Obama renews call for gun restrictions

The US president, Barack Obama, on Saturday renewed his call on Congress to pass a series of measures aimed at reducing gun violence, but also reaffirmed his commitment to the right to bear arms. Full story

US position on Japan island control a ‘betrayal’: China

Veiled US warnings to Beijing not to challenge Japan’s control of disputed islands encouraged Tokyo’s ‘dangerously right-leaning’ government and ‘betrayed’ Washington’s vow of neutrality, Chinese state media said Saturday. Full story

Rape cases in Delhi jump 23pc in 2012

Rape cases in New Delhi jumped 23 percent in 2012 from a year earlier, according to official figures, highlighting rising crime against women in the sprawling metropolis. The numbers were released as the trial of... Full story

Mercury treaty adopted in Geneva by 140 countries: UN

Delegations from some 140 countries agreed Saturday to adopt a ground-breaking treaty limiting the use and emission of health-hazardous mercury, the UN said, although environmental activists lamented it did not... Full story

Kachin rebels sceptical over Myanmar ceasefire

Myanmar pro-democracy movement activists, resident in India, hold placards during a protest in New Delhi on Saturday against the Myanmar government and to demand that the war in Kachin must be stopped immediately. — AFP photo

Kachin rebels cast doubt Saturday over a Myanmar government pledge to end a military offensive after weeks of intense fighting that sparked international concern, amid reports of fresh shelling. The government move on Friday came after the country’s... Full story

India ruling party urges Rahul Gandhi stand for PM

Leaders of the ruling Congress party on Saturday clamoured for Rahul Gandhi — scion of India’s Nehru-Gandhi dynasty — to be named the prime ministerial candidate ahead of next year’s polls. Gandhi, 42, has preferred to take a back seat in the party’s... Full story