Iranian filmmaker, who says he’s engaged to US journalist jailed in Iran, begs for her release

CAIRO — An Iranian filmmaker, who said he is engaged to the American journalist jailed in Iran for allegedly spying for the U.S., defended his fiancee as innocent in an open letter and begged Iranian authorities to release her.

Fiancee of American journalist jailed in Iran defends her as innocent, begs for her release

CAIRO — An Iranian filmmaker, who said he is engaged to the American journalist jailed in Iran for allegedly spying for the U.S., defended his fiancee as innocent in an open letter and begged Iranian authorities to release her.

New Moon filming halted over ‘plagiarism lawsuit’

LONDON - Filming of ‘Twilight’ sequel ‘New Moon’ has reportedly been put on hold, as its author Stephenie Meyer faces a plagiarism lawsuit over the vampire franchise.

Lara Clarkson: Life, Death & Justice

Lara Jean Clarkson was an American actress and fashion model from Los Angeles and died on February 3, 2003, at age 40 in the  foyer of rock music producer Phil Spector’s foyer with a bullet shot into her mouth.

World’s biggest telescope will search heavens for planets

LONDON - Scientists are planning to build a giant telescope that will be powerful enough to identify habitable planets like Earth in distant solar systems.

Scientists solve origin of ocean’s mysterious ‘green glow’

WASHINGTON - Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC (University of California) San Diego have uncovered key clues about bioluminescent worms in the sea that produce a green glow and the biological mechanisms behind their light production.

Fanfare and gaiety mark Holi celebrations in Manipur

IMPHAL - Residents in Manipur indulged in revelry as they celebrate the five-day long Yaoshang festival, which coincides with ‘Holi’.

‘Green Comet’ to streak past Earth Tuesday

LONDON - Space scientists are keeping a close vigil on Comet Lulin, also known as the ‘Green Comet’, which will streak past the Earth Tuesday.

Tourists reject sound and light show at Mexican pyramids

MEXICO CITY - A plan for light and sound shows at Mexico’s Teotihuacan pyramids, known for its large residential complexes called ’street of the dead’, has received a setback with hundreds of tourists voting against it.

ISRO-built satellite fails after five weeks

BANGALORE - The very first communications satellite sold by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to the European operator Eutelsat has failed abruptly after five weeks in orbit, in a setback to ISRO which just celebrated the 100th day of its successful moon mission.

Ever heard of a ghost fair? It’s here in Madhya Pradesh

MALAJPUR - A sari clad woman with her hair wild scrambles on the floor as if trying to run away from some invisible enemy. There is a look of terror on her face as she sinks to her knees, sobbing loudly.

In Goa? Don’t forget to see the stars

PANAJI - It started in a small cubbyhole in the dusty attic of a shabby, paint-peeling building housing government offices. But a couple of decades later, the Association of Friends of Astronomy (AFA) in Goa has much to cheer about: 2009 is the International year of Astronomy.