Brave Rukhsana becomes a star for killing LeT terrorist

SHAHDHARA SHARIEF - Her immensely brave act has turned young Rukhsana Kausar into a heroine and people now see her as a fighter against the “zulm” or atrocities of militants. She had taken on a group of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists who barged into her house late Sunday night, snatched an AK-47 from one intruder and shot him dead.

Delhi to host fourth S. Asia nuke non-proliferation commission meet

NEW DELHI - The International Commission on uclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament will hold its fourth egional meeting - for South Asia - in New Delhi on October 24.

Satellite laser readings show ‘runaway’ melting in parts of Greenland, Antarctica ice sheets

WASHINGTON — New satellite information shows that ice sheets in Greenland and western Antarctica continue to shrink faster than scientists thought and in some places are already in runaway melt mode.

Attorney representing terror suspect assembling seasoned federal team

DENVER — The attorney representing a Colorado man at the center of a terror probe into an alleged train bombing plot plans to add lawyers to his team after a judge questioned his federal court experience.

Benazir asked me to give nuke know-how’s to Iran: A Q Khan

LONDON - In a chilling revelation, it has been disclosed that it was former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto who had asked disgraced nuclear scientist Dr.Abdul Qadeer Khan to hand over the nuclear know-how’s to Iran.

At 50, Doordarshan beams to a challenging tomorrow

NEW DELHI - There was a time when its name was synonymous with television in India. Now, 50 years after Doordarshan first beamed grainy black and white images from a makeshift studio, the public broadcaster looks at the challenges ahead amid a proliferation of private channels and the changing face of the media.

Variety newspaper to put site behind a ‘pay wall’ for subscribers, ending 3-year free service

LOS ANGELES — Ending a three-year flirtation with free online content, Variety newspaper plans to put some of its Web site content behind a “pay wall” that will require a paid annual subscription, its publisher said Thursday.

Regulators consider ban on upfront payments for loan help; file charges against 2 firms

WASHINGTON — The head of the Federal Trade Commission said Thursday the agency is considering banning upfront payments to companies that advertise help for borrowers who are in trouble on their home loans.

Jharkhand man begs for alms to run orphanage

DAMPARA - Kantha Singh, a former motor mechanic, plays good samaritan for 42 orphans from tribal communities and runs an orphanage by begging for alms at Dampara village in Jharkhand.

Ultra-fine fibres can now be strengthened with carbon

SYDNEY - Researchers have discovered a way to strengthen plastic nanofibres or ultra-fine fibres, with one of the world’s strongest materials, carbon. The added strength could lead to new uses of nanofibres.

Analysis: White House postponing fight over more troops for Afghanistan war

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is holding off major decisions that could put its military forces on a firmer war footing in Afghanistan even as doubts grow about whether the United States can win there.

Manhattan to pick 1st new DA since 1975 to prosecute corporate titans, celebs and mobsters

NEW YORK — One is a former hard-nosed judge so known for her stiff sentences that drug dealers named a brand of heroin after her. Another enjoys the iconic incumbent’s support and a political pedigree. A third is a noted gun-control advocate who boasts backers known for turning out voters.

Orissa’s sand sculptor pays tribute to 9/11 victims

Puri Beach (Orissa): Sudarsan Pattnaik, an internationally acclaimed sand artist, sculpted a gigantic model of the new United States Tower of Freedom in sand here on Friday.

Pennsylvania city in Amish country blankets streets with surveillance cameras

LANCASTER, Pa. — Horses drawing buggies regularly clop down the roads approaching Lancaster, a peaceful city in the heart of Amish country that had only three murders last year and relatively low crime.

US signing anti-piracy agreement at UN to help lead protection of vessels off Somalia

UNITED NATIONS — The United States and four other nations signed onto an international plan to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia, committing Wednesday to playing a leadership role in protecting one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

Fla. Sen. Martinez touches on Cuba, immigration, public service in farewell speech

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez left Washington on Wednesday with some regrets, some proud accomplishments and some frustration with a process he believes often puts politics ahead of policy.

American students should study more maths: Hillary Clinton

New York, Sept 9 (IBNS)While hosting “My Education, My Future” Event at the Manhattan Charter School , US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said American students should study more maths and science.

Federal Reserve says consumers slash borrowing by record $21.6 billion in July

WASHINGTON — Consumers slashed their borrowing in July by the largest amount on record as job losses and uncertainty about the economic recovery prompted Americans to rein in their debt.

McDonald’s loses eight-year trademark battle against Malaysian restaurant McCurry

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — U.S. fast food giant McDonald’s lost an eight-year trademark battle to prevent local restaurant McCurry from using the ‘Mc’ prefix in a precedent-setting judgment by Malaysia’s highest court.

Ancient mystery of red hats on giant Easter Island statues solved

LONDON - A team of archaeologists has solved the ancient mystery of why the odd-looking statues on the Easter Island statues wear red hats.

Coroner: More tests needed to determine cause of death for Pa. boy, 4, found in septic tank

HOOKSTOWN, Pa. — An autopsy was performed Sunday on the body of a 4-year-old boy found stuffed in a septic tank, but a coroner said more tests are needed to determine how he died. Police are calling it a homicide investigation.

New York City official: Pills found in DJ AM’s stomach, apparent OxyContin in throat

NEW YORK — DJ AM had prescription pills in his stomach and one in his throat when police found him dead in his apartment, a New York City official said Wednesday.

US Fritzl-victim’s daughters’ ‘minds are blank’

LONDON - The two daughters of Jaycee Lee Dugard, victim of US Fritzl Phillip Garrido, were “starved of information” by their father for years, say cops.

CAPITAL CULTURE: President Barack Obama’s Portuguese water dog settling in to White House life

WASHINGTON — He has torn through magazines and stray socks, even sunk his teeth into the president’s gym shoes. Charm school taught him to sit, heel and shake a paw on command. He spent his first summer vacation on breezy Martha’s Vineyard.

US general says new Afghan strategy needed to defeat Taliban but says success ‘achievable’

KABUL — The commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan called Monday for a new strategy against the Taliban in an assessment of the 8-year-old conflict, saying the situation is serious but victory was achievable.

Soap bubbles may soon improve cars’ fuel efficiency

LONDON - Engineers at automotive research consultants Mira in Nuneaton, UK, are developing a system that uses soap bubbles filled with helium to improve the fuel efficiency of future cars.

Japan opposition party election victory could cause US headaches

WASHINGTON — A projected resounding victory for Japan’s opposition party could cause headaches for the U.S. as it tries to confront both North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and China’s increasing military presence in Asia.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist picks ex-chief of staff to replace retiring US Sen. Mel Martinez

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Charlie Crist is giving Florida a preview of what he’d be like as a senator by picking his former chief of staff to fill the remainder of Republican Sen. Mel Martinez’ first term.

Saudi prince vows to fight terrorism after first assassination attempt on royal in decades

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Hours after being lightly wounded by a suicide bomber, a senior Saudi prince largely credited with the kingdom’s aggressive anti-terrorism efforts said Friday he was more determined than ever to fight militants in the country.

Ky. military contractor accused of threatening witnesses amid investigation of faulty repairs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A military contractor under investigation on allegations he overbilled and did faulty repair work on Navy and Army aircraft has been charged with threatening to kill witnesses in the case, according to a complaint unsealed Thursday.