London  - Arsenal have appointed Major League Soccer deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis as their new chief executive, the English Premier League club announced on Wednesday.

Gazidid, 44, will take up his post in January and is expected to take over many of the duties previously handled by former vice-chairman David Dein, who left the club last year.

"Ivan's credentials are first class," said club chairman, Peter Hill-Wood.

Stuttgart - Luxury German sports carmaker Porsche AG said Wednesday it was postponing moves to boost its stake in Volkswagen AG after a surge in VW shares and signs that the global auto industry was facing tough times.

Porsche had planned to build up a stake in VW to more than 50 per cent this year.

But Porsche chief Wendelin Wiedeking told the group's annual press conference that in the light of "the current economic circumstances, it is increasingly unlikely that we can achieve this goal in this year" with the company also warning it expects a fall in revenue as the slowdown in the world economy gains momentum.

Kathmandu- Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday ended his three-day official visit with a promise of continued support for Nepal's peace process.

The visit was the first by an Indian foreign minister to Nepal since the abolition of monarchy in May this year.

While in Kathmandu, he held talks with Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav and other influential politicians.

Speaking to reporters before his return, Mukherjee said there was a strong desire among Nepalese politicians to strengthen relations between the two countries.

New York, Nov 26 : With the divorce between queen of pop Madonna and Guy Ritchie having gone through without any hassles, the next question is whether they will be able to swallow their pride for their kids’ sake.

For the couple’s kids, Lourdes, Rocco, and David, the divorce will have a big impact on their lives, as their parents live an ocean apart, and as per experts their hostility towards one another will not be of much help.

Berlin - Berlin's foreign ministry advised Germans on Wednesday to avoid Bangkok's international airport which is under siege by anti-government protesters.

A foreign ministry spokesman said it was difficult to predict how things would develop.

Two leading German travel agents, Meier's Weltreisen und Dertours, cancelled flights to or via Bangkok for Wednesday and Thursday, affecting about 200 passengers. Thailand is a popular holiday destination for Germans.

Jerusalem - United Nations aid agencies asked international donors Wednesday for 462 million dollars to help fund their activities in the Gaza Strip and West Bank in 2009, saying most of the money was needed for emergency food and cash assistance to Palestinians.

Around 274 million dollars is meant for UNWRA, the UN agency which assists Palestinians living in the refugee camps throughout the West Bank and Gaza.