America shows off warship that buried bin Laden

U.S. officials welcomed visitors on Sunday to the USS Carl Vinson warship, from which Osama bin Laden’s body was buried at sea, but did not discuss the ultra-secretive attack that killed him, reflecting America’s concern over possible retaliation.U.S. defence officials were taking measures to ensure the security of the operatives involved in the May 2 assault on a walled fortress in Abbottabad, Pakistan, particularly the Navy SEAL team that killed the world’s most wanted terrorist.

China halts diesel exports to prevent domestic shortage

China will suspend diesel exports to ensure domestic supply as demand for the fuel rises due to the ongoing power shortages across the country.China will suspend diesel exports in the near future, other than to Hong Kong and Macao, China's top economic planning body said in a notice on Friday. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) also called for increased production of oil by-products and ordered dealers not to artificially raise the price of petrochemicals through hoarding. The notice came as the country enters its peak period for diesel use due to seasonal demand from the agriculture and fishing sectors. Meanwhile, power shortages have pushed up diesel demand as factories use diesel powered generators to maintain production. Many factories in Zhejiang Province, one of the country's major manufacturing bases, installed diesel powered generators after the power shortages in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

U.S. modulates West Asia involvement

In a possible indication that the United States is seeking to tamp down its involvement in West Asian politics, the White House has refused to officially recognise the Libyan Transitional National Council rebel formation, even as President Barack Obama accepted the resignation of his top West Asia envoy, George Mitchell.

Indian cultural extravaganza in Iran

No longer willing to accept stereotypes, a new generation of inquisitive Iranians is arriving in droves at Tehran's palatial Niyavaran exhibition complex to draw a first-hand impression about India, widely seen as a country undergoing a rapid transformation.On each day by mid-morning, crowds comprising mostly youth, begin to build up, soaking in the classy ambience, that is imparted by the majestic Niyavaran palace, the venue of a week-long Indian cultural festival in Iran.

India, Pakistan seek early solution to Wullar issue

In keeping with the spirit of the resumed dialogue process, India and Pakistan on Friday agreed to explore an “early and amicable resolution” of the Tulbul Navigation Project/Wullar Barrage issue within the ambit of the 1960-vintage Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).A joint statement, issued after the two-day Water Secretary-level engagement between the two countries, said India would provide comprehensive technical data to Pakistan within a month. Pakistan would examine this data and furnish its views to India by September 15.

Release 5 million tonnes of foodgrains: Supreme Court

To ensure that no starvation death takes place and people are saved from malnutrition as far as possible, the Supreme Court on Saturday directed the Centre to release five million tonnes of foodgrains immediately for distribution in 150 most poverty-stricken districts or other poorer segments in the country.Though it was a holiday for the court, a Bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma held a special sitting and passed the order, considering the urgency and gravity of the matter.

Petrol price hiked by Rs. 5 a litre

A day after the Assembly election results were declared, state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) on Saturday decided to go ahead with the increase of Rs.5 a litre in petrol price.The biggest-ever increase in petrol prices, and the eighth since the prices were deregulated in June last year, will come into force from midnight on Saturday night.