New Delhi, Jan. 21 : India and Canada have agreed to initiate exploratory discussion towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Commerce and Industry MInister Kamal Nath and Canada''s Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway Stockwell Day agreed on this at a meeting here on January 18.

"We are committed to taking our economic partnership to the next level. The steps taken today will ensure we move towards opening doors for our respective business communities," Nath said.

Berlin - One of Germany's most prominent authors, Guenter Grass, has said Germany is not yet at peace with the country's reunification, according to an interview to be published Thursday.

"I thought it was great that the division is over," he told the German weekly Zeit. "After all, I didn't just see it as a division of Germany, but a division of Europe."

However, the Nobel literature laureate added that, almost 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, "unification has not yet occurred - unity has been achieved, but only on paper."

London, Jan 21 : Muslim pop star Yusuf Islam has roped in an impressive line-up of stars, including Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton and Michelle Branch, for his next album.

Formerly known as Cat Stevens, Islam made his return to the music scene in 2006 after a 28-year absence.

And following the success of his `An Other Cup', he started recording on a follow-up, reports Contactmusic.

Now, the British singer/songwriter has MCCartney and Parton joining him in the studio for the song Boots n Sand, which is accompanied by a video, shot in the California desert by Bob Dylan''s son Jesse.

Jakarta - Two Indonesians have died of bird flu, the health ministry said Wednesday, bringing the death toll from the disease in the country to 115.

A 29-year-old woman from Tangerang, 40 kilometres west of the capital Jakarta, died on December 16 and tests showed that she was infected with the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, the ministry said in a statement posted on its Website.

On January 2 a 5-year-old girl from Bekasi, 30 kilometres east of Jakarta, died of bird flu after being treated in hospital since December, the ministry said.

London - Troubled insurance giant AIG will not renew its shirt sponsorship deal with English Premier League club Manchester United when it runs in May of next year.

The news that United would need a replacement sponsor had been expected after the financially crippled company was bailed out to the tune of 150 billion dollars by the US Federal Reserve last year.

AIG has already terminated its sponsorship deal with the US Davis Cup tennis team.

London, January 21 : Jennifer Hudson has confirmed that she will be performing at the Grammy Awards, and is ready to face the spotlight again after having faced the horrors of her tragic family murders.

The Oscar-winning actress, who went into hiding following the brutal slayings of her mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew last year, will resurface at the Super Bowl XLIII, where she is set to sing the American National Anthem on February 1 in Miami.

The singer will also sing at the Grammys'' MusiCares on February 6, and then at LA's Staples Center ceremony two days later.