International news of the week

Durban: Asserting that equity has to be centrepiece of climate talks, India slams developed nations for not doing enough to combat global warming as it made an "emotional" appeal for space for basic development for its 1.2 billion people and poverty eradication.

Sanaa: Yemen's national unity government, led by the opposition, was sworn today to lead a three-month transition period until early elections are held and President Ali Abdullah Saleh formally steps down.

London: The Indian and South Asian community here paid glowing tributes to Dev Anand today by playing his songs and called for efforts to preserve for future generation the works of the 'evergreen' actor whom they described as a living institution who promoted culture, art, drama and film.

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has not suffered a stroke and his condition is improving rapidly , Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said today, as he refuted rumours that Pakistani head of state has offered to resign.

Durban: The crucial Kyoto Protocol gets a new lease of life as climate negotiators agree to a second commitment period under it after India, refusing to be "intimidated" by the West, pushed hard for the principle of equity to be a part of the new roadmap to cut emissions.

Beijing: In a move that may cause unease in India, China announces that it will set up its first military base abroad in the Indian Ocean island of Seychelles to "seek supplies and recuperate" facilities for its Navy.

Washington: US-based Kashmiri separatist Ghulam Nabi Fai has claimed that he met several Indian ministers on a regular basis during last two decades of his activities in Washington and had "a channel of communication" opened with the Indian embassy.

London: Cautioning policy makers in India against launching "half-hearted" reforms, leading NRI industrialised Lord Swraj Paul has said inconsistency, rather than rejection was the greatest enemy of reform.

Washington: Acknowledging that its most modern spy plane was in Iranian hands, US President Barack Obama has asked Tehran to return the drone even as a top American official expressed doubts over Iran's claim that it will able to reverse engineer the drone.

London: To mark Queen Elizabeth's diamond jubilee on Britain's throne, UK's royal family plans to embark on a global tour including to India.

New York: Citing the "enormous maturity" shown by India in dealing with Indo-Pak issues, Pakistan has advised Afghanistan to "take a leaf out of the Indian book" and learn about building ties, instead of engaging in an "accusatory game" towards it.

Washington: US is eyeing to sell its battle proved armed drones to key allies, including India, but the move is being opposed by lawmakers who don't want the technology to be exported.

Moscow: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives here on a three-day visit to Russia during which he will work on further expanding bilateral cooperation and consolidating coordination on regional and global issues.

Moscow: Clearing the uncertainty, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announces that the first unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power project will be operationalised in a "couple of weeks" but India and Russia did not sign any agreement on construction of the third and fourth units.

Moscow: India and Russia extends their support to Afghanistan in its quest to establish a democratic state free from terrorism, outside interference, as they backed Kabul's overtures for dialogue with "armed opposition".