Mexico City | 11 hours ago
Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes is dead
Mexico City, May 16 - Carlos Fuentes, a towering literary figure in the Spanish-speaking world, died Tuesday at a hospital in the Mexican capital. He was 83.The cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but the writer was known to suffer from heart problems.An acclaimed novelist and essayist who taught at Princeton and other elite universities, Fuentes also served Mexico as a diplomat, though ... read more

17 hours ago
Russia seeks return of citizens held in Libya
Moscow, May 16 - Russia will continue to try to secure the return of its citizens held in Libya and also continue to insist that the rights are observed, a foreign ministry official said.Russia will strive for the soonest return of our citizens, the ministry's spokesman for human rights Konstantin Dolgov was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.We are counting on them having an objective hearing with f ... read more

1 day ago
Russia warns against training Syrian rebels in Kosovo
Moscow, May 15 - Russia has urged international bodies operating in Kosovo to prevent the region from turning into a training ground for Syrian rebels, RIA Novosti reported.A delegation from the Syrian opposition visited Kosovo in April to allegedly make a deal on exchanging experience in guerilla warfare against ruling authorities.So far, the opposition has been unable to form a steady front agai ... read more

New Delhi | 2 days ago
'Four-way oil swap win-win for India-Russia'
New Delhi, May 14 - A four-way oil swap between India, Russia, Japan and the Gulf producers would be a win-win situation for New Delhi and Moscow, a noted strategic expert said Monday.Japan imports the bulk of its oil from the Gulf but this has to travel a long way. If Russia meets Japan's oil needs, what it would otherwise buy could go to India. Simultaneously, India must increase its exposure in ... read more

Tehran | 4 days ago
Iran not to retreat on nuke programme
Tehran, May 12 - Iran will not retreat an iota from its right to develop nuclear energy despite Western-led sanctions, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said.They - should know that this - nation will not retreat even an iota from its inalienable rights, Xinhua quoted him as saying.The president was referring to Western sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.Earlier this month, ... read more

Tehran | 4 days ago
Iran not to retreat an iota from its rights
Tehran, May 12 - Iran will not retreat an iota from its rights under pressure of sanctions, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said.They - should know that this - nation will not retreat even an iota from its inalienable rights, Xinhua quoted Ahmadinejad as saying while referring to the successive Western sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.Earlier in the month, US President ... read more

Abu Dhabi | 7 days ago
UAE, Czech Republic discuss relations
Abu Dhabi, May 8 - The United Arab Emirates - and Czech Republic Tuesday held talks on their bilateral relations.In a meeting here, director of Europe at the Foreign Ministry Abdullah Mohammed Al Hamed and the Czech ambassador Jaroslav Ludva discussed relations and various matters of concern between the two countries. --IANS/WAMsd/vd ... read more

Beijing | 8 days ago
Beijing-Manila row over island
Beijing, May 8 - China has slammed Manila's attempt to rename Huangyan Island as Beijing is set to launch its first deep water oil rig in the South China Sea.Manila declared last week that it would rename Huangyan Island as Panatag Shoal and is considering removing signs on the island related to China, China Daily reported Tuesday.Manila also planned to involve other countries and organisations in ... read more

Tehran | 9 days ago
Iran hopes new French president will reconsider past policies
Tehran, May 7 - Iran Monday expressed the hope that French president-elect Francois Hollande would revise the wrong policies of his country in the past.The failure of Nicolas Sarkozy in the Sunday presidential elections was the result of his wrong policies, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast in an interview to official IRNA news agency, reported Xinhua. He said the history of Tehra ... read more

Beijing | 12 days ago
Blind Chinese dissident hopes to study abroad
Beijing, May 4 - Blind dissident Chen Guangcheng, who left the US embassy in Beijing Thursday, hopes to study abroad, a Chinese official said Friday.A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said Friday that Chen may apply to study abroad according to laws with relevant departments and through the same channels as other Chinese citizens, reported Xinhua.Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin made ... read more