• Work starts on creation of new Dubai island

  Work began on Monday on the development of a man-made island in Dubai, 500 metres directly opposite the Jumeirah Beach Residence complex. To be known as Bluewaters Island, the new development will house five star hotels and resorts, al fresco dining and entertainment zones, and residential apartments and villas. The focal point of the island city, which will cost $1.6 billion, will be a 688 ...

• European leaders hold summit on tax evasion

  The heads of state and government of the European Union held a summit Wednesday in an effort to make more progress in fighting tax evasion and tax fraud. EU leaders are targeting tax crimes both within the borders of their countries and in foreign tax havens despite the reluctance of Austria and Luxembourg. The leaders of the EU's 27 member states are expected to give the go ahead to the ...

• Lydia Davis wins Man Booker Prize

  American author Lydia Davis was declared the winner of the fifth Man Booker International Prize at an award ceremony held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Her inventive, carefully-crafted and hard to categorise works saw off the challenge from nine other contenders from around the world, said a press release Wednesday evening. India's U.R. Ananthamurthy was also one of the ...

• Italy has lowest graduate share in Europe

  Italy has the lowest graduation rates in Europe with just one-fifth of people aged 30-34 holding a university degree, according to a study. A total of 31 percent of Italian families cannot afford to pay for their children's university studies, and must take out loans or have their offspring seek jobs to help fund tuition and living costs, said the report by charity Save the Children. It said ...

• UN urges collective efforts to achieve water secure world on Day for Biological Diversity

  22 May 2013 150 Unless greater efforts are made to reverse current trends, the world will run out of freshwater, the United Nations said today marking the International Day for Biological Diversity and urging stronger scientific alliances to understand and protect natural resources. "We live in an increasingly water insecure world where demand often outstrips supply and where water quality ...

• Amid turmoil in Mideast UN envoy urges concerted action to resume Israeli-Palestinian talks

  22 May 2013 150 While international attention is understandably on the tragedy that continues to unfold in Syria, it is equally important to ensure the resumption of negotiations aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a senior United Nations envoy stressed to the Security Council today. "Ending the conflict in Syria is a matter of great urgency and must be the top priority of ...

• International community must help Darfur become self-sufficient 8211 UN official

  22 May 2013 150 The United Nations humanitarian chief today stressed the international community must do more to ensure the people of Sudan's Darfur region can better provide for themselves. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos, who is currently on a four-day visit to Darfur, said she was disappointed that after 10 years of humanitarian operations, the region is ...

• UN agency to open nuclear emergency preparedness centre in Fukushima

  22 May 2013 150 Experts from the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are heading to Japan to launch an emergency preparedness and response centre in Fukushima, the coastal city devastated two years ago when a massive earthquake and tsunami set off meltdowns at a nuclear power plant. The IAEA, supported by the Government of Japan, will designate a new Response and ...

• Council of Europe Concerned About Russias Human-Rights Record

  MOSCOW Thorbjorn Jagland, secretary general of the Council of Europe, has told President Vladimir Putin that the human rights body is concerned about Russia's law requiring non-governmental organizations to register as foreign agents. Jagland said Europe will watch how the Kremlin implements the law that went in effect last November, a measure requiring non-governmental organizations ...

• World motorsport chief to visit Botswana

  The president of the world motorsport governing body, Federation Internationale de I' Automobile (FIA), Jean Todt is scheduled to visit Botswana in August, Botswana Motorsport Association (BMSA) has confirmed. BMSA secretary general Joseph Khengere said Tuesday they had been in consultations with the FIA since affiliating to them earlier this year and the president will pay a visit to Botswana, ...

• Oz women cricketers Down Under on top of world after hefty pay-hike

  Cricket Australia (CA) has announced that the country's top female cricketers will now earn up to 80,000 dollars within a year. The women team has won Women's World Cup and the T20 trophy, prompting CA to consider female cricket as professional, News.com.au reports. CA chief executive James Sutherland compared the women's cricket team to the men's cricket club, saying that the association ...

• China defeats Kazakhstan in mens volleyball tourney

  Chinese national men's volleyball team defeated Kazakhstan 3-0 at the China International Men's Volleyball Tournament here. China beat Kazakhstan 25-20, 25-23, 25-16 with little difficulty Tuesday, reports Xinhua. "My team consists of young players who didn't completely obey my order, so I'm very angry," said Gilyazutdinov Rafael, the assistant coach of Kazakhstan. "Although we won the game, ...

• China to consolidate Pakistan ties Li

  China would firmly consolidate and develop ties with Pakistan "no matter how the international and regional situation changes", said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang who arrived here Wednesday on an official visit to Pakistan. Li said that as he began his visit, he brought with him the Chinese people's friendship to the Pakistani people. Pakistan, a key South Asian country, has made important ...

• Ukrainian clubs target Brazil winger Osvaldo

  Brazil international winger Osvaldo is reportedly a summer transfer target of Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk and Metalist Kharkiv. The 26-year-old has been in impressive form for Brazilian club Sao Paulo and has twice been capped by Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari this year, reports XInhua. Sao Paulo have reportedly already received preliminary offers for Osvaldo from both clubs, considered two ...

• Murofushi loses appeal in IOC member election

  The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed Athens Olympic champion Koji Murofushi's challenge of an International Olympic Committee's (IOC) disqualification from member election. The Japanese hammer thrower was disqualified from IOC's athletes committee member election after claims he excessively lobbied fellow athletes ahead of voting at the London Olympics, reports Xinhua. The IOC has ...

• Trinindad Football hints at probe to uncover missing funds

  The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) has hinted that an investigation could be launched into unaccounted revenues generated by the federation from World Cup 2006. President of the TTFF Raymond Tim Kee announced Tuesday that a probe is being considered during a press conference at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, reports CMC. "From our understanding, TTFF is very much a part of ...

• Oliver tops 110m hurdles at World Challenge Beijing

  With the absence of Chinese star Liu Xiang, American David Oliver topped the men's 110-metre hurdles at the 2013 IAAF World Challenge Beijing here, while China's Li Jinzhe continued his good form and grabbed a second win in the men's long jump. Oliver, bronze medallist in the event at the 2008 Beijing Games, held off the challenge of London Olympic runner-up Jason Richardson and Jamaica's ...

• 15 nations for ophthalmology meet in Cuba

  The 7th International Ophthalmology Congress, to be held here June 29-31, will draw experts from 15 countries, Xinhua reported. Over 600 Cuban experts will attend the meeting to showcase the country's latest developments in ophthalmological research. This was carried out over the past few years in conjunction with "Mission Miracle," a joint Cuba-Venezuela programme launched in 2004 to provide ...

• 14 closely related crocodiles existed around 5mn years ago

  An international team of scientists have revealed that a total of 14 different crocodile species existed and at least seven of them occupied the same area at the same time about five million years ago. But today, the most diverse species of crocodile are found in northern South America and Southeast Asia. Though as many as six species of alligator and four true crocodiles exist today, no more ...

• Indo-China bilateral meet on healthcare sector held at Geneva

  Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Dr Li Bin, Minister of Health and Population, People's Republic of China met here yesterday on the sidelines of World Health Assembly to discuss the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in healthcare sector. Congratulating Dr Li Bin for taking over as Health Minister of China, Azad stated that in view of her keen interest ...

• Pak batsman Mohd Yousuf rubbishes media reports of retirement from intl cricket

  Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf has rejected media reports which said that he has retired from international cricket. The 38-year-old cricketer said that he is already out of the Pakistan team and haven't played top class cricket for a while now, so there is no need for him to announce any retirement, reports the Daily Times. Yousuf last played for Pakistan in an ODI against South Africa in ...

• Globovision owners hint at toned-down news stance

  CARACAS, Venezuela -; The new owners of Venezuela's only television channel to take critical stands against the government say they will, in their words, "contribute to a climate of peace and not of ...

• Building materials blamed in Bangladesh disaster

  DHAKA, Bangladesh -; A government investigation found poor quality construction materials and building code violations were among the "series of irregularities" that caused the collapse of a building housing garment factories last month in Bangladesh, the committee head said ...

• Baku hosts 45th General Meeting of Intercable International Association

  The 45th General Meeting of the Intercable International Association has kicked off in Baku. The four-day meeting includes a symposium on "Telecommunication cables – prospects of future ...

• Azerbaijani karate fighters claim 14 medals including 9 golds at world champion

  AzerTAc reports. The Azerbaijani karate fighters also won two world belts out from three possible in a competition marking the 90th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev. Azerbaijan ranked 3rd in the overall medal table of the ...

• Foreign Ministers to attend 2nd Baku World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue

  Saudi Arabian, Syrian, Mozambican and Tunisian ministers to attend 2nd Baku World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. Ministers from Saudi Arabia, Syria, Mozambique and Tunisia have confirmed their participation at the 2nd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue that will be held in Baku from May 29-June 1. Initiated by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the forum will be held under the motto ...

• Amnesty International urges governments to do more for refugees

  LONDON: Human rights group Amnesty International has launched its 2013 annual report into global welfare.The organisation, which focuses mainly on dangers faced by refugees, displaced people and migrants, is now calling on global governments to do ...

• Socceroos Lucas Neill Josh Kennedy and Sasa Ogenovski return for FIFA World Cup qualifiers

  Australia Veteran Socceroos Lucas Neill, Josh Kennedy and Sasa Ognenovski have all returned to the national fold in Holger Osieck's 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup Asian qualifiers.Australian skipper Neill was suspended for his side's famous 2-2 draw with Oman at Sydney's Olympic stadium in March, while Kennedy has been out with a back injury and Ognenovski has been on ...

• Worlds oldest university poised for revival in India after 800 years

  Nalanda University, an ancient seat of learning destroyed in 1193, is poised for revival. According to The Independent, an ambitious plan to establish an international university with the same overarching vision as Nalanda - and located alongside its physical ruins - has been spearheaded by a team of international experts and leaders, among them the Nobel-winning economist Amartya Sen. This ...

• Costa Concordia skipper faces trial

  Costa Concordia cruise ship which capsized off Italy last year, killing 32 people, will face trial for manslaughter, an Italian judge has ruled. More than 4,000 passengers had to be evacuated from the Francesco Schettino captained cruise ship last ...

• Bid to tighten Americas Cup safety

  23 May 2013 Sailing experts have made 37 recommendations they say will increase safety in the America's Cup, following the death of British Olympic sailing champion Andrew ...

• Hairy moment for 400lb tiger Ty

  23 May 2013 It's not unusual for a cat to get a hairball, but a 400lb tiger needed help from vets when he could not cough up a football-sized fur lump by ...

• Crack film mayor loses coach job

  Eagles Football programme was in connection with comments the mayor made to the Sun TV Network in March that parents found offensive."The mayor in the interview characterised the parent community here as not caring about their kids, that the students were involved in gangs and guns and that if it weren't for him they would be in jail," Mr Yan said. "I don't know of any ...

• World Briefing | The Americas Argentina Increases of Cash Handouts to Poor

  Argentina 's president has announced increases of as much as 35 percent in cash handouts to the poor, students, pregnant women and retirees. ...

• Riots and attacks on mosques

  TWO men have been arrested after separate attacks on mosques after the sickening Woolwich attack in which a man was decapitated on a London ...

• Around the World in Hand Gestures A Video Guide

  . "Yet when it comes to gesturing, certain outdated motions endure." Some hand gestures are ancient -- the thumbs up dates back to the Romancoliseum -- and pretty much universal. Others mean different things in different cultures, as we discover in this video ...

• Japans wartime brothels were wrong says 91-year-old veteran

  1 of 2. 91-year-old former Japanese army medic Masayoshi Matsumoto points at a photograph of himself taken in the 1940s, during an interview with Reuters at his daughter's house in Sagamihara, south of Tokyo May 22, ...

• Amnesty International protests U.S. drone killings

  Samir Khan, a U.S. citizen of Pakistani heritage and formerly a resident of Charlotte, N.C., was reported killed in the CIA-directed drone strike in Yemen that also killed U.S.-born cleric and al Qaeda leader Anwar ...

• Real World Economics Government responses to disasters raise economic questions

  The tragic tornado in Oklahoma this week has economic considerations -- at least judging by questions from readers. The central issues seem to be whether some government policies, such as buildings codes, might reduce loss of life and property damages and or whether others, like disaster relief, might actually increase them. Let's start with the second point. Does government disaster ...

• Japanese climber 80 becomes oldest atop Everest

  KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) -- A Nepalese official says 80-year-old Japanese mountaineer Yuichiro Miura has become the oldest man to reach the top of Mount ...

• Afghan protest over womens rights

  Taliban regime known for its harsh treatment of women.The protest came days after conservative politicians' vehement opposition blocked an attempt to cement the decree's provisions in law.Most of international force that ousted the Taliban is now preparing to withdraw by the end of next year and activists fear an erosion of women's rights will follow if hardliners pressure the ...

• Cruise firms promise bill of rights

  The bill of rights promises, among other things, full refunds for trips that are cancelled due to mechanical failure, and a back-up power source on every ship to keep emergency systems running in the event of a main generator failure.The announcement by the Cruise Lines International Association (Clia), which represents 25 major companies including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland ...

• Cheruiyot misses world championships for pregnancy

  Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot will not be able to defend her 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters titles at this year's Moscow world championships as she is expecting her first child. The runner said in a statement on Wednesday that she felt it was "the right time to start a family" at the age of 29. Cheruiyot planned to return for the 2014 season and compete in the 2015 World ...

• China Solar Talks With Europe Go Dark

  Solar panel arrays. Most of these are made in China. Not if Europe can help it. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) The Chinese solar panel industry isn't having any luck with the European Union, which has slapped high tariffs on Chinese made photovoltaics. China and the E.U. agreed to discuss alleged dumping by China into Europe, undercutting local solar panel producers. The talks were held ...

• British soldier butchered in suspected Islamist attack

  Two men wielding knives butchered and beheadeda man believed to be a British soldier in a busy London street on Wednesday,before delivering an Islamist tirade to ...

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