Suspect in Nemtsov killing is Muslim shocked by Charlie Hebdo cartoons - Chechen leader

A Chechen suspect in the killing of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov is a "deep believer"who was shocked by the Charlie Hebdo cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said on Sunday.

Russian investigators said last week they were looking into the possibility that Islamist militants had shot dead Nemtsov, a liberal, over his defence of the cartoons in the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

"All who know Zaur (Dadayev) confirm that he is a deep believer and also that he, like all Muslims, was shocked by the activities of Charlie and comments in support of printing the cartoons," Kadyrov wrote on his Instagram account.

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Escalating air war on ISIS not the answer: US general

The US military's top officer Sunday defended the pace of the air war against ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), warning that escalating bombing raids or sending in more American troops would be a mistake.

During a visit to a French aircraft carrier in the Gulf taking part in the air campaign, General Martin Dempsey appealed for "strategic patience" in the fight against the ISIS.

Expanding the air war could risk civilian casualties and play into the hands of ISIS propaganda, he said aboard the Charles de Gaulle.

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Pilots set for first round-the-world solar flight

The first attempt to fly around the world in a plane using solar energy will be launched Monday in Abu Dhabi, its pilots said, in a landmark journey aimed at promoting green energy.

The takeoff of Solar Impulse 2, which was delayed on Saturday due to high winds, would cap 13 years of research and testing by Swiss pilots Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard.

"This project is a human project, it is a human challenge," Borschberg, co-founder and chief executive of Solar Impulse who will fly the plane on the first leg, told reporters on Sunday.

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Poisoning investigation after Crufts show dog dies

Owners of a prize-winning Irish Setter who died after competing at the renowned Crufts dog show claimed on Sunday their dog had been poisoned at the English event.

Thendara Satisfaction, who was known as Jagger and was almost four years old, won second in his class at the event in the city of Birmingham on Thursday.

The dog died after returning home to Belgium, 26 hours after leaving the event, a spokeswoman for Crufts operators The Kennel Club said.

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Badminton: All-England champion Chen Long hopes to emulate legend

World number one Chen Long hopes to emulate his legendary compatriot Lin Dan after regaining an All-England Open men's singles title which some doubted he could capture a second time.

The 26-year-old from Hubei repelled a brave challenge from Jan Jorgensen, the world number two from Denmark, 15-21, 21-17, 21-15, and spoke after Sunday's win of trying to reach the five titles which Lin, the Olympic champion, has won in Birmingham.

"Jorgensen is tough but Lin Dan is right up there," said Chen, indicating the ceiling.

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