World News

Citigroup lets Wells Fargo grab Wachovia

Leading global financial services company, Citigroup, has abandoned its fight for Wachovia bank, letting it go to Wells Fargo, but said it will seek compensatory and punitive damages for bad faith and breach of contract.7:03 PM on October 10

Doctor faces jail in global drugs racket led by Indian-origin man

An American doctor who is alleged to have banked more a million pounds for the Indian-born lynchpin in a global fake medicines racket is expected to be jailed next week.7:03 PM on October 10

Afghanistan security situation may worsen: US military chief

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff in Afghanistan, Admiral Mike Mullen, has said the situation in the country will worsen, according to reports Friday.7:00 PM on October 10

Suicide blast kills 16 in Pakistan

At least 16 people were killed Friday in a suicide bomb attack in Pakistan's Orakzai agency near the Afghan border, the state-run PTV reported.7:00 PM on October 10

Researchers identify clue to genetic cause of fatal birth defect

An enzyme may play a major role in anencephaly, offering hope for a genetic test or even therapy for the rare fatal birth defect in which the brain fails to develop, according to a study.6:31 PM on October 10

Cheaper smuggled cigarettes killing more people than drugs

Tobacco smuggling causes around 4,000 premature deaths a year or four times the number of fatalities caused by the use of all smuggled illegal drugs put together, but the UK government is not doing enough to tackle the problem, said experts.6:03 PM on October 10

OPEC meet in November, crude price slides below $80

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has scheduled a special meeting in November, as the cartel's crude oil price remained below $80 for the second day in a row Thursday, the group announced Friday.6:03 PM on October 10

World Food Day to stress on climate change, bio-energy

Climate change and bio-energy are the focus of this year's World Food Day activities, expected to involve over 150 countries, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said Friday.6:02 PM on October 10

Pakistan, Iran may start gas project without India

Pakistan and Iran said Friday they would undertake bilaterally a proposed $7.5 billion cross-border gas pipeline venture if India delayed joining the project.6:01 PM on October 10

Thai protest leaders surrender to police

Top leaders of an anti-government movement that has occupied Thailand's seat of government since August surrendered Friday to police, a day after treason charges were dropped against them.6:01 PM on October 10

Sensitive military data missing again in Britain

In the latest incident of security breach in Britain, a computer drive containing information about a large number of British armed forces personnel is missing, the Ministry of Defence said Friday, The Independent daily reported.5:33 PM on October 10

North Korea, US close to nuclear compromise: Report

North Korea and the United States are closer to a compromise in a last-ditch effort to salvage a nuclear disarmament deal, South Korean media said Friday.5:33 PM on October 10

Nobel Peace Prize for Finnish statesman Martti Ahtisaari

Former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari, who has played a major role in UN peacekeeping operations for over three decades, was Friday awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008.5:32 PM on October 10

Israel police alert after worst Arab-Jewish riots in years

Israeli police were on high alert in racially mixed Israeli cities Friday after two nights of the worst Arab-Jewish clashes in years in the northern port town of Acre.5:32 PM on October 10

Nepal jail authorities dismiss Sobhraj wedding as gimmick

A day after Charles Sobhraj's Nepali fiancee Nihita Biswas announced that she had tied the knot with the murder convict, Nepal's Central Jail authorities rejected the claim, calling it a gimmick to generate media hype.5:32 PM on October 10