Japan’s premier-designate wants constructive ties with US

October 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama said initial talks with Iran Thursday were "constructive" but cautioned Tehran must take concrete steps to assure the world its nuclear activities were peaceful and that US patience was "not unlimited". Obama made the remarks hours after talks led by EU (European Union) foreign policy chief Javier Solana with Iran and included representatives from Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US concluded in Geneva.

September 17th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government Thursday gave its approval to the proposed amendments to the India-Saudi Arabia air service agreement to help enhance bilateral trade and promote tourism. The provision of the incorporation of multiple designation clause has been agreed.

September 16th, 2009 Japan's new PM wants to build trust with ObamaTOKYO — Japan's new prime minister says he wants to build a relationship of trust with President Barack Obama, but has no intention to back down on plans to push for a review of the U.S. military presence here.

September 16th, 2009 BEIRUT - Saad Hariri Wednesday accepted re-nomination for the post of Lebanese prime minister after getting backing from 71 MPs of his majority party and two from the opposition Armenian Tashnag party. His nomination for the second time since the June parliamentary elections was sure to restart the debate between opposition groups and the majority over the planned makeup of the cabinet.

September 10th, 2009 Lebanese PM-designate bows out of forming CabinetBEIRUT — Lebanon's prime minister-designate abandoned efforts Thursday to form a new government, throwing the country into more political uncertainty after the Hezbollah-led parliament minority rejected his proposed Cabinet. Saad Hariri's move — two days after his proposed 30-member Cabinet list was turned down — prolongs the paralysis in the country, with President Michel Suleiman now forced to restart consultations with lawmakers to name a new premier.

September 7th, 2009 TAIPEI - Taiwan Premier Liu Chao-shiuan submitted his resignation to the president Monday to take the blame for a disaster triggered by last month's Typhoon Morakot that left close to 700 dead and thousands homeless.

September 7th, 2009 Taiwan president names new premierTAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan's president has named Wu Den-yih, the ruling party's secretary general, as premier after the incumbent resigned amid mounting criticism of the government's slow response to a devastating typhoon. He succeeds Liu Chao-shiuan who resigned Monday as part of a Cabinet reshuffle.

September 7th, 2009 TOKYO - Japan's premier-designate said Monday that his incoming government wants to make deeper cuts in the country's emissions of greenhouse gases. Yukio Hatoyama, who is slated to become the next prime minister after his Democratic Party of Japan won last week's parliamentary election, said the party wants emissions cuts of 25 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels.

September 2nd, 2009 Report: Hatoyama, Obama speak by telephoneTOKYO — Japan's incoming leader Yukio Hatoyama and President Barack Obama held telephone talks Thursday, a news report said, amid concerns Tokyo may pursue a more independent foreign policy under its new government. The phone conversation took place early Thursday in Japan, Kyodo News agency reported.

July 30th, 2009 UN chief says China wants climate dealUNITED NATIONS — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says China's leaders have assured him they want to seal a deal on a new U.N. climate treaty at a conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December.

July 30th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Maharashtra Governor S.C. Jamir has been given additional charge of Gujarat till the time designate Devendra Nath Dwivedi assumes the charge.

July 13th, 2009 TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso Monday agreed with top lawmakers of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to dissolve the Diet's lower house and call early elections for Aug 30. The decision came after the ruling coalition of the LDP and the New Komeito party lost its majority in the Tokyo metropolitan assembly in an election Sunday and the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan became the strongest party in the chamber.

June 27th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has termed his meeting with his Indian counterpart SM Krishna in Italy as a positive development, in which he called for constructive engagement and sustained dialogue to address common challenges. The Daily Times quoted Qureshi, as saying that through constructive engagement both countries could address common challenges and resolve outstanding issues.

June 18th, 2009 Russia-US talks on nuclear arms 'constructive'MOSCOW — Russia says talks with the United States on nuclear arms reductions have been constructive, but suggests a summit next month may not bring a new deal. Talks on an arms reduction deal to replace the 1991 START treaty are a keystone of efforts to improve troubled Russian-American ties.

February 10th, 2009 JAMMU - Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday vowed to play the role of a 'constructive opposition' after being elected leader of her party in the 87-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly. The PDP is the largest opposition group with 21 legislators.