Good relations with family, job satisfaction make people happiest

October 1st, 2009 MELBOURNE - An Indian beggar, who has been elected the mayor of a small town, has no intention of giving up panhandling because he makes more money from his earlier profession. Dharmveer Bhoora says that he earns so much that he can subsidise council projects in Khaikheri, northern India.

September 30th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, it seems, makes a special mention in his diary that he has to rake up the Kashmir issue in each of his speeches, as he has once again linked friendly relations with India to the resolution of the Kashmir issue. Addressing a public gathering in Pakistan occupied Kashmir's Gilgit, Gilani said 'good relations' with India were not possible without the settlement of the Kashmir issue.

September 29th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan has reportedly swapped two Al-Qaeda members with Saudi Arabia in exchange for five of its citizens who were detained in Riyadh over drug-trafficking charges. According to a private television channel, two sons of top Al-Qaeda leader Al-Alawi, who purportedly plotted a suicide attack on a Saudi Minister, were exchanged in return for five Pakistanis.

September 9th, 2009 LONDON - Good Housekeeping magazine bosses have recruited a group of 100 women to test the best vibrators on the market. They have asked the women between 30 to 65 to test the vibrator and rate them on ease of use, instructions, noisiness and, most importantly, satisfaction rating.

September 7th, 2009 BEIJING - In his first interview with Chinese media since taking office, India's Ambassador to China, S. Jaishankar, is upbeat about the momentum in the development of Sino-Indian relations, describing it as a "very good story" characterized by booming trade, regular contacts between State leaders as well as rising interaction between the two peoples and even the armed forces of the two countries.

August 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - The happiest day in a Chinese man's life turned out to be his last, when he drunk himself to death at his own wedding in Chengdu, Sichuan province. And now, Zhang's family is demanding a 1.2-million-yuan compensation from the hotel where the reception was held.

July 20th, 2009 WASHINGTON - What North Korea has been doing does not deserve international attention it wants to get, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said. The top US diplomat Monday said in the "Good Morning America" programme of the ABC television that the Obama administration has changed its approach toward Pyongyang last month, after North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test May 25 and test fired a series of ballistic missiles.

July 17th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistani diplomats and political analysts have expressed satisfaction over the joint communiqué issued by India and Pakistan after their meeting on the sidelines of the XVth NAM summit. Diplomats opined that the restoration of peace process is only possible through comprehensive dialogue.

July 13th, 2009 MELBOURNE - In a recent survey carried out on Australian workers, it was discovered that butchers are the happiest employees in the workforce and that they are the ones who have the most sex. The poll, carried out on consumers by Galaxy, rated the perceived happiness and job satisfaction of a range of professionals, and butchers were ranked as the most friendly and contented lot, reports the Daily Telegraph.

July 10th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Hate paying the hair-stylist despite not liking that recent haircut? Well, a Chinese salon has come up with a unique idea to ensure customer service-they can pay according to their satisfaction. The barbershop in Xi'an, Shaanxi's Capital, came up with the unique method of payment last December.

July 6th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Costa Rica has been named as the 'happiest place to live on Earth' in a new survey. It has also been named the most environmentally friendly country on the planet.

July 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford has said that she willing to forgive her husband and Governor Mark Sanford for his affair, but added that she doesn't know whether South Carolina's citizens will as magnimous. "Mark has stated that his intent and determination is to save our marriage, and to make amends to the people of South Carolina.

July 2nd, 2009 DAMASCUS - Syria's First Lady has told Sky News that she would welcome the Obamas' should they decide to visit the country's capital, Damascus. Asma al Assad's comments are the latest in a series of signs that US-Syrian relations are improving after years of tension.

July 1st, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said it is important for both India and Pakistan to share a cordial relationship so as to establish peace in the region and fight against extremism. "Good neighbourly relations were essential for the welfare of the people of both countries and also for fighting militancy," presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar quoted Zardari, as saying.

April 27th, 2009 ON BOARD FROM POLAND - President Pratibha Patil has expressed satisfaction over her week-long visit to Spain and Poland, as it helped to bring India closer to these countries. Speaking to journalists on board during her return journey to New Delhi from Poland, President Patil on Monday said that she was satisfied by the overall response she received from the governments in Spain and Poland.