World
SYRIA: Moscow to join Washington in promoting talks to end Assad crisis
The U.S. and Russia agreed yesterday to put aside differences over Syria’s civil war and push for talks between Bashar al-Assad’s regime and opposition leaders ... Full story
USA: Cleveland police to question women’s kidnappers
Police investigating the abduction of three women for about a decade in the Midwestern U.S. city of Cleveland are due to carry out in-depth interviews ... Full story
FRANCE: 1st case of new SARS-related virus confirmed
France yesterday reported its first case of a new respiratory virus related to SARS, in a traveler returning from the United Arab Emirates.The French Health ... Full story
ITALY: Cargo ship slams into Genoa port killing 7
Rescue workers in diving gear found seven bodies yesterday in the wreckage after a cargo ship slammed into the dock at Genoa, toppling the busy ... Full story
SWITZERLAND: Brazil wins race for next WTO director
The World Trade Organization has settled on Roberto Azevedo of Brazil, a well-known diplomat and consummate insider in Geneva circles, to serve as its director-general ... Full story
This Day in History: 1972 Israeli commandos storm hijacked jet
Twelve Israeli soldiers disguised as maintenance staff have stormed a hijacked Sabena Boeing at Lod airport in Tel Aviv and released the 100 people on ... Full story
Offbeat: Madonna’s French painting sells in NYC for USD7.2M
A French painting owned by Madonna has sold at a New York City auction for more than $7 million.Sotheby’s auction house hasn’t said who bought ... Full story
World briefs
KENYA A new report “Surviving the First Day” from the aid group Save the Children released yesterday says more than 1 million babies die on ... Full story
THE BUZZ: US man accused in art thefts at NY estate
A man faces larceny, money laundering and other charges stemming from the alleged theft of six art works including a Pablo Picasso etching from a ... Full story
UK: Queen to miss Commonwealth meeting
Queen Elizabeth II is cutting down on her traveling and will skip the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Sri Lanka later this year — ... Full story
Hong Kong Dollar Exchange Rate