World news
NASA closer to sending astronauts to Mars
WASHINGTON: NASA has taken a key step forward in the goal to eventually land a person on Mars. Robert Behnken, Sunita Williams, Eric Boe and Douglas Hurley will train to fly to space on commercial crew vehicles, NASA said. “We are on a journey to Mars, and in order to meet our goals for sending Ame
China on highest alert for super typhoon Chan-Hom
BEIJING: Thousands of people were on Friday evacuated from China's eastern Zhejiang province as the country was put on the highest alert for super typhoon Chan-Hom. The super typhoon, approaching with a windspeed of up to 187 kilometers per hour, is expected to make a landfall tonight or early Sa
Russian woman falls to death from bridge while taking selfie
A 21-year-old woman died after falling from a bridge while trying to take a selfie in Russia. Anna Krupeynikova was out sightseeing around Moscow with her friends. When she leaned against a fence to take a picture of herself, her support reportedly gave way and she fell off the bridge to death.
Former TTP leader Shahidullah Shahid killed in US drone strike
Former Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid and 24 other militants were killed in a US drone strike on Thursday, according to reports. As per reports, Shahidullah Shahid was killed in a US drone strike in Nangarhar province, across the border in Afghanistan. The ide
Russia wants Iran arms embargo ended as soon as possible
UFA, Russia: Russia called on Thursday for a UN weapons embargo on Iran to be lifted as soon as possible, saying it would help Tehran contribute to the fight against terrorism. The arms embargo is among stumbling blocks at talks in Vienna between Iran and six major powers, including Russia, on cu
Celebrated Urdu novelist Abdullah Hussain passes away
LAHORE: Eminent Urdu novelist Abdullah Hussain passed away here on Saturday after protracted illness. He was 84. Abdullah Hussain was renowned for his Urdu novel Udas Naslein, which is considered a masterpiece of Urdu literature. His other acclaimed works include Nasheb, Nadaar Log, Azaad Log and
Myanmar to hold general election on November 8: Poll officials
YANGON: Myanmar officials on Wednesday announced November 8 as the date for a historic general election set to be the first contested by Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition in a quarter of a century. The announcement fires the starting gun for the much-anticipated poll in the former junta-run nation, w
800m still hungry despite millennium goals progress: UN
LONDON: About 800 million people still live in dire poverty and suffer from hunger despite the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) being the most successful anti-poverty push in history, the UN said on Monday. The number of people living in extreme poverty on less than $1.25 a day ha
Kerry says Iran nuclear talks 'could go either way'
US Secretary of State John Kerry has said negotiating teams are close to a historic agreement over Iran's nuclear programme but cautioned that the talks could still go either way, and that Washington is still willing to walk away if an acceptable deal is not reached. "It is now time to see whethe
Bombs at mosque, restaurant in Nigerian city kill 15
Witnesses say two bombs have exploded at a crowded mosque and an elite Muslim restaurant in Nigeria’s central city of Jos, killing at least 15 people. There was no immediate official word on the Sunday night blasts. Witnesses who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals say the explosion at Y
China hacks into everything that doesn't move: Hillary Clinton
WASHINGTON: In a scathing attack, Democratic presidential aspirant Hillary Clinton has accused China of "hacking into everything that doesn't move" in America and "stealing" huge amounts of government information. During a Fourth of July campaign organising event at a house party in Glen in n
Iran, US inching towards nuclear deal
VIENNA: Global powers appeared late Friday to be inching towards a historic nuclear deal as the Iranian foreign minister said the world had never been closer to ending a 13-year standoff with Tehran. Iran's Mohammad Javad Zarif warned there was still "no guarantee" of success, but in a rare move
12 die as Pak train falls into canal
LAHORE: A train carrying hundreds of Pakistan military personnel and their families plunged into a canal on Thursday, killing 12 soldiers, when a bridge collapsed in what the army suspects was sabotage, officials said. The military’s media wing confirmed that four carriages fell into the canal. It
Ferry with 173 on board overturns in Philippines, 36 dead, 19 missing
MANILA: A ferry with 173 people on board overturned in rough waters in the central Philippines on Thursday as rescuers rushed to the scene, the coast guard said. The Kim Nirvana was heading from the central city of Ormoc to the island of Camotes when it capsized, the coast guard office in Man
Thousands expected at Hong Kong pro-democracy rally
HONG KONG: Hong Kongers are set to take to the streets on Wednesday to renew their call for full democracy for the Asian financial hub in a rally that follows a turbulent year of protests over political reform. Organizers expect tens of thousands at the annual protest march, held on a public holi
Iranian nuclear deal could start arms race in Mideast: Bobby Jindal
WASHINGTON: Republican presidential aspirant Bobby Jindal has asked his party leadership in the Congress to reject a nuclear deal with Iran, saying any such agreement could start an arms race in the Middle East. "One, they should absolutely reject it (nuclear deal). Congress made a huge mistake i
China's Great Wall is disappearing: Report
BEIJING: Around 30 per cent of China's Ming-era Great Wall has disappeared over time as adverse natural conditions and reckless human activities - including stealing the bricks to build houses - erode the Unesco World Heritage site, state media reported. The Great Wall is not a single unbroken st
Israeli navy intercepts Gaza-bound vessel
Israel’s navy intercepted a Swedish vessel attempting to breach a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip early Monday and was redirecting it to an Israeli port, the military and the activists said. The military said that after exhausting all diplomatic efforts, the government ordered it to block the ve