• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• On World Day UN encourages joining do one thing for diversity and inclusion campaign

  21 May 2013 150 Visit a museum, watch a foreign film or share your traditions with someone else, the United Nations is today encouraging people to 8216;do one thing' to mark the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. "Culture, in all its diversity, can foster a sense of identity and cohesion for societies at a time of uncertainty. It is also a powerful source of ...

• Over 7 million people now receiving HIV treatment in Africa - UN report

  21 May 2013 150 The number of people in Africa receiving antiretroviral treatment increased from less than 1 million to 7.1 million over seven years, according to a United Nations report which documents the progress in the AIDS response in the world's second largest continent. "Africa has been relentless in its quest to turn the AIDS epidemic around," said the Executive Director of the ...

• UAE Singapore discuss global development

  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore have held talks over international development. The talks were held between UAE's minister for international cooperation and development, Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid al-Qasimi and visiting Singaporean minister for foreign affairs K. Shanmugam and his delegation. Both sides discussed ways to support efforts in international development, stimulating the ...

• Amnesty International flags asylum law

  Cabinet has presented a draft bill setting the rules for the freezing and restoring assets obtained illegally by foreign dictators and deposited in Switzerland. If approved by parliament, it will be the first law of its kind in the ...

• Canada sets new aid for Peru linked to mining

  LIMA, Peru -; Canada's prime minister has announced a new package of development aid for Peru that environmentalists are viewing warily because it is closely tied to Canadian mining investments in the South American ...

• Globe artistic chief to chat Bard

  Now the renowned director will be sharing some of what he has learned about the Bard and his plays in "Thinking Shakespeare Live!," a 90-minute presentation meant to help illuminate and demystify Shakespeare's language for actors, artists and general audiences ...

• World’s biggest wave farm approved in Western Isles

  NEW YORK: Ministers have approved plans for the world's largest commercial wave farm, the British Broadcasting Corporation reported on ...

• Liberty Memorial exhibit looks at origins of First World War

  We officially declare the opening of summer on this Memorial Day weekend, which means it’s time go outside and soak up some sun. (Don’t forget the ...

• Forbes Merkel Still Worlds Most Powerful Woman

  German Chancellor Angela Merkel has maintained her position as the most powerful woman in the world, in a ranking published Wednesday by Forbes magazine. Merkel has held the number one position on the Forbes list of the 100 most powerful women in the world for the third year in a row. The 58-year-old chancellor has been a regular on the list since her first appearance in 2006, one year ...

• US House panel backs stiff new Iran sanctions

  Iran could face tightened sanctions within months after a US congressional panel Wednesday adopted a measure targeting the nation's auto and mining industries as well as its foreign currency ...

• People on the move Surviving the world’s most dangerous journey

  When he left his home in Chiquimula, Guatemala, at 5:00 am on 31 July 2008, Alberto Donis knew he was about to make be one of the most dangerous journeys in the ...

• European banks stop sending money to North Korea aid groups

  BEIJING (Reuters) - European aid groups said their banks in Europe had stopped sending money to North Korea in the wake of U.S. sanctions on Pyongyang's main foreign exchange bank, leaving them scrambling for a solution short of hand-carrying cash into the impoverished ...

• U.S. probe of Benghazi attack focused on more than five suspects

  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An investigation of the attacks on the American diplomatic mission and nearby annex in Benghazi, Libya, last year is looking at more than five potential suspects, a U.S. national security source said on ...

• World Bank proposes $150 million loan to help Jordan with refugees

  civil war in Syria , Jordanian and World Bank board sources said on Wednesday. "The (World Bank) board should act on it in June," one source told Reuters. "Pressure on Jordan is increasing and the loan should help ease the economic burden." Close to 500,000 Syrian refugees, out of a total of 1.5 million, have sought shelter in Jordan from an escalating civil war between ...

• Mall Kicks Out Women Wearing Breast Cancer Hats with Expletive

  The King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania kicked out three sisters last Sunday for wearing matching hats with a message:  Fu*k Cancer. Over one of the letters was a strategically placed pink breast cancer ribbon. The ladies, who spoke to the ABC News affiliate WPVI, said they were honoring their mother, who died last Tuesday of breast cancer and had battled the disease for four ...

• Puerto Ricos Culebra awaits new hospital school

  SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -; Puerto Rico's tiny island of Culebra has been forever dependent on the U.S. territory for food, jobs and health care, but the territory's governor is cutting some of those ...

• Little done in Brazil to improve safety after fire

  FILE - In this Jan. 27, 2013 file photo, firefighters work to douse a fire at the Kiss Club in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Relatives of the victims of the nightclub fire that earlier this year killed 242 people in southern Brazil, said on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 that little has been done to improve the safety of public gathering places since the tragedy. (AP Photo/Agencia ...

• Argentine leader raises cash handouts 35 percent

  Higher prices for its multiple sclerosis drug Rebif helped German pharmaceutical and high-tech materials company Merck KGaA post a 54 percent rise in first-quarter ...

• US pushes Europe to amend arms embargo on Syrian rebels

  John Kerry , the US secretary of state, has been urging the EU to reach consensus on a change that would allow weapons to be delivered to the rebels - though without any decision to do so at this stage.Diplomatic sources said on Wednesday that Britain now has the support of France, Italy and Spain, while Germany is neutral. But Austria, Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic are still opposed. ...

• IRS official refuses to testify before Congress

  The IRS official who oversees non-profit applications refused to testify Wednesday at a congressional panel probing abuse at the US tax agency but defiantly insisted she had done nothing ...

• 4 Americans killed in counterterrorism drone strikes

  Four Americans, one in a targeted attack, have been killed by drones since 2009, said Attorney General Eric Holder. (U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Effrain ...

• Lydia Davis wins $93K Man Booker International Prize

  Lydia Davis, an American writer of short stories --some of them just a single line long -- has won the 60,000 ($93,230 Cdn) Man Booker International Prize. She was named the winner in London Wednesday, coming out ahead of nine international contenders. Davis, 65, has written nine collections of short stories and one ...

• Karl vomits after worlds hottest pie

  The world's hottest chilli pie has claimed another victim after Today show co-host Ben Fordham got one over serial prankster Karl Stefanovic. Courtesy: Channel ...

• Exclusive Glencore Trafigura deals with Iran may have skirted sanctions - U.N.

  UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Metals swap deals with Iran by Switzerland-based commodities giants Glencore Xstrata and Trafigura could have been a way of skirting international sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program, according to a confidential U.N. Panel of Experts report seen by Reuters on ...

• US IDs 4 Americans Killed by Drones

  Attorney General Eric Holder has disclosed in a letter to Congress that four Americans were killed by U.S. drones in the course of the government's attacks on terrorists. "Since 2009, the United States, in the conduct of U.S. counterterrorism operations against al-Qaida and its associated forces outside of areas of active hostilities, has specifically targeted and killed one U.S. ...

• Octogenarians Compete for Oldest-Everest-Climber Record

  Japanese climber Yuichiro Miura, 80, left, is hoping to become the oldest person to reach the top of Mount Everest, breaking the record for the oldest person to climb the mountain, currently held by Nepal's Min Bahadur Sherchan, right, who reached the summit at the age of 76, in ...

• Bill Nye Jabs Sen. Jim Inhofe on Climate Change

  Early Tuesday morning Nye wondered what Oklahoma senator and well-known climate change denier Jim Inhofe thought about the tornado that devastated Moore, ...

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