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View of Indian Space Rocket Explosion on Saturday, December 25, 2010 just after taking-off

Oil hovered around its highest levels in more than two years on Friday, supported by cold weather across the globe, appetite for risk assets and signals from OPEC it would not arrest the rally. European benchmark ICE Brent crude for February closed 48 cents down at $93.46 on Friday after hitting $94.74 a barrel, its highest level since October 2008. Global benchmark U.S. crude futures, which hit a 26-month high of $91.63 on Thursday, did not trade on Friday with the NYMEX floor closed for the Christmas holiday. Brent, trading at a premium to U.S. crude, has surged partly due to a severe cold snap in continental Europe and Britain. Heavy snow stranded thousands of Christmas travellers in Europe on Friday, threatening to prolong chaos at airlines and rail networks and further boost fuel demand. Analysts said oil could continue its rally on strong global demand and falling inventories in 2011, which promises to be a strong year for risk assets as confidence about the global econ

The disputed head of the Ivory Coast will not step down, one of his key ministers said Saturday, despite the threat by West African leaders to use military force to force him out. A day earlier, a statement from the 15-member Economic Community of West African States said its 15 members would not hesitate to use "legitimate force" if necessary to defuse an escalating crisis in the Ivory Coast. But Alcide Djedje, the foreign affairs minister for incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo, on Saturday dismissed the threat as part of a Western plot spearheaded by France. He said that his regime views the prospect of outside military action unlikely, claiming that the West African group's members would be reluctant to send soldiers into the Ivory Coast. The organization's move was the latest to isolate Gbagbo, amid sweeping international sentiment that he is not the Ivory Coast's rightfully elected leader and that his forces have perpetrated human rights abuses against

Stranded air passengers have spent the night at airports in Paris and Brussels after freezing weather severely disrupted Christmas travel. Some 200 people slept overnight at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris , which cancelled 400 flights because of snow and ice . Flights and trains were also disrupted in Belgium , where significant snow fell overnight, and in Germany . Conditions were expected to ease throughout Christmas Day. Airport managers described the extremes of snow and ice at the airport as "exceptional". Problems were made worse on Friday as a strike by workers at France's main anti-freeze factory disrupted crucial supplies. Those left at Charles de Gaulle airport overnight were given camp beds and blankets as they saw in Christmas inside the terminal building. Junior transport minister Thierry Mariani visited exhausted travellers at the airport just before midnight, seeking to explain the situation to would-be passengers. "Since Roissy [

An Indian space rocket carrying a communications satellite has exploded on take-off. Live TV footage showed the rocket disappearing in a plume of smoke moments after its launch in Sriharikota near the city of Chennai (Madras). India's space organisation said it was investigating the cause of the failure. India is seeking to increase its share of the growing commercial satellite launch market, and says it wants to send a manned mission in space in 2016. India's Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) was carrying the GSAT- 5P communication satellite when it exploded in the first stage of the flight on Saturday, December 25, 2010. "The performance of the (rocket) was normal up to about 50 seconds. Soon after that the vehicle developed large altitude error leading to breaking up of the vehicle," the head of the Indian Space Research Organisation, K Radhakrishnan, told reporters. "But what caused this interruption has to be studied in detail.&q

West Midlands-based firm Tarmac Building Products Ltd is to cut 550 jobs and close one of its divisions due to "tough market conditions". The firm, which is based in Wolverhampton, said it planned to close its precast solutions and flooring arm. It said 217 jobs would be lost in Tallington, Lincolnshire and 106 in Henlade, Somerset. The remainder are to go in Derby, Lound in Nottinghamshire and Dolyhir in Powys, Wales. A company spokesman said it was consulting with staff and unions over the plans to cut 500 full-time staff and 50 agency employees . The company blamed tough trading conditions and uncertain market demand. "This affects five sites across the UK and, unfortunately, means that around 550 people are at risk of redundancy," the spokesman said. "We are very conscious of the impact this will have on our employees, their families and the local communities around our sites if the closure goes ahead. "It is not a decision we have ta

Shares in Randgold Resources have fallen 4% after the mining company warned political tension in the Ivory Coast would hit its gold production. Randgold said its Tongon mine was operating, but on a "curtailed basis". At least 173 people have been killed in the Ivory Coast following last month's disputed election. Randgold now expects to produce about 35,000 ounces of gold this year.   A second mill had been delayed because delivery of components had been held up in the Abidjan port and by shipping delays caused by the political crisis. The company also said its fourth-quarter performance would be affected by a "below-target" contribution from its Loulo complex in Mali. "We knew that 2010 was going to be a challenging year and the fourth quarter is turning out to be even tougher than anticipated," chief executive Mark Bristow said. Randgold shares fell 235p to 5,320p in morning trading.

The West African regional bloc Ecowas has told incumbent Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo to stand down or expect to face "legitimate force". Ecowas said after its summit in Abuja, Nigeria, that it would send an envoy to the country to meet Mr Gbagbo. It would also convene a meeting of defence ministers to plan military action if he refused to back down, it said. Before the talks, Nigerian Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia ruled out a power-sharing arrangement between the rivals like those set up in Kenya and Zimbabwe following disputed elections. The BBC's Thomas Fessy in the main city Abidjan says the pressure from Ecowas has not come as a surprise, and means that Mr Gbagbo is now definitely boxed in on all sides. The Ecowas chairman, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan , has already written personally to Mr Gbagbo to ask him to step down, and offered him refuge. There have been suggestions that member nations send in troops to strengthen the presen

Indian border guards Border Security Forces (BSF) have shot dead a Bangladeshi youth at Hatibandha Upazila under Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh today (December 25, 2010). Witnesses said Saifur Rahman, 22, a cattle trader and resident of Dakkhin Gotamari village at the Upazila fell victim to BSF firing while returning home from India around 6.30am on Friday. Earlier, a Bangladeshi national named Abdur Rashid, 35, son of Abu Chan Miadead was killed on Balapara frontier in Dimla upazila of Nilphamari District of the country in the early hours on December 17, 2010. Mentioned that, Mr. Saifur Rahman is the 4th victim of Indian BSF after the killing of Chapainawabganj, Jessore and Nilphamari within the last 15 days.  Lalmonirhat 31 Rifles Battalion deputy commander Maj Shafique Uddin said Safiur died on the spot as the Indian border guards fired shots on him near Daikhawa camp of Bangladesh border guards. He said: "The body was taken away by the BSF personnel. BDR have sent

Taking part in an open discussion, Odhikar general secretary Atikur Rahman Khan said BSF is killing one Bangladeshi in every four days. Human rights group Odhikar and Human Rights Watch at a press conference at BRAC Centre on December 13, 2010 revealed a report on killing, abuse and torture by the Border Security Force (BSF) of India along the border. About 1,000 Bangladeshis were killed by Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) over the last decade, according to a report released by rights groups in the capital city Dhaka in Bangladesh on December 13, 2010. Apart from the killings, the report says, the Indian border guards usually threaten, abuse and beat Bangladeshi people living in frontiers villages, but they hardly get any cooperation from Bangladesh police. "It's a gross violation of human rights." The report was prepared based on statements of victims, witnesses, journalists, human rights workers, law enforcement officials and members of BSF and BDR. The re

A joint communique signed between India and China, the Asian Giants in economy, population and power,    on December 16, 2010 said that they had agreed to expand co-operation in infrastructure, environment, information technology, telecommunications, and investment and finance. It said that both Wen Jiabao and Manmohan Singh wanted "to draw on each other's strengths and pursue mutual benefit and win-win results". Mr Wen hold talks with Indian PM Manmohan Singh on Thursday, December 16, 2010. The two men discussed a number of sensitive issues, including a long-running border dispute. Both sides said they need more time to sort out the border question. The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says that the Chinese premier's visit amounted to a strong endorsement of the economic relationship between the two Asian giants, even though contentious issues remain. Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao arrives in Delhi on 15 December 2010. Mr Wen's delegation in India

The Asian giants India and China have agreed a new $100 billion bilateral trade target by 2015, up from $60 billion in 2010. The two sides agreed to take measures to promote greater Indian exports to China, to reduce India's trade deficit between the two countries. Companies have already signed business deals worth $16 billion on the opening day of Chinese PM Wen Jiabao's three-day official visit to India. The latest of a number of world leaders to visit India, Mr Wen is accompanied by some 400 Chinese business leaders. China is India's largest trading partner.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot a Bangladeshi national dead on Balapara frontier in Dimla upazila of Nilphamari District of the country in the early hours on Friday (December 17, 2010), just one day after the country-wide colorful celebration of its Victory day, sources confirmed. The victim was identified as Abdur Rashid, 35, son of Abu Chan Mia of Thakurganj village in the upazila. He was a cow trader, family sources of the deceased said. Mentioned that, Mr. Rashid is the 3rd victim of Indian BSF after the killing of Chapainawabganj and Jessore in the last seven days. According to Balapara Banladesh Rifles (BDR) sources, members of the BSF opened fire on the Bangladeshi nationals as they were waiting for cows near border pillar No 8. However, other traders managed to escape from India border but Rashid got killed on the spot. Killing of Bangladeshi nationals is rampant at the India-Bangladesh borders which is like routine work of Indian BSF. Human Rights Watch (HRW), an

The founder of whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, Julian Assange, has been granted conditional bail by a judge. The 39-year-old was granted bail in London earlier this week but remained in jail after prosecutors objected. The Australian is fighting extradition to Sweden over sex charges involving two women. He denies the allegations. Mr Justice Ouseley granted conditional bail at the Royal Courts of Justice and supporters put up £240,000 in sureties. His release is expected on Thursday. However, the BBC understands he may not be freed until Friday because those who provided the finances must complete paperwork at a police station. Mr Assange's solicitor, Mark Stephens, said afterwards the bail appeal was part of a "continuing vendetta by the Swedes". He said: "We have won costs today but they should be paid by Sweden not the hard-pressed Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)." There has been dispute over who was motivated to appeal against Mr Assange's rel

Cuban leader Fidel Castro came close to death in 2006, according to the latest secret US diplomatic cables published by Wikileaks. Mr Castro almost died after suffering a perforated intestine during an internal flight, unnamed sources told US diplomats in Havana. The illness led Mr Castro to hand power to his brother Raul, although he has since returned to public life. The 84-year-old's health is considered a state secret in Cuba. The Wikileaks cables, published by the Spanish newspaper El Pais, reveal the intense efforts made by US diplomats in Havana to find out the nature of Fidel Castro's illness and his chances of recovery. The names of the sources of information reported in the cables have been redacted by Wikileaks, but some apparently knew people who were close to the Cuban leader, or had access to his medical records. The details of what they say cannot be independently verified. One cable, sent in March 2007 by the then-head of the US interests section in Havan

Millions of people from all walks of life observed the 40th Victory Day of Bangladesh today. They came up to the streets of the country in a colorful decoration to celebrate the auspicious national occasion. They turned up the streets with a great enthusiasm and aspiration of building a nation free from corruption, nepotism, deprivation and economic disparity for which they fought nine months against Pakistan in 1971. On Thursday, the nation started their day saluting the valiant sons and daughters of the soil who made their supreme sacrifices for the cause of independence in 1971 with a dream of building a democratic state. They are gathering at various monuments to pay tributes to the national heroes. Today is a public holiday and the national flag has been hoisted atop all government, semi-government and other important establishments. People carrying banners of different political, social, cultural and professional organisations in the capital city along the whole country

Cables leaked on December 15, 2010 claim that the president of Azerbaijan accused BP of stealing $10bn of oil from his country and using "mild blackmail" to secure the rights to develop vast gas reserves in the Caspian Sea region. The cables reveal that some of BP's partners in the gas field were upset that the company was so secretive about the incident that it even allegedly withheld information from them. They also say that BP was lucky that it was able to evacuate its 212 workers safely after the incident, which resulted in two fields being shut and output being cut by at least 500,000 barrels a day with production disrupted for months. Embassy cables reveal energy firm 'fortunate' to have evacuated workers safely after blast similar to Deepwater Horizon disaster. Striking resemblances between BP's Gulf of Mexico disaster and a little-reported giant gas leak in Azerbaijan experienced by the UK firm 18 months beforehand have emerged from leaked US emb

UN talks in Cancun have reached a deal to curb climate change, including a fund to help developing countries. Nations endorsed compromise texts drawn up by the Mexican hosts, despite objections from Bolivia. The draft documents say deeper cuts in carbon emissions are needed, but do not establish a mechanism for achieving the pledges countries have made. Some countries' resistance to the Kyoto Protocol had been a stumbling block during the final week of negotiations. However, diplomats were able to find a compromise. Delegates cheered speeches from governments that had caused the most friction during negotiations - Japan, China, even the US - as one by one they endorsed the draft. BBC environment correspondent Richard Black said the meeting did not achieve the comprehensive, all-encompassing deal that many activists and governments want. But he said it was being "touted as a platform on which that comprehensive agreement can be built". Mexico's Presiden

2010 Nobel Peace Prize awarding ceremony held in Oslo, Norway on December 10, 2010 in absence of Liu Xiaobo. View 2010 Nobel Peace Prize awarding ceremony

China could face economic and social crises if it fails to embrace full civil rights, with consequences for the whole world, the Nobel Committee said yesterday in prepared remarks for a ceremony awarding the Peace Prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo. The awarding of the prize to Liu, serving an 11-year sentence for subversion, has infuriated Beijing as the rising Asian power becomes more assertive on the world stage. It has attempted to use diplomatic pressure to discourage countries from attending the ceremony in Oslo. Norwegian Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said Liu wanted to dedicate his Nobel to "the lost souls" of 1989 when troops crushed pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square. Witnesses and rights groups said hundreds were killed. "We can to a certain degree say that China, with its 1.3 billion people, is carrying mankind's fate on its shoulders," Jagland said in the prepared speech. "If the country proves capable of develo

Nobel laureate is absent as he is imprisoned by the Chinese Court. This happens after 75 years in the world in the history of Nobel Prize that the Nobel Prize winner is barred to receive the prize by the government of the country.

The Nobel Peace Prize 2010 awarding ceremony. No single person of China could show an encouragement to receive the award on behalf of Mr. Liu Xiaobo of China at the awarding ceremony held at Oslo in Norway on December 10, 2010.   It may be mentioned here that Mr Xiaobo is now under imprisonment in China Jail. Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo , democracy spokesman in China, is serving an 11-year prison sentence in China on subversion charges brought after he co-authored a bold call for sweeping changes to Beijing's one-party communist political system .

Thousands of hackers have stepped up their first ever Cyber World War to draw support for WikiLeaks and to stop repression on Julian Paul Assange , the founder of the Wikileaks on Thursday(December 9, 2010). The Swedish government's website was forced offline after a group calling itself " Anonymous " vowed to intensify its " war of data " against Mastercard, Visa and other groups which have blocked funding to WikiLeaks. Organisers of the group said thousands of volunteers had joined the defence of WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange, who is in jail in London on an extradition request from Sweden over sex crimes allegations. "This is a war of data, we are trying to keep the Internet open and free for everyone, just the way the Internet has been and always was," said a spokesman for Anonymous, a man with a British accent calling himself " Coldblood ". Anonymous is a loose-knit group of hacktivists politically motivated hackers. It

Time is knocking . Stage is set for awarding Nobel Peace Prize 2010 . But the central of attraction, the Chief Guest will not be present. He is in jail. He is hearing the sounds and shows of the ceremony. However, the ambassadors, royalty and VIPs to take their seats in Oslo's modernest City Hall on Friday for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, there will be one chair left empty for this year's winner Mr. Liu Xiaobo. Chinese authorities have placed Liu's supporters, including his wife Liu Xia , under house arrest to prevent anyone from picking up his prize. Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo , democracy spokesman in China, is serving an 11-year prison sentence in China on subversion charges brought after he co-authored a bold call for sweeping changes to Beijing's one-party communist political system . On Thursday, Chinese police surrounded Liu's house in Beijing. Officers guarded the entrance to the residential compound and checked the identities of all who entered