India asks US, China, Saudi, Iran to pressurize Pakistan

NEW DELHI - Intensifying its diplomatic offensive, India has made it clear to the US and Iran as well as Pakistan’s key allies, China and Saudi Arabia, that they need to do more to use their clout to pressurize Pakistan into acting against the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage.

British TV to air Ahmadinejad, not Queen’s Christmas speech

LONDON - Britain’s Channel 4 television plans to air a speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Thursday as an alternative to the traditional Christmas Day speech by Queen Elizabeth II.

Clinton likely Hillary’s special envoy for India, Pakistan

LONDON - US Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton is believed to be forming a team of special envoys for the world’s trouble spots, with her husband and former president Bill Clinton in line for India and Pakistan.

Row over Ahmadinejad ‘alternative’ to Queen’s message

LONDON - An angry row erupted in Britain Thursday over plans by a television station to broadcast a speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as an ‘alternative’ to the traditional Christmas Day message by Queen Elizabeth II.

Sri Lanka bleeds - with no peace in sight (Yearender - 4)

Sri Lanka’s dragging ethnic conflict is at a decisive phase, with the military determined to crush the Tamil Tigers and the guerrillas adamantly refusing to give up.

US concerned about detained Iranian AIDS experts

WASHINGTON - The US has expressed ‘deep concern’ over the continued detention of two Iranian AIDS experts, who have now been in prison for six months.

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.