Mauritanians fight country’s image as hotbed of terrorism
By DPA
Nouakchott (Mauritania) : In the historic Mauritanian desert town of Chinguetti - the country's main hope for tourism - hotels, restaurants, craft shops, travel agencies and petrol sales points are languishing.
Some are half-empty, while others have closed down.
In the capital Nouakchott as well, the economy is feeling the impact of a sudden decline in tourism after the cancellation of the Lisbon-Dakar rally, which normally passes through the northwest African Islamic republic, over security concerns earlier this month.
Mumbai Police Commissioner, Ahmad Javed appointed new Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi : In a significant announcement, the Ministry of external affairs on Friday issued a press release...
Macedonia votes in early parliamentary election
By RIA Novosti,
Belgrade : Macedonia is voting on Sunday in an early parliamentary election, with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski's coalition VMRO-DPMNE expected to win the poll.
Macedonian lawmakers voted to dissolve parliament and call early elections over the quarrel with Greece, which recently vetoed Macedonia's NATO-membership invitation over the 17-year-long dispute with Athens, which objects to Skopje using the name Republic of Macedonia. Athens says the name implies a territorial claim on Greece's northern province of Macedonia, the birthplace of Alexander the Great.
North Korea spent $700 mn on weapons tests: Report
By DPA,
Seoul : North Korea has spent over $700 million on rocket and nuclear tests since April, a South Korean newspaper estimated Monday.
The seven rocket tests Saturday alone cost an estimated $43 million, South Korean daily Chosun Ilbo reported citing government figures.
The launch of a long-range rocket in early April cost around $300 million and the country's second nuclear test, carried out May 25, cost as much as $400 million, the report said.
Thai flood worst in decades, says PM; toll 252
By IANS,
Bangkok : Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Friday called the flood, which has been ravaging the country's north for more than two months, as the worst in decades.
Boeing delivers 200th transport aircraft to US Air Force
By Gulshan Luthra, IANS,
Los Angeles : Boeing has delivered the 200th C 17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft to the US Air Force (USAF).
The aircraft was flown from its Long Beach production facility here July 30 to the USAF Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, the aircraft's new home, company sources told India Strategic defence magazine.
USAF has ordered a total of 223 aircraft.
Boeing is slowing down production of C 17s, expecting some more new international orders before the facility is closed down in four to five years.
Sri Lanka revokes foreign journalist’s expulsion order
By IANS,
Colombo : An expulsion order served on a visiting Swiss journalist in Sri Lanka has been revoked, the presidential media office said here Sunday.
Karen Wenger had been asked to leave by Feb 1 following a question she had raised at a government press conference concerning Tuesday's presidential election.
She was accused of damaging Sri Lanka's image and the department of government information cancelled her media accreditation that is required to do reporting from the island.
‘Pakistan using anti-terrorism laws against clerics’
Islamabad: The Pakistani government is using anti-terrorism laws against the ulema (religious scholars), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said.
Religious seminaries were...
Russia wants shield against n-terror
By IANS,
Moscow : Russia Friday called for a global mechanism to prevent nuclear terrorism.
The suggestion was made during a nuclear conference in Moscow.
US missile shield chance to develop region: Polish PM
By DPA,
Warsaw : Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said the US anti-missile shield is not only a military installation, but a chance to develop a northern Polish province that is to host the base.
Tusk said that residents near the city of Slupsk should feel the shield is also "a chance to develop the region", after he met local government officials from the area Monday.
"Everyone who took part in the meeting believes in the possibility of working together," he told reporters. "We want to unite our efforts, starting from information and ending with money."
Central Asian premiers hold security summit
By DPA,
Beijing : The premiers of China, Russia and four Central Asian nations Wednesday held a summit under the security-focussed Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, host nation China said.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and their counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were scheduled to attend the summit at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
Kanishka bombing convict faces fresh jail term for perjury
By Gurmukh Singh, IANS
Toronto : Inderjit Singh Reyat, the only person jailed here for the 1985 Air India bombing, is set for another jail term for perjury next week.
Reyat completes a five-year jail term on Feb 9 for his role in blowing up the Kanishka flight from Toronto to New Delhi on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board.
US firm to supply X-ray machines to Myanmar
By IANS,
Yangon : American company General Electric (GE) has signed a $2-million deal with a Myanmar firm to supply X-ray machines for hospitals.
Australian jets kill IS fighters in airstrikes
Canberra: Australian jets have carried out at least two airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) militants, out of a total of 43 sorties by Royal...
4.5 tonnes marijuana seized in Mexico
By IANS/EFE,
Mexico City : Nearly 4.5 tonnes of marijuana have been seized in northwestern Mexico, the navy has said.
Talks down to the wire at Copenhagen: Swedish minister
By DPA,
Copenhagen : Swedish Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren Monday predicted "tough talks down to the wire" at the UN climate change summit, saying China and the US need to offer more on emission cuts.
The talks in Copenhagen, scheduled to end Friday, aim at preventing global average temperatures from rising more than the potentially dangerous two-degree Centigrade limit.
"It is impossible to solve the climate problem unless China makes more emission reductions above the scope they have offered," Carlgren told Swedish radio.
Suspicious parcel found at US Embassy to the Vatican: Report
By DPA,
Rome : Italian police bomb experts were dispatched Wednesday to investigate a "suspicious package" found at the US Embassy to the Vatican in Rome, news reports said.
ANC splinter group to launch new party
By DPA,
Johannesburg : A breakaway group of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) said Saturday evening that it aims to launch a new political party in Bloemfontein in December.
Former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa made the announcement at the conclusion of the ANC breakaway congress in Johannesburg, during which speakers accused the former liberation movement of reviving the "terrible legacy" of apartheid.
Japanese euphoric as cherry blossoms bloom
By Aliki Nassoufis, DPA,
Tokyo : They are as soft as silk, no larger than half a thumb, and conquer Japanese hearts every spring: cherry blossoms, known in Japan as "sakura".
Anticipation starts building across the country in February. When the first buds open in the south-west, national euphoria breaks out. Newspapers follow the north-easterly advance of the flower front until millions upon millions of the delicate blossoms adorn the Japanese archipelago.
London protest against US renditions
By IRNA,
London : A protest was held outside the US Embassy in London Saturday to express solidarity with the tens of thousands of victims of extraordinary rendition.
The demonstration, organised by the London Guantanamo Campaign, was planned to coincide with the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
Estimates of the number of victims range from 40,000 to over 200,000 worldwide. Human rights organisations and civil liberty campaigners have also called for an independent inquiry into the UK's role in torture and rendition during the US-led war on terror.
Five die in France chopper crash
By IANS,
Paris : Five people were killed in France Wednesday when their helicopter crashed, Xinhua reported.
Merkel visits Afghanistan to meet German troops
By KUNA,
BERLIN : Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel made a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Monday to meet German troops stationed in Kunduz to the north of the country.
A spokesman for the government's media department said that this visit was not announced earlier "for security reasons".
Britain jails two who knew July 2005 suicide bombers
By DPA,
London : Two British Muslims described as friends of the suicide bombers behind the July 2005 attacks on London's transport system were Wednesday jailed for seven years each for plotting to attend a terrorist training camp in Pakistan.
Waheed Ali, 25, and Mohammed Shakil, 32, were among three men cleared by the same court Tuesday of helping the bombers to select targets for the attack in London on July 7, 2005.
Congo DR: Air Accident Causes 79 Dead
By Prensa Latina,
Kinshasa : The fall of a DC-9 plane with 85 people aboard on a neighborhood at the east of the city of Goma caused the death of at least 79 travellers Tuesday, governmental sources said here.
The sources said that only 6 survivors were found in the last hours, one of them a pilot.
The plane was on a flight to Kinshasa, and the Governor of the province of North Kivu, Julien Paluku, said there were 79 passengers and six crew members in the plane, a property of local private airline Hewa Bora.
Detained Sri Lankan ex-general starts hunger strike
By DPA,
Colombo : Sarath Fonseka, the former Sri Lankan army commander and presidential candidate now being detained in a navy facility, has begun a hunger strike to protest his lack of access to a telephone, his wife announced Sunday.
Anoma Fonseka said her husband was prepared to fast to death.
Sarath Fonseka was taken into custody in February after his failed attempt to challenge incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa for the presidency in January. He has been accused of trying to topple the government.
Mixing drugs, herb remedies can damage health
By IANS,
Washington: Herbal, dietary, energy or nutritional supplements may be good for one's well being, but if combined with common drugs they can damage health.
Processing halted of foreign students’ applications for Auckland institute
By Amandeep Kaur, IANS,
Auckland: The authorities in New Zealand have suspended processing applications of international students to study at Auckland's Kingsland Institute after the arrest of two men for alleged immigration fraud, an official statement here said.
Immigration authorities now are reviewing some approved applications, after the arrest of two men, including a manager at the institute, the statement said Tuesday.
The arrests were the result of complaints by two prospective students at the institute, which provides courses in business, IT, cookery and English.
Philippines rejects call to halt offensives against Muslim rebels
By DPA,
Manila : The Philippines Sunday rejected calls to halt military offensives against Muslim separatist rebels who launched a spate of deadly attacks in the country's troubled south.
Eduardo Ermita, presidential executive secretary, said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) should take responsibility for the attacks that killed 102 people and displaced more than 240,000 residents.
He said the MILF must rein in its commanders and fighters, who have allegedly become frustrated over setbacks in peace talks with the government.
US needs time to review Europe missile plan: Gates
By Xinhua,
Krakow (Poland) : US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Friday that the Obama administration needs time to review the plans of the previous administration to develop a strategic missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Gates said he has told Polish leaders to allow some time for the review.
The US needs to put this issue in context in terms of its relations with Poland and the Czech Republic and also with Russia, he told reporters at an informal meeting of NATO defence ministers.
Google’s exit a plot, says China Daily
By IANS,
Beijing : Google's exit from China is a "deliberate plot", a Chinese daily said Thursday, adding that Google's services in India and some other countries were also "under scrutiny".
An article in China Daily stressed that the US company's withdrawal "from the Chinese mainland is a deliberate plot".
"Google's withdrawal is not a purely commercial act. The incident has from the beginning been implicated in Washington's political games with China."
Oxford Dictionaries to add 1,000 new words
London : 'Mamil' (middle-aged man in Lycra), 'silvertail' (a person who is socially prominent or who displays social aspirations) and 'crony capitalism' are among...
Osama number plates banned in Britain
By IANS,
London : Britain’s vehicle licensing agency has banned offensive number plates that could be read as Osama and other words supporting terrorism.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has banned hundreds of potentially offensive plates, the Sun reported Friday quoting an MP.
Among them are: O54MA (Osama), HO57AGE (hostage), BU58OMB (bus bomb), MA56ACA (massacre), and HE58OLA (Hezbollah).
Germany to allow computer virus attacks by police
By DPA,
Berlin : Germany is moving ahead with a bill to permit police virus attacks that could remotely extract evidence from a suspect's computer, an interior ministry spokesman said in Berlin Tuesday.
The legislation had been held up by a dispute within Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition over the terms.
That was resolved with an agreement that the bill would not include any new authorization to physically attach monitoring devices to suspects' computers. "Police won't initially set foot in anyone's home," said Paris.
Sixth Russian plane carrying humanitarian aid departs for China
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : A sixth Russian Emergencies Ministry plane carrying 30 tons of humanitarian aid for quake-stricken southwest China took off on Sunday from an airfield near Moscow, a ministry spokesman said.
"An Il-76 transport plane departed at 11.10 a.m. Moscow time [07.10 GMT] for China," the official said. "Relief supplies include tents and blankets."
UN to start verifying Maoist troops from Thursday
By IANS
Kathmandu : The UN will start verifying Maoist troops from Thursday after a deadlock between the guerrillas and the Nepal government ended Monday with the ruling alliance increasing funds for the corralled rebel soldiers.
Ban Ki-moon says UN mission to continue administering Kosovo
By APP
United Nations : UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon said Monday that the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), approved by the Security Council in 1999, would continue to run Kosovo until a formal transition could be arranged.
Speaking in the open session of the 15-member council, Ban said that recent developments—obviously the declaration of independence by the former Serbian province—were likely to have “significant operational implications” for UNMIK.
Obama would maintain US leadership abroad: Washington Post
By Arun Kumar,IANS,
Washington : The influential US daily, the Washington Post, has endorsed Democratic candidate Barack Obama saying he has the potential to become a great president, who "would seek to maintain US leadership and engagement" abroad.
Adding its national weight to 39 other regional newspapers that have backed Obama, the Post in an editorial Friday described him as "a man of supple intelligence, with a nuanced grasp of complex issues and evident skill at conciliation and consensus-building".
Riots break out in Greece after policeman shoots teenager
By Xinhua,
Athens : Riots broke out in Athens and other Greek cities in the early hours on Sunday after a teenager was allegedly killed by police the previous night.
Demonstrators took to the streets in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra and other cities in Greece, setting fires to cars and damaging banks and shops.
Riots continued through Sunday morning in central Athens. A group of demonstrators threw stones and Molotov cocktails at police who responded with tear gas.
Democrats gamble on Vegas vote
By DPA
Las Vegas : The US electoral system can often seem confusing to outsiders with its bewildering caucuses, electoral colleges and multimillion dollar campaigns.
Now, add another weird factor to the system. In the Democratic Party caucuses Saturday in Nevada, thousands of union members will get to vote at polling stations specially set up in the gaudy Las Vegas casino hotels that are better known for taking gamblers' fortunes than making political ones.
Obamas spend quiet Christmas in Hawaii
By DPA,
Washington : US President-elect Barack Obama and his family spent a quiet Christmas Thursday at a luxury beachfront rental home in Hawaii, in what will likely be his last retreat before his inauguration Jan 20.
Accompanied by wife Michelle and their daughters - Malia and Sasha - the family opened gifts in the morning and were later joined by close friends from Chicago, Marty Nesbitt, a businessman who was treasurer of his presidential campaign and physician Eric Whitaker.
Majority Chinese studying overseas funded by parents
By IANS,
Beijing : An overwhelming majority of Chinese students - around 87 percent - who studied abroad in 2009 received financial support from their parents, a government survey has said.
It said only nine percent of those studying abroad received scholarships from foreign institutions while three percent supported themselves through part-time jobs. One percent were funded by the Chinese government.
The survey, published by China.com.cn, a government-run website, was conducted by education research company MyCOS, Xinhua reported.
Cambodia rejects Thailand’s claim over two temples at border area
By Xinhua,
Phnom Penh : Cambodia Tuesday rejected Thailand's claim over the temples of Tamone Toch and Tamone Thom in northwestern Otdar Meanchey province, which borders Thailand.
"The Tamone temple complex, composed of the temples of Tamone Toch and Tamone Thom and located in the Phnom Dang Rek range, is clearly situated in the Cambodian territory," said the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia in a statement.
"Cambodia rejects any claim contrary to the legal rights of the kingdom," the statement said.
Sarkozy, Cameron plan to unveil diplomatic strategy on Libya
By IRNA,
Berlin: France and Britain are to present a political and diplomatic strategy for ending the Libyan conflict, the German Press Agency dpa reported on Friday.
Russia slaps tit-for-tat sanctions on US leaders
Moscow: Russia barred Thursday a number of US politicians from entering the country in a tit-for-tat move over Washington's sanctions.
The list includes nine politicians,...
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.
US sues Arizona over controversial immigration law
By DPA,
Washington : The Obama administration filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the state of Arizona over a controversial immigration law that has sparked widespread protests across the country.
The US Justice Department filed the lawsuit in a district court in Phoenix, arguing the state of Arizona had infringed upon the federal government's right to dictate immigration policy. Arizona politicians argue it was federal inaction that forced them to adopt the law.
24 killed in Brazil plane crash
By IANS,
Rio de Janeiro : Twenty-four people were killed when the aircraft in which they were travelling crashed into a river in Brazil's Amazon region, EFE reported Sunday. The plane, with 28 people onboard, was on its way from Coari town to Amazon's largest city of Manaus when it crashed into the Manacapuru River Saturday, the report said. Emergency officials have rescued four people.
Officials said bad weather might be the cause of the accident. Air traffic controllers had lost contact with the pilot before the accident.
1,700-yr-old skeleton of African immigant found in Britain
By IANS,
London: Archaeologists have unearthed a 1,700-year-old skeleton of an African immigrant at a Roman cemetery in Warwickshire in Britain.
Talks on defence, UN reforms during Sarkozy visit: French envoy
By IANS,
Chennai: French President Nicolas Sarkozy will have wide-ranging discussions on improving bilateral trade and defence ties, as also India's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council when he visits India later this year, French Ambassador to India Jerome Bonnafont said here Tuesday.
"Our president will be visiting India later this year to have discussions on defence and civil nuclear energy deals and on permanent membership for India in the UN Security Council," Bonnafont said at a seminar organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here Tuesday.
Two Russian soldiers killed, two injured in Chechnya Military and Security
By KUNA,
Moscow : Two Russian soldiers were killed and two others were injured in an attack targeting a Russian army convoy in Chechnya on Sunday.
Interfax News Agency quoted Russian security sources as saying that the armed men detonated a bomb as the Russian army convoy was passing through the southern suburbs of Shali in Chechnya.
The source added that the militants opened heavy fire at the Russian convoy, which resulted in the killing of two Russian officers and injuring the other two.
36 dead in Vietnam bus accident
By IANS,
Hanoi : At least 36 people died in central Vietnam when their bus fell into a river after crashing through the banister of a bridge, Xinhua reported Friday.
Top three US car makers seek $34 bn bailout
By IANS,
New York : Facing imminent bankruptcy, the top three American automobile majors - General Motors, Chrysler and Ford - have sought a $34 billion bailout package from the US Congress. In return, they have promised to be more efficient, cut thousands of jobs, trim down brands and reduce salaries of their CEOs to $1 a year.
The three auto makers presented their turnaround plan to the Congress saying their collapse is imminent unless they are bailed out from the present financial crisis.
Chinese SEZ is also land of thousand pianists
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
Xiamen (China) : In a corner of the crowded Zhongshan Road, one of China's top 10 business streets located in the 12th century port city of Xiamen on the East China sea, 40-year-old Sen Tham Yen Sho plays his electronic piano on a makeshift stage against the backdrop of a Chinese eatery.
Search on for Yemeni plane crash survivors; child rescued
By DPA,
Johannesburg/Sanaa : A five year-old child was being brought ashore Tuesday, after surviving a Yemen Airways plane crash near the Comoros Islands, officials said.
Abdillah Mougni, secretary-general of Comoros republic's transport ministry, said the child, whose gender he did not know, was being brought to shore by boat.
Mougni also said only one body had been recovered from the water so far, although three bodies had been seen floating in the water from helicopters.
The Comoros islands are located between Madagascar and Mozambique, off south-eastern Africa.
Indonesian President inaugurates 12th Islamic World Forum
Jakarta : Indonesian President Joko Widodo opened the 12th World Islamic Economic Forum here on Tuesday, urging the Muslim community to use their fundamental...
Nikkei rises nearly 8 percent after Wall Street rally
By DPA,
Tokyo : Tokyo stocks surged nearly 8 percent Wednesday, on the back of Wall Street's overnight rally and the dollar's advance against the yen, sending the benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average above the 8,000-mark.
The Nikkei rose 589.98 points, or 7.74 percent, to close at 8,211.9.
The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was up 46.29 points, or 5.9 percent, at 830.32.
The Tokyo market sentiment was buoyed also by speculations that the Bank of Japan is considering an interest-rate cut to help stabilise the market.
First Sikh member in New Zealand parliament
By DPA,
Wellington : Former New Delhi businessman Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi will be the first Sikh member of the New Zealand parliament which has a record number of six Asian members following Saturday's election.
The parliament will also see its first Korean member Melissa Lee and its first Asian member Pansy Wong, who was elected in 1996, together with Bakshi, in the newly-elected National Party government ranks.
Column of ash shoots from erupting Ecuador volcano
By IANS/EFE,
Quito : A sudden eruption of the Tungurahua volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes sent a column of ash more than seven km into the sky, authorities said.
Ukraine sacks Navy chief
Kiev : Ukraine's acting Defence Minister Igor Tenyukh Sunday dismissed Navy Commander Denis Berezovsky, who reportedly swore allegiance to pro-Russian Crimean authorities earlier...
Sri Lankan military says jets bomb rebel camp
By SPA,
Colombo, Sri Lanka : Sri Lankan air force jets bombed a rebel training camp in the north as ground forces waged new battles with Tamil Tiger rebels across the front lines, the military said Wednesday.
Air force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara was quoted as saying by Associated Press that fighter jets struck a rebel camp late Tuesday and reported accurately hitting their target.
Meanwhile, heavy fighting continued along the front lines of the rebels' de facto state in the north throughout the day Tuesday, the military reported in a statement.
US court forbids use of electric chair
By DPA
Washington : The Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled that execution using the electric chair violated the Midwestern state's constitution as cruel and unusual punishment.
"We recognise the temptation to make the prisoner suffer, just as the prisoner made an innocent victim suffer. But it is the hallmark of a civilised society that we punish cruelty without practicing it," the court's majority wrote in its 6-1 decision Friday.
Fidel Castro still wielding power in Cuba: Bush
By DPA
Washington : Retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro continues to quietly wield power, and Washington will not alter its tough policies on the communist island until democratic reforms are introduced, US President George W. Bush has said.
"So far, all Cuba has done is replacing one dictator with another. And the former ruler is still influencing events from behind the scenes," Bush said Friday during meeting with a group of Cuban dissidents at the White House.
Ban telephones Zardari on Mumbai terror attack
By IANS,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday spoke to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari over telephone on the Mumbai terror attacks, an official said.
Michele Montas, spokesperson for the secretary-general, told reporters at the UN headquarters that Ban telephoned Zardari to discuss with him issues related to the terrorist attack on Mumbai last week that killed as many as 183 people, including several foreign nationals.
Details of the phone call were not immediately available.
Indonesian teenager dies of bird flu
By SPA
Jakarta : A 16-year-old Indonesian boy from Central Java has died from bird flu, taking the country's death toll from the virus to 104, Reuters quoted the health ministry's sources as saying on Saturday.
The ministry said on its Web site the boy had fallen sick on Feb. 3 with fever symptoms and respiratory problems after five chickens belonging to him and a neighbour died.
Russia Steps up Ratification of Intl Agreements
By Prensa Latina
Moscow : Russian President Vladimir Putin presented before Parliament on Tuesday three international agreements on judicial cooperation with other states for their prompt ratification.
The Duma (lower chamber) received an accord signed with Angola in 2006 regarding the exchange of people tried and a second agreement signed with Mexico in June 2005 calling for the parties to help each other in judicial matters.
Iran, US claim progress in latest round of n-talks
Vienna: Iran and six world powers are making progress in the latest round of talks over Iran's long-disputed nuclear programme, said top diplomats of...
Man dies while waiting in line to vote in Puerto Rico
By IANS/EFE,
San Juan: A 63-year-old man died Tuesday while he was waiting in line to vote on election day in Puerto Rico, the police reported.
UN-backed tree-planting drive hits 1 billion goal
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 29 (APP) : One billion trees have been planted under a drive backed by the U.N. and the World Agroforestry Centre, hitting the milestone as planned ahead of next month’s international climate change conference in Bali.
Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, said in Nairobi that the achievement of the goal “is a further sign of the breathtaking momentum witnessed this year on the challenge for this generation climate change.”
Undersea Quake Rocks East Timor
By Prensa Latina,
Dili : An earthquake with magnitude of 6.4 on the Ritcher scale has struck off the East Timor coast in Dili on Saturday, causing panic among people who ran on the streets.
The Indonesian Meteorological Agency, located the epicenter of the tremor northeast of Dili, said the quake struck about 54 miles north of the capital, Dili, at a depth of approximately six miles, at 03:12, local hour.
There were no reports of injuries or damage due to Saturday's earthquake, an Indonesian Meteorological and Geophysics Agency official said.
Protect our nationals on your territory, China tells Pakistan
By IANS
Beijing : China has asked Pakistan to ensure security of Chinese nationals working on various projects in that country in the wake of recent attacks on them.
China's Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan conveyed this to visiting Pakistani Secretary of Defence Kamran Rasool during their meeting here, Online news agency reported Thursday.
India, Malaysia sign labour agreement
By IANS,
New Delhi : After nearly two years in negotiation, India and Malaysia finally signed an agreement Saturday for the "orderly" recruitment and deployment of workers and the procedures for monitoring recruiting agents and employers.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Malaysian Human Resources Minister S. Subramaniam.
Sri Lankans protest before UNHRC resolution vote
Colombo : Over 1,500 Sri Lankans held a peaceful protest against a UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution on Sri Lanka that will be...
Tropical storm leaves 74 dead in Hispaniola
By IANS
Santo Domingo : The heavy rains that accompanied tropical storm Noel have left at least 74 people dead on the island of Hispaniola in the Dominican Republic.
According to the emergency management office here, 56 Dominicans perished in flooding and mudslides, while another 27 have been missing, the Spanish news agency EFE reported Thursday. More than 58,000 people have been evacuated to safety.
Russia no longer bound by CFE treaty
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : Russia's unilateral moratorium on a major arms reductions treaty in Europe came into force immediately after midnight on Wednesday.
The law to freeze Russia's participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty was unanimously approved by the parliament and signed on November 30 by President Vladimir Putin.
Moscow : Russia's unilateral moratorium on a major arms reductions treaty in Europe came into force immediately after midnight on Wednesday.
The law to freeze Russia's participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty was unanimously approved by the parliament and signed on November 30 by President Vladimir Putin.
US Undersecretary of State Burns resigning
By Xinhua
Washington : US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, the third highest diplomat in the State Department, is resigning, a senior US official said Friday.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will announce Burns' resignation at 9.45 a.m. (1445 GMT), said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
India asks Sri Lanka to extend truce, halt civilian casualties
By IANS,
New Delhi : With the humanitarian crisis aggravating in Sri Lanka, India Friday urged Colombo to extend the pause in hostilities to enable civilians trapped in the war zone to move to safe areas and made it clear that any further civilian casualties will be "totally unacceptable".
"The government of Sri Lanka must extend this pause in hostilities to prevent further casualties and enable trapped civilians to leave the area to secure locations," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a hard-hitting statement here.
Hong Kong teacher accused of sex with 13-year-old pupil
By DPA,
Hong Kong : A Hong Kong teacher has been charged with having sex with a primary school pupil and keeping pictures of the encounters on his computer, a court report said Friday.
Primary school teacher Chung Wing-kwok faces one count of possessing child pornography and one of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16.
The 32-year-old is also accused of indecently assaulting a second girl, aged 11, during extra-curricular activities at the school, said the report in the South China Morning Post.
Iran, Syria violate UN arms transfer ban, say members
By DPA,
New York : Iran supplied arms to Syria in violation of a UN Security Council resolution banning arms transfer as part of measures against Iran's nuclear activities, the US and Britain said Tuesday.
Details of the arms transfer to Syria were not made public, but the US and British ambassadors called for efforts to stop weapons deals between Tehran and Damascus.
US Ambassador Susan Rice said the 15-nation council should take action to end Iran's weapons procurement to Syria.
British minister warns of 1930s-style fascist violence
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London : A British minister has warned of 1930s-style fascist provocation on the streets of London as police arrested eight people at a 9/11 anti-Islamic demonstration in a London suburb.
Community Minister John Denham pinpointed the English Defence League while warning of far-right provocation in Britain.
More dirt on Tiger Woods – from single mother
By IANS,
London: The unravelling of Tiger Woods' philandering life continues with a 31-year-old woman becoming the latest to come forward with details of a six-month affair. Cori Rist says the celebrity golfer wooed her by saying that his marriage to Elin Nordegren was on the rocks, reports The Mirror.
"(He said) that he was not happy at home with his wife, that he would stay there because she was pregnant and they were expecting their first child," mirror.co.uk quoted Rist, named as the golfer's mistress, as saying.
Briton pays 60,000 pounds for car parking slot
By IANS,
London : A car parking slot in a seaside town in Britain has been auctioned for a whopping 60,000 pounds.
The 20X12 foot slot was bought by a resident of St Ives, Cornwall.
"I cannot remember one going for more money. Spaces are always in short supply in St Ives and even going back years, they made a premium price," Daily Mail quoted estate agent Jonathan Payne auction as saying.
The car parking slot adjoins the entrance to the council-owned Island car park.
Over 200,000 people displaced in Somalia conflict: UNHCR
By Xinhua,
Geneva : The number of people displaced by the escalating conflict in Mogadishu has reached 204,000, making it the biggest exodus from the troubled Somali capital since the Ethiopian intervention in 2007, the UN refugee agency has said.
The eight-week-long offensive led by the Al-Shabab and Hisb-ul-Islam militia against government forces "is having a devastating impact on the city's population, causing enormous suffering and massive displacement", Ron Redmond, spokesman of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told a news briefing in Geneva Tuesday.
Zimbabwe’s opposition claims outright win in election
By DPA
Harare : A spokesman for Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) claimed Wednesday outright win for opposition presidential candidate Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.
Results from last Saturday's presidential elections confirmed "that Morgan Richard Tsvangirai is the next president of the Republic of Zimbabwe without (the need for) a runoff (vote)," Tendai Biti said.
Zimbabwe's electoral law requires a runoff vote within three weeks of the declaration of election results when the candidates poll less than 50 percent of ballots.
China issues ‘green cards’ to 911 foreigners
By IANS,
Beijing: A total of 911 foreigners have been recently granted green cards or permanent residency in China, the authorities said Thursday.
France, Brazil agree on climate policy
By IANS,
Paris : France and Brazil have agreed on a policy to deal with climate change ahead of a UN summit on the subject in Copenhagen, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said.
"We want the Copenhagen to be a success, we won't accept an abated accord," Sarkozy said at a joint press conference with his visiting Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Saturday.
Sarkozy said he will lobby for climate change when he would meet Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen at the Commonwealth Summit in Trinidad and Tobago Nov 27, Xinhua reported.
Taiwan offers cabbages in return for swine flu shot
By DPA,
Taipei: Taiwan launched an island-wide H1N1 vaccination campaign Saturday, offering cabbages and other small gifts to induce people to take the shot.
More than half a million people took the vaccination shot Saturday at 2,573 places designated by the Department of Health.
They include hospitals, clinics, community centres, shopping malls, train stations and temples.
Some Taiwanese are reluctant to take the shot, fearing the vaccine is not safe.
Amid furore, Trump disowns Muslim database idea
Washington : As his call to create a database to track Muslims in America created a political furore, Donald Trump said the idea was...
Nicaragua braces for hurricane Alma
By Xinhua,
Managua : Nicaragua has set up 995 emergency shelters in response to an alert of hurricane Alma Friday in the country, the Civil Defence department said.
The coastal area is highly vulnerable to the impact of rain and strong winds from hurricane Alma, the chief of Civil Defence, Mario Perezcassar, said.
The alerts were sent out in the provinces of Rivas, Granada, Masaya, Carazo, Leon and Chinandega, Mario said at a press conference.
The authorities have advised the local residents to stock up essential items in preparation for the emergency.
Myanmar parliament elects military men as house speakers
By IANS,
Naypyitaw (Myanmar): Myanmar's new parliament Monday elected two military men as speakers of the upper and lower chambers in its first session since the Nov 7 general election.
Robbie Williams nervous about parenthood
By IANS,
London: Actor Robbie Williams is scared about becoming a father.
The 38-year-old's wife Ayda Field is due to give birth to their first child, a girl, next month.
Russian custom officers seize cocaine from Liberian ship
By RIA Novosti
St. Petersburg : Russian custom officers in the port of St. Petersburg discovered over 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of cocaine on a Liberian ship, local officials said Tuesday.
"The Baltic Melody sailing under a Liberian flag, which had arrived from Ecuador, was stopped in the course of an investigation," a spokesman said.
A criminal case has been opened. The offenders face up to seven years in prison and a million ruble fine ($40,000) if found guilty.
Sikh driver’s death turns spotlight on Canada’s health plan
By Gurmukh Singh, IANS
Toronto : The death of a Brampton Sikh bus driver in a new hospital allegedly due to negligence has snowballed into a controversy, with calls for a thorough probe into it and a P-3 scheme under which the hospital operates. Brampton is a South Asian-dominated suburb of Toronto.
Harnek Singh Sidhu, 52, who worked as a bus driver with Brampton Transit, was brought to the emergency wing of the hospital Nov 3 when he complained of a severe stomach pain.
US does not rule out Headley-Shahzad connection
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington: The United States has not ruled out a connection between two Pakistani Americans, key Mumbai terror plotter David Coleman Headley and failed Times square bombing suspect Faisal Shahzad, as it probes all angles of the case.
"Well, it could be - there have been multiple plots that have involved the United States and Pakistan, citizens on both sides who have chosen to take these actions," a State Department spokesman said Friday when asked if there was any connection between the two cases.
Prachanda’s worst nightmare comes true
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : The very danger that Nepal's first Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda had feared one year ago has now come true to plague him and his party.
Last July, when a newly-republic Nepal held its first election to choose a president, Prachanda had an easy choice and a difficult one.
The two biggest parties after the Maoists - the Nepali Congress (NC) and Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) - both offered to support him as prime minister if in return he backed their candidates for presidency.
Two journalists dead in Libya accident
By IANS,
Tripoli : Two Japanese journalists were killed in a road accident while they were travelling to the coastal town of Sirte in northern Libya, Xinhua reported.
Waiting for the bus that never comes
By Linda Wabel, DPA
Dusseldorf (Germany) : Confused and disoriented, an elderly woman makes her way along the corridor of a nursing home. "I have to get home. My husband will be back from work shortly and I've got to cook his supper," she says.
The two care assistants following her have heard it all before. They know the old woman's husband died years ago and that the home she refers to no longer exists.
Be centred on god to be shielded from distress, anxiety
By IANS,
Toronto: Being centred on god not only shields people from distress and anxiety, but they are also less likely to be upset by mistakes.
Researchers showed that when people think about religion and god, their brains respond differently - in a way that lets them take setbacks in stride and react with less distress to anxiety-provoking mistakes.
Researchers from Canada's University of Toronto measured brain waves for a particular kind of distress-response while participants committed mistakes on a test, reports the journal Psychological Science.
Nepal government moves to merge guerrillas with army
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : Facing a deepening controversy about the merger of the Maoist guerrilla combatants with the state army, Nepal's Maoist-led government Tuesday decided to go ahead with the unification despite objections by the opposition and its own coalition partners.
The government will form a special committee Wednesday to begin the process of integration of the Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA) with the Nepal Army (NA), Maoist Minister of Peace and Reconstruction Janardan Sharma said Tuesday.
Nepal leaders vow to hold free, fair elections
By Xinhua
Kathmandu : Top leaders of three major Nepali political parties vowed Tuesday to hold the April 10 constituent assembly (CA) elections in a free and fair manner.
The leaders in a statement released after a meeting here called on all political parties and people to make the elections a success and consolidate democratic institutions in the country.
US man convicted of supporting Al Qaeda
By IANS,
Washington: A federal jury Tuesday convicted a US man of conspiring to kill American soldiers in Iraq.
Pope denounces lack of climate treaty
By IANS/AKI,
Vatican City : Pope Benedict XVI has denounced the failure of world leaders to agree to a new climate change treaty in Copenhagen in December.
The Pope Monday spoke of his concern in an address to ambassadors accredited to the Vatican, an event at which the pontiff reflects on key issues.
In his speech, Benedict criticised the "economic and political resistance" to fighting environmental degradation and said world peace depends on safeguarding God's creation.
Three new mosques to be built in UAE
Abu Dhabi : The UAE-based General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments has signed a contract for the establishment of three mosques in the...
Kazakhstan mine blast toll reaches 30
By DPA
Moscow : The death toll in the coalmine explosion in Kazakhstan rose to 30 after rescue workers called off the search for 23 missing miners, officials said Monday.
The Interfax news agency cited Kazakh Civil Defence Minister Vladimir Boshko, visiting the site at the city of Karaganda, as saying that the shaft where the explosion took place was now filled up with water.
South and North Korean leaders to meet
By DPA
Seoul : The leaders of South and North Korea will hold their second ever summit meeting later this month, South Korea's president's office said Wednesday.
South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun will travel to Pyongyang from August 28-30 for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong II.
The first such inter-Korean summit was held in June 2000. Talks are expected to revolve around achieving peace on the Korean peninsula and ending North Korea's nuclear programme.
WHO official killed in plane crash
New Delhi : The World Health Organisation Friday said it has lost one of its communications experts in the Malaysia Airlines plane crash over...
1,500 people in Colombia forced to leave land
By IANS/EFE,
Bogota : A guerrilla group in Colombia has forced around 1,500 people to leave their land, officials said.
The people, mostly peasants, from the hamlet of La Vega del Ingles, left their land Saturday and sought refuge in a nearby school after being forced off their land by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Ituango city mayor Carlos Mario Gallo said Monday.
The mayor asked the government, public agencies and the Red Cross to provide assistance to the displaced peasants.
Britain bans entry of US pastor who threatened to burn Quran
By IANS,
London : Britain has imposed a ban on the entry of the controversial US pastor who threatened to burn the Quran last year as a mark of protest against the Sep 11, 2001 terror attack.
US Senate approves plan to train, arm Syrian rebels
Washington: The US Senate Thursday approved President Barack Obama's plan to train and arm Syrian rebels in the efforts to fight the Islamic State...
Over 35,000 drug users treated in China
By IANS,
Beijing : Over 35,000 drug users have been treated at 59 rehabilitation centres in China, authorities said.
Six killed as inmates escape Tajik prison
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Dushanbe : Twenty-five inmates escaped from a prison in Tajikistan's capital of Dushanbe overnight, killing six security personnel in a dramatic jail break, a police source said Monday.
The incident occurred after 1 a.m. (local time) when one of the convicts attacked a duty officer, took his keys and opened the cells with other inmates. The prisoners later grabbed weapons from the duty room and opened fire at the guards.
Two dead in Spain train crash
By IANS,
Madrid : At least two people were killed and a boy and a woman were injured Tuesday due to a train crash in Madrid, local media reported.
Legless New Zealand woman swims with ‘mermaid tail’
By DPA,
Wellington : New Zealander Nadya Vessey, who lost her legs in a childhood illness, now swims like a mermaid - thanks to Oscar-winning movie special effects wizards Weta Workshop, according to media reports Wednesday.
The workshop, which won Oscars for their effects on "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, made a mermaid wetsuit for her, complete with fishtail, which she tested in a Wellington pool.
Canadian dollar hits a new high
By IANS,
Toronto : The Canadian currency hit a new high Thursday, rising to a three-month high against the US dollar.
Supported by steady commodity prices, the loonie - as the Canadian dollar is called - rose as high as 97.61 cents US. The loonie, which is expected to reach parity with the US dollar any time this year, has gained as the greenback has slipped on poor US retail sales data.
Nepali Prime Minister condemns mosque bombing
By IINA
Kathmandu : Nepali Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has condemned the bombing of a mosque in Biratnagarin southeast Nepal yesterday evening, saying it was an abhorrent incident, the National News Agency RSS reported today. Talking to reporters at his residence in Biratnagar this morning, Koirala said such abhorrent bombings will benefit no one and vowed not to let the bombers achieve their mission for whatever objective they might have bombed the mosque.
Hu says opportunity for cross-Strait relations should be cherished
By Xinhua,
Beijing : General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Hu Jintao met with Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday afternoon.
Hu said that with the joint efforts of the CPC and KMT, and of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the political situation in Taiwan has gone through positive changes, and the cross-Strait relationship faces a precious opportunity.
"We should cherish this hard-earned situation," said Hu.
Saakashvili’s victory in Georgian election confirmed
By RIA Novosti
Tbilisi : Mikheil Saakashvili has won a new term as Georgian president following Saturday's polls, the head of the Central Election Commission confirmed on Wednesday.
According to the commission's results from 3,482 out of 3,512 polling stations in Georgia and abroad, Saakashvili received 52.21% of the vote.
"Although 30 polling stations have not yet been counted, these have very low numbers and do not account for more than 0.1% of Georgia's population, so no substantial changes can be made to the published data," Levan Tarkhnishvili said.
Strike at US ports continues for sixth day
By IANS,
Los Angeles: Workers' strike over pay hike in America's busiest ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach has lasted for sixth day Sunday without a solution.
Nine killed in Philippine shooting spree
By IANS,
Manila : At least nine people, including two children, were killed and 11 others injured when a man went on a shooting rampage in a Philippine village, police said Friday.
Hillary denies snubbing Sikhs by skipping their fundraiser
By Parveen Chopra, IANS
New York : US presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has rebutted a news report that she snubbed the Sikh American community by skipping a fund-raising event at Bakersfield town in California that coincided with Guru Nanak's birthday celebrations Sunday.
A spokesperson for Clinton's campaign asserted that her non-attendance was due to a scheduling conflict and that she remains a time-tested friend of Sikh Americans.
Leaving Tibet in 1959 was the right decision: Dalai Lama
By Jaideep Sarin, IANS,
Dharamsala : Having lived in exile for half a century with thousands of his Tibetan followers, Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tuesday said leaving Tibet in March 1959 was the "right decision".
Addressing the media at the Tsuglag Khang or main temple complex here on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the March 10, 1959 Tibetan uprising that was crushed by Chinese forces, forcing him to escape into India, the Dalai Lama said he did not ever think his decision was wrong.
New York boy held guilty of hate crime against Sikh
By IANS
New York : The Queens Supreme Court jury here has held a teenage boy guilty of hate crime for cutting off a Sikh boy's hair by force.
Umair Ahmed was held guilty Friday of hate crimes, harassment and possession of a deadly weapon.
The trial stemmed from an incident last May when the victim, Harpal Singh Vacher, then 15, was a high school student in Queens borough.
UN study reports promising gains towards low-carbon economy
By IRNA,
Tehran : A new United Nations-supported study released Wednesday shows that countries forged ahead with low-carbon growth economic strategies in the first quarter of this year despite the uncertainty surrounding international climate negotiations.
Nepal, China try to revive Kathmandu-Lhasa bus service
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS
Kathmandu : Almost eight months after it closed, Nepal and China are trying afresh to revive the much-hyped Kathmandu-Lhasa direct bus service ahead of the Olympic Games in Beijing next year.
An eight-member Chinese delegation arrived from Tibet Saturday to hold talks with Nepal's transport officials on how to resurrect the bus service that halted primarily due to Chinese reluctance to issue visas to travellers.
Georgia pardons nearly 200 prisoners
By RIA Novasti
Tbilisi : Georgia's acting president, Nino Burdzhanadze, has pardoned a total of 195 prisoners, the country's Ministry of Justice said on Monday.
"The pardoned prisoners were all released on the same day [January 13] and marked the Old-Style New Year [according to the Julian calendar, in use in Russia before the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution] at home with their families," the ministry said.
Indian expats in Kuwait write to FM for setting up a joint investment fund
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Kuwait: Indo – Kuwait Friendship Society has written a letter to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley urging him to take initiatives...
Sarkozy’s party scores big win in French general election
By DPA
Paris : French President Nicolas Sarkozy's Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) and its allies scored a resounding victory in first round of the general elections.
Sarkozy’s lover poses naked for men’s magazine
By RIA Novosti
Paris : The French president's girlfriend, the singer and former supermodel Carla Bruni, has posed naked for a Spanish glossy men's magazine, French media reported on Thursday.
An image of Bruni wearing only a pair of black leather boots was published in the February edition of DT.
Bruni was also pictured wearing a wedding band, which is set to fuel the rumor that she and the French leader have wed in secret.
A spokesman for the magazine said the photograph was taken before her relationship with Nicolas Sarkozy was officially confirmed.
Time running out for Nepal, warns UN
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : With less than a fortnight left for Nepal’s parliament to be dissolved and the major parties still unable to agree on the future course of action, a top UN official Friday warned the nation that it was rapidly running out of time.
"Time is very short for tangible progress to be made," cautioned Karin Landgren, chief of the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) who returned to Kathmandu from New York after briefing the UN Security Council on the situation in Nepal.
Microsoft, Yahoo meet for merger talks
By DPA
San Francisco : Senior executives from Microsoft and Yahoo met for the first time this week to discuss Microsoft's takeover offer for the internet company, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
The meeting reportedly took place Monday near Yahoo's headquarters in Silicon Valley and was the first face-to-face talks between the two companies since Microsoft tabled its unsolicited bid for Yahoo on Jan 31.
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