King of Mandela's dan jailed for 12 years

AFP, Johannesburg

A South African traditional king from Nelson Mandela's Thembu ethnic group began a 12-year prison sentence yesterday for arson, kidnap and assault of his subjects, after a long battle to stay out of jail. In 2009, King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo was convicted of manslaughter, arson and assault charges for offences committed more than two decades ago.

US sets February date for Asean summit

AFP, Washington

US President Barack Obama will host leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Rancho Mirage, California on February 15 and 16, the White House said Wednesday. Obama's office dubbed the meeting, the first hosted by a US president with the 10 Asean leaders, "unprecedented" and said it would further his aim of “rebalancing" US foreign policy towards Asia.

Adnan Sami gets Indian citizenship

Pit, New Delhi

Pakistani singer Adnan Sami has been granted Indian citizenship with effect from January 1 following his request to the Centre to legalize his status in the country on humanitarian grounds. Lahore-born Sami had first arrived in India on March 13, 2001 on a visitor's visa.

UK to stop financial aid to India

TNN, New Delhi

From January 1, 2016, India will no longer receive financial aid from the UK, a decision which was taken by the British government in 2012 after a domestic outcry about India's growing economic status. The transition has taken three years during which the existing financial grant projects were completed and the unutilized funds moved into what are called "technical assistance" projects.