Globe-trotting: Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniv marked in Pak

Pakistani cultural enthusiasts and film lovers gathered at the iconic Kapoor House in Peshawar on Saturday to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of legendary filmmaker and actor Raj Kapoor. A highlight of the event was the cutting of a cake to mark the birth centenary. Participants also welcomed the World Bank’s announcement to allocate Rs 100 million each for the restoration of the ancestral homes of Kapoor and fellow Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar. Both homes, located near the famous Qissa Khawani Bazaar, are celebrated as symbols of Peshawar’s deep ties to Indian cinema.

Camel Trek embarks on epic UAE desert trail

Dubai: In a bold celebration of the UAE’s heritage, the 11th edition of the Camel Trek is well into its 13-day desert odyssey, with 33 participants from 17 countries, each embodying the spirit of the UAE. The participants, hailing from both the UAE and beyond, have set off from the heart of the Empty Quarter desert and are currently crossing the vast, shifting sands of the Western Desert, bound for the Heritage Village at Global Village, where their journey will culminate on December 21.

After 15 yrs, Indiana to execute man who shot 4

New York: Indiana officials are preparing to execute the state’s first death row inmate in 15 years, who was convicted a quarter-century ago of shooting dead his brother and three other men. Joseph Corcoran (49) has been on death row since 1999. If he is put to death as scheduled on Wednesday, it will be the state’s first execution since 2009. He is scheduled to be executed through a lethal injection before sunrise at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, about 72 km east of Chicago.

Mount Semeru in Indonesia's East Java erupts

Jakarta: Mount Semeru, located in Indonesia’s East Java province, erupted on Sunday, prompting the country to issue an aviation warning. A thick column of white-to-grey ash rose up to 1,000 metres into the sky, drifting northeast from the crater. Authorities issued the second-highest aviation warning, designating an orange Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation, restricting flights within 5 km of the volcano, Xinhua news agency said.