International News

Washington, Nov 23 (IANS) Describing the downturn in the US economy as a 'temporary setback,' Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said there was no substitute to the US dollar for replacement as the global reserve currency.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble pressed General Motors on Sunday to shed light on its plans for Opel and said the U.S. group had a responsibility for workers at its European unit.

Dubai, Nov 22 (IANS) The third Global Dubai Tea Forum would be organised here March 9-10, WAM news agency reported.

Kathmandu, Nov 22 (IANS) After setting the capital abuzz for months, fast food giants Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Pizza Hut Sunday finally descended on Kathmandu with a soft launch in one of the most upmarket shopping and touristy areas of the city.

Toronto, Nov 22 (IANS) Dying Canadian telecom giant Nortel has put up its optical networking and carrier ethernet business for auction.

Washington, Nov 22(IANS) India's apex industry chamber, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)), is set to sign three MoUs for cooperation with three leading US institutions.

Poland will sign an accord shortly under the global Kyoto Protocol to sell surplus carbon emission permits worth 15 million euros to Ireland, Environment Minister Maciej Nowicki said on Saturday.

Mexico City, Nov 22 (EFE) Mexico's gross domestic product fell by 6.2 percent in the third quarter relative to the same period of 2008, beating analysts' expectations, authorities said.

Hong Kong, Nov 22 (DPA) A restaurant chain where food is served up in mini toilets has proved a surprise hit in Hong Kong, a news report said Sunday.

A Chinese engineer arrested on suspicion of stealing Ford Motor Co. trade secrets will likely face additional charges after more secret data was found on his computer, U.S. prosecutors said this week.

Geneva, Nov 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday arrived here on his way to Washington as the first state guest of US President Barack Obama.

Abu Dhabi, Nov 21 (IANS) Thuraya Telecommunications, the United Arab Emirates based satellite operator has expanded its distribution chain in Europe, WAM news agency reported Saturday.

London, Nov 21 (IANS) Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry, who has previously spoken about the abuse she and her mother suffered at the hands of their partners, is proud of singer Rihanna for coming out of her troubled relationship.

Los Angeles, Nov 21 (IANS) Reliance Big Entertainment and Brad Pitt's production company Plan B have entered into a pact with leading video gaming firm Capcom to make the sci-fi action game 'Drak Void' into a motion picture.

General Electric and Vivendi are moving closer to a deal on NBC Universal, with Vivendi agreeing to accept payment for just one-third of its stake until a related deal with Comcast closes, according to a source

Washington, Nov 20 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is pretty confident that the US will recover from the global economic crisis, thanks to the skills of the US business class and the US educational system.

London, Nov 20 (IANS) The Oprah Winfrey Talk Show will come to an end in 2011 after more than two decades on air, BBC reported Friday.

Hamilton, Nov 20 (IANS) As many as 32,573 Indian nationals obtained visitor visas during 2008-09 for New Zealand which has topped a survey of tourism organisations from around the world to rank the best destination brands, says official data released Friday.

Kathmandu, Nov 20 (IANS) India and Nepal Friday kicked off water-sharing talks in the Himalayan republic that will finally give a push to the massive 6,000 MW Pancheswor Multipurpose Project more than 10 years after the two governments signed a treaty to develop the hydro-power project.

Deutsche Bank Chief Executive Josef Ackermann said the worst parts of the financial crisis are behind us, and cautioned that more time needs to be spent studying how financial bubbles occur.