BATHINDA, India (Reuters) - India has held talks over exporting refined fuels to its neighbor Pakistan, the head of Hindustan Mittal Energy said on Saturday, at the opening of the company's new refinery close to the border between the two countries. Moves to stimulate trade flows and liberalize restricted investment rules have emerged as the key driver of peace efforts between the neighbors, whose fragile t ...

By Dr. Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed Since NATO's Lisbon summit in November 2010, debate has raged over the decision to draw-down troops from Afghanistan by 2014. And in less than a month, NATO is to hold its 25th heads of state summit in Chicago on 20th May. Unsurprisingly, among the summit's major themes will be the seemingly intractable Afghan question, controversy over which has continued with increasingly fero ...

“As far as people calling my batting too defensive is concerned, I play according to the situation. I’m the captain and I have an added responsibility.” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf has reiterated that he has no plans of changing Misbah-ul-Haq as the captain of the national team. “We have not decided about the selection of the captain,” a local newspaper quoted him, as saying. Ashraf’s ...

By James Joyner In a speech to the Atlantic Council this week, Major General John Toolan, just returned from a year commanding NATO forces in southwestern Afghanistan, both highlighted the tremendous progress coalition forces have made since the beginning of the Afghan surge and candidly acknowledged how much work remains to be done. Toolan was, for the most part, dismissive of the Taliban’s strength, which ...

By Reuters JOHANNESBURG: South Africa have turned down a request from Bangladesh to play a limited over series in May primarily because of a hectic schedule, the country’s cricket board said on Wednesday. The Bangladesh Cricket Board, after their brief Pakistan tour this month was postponed following a court order, had approached Cricket South Africa (CSA) with a proposal to play one-day and Twenty20 intern ...

US warns N Korea to refrain from hostile acts Washington: The White House has warned North Korea to refrain from future hostile acts amid indications Pyongyang could soon embark on a new nuclear test or may plan more missile launches. Pyongyang should "refrain from engaging in any more hostile or provocative actions. They do nothing to advance the cause of peace on the Korean peninsula (or) in Northeast Asi ...

Let's make it simple as he enters the 40th year of a life lived more for others than himself. Let's spare this day from putting expectations on his shoulders - something he never refused to take and we never stopped giving. Let's just simply say 'Happy Birthday, Sachin Tendulkar' and feel the relief he enjoys on his special day, with nothing left to be achieved and nothing left to be conquered, just the lov ...

South Africa have declined a proposal from Bangladesh to play three ODIs and five Twenty20 matches in May. Cricket South Africa (CSA) met with the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) on Tuesday and they decided that the international schedule for 2012 would not allow for the series to take place. "As much as we would like to help another cricket country, it is not going to be possible," Jacques Fau ...