Middle East

Iran says it is producing new air defense missiles

Iran says it has started mass producing a new sophisticated air defense missile system capable of engaging low-altitude aircraft. The Monday report by state TV quotes Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahi......read more

Guptagate probe: Indian High Commission official implicated for 'name-dropping'

A probe into a controversial lavish Indian wedding in South Africa has implicated a top Indian High Commission official for "name-dropping" and "manipulation", and absolved President Jacob Zuma in......read more

Hezbollah intensifies battle in Syria as Israel threatens more strikes

Lebanese Hezbollah militants attacked a Syrian rebel-held town alongside Syrian troops on Sunday and Israel threatened more attacks on Syria to rein the militia in, highlighting the risks of a wider r......read more

Ritual circumcision kills 23 males in South Africa

South African police said today they had launched a series of murder inquiries after 23 males died while undergoing circumcision during traditional rites of passage into manhood. The 23 aged between 1......read more

Syrian civil war

Barack Obama rules out unilateral action on Syria

Seeking a regime change in Syria, President Barack Obama today ruled out any unilateral American action against the Assad regime, but pledged support to international partners and Syrian opposition to......read more

Health

One in 10 South Africans HIV positive

One in ten South Africans is HIV positive but AIDS-related deaths are falling as ramped-up treatment begins to have an impact, the country's official statistics agency said. After years of dragging i......read more

6.2 magnitude quake kills child, causes damage in southern Iran

A strong earthquake of 6.2 magnitude hit southern Iran early today, killing one child and injuring at least 20 others in remote, mountainous villages, state television reported. The US Geological Surv......read more

Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes Oman

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the Gulf nation of Oman on Saturday near the northern city of Al Khasab, the US Geological Survey said. The quake had a depth of 21 miles (33 km) and was centered ......read more

Syrian civil war

Syrian civil war: Israeli PM visits China after Syria strikes

Israel signaled a return to 'business as usual' on Monday, a day after its aircraft struck targets in Syria for the second time in 48 hours in an unprecedented escalation of Israeli involvement in t......read more

Israel launches airstrike into Syria

Israel launched an airstrike into Syria, apparently targeting a suspected weapons site, US officials said on Friday night. The strike occurred overnight Thursday into Friday, the officials told The As......read more

Racism Row

After Guptagate, 'marriage-of-century' family fuels racism row

The row surrounding a lavish Indian wedding in South Africa today got mired in another controversy after a labour union alleged 'racism at its worst' against some guests attending the event. The Con......read more

Crimes & Justice

Guptagate: More officials suspended over 'marriage of the century'

South African government today suspended four senior defence and police officials following a raging scandal, now tagged as Guptagate, over a private aircraft carrying about 200 guests from India lan......read more

After Lamborghini, Dubai police show off Ferrari

Dubai police showed off a new Ferrari they will use to patrol the city state, hot on the heels of a Lamborghini which joined the fleet earlier. The car sporting the green and white of Dubai police was......read more

Saudi Arbabia to make employers pay for deporting illegal workers

Saudi Arabia will make sponsors and employers of foreigners working illegally in the country pay the cost of deporting them, under new rules approved by the cabinet, the Saudi Gazette reported on Mond......read more