Parsis confront threat to existence at Mumbai gathering
The world's tiny but hugely successful Zoroastrian community will confront a demographic crisis which threatens its very existence when it gathers en masse in its spiritual home of Mumbai this week.
Motorbike makers turn to 1960s in 'cafe racer' revival
Motorbike manufacturers are riding a wave of swinging 60s nostalgia with new models seeking to capture revived interest in the classic looks of the period -- with demand helped by fashionista-in-chief David Beckham.
US diplomat row overlooks Indian maids' plight
Americans were shocked at the alleged $3.31-per-hour wage paid to an Indian diplomat's housekeeper in a case that has sparked global outrage. But to Rupa Thakur, who does the same job in Mumbai, it sounded like a small fortune.
Angry India tells US 'times have changed' after diplomat spat
India angrily brushed aside fresh efforts Friday by the United States to defuse a row over the arrest and strip-search of one of its diplomats, warning Washington that "times have changed".
US 'regrets' diplomat treatment as India seethes
The United States voiced regret to India on Wednesday over the treatment of a diplomat whose account of being stripped and cavity-searched triggered outrage.
Row grows after US Marshals strip-search Indian diplomat
US officials admitted Tuesday that they strip-searched a female Indian diplomat after she was arrested in New York in a new twist to a growing row that has seen India hit back with reprisals such as removing security barriers around the US embassy.
Karzai warns against 'initimidation' on US troop deal
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he would not be bullied into signing a security pact to allow US troops to stay on after next year, as he tried to persuade India Friday to provide more military assistance.
Hit like ton of BRICS: 2013 tough year for emerging markets
Only recently hailed as the saviours of the world economy, emerging markets had a tough year in 2013, hit by slow growth, market instability and social unrest that have worried investors -- though some analysts say the fear is overblown.
India's top court upholds law criminalising gay sex
India's Supreme Court Wednesday upheld a colonial-era law criminalising homosexuality in a landmark judgment that crushes activists' hopes for guarantees on sexual freedom in the world's biggest democracy.
Nokia faces $3.4 bln tax claim in India: report
Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia faces a tax bill of more than 210 billion rupees ($3.4 billion) in India from liabilities arising out of unpaid charges and penalties since 2006, a report said Tuesday.
China seen as 'confident', 'belligerent': state media
People around the world see China as "confident", "belligerent" and "arrogant", state-run media reported Tuesday in an unusually direct survey of attitudes towards the country.
Nuclear war to 'end civilization' with famine: study
A nuclear war between India and Pakistan would set off a global famine that could kill two billion people and effectively end human civilization, a study said Tuesday.
WTO hails 'historic' trade agreement
Commerce ministers capped days of hard negotiations Saturday by approving a WTO agreement on international commerce they hailed as a "historic" boost for the trade body.
WTO pact in doubt after Latin America objections
Negotiations on a global trade deal teetered on the brink of collapse Saturday as Latin American countries objected to the removal of a reference to the US embargo on Cuba, the WTO said.
Make-or-break WTO meeting goes down to the wire
Commerce ministers engaged in an eleventh-hour flurry of diplomacy on Friday, hoping to save a WTO package amid stark warnings that failure could permanently cripple the global trade body.
New HQ but little cash for UN climate fund
The UN's new Green Climate Fund (GCF)opened its headquarters in South Korea on Wednesday, facing the key challenge of funding its mission to support low carbon projects around the world.
Third time a charm: SpaceX launches commercial satellite
After two delays, private US company SpaceX on Tuesday successfully launched its first commercial satellite, after repairs were made to the Falcon 9 rocket.
India rejects WTO proposals in Bali
India said Wednesday it could not accept a WTO proposal on food security, casting a gloom over a high-stakes conference tasked with salvaging the body's faltering efforts to liberalise world trade.
Norwegian prodigy Carlsen on brink of world chess title
Norwegian prodigy Magnus Carlsen needs just a draw later Friday to be crowned world chess champion after taking an almost unassailable lead against India's Viswanathan Anand in a one-sided contest.
1.6 billion people on social networks: study
An estimated 1.61 billion people, more than one in five globally, will log in to social networking sites at least monthly this year, the research firm eMarketer said Tuesday.