Berlin: German media and politicians warned on Friday against an election-year spike in fake news after ultra-conservative website Breitbart claimed a “mob” chanting ‘Allahu Akhbar‘ had set fire to a church on New Year’s Eve. After the report by the US website was widely shared on social media, police in the city of Dortmund clarified that no “extraordinary or spectacular” incidents had marred the festivities. The... 

Istanbul: Turkey is to scrap the office of the prime minister in a historic switch under a government-backed proposal for a new presidential system, a cabinet minister said on Thursday. File photo of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Forestry and Water Affairs Minister Veysel Eroglu said there would be one and possibly two vice presidents under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the new format, which is expected to be submitted to a referendum next year. “There... 

Qayyarah: Jihadist leaders are fleeing Mosul, a top US general in the coalition battling the Islamic State group said on Wednesday as Iraqi forces closed in on the northern city. Representational image. Mosul was where Islamic State supremo Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his “caliphate” two years ago but is now the group’s last major stronghold in Iraq. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who announced the launch of a broad offensive... 

Washington: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he will cancel the historic Paris climate deal if voted to power as the agreement would cost the US economy USD 5.3 trillion and “skyrocket” electricity prices. Donald Trump. Speaking at an election rally in Florida, Trump said he will create jobs all across America and provide cheaper energy to people, especially farmers. “I believe so much in the environment. Believe... 

Melbourne: Embattled French defence firm DCNS has approached the Supreme Court in Australia seeking an injunction against The Australian from further publishing the leaked documents of India’s Scorpene submarine project. The DCNS has also sought a court order to the newspaper to hand over the documents in its possession and removal of the contents from its website. “The publication of this highly valuable document causes a direct harm... 

United Nations: The UN takes inspiration from various contributions made by India to the world, including the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent teachings and the harmony of Yoga, the world body’s Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. In his message to India on its 70th Independence Day, Ban said the occasion also celebrates India’s partnership with the UN. “We are also celebrating India’s...