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Beijing vows $56bn to curb air pollution in major cities 06 Dec 2012 - 04:46 am

BEIJING: China will spend 350bn yuan ($56bn) by 2015 to curb air pollution in major cities, the environmental watchdog said yesterday. Local governments...

Japan eyes reduced emission cut target 06 Dec 2012 - 04:46 am

TOKYO: Japan may backpedal on its pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by a quarter, an official said yesterday, dealing a further blow...

Thai king calls for unity in birthday speech 06 Dec 2012 - 04:46 am

BANGKOK: Thailand’s revered king called for unity and stability in the divided nation yesterday as huge crowds of adoring, flag-waving citizens packed Bangkok...

Indonesia approves landmark forest protection project 06 Dec 2012 - 04:45 am

SINGAPORE: Indonesia yesterday approved a rainforest conservation project that sets aside an area roughly the size of Singapore and rewards investors with tradable...

Aeroplane de-iced 06 Dec 2012 - 04:44 am

A Boeing 737-600 Scandinavian Airlines plane is de-iced at a gate at terminal 5 at Arland airport in Stockholm, Sweden, yesterday. Only one...

Serbia’s Nato envoy jumps to death at airport 06 Dec 2012 - 04:44 am

BELGRADE: Serbia’s ambassador to Nato committed suicide by jumping from a multi-storey car park at Brussels airport on Tuesday, local media reported. Serbia’s...

US court asked to invalidate Obama recess appointments 06 Dec 2012 - 04:44 am

WASHINGTON: Businesses and Senate Republicans forced a courtroom showdown with President Barack Obama yesterday, asking a federal appeals court to invalidate his surprise...

Russia criticises EU on rights ahead of summit 06 Dec 2012 - 04:44 am

MOSCOW: Russia said yesterday respect for human rights was declining in the European Union, as part of a campaign to turn the tables...

Greece takes bottom EU spot in corruption index 06 Dec 2012 - 04:43 am

BERLIN: Greece has scored the worst ranking of all 27 European Union nations in a global league table of perceived official corruption, falling...

Germany moves towards ban on far-right NPD 06 Dec 2012 - 04:43 am

BERLIN: Germany took a step towards banning the far-right National Democratic Party (NPD) yesterday when politicians formally recommended going ahead with hotly disputed...

Hospital treating pregnant Kate falls for radio hoax 06 Dec 2012 - 04:42 am

People take pictures of crib figurines depicting Britain’s Prince William and his pregnant wife Kate in a shop of Via San Gregorio Armeno...

Probe ordered as Dreamliner makes emergency landing 06 Dec 2012 - 04:42 am

NEW YORK: On the same day one of its new Dreamliners made an emergency landing because of a mechanical problem, Boeing said US...

Desperate Assad could use chemical arms: US 06 Dec 2012 - 04:39 am

Buildings damaged by missiles fired by a Syrian Air Force fighter jet, at Ain Terma area in Ghouta, east of Damascus, yesterday. BEIRUT/BRUSSELS:...

Hamas chief to make first Gaza visit tomorrow 06 Dec 2012 - 04:38 am

GAZA: Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal will make his first visit to the Gaza Strip tomorrow to attend the Palestinian Islamist group’s 25th anniversary...

Iran quake kills five 06 Dec 2012 - 04:37 am

TEHRAN: Five people were killed yesterday and at least a dozen injured in a moderate earthquake that struck eastern Iran near the Afghan...

Israel advances E1 settlement plan 06 Dec 2012 - 04:36 am

A crane completes a section of Israel’s controversial separation barrier near Jerusalem’s Shuafat refugee camp yesterday. RAMALLAH: The Palestinians yesterday reacted furiously after...

Three Mursi advisers resign 06 Dec 2012 - 04:35 am

CAIRO: Three members of Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi’s advisory team said yesterday they had resigned over the crisis ignited by a decree that...

200 prisoners break out of Libya jail 06 Dec 2012 - 04:35 am

TRIPOLI: Almost 200 Libyan prisoners have escaped from a jail in the southern town of Sabha in unclear circumstances, officials said yesterday. “One...