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News sanctions target Iran, Hezbollah, Syria: US

Fresh sanctions slapped by the United States are meant to ‘expose and disrupt’ links between Iran, Lebanon’s armed Hezbollah movement and Syria, the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said Saturday. She said the ‘number one... Full story

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52 die in India as bus plunges into gorge

At least 52 people were killed and 45 injured when a heavily overloaded bus plunged into a gorge Saturday in northern India, in one of the worst road accidents in the country in recent years. The bus, which was carrying over 100 passengers – many of... Full story

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Taliban infiltrator kills 11 Afghan policemen

Eleven Afghan policemen were killed Saturday when one of their colleagues, believed to be a Taliban infiltrator, opened fire on them, officials said. The incident in Delaram district of western Nimroz province... Full story

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Japan mulls international court for S Korea row

Japan could ask the International Court of Justice to settle a bitter row with South Korea over a disputed island group, foreign minister Koichiro Gemba said Saturday. It comes a day after the South Korean president... Full story

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Mute Indian stranded in Pakistan desperate for home

When South Asia’s nuclear rivals celebrate 65 years of independence next week, a deaf and mute Indian woman stranded in Pakistan will be thinking of only one thing: how to get home to see her family. Geeta, now 21, was found by police 13 years... Full story

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Will always welcome Rahul’s entry into govt: PM

The prime minister, Manmohan Singh, on Saturday said he would welcome Rahul Gandhi’s entry into the government, remarks that come in the context of raging speculation over the possibility of a larger role... Full story

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Egypt asks Hamas for intel on three militants

Egypt has asked Gaza's Hamas rulers for information on three members of an Islamist group suspected of involvement in a deadly attack on a military outpost, a senior security official said on Saturday. Full story

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Mumbai protest against northeast unrest turns violent

The police on Saturday used tear gas and bamboo sticks to disperse an angry crowd in Mumbai after a protest march against recent deadly sectarian clashes in India’s northeast suddenly turned violent. Full story

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Philippines rushes aid as floods kill 66

Philippine authorities scrambled to provide food and other emergency provisions Saturday to more than two million people affected by widespread flooding, as the death toll rose to 66, officials said. Full story

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Afghan employee kills 3 NATO troops: ISAF

An Afghan civilian employed on a NATO base shot dead three international coalition soldiers on Friday — the same day three others were killed by an Afghan policeman, ISAF said Saturday. Full story

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As drought worsens, Obama calls for new farm bill

The US president, Barack Obama, urged members of Congress Saturday to pass a farm bill that would help the agricultural sector cope with the most severe drought that has struck the United States in half a century. Full story

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1,000 families hit by east Sudan floods: UN

At least 1,000 families have been affected by flooding in impoverished eastern Sudan, where some communities have been cut off by rising waters, the United Nations said on Saturday. Full story

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Romney chooses Paul Ryan as running mate

Republican White House hopeful Mitt Romney has chosen Congressman Paul Ryan, known for advocating deep cuts in federal spending, as his running mate, his campaign announced Saturday. The selection was first made public in... Full story

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Iran halts visa-free entry for Turks ahead of NAM summit

Iran has suspended until at least the end of the month visa-free entry for nationals of Turkey and eight other countries, citing its hosting of a Non-Aligned Movement summit, the Mehr news agency reported Saturday. Full story

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Tunisia activists braced to fight for women’s rights

Tunisian women are rising up against a proposed article in the new constitution seen by many as an Islamist ploy to reverse the principle of gender equality that made Tunisia a beacon of modernity in the Arab world... Full story

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Panic as strong quakes hit near Iran city of Tabriz

Two strong earthquakes struck on Saturday near the northwestern city of Tabriz, sparking panic, Iranian media reported without giving immediate reports of casualties or damage. Full story

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Ernesto kills nine in Mexico

Ernesto killed at least nine people in Mexico, officials said Friday, with the dissipating storm threatening more heavy rain and possible flooding. In the southeastern state of Tabasco, a 17-year-old fisherman drowned... Full story

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Bird flu claims ninth victim this year in Indonesia

An Indonesian man has died of bird flu, the health ministry said Saturday, in the country’s ninth fatal case this year. ‘The deceased was a self-employed 37-year-old male,’ according to the report on the ministry’s website. Full story

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Holder calls US Sikh temple shooting ‘act of terrorism’

US Attorney General Eric Holder on Friday declared the attack on a Sikh temple in the midwestern state of Wisconsin ‘an act of terrorism’ in a speech at a ceremony honoring the victims. Full story

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Mars rover captures crash landing

NASA said Friday that a mysterious spot shown on a photograph sent back to Earth by the Mars rover Curiosity was the crash landing of its rocket stage. Scientists and enthusiasts were furiously speculating since... Full story

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