Top World News Stories of 24th October 2008

Daily news summary

In China, frugal eater Manmohan Singh relishes his dal and roti
A man of simple tastes Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is carrying his simplicity with élan in China too. Manmohan Singh being a frugal eater is relishing his simple dish of dal (pulses), roti (bread) and sabzi (vegetables) in China. Vijay Bhoy, the prime minister's cook who is part of the delegation to Japan and China, said, "He is a careful and small eater. His meals are light comprising dal, roti and a sabzi." His predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was a self confessed foodie, relished gourmet meals during his trips abroad. However, PM Manmohan Singh’s backup team is now carrying all necessary provisions, including at times the humble bhindi (okra), so a meal can be rustled up for the frugal eater. Once at a multilateral summit Singh had to make do with just curd and rice.

Asian, European leaders discuss financial crisis, climate change
Asian and European leaders today gathered in Beijing at the 7th biannual Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) and discussed measures to combat global financial crisis and climate change. In his opening speech Chinese President Hu Jintao said, "In the face of this global challenge, the international community should enhance policy coordination, strengthen cooperation and make a common response." Leaders of 27 EU member states and 16 Asian nations gathered at the summit. India and Pakistan are among several new members to participate in this year's Asem summit. The financial crisis triggered by the US sub-prime mortgage collapse caused shockwaves in international financial markets and a serious impact on economic development.

India-built hospital lying unused in Nepal for more than a year
A 25-bed Indian built hospital has been lying unused for more than a year. The hospital was to serve over 350,000 women in eastern Nepal. The foundation of the gynaecological hospital was laid on the premises of the Mechi Zonal Hospital in Bhadrapur town by the then Indian ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukherjee in 2005. The project was implemented by Bhadrapur municipality authorities with a grant from the Indian government to the tune of Nepali Rs.27.2 million. However, even a year after the completion of the two-storey hospital, it is yet to start functioning because of state apathy.

Paralysed Sikh evading deportation to India now ready to leave Canada
A paralysed Sikh, whose case made headlines in Canada, is now ready to leave the country. He evaded deportation by seeking sanctuary in gurdwaras for 15 months after failing to get refugee status in Canada. Laibar Singh, 48, came to Canada from Punjab on a fake passport in 2003. He was denied refugee status and ordered to be deported in 2006. But before he could be deported, Singh became paralysed and was admitted to hospital. When the authorities came to pick him up from hospital and put him on the plane back to India in July 2006, his supporters whisked him to the sanctuary of a gurdwara in the city of Abbotsford. He was arrested a month later when he came out of the gurdwara to seek medical help. But the Indo-Canadian community got him a 60-day reprieve by depositing a bond of USD50,000.

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