IBT Staff Reporter

United States President Barack Obama, as part of the Middle East peace speech on Thursday, called for two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, which would be based on the 1967 accords.

Harold Camping's hubristic claim that the Second Coming of Jesus will transpire on May 21st has bombed but the octogenarian is far from being fazed as revised with aplomb the apocalyptic date, resetting it for Oct. 21, 2011.

The operation of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was suspended by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, as there were meltdowns of fuel rods at three of the plant's reactors from the damage after the earthquake and tsunami, the company confirmed on Tuesday.

Toyota Motor Corp <7203.T> denied media reports on Tuesday that its vehicle production in Japan would recover to 90 percent of pre-quake levels in June, higher than the 70 percent it had flagged on May 11.

Legendary American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan turns 70 years Tuesday, with 34 studio albums, more than 500 songs and 3000 concerts to his name.

Russian Internet company Yandex NV raised 19 percent more than expected on Monday in the sector's biggest U.S. initial public offering since Google Inc went public in 2004.

A Greek debt default would hurt other peripheral euro zone states and could push Portugal and Ireland into junk territory, Moody's said on Tuesday, warning it would classify most forms of restructuring as a default.

Armed looters set ablaze parts of Sudan's disputed Abyei border town, days after the UN asked the North-Sudanese troops to seize it on Monday.

Japan's government maintained its overall view that the economy remained weak in the aftermath of the March earthquake, but downgraded its assessment of capital spending in a monthly report published on Tuesday.

Sony Corp bounced from two-month lows after the electronics conglomerate said this year's operating profit would match last year's, easing worries about the impact of the March earthquake.

Microbes may be used more easily to generate energy, scientists said on Monday after a study figured out how they naturally let off tiny electrical charges.

Investigators have found matching DNA of former IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn with the clothes of the hotel maid who accused him of attempted rape.

The relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States is unique and indispensable, said British Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Shares in commodities trader Glencore ticked higher on their first day of official trade but remained below their offer level, dashing hopes of a strong start after the group set a mid-range flotation price.

A Greek debt default would hurt the country's credit rating as well as its banks and would likely affect other peripheral euro zone countries, Moody's said in a statement assessing the impact of a possible default.

Two top executives have quit Wal-Mart Stores Inc's China business, leaving a leadership vacuum in country earmarked as having strategic importance for the U.S. retailer.

Financial markets regained some poise on Tuesday but recouped only a little ground from the battering inflicted a day earlier by fears that the euro zone debt crisis is heading for a new, more dangerous phase.

Japan's government on Tuesday kept its assessment of the overall economy unchanged in May but downgraded its view on capital spending after the March earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis damaged supply chains and production activity.

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad suffered a heart attack and underwent an operation in Texas on Monday.

Shares in commodities trader Glencore ticked higher in their first day of official trade but remained well below the offer price, dashing hopes shares would rise after it set a mid-range flotation price.

Toshiba Corp said it may need to push back by several years a target to capture 39 orders for nuclear reactors and that it would expand sales in renewables, amid tighter safety standards in the wake of the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Sony Corp bounced from two-month lows on expectations it might have put its troubles behind it after the electronics conglomerate said this year's operating profit would match last year's, easing worries about the impact of the March earthquake.

The dollar held firm on Tuesday and stocks in Asia steadied but the euro remained on the defensive on worries that the euro zone's debt crisis was deepening and could spread to heavyweights such as Spain.

The Manchester United footballer who had an illicit affair with a former Miss Wales Imogen Thomas was revealed in the Commons yesterday. The footballer in the thick of controversy is none other than Manchester United player Ryan Giggs.

Toshiba Corp said it may need to push back by several years a target to capture 39 orders for nuclear reactors by March 2016, as governments tighten regulations in the wake of the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Tyler Hamilton's appearance on 60 Minutes alleges among other things, Lance Armstrong's doping, encouragement of doping on his teams, and covering up of a positive doping test.

Asian stocks held steady on Tuesday but may resume declines after the prior session's sell-off as fears about the euro zone's worsening debt problems and volatile commodity prices kept investors on edge.

Shares of top commodities trader Glencore International are set for a weak start when they begin trading in London on Tuesday and Hong Kong the following day, reflecting investor concerns that the $10 billion initial public offering was over-priced.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is probing whether two major banks made proper representations to pension-fund clients about how their currency trades would be handled and priced, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.