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Actor Anne Heche 'not expected to survive' after crash: US media

US actor Anne Heche is "not expected to survive" after suffering a serious brain injury in a car crash in Los Angeles last week, US media has reported.. Heche has been comatose since crashing her car into a two-story house in the Mar Vista neighborhood on August 5, resulting in  "structural compromise and... heavy fire" at the scene, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

South Korea pardons Samsung boss 'to help the economy'

The heir and de facto leader of Samsung group received a presidential pardon Friday, the latest example of South Korea's long tradition of freeing business leaders convicted of corruption on economic grounds.. But many of those convicted have subsequently had their sentences cut or suspended on appeal, with some -- including late Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, who was convicted twice -- receiving presidential pardons in recognition of their "contribution to the national economy".

India-Pakistan: 75 years of tensions

India and Pakistan, born 75 years ago out of the bloody division of the British Raj, are deeply troubled neighbours, at odds over the disputed territory of Kashmir.. India carries out five tests that year and Pakistan six.

'War minus shooting': partition created fierce cricket rivalry

When India and Pakistan were forged out of violent partition 75 years ago, the split also created one of sport's greatest rivalries.. So strong is the rivalry between the countries that they can't even share the date of the partition which gave them independence, with Pakistan celebrating it on August 14 and India a day later. 

India at 75: dreams of a Hindu nation leave minorities sleepless

The Hindu priest on the banks of the holy river Ganges spoke softly, but had a threatening message 75 years after the birth of independent India: his religion must be the heart of Indian identity.. He was assassinated less than a year after India and Pakistan's independence and Partition in 1947, by a Hindu fanatic who considered him too tolerant towards Muslims.

Brazilians march in 'defense of democracy'

Thousands of Brazilians took to the streets of several cities Thursday in "defense of democracy" in the face of President Jair Bolsonaro's sustained attacks on the voting system, weeks ahead of elections.. Several of Bolsonaro's election rivals have signed the petition, including leftist ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who tweeted Thursday: "Our country used to be sovereign and respected.

UN watchdog warns of 'grave' crisis amid violence near Ukraine nuclear plant

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog warned an emergency Security Council meeting on Thursday of the "grave" crisis unfolding at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, as Moscow and Kyiv traded accusations of new shelling near the facility.. Moscow and Kyiv on Thursday accused each other of new shelling near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, a dangerous escalation five months into the war.

Attorney general says 'personally approved' Trump home search

US Attorney General Merrick Garland said Thursday that he had "personally approved" the search of Donald Trump's Florida home, and condemned "unfounded attacks" on the FBI following the unprecedented action against an ex-president.. Garland criticized "unfounded attacks on the professionalism of the FBI and Justice Department agents and prosecutors."

Sri Lankan ex-leader arrives in Bangkok after fleeing protests

Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday arrived in Bangkok after his visa ran out following a month-long stint in Singapore where he had taken refuge from protesters at home.. Sri Lankans arriving in Singapore normally receive a 30-day visa, but authorities said they had initially given Rajapaksa only two weeks and later extended the visa by another two weeks.