WASHINGTON: Twenty-six people have died from illnesses associated with e-cigarette use since March, US health authorities said Thursday, while some 1,300 have suffered lung injuries linked to vaping. Officials have yet to identify the cause for the outbreak, which dates back to late March, and are pursuing multiple lines of investigation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that …

WASHINGTON: Research published Thursday into a deadly disease sweeping through wild koalas has revealed that the retrovirus causing it is being fought at the genetic level, allowing scientists to witness a rare evolutionary process as it unfolds. The KoRV-A retrovirus first began infecting the marsupial between hundreds to a few thousand years ago, starting from the north of Australia and …

UNITED NATIONS: The World Health Organization (WHO), a United Nations agency, and football’s world governing body, FIFA, Monday agreed to a four-year collaboration to promote healthy lifestyles through football globally. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and FIFA President Gianni Infantino signed the memorandum of understanding at WHO’s Geneva-based headquarters. “WHO is excited to be working with FIFA. Half the …

SAN FRANCISCO/HONG KONG: Apple has removed an app that helped Hong Kong protesters track police movements, saying it was used to ambush law enforcement, following sharp criticism of the US tech giant by a Chinese state newspaper for allowing the software. The decision to bar the HKmap.live app, which crowdsources the locations of both police and protesters, from its App …

LOS ANGELES: SpaceX could launch US astronauts to the International Space Station as early as next year if tests on the company´s long-delayed Crew Dragon capsule prove conclusive, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said Thursday. Bridenstine made the announcement as he toured the California headquarters of billionaire Elon Musk´s SpaceX, a major contractor for NASA. The visit came as Bridenstine and …

LOS ANGELES: SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk opened up his private rocket factory to a top official of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Thursday for a tour and progress report on the company’s long-delayed Crew Dragon astronaut capsule. The NASA is paying commercial launch contractors, SpaceX and Boeing Co, $6.8 billion to build rocket-and-capsule systems to return astronauts …

This year in Hollywood has been chockfull of endless action, rib-tickling humour, and intense drama with multiple box-office hit films that have left movie buffs craving for more. The following list is a proof of the magic that went on silver screens in 2019. Avengers: Endgame Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, American superhero film ‘Avengers: Endgame’ was released …

Hollywood star Mark Ruffalo has reacted strongly to famous TV host Ellen DeGeneres defending former US president George W. Bush. The latest controversy surrounding the American talk show host and George Bush has also left Hollywood divided with many big names taking sides on the issue. It all began when DeGeneres was spotted watching an NFL game in Dallas with …

KABUL: Sporting a black quiff and sideburns, Ahmad Zahir sang of love and heartbreak in liberal 1970s Kabul — a city now plagued by war and suffering, but where the popularity of Afghanistan´s “Elvis” remains undimmed 40 years after his death. Zahir — the son of a former prime minister with a penchant for brandy and his red Mercedes — …

Hollywood film “Joker” has not only overtaken cinema screens but has also influenced a Pakistani artist based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Mohammad Babar — who is currently residing in the UAE and works for a telecommunication company— has attracted a lot of fans because of his make up skills. According to the 43-year-old, people have been very encouraging …