes, the US insists that its courts, rather than Czech's, are to judge any accused soldiers.

Winehouse sues mom-in-law for selling her love letter

By IANS, London : Troubled British singer Amy Winehouse is suing her ex-mother-in-law Georgette for selling one of her love letters. According to thesun.co.uk, the note, which was sold, was written by Winehouse for her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil when he was in jail for assault and preventing justice. Now the singer is suing for copyright infringement and wants about $81,000 compensation. "Amy was furious the private letter was used to make money," said a friend of Winehouse.

Nepal parliament gets armed to axe king

By IANS

Kathmandu : Almost five years after it was dissolved for defiance, Nepal's resurrected parliament has finally got its revenge - becoming empowered to axe King Gyanendra ahead of the crucial November election.

Hundreds feared dead in massive earthquake in Haiti

By DPA, Port-au-Prince/Washington : Hundreds of people were feared dead Wednesday in Haiti after a major earthquake hit the impoverished Caribbean nation. The 7.0 magnitude quake is thought to be the worst in two centuries. The capital Port-au-Prince, home to more than 1.2 million people, was hard hit. But, with the the city in darkness, the death toll and extent of damage were difficult to determine. Many survivors were believed to be still stuck in rubble.

Nepali mum arrested for killing, burning infant

By IANS, Kathmandu : A 40-year-old Nepali woman has been arrested for allegedly killing her newborn child and trying to burn it to remove all evidence, police said. Penu Sunuwar was arrested Sunday from Baglung district in western Nepal after allegations that she had killed the infant born of illegitimate relations with a youth half her age. The 40-year-old woman from Pokharidanda village formed an unlawful relationship with Om Bahadur BK, her 20-year-old tenant, police said.

In tussle over Cambodian ‘Hindu’ temple, religion suffers

By Bronwyn Sloan, DPA, Preah Vihear (Cambodia) : Sor Sarom, a resident of this small town on the Thai-Cambodian border, went to the pagoda on the first day of Buddhist Lent as she always does, and found herself being held at gunpoint by a man dressed in black. "It brought all my memories of the Khmer Rouge back. I was terrified. He just came out of the shadows inside the temple," the 50-year-old said. Slowly she realized the armed man pointing an assault rifle at her inside Wat Keo Setha Kiri Svarak pagoda, around 600 metres from the main Preah Vihear temple, was a Thai soldier.

UN`s Ban arrives in cyclone-hit Myanmar

By ANTARA News, Yangon : UN chief Ban Ki-moon arrived Thursday in Myanmar to press the junta to accept a full-scale relief operation for cyclone survivors, according to an AFP reporter at the airport. Ban, the first UN chief to visit Myanmar since 1964, is due to meet with senior government officials Thursday morning and then tour the Irrawaddy Delta, which suffered the brunt of the cyclone. The disaster left more than 133,000 people dead or missing in early May.

India, US for joint working group to boost education

By IANS, New Delhi: India and the US will set up a joint working group to boost bilateral relation in the field of education, it was announced Thursday after a meeting between Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal and the US Under Secretary William J. Burns. The group will be headed by Sibal and US Secretary of Education, and it will meet once a year alternately in India and the US. The group will focus on institutional linkages in the field of secondary education, higher education and vocational education.

Ecuador yet to decide on Wikileaks founder’s asylum

By IANS, Quito : Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has denied on Twitter that his country had already decided to grant political asylum to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Alcohol pushing teenagers to risky sex

By IANS, London: Teenagers' drinking habits are making them indulge in sex beyond their desire, causing an epidemic of risky sex, doctors in Britain have warned.

Brown Britain’s third worst PM since WW II

By IANS, London : Gordon Brown was Britain's third worst prime minister since World War II, a survey has shown. A study carried out among 106 leading academics showed Brown was rated tenth of the 12 premiers in office since 1945. The Sun reported Tuesday that only Sir Anthony Eden and Sir Alec Douglas-Home came behind Brown. Brown, who was prime minister for less than three years, scored a dismal 3.9 out of 10.

Sanctions against Iran to continue: EU’s Solana

By DPA Rome : European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said his talks with Iranian negotiators were "constructive" but sanctions against Iran would continue until an agreement to resolve the dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme was reached. Solana made the remarks during a joint news conference here Tuesday with Iran's outgoing chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, and his recently announced replacement, Saied Jalili. Larijani said "discussions were clear and transparent" and progress had been made.

Iran’s Security Official talks with top Chinese, Russian negotiators

By SPA, Geneva : Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili in separate meetings with the top Chinese and Russian nuclear negotiators on Sunday called for final settlement of Iran's nuclear dossier which was discussed with representatives of Group 6+1 in Geneva. Group 6+1, which included high ranking representatives from Britain, Germany, France, China, Russia and the US and EU top negotiator Javier Solana, met with the Iranian envoy on Saturday and discussed various issues such as Iran's modality plan for continued talks.

US bill for inter-parliamentary exchange with India moved

By Arun Kumar, IANS, Washington: A bill calling for an annual meeting between political leaders from India and the United States for discussion on common issues of interest in their relations was Tuesday introduced in the US House of Representatives. The mover Democrat Jim McDermott, one of the founders and current co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, said the US-India Inter-parliamentary Exchange Act of 2009 is "intended to further strengthen and unite the world's oldest and the world's largest Democracies."

World Bank Supports Asean coalition Of Mercy For Myanmar

By Mohd Nasir Yusoff, Bernama, Jakarta : The World Bank has given its commitment to fully support Asean secretariat's "Coalition of Mercy" in aid of cyclone-hit Myanmar, according to the Jakarta-based secretariat of the 10-nation regional grouping, Friday. President of the World Bank Group Robert B. Zoellick, in a meeting with Asean secretary-general Dr Surin Pitsuwan in Washington Thursday, had offered Asean the bank's expertise in assessing the devastation and planning for recovery.

Sri Lanka Air Force bombs rebel base

By Xinhua Colombo : Sri Lanka Air Force bombed a Tamil Tiger rebel base in the northern Jaffna peninsula on Wednesday, defense officials said. Air Force spokesman Group Captain Ajantha Silva said that a base of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sea wing at Pooneryn was the target. The target was successfully taken as fire balls were seen emanating from the target, Silva said.

China Indignant, Opposed To U.S. House Resolution On Tibet: FM

By Bernama Beijing : China expressed early Friday morning strong indignation and opposition over a resolution on Tibet adopted by the United States House of Representatives, Xinhua news agency reported. The resolution proposed by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "flagrantly distorted the history and reality of Tibet", said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu in a statement.

Indo-Bhutan ties very strong, says Modi

Thimphu : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a joint session of the Bhutanese parliament Monday, assured that ties between India and Bhutan are very...

EU urges Greek government to fulfil commitments on debt crisis

By IANS, Brussels : Leaders of the European Union (EU) Thursday urged the Greek unity government to fulfil the country's commitments to get itself out of the debt crisis.

Talking with the Dalai Lama: How serious is China?

By Mayank Chhaya, IANS, It is hard to tell whether their accuracy is lost in the translation or not but it is always amusing to read the way China frames its public pronouncements on Tibet in general and the Dalai Lama in particular. As the long-stalled talks between Beijing and the Dalai Lama's special envoys begin, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu has one piece of advice for the 75-year-old Tibetan leader: "We hope the Dalai Lama will cherish this opportunity and respond positively to the requests of the central government."

Open your fist to revive friendship, Chavez tells Obama

By IANS, Caracas : President Hugo Chavez has said that Venezuela and the US can revive their broken friendship if President Barack Obama "opens his fist", EFE reported. In his column "The Lines of Chavez" published Sunday, Chavez noted that Obama in his inaugural address expressed his willingness to "extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist", a statement directed at world leaders.

France goes to the polls for second round of local elections

By KUNA Paris : French and eligible European Union resident voters began heading to the polls early Sunday for the second round of local elections here designed to complete the process of choosing local councillors for cities, towns and villages throughout the country. In a first round of voting a week ago, Frances Socialist opposition and its left-wing and centrist allies made significant ground on the ruling Union for a Presidential Majority (UMP) of President Nicolas Sarkozy, but a number of key votes remained undecided.

Indian-origin journalist honoured in Canada

Ottawa: An Indo-Canadian journalist has been felicitated here by the community members for her outstanding achievements in the media. Adrienne Batra, Toronto Sun newspaper's editor-in-chief,...

Costa Ricans protest US trade deal

By IANS San Jose : Thousands of Costa Ricans across the country have taken to the streets here to protest the free trade agreement with the US, Spanish news agency EFE reported Monday. The demonstration was peaceful and protesters carried hundreds of flags with images of heart in red, white and blue (the colours of the Costa Rican flag) arranged to read "No", signifying their rejection of the trade pact. Costa Rica next Sunday will vote in a referendum - the country's first - to decide on the issue of the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States.

Bombs kill policeman, wound 13 civilians in southern Thailand

By DPA, Bangkok : One police officer was killed and 13 people wounded in two bombings in Thailand's deep South, state-run media reported Sunday. A blast outside the Pattani police station killed one officer and wounded five Saturday night, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported. The bomb was hidden in a motorcycle that was parked opposite the police station. A second blast in Narathiwat Saturday wounded eight people, including one Malaysian, TNA said. It was planted in a motorcycle parked at the market in front of the Sungai Kolok police station, near the border with Malaysia.

Messi, the best in the world: Brazilian footballers

By IANS, Brasilia: Argentine striker Lionel Messi is the best football player in the world, according to most Brazilian footballers who responded a survey by the portal UOL Esporte.

Indo-Canadians lead protests against hospital privatisation

By Gurmukh Singh, IANS Toronto : Canada's first experiment with partially privatised healthcare has evoked big protests. The flag-bearers of these protests are mostly the Indo-Canadians of the Toronto suburb of Brampton where the first such hospital opened in October 2007. Brampton is Canada's fastest growing city of 435,000. About 30 percent the population is of south Asian origin. Brampton Civic Hospital is Canada's first big health project under the so-called public-private partnership or P3.

Music producer Spector convicted for murdering actress

By IANS, London : Music producer Phil Spector has been found guilty of murder after a six-month retrial in Los Angeles. Jurors, who were handed the case on March 26, reached a verdict at Los Angeles Superior Court early on Monday, and ruled that Spector shot and killed actress Lana Clarkson in the foyer of his Alhambra, California, mansion in February 2003. Spector and his defence team, however, maintained that Clarkson shot herself, contactmusic.com reports.

Russia and Armenia for Strategic Links

By Prensa Latina Moscow : Russian President Vladimir Putin exhorted to preserve and increase the links with Armenia in the future, as he received Armenian president-elect Serzh Sarkisian in the Kremlin Monday. "I congratulate you for the electoral results, because I know how complicated political processes in Armenia are," Putin told his guest during the dialogue with Sarkisian. Sarkisian will be invested on April 9 and was also received by Dimitri Medvedev, winner of the presidential elections in Russia, who will be invested on May 7.

Russia to launch three more spacecraft to ISS

By RIA Novosti, Moscow : Russia is planning to launch three more Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) this year, Russian space agency Roscosmos said Thursday. Russia sent a Soyuz TMA-14 vehicle to the ISS March 26 this year to transport the crew to the space station. "In line with international agreements, Russia will launch the Soyuz TMA-15, May 27, the Soyuz TMA-16, Oct 1 and the Soyuz TMA-17, Nov 20, from the Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan," Roscosmos said in a statement.

Chad urges quick deployment of EU peacekeepers

By Xinhua Paris : Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno Thursday made a "solemn appeal" to the European Union (EU) to quickly deploy its long-awaited peacekeeping mission in Chad and the Central African Republic, called EUFOR, to protect refugees from the Sudanese province of Darfur. "I solemnly appeal to the European Union and the initiator of the idea, France, to ensure that the force is put on the ground as quickly as possible in order to alleviate the heavy burden that we are carrying today," said Deby while speaking on France's Europe 1 radio.

Millennium-old sarcophagus could unravel mystery of Mayan civilisation

By IANS/EFE, Ocosingo (Mexico) : Mexican archaeologists working at the Mayan acropolis of Tonina in the southern state of Chiapas have discovered more than a 1,000-year-old sarcophagus, which they hope would help clear up the mystery of the fall of ancient Mayan civilisation. Juan Yadeun, who heads the archaeological dig located in the municipality of Ocosingo, said Thursday the sarcophagus measures two meters long and about 27 inches wide. It is comparable in importance to the "Red Queen" in Palenque, Chiapas, discovered in 1994.

Obama seeks Russia’s cooperation on Iran and N.Korea

By RIA Novosti, Moscow : The U.S. president gave a speech to students in Moscow on Tuesday, calling for a major overhaul in relations between the countries, and calling on Russia to work with the West to prevent a nuclear arms race. In a speech to graduating students at the New Economic School, following his meeting with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama said Washington wants "a strong, peaceful, and prosperous Russia," and recognizes "the future benefit that will come from a strong and vibrant Russia."

Philippines extends voting period as eight die in violence

By DPA, Manila : Philippines' election officials Monday extended voting by one hour after technical glitches delayed balloting in general elections, which was also marred by violence that killed eight people. Most polling centres opened on time, but problems arose immediately with the new automated ballot-counting system that transmitted results electronically to central servers. Frustration mounted as the voters waited for hours in long lines in the stifling summer heat while election officers struggled with malfunctioning machines, inaccurate voter lists and disorder.

South Africa to launch massive HIV/AIDS campaign

By IANS, Johannesburg : South Africa, which has over five million people with HIV/AIDS, will launch a large nationwide campaign against the disease in April. With a target of reaching 15 million people by 2011, the HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign will be launched April 15 when tests for rape victims, male circumcision and distribution of condoms will be done on a massive scale, the country's health minister Aaron Motsoaledi told BuaNews, the state-owned news agency.

‘Straddling bus’ to run above cars in Beijing

By IANS, Beijing : Beijing will start trial operations next year of an eco-friendly "straddling bus" that can carry 1,400 passengers and allow other vehicles to pass under it, a move that can reduce traffic in the overcrowded Chinese capital. The capital government has approved its assessment report and started manufacturing the bus and a 9-km route along the West Sixth Ring Road in Mentougou district, where the trial operation is planned to start in July, the Shanghai Daily said citing a Beijing Times report Thursday.

Cuban officials’ ‘obsession’ with nation’s image criticised

By EFE, Havana : The "morbid obsession" and "paranoia" of some Cuban officials for censuring information and rejecting criticism by other officials in an attempt to maintain the image of the communist island or their own positions has been criticised in an article published in the official daily Juventud Rebelde. "The morbid obsession with protecting 'the image' of the country, the ministry, the company or the territory... on occasion is paranoia about the fate of your position, your post and a few other trifles," the article said Sunday.

Japan prepares to intercept North Korean rocket

By IANS, Tokyo : Japanese Defence Minister Naoki Tanaka ordered the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Friday to intercept a North Korean rocket launch, if necessary.

Australians mourn changing coastline

By DPA, Sydney: Australians were Thursday mourning an irrevocable change to the scenery along the iconic Great Ocean Road tourist drive after the collapse of the handsome Loch Ard Gorge rock formation. Two rock pillars are what is left of the formerly majestic archway that countless sightseers have photographed. Each year tens of thousands of tourists cycle or drive the Great Ocean Road - a 300-km scenic route that begins 100 km west of Melbourne and runs through Port Campbell to Warrnambool.

British professionals live longer than labourers: study

By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS London : Britons in professional jobs live longer than those in unskilled or manual occupations, new health statistics reveal. According to data for 2002-2005 released by the Office of National Statistics here, life expectancy has risen for all social classes in Britain over the last 30 years, but there is also evidence of long-term inequality.

Sri Lanka for international pressure on Tamil Tigers

By IANS, Colombo : The Sri Lankan government Wednesday urged the international community to put pressure on the Tamil Tigers to allow civilians to leave the conflict zones to safety. A government release said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was preventing thousands of families from moving to safe areas by imposing a strict pass system. In some instances, the rebels were forcing people to stay behind to ensure the return of other members of their families. Amnesty International has also criticised the LTTE for its refusal to allow

Cuba urges Russia to strengthen economic ties

By RIA Novosti Mexico : Cuba's minister of government said Havana and Russia need to overcome past differences in their relationship and boost trade links, a Cuban news agency reported on Tuesday. Ricardo Cabrisas said during the first session in eight years of a bilateral intergovernmental commission in Havana attended by Russia's Transportation Minister Igor Levitin, that he hoped Moscow shared his views, Prensa Latina reported.

US war dodgers allowed to stay in Canada

By IANS, Toronto : The Canadian parliament Tuesday passed a motion to let American war resisters to stay permanently in the country. Most of these US soldiers, who call themselves conscientious objectors, defected to Canada when they were ordered to fight in Iraq. Many say they were being sent to the war zone for the second time. After the Canadian Supreme Court refused to hear their case last November, the opposition New Democratic Party and other groups have been fighting to stop their deportation back to the US.

Family hit by glacier tragedy asked to pay for car keys

By IANS, Wellington : When Australian Akshay Miranda, 22, was buried with his brother under a collapsing ice shelf on a New Zealand glacier, he had the keys of the family's rental car in his pocket. Akshay's body remains trapped under tonnes of ice at the Fox Glacier, but the rental company is billing his parents, Ronnie and Winnie Miranda of Melbourne, hundreds of dollars for a new transponder key and for towing the car 418 kilometres back to its base in Christchurch. "Nobody will do it for free," company director Edwin Chan told reporters Wednesday. "We feel for them."

Stringent changes proposed to Aussie skilled migration visa

By Neena Bhandari, IANS Sydney : Changes coming into effect on Saturday will put overseas students applying for an Australian General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa to a more stringent test. They will require greater understanding of the English language and a professional year of work experience. This is probably the reason why the number of Indian students taking English Language courses (ELICOS) has grown from 344 at March 2006 to over 1,400 in the same period in 2007.

Myanmar allows detained Suu Kyi to vote at home

By DPA, Yangon : Myanmar authorities Friday allowed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to cast an "advance vote" at her home, where she has been under house arrest for the past five years, in a national referendum designed to consolidate the military's power. Suu Kyi voted at home at 11 am, security sources said. Myanmar staged a national referendum May 10 to approve a new constitution which essentially cements the military's dominant role in any future elected government.

Colombian guerrilla who guarded Betancourt surrenders

By EFE, Bogota : A FARC guerrilla who guarded 15 high-value hostages, including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt who was rescued by the Colombian military last year, has surrendered, the army said. The guerrilla, known as "Angelo", turned himself in to soldiers in Miraflores, a hamlet in the southern province of Guaviare, and requested protection. The rebel "knew he was closer to death and preferred to lay down his arms instead of continuing to put up with the abuse and humiliation to which he was being subjected", the army said.

Magnitude-6.1 quake hits Japan

By IANS, Beijing : An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale was recorded off the east coast of Honshu at 14.58.21 GMT Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

OPEC crude price continues record climb

By DPA, Vienna : The price for crude oil produced by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) continued its record-breaking climb, the Vienna-based OPEC secretariat said Thursday. One barrel (159 litres) of OPEC crudes stood at $116.03 Wednesday, a new all-time high. The price rose by $1.28 compared with the previous day. According to OPEC analysts JBC in Vienna, crude supply concerns should have lifted to some extent, as ExxonMobil returned to its normal production levels of around 800,000 barrels per day in Nigeria after a strike.

Britons turn to sex to pay for education

By IANS, London: Rising tuition fees have forced British students into the sex industry.

Security strict but not stifling at Olympics inaugural

By V.Krishnaswamy, IANS, Beijing : The security was omnipresent at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. Yet it was not stifling, to say the least. The organisers never left anything to chance, to the extent that wireless Internet connections too were jammed for the duration of the gala opening ceremony. The media was warned in advance about the non-availability of wireless services, though broadband was made available, but at exorbitant rates.

Chhello Show movie: India’s official entry to Oscars leaves a mark with its release

Pan Nalin’s Chhello Show is an ode to the magical world of cinema and takes the viewer back to the age of...

Foreigners held for fishing off missile test range

By IANS Kendrapada (Orissa) : The police have detained 25 nationals of Thailand and Myanmar for fishing in the sea off a missile test range in Orissa. "Three fishermen from Thailand and 22 from Myanmar were detained Thursday evening. Their vessel called 'Jalapari-3' was also seized." S.C. Panda, officer-in-charge of the Rajnagar police station, Friday told IANS. They were fishing near the Wheeler's Island located in the Gahiramatha marine sanctuary in Kendrapada district, about 150 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar, he said.

Kenyan lawmakers urged to expedite legislative reforms

By Xinhua Nairobi : Mediators who are trying to resolve the political impasse that has plunged Kenya into crisis called on the country's lawmakers Tuesday to expedite legislative reforms to diffuse the current tension. Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, leading the panel of eminent African personalities in brokering peace, called on the legislators to exercise political goodwill to resolve the political impasse caused by the disputed December presidential elections.

Netherlands to include same-sex couples in textbooks

By DPA, Amsterdam : The Netherlands was the first country in the world to grant same-sex marriages and allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt children. Now the Dutch are taking the next logical step and are introducing same-sex couples into the nation's schoolbooks. However, not everyone in the country approves. Two fathers go out to buy a guinea pig that costs 17.95 euros in the pet shop. The shop owner gives them a discount of 20 percent. How much must Jan's fathers pay?

12 bodies found on Mexico highway

By IANS/EFE, Mexico City : Bodies of 11 people, including a woman, with bullet wounds at the back of the head, were found near a highway in Mexico, officials said. Motorists passing through the Las Yescas area in Tamaulipas state spotted the bodies Monday and called police, the Attorney General's Office said. The bodies showed signs of torture and bullet wounds, from large-calibre weapons, at the back of the head. However, no empty bullets were found in the area where the bodies were discovered, indicating that the killers just dumped the victims there, police said.

EU concerned over worsening situation in Sri Lanka

By IANS, Brussels : The European Union (EU) has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in north Sri Lanka. The 27-member bloc has strongly condemned the killings of civilians and called on all parties to take necessary steps to avoid such incidents in the future, EuAsiaNews reported.

Slow start to Irish vote over EU Lisbon Treaty

By DPA, Dublin : Voting got off to a slow start Friday as Ireland went to the polls to decide -- for the second time -- on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty. Several polling stations in Sligo in the north-west of the country were reporting "a very slow start" to voting with very low numbers turning out so far. Just 14 people out of 650 had voted in one booth by 9 a.m. in Tubbercurry. In Dublin city there was an average voter turnout of 4.4 percent by around 10 a.m. Turnout in the south-western city of Cork was estimated at around 5 percent by 10 a.m.

National network to connect all knowledge institutions: Pitroda

By Mayank Chhaya

IANS

Chicago : A network of all knowledge institutions in India will be one of the most consequential outcomes of the National Knowledge Commission, its chairman Sam Pitroda says.

Philippine massacre suspect blames Muslim rebels for carnage

By DPA, Manila : A scion of a powerful political family detained for allegedly masterminding a gruesome massacre of 57 civilians in the southern Philippines Friday blamed Muslim separatist rebels for the carnage. Andal Ampatuan Junior maintained his innocence concerning Monday's grisly attack on mostly women and journalists in a hilly village in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province, 930 km south of Manila.

Nepal royals jittery as president to replace king

By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS, Kathmandu : After putting up an impassive front ahead of the assembly meeting that will Wednesday end Nepal's 239-year-old reign of the Shah dynasty, the royal family Tuesday showed first signs of jitters as the ruling parties finally agreed that a president would replace King Gyanendra as head of state.

Kremlin critic Kasparov stopped from polls

Moscow, Dec 13 (DPA) Dissident and former chess champion Garry Kasparov has been prevented from standing as a candidate in Russia's presidential vote, his spokeswoman said Thursday. Kasparov's beleaguered opposition coalition, the Other Russia, was repeatedly blocked by authorities from finding a venue in which to hold a congress to nominate him, Maria Litvinovich told DPA. By election law, the coalition's time limit ran out Thursday to register the congress.

Seven killed in Sumatra quake, tsunami warning re-issued

By Xinhua Jakarta : At least seven persons were killed and over 100 were said to have been injured after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit Bengkulu province of Indonesia Wednesday. Indonesian authorities imposed a second tsunami warning after another strong quake followed, the country's Disaster Management Agency and Meteorology Agency said here. "So far, seven people were killed and it is believed more than 100 others were wounded," an official of the Disaster Management Agency, Adam Malik, told Xinhua.

Indonesian quake kills three

By DPA, Jakarta : A powerful undersea earthquake that struck off Indonesia's North Sulawesi province early Monday killed at least three people, injured nearly 40 and damaged more than 1,500 buildings, officials said. The quake struck at 1.02 a.m. (1702 GMT Sunday) and measured 7.7 on the Richter scale. Its epicentre was located about 138 km north-west of Gorontalo on North Sulawesi, about 1,900 km north-east of Jakarta. It occurred about 10 km beneath the seabed. The US Geological Survey recorded the quake at 7.5 on the Richter scale.

Scepticism about Blair book gesture

By IRNA, London : Former prime minister Tony Blair’s gesture to donate earnings from his forthcoming memoirs to a fund for injured soldiers has divided opinion in Britain on whether it is a charitable act or an attempt to assuage a guilty conscience. Britain’s largest peace group network Stop the War Coalition (STWC) said it was still planning to hold a mass protest to put Blair on trial for war crimes when he launches his memoirs with a book signing event in London on September 8.

Strike for higher pay lands Nepali workers in Qatar jail

By IANS

Kathmandu : Hundreds of Nepali workers who went on strike demanding higher pay in Qatar have been put behind bars as strikes are banned in the oil-rich Islamic state.

Obama releases CIA interrogation memos

By DPA, Washington : US President Barack Obama Thursday released four internal legal opinions that were used by former president George W. Bush's administration as justification for harsh CIA interrogations, but ruled out prosecuting anyone involved in such practices. The memorandums released by the Justice Department offered legal justification for a series of harsh interrogation tactics against suspects held in CIA prisons, including sleep deprivation and a drowning-simulation technique known as waterboarding, which some human rights groups have said amounted to torture.

Voters favor Democrats over Republicans on public issues

By KUNA Washington : A year before the US presidential elections, Democrats have an advantage over Republicans in public perception on issues, due in part to "personal touch" campaigning, according to latest election polls.

Nepal hikes fuel prices despite fear of mob fury

By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS Kathmandu : Caught between an irked creditor demanding payment and the fear of mob fury, Nepal's government finally decided to take the plunge, announcing a much-needed hike in fuel prices from midnight Wednesday. After ignoring the staggering losses suffered by the state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) due to bleeding subsidies for over a year, the Girija Prasad Koirala government finally increased fuel prices after failing to honour its pledge to hold a critical election in November.

Voting under way in Britain

By IANS, London : Voting was under way in Britain Thursday to elect a new government with the leaders of the three main parties casting their ballot before noon. Polling began across the country at 7 a.m., with voters arriving at nearly 50,000 voting centres. Leader of the Conservatives, David Cameron, was the first of the main British party leaders to vote at a community hall in Witney, Oxfordshire, shortly after 10.30 a.m, BBC reported.

Most New Yorkers don’t want Islamic centre near Ground Zero

By IANS, New York : Two-thirds of New York City residents want a controversial Muslim community centre and mosque to be relocated farther away from the site of 9/11 terrorist attack, according to a New York Times poll. The poll indicates that support for the 13-story complex at the Sep 11, 2001 ground zero site in Lower Manhattan, which organizers said would promote moderate Islam and interfaith dialogue, is tepid in its home town.

Toshiba to have new president

By Xinhua, Tokyo : Toshiba Corp. said Wednesday it will promote Norio Sasaki, corporate senior executive vice president, to president and CEO in June, replacing Atsutoshi Nishida in a bid to better cope with the economic slump. The appointment is subject to approval by the board following the ordinary general meeting of the shareholders, the company said in a statement. Concurrent with the election of the new president and CEO, Nishida will become chairman of the Board of Toshiba Corporation in late June. The current Chairman, Tadashi Okamura, will become an adviser to the board.

Israeli police kills Palestinian near Jerusalem

Ramallha/Jerusalem: A Palestinian was shot dead on Thursday evening in clashes with Israeli police in the Palestinian refugee camp of Shu'fat near east Jerusalem,...

Russia to set world record with 39 space launches in 2009

By RIA Novosti, Moscow : Russia is planning to set a world record by conducting a total of 39 space launches in 2009 despite the current global financial crisis, the head of the Russian Space Agency said on Monday. "We have scheduled a record number of launches for next year. We are planning to carry out 39 launches, half of them commercial and civilian satellites," Anatoly Perminov said. Russia conducted 27 space launches in 2008 and 26 launches in 2007, becoming the world's leader in this sphere.

Australian youths like to blog rather than vote

By IANS, Sydney : Young Australians tend to exercise their democratic choice by blogging or taking part in a protest rally, rather than voting or joining a political party. Eric Sidoti is heading a research project by the Whitlam Institute (University of Western Sydney), examining how youths engage with the democratic process. The first phase of the project, launched Thursday, is a comprehensive literature review of international and Australian research into how young people engage in political life and participate in democracy.

Blair ‘misled’ parliament on Iraq war, says former minister

By IRNA, London : Former international development secretary Clare Short Tuesday accused former prime minister Tony Blair of lying to her and misleading parliament in the build-up to the 2003 Iraq invasion. Short, who resigned from her cabinet post over the war, said that the conflict had put the world in greater danger of international terrorism. "I think for the attorney general to come and say there's unequivocal legal authority to go war was misleading,” she said when giving evidence to the Iraq inquiry.

US stocks surge as oil price falls below $70

By DPA, New York : US stocks surged Thursday after a steep dive a day earlier amid ongoing fears of a global recession. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 401.35 points, or 4.68 percent, to 8,979.26 in a late rally, partly on the back of falling oil prices. In a sign of the uncertain times, the index dipped and rose during the day over a span of more than 700 points for the sixth straight day, according to Bloomberg News.

89 die in Central America rains

By IANS, Mexico City : At least 89 people have been killed and some 350,000 affected as a week of devastating torrential rain continued in Central America.

Colombians reject plans to enlist students as army informers

By IANS/EFE, Bogota : Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's decision to turn college students into army informants to tackle crimes in northwestern Medellin city has been criticised by people from across the political spectrum. The presidential candidate of the opposition Liberal Party, Rafael Pardo, told reporters Thursday Uribe's decision was an act of desperation and a sign the violence in Medellin, was out of control. A former defence minister said it will put the students at risk and attract retaliation from banned groups.

U.N. Chief proposes reducing U.N. Presence in Sierra Leone

By SPA United Nations : U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday proposed replacing the current U.N. operation in Sierra Leone, when it completes its mandate next September, with a smaller integrated office to assist the West African country to consolidate peace.

Myanmar peace talks to resume

Yangon : Peace talks between the Myanmar government and ethnic leaders will resume this week despite escalating clashes in the country's Shan state, officials...

Software to anticipate vehicle malfunctions being developed

By IANS, Berlin : Cutting edge tools and software that will anticipate and prevent possible vehicular malfunctions are under development. For example, trucks driving thousands of kilometres to deliver oranges from Greece to Scandinavia or Spanish vegetables to Germany, might break down midway, holding up supplies. How can this problem be minimised, if not overcome? Testing potential flaws in wheel rims, engine or other parts required to work without failure over thousands of kilometres takes several weeks.

Immigrants less likely to find jobs because of racial prejudices

By IANS, Sydney : Recruitment consultants are likely to nix prospects of immigrants on account of their skin colour, accents, ethnicity and qualifications, much less find them jobs, according to a new study. Researchers found that only a small number had found jobs that matched their qualifications and many remained jobless or had accepted unskilled work. The barriers to finding employment were language skills, accent, ethnicity, skin colour, prejudice, lack of cultural understanding and a lack of helpful support from recruitment and government agencies.

Tunisia goes to polls for presidential election

London : Voting began in Tunisia Sunday for the first presidential election since the 2011 "Arab Spring" that triggered uprisings across the region. MOre than...

Nepal princess pays for father’s ambition

By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS Kathmandu : More than a year after King Gyanendra was stripped of his powers as punishment for trying to impose direct rule, his kin is paying for the monarch's ambition. The king's daughter, Princess Prerana, has become the latest victim of a retribution drive though she is probably the least controversial member of the royal family.

Italy quake: 98-year-old woman rescued after 30 hours

By Xinhua, Rome : A 98-year-old woman was pulled out alive from the earthquake rubble in Italy's L'Aquila city after being trapped for 30 hours, Italian media reported. Maria D'Antuono told ANSA news agency that while trapped under her house, she killed time by "doing crochet". She is in good condition. The death toll in Monday's earthquake, which centred near L'Aquila about 95 km northeast of Rome, has hit 250, a government official was quoted as saying by local media.

US airliner crashes in river, all passengers survive

By Xinhua, New York : A US Airways plane with more than 150 passengers crashed in the Hudson river in New York Thursday afternoon following a failed takeoff. Initial reports said that all people aboard survived with no major injuries. People rescued from the A320 were taken to nearby hospitals to check for hypothermia. Some of them were soaked wet in frigid water on a day when the temperature was around minus six degrees Celsius. US Airways flight 1549 was headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, from New York's LaGuardia Airport, officials said.

Over 100 workers taken hostage in Brazil

By IANS/EFE, Rio de Janeiro : Equipped with homemade weapons like bows and arrows, a group of around 300 people took control of an under-construction dam in the Amazon jungle in Brazil and held over 100 workers hostage. The protesters did not threaten the workers at the Dardanelos hydroelectric dam in Aripuana city Sunday but ordered them to move off to their barracks. "They did not at any time threaten their lives. They calmly asked them to go to their lodgings," said Antonio Carlos Ferreira de Aquino, regional coordinator of the Brazilian National Indian Foundation.

Water acts as catalyst for explosions

By IANS, London : Water, the most abundant liquid on earth, exhibits some unusual chemical properties when placed under extreme conditions. It can even trigger explosions. Scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) in California have shown that water, in hot dense environments, plays an unexpected role in catalysing complex explosive reactions. A catalyst is a compound that speeds chemical reactions without being consumed. Platinum and enzymes are common catalysts but water rarely, if ever, acts as a catalyst under ordinary conditions.

France calls for European sanctions against Iran

Paris, Sep 21 (Xinhua) France is calling on its European partners to take their own economic measures against Iran over its nuclear programme while working to secure new UN sanctions at the same time, the presidential office said. These are basically "additional measures outside the UN" which "could even be taken without a common agreement between the Europeans", presidential office spokesman David Martinon said Thursday.

NASA regains contact with Mars spacecraft

By SPA, Los Angeles : NASA's Phoenix Mars spacecraft regained contact with Earth more than a day after falling silent, but its days operating on the red planet are still numbered, mission managers said, according to AP. Waning sunlight and a dust storm this week drained the lander's power, forcing it to go into safe mode. It failed to respond to two wake-up calls from Earth but sent a signal late Thursday when the orbiting Odyssey spacecraft passed overhead.

Niqab becoming a flash point in Canada

By Gurmukh Singh, IANS, Toronto : The niqab worn by Muslim women has become a flash point in Canada, with most people seeking ban on the veil in public. But liberals and the media are comparing the ban demand to a Taliban dress code. Canada has about one million Muslims in its population of 34 million, and their population is expected to triple in the next two decades.

Five killed, 15 injured in traffic accident in Kazakhstan

By RIA Novosti, Astana : Five people have been killed and 15 injured in a collision between a car and a bus in southern Kazakhstan, the country's emergencies ministry said on Wednesday. A BMW car crashed into a coach with 52 people on board in the Zhambyl Province, the ministry's press service said. The car's driver and passenger, and three passengers in the coach died at the scene. The coach driver and 14 passengers were rushed to hospital with various injuries.

25 journalists, media workers killed in South Asia in 2007

New Delhi, Jan 1, IRNA, Twenty-five journalists and media workers in South Asia, including three from India, were killed in the line of duty during 2007, one of the bloodiest and difficult years for the media in the region. Pakistan topped the list with seven killings followed by Sri Lanka (6) and Afghanistan (5), the South Asia Media Commission (SAMC), an independent body, said in its report. Three journalists were killed in Nepal while one media worker in Afghanistan had a violent end.

European central banks to cut rates to ward off recession

By IANS, London/Frankfurt : Europe's two leading central banks are expected to announce Thursday big rate cut, as monetary authorities around the world step up efforts to head off a looming recession. Analysts are predicting that the Bank of England (BoE) and the European Central Bank (ECB) will each announce hefty reductions in borrowing costs which are likely to be followed up with more cuts in the coming months.

FARC rebels release Colombian soldier after one year

By DPA, Bogota : Colombian rebels followed through Sunday on the release of a soldier they had taken prisoner nearly a year ago, the International Committee of the Red Cross said (ICRC). The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) kidnapped 22-year-old Josue Calvo in April 2009. Calvo arrived Sunday on a Brazilian helicopter in the central Colombian city of Villavicencio, the ICRC said. With him on board were the opposition senator leading the mission, Piedad Cordoba, and Catholic Bishop Leonardo Gomez.

More than a dozen injuries in New York explosion

By DPA New York : Up to 16 people were injured in a steam pipe explosion in midtown Manhattan during rush hours that sent muddy brown water spewing into the air and brought transport to a standstill, broadcast reports said. Two of the injured were in critical condition, MSNBC reported, and there were reports of one death. Various broadcasters reported from 12 to 16 people were injured. Televised images showed a red pickup truck trapped in a large crater at the site of the explosion. Officials said that an exploding transformer could have caused the accident.

10 dead in Germany train collision

By DPA, Oschersleben (Germany) : A collision between two trains late Saturday in northern Germany left 10 people dead and 20 seriously injured, police told DPA.

Road accident kill over 73,000 in China in 2008

By NNN-APP, Beijing : The road accidents after stepping up safety measures scaled down in China as it claimed around 73,500 lives last year, according to official figures released on Sunday. Last year, 265,204 road accidents killed 73,484 people and injured 304,919 others nationwide, down 19 percent, 10 percent and 20 percent respectively from 2007, the traffic administration bureau under the Ministry of Public Security said here. Losses from these accidents were estimated at $ 148 million, dropping 15.8 percent from 2007.

First anniversary sees Nepal peace pact in tatters

By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS Kathmandu : The peace pact signed between Nepal's ruling parties and the Maoists reached its first anniversary Wednesday, but there was little cause to cheer with mounting tales of atrocities by guerrillas, parties engaged in fighting for power and violence rearing its head in the Terai plains.

National leaders watchful as Britons vote in local polls

By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS, London : Millions of people voted in London and the provinces of England and Wales Thursday in local elections that most analysts said were a key test of the British government's popularity. After 12 years in power, the Labour government was bracing to meet a stiff challenge thrown by the main party of opposition, the Conservative party, at Thursday's polls. Elections are being held for the key high-profile job of London Mayor, as well as for the London Assembly that helps run one of the world's largest cities.

Canada’s first white Christmas in four decades

By Gurmukh Singh,IANS, Toronto : With snow blanketing the country from coast to coast Thursday, Canada had its first white Christmas in almost four decades. Since some parts of the province of British Columbia in western Canada generally don't receive much snowfall, the country has not witnessed a white Christmas since 1971. With 41 cm of snow Thursday morning, British Columbia's main city Vancouver, in fact, recorded the whitest Christmas in Canada.

Secular budget triggers unholy row in Nepal

By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS, Kathmandu : Riot police were called to restore order as violence, arson and looting erupted Saturday at the heart of the capital as its Newar community went on the rampage, protesting the secular budget unveiled Friday that slashed allocations for religious festivals.

India to be guest of honour at Mexico’s international cultural fest

New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) The 46th edition of Cervantino International Festival, to be held in Mexico, will see India participating as a guest...

Man who killed two in China stabbing spree arrested

By IANS, Beijing : A Chinese man who killed two women and injured seven children with a knife and an axe in Shaanxi province has been arrested, officials said Tuesday. The attacker, identified as 35-year-old Song Lirong, a native of Songjiapo village in Shaanxi, had quarrelled with his wife, prompting her to leave for her parents' home, Xue Yawei, a county government official, was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Immigrants in Britain to be taught to queue

By IANS, London : Britain plans to educate immigrants on the art of queuing properly to help them integrate into the society, a media report said Monday. Foreigners applying to settle in the country will have to learn about the revered British practice of forming a queue for everything from buses to sandwiches, Daily Mirror reported on its web site. The "art of queuing" may also be included in the test on aspects of the British way of life required for foreign nationals applying for citizenship, the report said.

Three killed in Myanmar mine blasts

By Xinhua Yangon : Three people have been killed and four injured in separate mine blasts in two states of Myanmar, the official newspaper New Light of Myanmar reported Wednesday. The villagers died when they stepped on the mines allegedly planted by insurgents in Ye township in southeastern Mon state and Kyaukkyi township in northeastern Kayin state Monday, the report said. This year, the state-run media has been reporting of some shooting incidents by insurgents in the military ruled country, which was rocked by Monks-led pro-democracy protests recently.

China quake toll rises to 615

Beijing : Four days after a powerful earthquake devastated parts of China's Yunnan province, the death toll has risen to 615, authorities said Thursday. Among...

Ban to meet Nepal PM Friday

By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS, Kathmandu : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will hold parleys with Nepal's first Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" Friday when he arrives in Nepal on a two-day visit as part of his four-nation Asian trip. The UN chief will be discussing the Maoist government's mandate to draft a new constitution within two years and the difficult task of integrating the Maoists' guerrilla army, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), with the Nepal Army (NA).

Priests’ Comments On Jews, Muslims Embarrass Pope

By BERNAMA, VATICAN CITY : Outbursts about Jews and Muslims by Italian leaders of an ultra-traditionalist Roman Catholic group show the challenge facing Pope Benedict as he tries to bring them back into the Church. Benedict tried on Wednesday to defuse an international furore over his decision to lift the excommunication of four bishops including Richard Williamson, who denies the full extent of the Holocaust and says there were no gas chambers. The Pope expressed his "full and unquestionable solidarity" with Jews and warned of the dangers of Holocaust denial.

U.S. Health Officials Warned Salmonella-contaminated Tomatoes

By Bernama, Los Angeles : U.S. health officials expanded their warning about salmonella-contaminated tomatoes nationwide as the disease has claimed the first death since its outbreak. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted consumers that the outbreak of salmonella contamination seems to be linked with certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing these tomatoes. In particular, the agency quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying, raw red plum tomatoes, raw red Roma tomatoes and raw round red tomatoes should be avoided at this time.

Fire breaks out at Moscow university

By IANS/RIA Novosti, Moscow : About 500 people were evacuated from the Moscow State University early Friday after a fire broke out in the building, officials said.

Chile introduces permanent whale-hunting ban

By RIA Novosti, Buenos Aires : Chile has declared a permanent ban on whaling in its waters, the government confirmed on its website on Tuesday. The move was first announced by President Michelle Bachelet on Monday at the opening of the 60th International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Chile. Bachelet also endorsed making Chile's coastal waters a sanctuary for 43 whale species. The proposal is still to be approved by Congress. There are currently around 2,200 blue whales, 100 times less than at the start of the 19th century.

Uniform sign language planned for whole of Africa

By IANS Harare : The African Rehabilitation Institute (ARI) plans to develop a uniform sign language for sub-Saharan Africa to facilitate communication among people with hearing and speech impairments, BuaNews agency reported Tuesday. Regional rehabilitation officer Engelbert Makanjera said the institute wanted to ensure that people with hearing and speech impairments would be able to communicate when they travel across the continent, as part of a broader policy to help in addressing challenges faced by people with disabilities.

Thai PM: Thailand, Cambodia can settle border disputes through talks

By Xinhua, Bangkok : Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said Saturday he believes negotiations with the Cambodian government aimed at settling border disputes between the two neighboring countries are now possible and that there is no need to ask ASEAN for help in mediation. Somchai made the remarks in Thailand's northeastern province of Si Sa Ket when he visited soldiers wounded in gun fight with Cambodia on Wednesday around disputed area near Preah Vihear temple, according to the Thai News Agency.

Earthquake shakes Britain, no report of injury

By DPA London : An earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter Scale woke up people across Britain Wednesday, but there have been no reports of injury or damage, officials said. The earthquake struck at 1 a.m. with the US Geological Survey reporting its epicentre was around 48 km south of Hull, east Yorkshire, 205 km north of London. John Jenkin, from Bourne in Lincolnshire, was woken by the tremors and said that objects had fallen from his shelves, according to the Press Association.

Rally in Russia condemns Prophet Muhammad’s caricature

Moscow : Over 20,000 people staged a rally in the Russian republic of Ingushetia, Saturday, to protest against the unfavourable portrayal of the Prophet...

Obama Moving into Clear Lead

By Prensa Latina, Washington : Senator Barack Obama (D.-Ill.) heads towards winning the Democratic candidature after his split win with Hillary Clinton in Oregon and Kentucky primaries. Obama scored 16 points in Oregon and the ex first lady 32 in Kentucky yet Real Clear Politics on-line says Obama won at least 42 of the 103 delegates matching majority popular vote. Obama, 46, regards his 182 lead on Clinton with 1957 commissioners a clear popular message, which he defined in Iowa as a sign to get 200 undecided superdelegates.

Wikipedia top rated for mental health information

By IANS, Sydney : Wikipedia is the most highly rated website for providing information on mental-health related topics, a study reveals.
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