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South Korea confirms Google chairman’s visit to North 04 Jan 2013 - 05:21 am

SEOUL: South Korea’s foreign ministry confirmed yesterday that Google chairman Eric Schmidt was planning a visit to North Korea, but was unable to...

Thailand deports 73 Rohingya boat people to Myanmar 04 Jan 2013 - 05:20 am

BANGKOK: Thailand has deported dozens of Rohingya boat people back to Myanmar, an official said yesterday, despite a UN appeal to accept members...

Population seen to hit 97.7m this year 04 Jan 2013 - 05:19 am

MANILA: The country’s population is expected to reach 97.7m this year due to the 1.7m to 1.8m Filipino babies born every year, the...

Death of girl, 7, sparks call for debate on gun control 04 Jan 2013 - 05:19 am

MANILA: The death of a girl hit by celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve sparked calls yesterday for stricter gun controls in the...

Manila voices outrage over ecology official’s murder 04 Jan 2013 - 05:18 am

MANILA: The Philippine government has voiced outrage at “ruthless” illegal loggers intent on defying a nationwide ban on destroying forests, following the New...

Nation-wide vigil stepped up to prevent smuggling of cigarettes 04 Jan 2013 - 05:18 am

MANILA: The government is keeping a tight watch on possible smuggling of cigarettes following the implementation of the Sin Tax Law. Customs Commissioner...

Floods displace 130 families in Dipolog 04 Jan 2013 - 05:17 am

ZAMBOANGA CITY: At least 130 families have been evacuated in two villages in Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte due to floods caused by...

Back to school 04 Jan 2013 - 05:16 am

Sandy Hook Elementary students leave for school in Newtown, Connecticut, yesterday. They returned to classes at an alternative campus yesterday after a gunman...

Gunman kills three women in Switzerland 04 Jan 2013 - 05:15 am

DAILLON, Switzerland: A gunman killed three women and wounded two men late on Wednesday in the Swiss village of Daillon, opening fire from...

UK baulks at Argentina call over Falklands 04 Jan 2013 - 05:15 am

LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron dismissed yesterday a renewed call by Argentine President Cristina Kirchner for Britain to return the disputed Falkland...

Hillary out of hospital, keen to resume work 04 Jan 2013 - 05:14 am

NEW YORK: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton left a New York hospital late on Wednesday after three days of treatment and is...

CAR president refuses to resign 04 Jan 2013 - 05:13 am

BANGUI: Central African Republic President Francois Bozize will refuse to leave power during talks with rebels, his spokesman said yesterday, rejecting the insurgents’...

Czech mass pardon triggers controversy 04 Jan 2013 - 05:13 am

PRAGUE: Outgoing Czech President Vaclav Klaus came under fire yesterday for decreeing a mass amnesty for thousands of convicted or suspected criminals, including...

Call for action after organ scandal 04 Jan 2013 - 05:13 am

BERLIN: The head of the German doctors’ lobby and politicians called yesterday for swift action to root out corruption following a scandal over...

Record 100 women in US Congress 04 Jan 2013 - 05:12 am

WASHINGTON: A record number of women were sworn in as members of the 113th Congress as a result of elections on last November...

UAE clarifies on bouncing cheques 04 Jan 2013 - 04:29 am

ABU DHABI: Foreigners still risk being imprisoned for bouncing cheques in the United Arab Emirates, as a government order which decriminalises the offence...

Egypt forms panel for release of nationals in UAE 04 Jan 2013 - 04:29 am

CAIRO: Egypt has set up a council to negotiate the release of its nationals arrested in the UAE reportedly for spying and raising...

Activists launch petition to free Saudi author 04 Jan 2013 - 04:27 am

DUBAI: Activists and intellectuals have petitioned Saudi authorities to free a prominent author two weeks after he was detained over tweets deemed insulting...