EU in frantic talks as Russian gas flow stallsBRUSSELS - The European Union (EU) launched a frantic round of telephone diplomacy with Russia and Ukraine Tuesday as the two countries blamed one another for breaking a promise to renew natural gas supplies to Europe. US urges Russia to restore gas supply to EuropeWASHINGTON - The US government has urged Russia to immediately restore gas supply via Ukraine to the European Union (EU). Heavy fighting on Gaza outskirts, ‘progress’ in talksGAZA CITY - Israeli ground troops fought heavy battles with Palestinian militants on Gaza City’s outskirts Monday, as Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said only Israel would decide when it would stop its offensive in Gaza, and Egypt said some ‘progress’ was made in talks with Hamas aimed at reaching a truce. Ukraine to sign fresh accord on gas monitorsMOSCOW/PRAGUE/BRUSSELS - Ukraine has agreed to sign a fresh accord for monitors to measure gas flow to Europe, minus the declaration that led Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to rescind the agreement, the European Commission said Monday. Asia claim maiden win in golf’s Royal TrophyBANGKOK - Asia claimed golf’s Royal Trophy for the first time after completing a stunning 10-6 triumph over Europe at Amata Spring Country Club Sunday. Russia agrees to international gas observersMOSCOW - Russia Saturday gave its approval to a European Union (EU) proposal for international observers to monitor Russian gas deliveries via Ukraine. Russia-Ukraine gas monitoring deal done: EUBRUSSELS - Russia and Ukraine have agreed on the details of a monitoring mission designed to ensure that Russian gas destined for the European Union is not siphoned off as it travels through Ukrainian pipelines, officials in Brussels said Friday. French warship foils attacks by Somali piratesPARIS - A French warship Sunday foiled attacks by Somali pirates on two commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden, the French president’s office said. US urges Ukraine, Russia to settle gas disputeWASHINGTON - The US Thursday urged Russia and the Ukraine to resolve their dispute over payments and debts owed for natural gas in a ‘transparent, commercial manner’. EU calls crisis meeting on Gaza violenceBRUSSELS/PARIS - The French government Monday called for an emergency meeting of the European Union’s (EU) foreign ministers to discuss the crisis in the Middle East, officials confirmed. Suzlon raises stake in REpower to 73.7 percentNEW DELHI - Suzlon Energy, India’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, has acquired the first tranche of Martifer group’s stake in REpower Systems AG of Germany for approximately euro 65 million ($89 million or Rs.4.23 billion), the company announced Tuesday. |