Politics

Washington, June 26: The US House of Representatives passed a $680-billion defence spending bill Thursday despite President Barack Obama's threat to veto the measure.

Islamabad, June 26: Visiting US National Security Advisor Gen. James L. Jones said his country was committed to a long-term partnership with Pakistan.

Islamabad, June 26: Pakistan seriously believes that composite dialogue is in the interest of both India and Pakistan, foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit said here Thursday.

Damascus, June 25:Khalid Meshaal, chief of the executive of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, Thursday said his group was prepared to have a "direct dialogue without conditions" with the US.

Singapore, June 25: At a time when racial attacks against Indian students in Australia have attracted comments from the top leadership in both countries, Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalthanhawla Thursday said he too was a victim of racism - but in India.

Baghdad, June 25: Nine people, including four civilians, were killed in two bombings in Iraq Thursday, a day after a devastating bomb attack in Sadr City which killed 74.

Singapore, June 25: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Thursday urged India to increase water tariff and invite foreign investment to improve the country's water infrastructure to the "desired level".

Tehran, June 25: Iranian authorities arrested 70 academics after they met opposition leader Mir-Hossein Moussavi, the defeated presidential candidate's website said Thursday.

Tehran, June 25: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Thursday called on his US counterpart Barack Obama not to interfere in Iran's internal affairs following unrest over alleged election fraud, the state-run Fars news agency reported.

Islamabad, June 25: Pakistan's parliament Thursday passed a Rs.2.9 trillion ($36 billion) budget for fiscal 2009-10 focusing on sustainable development, revival of industry and providing relief to the vulnerable and the millions of refugees uprooted by the anti-Taliban offensive in the northwest.