News from World

Somalia's al Shabab joins al Qaeda, leader says

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:21:52 GMT

The Somali militant group al Shabab has formally joined al Qaeda, according to a video translation released of a message from al Qaeda's leader.

NATO airstrike killed eight children: Karzai

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:42:31 GMT

A NATO airstrike killed eight children in Afghanistan's Kapisa province northeast of the capital Kabul, President Hamid Karzai said today.

Republican enthusiasm gap could help Obama

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:42:05 GMT

Mitt Romney's three-state shellacking by Rick Santorum laid bare the Republican White House frontrunner's Achilles heel -- an inability to motivate the party's conservative base.

India readies ‘contingency plan’ for new scenario in Maldives

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:36:28 GMT

As Maldives finds itself caught up in a crisis, India has updated a “contingency plan” to address fallout of the new scenario unfolding in the Indian Ocean cluster islands. Jayanth Jacob and Rahul Singh report. Arrest warrant against ex-Prez | Was it really a coup in Maldives?

Nepal revokes legalisation of civil war land 'deals'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:05:56 GMT

Under pressure from opposition, Nepal’s Maoist-led government Thursday revoked its decision to legalize land deals made by Maoists during the civil war.

Krishna meet Chinese leaders in Beijing

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:50:45 GMT

Foreign minister SM Krishna flew out of Beijing today after a day of low-key but important meetings through Wednesday with some among the Chinese leaders and diplomats who have a say in the country's foreign policy and strategic thinking.

Ijaz fails to appear before Pak commission on memo scandal

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:53:50 GMT

American businessman Mansoor Ijaz today failed to avail a final opportunity to depose before a Pakistani judicial commission investigating the memo scandal, with his lawyer saying that he was prepared to record his statement at the Pakistani mission in London.

Family of Maldives' ex-president flee to Sri Lanka

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:35:39 GMT

The wife and daughters of former Maldives' president Mohamed Nasheed have fled to Colombo as violence worsens, a presidential spokesman in Sri Lanka and a family member said today.

Security 'breakdown' in Maldives' second city: Mayor

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:33:31 GMT

The mayor of the Maldives' second-largest city Addu spoke of a total law and order "breakdown" on Thursday, following a night of violence that saw police stations attacked and torched.

Greek coalition austerity talks stalled over pensions

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:28:07 GMT

Greek coalition leaders failed to reach a deal on austerity cuts early Thursday but Prime Minister Lucas Papademos remained hopeful of an agreement before Eurozone finance ministers meet later in day.

Syria's Homs bombarded again, Turks push for solution

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:13:10 GMT

Armoured reinforcements poured into Homs as President Bashar al-Assad's forces bombarded the Syrian city for a fourth day, opposition sources said on Thursday, worsening the humanitarian situation and prompting a new diplomatic push from Turkey.

World's oldest paintings of seals 'found in Spanish cave'

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:55:57 GMT

Scientists claim to have discovered in a Spanish cave the world's oldest paintings -six artworks of seal which are at least 42,000 years old and are the only known images created by Neanderthals.

67 killed, Russia presses for talks with Assad

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:36:54 GMT

Syrian forces thrusting into the rebellious city of Homs on Wednesday killed at least 67 civilians, including three families slain in their homes by militiaman loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, activists said.

Ex-president supporters clash with policemen

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:27:16 GMT

Several thousand supporters of former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed clashed with police and troops in riot gear Wednesday, a day after his resignation which he blamed on a coup d'etat.

US House wants strong response from India on Iran

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:19:30 GMT

Ratcheting up the pressure on India to fall in line on Iran sanctions, US lawmakers on Tuesday told ambassador-designate Nancy Powell they expect her to press New Delhi harder. Powell, a career foreign service official who has done two tours of duty in India, was up on Capitol Hill for her confirmation.

Unrest spreads in Maldives: officials

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:55:48 GMT

Angry protesters on at least two outlying islands in the Maldives attacked police stations and set fire to government buildings on Wednesday, officials told AFP.

New Maldives leader denies 'coup' charges

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:30:00 GMT

The new president of the Maldives, Mohamed Waheed, denied seizing power on Wednesday, even as his predecessor accused him of involvement in a coup plot and called on him to resign.

Iraq executes 14 in one day, 65 this year

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:01:27 GMT

Iraq executed 14 people on a single day this week, most of them al-Qaeda members, a senior justice ministry official said on Wednesday, bringing to at least 65 the number of executions so far this year.

F-16 delivery to Pak means military ties remains strong: US

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:50:58 GMT

The US today said the delivery of latest F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan this week reflects that it has maintained a strong military-to-military relationship with Islamabad, despite recent setbacks in their ties.

Eleven dead in Canada road accident: police

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:26:43 GMT

Eleven people were killed today when two vehicles collided on a highway in Canada's Ontario province, police were quoted as saying by local media.

China security cover for citizens abroad has limits: experts

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:14:19 GMT

In a demonstration of its growing military power, China is increasingly willing to deploy its armed forces to protect Chinese nationals abroad, but analysts say it still lacks the capacity to mount a complex hostage rescue.

'Simpson dolls join Barbie on Iran ban list'

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:11:07 GMT

An Iranian newspaper reports a government-affiliated agency has added dolls of the Simpsons cartoon characters to a list of banned toys in the country.

No Israel decision on attacking Iran: Obama

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:09:17 GMT

US President Barack Obama has said that Israel has not made a decision yet on attacking Iran's nuclear installations, noting that he still prefers to use diplomacy

Obama tightens Iran sanctions

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:05:49 GMT

US President Barack Obama tightened sanctions on Iran another notch, the White House said today, targeting its central bank and giving US banks new powers to freeze assets linked to the government.

Clashes rage through the night in Cairo

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:04:32 GMT

Protesters and police clashed again overnight outside Cairo's security headquarters in the wake of deadly football violence and amid calls by activists for civil disobedience in Egypt.