Monthly Science Current Affairs December 2015

Science News For The Year 2015 and Month Dec

Brain activity of worms recorded in 3D

Scientists have developed a new method to record 3D footage of neural activity in nearly the entire brain of a free-moving animal, an advance that could help better understand how neurons coordinate action and perception in animals.
2015-12-31

Simple method to improve breast cancer treatment

A simple and non-invasive imaging method can effectively replace the current practice in determining appropriateness of breast cancer treatment, thereby reducing the need for invasive tissue sampling, new research has found.
2015-12-31

Fitness freak? Too much exercise is bad for heart

With many of us contemplating marathons or other endurance events in 2016, we, our spouses and other family members most likely have wondered whether such strenuous training could be harmful to our hearts.
2015-12-31

Indigenize is focus of this year's science meet

"Industrialize or perish" was the clarion call given by Sir M Visvesvaraya, former dewan of Mysuru, and one of India's best known engineers. Today, many decades later, the slogan the country is embracing seems to be "indigenize or perish".
2015-12-30

Shopping can bring long-term happiness: Study

In some good news for shopaholics, scientists have found that material purchases can provide more frequent happiness over time.
2015-12-30

Man posts selfie a year after quitting crystal meth to show progress of living clean

One of the greatest things about being clean is that I got to be sober to see my sister have her baby girl: Ryan Harder
2015-12-30

Another contagious cancer type found in Tasmanian devils

Contagious cancers may not be as rare as thought, say scientists who have discovered a second transmissible cancer type in Tasmanian devils -a small dog-sized ferocious carnivore found in Tasmania.
2015-12-30

Seaweed capsule to help diabetics lead a needle-free life

Scientists have developed a capsule made from seaweed extract or preserving insulin-producing pancreatic cells, offering hope to diabetics to lead a needle-free life.
2015-12-30

Nasa captures landslide on Mars

Nasa has released an image of a relatively fresh landslide on Mars that shows boulder-covered landslip along a canyon wall.
2015-12-29

New contagious form of cancer discovered

Contagious cancers may not be as rare as thought, say scientists who have discovered a second transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils - small dog-sized ferocious carnivores found in the Australian island state of Tasmania.
2015-12-29

E-cigarettes may lead to cancer: Study

Electronic cigarettes, often marketed as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, may damage cells in ways that could lead to cancer, a new study has warned. The damage occurred even with nicotine-free versions of the products, researchers said.
2015-12-29

Myths about your New Year 'detox' - debunked

The New Year is almost upon us, which means we're all about to be inundated with reasons why we need to stock our fridges with kale, buy expensive juicers and Instagram pictures of salads labelled #cleanse.
2015-12-29

Midnight munchies may impair memory, learning

Frequent late night kitchen raids for snacks may impair your memory and learning skills, according to a new study which found that the habit could alter the brain's physiology.
2015-12-29

'Indians three times more prone to cardiac arrest than Americans'

Indians are three times more prone to cardiac arrest than Americans owing primarily to poor lifestyle, eating habits and genetic reasons, medical experts have said.
2015-12-28

Blocking fat-transporting protein may slow ageing

A naturally occurring protein that transports fats around the body also hinders essential functions in cells that increase life span, scientists have found, suggesting that blocking the protein in humans may prevent age-related diseases.
2015-12-28

First chip that uses light for data transfer developed

A microprocessor chip that uses light, rather than electricity, to transfer data at rapid speeds while consuming minute amounts of energy has been developed by researchers, including those of Indian-origin.
2015-12-28

Is nicotine replacement therapy healthy way to quit smoking?

Experts say there is enough scientific evidence to suggest that Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can work effectively to quit smoking.
2015-12-27

39.36% of Indian men have abnormal lipid: Study

A pan-India study showed that 39.36% of Indian men had abnormal lipid marker levels in their blood. The analysis based on 13.93lakh samples tested over three years showed that the abnormality was the highest among men from the eastern zone.
2015-12-27

Diabetes growing at alarming rate: Study

An analysis of over 10.21lakh blood sugar levels of men, women and children revealed that an overwhelming percentage of them had diabetes. An estimated 65.1 million people in India are affected with diabetes and the prevalence is expected to reach around 69.9 million by 2025.
2015-12-27

Blocking single molecule may delay premature birth: Study

Scientists have identified a molecule in the uterus that can be blocked to delay or even halt premature birth. The researchers focused on a molecule known as TRPV4, which helps control the flow of calcium into cells. Premature birth is the leading cause of death and disability in newborns worldwide.
2015-12-27

World's most obese man dies after weight-loss surgery

A man believed to be the world's most obese passed away on Friday in Mexico, barely two months after undergoing a weight-loss surgery .
2015-12-27

10 weird reasons why people fall in love

According to research, your hormones, interests, and even your parents' looks could decide who you choose
2015-12-27

LED lighting cuts costs for greenhouse tomato growers

Supplemental light-emitting diode (LED) lighting treatment can help greenhouse tomato growers reduce energy cost without affecting fruit quality attributes, new research suggests.
2015-12-26

Meet the animal that may live forever

Is there a creature that can defeat death? Yes, says new research that confirmed that the tiny hydra - a centimetre-long polyp that inhabits fresh water all over the world - does not show any sign of deteriorating with age and, if kept in ideal conditions, may just live forever.
2015-12-26

New polymer could purify water in seconds

Researchers have used the same material found in air fresheners, cyclodextrin, to develop a technique that could revolutionize the water-purification industry.
2015-12-26

British astronaut dials wrong number from space

Britain's first astronaut on a space mission, Major Tim Peake, accidentally called the wrong number when trying to call home from space.
2015-12-26

Pollution making bacteria antibiotic resistant?

Environmental contaminants may be part ly to blame for the rise in anti biotic-resistant bacteria, a new US study suggests. J Vaun McArthur from the Universi ty of Georgia tested his hypot hesis in streams on the US de partment of energy's Savan nah River Site (SRS).
2015-12-26

Inheritance plays big part in 12 cancers: Study

Scientists have found strong evidence for inherited components in 12 different kinds of deadly cancers. This raises hope for earlier detection and better targeting of therapy.
2015-12-25

Novel liver hormone cuts cravings for sweets, alcohol

In a good news for those who cannot shun their drink and also have "sweet tooth", scientists have discovered for the first time a liver hormone that works via brain to reduce cravings for sweets and alcohol in mammals.
2015-12-25

Optical illusion 'breaks your brain' so you see black and white as green and red

But your vision could be stuck like that for over three months
2015-12-25

Christmas Day full moon to appear in the UK sky for the first time in 38 years

There won't be another full moon on Christmas Day until 2034
2015-12-25

Quran found at UK univ belonged to first ever Muslims?

An ancient copy of the Quran found at the University of Birmingham in July may have belonged to Abu Bakr, one of the world's first ever Muslims.
2015-12-24

Technical glitch delays Nasa's Mars project by 2 years

Nasa's Mars programme has suffered a setback following the decision of the space agency to suspend the March 2016 launch of the Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) mission as a result of unsuccessful attempts to repair a leak in a section of the prime instrument in the science payload.
2015-12-24

TV channel hires robot as reporter, anchors worried

For the first time, a Chinese news channel has employed an artificial intelligence robot as a weather reporter on its live breakfast show, raising concerns among the country's journalists as it could threaten their jobs.
2015-12-24

E-toys hamper kids language development

Baby laptops, baby cellphones, talking farms these are the toys of the moment, marketed as tools to encourage babies language skills.
2015-12-24

Nasa sent the International Space Station Ridley Scott's The Martian and Alien to watch over Christmas

220 miles away, orbiting the earth, floats the International Space Station (ISS), currently filled with six astronauts, including our very own Tim Peake.
2015-12-24

Your saliva can spot early death risk

What if your saliva could predict if you are at a risk of dying? A new study has revealed that levels of antibodies in saliva are associated with the risk of mortality.
2015-12-24

Firm personalises kids books, with robot as co-author

One of the best presents that Asi Sharabi ever got was a bad book. It was a customised book for his 3-year old daughter, Thalia, and apart from the initial thrill of seeing her name in the story, there was not much to distinguish it from a mediocre mass-produced picture book.
2015-12-23

People who like to make new pals addicted to Facebook

People who use Facebook to meet new people are most dependent on the social networking site, according to a new study, which found that the reason why people use the site determines the level of their dependency on it.
2015-12-23

Ebola survivors suffer from vision, hearing loss

Survivors of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) may suffer from complications such as vision, hearing and joint pain, even months after their discharge, scientists, including one of Indian-origin have found.
2015-12-23

Prolonging IVF increases odds of having a baby

In their quest to become parents, most infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilisation must grapple with a tough decision: when to call it quits.
2015-12-23

Cardiac arrests have warning symptoms but are ignored, study finds

The potentially life-saving symptoms of cardiac arrests are being ignored for hours, days and even weeks before a person is struck, a new study has shown.
2015-12-23

Potatoes to be grown on Earth under Mars-like conditions

Scientists plan to grow potatoes in Mars-like conditions simulated on Earth, in a major step towards building a controlled dome on the red planet capable of farming the invaluable crop.
2015-12-23

Malta: On a Mediterranean island, but far from a Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean has long been known for its mix of sun, sea, fish, nuts and olives, a combination considered an elixir of health and fitness.
2015-12-23

Blue-eye gene traced to stone age man

If you have ever wondered why, like Cameron Diaz, Leonard Di Caprio and Frank Sinatra, you have blue eyes it is because you share a gene mutation first seen in a stone age man who lived around 7,000 years ago.
2015-12-23

Nasa calls off next Mars mission because of instrument leak

Nasa has called off its next Mars mission because of a leak in a science instrument.
2015-12-22

Giant comets may threaten Earth, say astronomers

Planet Earth could be at higher risk of a space rock impact than widely thought, according to astronomers. The discovery in the last two decades of hundreds of giant comets dubbed centaurs requires expanding the list of potential hazards, the said.
2015-12-22

People with blue eyes have one thing in common

If you have ever wondered why, like Cameron Diaz, Leonard Di Caprio and Frank Sinatra, you have blue eyes it is because you share a gene mutation first seen in a Stone Age man who lived around 7,000 years ago.
2015-12-22

Obese children may have weaker bones: Study

Obese children tend to have more muscle but excess body fat may compromise other functions in their bodies, such as bone growth, new research has found.
2015-12-22

Bengaluru startup prints 3-D liver tisues for medical research and therapeutics

A city based biotechnology start-up has developed artificial liver tissue performing the function of human liver, which would enable affordable medical research and reduced animal and human trials, leading to full scale transplant-able organs in few years' time.
2015-12-22

Mammals exploded immediately after dinosaur extinction: Research

The diversity of mammals - the group that today includes nearly 5,000 species including humans - on Earth exploded straight after the dinosaur extinction event, researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have found.
2015-12-22

In 13/11 aftermath, Parisians come together to preserve tokens of grief

On a recent afternoon in the storage room of an imposing gray building in northeastern Paris, Mathilde Pintault cut open a sheet of clear plastic and pulled out a child's drawing, its colours blurred by water.
2015-12-22

Pig's cornea restores Chinese man's sight

Chinese surgeons on Monday announced the successful transplant of a bio-engineered pig cornea into a human eye, a development that may help millions of people to see again.
2015-12-22

Virtual reality to help Nasa steer robonauts?

Virtual reality could be used for more than just entertainment, it may also help scientists to control robots in space, according to Nasa.
2015-12-22

Soon, 'hydricity' may generate 24x7 power

Scientists, including those of Indian-origin, have proposed a new "hydricity" concept for round-the-clock power by not only generating electricity from solar energy but also producing and storing hydrogen from superheated water.
2015-12-22

Rapid test for deadly diseases developed

A new technology for quickly identifying deadly bacterial strains of infectious disease has been developed by researchers at McMaster University in Canada.
2015-12-21

Astronauts aim to fix jammed rail car during spacewalk

Two Americans floated outside the International Space Station to start a spacewalk with the primary goal of freeing a rail car that was jammed outside the orbiting lab.
2015-12-21

What happens to your body after you give up sugar

Giving up sugar for just nine days can dramatically improve people's health, a new study claims.
2015-12-21

New 'hydricity' concept for round-the-clock power

Scientists, including those of Indian-origin, have proposed a new "hydricity" concept for round-the-clock power by not only generating electricity from solar energy but also producing and storing hydrogen from superheated water.
2015-12-21

Black holes grow as large as 50bn Suns

Black holes at the heart of galaxies could swell to 50 billion times the mass of the Sun before losing the discs of gas they rely on to sustain themselves, according to a new study .
2015-12-21

Nepal's Pokhara built on debris of medieval earthquakes

Nepal's second-largest city and its leading tourist hub Pokhara is built on massive debris deposits which are associated with strong medieval earthquakes, a new study has found.
2015-12-21

A new material to make roads ice proof

Driving in winters could soon become easier and safer, thanks to a new material developed by scientists that could `de-ice' snow-covered, slippery roads potentially for years.
2015-12-21

Online candy games make kids eat more

Parents, take note! Children tend to consume more calories after playing online games that involve food, a new study has found. Researchers found that shortly after playing a game with an embedded food advertisement, children ate 55% more of the candy offered to them than children who had played a game with an embedded toy advertisement.
2015-12-21

Sing them a song: Doctors study potential of music on foetuses

Most mothers talk and sing to their unborn babies and swear they can feel a response. With ultrasound studies proving that foetus in the womb indeed respond to music, a group of specialists in the city are now exploring the scope of music in enhancing radiology and imaging technology.
2015-12-20

New medicine for Hepatitis C treatment launched

Two new drugs for fighting Hepatitis C at an affordable price were launched as experts from across the globe gathered here to discuss progress in finding treatment to the dreaded Hepatitis B and C liver diseases.
2015-12-20

New material could lead to ice-proof roads

Driving in winters could soon become easier and safer, thanks to a new material developed by scientists that could 'de-ice' snow-covered, slippery roads potentially for years.
2015-12-20

Closest 'habitable' planet found 14 light years away

Astronomers have discovered the closest potentially habitable planet found outside our solar system, orbiting a star just 14 light years away.
2015-12-20

Christmas: Finding out how Santa Claus manages to visit 336 million homes

'Maybe Santa has tapped into ways of jumping in and out of different dimensions'
2015-12-20

Moms in their thirties more likely to have intelligent kids

Women who have children in their thirties are more likely than mothers in their twenties and forties to give birth to smarter and healthier babies, new analysis suggests.
2015-12-19

Horror films do make the blood curdle

The saying goes that horror films are blood curdling. Now, scientists believe they have proven that the idea is true.
2015-12-19

Lightsaber seen in space

Nasa has spotted a huge lightsaber cutting through space, in an area of space clouds where new stars are born.
2015-12-19

IIT-M develops carbon nanotube that helps kill cancer cells

Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology - Madras have developed that a carbon nanotube that helps kill cancer cells without affecting the neighbour cells.
2015-12-19

Curiosity finds silica deposits on Mars

Nasa's Mars Curiosity rover has found high concentrations of silica a rock-forming chemical commonly seen on Earth as quartz which could help scientists learn more about the ancient wet environment on the red planet.
2015-12-19

Better technique to extract uranium from sea in the offing

An ultra-high-resolution technique used for the first time to study polymer fibres that trap uranium in seawater may lead to better methods to harvest this potential fuel for nuclear reactors, scientists say.
2015-12-18

Dust doughnut around massive black hole is clumpy, study shows

Scientists have for the first time penetrated the doughnut shaped clouds of gas and dust that surround most of the massive black holes in the universe and come up with a surprising discovery. The cosmic doughnuts are not smooth but clumpy.
2015-12-18

Vegetarians lead a healthier life than meat-eaters: Oxford study

Non-vegetarian food may lose its charm beyond your taste buds. Vegetarians have been found leading a healthier life as compared to meat-eaters. Incidence of diseases such as pancreatic cancer and respiratory problems are also less common among vegetarians than in those who consume meat regularly, according to a latest study.
2015-12-17

Cancer caused by environmental factors such as smoking, radiation and toxic chemicals, not 'bad luck', study reveals

Modern lifestyles are causing 90 per cent of cancers, according to new research.
2015-12-17

Environment, not 'bad luck', mainly to blame for cancer: Study

Environmental factors such as sunshine and tobacco smoke cause more cancers than random DNA mutations, researchers have affirmed contesting another team's conclusions that "bad luck" was mainly to blame.
2015-12-17

Hubble spots first-ever supernova explosion

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the image of the first-ever predicted supernova explosion that offers a unique opportunity for astronomers to test how mass - especially that of mysterious dark matter - is distributed within a galaxy cluster.
2015-12-17

Scientists reveal 100% effective hangover cure

Hangover cures, whether it be drinking coffee, downing a fizzy drink, tucking into a fry-up or even the 'hair of the dog that bit you' are pretty much a waste of time and effort, scientists have concluded.
2015-12-17

Info-egoists: People more likely to share pals' private data than their own

Your friends on social media are more likely to share your private data with third-party app developers than their own information, says a new study that suggests people are `info-egoists' when it comes to privacy.
2015-12-17

Found: Traces of a new fundamental particle

Two teams of physicists working at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, said they had seen traces of what could be a new fundamental particle of nature.
2015-12-17

Here's how human brain can handle so much data

Researchers led by an Indian-origin scientist from Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered how humans can categorise data using less than percent percent of the original information.
2015-12-16

In a first, parrots found using and sharing tools

A species of parrots found in Madagascar and Comoros was found to use tools  a first among parrots.
2015-12-16

Indian-American's 'Super Condom' can help combat AIDS

Mahua Choudhery and her team of researchers at Texas A&M University have come up with the hydrogel condom which could help in the global fight against HIV. Since its outbreak in 1981, HIV virus has killed 39 million people across the world.
2015-12-16

Put to the test: 36 questions that can make you fall in love with anyone

In 1997, a group of pyschologist claimed to have found 36 questions which could make two strangers fall in love. Years later, this study has been put to the test - and filmed for all to see.
2015-12-15

Forensic facial expert reconstructs Jesus Christ's face using ancient skulls

Richard Neave, formerly a professor at Manchester University, constructed the image after he examined three Semites skulls from around Galilee in northern Israel using methods more frequently employed to identify victims of crimes as part of a BBC series more than a decade ago.
2015-12-15

Earth's tilt affects climate change

In a first, researchers have discovered a connection between the Earth's tilt, called obliquity, that shifts every 41,000 years, and the movement of a low pressure band of clouds that is the Earth's largest source of heat and moisture - the Intertropical Convergence Zone, or ITCZ.
2015-12-15

A material for water-proof surfaces is created

Scientists have created a new low-cost, non-toxic material that mimics the lotus leaf to repel water droplets, an advance that could help create environment-friendly water-proof surfaces.
2015-12-15

No solar farm, it will suck sun's energy

AUS town has rejected a proposal for a solar farm following public concerns.
2015-12-14

Taking antidepressants while pregnant may double autism risk

Women who take certain common antidepressants while pregnant may face almost twice the risk of having a child with autism, a study said on Monday.
2015-12-14

Volcanic event caused ice age during Jurassic Period

A large-scale volcanic event during the Jurassic Period may have caused the 'ice-age' that took place on Earth around 170 million years ago, a new study has found.
2015-12-14

Star Wars: How to build a Death Star, according to Nasa

The Death Star, the nefarious cosmic entity that is the center of the evil Galactic Empire's reign in Star Wars, has always been thought to be solely a facet of science fiction.
2015-12-14

Send SOS through urine-powered socks

Scientists have invented a pair of high-tech socks which, when filled with urine, and activated by the wearer's footsteps, can produce enough power to send a message.
2015-12-14

Found: Buried towers in Angkor Wat

The Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia was much larger and more complex than previously thought, say archaeologists, who discovered buried towers and remains of a huge structure near the world's largest religious monument.
2015-12-14

Smartphones are ruining our posture and mood

There are plenty of reasons to put our cellphones down and now researchers have said smartphones are ruining our posture.
2015-12-14

Healthism leading to Jolie syndrome

Highly commercialized standards of health and beauty can lead to the Angelina Jolie syndrome  taking preventive action, such as surgery on a healthy body, for a hypothetical disease, researchers claimed.
2015-12-14

Essex man suffering from hypospadias thought he was the only man in the world with a one-inch penis

Hypospadias is a congenital problem affecting the appearance and function of the penis
2015-12-13

Vaginal orgasms are a 'myth', researchers claim

New study claims terms are wrong and need to be reconsidered
2015-12-13

How often should I wash my hair? Personal care experts answer in Reddit AMA

It's an oft-debated question that never seems to come to any proper conclusion: "how often should I wash my hair?"
2015-12-13

Gurgaon: Da Vinci Xi robots perform among the first of its kind surgery

A 35-year old patient from Republic of Congo, who was suffering from Yousuf's Syndrome, has undergone a surgery with Da Vinci Xi system, one of the most advanced robotic surgical technology for performing minimal invasive surgery. This is reportedly one of the first such surgeries in India.
2015-12-13

New cancer treatment kills prostate tumor cells

A new study has revealed that prostate tumor cells can be killed by combining radiation treatment with suicide gene therapy, a technique in which prostate cancer cells are genetically modified.
2015-12-13

Satellites to check climate vows

Scientists from the US, Japan, and China are racing to perfect satellite technology that could one day measure green house gas emissions from space, potentially transforming the winner into the world's first climate cop.
2015-12-13

In session: Classes on etiquette, chivalry

Middle schoolers are not generally known for their good manners. But Cord Ivanyi, a teacher in Arizona, said that he was fed up after seeing the sheer rudeness and carelessness the boys showed, especially during parties when they would shove their way to the front of food lines.
2015-12-13

Should we fear the rise of the robots?

Anyone who's had the pleasure of watching the blockbuster film I, Robot starring Will Smith could be forgiven for not taking the robots could take over the-world argument too seriously.
2015-12-13

'Stress precursor to pre-Alzheimer's condition in elderly'

Feeling stressed out increases the chances of elderly people developing mild cognitive impairment - often a prelude to full-blown Alzheimer's disease, a study found.
2015-12-12

MUHS partners to start Africa Oncology Fellowship Program

Merck, a science and technology company, joined hands with the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) and University of Nairobi to start its Africa Oncology Fellowship Program. It signed a MoU with the MUHS this week to kick-start the programme.
2015-12-11

Alzheimer's: Drinking a glass of wine a day may help sufferers reduce risk of death from disease

Alzheimer's sufferers who drink a single glass of wine - or the equivalent of two to three units of alcohol - every day are significantly less likely to die than those who drink more or are teetotal, research suggests.
2015-12-11

USFDA safety review asks for new warnings on diabetes medicines, SGL2 inhibitors

An FDA safety review has resulted in adding new warnings to the labels of a specific class of type 2 diabetes medicines -- sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, about the risks of too much acid in the blood and of serious urinary tract infections.
2015-12-11

Nasa Cassini probe captures Earth-like image of Saturn's biggest moon Titan

A new image of Titan released by Nasa shows Saturn's larget moon can bear a striking resemblance to Earth.
2015-12-11

Double delight: Meteor showers, comet to greet Earth this month

Skywatchers are in for a double treat this month.While comet Catalina has now become visible in the early hours on the eastern sky, the Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak on December 13 and 14.
2015-12-11

First-ever test-tube puppies born in US

Scientists in the US have created the world's first litter of puppies conceived in a test tube, a breakthrough that may help eradicate disease in dogs and humans.
2015-12-10

New software uses words, gestures to detect lies

Researchers are developing a unique liedetecting software that considers both the speaker's words and gestures, and unlike a polygraph, does not need to touch the subject in order to function.
2015-12-10

Just strum in the air: Virtual guitar has no strings attached

A guitar with no strings attached has become a reality.
2015-12-10

World's 1st dengue vaccine cleared for use in Mexico

The world's first dengue vaccine has won regulatory approval in Mexico, raising hopes that it could prevent more than 100 deaths there a year and eventually millions around the world.
2015-12-10

Go ahead and sulk. unhappiness won't kill you

A study published on Wednesday in The Lancet, following one million middle-aged women in Britain for 10 years, finds that the widely held view that happiness enhances health and longevity is unfounded.
2015-12-10

Kids with common allergies at high heart disease risk

Children with allergic disease, particularly asthma and hay fever, have twice the rate of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, setting them on course for heart disease at early age, finds a new study.
2015-12-10

Happiness doesn't bring good health, study finds

Go ahead and sulk. Unhappiness won't kill you. A study published on Wednesday in The Lancet, following 1 million middle-aged women in Britain for 10 years, finds that the widely held view that happiness enhances health and longevity is unfounded.
2015-12-10

Blame genes for impulsive choices: US researchers

The tendency to take a smaller reward now rather than waiting for a larger one available later is strongly influenced by genetics, which means it can be inherited, a new study has found.
2015-12-10

Dogs too have a conscience: Study

Your pet dog and probably many other animals have a conscience too, according to a surprising new study that found the canines know who they are.
2015-12-10

5 years after 1st try, Japan probe enters Venus orbit

After its first failure on December 6 2010, Japan's maiden mission to Venus, Akatsuki or Venus Climate Orbiter, has successfully zoomed into the Venusian orbit, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa) confirmed on Wednesday.
2015-12-10

Internet makes us rely less on our knowledge

People are less willing to rely on their knowledge and say they know something when they have access to internet, suggesting that our connection to the web is affecting how we think, a new study has found.
2015-12-10

One in four young docs may have the blues

More than one in four doctors in the early stages of their careers has signs of depression, according to a new study that suggests gruelling years of training for a medical career are partly to blame.
2015-12-10

Japanese space probe goes into orbit around Venus

Japan's space agency said on Wednesday its "Akatsuki" probe had successfully entered into orbit around Venus after an initial attempt at reaching the second planet from the sun failed five years ago.
2015-12-09

Frequent green tea consumption may hamper fertility: Study

Are you a green tea lover? Read this carefully as the cup packed with anti-oxidants and other health benefits may adversely affect your fertility and development in case of frequent use, warn researchers.
2015-12-09

Glaciers in Everest have shrunk by 28% in 40 years'

Glaciers on Mount Everest, source of major Asian rivers like Brahmaputra, have shrunk by 28% over the past 40 years due to climate change, according to a report.
2015-12-09

Novel technique can help improve diabetes treatment

Scientists have deployed a new drug discovery technique to identify an anti-diabetes compound with a novel mechanism of action, which may lead to a new type of treatment.
2015-12-09

`Too much green tea can harm you'

Green tea, enjoyed by millions for its numerous health benefits, may have adverse effects if taken in high doses, a new study in fruit flies suggests. Researchers discovered that excessive consumption of green tea adversely affected development and reproduction in fruit flies.
2015-12-09

Hidden portrait found underneath Mona Lisa

A French scientist claims to have discovered a different portrait hidden behind that of the Mona Lisa following 10 years of analysis using reflective light technology.
2015-12-09

Oxford scientists create most expensive material in the world, valued at £200 million a gram

Oxford University scientists are creating the world's most expensive material - endohedral fullerenes, spherical carbon molecules containing nitrogen atoms, which sell for £100 million a gram.
2015-12-08

E-cigarette chemical may harm lungs: Study

A flavouring chemical linked to cases of severe respiratory disease has been found in more than 75 per cent of flavoured electronic cigarettes and refill liquids tested by Harvard researchers.
2015-12-08

Developed: Thin 'power paper' that can store energy

Scientists have developed power paper -a new material consisting of nanocellulose and a conductive polymer -that has an outstanding ability to store energy . One sheet, 15 centimetres in diameter and a few tenths of a millimetre thick, can store energy similar to the supercapacitors currently on the market, researchers said.
2015-12-08

'Built 225km away, Stonehenge was relocated 500 yrs later'

Stonehenge could have been first built in what is now Wales where it remained for 500 years until it was dismantled and dragged off to Wiltshire, archaeologists have suggested.
2015-12-08

Tooth decay? Fix it sans drill-and-fill

Tooth decay can be stopped, reversed and prevented without the need for the traditional `drill and fill' approach that has dominated dental care for decades, a new study has found.
2015-12-08

Lift off with your own flying machine

Do you wish to fly like a bird in the backyard of your home? Your dream will come true soon as a team of engineering students from National University of Singapore (NUS) has built the first personal flying machine that can bear the load of a person weighing 70 kg for a flight time of about five minutes.
2015-12-08

World's first biologically powered chip created

In a major breakthrough, researchers at Columbia Engineering have harnessed the molecular machinery of living systems to power an integrated circuit.
2015-12-07

Astrosat's first light image from UV telescope reaches Earth

The Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard India's first multi-wavelength satellite Astrosat has sent the first light images.
2015-12-07

Doomsday Clock awaits outcome of Paris talks

A board member gives Sunday Times an insider's view into the working of the ominous dial that is watching climate change and nuclear arsenals closely
2015-12-07

Nasa mission with 7,000 pounds of key science on way to ISS

Carrying 7,000 pounds of research materials that will directly support over dozens of key investigations on the orbiting laboratory, a cargo-laden Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft soared towards the ISS.
2015-12-07

Puzzle behind face blindness solved?

2015-12-07

Yeast hybrids may add flavour to your beer

2015-12-07

NASA's Curiosity rover is among the most advanced robots today

Two essential requirements for a machine to be called a robot is a programmable 'brain' and a body that can move.
2015-12-07

Gymming may be turning you into a boozer

Exercise and drinking are usually thought to be two separate things, one healthy, the other unhealthy, but according to science, they actually go together very well.
2015-12-06

Balloon Kyphoplasty technology can help treat vertebral fractures: Experts

If you are among those who close their eyes to back pain simply as outcome of overwork, this may give you a reason to think otherwise. According to scientific research, chronic back pain, which is often mistaken as fatigue, is strongly associated with vertebral fractures, leading to functional loss, disability, poor quality of life and osteoporotic compression fractures affects millions of people globally.
2015-12-06

Gangotri glacier getting less snowfall, higher temperatures

A research shows that the health of the majestic Gangotri glacier that feeds the river Ganges has been affected, as the maximum temperature in the region has shot up by 0.9 degree Celsius and snowfall reduced by 37 cm annually.
2015-12-06

How water escapes from Saturn explained

Researchers have found how water ions escape from the Saturn's environment after locating a point from where the ions exhaust out of the planet's atmosphere.
2015-12-05

People who watch violent films more likely to lie, cheat

Love watching movies with violent content? You may be more likely to lie, cheat or steal, according to a new study which found that exposure to violence could make people less ethical.
2015-12-04

Now, super strong dental fillings that don't corrode

Graphene oxide could be used to make non-toxic, super strong dental fillings that do not corrode, researchers have found.
2015-12-04

Moratorium on human gene editing on cards?

An international group of scientists meeting in Washington called on Thursday for what would, in effect, be a moratorium on making inheritable changes to the human genome.
2015-12-04

The sun could spew out huge superflares and put life on Earth in danger

The energy from the flares could be equivalent to a billion megaton bomb, destroying communication and energy systems
2015-12-04

Scientists find route to tuberculosis cure?

A team of scientists at CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, has discovered a key biological pathway that allows Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) - pathogen causing tuberculosis (TB) - to survive in oxygen deprived condition.
2015-12-04

Nasa's Hubble and Spitzer find faint galaxy from early universe

Using the combined power of Nasa's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes scientists have found the faintest object ever seen in the early universe. It existed about 400 million years after the big bang, 13.8 billion years ago.
2015-12-04

Sun's 'superflares' may ruin Earth life

Sun has the potential to produce superflares, with energy equivalent to a billion megaton bombs, which may severely disrupt power grids and communication systems on the Earth, a new study has found.
2015-12-04

Created: New substance harder than diamond

Until recently, diamond was the hardest known naturally occurring ma erial. But a new process appli ed to carbon has uncovered a substance that a group of scien ists say is even harder.
2015-12-04

Crucial to study transplant surgery outcomes: Experts

Stakeholders of organ donation have said that there is an urgent need to study the outcome of an organ transplant, including the quality of life. Mumbai so far has seen 453 cadaver kidneys transplants since 1997 but there is no information whatsoever about the outcome of these surgeries over the years.
2015-12-03

New antibiotic jab may treat whooping cough

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, causes painful fits of coughing and life-threatening symptoms in infants and has had a devastating impact worldwide.
2015-12-03

Almonds provide lesser calories than estimated: Study

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) has shown that whole almonds provide about 20% fewer calories than what was originally thought.
2015-12-02

Cabinet okays Bill on Regional Centre for Biotechnology

The Union Cabinet gave its approval for introduction of a Bill to provide legal status to the Regional Centre for Biotechnology in Faridabad.
2015-12-02

How rising seas are claiming a vulnerable nation

As policy makers discuss a climate change accord in Paris, for the Marshall Islands, spread out over 29 narrow coral atolls in the South Pacific, the destructive power of the rising seas is already an inescapable part of daily life.
2015-12-02

Rare fossil of horned dinosaur found from 'lost continent'

Scientists have uncovered the rare fossil of a dog-sized horned dinosaur in eastern North America that roamed the Earth up to 100 million years ago.
2015-12-02

Dating apps to blame for rise in HIV among Asian teens: UN

Dating apps are causing cases of HIV to increa se amongst Asian tee nagers, according to an United Nations' research.
2015-12-02

New diabetes cases, at long last, begin to fall in US

After decades of re lentless rise, the number of new cases of diabetes in the US has finally started to de cline. The rate fell by about a fifth from 2008 to 2014, accor ding to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first sus tained decline since the dise ase started to explode in the US about 25 years ago.
2015-12-02

The massive health benefits of giving up sugar and alcohol for just one month

A Dutch man recently did a one-month sugar and alcohol fast and watched his cholesterol, weight and blood pressure fall.
2015-12-01

This is what happens when you die, according to a bunch of different people who died

Many of their accounts align with a recent scientific study into the subject.
2015-12-01

Fishes too may have emotions, consciousness: Study

Fish may show 'emotional fever', a slight increase in body temperature in situations of stress linked to the emotions and consciousness, a new study suggests.
2015-12-01

2.5 million year old peach fossils found in China

A Chinese professor made a startling discovery in Kunming, capital of Yunnan in southwest China. Tao Su was looking at some rocks exposed by road works near his home when he found what looked like a peach pit embedded in it. Later analysis showed that it dated back to more than two and a half million years. Later seven more peach pits were found.
2015-12-01

In major shift, diabetes cases on the decline in the US

There is growing evidence that American eating habits, after decades of deterioration, have finally begun to improve. The once-surging rates of obesity, a major driver of Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, have flattened.
2015-12-01

What giving up sugar, alcohol can do for you in just one month

A Dutch man recently did a one-month sugar and alcohol fast and watched his cholesterol, weight and blood pressure fall.
2015-12-01

Scientists debate boundaries, ethics of human gene editing

Rewriting your DNA is getting closer to reality: A revolutionary technology is opening new frontiers for genetic engineering - a promise of cures for intractable diseases along with anxiety about designer babies.
2015-12-01

Israel aiming to recreate wine Jesus, King David drank

The new crisp, acidic and mineral white from a high-end Israeli winery was aged for eight months or, depending on how you look at it, at least 1,800 years.
2015-11-30

Build own video game story with this tool

Scientists, including one of Indian-origin, are developing a new tool that can allow people to easily build their own digital story worlds for video games consisting of smart characters and objects.
2015-11-30

A flexible, stretchable rubber keyboard

Scientists have developed a soft, flexible and stretchable keyboard using a type of rubber known as a dielectric elastomer that can be wrapped around any object.
2015-11-30

Could N-plants function for 80 yrs? US to decide

The US is set to become the first nation to decide whether its safe to operate nuclear power plants for 80 years, twice as long as initially allowed.
2015-11-30

New flexible, stretchable rubber keyboard developed

Scientists have developed a soft, flexible and stretchable keyboard using a type of rubber known as a dielectric elastomer that can be wrapped around any object.
2015-11-30

'We need to introduce Earth Science to improve India's climate'

Neel M Karia, a student from Mumbai, bagged a gold medal at International Earth Science Olympiad, which was held in Brazil. He spoke on his preparation for the competition, his experience and ways climate can be improved in India.
2015-11-30

IIT-M develops method to track cyclones accurately

To reduce the window of mistakes and to improve the accuracy of forecasts, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras are developing a technique that will depend that is fed into high quality data from satellites on supercomputers.
2015-11-30

Even 8 decades after invention, polygraph's accuracy contested

A polygraph, commonly known as lie detector, is a device used to detect lies by measuring several physiological variables of the person being questioned.
2015-11-29

Sugar-free drinks may not be 'tooth-friendly': Study

If you thought your teeth were safe since you switched to sugar-free drinks, think again! Scientists have warned that such drinks can cause measurable damage to the tooth enamel.
2015-11-29

High-fat diet may be harmful for your brain

High-fat diet may not only make us obese, but also cause cognitive impairment by prompting immune cells in the brain to consume the connections between neurons, a new study has warned.
2015-11-29

There are no true black holes: Scientist Abhas Mitra

Researcher who 'Upset the black hole applecart' says he got no support from kolkata in his path-breaking discovery
2015-11-29

Children who eat breakfast score higher marks

Nutritionists have already shown a link between eating breakfast and staying healthy.
2015-11-29

Weed-infused coffee the new cuppa of joy

It was during an endless drive home from a camping trip that American entrepreneur Adam Stites came up with his latest product.
2015-11-29

The world's `sexiest' robot is here

We all love robots -but could we one day actually fall in love with one? This is Android Geminoid F , an eerily lifelike humanoid which stole the show at the World Robot Exhibition in Beijing this week.
2015-11-29

Hepatitis C cure may cost as low as Rs 67k

In a move that comes as a huge relief to patients of chronic Hepatitis C, the apex committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted a waiver of local trials for crucial new direct-acting antiviral drugs treating the disease.
2015-11-29

'Lifestyle, obesity, late hours leading to breast cancer'

While cervical cancer is on decline, breast cancer cases are on rise due to obesity and lifestyle-related factors, said Dr Neeraja Bhatia, president, Association of Gynaecologic Oncologists of India, here.
2015-11-27

1 in 4 dengue patients at AIIMS didn't need blood transfusion: Study

A study has concluded that nearly one out of every four dengue patients (23.2%) administered platelet transfusion during the 2013 outbreak at AIIMS did not need it.
2015-11-26

First mirror installed on NASA's James Webb Telescope

NASA has successfully installed the first of 18 flight mirrors onto the James Webb Space Telescope, beginning a critical piece of the observatory's construction to replace the Hubble Space Telescope in 2018.
2015-11-26

Heart patient? Cut down on sitting time

If you are suffering from ailments related to the heart, make it a point to get up and move every half an hour as researchers have found that patients with heart disease who sit a lot have worse health even if they exercise.
2015-11-26

Source: Times of India News

LATEST ABBREVIATIONS USED:

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
European Council for Nuclear Research(CERN)
Intertropical Convergence Zone(ITCZ)
Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS)
sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2)
Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT)
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN)
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) 

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Monthly Science Current Affairs November 2015
Monthly Science Current Affairs October 2015

Monthly world current affairs December 2015

World News For The Year 2015 and Month Dec

World's most populous country to boost numbers

With China officially deciding to end its one-child policy from 1 January 2016, it has joined a group of about 56 countries, representing a third of world population, that have policies promoting more population.
2015-12-31

China building second aircraft carrier

China on Thursday announced it was designing and building its second aircraft carrier completely on its own.
2015-12-31

Fire breaks out at a Dubai Hotel near Burj Khalifa, 16 injured

The Dubai government media office tweeted that a "fire has been reported in the Address Downtown hotel. Authorities are currently on-site to address the incident."
2015-12-31

Media should give more space to good news, Pope says after grim year

The media should give more space to positive, inspirational stories to counterbalance the preponderance of evil, violence and hate in the world, Pope Francis said in his year-end message.
2015-12-31

Guyana passes terrorism law with death penalty provision

Guyana's parliament has approved anti-terrorism legislation that includes the death penalty for certain offenses and would allow rendition of suspects to other countries. The ruling party used its one-seat majority to pass the bills during the National Assembly's final session for the year.
2015-12-31

Israeli police question PM's wife over household spending

Israeli police are questioning the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over her alleged inflated household spending. The questions are expected to focus on whether Sara Netanyahu used state funds to finance maintenance work and new furniture for the couple's private home.
2015-12-31

French journalist leaving China after being forced out

A French journalist is leaving China after being denied press credentials and facing heavy criticism from the foreign ministry and state media over her reporting. Ursula Gauthier, a longtime journalist for the French news magazine L'Obs, planned to board a flight out of Beijing shortly after midnight on Friday.
2015-12-31

Charlie Hebdo to release 1 million special issue copies to commemorate attack

Charlie Hebdo will release one million copies of a special issue on January 6 to commemorate the attack on its office. The edition, which will have 32 pages, instead of 16, will be sold at the usual price of 3 euros ($3.27). It is the first anniversary of the jihadi attack on the French weekly magazine that claimed 12 lives.
2015-12-31

Erdogan vows no respite in Turkey's war on Kurdish militants

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan vowed no let-up in a military campaign which he said had killed more than 3,000 mostly Kurdish militants this year in some of the heaviest fighting since their insurgency began three decades ago.
2015-12-31

China building 2nd aircraft carrier

Amid mounting tensions with the US in the disputed South China Sea, China today said it is building a second aircraft carrier and hinted at plans to make a third one to enhance its blue water capabilities.
2015-12-31

Two sentenced to death for Bangladesh blogger murder

Ahmed Rajib Haider, an architect, became a target of the group after he helped launch a massive protest against the leaders of the largest Islamist party, several of whom are accused of war crimes during Bangladesh's 1971 independence struggle against Pakistan.
2015-12-31

Bill Cosby charged with felony sexual assault in Pennsylvania

Comedian Bill Cosby was arraigned in Pennsylvania on charges related to an alleged sexual assault against a woman at his home in 2004. Cosby was charged with aggravated indecent assault, a second-degree felony carrying a maximum penalty of 5 to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
2015-12-31

North Korean leader expresses deep grief over death of top aide

Kim Yang-Gon, a top party official and key confidante to Kim Jong-Un who oversaw relations with the South, died in a traffic accident.
2015-12-31

Freed Afghan village reveals key to Taliban 'success'

The Taliban remain largely unpopular in urban centers, but in many rural areas the puritanical movement has entrenched itself among alienated groups, competing directly with the government for public loyalty. The Taliban now control more territory than in any year since they were toppled from power in a 2001 US-led invasion, with the UN estimating that nearly half of all districts across Afghanistan are at risk of falling.
2015-12-31

Freak heatwave pushes North Pole 20 degrees Celsius above winter norm

Temperatures at the North Pole rose above freezing point, 20 degrees Celsius above the norm in a season of extreme weather events. It would be too hasty, however, to pin this week's extreme weather directly on the man-made climate change phenomenon, rather than on a discreet anomaly.
2015-12-31

Alarm in Brazil over a virus and a surge in malformed infants

A little-known virus spread by mosquitoes is causing one of the most alarming health crises to hit Brazil in decades. Thousands of cases of brain damage, in which babies are born with unusually small heads, have been reported.
2015-12-31

China drops plan to ban surrogacy

China has scrapped its publicized plan to ban surrogacy , since a ban would further encourage a black market for surrogate pregnancy patronized by wealthy Chinese, sources said.
2015-12-31

Life sentences for British attack plot couple

A husband and his former wife convicted of planning a major attack to mark the 10th anniversary of the London suicide bombings were both sentenced to life in prison.
2015-12-30

Germany took in 1.1 million asylum seekers in 2015

Germany took in almost 1.1 million asylum seekers this year, an all-time record and five times last year's total, a newspaper reported today citing unpublished official figures.
2015-12-30

Italy approves new anti-pollution measures

Italy's center-left government authorized local authorities to cut traffic speed limits by 20kph (12mph) and office heating by two degrees in response to spikes in deadly air pollution. The move follows this week's introduction of traffic restrictions in Rome, Milan and other cities.
2015-12-30

Argentine president scraps media monopoly watchdog

Argentine President Mauricio Macri scrapped a media watchdog aimed at preventing monopolies, his office said, the latest in a series of reforms reversing measures by his leftist predecessor.
2015-12-30

Joe Biden to meet with leaders in Turkey in mid-January

Vice president Joe Biden will travel to Turkey next month amid the ongoing fight against the Islamic State group.
2015-12-30

Donald Trump 'to spend $2 million a week on presidential bid'

Trump has said that he will spend at least $2 million a week on his campaign to become the Republican party's presidential candidate. The amount would be used for TV advertising in the first three voting states. He has spent nothing on TV ads so far, but more than $300,000 on radio ads.
2015-12-30

UK minister apologies for racist remarks 30 years ago

British Prime Minister David Cameron's policy chief apologized "unreservedly" for his racist remarks made 30 years ago, blaming "bad moral attitudes" of black communities for disturbances during the 1985 riots here.
2015-12-30

Philippine troops battle militants in south, at least 9 dead

Philippine troops clashed with about 100 Abu Sayyaf gunmen suspected of plotting attacks on New Year's Eve, leaving eight militants and one soldier dead, officials said. A police report, citing intelligence information, said the militants were planning to carry out bombings in downtown Jolo town in predominantly Muslim Sulu.
2015-12-30

Bahrain F-16 crashes in Saudi near Yemen border

A Bahraini fighter jet taking part in the Saudi-led coalition battling rebel forces in Yemen crashed in Saudi Arabia due to a "technical error," the alliance said.
2015-12-30

Strictly manage your families for corruption: Xi Jinping to CPC leaders

In a stern warning to top Communist Party leaders, Chinese President Xi Jinping has told them to strictly manage the people close to them to prevent corruption or they will meet the fate of fallen leaders like Bo Xilai and Zhou Yongkang who were jailed for life.
2015-12-30

Indonesia suffers setback in fight against haze after suit rejected

Indonesia brought a civil case in a South Sumatra court against PT Bumi Mekar Hijau (BMH), a supplier to Asia Pulp and Paper, one of the world's biggest pulp and paper companies.
2015-12-30

BNP contests Bangladesh's 1st local body polls on party lines

Over 12,000 candidates from some 20 parties, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia's BNP, were contesting the polls in which 7 million eligible voters are likely to exercise their franchise to elect mayors and councillors in 234 municipalities.
2015-12-30

Bangladesh Nationalist Party contests first local body polls on party lines

Over 12,000 candidates from some 20 parties, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia's BNP, were contesting the polls in which 7 million eligible voters are likely to exercise their franchise to elect mayors and councillors in 234 municipalities.
2015-12-30

South Korea 'comfort women' protest against Japan deal

South Korean women forced into wartime sexual slavery and hundreds of supporters held a rally against a "humiliating" deal with Japan designed to settle the issue, and vowed to keep fighting for justice.
2015-12-30

US accuses Iran of conducting rocket test near warships

Iranian naval vessels conducted rocket tests last week near U.S. warships and commercial traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, causing new tension between the two nations after a landmark nuclear deal.
2015-12-30

The rich will get richer while two million more children slide into poverty, 2030 economic forecast suggests

A joint study by Landman Economics and the Fabian Society says policies introduced since the election will increase long-term poverty
2015-12-30

Kremlin's gift to Russia: Book of Putin's quotes

The Kremlin is bestowing a special gift this holiday season on a select group of Russian officials. The gift is words. Not just any words, but the collected wisdom of President Vladimir V. Putin, compiled in a 400-page book modestly titled 'Words That Change the World'.
2015-12-30

No holiday cheer as Turks in Russia dread 2016

Since Ankara shot down a Russian warplane on the Syria-Turkish border on November 24, Moscow regards Turkey -- a trading partner and top tourist destination for Russians.
2015-12-30

Top aide to North Korea leader Kim Jong Un dies in car cras

Kim was part of a high-level delegation that held talks in August after the rival states exchanged artillery fire, raising tensions to one of its highest points in recent years.
2015-12-30

Bankers create ATM cards to steal from little-used accounts

The 15 JPMorgan Chase bank accounts had a few things in common: They had high balances, there was little activity on them and they belonged to elderly clients -indeed, at least eight were dead.And all 15 of the accounts got regular cash infusions, thanks to direct deposits from the Social Security Administration.
2015-12-30

Brother of China ex-minister passed security secrets to US?

The brother of a former Chinese minister has been accused of passing on military secrets, including nuclear codes, to the US government. Ling Wancheng is believed to have escaped to the US in the midst of an investigation.
2015-12-30

As US fights IS, Qaida re-emerges

Even as the Obama administration scrambles to confront the Islamic State and resurgent Taliban, an old enemy seems to be reappearing in Afghanistan -Qaida training camps are sprouting up there, forcing the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies to assess if they could again become a breeding ground for attacks on their country.
2015-12-30

IS leader linked to Paris attacks 'mastermind' killed in Syria

An Islamic State leader with "direct" ties to the alleged mastermind of the Paris attacks was among 10 of the group's higher-ups killed in Syria and Iraq this month.
2015-12-29

10 Islamic State leaders killed in airstrikes by US

A US military official in Iraq says that coalition airstrikes killed 10 Islamic State leaders over the past month, including several linked to the Paris attacks or other plots against the West. They were killed mainly by drone strikes.
2015-12-29

Russian minister: Turkey remains important trading partner despite spat

Turkey remains an important trading partner for Russia, and Moscow aims to minimise problems for Turkish and Russian businesses caused by sanctions.
2015-12-29

Spanish PM insists he will battle to form government

Spain's beleaguered Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he would battle on to try and form a government despite categorize refusals by other key parties to back him after inconclusive elections.
2015-12-29

Syria army advances against rebels in south

Regime forces seized a military base from rebels in southern Syria and were locked in heavy fighting in a nearby opposition stronghold, a monitor and state media said.
2015-12-29

WHO announces Ebola milestone as Guinea outbreak ends

The UN's health agency declared Guinea's Ebola outbreak over two years after it emerged, spreading death across west Africa and pushing the region's worst-hit communities to the brink of collapse.
2015-12-29

$38 billion state funds misused: China's chief auditor

Liu Jiayi, head of the National Audit Office, said at the national auditing work conference that in the audit inspection conducted on more than 20,000 officials, they found misused funds to the tune of more than 250 billion yuan ($38 billion).
2015-12-29

Israel's top court sends ex-PM Olmert to 18 months in prison

Israel's Supreme Court reduced former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's prison sentence for a sweeping bribery scandal from six years to 18 months, partially accepting his appeal and clearing the ex-premier of the main bribery charge against him.
2015-12-29

Thai king's favourite dog dies, days after 'insult' arrest

The dog, called Tongdaeng (Copper), became both a household name and a publishing sensation in Thailand after King Bhumibol Adulyadej adopted her as a stray puppy and penned a heartfelt book about her attributes in 2002.
2015-12-29

Taj Mahal greets Eiffel Tower on Twitter debut

The Taj Mahal and the Statue of Liberty have welcomed the 126-year-old Eiffel Tower on Twitter, as the world's most visited monument joined the microblogging site last week.
2015-12-29

China publisher withdraws vulgar translation of Tagore poetry

A publisher in China today hurriedly withdrew a Chinese translation of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore's "Stray Birds," after facing flak from literary critics who termed the racy translation of the classic as "blasphemy" and "cultural terrorism".
2015-12-29

Iraqi forces liberate Ramadi from IS after week long battle

Iraqi forces announced on Monday that they had liberated the western city of Ramadi from the Islamic State after a fierce week long battle to retake it, following a brutal seven-month occupation by the extremist group.
2015-12-29

Gallantry medal for police dog killed after Paris attacks

A French police dog killed in a security services raid after the Paris attacks is to receive a posthumous medal for gallantry from a British animal charity.
2015-12-28

Trump says Hillary's women's card on him will backfire

Republican presidential front runner Donald Trump has criticized his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for playing the women's card on him, saying her husband's "terrible record of women abuse" will haunt her on the campaign trail.
2015-12-28

Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene apologise for 'sexy' Enrique Iglesias concert

Legendary Sri Lanka cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have apologised for 'unruly scenes' witnessed during an Enrique Iglesias concert in Colombo on December 20. The concert of the pop star was organised by Live Events - a company co-owned by the two former cricketers.
2015-12-28

Saudi posts record $98 billion deficit in 2015: ministry

Saudi Arabia posted a record $98 billion budget deficit in 2015 due to the sharp fall in oil prices, the finance ministry said. Revenues were estimated at 608 billion riyals ($162 billion), well below projections and 2014 income, while spending came in at 975 billion riyals ($260 billion), ministry officials announced at a press conference in Riyadh.
2015-12-28

Turkey detains teen 'for insulting Erdogan on Facebook'

A Turkish court has remanded in custody a 17-year-old construction worker on charges of "insulting" Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Facebook, media reports said. Activists have expressed alarm over the limits on freedom of expression under Erdogan.
2015-12-28

80 killed as Boko Haram attacks northeast Nigerian city

At least 30 people were killed when Boko Haram extremists struck the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri for the first time in months with rocket-propelled grenades and multiple suicide bombers, witnesses said.
2015-12-28

South Korea, Japan reach landmark deal on WWII sex slaves

An apology from Japan's prime minister and a pledge of more than $8 million sealed a breakthrough deal on a decades-long impasse with South Korea over Korean women forced into Japanese military-run brothels during World War II.
2015-12-28

China passes first-ever anti-domestic violence law

Nearly a quarter of Chinese women who are married have experienced domestic violence, figures from the Communist Party-linked All-China Women's Federation showed, according to Xinhua.
2015-12-28

Inside North Korea's computer Red Star OS: High degree of paranoia, invasive snooping

Under the hood there's a lot that's unique in the Red Star OS, including its own version of encrypting files. Red Star makes it very hard for anyone to tamper with it. If a user makes any changes to core functions the computer will display an error message, or reboot itself.
2015-12-28

Hezbollah leader tells Israel to brace for retaliation over Qantar's death

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, speaking in a ceremony to mark a week since Qantar's death in a strike in a residential quarter of Damascus, said Israelis should brace themselves for a response either inside or outside Israel.
2015-12-28

At granddaughter's wedding, Nawaz Sharif wears pink turban gifted by PM Modi

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wore the pink turban gifted to him by his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for his granddaughter's wedding.
2015-12-27

Pakistan army chief visits Kabul as peace diplomacy builds

The powerful head of the Pakistan Army, General Raheel Sharif, met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as diplomatic contacts continued to improve regional security and prepare the way for fresh peace talks with the Taliban.
2015-12-27

Organisers Of 'Sexy' Iglesias Show Should Be Whipped, Says Sri Lanka President

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena said that organizers of a recent concert by pop star Enrique Iglesias in Colombo should be "whipped with toxic stingray tails" because it was "uncivilized."
2015-12-27

Where even banks don't accept cash anymore

Few places are tilting toward a cashless future as quickly as Sweden, which has become hooked on the convenience of paying by app and plastic. It is also a practical matter, as many of the country's banks no longer accept or dispense cash.
2015-12-27

China officially ends three-decade-old 'one child' policy

China has officially junked its controversial one child policy, allowing couples to have a second child amid deepening demographic crisis of shrinking workforce and aging population in the world's second largest economy.
2015-12-27

Chicago police kill three, say one shot 'accidentally'

Police in Chicago shot and killed three people Saturday, including a mother of five who they said was shot "accidentally" when officers responded to a domestic disturbance.
2015-12-27

Airstrikes only increase our resolve, says Islamic State's leader Baghdadi

The Islamic State group released a new message purportedly from its reclusive leader, claiming that his self-styled "caliphate" is doing well despite an unprecedented alliance against it and criticizing the recently announced Saudi-led Islamic military coalition against terrorism.
2015-12-27

Barack Obama to deliver his last state of the union address on January 12

US President Barack Obama would deliver his last state of the union address to the Congress on January 12. "I've got 12 months left to squeeze every ounce of change I can while I'm still in office. And that's what I intend to do," he wrote to his supporters. Obama was first elected president in 2008 and then in 2012.
2015-12-27

Nepal to woo Chinese tourists with free visas

Nepal will grant free visas to visitors from neighbouring China as the Himalayan nation seeks to rebuild its tourist industry after two devastating earthquakes in April that killed nearly 9,000 people. China is the second-largest source of tourists to Nepal.
2015-12-26

Miss Universe crown to the wrong contestant

Steve Harvey, the man who famously gave the Miss Universe crown to the wrong contestant, has now offered the world Easter greetings -- on Christmas Day.
2015-12-26

World's most obese man dies after weight-loss surgery

Andres Moreno, 38, died of a heart attack and peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining) in Ciudad Obregon, in Sonora state, his family said.
2015-12-26

Pope Francis assures atheists: You don't have to believe in God to go to heaven

Pope Francis has stated that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences. You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don't believe and who don't seek the faith...God's mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart," he wrote for a newspaper.
2015-12-26

Sweden introduces six-hour work day

Sweden is moving to a six-hour working day in a bid to increase productivity and make people happier. Employers across the country have already made the change, according to the Science Alert website. The aim was to get more done in a shorter amount of time and ensure people enjoy their private lives.
2015-12-26

UN secretary general welcome Modi-Sharif meeting in Lahore

United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon also welcomed the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore.
2015-12-26

Ecuadorian couple to become first transgender parents in S America

A couple in Ecuador is making history with a unique pregnancy: The father-tobe is carrying the baby of his transgender partner.
2015-12-26

Asia's most expensive flat? HK apartment sells for record $76.7m

A luxury apartment in Hong Kong sold for a record 594.7 million Hong Kong dollars (US$76.7 million), days before Christmas, making it the most expensive flat in the city and possibly in Asia, reports said on Friday.
2015-12-26

Zimbabwe to adopt Chinese yuan as its main currency

Zimbabwe has announced it will soon adopt the Chinese yuan as the main currency for use. Zimbabwe is the first country apart from China to use the yuan as its currency in the domestic market; it has been the legal tender along with the US dollar and South African Rand for the last couple of years.
2015-12-26

'Nepal tabled amendment bill forcefully'

Nepal's two top Madhesi leaders told Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly called Prachanda, who is mediating between the government and the agitating group, that the constitution amendment proposal has been forcefully tabled at the parliament without their consent.
2015-12-26

Turkish president Erdogan talks man on bridge out of suicide

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used his celebrated rhetorical skills to save a life, preventing a man from jumping off a bridge in Istanbul. The man was apparently preparing to jump when Erdogan's motorcade was passing over the bridge linking Europe with Asia after Friday prayers.
2015-12-25

Top Syrian rebel leader killed in air strike in Damascus suburb

Zahran Aloush, the head of Jaysh al Islam, one of the most powerful insurgent groups in the rebel-held suburbs of Damascus, was killed in an aerial raid that targeted his group's headquarters, two rebel sources said on Friday.
2015-12-25

Georgia deputy PM to step in after boss's surprise resignation

Georgia's president nominated vice premier Giorgi Kvirikashvili as the new head of government after the surprise resignation of Irakli Garibashvili.
2015-12-25

British astronaut dials wrong number on Christmas call from space

Tim Peake, the first British astronaut on the International Space Station, dialled a wrong number after trying to phone home for Christmas. "I'd like to apologise to the lady I just called by mistake saying 'Hello, is this planet Earth?' - not a prank call...just a wrong number!" he tweeted.
2015-12-25

Christmas Day full moon appeared in the UK sky for the first time in 38 years

A full moon is appeared in the Christmas sky, for the first time in 38 years.
2015-12-25

Japan foreign minister's Seoul visit to settle 'comfort women' row

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had instructed foreign minister Fumio Kishida to make the trip to Seoul for talks, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga also said.
2015-12-25

Japan mountaineer Kei Taniguchi dies in fall while climbing

Japanese mountaineer Kei Taniguchi (43) died in an accident while climbing in the snowy Daisetsuzan range in northern Japan's Hokkaido. Taniguchi, who climbed Mount Everest in 2007, became the first woman to win the prestigious Piolet d'Or (Golden Ice Axe) mountaineering award in 2009.
2015-12-25

36 years on, big win for Tehran embassy hostages

After spending 444 days in captivity, and more than 30 years seeking restitution, the Americans taken hostage at the United States embassy in Tehran in 1979 have finally won compensation.
2015-12-24

Pope, on Christmas, urges return to essential values

Pope Francis led the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas, urging those "intoxicated" by possessions and superficial appearances to return to the essential values of life.
2015-12-24

Sexist translation of Tagore's poems stirs controversy in China

A Chinese writer has kicked up a major controversy by publishing a distorted translation of Rabindranath Tagore's poems
2015-12-24

South Korean court refuses to review WWII treaty with Japan

Seoul's Constitutional Court said that the accord was never meant to serve as a standard for providing individual compensation.
2015-12-23

UK government attempting to keep details of secret security pact with Saudi Arabia hidden from public

Theresa May agreed to memorandum of understanding with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef last year
2015-12-23

Greek Parliament legalizes same-sex civil partnerships

Greece's parliament has overwhelmingly approved legislation legalizing civil partnerships for gay couples, two years after the country was condemned by a European human rights court for discrimination.
2015-12-23

UN security council to vote on support for Libya peace deal

The UN security council  is expected to vote on a resolution supporting a new UN-brokered deal to form a unity government in Libya.
2015-12-22

Bowe Bergdahl arraigned on charges including desertion

US Army Sgt Bowe Bergdahl, who disappeared in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held by the Taliban for five years, appeared before a military judge on charges of desertion and misbehaviour before the enemy.
2015-12-22

Nepal's Madhesis decide to press on with protests on India border

Ethnic Madhesis in Nepal have vowed to continue with protests at border crossings with India after rejecting a government plan which they said did not meet their call for a redrawing of internal boundaries or offer adequate national representation.
2015-12-22

Gay files China's first same-sex marriage rights case

Sun Wenlin (pseudonym) first applied for a marriage certificate for himself and his boyfriend on June 23 at the Civil Affairs Bureau in the Hunan province's Changsha after the couple had been dating for one year. But his application was turned down by an official who said that only "one man and one woman" can be registered as married, according to Sun.
2015-12-22

World Bank to give $35mn to Pakistan for Indus River Basin

The World Bank has approved an additional financial assistance of $35mn to support improved management, planning and development of water resources in the Indus River Basin in Pakistan. This is in addition to the $38mn given earlier towards improvement of water resources management in the Indus River system.
2015-12-22

US ends 30-year ban on blood donations by gay men

The US government on Monday overturned its 30-year ban on blood donations by gay men, saying they can now donate 12 months after their last sexual contact with another man. Gay rights advocates have said the updated policy remains discriminatory.
2015-12-22

Support for legal abortion in US at highest level in 2 years

Support for legal abortion has shown an apparent increase in support among both Democrats and Republicans over the last year, an Associated Press-GfK poll has showed. This is the highest level of support the controversial topic has seen in two years.
2015-12-22

SpaceX succeeds in historic rocket launch, landing

SpaceX successfully landed its powerful Falcon 9 rocket in an upright position, a historic first in the company's bid to make rockets as reusable as airplanes. Video images on SpaceX's webcast showed the first stage of the rocket touching down at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
2015-12-22

China presses ahead with 'one couple, two children' policy

Faced with the demographic pressures of an ageing population and shrinking labour force, the Chinese government has submitted a draft amendment to the decades-old 'one-child' policy. Reports however suggest not many people might be interested in having a second child because of the associated costs.
2015-12-21

Changes to US visa waiver program contradict nuke deal

Changes to a US visa waiver program that impose travel restrictions on those who visit Iran contradict the landmark nuclear agreement between Tehran and world powers, deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said.
2015-12-20

Nepal avalanche carried half the force of an atomic bomb

The avalanche that buried the popular hiking village of Langtang in Nepal this past spring struck with about half the force of an atomic bomb, according to a study published this week in the journal Science.
2015-12-20

Sri Lankan military to be modernized with Indian help: PM Ranil Wickremesinghe

Sri Lanka's military is set to be modernized with assistance from militarily advanced nations such as India, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said. Wickremesinghe was addressing a military passing out parade in the central town of Diyathalawa.
2015-12-20

Lebanese militant Samir Qantar killed in Israeli raid

The powerful Lebanese Hezbollah group said Qantar was martyred in an Israeli aerial raid on a residential district of the Syrian capital Damascus but gave no details.
2015-12-20

Iraq gets first beauty queen since 1972

It was smoky, alcohol-free and there was no swimsuit contest, but Saturday's party produced the first Miss Iraq in four decades and left all feeling a small victory had been won.
2015-12-20

UN announces end of Yemen peace talks due to new fighting

The United Nations says peace talks between warring sides in Yemen have ended amid severe new fighting in the country.
2015-12-20

Hillary Clinton vows no new middle-class taxes if elected President

US Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton vowed on Saturday not to raise taxes on middle-class Americans if elected next November in a populist push to position herself for a general election battle on pocket-book issues.
2015-12-20

Spain conducts National Election in 40 years

Spain faces its most uncertain national election in 40 years on Sunday with newcomer parties poised for big gains against the traditionally dominant conservatives and socialists, complicating efforts to form a stable government.
2015-12-20

US lifts oil export ban; India to benefit?

The United States lifted a 40-year-old ban on export of oil, thus paving the way for energy deficient countries like India to open up another frontier to import oil from a distant friendly nation.
2015-12-20

Russian secret services foiled 30 planned attacks in 2015

Russian president Vladimir Putin hailed the country's secret services for foiling around 30 planned attacks and uncovering more than 320 foreign spies in 2015.
2015-12-19

Heavy casualties in Yemen as Swiss peace talks due to end

Fierce fighting between government forces and Iran-backed rebels in Yemen produced heavy casualties amid UN alarm at ceasefire violations ahead of a final day of peace talks in Switzerland.
2015-12-19

Turkey announces troop withdrawal from Iraq

Turkey said it would "continue" to pull its troops out of northern Iraq after US president Barack Obama urged president Recep Tayyip Erdogan to do so in order to de-escalate tensions with Baghdad over the deployment.
2015-12-19

Adolf Hitler only had one testicle, German historian claims

Medical records appear to confirm that Adolf Hitler really did have only one testicle.
2015-12-19

70 killed in major anti-PKK operation in south-east Turkey

Seventy suspected members of the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have been killed in a vast operation against the group in the mainly Kurdish southeast over the past four days.
2015-12-19

Pakistan Taliban reject Islamic State leader's claim to be 'caliph'

Pakistan's Taliban have rejected Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's claim to be the global leader of all Muslims.
2015-12-19

Thousands rally against Polish govt as constitutional row drags on

Thousands of the Polish gathered to protest against the government for the second time this month, putting pressure on the month-old conservative cabinet which they accuse of testing the boundaries of democracy.
2015-12-19

Cuba's Castro says US can do more to normalize relations

Cuba is willing to keep improving relations with the United States even though Washington has failed to meet its key demands for normalization, Cuban president Raul Castro said.
2015-12-18

World Bank approves $1 billion loan to Egypt

The World Bank Group has announced a $1 billion loan to Egypt, the first installment of an $8 billion financing plan to help the country carry out key economic reforms.
2015-12-18

US announces $88 million in food aid to Ethiopia

The United States government has announced $88 million to help feed hungry people in drought-stricken areas of Ethiopia, bringing the total amount of humanitarian aid to the country in 2015 to more than $435 million.
2015-12-18

Military still plays a bloated role in Pakistan's politics: Hina Rabbani Khar

Ex-foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that Pakistan's military still plays a bloated role in the country's politics, claiming that the democratically elected prime minister has much less freedom than he ought to have.
2015-12-18

Norway wants to move its border 20 metres left so it can give Finland a mountain

As politicians meet in Europe to discuss border controls, campaigners in Norway has proposed moving its own border west to give their neighbors in Finland a mountain.
2015-12-18

US, Nato certify anti-missile defense site in south Romania

US and NATO officials have certified an anti-missile defense site in southern Romania which is scheduled to become operational next year.
2015-12-18

Ukraine still committed to good faith debt talks with Russia

The Ukrainian Finance ministry said it was still committed to negotiating a good faith restructuring agreement with Russia on a $3 billion Eurobond, as the government imposed a moratorium on its repayment next week.
2015-12-18

Ukraine declines to pay $3bn debt to Russia: Ukrainian PM

Ukraine announced it would not make payment on its $3 billion debt to Russia due this weekend, deepening a row with Moscow which said it would take Kiev to court.
2015-12-18

African Union seeks 5,000 peacekeepers for Burundi

The AU decision, drawn up late, needs approval from the UN Security Council, which has been considering options to resolve the crisis including sending peacekeepers.
2015-12-18

US to increase quota of unskilled foreign workers

US lawmakers have decided to increase by nearly 400 per cent the quota for H-2B visas meant for unskilled foreign workers, but will not affect Indians who do not opt for them.
2015-12-18

From Russia with love: Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump sing each other's praises

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US presidential candidate Donald Trump praised each other, saying they would welcome an improvement in the now-icy relations between their two nations. Democrat Obama has been critical of Putin and had called for sanctions against Russia after it annexed Crimea.
2015-12-18

Turing CEO Martin Shkreli arrested for securities fraud

Martin Shkreli, who caused public outrage after raising the price of a prescription drug by more than 5,000 percent, was arrested for engaging in what U.S. prosecutors said was a Ponzi-like scheme at his former hedge fund and a pharmaceutical company he previously headed.
2015-12-18

IMF has 'confidence' in chief Christine Lagarde, facing trial in France

The IMF expressed confidence in its chief Christine Lagarde after she was ordered to stand trial in France over her role in a massive state payout to a French tycoon. Lagarde, who has headed the IMF since July 2011, was charged with negligence in the handling of the 2008 government payout to French tycoon Bernard Tapie during her tenure as finance minister.
2015-12-17

Putin rules out reconciliation with Turkey

Russian President Vladimir Putin fired off an angry tirade against Turkey on Thursday, ruling out any reconciliation with its leaders and accusing Ankara of shooting down a Russian warplane to impress the United States.
2015-12-17

Regular flights to resume between US and Cuba: State department

The United States announced the resumption of regular flights to and from Cuba, the latest step in a historic thaw in relations.
2015-12-17

Turkish forces kill 23 Kurdish militants in southeast operation

Turkish security forces have killed a total of 23 Kurdish militants in military operations inside two towns this week against suspected members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), official media said on Thursday.
2015-12-17

Pakistan military deals a blow to jihadis but not to ideology

Even as the Pakistani military has driven some jihadi groups out of business or into hiding over the past year, other technically banned jihadi or sectarian groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat are still thriving.
2015-12-17

US announces $1.8 billion arms sale to Taiwan

The Obama administration announced a $1.83 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the first offered by the US to the self-governing island in four years. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory
2015-12-17

US announces $1.8 billion arms sale to Taiwan

The Obama administration announced a $1.83 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the first offered by the US to the self-governing island in four years.China regards Taiwan as part of its territory
2015-12-17

Teen punches Spanish PM in face, breaks his glasses

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy suffered a scare when a 17-year-old youth punched him in the face during a campaign appearance in his northwestern fiefdom of Galicia, breaking his glasses. Police said the aggressor has been detained.
2015-12-17

Paris suspect may have slipped past Belgian police: Media

A key suspect in last month's Islamic State attacks in Paris may have slipped through a Belgian police cordon hidden in a car or even a piece of furniture, public broadcaster RTBF said on Wednesday.
2015-12-17

Kerry to chair UN Security Council meeting on Syria on Friday: State Department

US Secretary of State John Kerry will chair a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to push efforts to end the conflict in Syria, the State Department said.
2015-12-17

Yemen's truce in danger of collapse; prisoner swap blocked

A ceasefire between Yemen's Houthi group and a Saudi-led alliance was in danger of collapse on Wednesday, each side accusing the other of violating the truce, as peace talks went into a second day in Switzerland.
2015-12-17

Last class: Plane seats worse than economy

Major airlines have started selling tickets for `last class' seats -a term to refer to seats worse than economy.
2015-12-17

GOP debate winners: Indian Muslims

The moderation of India's nearly 200 million Muslims in a plural, democratic country got a famous thumbs-up in a raucous Republican presidential debate on Wednesday where rivals piled on to front-runner Donald Trump's perceived hostility to the Islamic faith.
2015-12-17

Republican debate winners: Indian Muslims

The moderation of India's nearly 200 million Muslims in a plural, democratic country got a famous thumbs-up in a raucous Republican presidential debate on Wednesday where rivals piled on to front-runner Donald Trump's perceived hostility to the Islamic faith.
2015-12-17

Malala Yousafzai condemns Trump's 'ideology of hatred'

Nobel prize winner Malala Yousafzai condemned Donald Trump's views on Muslims, at a somber ceremony to remember the 134 children killed in a Taliban attack on a Pakistani school a year ago.
2015-12-16

Charlie Hebdo giving $4 million in donations to victims

Charlie Hebdo, the satirical newspaper whose staff was decimated by Islamic extremist gunmen, is giving nearly 4 million euros ($4.4 million) to victims of the three days of attacks in January.
2015-12-16

Pakistan vows revenge one year after Taliban school massacre

Pakistan's leader, speaking beneath portraits of children killed by Taliban bullets, called for vengeance as the country marked the first anniversary of a school massacre that killed 151 people in its worst-ever extremist attack.
2015-12-16

Nepal passes long-delayed bill on quake rebuilding

Nepal's parliament passed a long-delayed law to pave the way for rebuilding after April's massive earthquake, ending months of bickering that paralyzed reconstruction despite donor pledges of billions in aid.
2015-12-16

In Germany, birthrate peaks while mothers become older

German women gave birth last year at the highest rate since the country's reunification in 1990 with 1.47 births per woman, the Federal Statistics Office said.
2015-12-16

Russia, US clear way for Syria meeting after John Kerry Moscow talks

Secretary of State John Kerry went into meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday not knowing whether Moscow would veto a third round of international talks on Syria on Friday after the Kremlin spoke of preconditions needing to be met.
2015-12-16

WTO must deliver trade deals or change role: Kenya

The Geneva-based WTO, which has more than 160 members, has been trying and largely failing to agree on a worldwide package of trade reforms since a meeting in Doha in 2001 hatched an ambitious plan for knocking down trade barriers.
2015-12-16

UK astronaut Tim Peake puts space back on agenda in Britain

Peake is Britain's first publicly funded British astronaut and the first Briton to visit the International Space Station.
2015-12-16

Norway is the best place to live in the world, according to the UN

Norway has been named the best country in the world to live in - for the 12th year in a row. The Human Development Index (HDI) is a measure of basic human developments within 188 countries, released by the UN in its annual Human Development Report.
2015-12-16

Australian military plane flies over disputed South China Sea

An Australian military surveillance plane has flown near disputed areas of the South China Sea, it emerged on Wednesday, with the crew heard warning China's navy it was on a freedom of navigation mission.
2015-12-16

Iran's October missile test violated UN ban: Expert panel

The medium-range Emad rocket that Iran tested in October was a ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead, which makes it a violation of a UN Security Council resolution, a team of sanctions monitors said in a confidential new report.
2015-12-15

UN watchdog decides to close nuclear weapons probe of Iran

The UN nuclear watchdog's 35-nation board decided to close its investigation into whether Iran once had a secret nuclear weapons programme, opting to support Tehran's deal with world powers rather than dwell on its past actions.
2015-12-15

WTO meet; agriculture key issue for developing nations

WTO meeting today kick started here with members such as Kenya pitching for resolution of important issues like agriculture of the long-stalled Doha Round.
2015-12-15

A year of the brutal attack on APS, Peshawar

Stringent security measures have been taken in the northwestern city of Peshawar as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and opposition leader Imran Khan will attend a special ceremony at the Army Public School to mark the first anniversary of the brutal attack.
2015-12-15

V K Singh criticises Pakistan at the SCO meet

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization's meeting saw two would-be members, India and Pakistan, taking strident stance on terrorism. India's representative V K Singh, external affairs MoS, made oblique criticism of the role of Pakistan in the battle against terrorism.
2015-12-15

Vladimir Putin signs law allowing Russia to ignore international human rights rulings

Vladimir Putin has signed a law allowing the Constitutional Court of Russia to decide whether or not to comply with judgements made by international human rights courts.
2015-12-15

Queen Elizabeth II 'sent condolences' to grandson of man who wrote her a christmas card for 60 years

Queen Elizabeth II reportedly wrote a personal letter to the grandson of a man who had sent a Christmas card to her for 60 years, upon learning of his death.
2015-12-15

A restaurant in China is charging its customers for breathing

The pollution in China is so bad, a restaurant started putting a surcharge on top of customers food bills as an air cleaning fee.
2015-12-15

Saudi Arabia announces 34-state Islamic military alliance against terrorism

Saudi Arabia has announced the formation of a 34-state Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism. A long list of Arab countries such as Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, together with Islamic countries Turkey, Malaysia, Pakistan and Gulf Arab and African states have joined the alliance.
2015-12-15

Barack Obama warns Islamic State leaders: 'You are next'

President Barack Obama said the US-led coalition is making progress against Islamic State militants in both Iraq and Syria, as he delivered an update on the campaign aimed at reassuring Americans worried about the spread of extremism-fueled terrorism.
2015-12-15

Alibaba to pay $266m for Hong Kong's paper

Chinese internet giant Alibaba will pay $266 million for Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, the newspaper said, far higher than analysts estimates in a deal that has sparked fears the paper will lose its independent voice.
2015-12-14

In a first, six Gulf states to tax people

Six Gulf states have said they will tax their citizens for the first time in a radical policy shift. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) a loose federation of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates has agreed to introduce VAT following costly military campaigns and a drop in global oil prices.
2015-12-14

No sign of terrorist act in Russian jet crash: Egypt

A preliminary investigation into the crash of a Russian passenger plane has found no indication yet of any illegal or terrorist act, Egypt's chief investigator said in a report released.
2015-12-14

US army allows Sikh to keep beard, turban

An active duty US army captain of Sikh faith has been allowed to keep his beard and turban in a temporary relaxing of service rules, even as Sikhs in America, often mistaken for Muslims, continue to be the target of hate crimes and discrimination.
2015-12-14

With change of tone, EU warms to Turkey, Serbia membership bids

The European Union revived Turkey's membership bid and opened accession talks with Serbia, showing how a migration crisis and Russia's presence in the Balkans has prompted the EU to rethink plans to stop expanding.
2015-12-14

Review petition against the death sentence of Mumtaz Qadri rejected

Pakistan's apex court rejected a review petition against the death sentence of former elite force guard Mumtaz Qadri for gunning down former Punjab governor Salman Taseer.
2015-12-14

Turkey-Russia summit cancelled: Kremlin

Russia said a summit between President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan penciled in for December 15 had been cancelled, with ties between the two leaders in tatters over the downing of a Russian warplane.
2015-12-14

In Iran, sharing photos on mobile apps can mean jail

The tattooed young Iranian initially sparked wonder and some envy when pictures of him with scantily-clad, heavily made-up women, often more than one at a time, went viral.
2015-12-14

Canada PM Trudeau welcomes Syrian refugees as US Muslims warn against hate speech

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau personally welcomed Syrian refugees at Toronto's Pearson International Airport this week. Meanwhile, south of the Canadian border, US Muslims warned against a rising tide of anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate crimes.
2015-12-14

This is how Canada greets refugees

Canadian school children have extended a warm welcome to Syrian refugees entering the country.
2015-12-14

Colombia orders arrest of army colonel over 15 killings

A Colombian judge has ordered the arrest of an active duty army colonel for his alleged role in the 2007 extrajudicial killings of 15 civilians.
2015-12-14

Angela Merkel wants to 'drastically reduce' refugee arrivals in Germany

Chancellor Angela Merkel said she wanted to "drastically decrease" the number of refugees coming to Germany, signalling a compromise to critics of her open-door policy from within her conservatives on the eve of a party congress.
2015-12-14

India can't prove my role in 26/11 Mumbai attacks: Hafiz Saeed

Days after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj visited Pakistan, Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed has dared India to prove his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He also slammed Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif for holding a meeting with PM Narendra Modi in Paris.
2015-12-14

Thousands in Brazil rally to demand president's impeachment

Thousands of Brazilians have marched to demand that Congress impeach President Dilma Rousseff, whose government is plagued by an overwhelming corruption scandal and a dismal economy.
2015-12-14

India blockade has shattered my dreams, says Nepal PM K P Sharma Oli

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli said his dream to develop the Himalayan nation as "vibrant" had been shattered by the "embargo imposed by India".
2015-12-13

Russian destroyer fires shots at Turkish fishing boat

A Russian destroyer in the Aegean Sea used small arms fire to prevent a collision with a Turkish vessel, Moscow said, adding it had summoned Ankara's military attache over the incident.
2015-12-13

ISIS may have passport printing machine, blank passports: Report

A 17-page US Homeland Security Investigations Intelligence Report, issued to law enforcement last week, said ISIS likely has been able to print legitimate-looking Syrian passports since taking over the city of Deir ez-Zour, home to a passport office.
2015-12-13

Sharif to attend SCO meeting in China on Monday

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited China to attend the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting.
2015-12-13

Initial results show 5 Saudi women elected for first time

At least five Saudi women have won seats on local municipal councils a day after women voted and ran in elections for the first time in the country's history, according to initial results released.
2015-12-13

Sophisticated IS recruitment methods lured Jordanian woman

A Jordanian woman who came close to joining the Islamic State group described a sophisticated 14-month recruitment process by the extremists that she said landed her in a secret IS compound in Turkey with dozens of other women.
2015-12-13

Foreign ministers set to endorse Libyan national unity plan

US secretary of state John Kerry is helping lead a foreign ministers' conference in Rome that's expected to endorse a UN-brokered national unity plan for Libya.
2015-12-13

Woman wins seat on Mecca municipal council in Saudi polls: Official

A Saudi woman won a seat on Mecca's municipal council in ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia's first-ever elections open to female voters and candidates, the country's election commission announced on Sunday.
2015-12-13

China to loosen stringent urban residency rules

China will loosen its stringent regulations on urban residency to allow more people to enjoy public services such as housing, education and health care beginning next year.
2015-12-13

New NSA to keep Sharif in check on India

When Lt Gen Nasir Khan Janjua was appointed as national security adviser (NSA) in October, it signalled tightening of Pakistani military establishment's control over the country's security and foreign affairs.
2015-12-13

Baghdad protest against Turkey reveals Iraqi divisions

Thousands of Shiite militiamen and supporters rallied on Saturday and demanded that Turkish troops immediately withdraw from Iraqi territory, a show of strength by the country's powerful militia groups and the Shiite political rivals of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
2015-12-12

Cuba, US to resume direct mail service

Cuba and the US have agreed to resume direct mail services between the two countries after an interruption of over 50 years. A pilot plan for the transportation of mail will now be elaborated over the next few weeks, with a permanent re-opening of the service set to begin soon, said the note.
2015-12-12

Son of late Libyan head Gadhafi briefly kidnapped in Lebanon

A son of Libya's late leader Moammar Gadhafi was briefly kidnapped in Lebanon by militants demanding information about the fate of a Shia cleric who went missing in Libya decades ago, a security official and local TV stations said Friday.
2015-12-12

At India-Nepal border, a pile-up of angst, anxiety and betrayal

It's called the Maitri Bridge. But maitri (friendship) is the last thing on everyone's mind here.
2015-12-12

New Zealand picks challenger for national flag

New Zealanders have chosen a silver fern on a black-and-blue background as their preferred flag design if the South Pacific nation decides to dump Britain's Union Jack from its national banner.
2015-12-11

UK woos Indians, says no cap on foreign students

Sajid Javid, UK secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, has said there is no cap at all on number of foreign students visiting Britain for studies.
2015-12-11

US secretary of state John Kerry to meet Putin on Syria, Ukraine issue next week

US secretary of state John Kerry will travel to Moscow next week for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on two of the most vexing crises in US-Russian relations: Syria's civil war and Ukraine's ongoing instability.
2015-12-11

Pakistan test-fires nuclear-capable Shaheen-III ballistic missile

Pakistan today successfully test-fired the medium-range Shaheen-III surface-to-surface ballistic missile which can carry nuclear warheads up to 2,750 kms bringing many Indian cities within its range. The missile is capable of delivering nuclear and conventional warheads in a range of 2,750km.
2015-12-11

US successfully tests NATO missile defenses off Hawaii

The US military says it has shot down a missile off Hawaii in a test of a missile defense system designed to protect NATO forces in Europe from attack.
2015-12-11

Kim Jong un says N Korea has hydrogen bomb, but world sceptical

North Korean leader Kim Jong un appeared to claim the country has developed a hydrogen bomb, a step up from the less powerful atomic bomb, but outside experts were skeptical about his claim.
2015-12-10

ISIS finance chief Abu Saleh confirmed killed in air strike

The Islamic State group's finance chief has been confirmed killed in a coalition air strike last month said US.
2015-12-10

2,411 killed in Saudi haj stampede, report claims

The September stampede during the haj in Saudi Arabia killed at least 2,411 pilgrims, a new Associated Press count shows, three times the number of deaths acknowledged by the kingdom three months later.
2015-12-10

Afghan spy chief quits after Ashraf Ghani's outreach to Pakistan

The head of Afghanistan's main intelligence agency resigned, laying bare disagreements with President Ashraf Ghani over his diplomatic outreach to Pakistan aimed at reviving peace talks with the resurgent Taliban.
2015-12-10

Conservative Macri sworn in as Argentine president

Business-friendly conservative Mauricio Macri was sworn in as Argentina's new president, turning the page on 12 years under left-wing power couple Nestor and Cristina Kirchner.
2015-12-10

EU to sue Greece, Italy, Croatia over migrants

The European Union has started legal action against Greece, Italy and Croatia for failing to correctly register migrants.
2015-12-10

Kerry says progress made in Saudi-led talks with Syrian opposition

US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Saudi-led talks to try to unite Syrian opposition groups had made progress, an important step for advancing political talks on ending the Syrian conflict.
2015-12-10

China to grant residence rights to 13 million 'illegal' citizens

China will give household registration permits to its unregistered citizens and make medical insurance coverage more equal, the government said, as it looks to overhaul systems often under fire for failing those people most in need.
2015-12-10

Saudi king opens summit calling for Syria, Yemen solutions

Saudi king Salman called for political solutions to the wars in Syria and Yemen, while condemning "terrorism," at the opening of an annual Gulf summit in Riyadh.
2015-12-09

Over 250,000 Britons sign petition to ban Donald Trump from entering the UK

More than a quarter of a million Britons have signed an online petition to ban US Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump from the country following his proposal to stop Muslims from entering the United States.
2015-12-09

California shooters spoke of jihad as early as late 2013: FBI director

The couple who killed 14 people in San Bernardino last week were radicalized before they met online and spoke of jihad and martyrdom to each other as early as late 2013, FBI director James Comey said.
2015-12-09

Regional conference backs resumption of Afghan peace talks

A regional conference held in Pakistan ended with calls for the resumption of Afghan peace negotiations and an agreement by Islamabad and New Delhi to relaunch bilateral talks that broke down in August over tensions in Kashmir.
2015-12-09

Tanzanian president sweeps streets on independence day

Tanzanian President John Magufuli surprised onlookers when he walked out of State House to collect rubbish off the streets, after cancelling independence day celebrations for a national cleanup.
2015-12-09

Angela Merkel is Time magazine's 'Person of the Year 2015'

Time magazine named German chancellor Angela Merkel its "Person of the Year 2015", saying her leadership has helped preserve and promote an open, borderless Europe in the face of economic turmoil and an ongoing refugee crisis.
2015-12-09

Syrians leave rebel-held Homs area in truce deal

Busloads of Syrians including rebel fighters left the last insurgent-held area of Homs on Wednesday under a rare local truce agreement in Syria's nearly five-year conflict that will shore up government control over the city.
2015-12-09

California shooters borrowed $28,000 before attack -source

Syed Rizwan Farook recently took out a $28,500 loan from an online lender, a source said, before he and his wife killed 14 of his co-workers at a holiday party in San Bernardino, California.
2015-12-09

Maduro decree seeks to stop Hugo Chavez tomb desecration

Venezuela has the world's biggest oil reserves, which Chavez and Maduro used to fund social welfare programs as well as build a regional diplomatic alliance on the left.
2015-12-09

Venezuela opposition wins super majority in National Assembly

Moderates however are calling for dialogue to give Maduro a chance to roll back policies they blame for the unprecedented economic crisis.
2015-12-09

US imposes new sanctions on North Korea

The US added North Korea's Strategic Rocket Force to its sanctions list for ties to weapons development and illicit finance activities. The additional sanctions are designed to stop the North from evading existing US and UN sanctions and prevent Pyongyang from accessing the US financial system.
2015-12-09

Eye on China, US deploys spy plane in Singapore amid sea spat

The US has deployed a P-8 Poseidon spy plane in Singapore for the first time ever, both countries said, amid simmering regional tensions over Beijing's island-building in the disputed South China Sea.
2015-12-08

UN urges Jordan to let 12,000 stranded Syrian refugees enter

The United Nations urged Jordan to allow in 12,000 Syrian refugees stranded at the border in deteriorating humanitarian conditions and offered to help reinforce security at registration points.
2015-12-08

Oscar Pistorius to appeal to South Africa's highest court

Oscar Pistorius will try to appeal his murder conviction in South Africa's highest court, his lawyer said, possibly extending a legal battle that began nearly three years ago when the double-amputee Olympian shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp to death in his home.
2015-12-08

Muslim Alliance dissociates from Madhesi front in Nepal

The anti-Constitution agitation in Nepal suffered a jolt today with the National Muslim Struggle Alliance dissociating itself from the blockade enforced by the Indian-origin Madhesis, saying it will not get involved in any activity jeopardizing national sovereignty.
2015-12-08

SAARC Charter Day observed in Nepal

The 31st Charter Day of the eight-member grouping SAARC was observed in Nepal which saw participation of senior ministers and officials.
2015-12-08

British parliament votes against lowering voting age for EU referendum

Britain's lower house of parliament voted against cutting the voting age for a referendum on EU membership, potentially blocking any further moves to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote.
2015-12-08

'Heart of Asia' conference started in Pakistan

A regional conference hosted by Pakistan with focus on Afghanistan started in Islamabad where external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will represent India at the ministerial-level meeting.
2015-12-08

Hidden portrait 'found under the Mona Lisa, could lead to it being renamed

Art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon, who has made a new BBC documentary called The Secrets of the Mona Lisa, has suggested that the find could lead to the painting's name having to be changed. The Mona Lisa currently hangs in the Louvre and is effectively the most valued painting in the world.
2015-12-08

South African court grants Oscar Pistorius bail after murder conviction

A South African court granted bail to Olympic and Paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius after he was convicted of murder for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013, with the judge saying the athlete did not pose a flight risk.
2015-12-08

Survivors mark 74th anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor

The US Navy and National Park Service hosted a ceremony in remembrance of those killed on December 7, 1941. Around 2,400 sailors, marines and soldiers were killed at Pearl Harbor and other military installations on the island of Oahu in the attack.
2015-12-08

China's odd-even policy

The official Xinhua news agency said Beijing government will implement the system of restricting cars with number plates with odd or even numbers on alternative days between 7 am on Tuesday and midnight of Thursday.
2015-12-07

John Kerry's 'one state' comments cause consternation in Israel

Kerry had said that Israel could make it impossible to partition the land between Jewish and Palestinian states if it continued with its occupation of the West Bank. He said the alternative would have to be a "binational state" in which Jews and Palestinians live together in one state.
2015-12-07

India launches long term ecological observatories programme at Paris climate summit

With nations across the globe looking for innovative approach to monitor ecological challenges, India on Monday launched its long term ecological observatories (LTEO) programme here on side-lines of the on-going climate summit.
2015-12-07

Tashfeen Malik was a Saudi girl who stood out at a Pakistani University

Bahauddin Zakariya university has come into the spotlight in recent days as one of the few known way points for Tashfeen Malik, the Pakistani-born woman who along with her husband, Syed Rizwan Farook, took up assault rifles and, police say, killed 14 people last week in San Bernardino, California.
2015-12-07

Former US President Jimmy Carter says he is cancer free

Former US president Jimmy Carter told church parishioners in his native Plains, Georgia that he is free of cancer, US media reported."Went for an MRI this past week and they (doctors) didn't find any cancer at all in the brain," Carter said.
2015-12-07

Pakistan blocks foreign reporters from investigating terrorism radicalization

Pakistan has begun preventing western reporters from investigating the radicalization of the San Bernardino terrorists even as it emerged that the Pakistani wife of the Chicago-born Pakistani-American Syed Rizwan Farooq may have "honey-trapped" him into entering the United States.
2015-12-06

Iraq defence minister asks Turkey to withdraw troops

Iraq's defence minister said he had told his Turkish counterpart that hundreds of Turkish forces deployed inside northern Iraq had been sent without informing or coordinating with Baghdad, and must be withdrawn.
2015-12-06

German vice chancellor warns Saudi Arabia over Islamist funding

Germany's Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel urged Saudi Arabia to stop supporting religious radicals amid growing concern among some lawmakers in Berlin about the funding of militant mosques by the world's biggest oil exporter.
2015-12-06

Iraq crisis: How Saudi Arabia helped Isis take over the north of the country

The fatal moment predicted by Prince Bandar may now have come for many Shia, with Saudi Arabia playing an important role in bringing it about by supporting the anti-Shia jihad in Iraq and Syria. Since the capture of Mosul by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) on 10 June, Shia women and children have been killed in villages south of Kirkuk, and Shia air force cadets machine-gunned and buried in mass graves near Tikrit.
2015-12-06

Armenia vote for a constitutional change

Armenians began voting in a referendum on constitutional changes that supporters say will strengthen democracy in the ex-Soviet state, but opponents warn will only help keep ruling party leaders in power.
2015-12-06

The world's most ignorant countries revealed

New Zealand was the most inaccurate developed country, which ranked in 5th place.

These are the top 5 most ignorant countries in the world for 2015: 

1.Mexico 2.India 3.Brazil 4.Peru 5.New Zealand

2015-12-06

Ancient tombs discovered in China

A group of tombs dating back to 771-476 BC were discovered in China's Henan province, archaeologists said.
2015-12-06

Governor of Yemen's Aden killed in car bombing

The governor of Yemen's second city Aden was killed by a car bomb that tore through a residential neighbourhood, a local official and witnesses said.
2015-12-06

Myanmar's ex-dictator tips Suu Kyi as 'future leader'

Myanmar's feared former junta leader Than Shwe has endorsed his one-time nemesis Aung San Suu Kyi as a "future leader" of the country, according to his grandson.
2015-12-06

UK doubles warplanes in fight against IS

British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said that the deployment of Typhoons and two further Tornados would double the number of British fighter jets taking the fight against the Islamic State militant group.
2015-12-06

Taliban chief likely dead: Pak media

Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour has reportedly died and the Taliban has appointed Moulavi Haibatullah Akhunzada as the new caretaker chief, Xinhua quoted Pakistani broadcaster Channel 24 as saying on Friday.
2015-12-06

Seychelles votes in presidential polls

The main islands of the Seychelles voted in a presidential election , with incumbent James Michel facing his first serious challenge after two terms in office.
2015-12-05

Talks between Madhesis, Nepal government end inconclusively

A crucial meeting held among Nepal's ruling coalition, opposition and the agitating Indian-origin Madhesis to resolve the prevailing political deadlock in the country failed to produce any concrete results.
2015-12-05

NYT weighs in on gun control with first page one edit in nearly a century

The New York Times has published an editorial on its front page for the first time since 1920, using the rare, prominent placement to urge gun control following the latest mass shooting in the US. Headlined ''The Gun Epidemic,'' the editorial called for drastically reducing the number of firearms in America.
2015-12-05

SAARC fair from Dec 4 to 6

An Indian High Commission diplomat was denied permission to travel to Lahore to set up the mission's stall at the ongoing Saarc Trade Fair where all the other Saarc nations have their representation. Over 50 Indian traders are participating in the fair, which is being held in Lahore from December 4-6.
2015-12-05

Erdogan says Turkey will find other energy suppliers than Russia

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said while Russia was a major supplier of oil and gas to Turkey it was not the only one, as tensions escalated with Moscow over the downing of a Russian warplane.
2015-12-05

UN mediator in Yemen to press for peace talks

The UN mediator traveled to Aden in south Yemen to press for the government and Shiite rebels to open long-delayed peace talks on December 12 in Geneva, a Yemeni official said.
2015-12-05

Pakistan denies that US officials have handed over proof of California shooter's links to Lal Masjid

Pakistan denied reports that a meeting took place between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the US envoy in London over California female shooter's links with Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad.
2015-12-05

Earliest architectural drawings discovered

On a Spanish river bank 14,000 years ago, someone carved seven semi-circular shapes on a rock. Whether the artist realized the significance of the work is unknown, but according to archaeologists, the resulting doodle could well be humanity's first architectural drawing.
2015-12-04

Rizwan Farook came from broken Pakistani family

Pakistan's reputation as a breeding ground for terrorism is again coming up for scrutiny after U.S authorities said (earlier that) the Pakistani-American assailant who carried out the carnage in San Bernardino with his Pakistani wife had been in contact with extremists who were on the FBI watch list domestically and abroad.
2015-12-04

Radiation from Japan's N-disaster spreads to US

Radiation from Japan's 2011 nuclear disaster has spread off North American shores and contamination is increasing at previously identified sites, although levels are still too low to threaten human or ocean life, scientists said.
2015-12-04

Georgia revokes ex-president Saakashvili's citizenship

Georgia stripped former leader and reformer Mikheil Saakashvili of his citizenship as he had acquired a Ukrainian passport to serve as governor of the strategic Odessa region.
2015-12-04

Court dismisses plea filed to bring Koh-i-Noor to Pakistan

A Pakistani court dismissed a petition filed by a barrister seeking direction to the government to bring back the famed Koh-i-Noor.
2015-12-04

Germany to send up to 1,200 troops to Middle East after Bundestag approves military action against Isis in Syria

Lawmakers approved plans for Germany to take on a direct role in the battle against the IS group in Syria. Chancellor has stated that armed forces will not fight or launch bombing missions, but work to support countries including Britain, France, the US and Russia.
2015-12-04

Turkey cannot be 'brought to its knees' by Russia said Turkey PM

Turkey's prime minister says his country can't be "brought to its knees" by Russian economic sanctions imposed in response to Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane.
2015-12-04

US military opens all combat roles to women

USA-MILITARY/WOMEN (UPDATE 3, PIX)UPDATE 3-U.S. military opens all combat roles to women
2015-12-03

'Clear no' in Danish vote on EU justice rules: PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen

Danes rejected in a referendum a government proposal to deepen the EU member's participation in the bloc's justice cooperation, Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said.
2015-12-03

Petition filed to bring Kohinoor from UK to Pakistan

A petition has been filed in a Pakistani court asking the government to bring back Kohinoor diamond, the world famous precious stone which India has been trying to get from the UK.
2015-12-03

Oscar Pistorius conviction: What's behind it

Oscar Pistorius was found guilty of murder after South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal threw out a manslaughter conviction for killing his girlfriend, and he now faces a 15-year prison term.
2015-12-03

Pentagon chief to order US military to open all combat positions to women

US defense secretary Ashton Carter will announce that he is ordering the military to open all combat positions to women.
2015-12-03

Britain joins US-led Syria air war, Putin vows more sanctions on Turkey

While Britain joined the US-led air strikes against Islamic State in Syria, Vladimir Putin issued bitter new denunciations of Turkey for shooting down a Russian plane. Meanwhile, the US said it will not launch a 2003-style invasion of Syria or Iraq.
2015-12-03

$309 million released for construction of Guam Marine base

The Department of Defense has released $309 million for the first phase of construction on a Marine base in Guam.
2015-12-03

Russia delivers missile systems to Iran

Russia in 2010 froze a deal to supply advanced long-range S-300 missile systems to Iran, linking the decision to UN sanctions.
2015-12-03

Approach of rich nations threatens an outcome at climate summit, says G77 and China group

The issue of climate finance continues to be a major sticky point with the G77 and China, a group of 134 developing countries including India, strongly objecting to the attempts made by the rich nations to dilute the Convention that sought the developed countries to extend support to their poor counterparts.
2015-12-03

Turkey 'will regret more than once' shooting down of Russian bomber, says Putin

President Vladimir Putin used his annual speech to warn Turkey that the Kremlin planned to adopt further sanctions to punish Ankara for shooting down a Russian warplane.
2015-12-03

Satellite photos show North Korea digging new nuclear tunnel: Report

Satellite photographs from October and early November indicate that North Korea is digging a new tunnel for nuclear testing. However, there are no signs that a such a test is imminent, a US research institute said.
2015-12-03

France mulls constitution change to extend state of emergency

France plans to change the constitution to allow it to extend a state of emergency "to a maximum of six months", government sources said.
2015-12-03

Putin makes surprise visit to Crimea after power shortages

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to Crimea, inaugurating an undersea cable project to bring a new power supply to the strategic Black Sea peninsula.
2015-12-03

Supreme Court finds Oscar Pistorius guilty of murder

South Africa's top appeals court ruled  that paralympian Oscar Pistorius' conviction be scaled up to murder from culpable homicide for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013.
2015-12-03

British bombers make first air strikes on Syria after UK parliament vote

British bombers made their first strikes on Syria, just hours after Britain's parliament voted to target Islamic State targets in Syria. Tornado bombers took off from the RAF Akrotiri air base in Cyprus and made strikes on targets in Syria.
2015-12-03

74-minute-old is UK's youngest organ donor

A baby girl who died just 74 minutes after birth has become Britain's youngest organ donor, after her kidneys were transplanted into an adult patient.
2015-12-03

Nato plans to expand, Russia sees red

Nato invited Montenegro to become the 29th member of the US-led military alliance, defying Russia's warnings it would have to respond to what it branded a threat to its security.
2015-12-03

UK lawmakers vote to launch airstrikes on IS in Syria

British lawmakers voted by a wide margin to join the international campaign of airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Syria, after Prime Minister David Cameron asserted that bombing the "medieval monsters'' in their heartland would make Britain safer.
2015-12-02

Reports of 20 victims wounded in shooting in San Bernardino, California

At least one person opened fire in the Southern California city of San Bernardino, and  there were as many as 20 victims wounded.
2015-12-02

4 convicted for storming a Peshawar school hanged

Pakistan hanged four militants involved in the massacre of nearly 150 people, 134 of them schoolchildren, at an army public school last year in Peshawar in the northwest.
2015-12-02

Turkish President Erdogan benefits from ISIS oil trade, Russia claims

Russia's defence ministry says it has proof that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his family were benefiting from the illegal smuggling of oil from Islamic State-held territory in Syria and Iraq.
2015-12-02

British Prime Minister David Cameron urges use of word 'Daesh' for IS group

British Prime Minister David Cameron adopted the term "Daesh" to refer to the Islamic State group. "#Daesh is Arabic acronym for #ISIL. Daesh sounds similar to Arabic words Daes & Dahes: 'to trample' & 'one who sows discord'," read a tweet on the govt's account.
2015-12-02

Russia offers to build pipeline for gas exports to Pakistan

Russia has offered to lay a pipeline for gas exports to energy-starved Pakistan that will run parallel to the TAPI pipeline, a proposal that stems from fears that Moscow may lose the European Union market due to political tensions.
2015-12-02

Nato to keep 12,000 troops in Afghanistan next year

Nato's resolute support advice and training mission was supposed to end this year but Taliban battlefield successes, especially their recent brief capture of the northern city of Kunduz, prompted a radical re-think.
2015-12-02

Nato invites Montenegro to join alliance, defying Russia

Nato foreign ministers welcomed tiny Montenegro into their fold on Wednesday in the alliance's first expansion since 2009, defying Russian warnings that enlargement of the US-led bloc further into the Balkans was a "provocation".
2015-12-02

Pakistan hangs four convicted of Taliban massacre at school

Pakistan has executed four men for involvement in the massacre of 134 children at an army-run school in the northwestern city of Peshawar last year, media and security sources said. The four men had been convicted on August 13.
2015-12-02

Pakistan hangs 4 men convicted of Peshwar school massacre

Pakistan has executed four men for involvement in the massacre of 134 children at an army-run school in the northwestern city of Peshawar last year, media and security sources said. The four men had been convicted on August 13.
2015-12-02

In first step to power, Suu Kyi holds talks with Myanmar president

Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi held talks with President Thein Sein , the first of two key meetings as her election-winning party prepares to take power in a country crippled by decades of military rule.
2015-12-02

US House blocks carbon emission rules, Obama set to veto

US House Republicans voted to block president Barack Obama's regulations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions -- a move certain to spark his veto -- as negotiators work on a global climate deal in Paris.
2015-12-01

Executions polarize Bangla along liberal & radical lines

Last week's executions of two war criminals, convicted of genocide during the 1971liberation war that led to Bangladesh's creation, have polarized the country along liberal and radical lines.
2015-12-01

AirAsia crash due to faulty component, crew action

Faulty equipment and the crew's "inability to control the aircraft" caused an AirAsia A320 to crash into the Java Sea last year, killing all 162 people onboard, an Indonesian report said.
2015-12-01

BRICS Media Summit calls for coordination to tackle terrorism

Leaders of 25 media organisations from BRICS countries made a strong pitch for reaching consensus to help deal with issues like terrorism and climate change as well as rapid technological changes.
2015-12-01

China's Xi heads to Zimbabwe ahead of Africa summit

Xi and a large Chinese delegation fly on to Johannesburg ahead of the sixth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which will gather leaders from across the continent. Seeking raw material to fuel its booming economy, China has poured investment into Africa and became the continent's largest trade partner in 2009.
2015-12-01

World AIDS Day: Almost 16 million on HIV treatment as AIDS pandemic tide turns

Some 15.8 million people are now on HIV treatment and a five-year strategy to end the threat of a never-ending AIDS pandemic is starting to show results, the United Nations AIDS programme said.
2015-12-01

Senate confirms Obama's pick for USAID administrator

The Senate has confirmed President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the US Agency for International Development after months of delay rooted in a separate dispute over the international nuclear deal with Iran.
2015-12-01

Madhesi leaders submit 11-point demand to PM Oli to end stir

Nepal's Indian-origin Madhesi leaders submitted their 11-point demand to the goverment during their first meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to end the political logjam, but no breakthrough emerged from the tripartite talks attended by Opposition Nepali Congress.
2015-12-01

Bangladesh's former PM Khaleda Zia gets bail in graft case

Bangladesh's former premier and opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia was granted bail after she surrendered before a court here over a nearly USD 2 billion corruption case in 2007 involving a Canadian company.
2015-12-01

Source: Times of India News

LATEST ABBREVIATION USED

International Organization for Migration(IOM)
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)
Human Development Index (HDI)
Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO)
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)
long term ecological observatories (LTEO)
Human Development Index (HDI)
National Security Adviser (NSA)
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) or (ISIL)
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)