Church roof collapse kills seven in Brazil

SAO PAULO - The collapse of the roof at a church here Sunday night killed at least seven people, authorities said.

Indian Railways cancel luxury tour post-Mumbai attack

KOLKATA - Indian Railways’ joint venture with a private tour operator for a luxury package tour from Kolkata to Mumbai via Goa had to be postponed till the end of 2009 after denied security assurances from Goa government, the tour company officials said Saturday.

Growth rates fall in Latin America and the Caribbean: UN

MEXICO CITY - The economies of Latin America and the Caribbean would experience slower growth rates in 2009, according to a report that the UN made public Thursday.

Fiat India launches luxury sedan in India

NEW DELHI - Auto manufacturer Fiat India Friday launched its luxury sedan Fiat Linea in India.

‘Brazil’s economic prospects positive despite crisis’

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil’s economic prospects in 2009 remain positive despite the ongoing global financial crisis, says a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Juventus close in on leaders Inter Milan

ROME - A free kick from Alessandro Del Piero helped Juventus beat Siena 1-0 to move within four points of Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

Global warming could starve half the world by century-end

SYDNEY - Global warming will severely damage crop output in tropical regions and deprive half the world of food by the century-end, according to a study.

Surajkund crafts fair to go international this year

CHANDIGARH - Craftsmen from India will vie with artisans from nearly a dozen countries as the popular Surajkund fair, beginning on the outskirts of the Indian capital Feb 1, adds a new chapter to its colourful history.

Flooded farmers toast Australia’s whacky weather

SYDNEY - More rain fell in north Australia Saturday raising the spirits of drought-depressed farmers, engorging already swollen rivers and putting dusty cattle ranches under water.

FIFA monitoring Satyam developments

NEW DELHI - World football body FIFA, which had signed up troubled Indian software giant Satyam as its information technology partner for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, said Thursday that it was closely monitoring the developments and studying the extent of the fraud by the company.

Nine killed in Brazil bus accident

RIO DE JANEIRO - Nine people were killed and 22 others injured when a passenger bus veered off the road and fell into a river in southwestern Brazil, EFE reported Tuesday.

`Indian security personnel in demand abroad’

CHANDIGARH - There are plenty of job opportunities available abroad for security personnel from India, an official of a security forum said here Tuesday.

I’m no longer a man-eater: Carla Bruni-Sarkozy

LONDON - France’s first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, a pop singer and former model, says she is ‘no longer a man-eater.’