Briefly World

North Korea called for an end of hostile relations with the US in a New Years message on Friday and said it was committed to making the Korean peninsula nuclear-free through negotiations....

N Korea calls for end of hostile relations with US

SEOUL: North Korea called for an end of hostile relations with the US in a New Years message on Friday and said it was committed to making the Korean peninsula nuclear-free through negotiations. The New Year statement brightened prospects for North Korea to rejoin stalled international talks on ending its nuclear weapons programmes in exchange for aid and other concessions.

Nepal shutdown cripples life

KATHMANDU: Life was crippled in parts of Nepal and New Year festivities hit due to a shutdown called by an alliance of ethnic groups demanding greater representation and rights in the new constitution.The effect of the strike could be seen in Kathmandu and other major parts of the country,including hilly region and Teari,though no untoward incident was reported,Home Ministry spokesperson Jayakrishna Khanal said.

Rally for democracy in Hong Kong

HONG KONG: Thousands of Hong Kong residents marched to the Chinese governments liaison office on Friday demanding that Beijing grant full democracy to the semiautonomous financial hub. Chanting One man,one vote to choose our leader and clutching signs reading Democracy now, the demonstrators set off from a street in the heart of the Central financial district. Protesters failed to breach a police cordon at the Chinese government compound.

Jennifer Aniston credited for anti-paparazzi Bill

LOS ANGELES: Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston has been credited with the introduction of a new bill for paparazzi crackdown in California. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass said Anistons activism was instrumental in the success of Assembly Bill 524,which takes effect from Friday and allows for civil penalties of up to 50,000 against members of the paparazzi and media outlets that sell and buy unlawfully obtained photos and video of people,including celebrities and their families,Los Angeles Times reported.

Robbie Williams pops the question,this time for real

LONDON: British popstar Robbie Williams has reportedly popped the question to girlfriend Ayda Field,promising her that this time it not a joke. The former Take That heartthrob had planned to pop the question on New Years Eve but was so excited that he actually proposed last Tuesday at the Los Angeles home the couple share,reported Sun online. He just couldnt help himself,hes like an excitable puppy. He wanted to wait until midnight on New Years Eve to pop the question,but just couldnt hang on, said a source close to the singer.