China plans to send men 7,000 metres below sea level

May 14th, 2009 NEW DELHI - There should be high level talks between Brazil, Russia, India and China on a global pact to combat climate change before the first BRIC summit in Russia next month, India's top climate negotiator Shyam Saran said here Thursday. The talks should be at the level of either politicians or senior officials, Prime Minister's Special Envoy on Climate Change Saran told delegates from all BRIC countries at a summit preparatory meeting organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).

April 13th, 2009 BEIJING - China published Monday its first-ever action plan on human rights, pledging to further protect and improve the country's human rights conditions. The National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010), issued by the State Council, or Cabinet, highlighted various human rights goals that would be implemented in less than two years.

March 21st, 2009 MUNICH - China has ordered 100 high-speed trains from German engineering giant Siemens and its Chinese partners, the company announced in Munich Friday. Siemens will supply components worth 750 million euros ($1 billion) for the Velaro trains, which will be assembled in China and used on the Beijing-Shanghai route from 2010.

March 9th, 2009 BEIJING - China plans to launch 15 to 16 satellites this year, an official said here Monday. 'Though the global financial crisis is taking a toll on the world economy, it has no impact on China's space programmes,' said Zhang Jianqi, deputy chief commander of the manned space project.

March 6th, 2009 BEIJING - China has multiple plans to prepare itself for further negative impact of the global financial crisis, a top banking official said Friday. China's long-held policy of keeping the Renminbi exchange rate 'basically stable at an appropriate and balanced level' is 'relatively comprehensive and enough', Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of China's central bank, told a press conference on the sidelines of the parliament's annual session.

February 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - A three-year study shows that glaciers in the Yangtze source area, central to the Qinghai-Tibet plateau in south-western China, have receded 196 square kilometres over the past 40 years. Glaciers at the headwaters of the Yangtze, China's longest river, now cover 1,051 square km compared to 1,247 square km in 1971, a loss of nearly a billion cubic metres of water.

February 11th, 2009 TEHRAN - Iran would send its first man into space on board its own spacecraft by 2021, the head of Iran's Aerospace Agency announced Thursday. 'Scientific research has already begun in Iran,' Reza Tagipur was quoted by Iranian media as saying.

February 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - A thick layer of fog enveloped the national capital early Saturday, severely affecting flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. 'Dense fog engulfed the airport early Saturday, reducing visibility to 50 metres on the runways, which was much below the required level for flight operations,' an airport official said.

January 19th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to climb 'Seven Summits', the highest peaks in the seven continents, and become the first air force in the world to achieve the feat. Living up to its motto of 'touching the sky with glory', the expedition team of the IAF, led-by Wing Commander R.C.

January 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - At least 30 flights were cancelled and six delayed as dense fog engulfed Delhi Monday, an official said. An Air India flight from Muscat was diverted to Jaipur early morning as visibility at the runway here dropped to less than 100 metres, an official at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) said.

January 14th, 2009 BUDAPEST - Hungary has lifted its restrictions on domestic gas use despite its main supply route staying closed in the ongoing row between Ukraine and Russia over pricing, Energy Minister Csaba Molnar said Thursday. Molnar also confirmed that the Hungarian energy company MOL is ready to deliver one to 1.5 million cubic metres of gas to Slovakia, if needed.

January 1st, 2009 KOCHI - Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), India's largest ship building yard, has successfully converted a Singaporean fishing vessel into a seismic survey vessel, the company said here Friday. Seismic vessels are used for offshore surveys and provides an image of the seabed and its geological structure.

December 29th, 2008 SHIMLA - Delhi emerged champions at the 34th National Women's Sports Festival at Hamirpur, around 150 kilometres from here. 'Delhi hogged the limelight by bagging 10 of the 57 medals.

December 28th, 2008 NEW DELHI - A thick blanket of fog engulfed the national capital and surrounding areas Monday, reducing visibility to below 50 metres and disrupting flight and train schedules. Commuters had a tough time driving to work.

December 23rd, 2008 NEW DELHI - Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at an official meeting Wednesday took stock of the electricity situation in the capital and directed the distribution companies to involve legislators in exhorting consumers to install metres. The meeting was attended by Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta, Power Secretary Rajendra Kumar, senior officials of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission and Power Grievances Committee, and distribution companies.