UN chief urges peaceful, inclusive polls in Malawi

United Nations, May 20 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Monday urged all parties concerned in Malawi to ensure “peaceful and inclusive” elections, as the country’s first tripartite elections are to be held on schedule from May 20-24. The secretary-general “urges all candidates, political parties, and state institutions to ensure that the polls are peaceful and inclusive”, […]

Thailand under martial rule

Bangkok, May 20 (IANS) Thailand was declared being under martial law Tuesday in the face of a looming street chaos in the Thai capital. Army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha declared martial rule at 03. 00 a.m. Tuesday with immediate effect throughout the country. “Mass gatherings by varied groups of people and recent street violence in which […]

Jennifer Lawrence shares hiccups cure

Los Angeles, May 20 (IANS) Actress Jennifer Lawrence says has discovered unique way to overcome hiccups. The 23-year-old drinks water and does a hand exercise, reports contactmusic.com. “The only thing that ever works for getting rid of hiccups for me is when I drink water and raise my arms over my head and lower them very […]

WHO deeply concerned over childhood obesity

Geneva, May 20 (IANS) The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed deep concern over the worldwide increase in childhood obesity. At the 67th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, the concern was highlighted by WHO’s Director-General Margaret Chan, Xinhua reported. The WHO annual assembly grouped more than 3,000 delegates from 194 member states at the UN […]

EU, Russian officials hold meet in Berlin

Brussels, May 20 (IANS) Officials from the European Union(EU) and Russia met in Berlin Monday to help in preparing the ground for a second trilateral meeting between the EU, Russia and Ukraine, an EU statement said. European Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger met Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak to discuss issues relating to security of gas supply […]

France reiterates support for Malian authorities

Paris, May 20 (IANS) French President Francois Hollande Monday reiterated Paris’ support for Malian authorities to restore order and stability after a wave of violence escalated in northern Mali, the president office said in a statement. During a phone conversation with his Malian counterpart Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Hollande asked that “all truth must be unveiled over […]

Bieber offered $1 mn for TV ad

Los Angeles, May 20 (IANS) Troubled singer Justin Bieber has reportedly been offered $1 million to appear in TV advertisements for pornographer Larry Flynt’s Hustler Clubs. Flynt’s marketing executives have fired off a letter to Bieber and have asked him to front a TV promo for the company’s venues, reports contactmusic.com. In the leaked letter, David […]

Norway pledges more financial aid to South Sudan

Oslo, May 20 (IANS) Norway has decided to give 372 million Norwegian kroner (about $63 million) as emergency aid to South Sudan, a media report said Monday. Expressing his concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in South Sudan, Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende said that there is a real danger of famine and the international community […]

Germany wants cooperation with Russia

Berlin, May 20 (IANS) German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said that he is hopeful of cooperation with Russia and will continue with his diplomatic efforts in easing the Ukraine crisis. Steinmeier, who has been seeking a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine, was criticised by some German politicians as “permanently unsuccessful” in […]

18 Morsi supporters given lifer in Egypt

Cairo, May 20 (IANS) An Egyptian court sentenced a supporter of ex-president Mohamed Morsi to death and 18 to life imprisonment for committing violence and murder while protesting against Morsi’s removal last year, state media reported. The case dates back to July 5 last year, two days after Morsi’s military ouster, when a group of pro-Morsi […]