DHAKA: Two Spanish journalists have been kidnapped in Syria by a radical Islamist group linked to al-Qaeda.El Mundo reporter Javier Espinosa and freelance photographer Ricardo Garcia Vilanova were seized by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis).The newspaper said they were taken at a

DHAKA: The body of Nelson Mandela is due to be taken in procession to the Union Buildings in Pretoria where it will lie in state for three days.Each morning his remains will be transported across the city in a glass casket, reports BBC.People have been encouraged to line the route and

DHAKA: South Korea`s president has warned that ties with the communist North could become more unstable following the removal of a major powerbroker.President Park Geun-hye said the North was "carrying out a reign of terror", after news of the purge of Chang Song-thaek, uncle of leader

DHAKA: Two French soldiers were killed in combat in the Central African Republic, the French presidency says, reports BBC.It says President Francois Hollande, who is now in the CAR, "learned with deep sadness" that the two had been killed overnight in the capital Bangui.They are the first

DHAKA: US president Barack Obama hailed Nelson Mandela as a ‘giant of justice’ on Tuesday but said too many leaders in the world claimed solidarity with his struggle for freedom ‘but do not tolerate dissent from their own people’.Obama, addressed an cheering crowd, likening the

DHAKA: The national memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela is under way in Johannesburg.Tens of thousands of South Africans have joined dozens of world leaders in the FNB stadium.Friend and fellow Robben Island inmate Andrew Mlangeni said Mandela had ‘created

DHAKA: UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon addressed on Tuesday the mass memorial service of former South African president Nelson Mandela.He acknowledged the loss of ‘one of the greatest leaders of our time’.‘South Africa has lost a hero, a father,’ Ban said commemorating the

DHAKA: Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian officials signed an agreement on Monday to share and increase water resources in the arid region, which includes possible measures to save the rapidly shrinking Dead Sea.The World Bank announced, reports france24.com.The deal is part of a project

DHAKA: Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s military on Tuesday to step up its presence in the Arctic after Canada signalled its intention to claim the North Pole and surrounding waters.‘I would like you to devote special attention to deploying infrastructure and military

DHAKA: The Hamas movement has ‘resumed’ relations with Iran after a temporary falling out over the Syrian conflict.A senior Hamas member of the Islamist group said Monday, TDS publishes this report on Tuesday.‘Relations between Hamas and Iran have resumed,’ Mahmoud Zahar told

DHAKA: Fighters linked to al-Qaida abducted a Spanish journalist and a photographer in a rebel-held eastern Syrian city in September.El Mundo newspaper reported on Tuesday, says The Jerusalem Post.Journalist Javier Espinosa and photographer Ricardo Garcia were taken by rebel group the

DHAKA: Pakistan announced on Tuesday it had agreed with Iran to speed implementation of a much-delayed gas pipeline project designed to link Iran’s giant South Pars gas field with consumers in South Asia.The United States opposes the $7.5-billion project because it could violate

DHAKA: US president Barack Obama opened a day of remembrance and celebration on Tuesday for his personal hero, Nelson Mandela, arriving in South Africa for a memorial service honouring the anti-apartheid icon who died last week at age 95.Air Force One touched down at a military base near

DHAKA: Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has rejected protesters` demands that she resign before February`s snap elections.Demonstrators have been calling for Yingluck Shinawatra to resign and be replaced with a "people`s prime minister", reports BBC.Ms Yingluck won the last polls

DHAKA: Tens of thousands of mourners are expected in Johannesburg for a memorial service for Nelson Mandela.US President Barack Obama and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will be among those paying tribute, reports BBC.The service will be held at the 90,000 capacity FNB stadium, where

DHAKA: The United Nations says nuclear inspectors will visit Libya to assess its uranium stockpiles, amid concerns about fragile security in the country.The UN envoy to Libya, Tarek Mitri, told the Security Council that the IAEA team would arrive later this month, reports BBC.He said

DHAKA: When the leaders of the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meet in Kuwait on Tuesday, Iran and its developing relations with western countries are likely to feature high on the summit agenda.Gulf analysts said, reports gulfnews.com.The Iranian nuclear agreement with

DHAKA: Nelson Mandela’s daughter Makaziwe has told the BBC about the ‘wonderful’ final hours of the former president, who died aged 95 last Thursday.Mandela said his wife Graca, the children and grandchildren were all there to say goodbye.South Africa is observing a series of

DHAKA: Residents and tourists are spoilt for choice for New Year fireworks on December 31 with Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, The Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis the Palm offering scenic backdrops for what could be the world’s largest pyrotechnic display.Some 450,000 colourful fireworks

DHAKA: US defence secretary Chuck Hagel discussed the use of US drones against militants in remote areas of Pakistan on Monday during the first visit by a Pentagon chief to the South Asian ally in almost four years.Islamabad says drone strikes kill too many civilians and violate its