South Sudan ends independence vote
JUBA: South Sudans polling centers closed their doors on Saturday after a week-long vote on independence from the north that could end a vicious cycle of civil war with the creation of the worlds newest state. Former President Jimmy Carter,leading a mission observing the vote,said turnout could reach 90 percent and that it seemed likely the south had voted for independence.
At least 47 dead in Philippines floods
MANILA: More than two weeks of heavy rains have left at least 47 people dead from flash floods and landslides in the Philippines,the government said on Saturday.
JFKs granddaughter stalked by Pakistani
Washington: A Pakistan-born cab driver has been accused of stalking the granddaughter of assassinated American president John F Kennedy,even referring to himself as her husband and has now been served charges.
Lady Dianas niece charged with assault
LONDON: Britains late Princess Dianas niece,Lady Amelia Spencer,has been charged with assault by South African police after she allegedly took part in a foul-mouthed and violent attack on a cab passenger who was on crutches from a football injury,in Cape Town,a media report said.
UN ends Nepal peace mission
KATHMANDU: As Nepal remained in a political deadlock,the UN on Saturday ended its peace mission in the country,UNMIN,removing a buffer between armed Maoist cadres and the army. The mission was established to monitor the countrys post-conflict transition.
78 former LTTE fighters released
COLOMBO: Sri Lankan authorities released 78 rehabilitated former LTTE cadres Saturday to mark Thai Pongal,a widely celebrated Tamil Hindu harvest festival.
NY mosque project gets new director
NEW YORK: A group seeking to build an Islamic cultural centre and mosque close to Ground Zero has named a new director,imam Abdallah Adhami.