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12,000 Syrian refugees in Algeria

More than 12,000 Syrians fleeing the violence in their home country have sought refuge in Algeria, a source close to the interior ministry said on Sunday. The authorities have decided to ‘take... Full story

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Afghan forces deaths outstrip NATO’s 5-1

Afghan security forces are dying at five times the rate of NATO soldiers as Taliban insurgents step up attacks ahead of the withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014, the latest figures show. Full story

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Australian kids can’t run, jump, throw: study

Australia may pride itself on its sporting prowess, but a new study has revealed that most of its children struggle to run, jump, kick and catch a ball. Research led by the University of Sydney has uncovered an... Full story

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Hazare starts fresh fast

Indian activist Anna Hazare, who galvanised the country last year with his hunger strikes against corruption, began a new fast Sunday to press demands for a crackdown on official graft. Full story

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Anti-nuclear human chain surrounds Japan parliament

Thousands of demonstrators holding candles and small lights formed a human chain around Japan’s parliament on Sunday in the latest protest against nuclear power after the Fukushima crisis last year. With some wearing gas masks and white protective suits, the protesters... Full story

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Supersonic missile BrahMos test-fired from Odisha

India Sunday test-fired BrahMos supersonic cruise missile as part of a user trial by the Army from a test range at Chandipur off Odisha coast. The missile, which has a flight range of up to 290 km, is capable... Full story

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HK protests education plan, calls it Chinese propaganda

Thousands of Hong Kong parents marched in the streets on Sunday in protest against a school curriculum plan they said was an attempt to brainwash students by extolling the achievements of the Chinese... Full story

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Romney backs Israel if needs to strike: Iran-aide

US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney would back Israel if it were to decide it had to use military force to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, a senior aide said on Sunday. Full story

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North Korea warns of more rain after deadly floods

North Korea warned Sunday that more rainstorms will hit the country’s north and western coastal regions this week, after recent flooding killed 88 people and left tens of thousands homeless. Full story

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Tenuous calm after China pollution protests

Protesters in a restive east China city remained off the streets Sunday amid heavy police deployment, residents said, a day after violent clashes over fears of pollution from a paper factory. Full story

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US drone kills seven in Pakistan

A US drone attack Sunday killed at least seven militants in Pakistan, officials said, days before the country’s intelligence chief visits Washington with the contentious raids likely to be discussed. Full story

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US couple denied wedding because they were black

A Mississippi couple got the shock of their lives when the pastor at the church they attended told them the wedding they planned could not be held there because they are black, ABC television reported Saturday. Full story

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Three shot dead in restive Thai south

Gunmen shot dead three men in Thailand’s restive south, the police said Sunday, hours after suspected insurgents killed four soldiers in a gun attack in the same province. Full story

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With 100 days until vote Obama ahead but vulnerable

With 100 days to go before the US election, the US president, Barack Obama, appears to have a slight edge over Republican rival Mitt Romney, though he is still at the mercy of a stumbling US economy. Full story

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Romanians vote on impeaching president

Romanians voted on Sunday on whether to impeach their unpopular president, Traian Basescu, after a government campaign to remove him that has drawn international criticism of its methods and raised doubts... Full story

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Iran young, urbanised, educated

Iran is a very urbanised society with a largely educated, young Muslim population that ranks as the Middle East’s second-biggest, its latest census figures, published on Sunday, show. Full story

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