Islamabad - Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Wednesday that his Afghan counterpart Rangin Dadfar Spanta had confirmed his government had held talks with Taliban representatives in Saudi Arabia.
"Mr Spanta shared with me that, yes, there was an informal contact between the Afghan government and Taliban that took place between some clergymen from Afghanistan and some elements from the previous setup (Taliban regime) in Afghanistan," he told reporters in Islamabad in a joint press briefing with Spanta.
Spanta said the reconciliation process would move ahead only if militants were "ready to put down their weapons," accept the Afghan constitution and "live a peaceful life."
Athens/Nicosia - Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders met on Wednesday to discuss power-sharing and governance in the latest round of talks on ending their decades-old conflict and reuniting the island.
It was the sixth meeting between Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat since they launched a new round of peace talks on September 3. The two leaders are scheduled to meet again on November 3.
Harare - Firemen in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, are so hungry they have gone on strike, according to state media.
The state-controlled daily Herald reported that firemen downed their hoses on Tuesday after their employer, the Harare city council, stopped issuing them with food while at work.
"Only two firefighters and two officers reported for work yesterday (Tuesday)," the Herald said. "The officers alleged that the city had reneged on an arrangement to provide them with food while on duty."
Prague - Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's government faced a parliamentary confidence motion Wednesday, just as the Czech Republic prepares to take over the EU presidency in January.
The left-leaning opposition sought the vote on ousting the government after Topolanek's Civic Democrats, in power since January 2007, were weakened by a defeat in regional elections Saturday.
Political tension in the Central European nation is running high over the government's 2009 budget and before Senate run-off elections starting Friday that could bring more losses for the premier.
Paris - Following big losses on Asian markets overnight and a weak opening on Wall Street, French shares were sharply lower on Wednesday.
In mid-afternoon trading, the Paris Bourse's benchmark CAC 40 was down 3.96 per cent, to 3,337.87, with only two of its 40 listed stocks gaining ground.
Industrials were the hardest-hit, with steel-makers Vallourec and ArcelorMittal off by 9.5 and 7.4 per cent, respectively, and transport manufacturer Alstom losing 9.3 per cent.
London - British pharmaceuticals concern GlaxoSmithKline reported Wednesday that it managed to boost profits and sales in the third quarter despite the challenge posed by generic drugs.
GlaxoSmithKline said it earned 25.2 pence per share in the quarter, up from 23.7 pence in the corresponding period last year. Sales gained 7 per cent to 5.88 billion pounds.
The company said the weaker pound sterling had helped boost sales, in turn lessening the effects of the challenge posed by cheaper generic drugs.
Athens/Nicosia - Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders met on Wednesday to discuss power-sharing and governance in the latest round of talks on ending their decades-old conflict and reuniting the island.
Harare - Firemen in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, are so hungry they have gone on strike, according to state media.
Prague - Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's government faced a parliamentary confidence motion Wednesday, just as the Czech Republic prepares to take over the EU presidency in January.
Paris - Following big losses on Asian markets overnight and a weak opening on Wall Street, French shares were sharply lower on Wednesday.
London - British pharmaceuticals concern GlaxoSmithKline reported Wednesday that it managed to boost profits and sales in the third quarter despite the challenge posed by generic drugs.
