World News

By Stephanie NebehayGENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation called on Friday for more collaborative research into the bird flu virus, which it said could help reduce death and illness in a human influenza pandemic.

By Alastair Macdonald and Adam EntousJERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert defied a barrage of calls to resign on Friday after he admitted taking cash from an American businessman at the centre of a police inquiry into allegations of bribery.

By Nelson BanyaHARARE (Reuters) - Mediator and South African leader Thabo Mbeki held talks with President Robert Mugabe on Friday on Zimbabwe's disputed election, officials said, ahead of a possible run-off that has raised concerns of further violence.

By Charles MangwiroMAPUTO (Reuters) The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) said on Friday it will provide African farmers with financial assistance to help boost yields as the continent reels from rising global food prices.

By Gerard WynnLONDON (Reuters) - A new study suggesting a possible lull in manmade global warming has raised fears of a reduced urgency to battle climate change.

Caracas, May 9 (Prensa Latina) The 12-member Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) has announced the formation of an energy council for better integration of the region to ensure energy security.

Washington, May 9 (IANS) With the India-US civil nuclear deal stalled, the US State Department has asked lawmakers to keep secret its answers to their queries about the agreement, fearing that public disclosure may torpedo the deal.

New York, May 9 (IANS) The 21st century is going to be India's, not China's, because it is the fastest growing free market economy, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath has said.

New York, May 9 (IANS) Citing the example of consensus which has kept economic reforms on rails in India, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath has said a 'broad political consensus' was also necessary to conclude the civilian nuclear deal with the US.

The United States has warned China that it risked 'technological isolation' for developing unique technical standards of its own that also are shutting out foreign competition.

London, May 9 (IANS) British Airways has said that it has stopped serving beef to economy class passengers but denied it did so for fear of offending Hindus.

London, May 9 (ANI): The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) has halted aid shipments to Burma after two plane loads of food were impounded on arrival by that country's military authorities.

London, May 9 (ANI): India's High Commissioner designate to the United Kingdom Shiv Shankar Mukherjee assumed formal charge of his responsibilities here today.

London, May 9 (IANS) 'Col. Karuna', a renegade Tamil Tiger leader who rights groups say committed war crimes in Sri Lanka, has been released from a British jail ahead of possible deportation to his country.

London, May 9 (PTI) Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, a senior diplomat and till recently Ambassador to Nepal, today assumed charge as India's new High Commissioner to Britain.

Beirut, May 9 (DPA) The Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah and its ally Amal Friday seized control of key western part of the Lebanese capital in the third day of armed clashes with pro-government opponents.

Basra (Iraq), May 9 (Xinhua) At least eight people have been killed and 21 injured in separate clashes between the government troops and insurgents near Iraq's southern city of Basra, the police and US military sources said Friday.

Beirut, May 9 (Xinhua) At least eight people were killed and 40 wounded in three days of sectarian fighting in the Lebanese capital, security sources said Friday.

Baghdad, May 9 (DPA) Abu Ayyub al-Masri, leader of the Iraqi branch of the terrorist network Al Qaeda, has been arrested in the northern city of Mosul, the Iraqi defence ministry said according to broadcaster al-Jazeera.

Macau, May 9 (IANS) If you have a sweet tooth, then Macau has Chinese, Portuguese and Macanese delicacies to offer. But the tastiest perhaps is 'sawdust'.

Johannesburg, May 9 (DPA) South African President Thabo Mbeki returned to Zimbabwe Friday for talks with President Robert Mugabe on the country's post-election impasse as foreign ambassadors visited the victims of attacks carried out by Mugabe-loyal youth militia.

Melbourne, May 9 (ANI): A Sydney school teacher has been sacked for appearing in a sealed nude photo shoot in a magazine with her hubby.

Sydney, May 9 (IANS) Indian doctor Muhammad Haneef's case has taken yet another turn with the Immigration Department refusing to release documents and his lawyers appealing against it.

Melbourne, May 9 (ANI): Playing violent videogames do not turn young boys into criminal or violent people, according to two Harvard Medical School psychologists.

Dharam Shourie New York, May 9 (PTI) The United Nations has expressed its "disappointment and frustration" at the limited access to Myanmar where some 1.

Islamabad, May 9 (PTI) Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has indicated that his government would consider if Indian death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh could be pardoned.

Islamabad, May 9 (DPA) Pakistani government and the pro-Taliban militants Friday agreed on a ceasefire in Pakistan's restive north-western district of Swat, hours after a policeman was killed in an attack on a security convoy in the area, officials said.

Kathmandu, May 9 (ANI): A meeting the ruling Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) Friday reached an understanding to call the first Constituent Assembly meeting by the last week of May.

Islamabad, May 9 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was briefed by Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani on the security situation in Balochistan on Friday, and on the efforts being made to engage nationalist groups in the southern province in peace talks.

Islamabad, May 9 (ANI): Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday announced the formation of two task forces to determine the future direction of Pakistan foreign policy and to tackle the economic needs at diplomatic front.