Batala (Punjab), Dec 20 (IANS) A man and his son died Saturday after a family of four entered into a suicide pact in this north Punjab town, the police said.

Panaji, Dec 20 (IANS) In an embarrassing volte face, the Goa government Saturday banned parties on beaches and other open areas from Dec 23 to Jan 5. It had first come up with this ban two ban two days back but then revoked it.

Hong Kong, Dec 20 (Xinhua) A strong earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale Saturday jolted the eastern Japanese coast of Honshu, the Hong Kong Observatory reported.

London, Dec 20 (IANS) Britain’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said that volatile oil prices remain a threat to the global economy.

London, Dec 20 (IANS) Britain’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said that volatile oil prices remain a threat to the global economy.

Bangkok, Dec 20 (Xinhua) Thailand’s new Cabinet led by newly elected Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Saturday got the backing of the King, a media report said.

New York, Dec 20 (IANS) Iran’s envoy Eshaq Ale Habib has urged the UN Security Council to take immediate steps to alleviate the sufferings of people living in the Gaza Strip, IRNA reported Saturday.

Shanghai, Dec 20 (Xinhua) China Saturday said it was willing to help Taiwan tackle the current global financial crisis, a gesture that will help the two political rivals further ease their decades-long tension.