Security Council fails to reach Gaza resolution

NEW YORK - The UN Security Council was again unable to reach a resolution on the Mideast conflict late Saturday, hours after Israeli troops launched a ground offensive into the Gaza Strip.

EU troika to visit Middle East for talks: Sweden

STOCKHOLM - The foreign ministers of the Czech Republic, France and Sweden are to visit the Middle East Sunday amid the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas, the Swedish foreign ministry said Friday.

Drink, but make sure the stuff is genuine

NEW DELHI - Those in the habit of downing a few pegs of ‘good quality foreign whisky’ to beat the winter chill should carefully examine what exactly they are drinking.

Czech Republic takes over EU chair amid crisis

PRAGUE - The Czech Republic assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) Thursday, nearly two decades after communism collapsed in the central European country of 10 million.

Jaguar Land Rover survival crucial to Britain: Lord Bhattacharya

LONDON - A leading Indian-origin academic has warned that Britain’s main manufacturing region could become an industrial wasteland if carmakers Jaguar Land Rover is allowed to fail in the current economic climate.

EU calls crisis meeting on Gaza violence

BRUSSELS/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.

Iran asks Arab states to keep away from nuclear row

TEHRAN - Iran has called on the Arab states not to interfere in the country’s nuclear dispute with the Western world, IRNA reported Sunday.

Top travel writers invited to see a safe India

NEW DELHI - Terrorism has hit India’s tourism industry hard, but now some of the best travel writers from the US and Europe have been roped in by the government to help undo the damage.

Spain refuses to receive Guantanamo prisoners

MADRID - Spain has refused to accept any inmate from the Guantánamo prison, saying that would create serious legal problems.

France wants common EU policy on Guantanamo prisoners

PARIS - France Friday called for a common European Union (EU) policy to deal with prisoners currently held in the US prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after the camp is closed as planned by president-elect Barack Obama in 2009.

Bangalore expats scale down yearend celebrations

BANGALORE - They are an increasingly visible part of Bangalore’s seven million population but expatriates in India’s IT hub have been known for their whole-hearted participation in major events the city celebrates, including the Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations. But not this year.

Carla Bruni donates proceeds of latest album to charity

LONDON - French first lady Carla Bruni has done her bit of philanthropy by donating all proceeds of her latest album to charity.