Yahoo! News India

By Andrew Osborn LONDON (Reuters) - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says he will not leave the sanctuary of the Ecuadorean Embassy in London even if Sweden stops pursuing sexual assault claims against him because he fears arrest on the order of the United States. In an interview with Reuters and others to mark the first anniversary of taking refuge in the cramped diplomatic building, Assange said he remained hopeful he might be able to leave but offered little evidence to suggest he would be finding new living quarters anytime soon. "I wouldn't say I wouldn't leave," he said. ...

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai has decided to suspend talks on a security pact with the United States, accusing Washington of mixed messages regarding peace talks with the Taliban, his spokesman said on Wednesday. "In a special meeting chaired by President Hamid Karzai, the president has decided to suspend talks about a security pact with the U.S. because of their inconsistent statements and actions in regard to the peace process," spokesman Aimal Faizi told Reuters. ...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Much of Bangkok could flood within the next two decades if global warming stays on its current trajectory, as sea levels rise and cyclones intensify, the World Bank said in a new report on Wednesday. The flooding of 40 percent of the Thai capital was just one of dozens of negative effects the Washington-based World Bank warned would happen if the world grew warmer by just 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit), which it said is likely to occur in the next 20 to 30 years under a "business-as-usual" scenario. ...

LONDON (Reuters) - Champions Manchester United will travel to Swansea City for their first Premier League match under new manager David Moyes while Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City are at home to Newcastle United on August 17. Premier League fixtures published on Wednesday also threw up a home game against newly-promoted Hull City for Jose Mourinho on his second coming as Chelsea manager. Roberto Martinez, the other big appointment since the end of last season when England's three top teams all changed their managers, will lead Everton to Norwich City. ...

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India will consider allowing another 2 million tonnes of wheat exports at a cabinet meeting on Friday, Food Minister K.V. Thomas told Reuters on Wednesday. "We had allowed exports of 4.5 million tonnes and almost the entire quantity has been shipped out, and now we are considering allowing another 2 million tonnes with same floor price of $300 per tonne," Thomas said. The sales would be via state-run trading companies. ...

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian gold futures edged lower on Wednesday tracking cues from a weak overseas market and as traders eye the U.S. Federal Reserve for direction. * Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said last month the bank could scale back its $85 billion monthly bond purchases if the U.S. economy strengthens, but a lack of clarity on the timing has unsettled markets. A policy statement from the central bank will be released on Wednesday after its meeting. * At 1:40 p.m., the most-actively traded gold for August delivery on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) was 0. ...

By Richard Hubbard LONDON (Reuters) - European shares edged higher and major currencies and commodities were little changed on Wednesday as investors awaited clarity on the U.S. Federal Reserve's next policy step. Recent mixed data on the health of the U.S. economic recovery is expected to encourage the Fed to leave its ultra-loose policy unchanged, but markets are on alert for any hints on when or how quickly it could wind back its bond buying. "Our view is they are going to stick with $85 billion a month (of bond buying) until the end of the year... ...

PARIS (Reuters) - An order for more than 100 Airbus passenger jets by UK low-cost carrier easyJet has re-ignited a long-running trade spat between the European planemaker and U.S. rival Boeing . EasyJet announced the $10 billion order for 100 A320neo medium-haul jets, together with 35 current-generation A320 aircraft worth $3 billion at list prices, on Tuesday, day two of the Paris Airshow. EasyJet began operation in 1995 with Boeing aircraft, but shifted to Airbus in 2002 with a 120-plane order that followed a bitter competition between the world's largest planemakers. ...

SEOUL (Reuters) - Hong Myung-bo, who coached South Korea's Olympic side to a bronze medal at the 2012 London Games, is one of the "strongest candidates" to replace Choi Kang-hee as national team coach, the Korean FA said on Wednesday. South Korea reached an eighth consecutive World Cup finals by finishing runners-up in Group A of Asian qualifying on Tuesday but only secured their place on goal difference after a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Iran. ...

By Alistair Barr and Sarah McBride SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The Silicon Valley IPO has lost its cachet, and big investors need to pay attention. That's the view of two prominent startup chief executives awash in offers of private investment, who don't think the headache of going public is worth the effort. An IPO used to be the one mark of success for a new technology company, but as regulations have increased and more private investors have signaled interest in the sector, the prestige and financial necessity of an initial public offering has waned. ...

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un toured the impoverished country's east coast last month in a 95-foot luxury yacht, a boat that could be prohibited under U.N. sanctions, a website that tracks events in the reclusive state said. North Korea is banned from importing luxury goods under layers of U.N. sanctions imposed for its nuclear and missile tests. The NK News website said the yacht, a Princess 95MY made by British-based Princess Yachts, was possibly a recent purchase. The Washington-based website gave no evidence for when the boat was bought. ...

By Michael Martina BEIJING (Reuters) - A North Korean envoy held talks with Chinese officials on Wednesday that experts said were unlikely to yield concessions from Pyongyang on its nuclear programme but were more aimed at repairing ties with Beijing. First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan, who has represented Pyongyang at previous international talks to get North Korea to halt its nuclear programme, was meeting Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui in Beijing. ...

REUTERS - Netflix Inc will launch its TV and movie streaming service in The Netherlands later this year, expanding its reach further into Europe, the company said on Tuesday. Netflix boasts 29.2 million streaming subscribers in the United States and 7.1 million in international markets, delivering movies and television shows to Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia and parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. The company generates profits in the United States and Canada, but has lost money as it expanded into foreign markets. Netflix projects a profit of up to $149 million from its U.S. ...

Washington, June 19 (IANS) Scientists have hit upon a novel drug that attacks the tuberculosis bacteria, a finding that could prove to be an effective tool in treating the dreaded disease, says a study.

Los Angeles, June 19 (IANS) Socialite Kim Kardashian and boyfriend Kanye West have reportedly decided to call their new-born daughter Kaidence Donda West.

Los Angeles, June 19 (IANS) Actor Johnny Depp has spoken about his breakup with Vanessa Paradis, revealing separation decision was tough for all of them.

Mumbai, June 19 (IANS) Filmmaker Kiran Rao, who is presenting "Ship Of Theseus", says it would not have been wise to let her filmmaker-actor husband Aamir Khan present the film as he would have managed to pull a crowd, but the film can't take a wide audience.

London, June 19 (IANS) Award-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren is said to be the new face of lifestyle and fashion brand, Marks & Spencer.

Los Angeles, June 19 (IANS) Singer Max George says he has moved on from his past relationship and is ready to mingle again.

Melbourne, June 19 (IANS) Cricket Australia's (CA) National Selection Panel (NSP) Wednesday named a 15-man squad for Australia A's tour to Africa in July and August.

London, June 19 (IANS) Australian cricketers will participate in a unique training session on the Thames river here for a promotional event.

New York, June 19 (IANS) A new media code proposed by the Sri Lankan government contains overbroad and vague language that could have a severe and chilling effect on free speech, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.

Shimla, June 19 (IANS) The country's largest hydropower plants in Himachal Pradesh remained shut for the fourth consecutive day Wednesday following a high silt level in the Sutlej river, triggering a power crisis in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.

Montego Bay (Jamaica), June 19 (IANS/CMC) Olympic and World Champion Veronica Campbell-Brown has denied knowingly taking a banned substance Lasix, which also goes by the name Furosemide.

Manali, June 19 (IANS) Most taxis went off the roads here Wednesday to protest the government's decision not to allow chartered vehicles that are over four years old to ply to nearby tourist destination Rohtang Pass.

New Delhi, June 19 (IANS) Over 62,000 pilgrims and tourists are still stranded in calamity-hit Uttarakhand while 11,000 have been rescued. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are to undertake an aerial survey of the extensive damage.