International news of the week

Saturday

Durban: Asserting that equity has to be centrepiece of climate talks, India slammed 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.

Islamabad: In a reversal from their earlier stand, lawyers defending the seven Pakistani suspects charged in the Mumbai attacks case told an anti-terrorism court that they were willing to travel to India as part of a judicial commission that will quiz witnesses and officials.

Sunday

Durban: The crucial Kyoto Protocol got a new lease of life as climate negotiators agreed today 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.

Islamabad: The Pakistani military will shoot down any US drone that intrudes the country's airspace under a new defence policy in which troops have been given greater liberty to respond to incursions by NATO and allied forces in Afghanistan, according to a media report.

Monday

Washington: US-based Kashmiri separatist Ghulam Nabi Fai has claims 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: Corruption has emerged as the most frequently discussed issue in India while unemployment is the world's fastest-rising fear, according to a survey by the BBC covering 11,000 people in 23 countries.

Tuesday

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

London: An Indian citizen is among three who have been jailed for being involved in a 'sham' marriage conspiracy carried out to secure a UK visa.

Beijing: Seeking to allay fears about its first overseas facility in Seychelles, China says "other countries" should not worry about its naval ships frequenting a port in the strategically-located Indian Ocean island nation for "supply and stopover".

Wednesday

New York: Pakistan advises 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: A day after a key Congress panel agreed to freeze USD 700 million in aid to Pakistan, the US says that it was just a proposal under a defence bill and made it clear that it has not cut any civilian assistance to the country, with which its ties have plunged to a new low following a deadly NATO raid.

Thursday

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.

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.

Friday

Moscow: Backing India's bid to become an NSG member, Russia says it was ready to assist in arriving at a "positive decision" whereby the south Asian country can join the elite 45-country nuclear club.

Washington: The US Congress has passed with an overwhelming majority the Defense Authorisation Act 2012, that freezes some $700 million military aid to Pakistan until it shows progress in stemming the flow of IEDs into Afghanistan.