ISTANBUL/WASHINGTON: Iran and the United States sent positive signals on Wednesday about the possibility of fresh talks on the Iranian nuclear program, which Washington suspects aims to develop atomic weapons. Iran has given an assurance that it would stop enriching uranium to 20 percent purity if world powers agreed to a proposed nuclear fuel swap, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters in Istanbul.
The G-8 leaders are meeting in Canada today. World leaders were searching for common ground on economics, health, security and other issues as three days of summits. Among the issues to be discussed will be fuirther sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme – building on expanded Security Council measures adopted this month
CANBERRA: Australia ordered the expulsion of an Israeli diplomat Monday after investigators concluded Israel was responsible for forging four Australian passports that were used in the slaying of a Hamas operative in Dubai reported by A Pakistan News . Australia’s reaction echoes that of the United Kingdom, which in March expelled a diplomat for the use of 12 fake British passports in the plot to kill Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. Dubai authorities blame Israel’s Mossad intelligence service for the January slaying.
Volcanic Ash , latest updates :- Airports in Paris were closed until at least 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) Saturday because of a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland, the French aviation authority said. The DGAC civil aviation authority also announced the closures of several smaller airports
WASHINGTON: The new nuclear disarmament treaty between the United States and Russia should help boost China’s support for sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday.
LONDON: More than 100 people have died across Europe as days of snow storms and sub-zero temperatures swept the continent, causing traffic chaos for millions. At least 42 people have frozen to death in Poland over the last three days and another 48 in Ukraine and other areas. Another 13 people died in car accidents in Austria, Finland and Germany, where temperatures fell to -33C (-27F).
The UAE, Saudi Arab and other Gulf countries celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr today after sighting of the Shawwal moon was announced on Saturday. In several European countries including Britain, France and Germany Muslims are celebrating Eid today.
Burqa Has no Place in France: Sarkozy, French President Nicolas Sarkozy says there is no place for full face and body veils such as the burqa, or for the debasement of women, in France.
BESANCON: The battle for temporary command of the yellow and green jerseys on the Tour de France provided some thrilling racing, and score-settling, on the 14th stage from Colmar to Besancon Saturday. Russian Sergei Ivanov of Katusha came over the finish line solo after decisively attacking his group of 11 breakaway companions 11km from home. It was only 5min 36sec later, when Italy’’s Rinaldo Nocentini, racing for AG2R, crossed with all the race favourites, that he was confirmed as still being in possession of the race leaders” yellow jersey.