At least 23 people, including two children, have died after a fire broke out on a train in southern India, media reports say. The blaze engulfed a carriage of the Nanded-Bangalore Express while it was travelling through Andhra Pradesh state, rail officials said. Police said many of the dead had been suffocated by thick black smoke filling the train. The reason for the fire, which has been extinguished, is not […]
The small wonderDelaware may be the second smallest US state, but it has immense historical significance as one of the 13 original US colonies and a key player in the Revolutionary War. This was finally recognised with the March 2013 creation of the First State National Monument, 1,100 acres of historic sites and stunning landscapes located throughout Kent and Newcastle Counties. The designation means that Delaware is the last of […]
Morale high on ship stuck off Antarctica STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: One of three icebreakers sent to rescue stuck ship stopped by ice NEW: The rescue ship may need two more days to reach the trapped vessel, captain says The stranded vessel is carrying tourists and researchers studying climate change The 74 people aboard had a “great Christmas” while at a frozen standstill, leader says A Chinese icebreaker heading to free […]
Former Lebanese minister and opposition figure Mohamad Chatah has been killed by a car bomb in central Beirut. Four others were killed and at least 50 people were hurt in the attack. Mr Chatah, a Sunni Muslim, was an adviser to ex-PM Saad Hariri. He was also a staunch critic of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanon’s Shia Hezbollah movement that backs him. There has been a wave of […]
Lt. Gen. Mikhail Kalashnikov, the arms designer credited by the Soviet Union with creating the AK-47, the first in a series of rifles and machine guns that would indelibly associate his name with modern war and become the most abundant firearms ever made, died Monday in Izhevsk, the capital of the Russia’s Udmurtia republic, where he lived. He was 94. Viktor Chulkov, a spokesman for the republic’s president, confirmed the death, […]
STORY HIGHLIGHTS Revelations about the scope of the NSA’s snooping lead to the year’s biggest tech stores Hacking of major companies and sites for politics, fun and profit a reoccurring story in 2013 Snapchat, Vine, Bitcoin and iOS 7 all became familiar terms A year of high profile hacks: A series of hacks launched by groups like the Syrian Electronic Army and possibly the Chinese military made headlines throughout the […]
Dry me a river A young boy runs through a dried riverbed after flood waters receded in the Indian city of Allahabad. Heavy August rain caused the worst floods in 30 years. Fire in the sky US heatweaves created perfect conditions for massive forest fire in the summer; this massive pall of smoke was captured at West Fork Complex, Colorado. Blue lagoon Melting ice creates a pool of water on […]
Bright lights of Christmas Since Neolithic times, man has gravitated toward fire, especially during the dark days of winter when luminous celebrations set gloomy nights aglow. From Scotland’s Hogmanay to Nepal’s Balachaturdashi, light plays a starring role in holidays around the world, brightening skies, spirits – and travel itineraries – alike. This shimmering stunner of a Christmas tree in Tokyo’s Shiodome – where marine life combines with festive illuminations in […]
River Thames in London froze at least 23 times between 1309 and 1814, with first recorded frost fair in 1608 Period from mid-14th to 19th century in Europe is referred to as the ‘Little Ice Age’ due to severity of the climate Unlicensed gambling, drinking and dancing were held at fairs, along with stalls, skittle alleys and fairground rides Souvenirs and personalised keepsakes also available for a few pennies, with […]
STORY HIGHLIGHTS People across the world sent pictures of the most stunning and outrageous Christmas displays One man in the U.S. used more than 300,000 lights and 350 figurines Philippines giving U.S. a run for the title of world champion Christmas fanatics Some people like Christmas. Some people love Christmas. And some people are so overcome by their love for the holiday season they decorate homes, gardens, even their vehicles […]
