India, Mid-East in oil-for-food talks

DELHI • India is in talks with countries in the Middle East for a scheme under which they can exchange crude oil for food.

India's oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said yesterday the country is in talks with the United Arab Emirates and a few more countries for an oil-for-food programme.

REUTERS

Taiwan pop star slammed over op

TAIPEI • A China-based Taiwanese singer who has called for reunification with the mainland drew public ire after returning to his homeland for an operation that could cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.

Huang An has publicly criticised fellow pop stars who appear opposed to reunification with China, where he has lived for over 15 years. But on Thursday, he returned to Taiwan on a charter flight for an eight-hour heart operation that local media estimated could cost up to NT$800,000 (S$33,000) - most of which would be covered under the island's universal healthcare system.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE