The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany are to meet tomorrow in Vienna to discuss a proposal to end the crisis over Iran’s nuclear programme, China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed (our Foreign Staff write).

Meanwhile, Manouchehr Mottaki, Iran’s Foreign Minister, said yesterday that he was willing to restart negotiations with the EU over his country’s nuclear enrichment programme.

Gaza offensive

Gaza City Israeli troops staged their first ground operation in the Gaza Strip since pulling out of the territory last year, killing three Islamic Jihad militants and a Palestinian. Three other militants were also killed in the occupied West Bank overnight. (AFP)

Doctors face sack

Delhi Striking doctors who oppose positive action for low- caste Hindus face losing their jobs, after the Government threatened to bring in army, railway and retired medics. The authorities plan to increase quotas of college places for low-caste students. (AP)

Tigers protest

Colombo Tamil Tigers said the EU decision on Monday to list them as a terrorist organisation would damage Sri Lanka’s peace process. Twelve Sinhalese labourers were shot dead by suspected Tigers. The rebels denied involvement. (Reuters)

Classroom protest

Santiago Nearly 600,000 pupils have walked out of classrooms across Chile in protest over the inequality between rich and poor schools. The protest has become the first big challenge facing Michelle Bachelet’s socialist Government. (AP)

Onassis fails

Athens An attempt by the shipping heiress Athina Onassis to win control of the Greek charity founded by her grandfather, Aristotle Onassis, has failed. The head of the Onassis Foundation said that Ms Onassis’s legal action had lapsed. (Reuters)

A plea for vice

Melbourne Brothel owners have written to officials in Victoria seeking an exemption to the ban on smoking in workplaces, which they fear they will drive prostitutes back on to the street. “People smoke when they fornicate,” a spokesman said. (Reuters)

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