A European lander is to separate from its mothership today for a million-kilometre descent to Mars, testing vital technology ahead of a mission to explore the Red Planet for signs of life.
	The high-stakes operation comes nearly 13 years after European ambitions were dealt a blow when its first scout to Mars disappeared on landing.
	A 600-kilogramme, paddling pool-sized lander called Schiaparelli is to separate from an unmanned craft called the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) after a seven-month, 496-million- kilometre trek from Earth.
	Separation is scheduled for 1442 GMT (2012 IST), with the landing due to take place on Wednesday, according to the ESA website.
	The operation is a testbed for the second chapter of the so-called ExoMars mission, a joint exploration with Russia.
	The second part will begin in 2020 with the launch of a rover designed to move around and drill into Mars in search of extra-terrestrial life -- past or present.
	Today's separation manoeuvres will be followed closely 

All set for Europe's Mars lander separation

PTI Automatic

Turkish-backed rebels today captured the emblematic northern Syrian town of Dabiq from the Islamic State group, dealing a major symbolic blow to the jihadists.
	The defeat for IS came as US Secretary of State John Kerry was due to meet European allies in London as part of a new diplomatic push to end Syria's conflict, which has left more than 300,000 people dead since 2011.
	The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Turkish state media and a rebel faction said opposition forces backed by Turkish warplanes and artillery had seized control of Dabiq today.
	The town, in Syria's northern province of Aleppo, is of little strategic value.
	But Dabiq holds crucial ideological importance for IS and its followers because of a Sunni prophecy that states it will be the site of an apocalyptic battle between Christian forces and Muslims.
	The Observatory, a Britain-based monitoring group, said rebel forces "captured Dabiq after IS members withdrew from the area".
	The Fastaqim Union, an ...

Syria rebels capture emblematic IS stronghold Dabiq

Iraqi aircraft dropped "tens of thousands" of leaflets, some bearing safety instructions for Mosul residents, ahead of an operation to retake the city from jihadists, the military said.
	Iraq has dropped leaflets over Mosul before, and has also done so as part of operations to retake other cities seized by the Islamic State group in 2014 and 2015.
	Aircraft dropped "tens of thousands of newspapers and magazines on the centre of the city of Mosul carrying important news... To inform them of updates and facts and victories," said Iraq's Joint Operations Command, which distributed images of some of the leaflets.
	One image showed a leaflet containing safety instructions for Mosul residents, urging them to tape over windows to prevent the glass from shattering, to avoid the sites of air strikes for at least an hour after a place is bombed, and saying they should not drive if possible.
	The launch of the operation is expected to be announced soon, but it will mark only the start of a ...

Iraq drops leaflets over Mosul ahead of battle: army

A suicide bombing targeting Shiite Muslims killed at least two people in Baghdad today, officials said, a day after the deadliest attack to hit the Iraqi capital in months.
	The bombing in central Baghdad, which targeted a tent where Shiites distribute food as part of annual religious commemorations, also wounded at least four people, officials said.
	There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State jihadist group frequently carries out suicide bombings targeting Shiites, whom it considers heretics.
	The blast came a day after an IS-claimed suicide bombing at a funeral killed at least 34 people -- the deadliest attack in Baghdad since another IS suicide bombing left more than 300 dead in early July.
	The attacks come as Iraqi forces prepare for an offensive in northern Iraq to retake Mosul, the last IS-held city in the country, after regaining much of the territory the jihadists seized in 2014 and 2015.
	The launch of the operation is expected to be 

Suicide bombing targeting Shiites kills two in Baghdad

Kuwait's parliament speaker Marzouk al-Ghanem has called for snap elections in the face of mounting security and economic challenges in the oil-rich Gulf emirate.
	Ghanem's remarks came after lawmakers filed three requests to grill ministers over a decision to hike petrol prices and alleged financial and administrative violations.
	More such requests are expected before parliament on Tuesday starts the final year of its four-year term.
	In an interview with Al-Rai television late yesterday, Ghanem said Kuwait was facing a "delicate and exceptional period... With regional security, economic and domestic and external challenges."
	"We cannot overcome this period if we don't have a new government team... And go back to the ballot boxes," the speaker said.
	This view, he said, was shared by Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Sabah, a senior member of Kuwait's ruling family, along with many lawmakers.
	"I have informed the political leadership (emir) of this personal view and he has ...

Kuwait speaker calls for snap polls

Israel closed off the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip today for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, the army said, as concerns rose over whether visits to a sensitive holy site could lead to violence.
	The restrictions barring Palestinians from entering would remain in place through Monday, but humanitarian cases would be allowed passage, said an army spokeswoman.
	Sukkot usually sees an increase in the number of Jewish visitors to the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in east Jerusalem, which has led to clashes in past years.
	The site is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount.
	Israel occupied east Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it, and the holy site is central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians fear Israel may one day seek to assert further control over it.
	Sunday evening marks the beginning of Sukkot, a week-long holiday to commemorate the Jewish journey through the Sinai wilderness to the Holy Land after their exodus from Egyptian ..

Israel closes Palestinian territories for holiday

A swimmer drowned in Hong Kong and another was left in critical condition as they took part in the city's annual cross-harbour swim, which attracts world- class international competitors.
	Local media said the man who died was rushed to hospital after being pulled unconscious from the water by a rescue boat. He was reported to be in his forties.
	A woman thought to be in her 60s was separately pulled unconscious from the water and is reported to be in intensive care in hospital.
	The 1500-metre race saw around 3,000 people swim between two piers on opposite sides of Hong Kong's famous harbour - 500 up from the previous year according to reports.
	Some local media questioned why only 10 extra lifeguards had been added when the field had expanded so much. There was a total of 120 lifeguards at the event, local broadcaster RTHK reported on its website.
	Swimmers are split into racing and recreational groups - both the dead man and the hospitalised woman were taking part in the leisure ...

Swimmer dies in Hong Kong harbour race: reports

Novak Djokovic's problems came to an explosive head at the Shanghai Masters and the Serb now faces being knocked off world number one if he can't find a quick solution.
     Djokovic arrived in Shanghai insisting mental equanimity, rather than titles, was his goal after a rough patch of form prompted a bout of soul-searching.
     The man who has dominated tennis for the past two years even resorted to humming a song in a bid to keep calm as he was taken to three sets by qualifier Mischa Zverev.
     But Djokovic's avowed cool-headedness evaporated in a stormy semi-final upset against Roberto Bautista when he smashed his racquet, ripped his shirt and raged at the chair umpire.
     Worse for Djokovic, second-ranked Andy Murray cruised into the Shanghai final without dropping a set and is in position to put further heat on his number one spot.
     "It's not yet over. There are a couple of big tournaments still along the way: Paris and London," Djokovic warned.
     "I'll try to get ...

Ripping yarn tells tale of Djokovic in crisis

Pakistan removed the obdurate Darren Bravo late on the third day of the first day-night Test to reinvigorate their cause after a dogged West Indies batting display in Dubai.
     Bravo defied a potent bowling attack to score 87 during a 402-minute stay at the crease while Samuels made 76 as the West Indies closed on 315-6, still trailing Pakistan's first innings total of 579-3 declared by 264 runs.
     Shane Dowrich was unbeaten on 27 with skipper Jason Holder 10 not out at the close of play.
     West Indies need to reach 380 to avoid following-on, but the duration of their innings suggests Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-haq may not enforce it and bat again on Sunday.
     Bravo and Samuels were engaged in a resolute 113-run stand for the third wicket as the Dubai stadium pitch did not offer much help to Pakistan's attack.
     When it looked Bravo would remain unbeaten and complete his eighth hundred he fell to a lazy push off left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz and was caught by Azhar Ali 

Pakistan end Bravo vigil to regain command

Lionel Messi took just three minutes to score on his return from injury as Barcelona thrashed Deportivo la Coruna 4-0, but Barca remain two points adrift of free-scoring Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
     Yannick Carrasco's hat-trick and Nicolas Gaitan's first two goals for Atletico inspired a storming fightback by Diego Simeone's men to flatten Granada 7-1 after falling behind early on yesterday.
     Real kept pace with their city rivals with four first-half goals of their own in a 6-1 win at Real Betis to snap a streak of four straight draws.
     Barca were already 3-0 up thanks to Luis Suarez and a double from Rafinha when Messi was introduced after nearly a month out with a groin problem and wasted no time in scoring his ninth goal of the season.
     "It was a complete performance," said Barca boss Luis Enrique.
     "We have Leo back and it took him no time to be back in top form."
     Messi wasn't needed to be the match winner as Barca had the three points sewn up before .

Messi scores on return, Atletico, Real stay on top

Scores at close on the third day of
the first day-night Test between Pakistan and West Indies at Dubai stadium:
     Pakistan, first innings 579-3 declared (Azhar Ali 302 not out, Sami Aslam 90, Babar Azam 69, Asad Shafiq 67)
     West Indies 1st innings (overnight 69-1)
     K Brathwaite lbw b Shah                  32
     L Johnson lbw b Shah                     15
     D Bravo c Ali b Nawaz                    87
     M Samuels lbw b Sohail                   76
     J Blackwood c Ahmed b Riaz               37
     R Chase c Azam b Riaz                     6
     S Dowrich not out                        27
     J Holder not out                         10
     Extras: (B-9, LB-8, NB-7, W-1)           25
     Total: (for six wkts; 109 overs)         315
     Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-69, 3-182, 4-259, 5-266, 6-300
     Bowling: Amir 19-4-48-0, Sohail 16-2-56-1, Shah 36-14-97-2, Riaz 19.3-3-53-2, Nawaz 16-5-38-1, Ali 2.3-1-6-0.

Dubai, Oct 16 (AFP) Scores at close on the third day of

Thailand's Crown Prince has urged people not to "worry" about his surprise decision to delay being proclaimed king following the death his beloved father, the country's junta leader said today.
	The move, which led to the appointment of a regent, has spurred rumours and uncertainty in a nation whose recent history is studded with coups, political intrigues and street protests.
	Against that backdrop, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died on Thursday aged 88, represented stability and moral rectitude to many Thais and his death is being mourned deeply across the country.
	The 64-year-old Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is the king's named successor but has asked to delay formally assuming the throne while he mourns with the Thai people.
	Instead 96-year-old former general Prem Tinsulanonda, who headed Bhumibol's Privy Council, was announced as regent.
	Today junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha said the Crown Prince summoned him and Prem earlier in the evening to dampen unease over the hiatus ..

Thai Crown Prince urges calm over succession: Junta chief

Two US citizens "held" in Yemen have been freed and were taken to Oman today after mediation by authorities in the Gulf nation, the state-run Oman News Agency reported.
	The agency, quoting an Omani foreign ministry spokesman, said the two Americans were brought to Oman aboard an aircraft that earlier today flew to the Yemeni capital to evacuate those wounded in air strikes on a funeral in Sanaa last week.
	It did not identify the US nationals.
	But it quoted the spokesman as saying that Oman mediated the release of the pair in order "to help the American government obtain the liberation of a number of Americans held in Yemen."
	"Two of them were freed and taken this evening to the Sultanate of Oman aboard an Omani air force plane ahead of the repatriation," the spokesman added.
	He said Omani authorities secured their release "in coordination with Yemeni parties in Sanaa", the capital which is under the control of the Shiite Huthi rebels and their allies, supporters of ousted ...

Two US citizens held in Yemen freed: Oman state media

At least 11 people have died and several more are missing in heavy flooding in central Vietnam, state media said today, with tens of thousands of homes completely submerged by water.
	The communist government has ordered local authorities to mobilise the army and police to rescue trapped residents following heavy downpours, state-run Vietnam Television reported.
	The channel said at least 11 had died in the flooding with some 27,000 homes under water in the region.
	Local official Nguyen Huu Hoai told AFP that the death toll was seven in Quang Binh province, but added that conditions were improving.
	"We can reach areas which were isolated by flooding," the chairman of the provincial People's Committee told AFP.
	Though rainfall is expected to ease, officials warned the region could be hammered again if Typhoon Sarika in the South China Sea reaches Vietnam.

11 dead in Vietnam floods: state media

Eleven people were shot dead today in a camp for displaced people in Central African Republic, the UN's MINUSCA mission said, days after 30 others were killed in fresh sectarian violence.
	"Eleven people were killed and about 10 others taken to hospital" after an unknown number of gunmen began shooting in the camp for internally displaced people in Ngakobo, 300 kilometres northeast of the capital Bangui, a statement said.
	"Those responsible for these dreadful acts" have not been identified, the communique, in French, said.
	MINUSCA, which has around 12,000 peacekeepers and police on the ground, "immediately took measures to reinforce its position around the displaced camp and to step up its patrols", it said.
	On Wednesday, 30 people died and 57 others were wounded when fighters from a mainly-Muslim militia group attacked civilians and clashed with UN peacekeepers in the central town of Kaga Bandoro.
	The fighters then attacked a camp for displaced people as well as NGO offices. UN ..

Gunmen kill 11 in C Africa camp: UN

Attacks killed at least 46 people in Iraq today, including a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State group that was the deadliest to hit Baghdad in months.
	   The violence comes as Iraqi forces prepare for an operation to retake Mosul, the last IS-held city in the country -- a key battle, but one that will not end the threat of attacks such as those carried out on Saturday.
	   In the deadliest attack, a suicide bomber targeted a funeral tent where mourners were gathered to pay their respects in the Shiite-majority Shaab area of north Baghdad, killing at least 34 people and wounding least 36, officials said.
	   IS issued an online statement claiming the attack, saying it was carried out by a man who detonated an explosive vest.
	   A witness said the bomber entered the funeral tent and blew himself up as lunch was being served.
	   "I saw with my eyes 20 martyrs on the ground," the witness said.
	   Blood stained the ground at the scene of the attack, which was littered with ...

Attacks including suicide bombings kill 46 in Iraq

Scoreboard at tea on the third day of
the first day-night Test between Pakistan and West Indies at Dubai stadium today.
     Pakistan 1st innings: 579 for 3 declared
     West Indies Ist innings (overnight 69 for 1)
     K Brathwaite lbw b Shah                  32
     L Johnson lbw b Shah                     15
     D Bravo not out                          30
     M Samuels not out                        50
     Extras: (B-8, NB-3)                      11
     Total: (For two wkts; 52 overs)         138
     Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-69.
     Bowling: Amir 12-3-30-0, Sohail 8-0-29-0, Shah 18-8-42-2, Riaz 8-1-24-0, Nawaz 5-3-5-0, Ali 1-1-0-0.

Dubai, Oct 15 (AFP) Scoreboard at tea on the third day of

Marlon Samuels hit an attractive half-century to lead the West Indies fight on the third day of the first day-night Test against Pakistan here today.
     Samuels was unbeaten on 50 while his partner Darren Bravo was batting on 30 as West Indies still trail Pakistan's first innings total of 579-3 declared by 441 runs with eight wickets intact.
     The West Indies first target will be to avoid follow-on by reaching 380.
     Samuels and Bravo have added 69 for the third wicket after West Indies -- resuming at 69-1 -- lost opener Kraig Brathwaite leg-before to leg-spinner Yasir Shah for 32 in the second over of the day.
     Samuels hit two boundaries off his first two balls off Shah and then hit paceman Sohail Khan for two more in a confident start against a pace-cum spin Pakistan attack.
     The Dubai stadium pitch has not taken much turn which Pakistan could have exploited as Bravo and Samuels were steady in the two-hour session.
     Samuels took a single off spinner Mohammad ...

Samuels leads West Indies fight in first Test

The twin brother of Poland's former president Lech Kaczynski, who died in a 2010 plane crash in Russia, said today he agrees with the decision to exhume the late leader's body as part of a new inquiry into the accident.
	"I have agreed with the prosecutor's decision on the exhumations. The remains of my brother... Will be among the first, if not the first, exhumation," said Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who heads the ruling populist Law and Justice (PiS) party, in an interview with Onet news website.
	The presidential plane went down in Smolensk in western Russia in April 2010, killing all 96 people on board, in an incident the PiS believes was nothing short of an assassination.
	The party, which came to power a year ago, has denounced as "scandalous" an inquiry into the crash led by the previous liberal government - headed at the time by Donald Tusk, who is now the EU president.
	"The bodies, once they were brought back to Poland, were not examined. There was no autopsy," Kaczynski said of the 

Body of Poland's late president to be exhumed in crash probe

Russia's flagship aircraft carrier set off today for the Mediterranean Sea where Moscow's naval forces are supporting its bombing campaign in Syria, the defence ministry said.
	The deployment of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier comes weeks after Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the ship would be sent to the eastern Mediterranean to boost the country's naval forces in the area.
	The Admiral Kuznetsov is travelling with the Pyotr Veliky battlecruiser, the Vice-Admiral Kulakov destroyer and large anti-submarine ships, the ministry said.
	In addition to safeguarding maritime navigation, the ships are meant to "respond to new types of modern threats like piracy and international terrorism," the ministry said.
	Russia has been flying a bombing campaign in Syria for the past year in support of President Bashar al-Assad and has deployed a naval contingent to back up its operation.
	This is the first time that the Soviet-era Kuznetsov - Russia's only aircraft carrier part of its ...

Russian flagship aircraft carrier departs for Syria coast

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov held face-to-face talks today for the first time since Washington halted their bilateral push for peace in Syria.
	The pair met in a Lausanne hotel shortly before they were to take part in a broader gathering with regional players to relaunch international efforts to end the Syrian war, officials said.
	After talking for 40 minutes, Kerry and Lavrov joined envoys from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Jordan and Qatar to seek ideas on how to end the conflict.
	Previously, Russia and the United States had pursued a joint effort to impose a ceasefire, but this broke down when Syria's Bashar al-Assad launched an assault on rebel-held east Aleppo.
	Kerry has since accused Russian-led forces of taking part in the regime's bombing of hospitals and homes and has put an end to the bilateral track -- while still remaining in close contact with Moscow.
	Ahead of today's talks, a senior US official travelling with ...

AFP

AFP

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