Japanese woman, (73) in record Everest attempt

A 73-year-old Japanese mountaineer who became the oldest woman to conquer Mount Everest a decade ago is attempting to smash her own record, organisers said on Monday. Tamae Watanabe made history when she reached the world’s highest peak on May 16, 2002, taking the title of world’s oldest female Everest summiteer from Poland’s Anna Czerwinska.

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Kabul fighting over, all militants killed -Afghan ministry

Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry says Afghan security forces have killed all the militants engaged in the coordinated attacks on the capital Kabul, putting an end to the deadly fighting. “All attackers are dead, the fighting is over,” Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on Monday. Sediqqi added that the Afghan forces were able to clear the last two strongholds of the Taliban attackers in the diplomatic enclave and near the parliament in Wazir Akbar Khan area in Kabul.

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No accord on Cuba as America’s leaders end summit

Leaders from across the Americas failed to agree Sunday on Cuba's inclusion at future summits in the face of US and Canadian opposition, ending a rough two days for US President Barack Obama. Obama, who defended his stance on Havana at a post-summit press conference, also faced questions on Washington's approach to the drug war and found himself on the defensive over an embarrassing Secret Service prostitution scandal.

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Oil prices dip

Oil prices slid in Asian trade yesterday after nuclear talks over the weekend between major crude producer Iran and world powers eased concerns over Middle East supply, analysts said. New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate crude for delivery in May, was down 61 cents to $ 102.22 per barrel while Brent North Sea crude for June shed $ 1.13 to $ 120.08 in morning trade.

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