International news digest for the week

Saturday

Washington: Describing the Indo-US strategic partnership as a "defining and indispensable" collaboration for the 21st century, President Barack Obama has said the two countries share a dynamic and broad relationship that serves to advance peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

Cairo/Jerusalem: Hundreds of Egyptian troops backed by armoured vehicles take positions around the Israeli embassy in Cairo after protesters broke into and vandalised the premises, forcing the Israeli envoy to flee and prompting US to call for the protection of the Jewish mission.

Sunday

New York: From Tokyo to Sydney, the world comes toegther with the US to mourn the loss of nearly 3,000 people, who lost their lives exactly 10 years ago in the most fearful terror attack that changed the way we live.

Cairo: Egypt's military ruler Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi fails to testify before a court in the trial of ousted president Hosni Mubarak for his alleged role in the killing of anti-regime protesters.

Monday

Dubai: Seventeen Indians who were sentenced to death for murdering a Pakistani man in a bootlegging case in Sharjah last year will walk free after an appeal court drops their punishment today, after over Rs 4 crore was paid as blood money to the victim's family.

Kathmandu: Nepal's Maoist-led government has directed local authorities to return the properties seized by the former rebels during a decade-long insurgency in the country, a key step to push forward the stalled peace process.

Tuesday

Islamabad: India and Pakistan agree to enhance cooperation through "effective and sustained steps" to control illicit drug trade and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost efforts to prevent the trafficking of narcotics and precursor chemicals.

Beijing: China, which is yet to support India's bid for a permanent membership of the UN Security Council (UNSC), says it hopes a "settlement package" would emerge through consultations during the forthcoming UN General Assembly meeting.

Wednesday

Washington: Identifying Gujarat as perhaps the best example of effective governance and impressive development in India, a Congressional report has showered praise on Chief Minister Narendra Modi, saying the state under him has become a key driver of national economic growth.

New York: Falling sick and spending long time in the lavatory proved costly for two Indians, who were detained along with a half-Jewish and half-Arab woman by the FBI from a Detroit-bound plane, on the day when America commemorated 9/11 attacks.

Thursday

Beijing: China says it is working with India to set up a new joint consultation and coordination mechanism on boundary affairs and asserted that it was strictly abiding by the agreements reached between the two countries in the past to maintain peace along the border.

Kathmandu: Nepal's new Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai says that his government is working towards taking the peace process to its "logical end" and preparing a draft Constitution within the next three months.

Washington: The US slaps sanctions on India-based terrorist group Indian Mujahideen (IM) by designating it as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and says it has significant links with Pakistan-based groups like the LeT.

Friday

Islamabad: The US has asked Pakistan to abandon the multi-billion dollar gas pipeline deal with Iran and instead pursue the TAPI project, warning that Islamabad may face American sanctions if it continues with I-P pipeline.

Singapore: Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj discusses with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong bilateral ties and potential for this country's firms to participate in urban development, planning and management projects in India.