Globe Trotting

Senior scientist assassinated in Syria

Damascus: Aziz Asber, the head of the Scientific Research Centre in Syria’s central province of Hama, has been assassinated, according to activists and pro-government reports. Asber was killed when an explosion targeted his vehicle in Masyaf in the western countryside of Hama late on Saturday, killing him and his driver.

California wildfires claim 7th victim

New York: A seventh person died in a northern California wildfire on Saturday, as a couple of other fast-growing wildfires in the state expanded by more than 25 per cent overnight and continued to spread.

Suicide bomber kills 3 NATO forces in Af

Kabul: A Taliban suicide bomber killed three NATO forces on a foot patrol in E Afghanistan in an attack that wounded a US soldier and two Afghan troops, NATO said in a statement.

151 genes linked to irregular heart rate

Washington: Scientists have identified 151 genes linked to atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes irregular heart rates and puts over 30 million people worldwide at increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and death.

Robots replace waiters in China restaurant

Shanghai: The little robotic waiter wheels up to the table, raises its glass lid to reveal a steaming plate of local Shanghai-style crayfish and announces in low, mechanical tones, “Enjoy your meal.”

New protests hit Iraq,a month into unrest

Basra: Protesters flooded the streets of S Iraq again, nearly a month into a wave of unrest over corruption and decaying public services.