Nasa unmanned Antares rocket explodes on launch

An unmanned Antares rocket exploded seconds after lift off from a commercial launch pad in Virginia on Tuesday, a Nasa TV broadcast showed.

The 14-story rocket, built and launched by Orbital Sciences Corp, bolted off its seaside launch pad at the Wallops Flight Facility at 6.22pm EDT/2222 GMT (6.22am Singapore time) carrying a Cygnus cargo ship for the International Space Station.

It exploded seconds later. The cause of the accident was not immediately available, said NASA mission commentator Dan Huot.

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Malaysia PM vows to bring MH17 plane crash culprits to justice

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Tuesday vowed to bring to justice the perpetrators of the downing of Malaysia Airlines MH17, but said he feared fighting in Ukraine might block access to the crash site.

In an interview with Reuters in Dubai, Datuk Seri Najib also said he hoped to see results over the coming months in the search for missing Malaysian jetliner MH370, bringing closer a solution to the world's greatest aviation mystery. The plane veered off course and disappeared without a trace earlier this year.

Malaysia has been hit by two unprecedented aviation disasters this year - flight MH370's disappearance in March and the downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine in July. Mr Najib told Reuters that Malaysia was determined to continue its search for answers for both.

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Israeli cult leader gets for 30 years for rape, incest

An Israeli court sentenced a polygamist cult leader to 30 years in prison on Tuesday for multiple sexual offences including rape, indecent assault and incest, media reports said.

Goel Ratzon's lawyer said she would study the ruling before deciding whether to lodge an appeal.

Ratzon was charged in 2010 with enslaving and sexually abusing 21 women he considered to be his wives - although he was never officially married - and the 38 children he fathered with them. He was convicted last month on several counts of rape and other sex crimes against six women and girls but acquitted on the enslavement charge.

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Thousands mourn Canada soldier killed in Ottawa attack

Thousands of mourners lined the streets of the Canadian city of Hamilton on Tuesday for the funeral of a soldier killed last week in an attack in the centre of the nation's capital.

To the tune of wailing bagpipes and a solitary drum beat, hundreds of soldiers, veterans and police officers walked alongside the flag-draped casket of Corporal Nathan Cirillo to a cathedral in Hamilton, his hometown in Ontario.

Cirillo was fatally shot last week while standing watch at the War Memorial in Ottawa. His attacker, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, then stormed into parliament and exchanged fire with police before being shot dead.

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Gwyneth Paltrow poses for photo at Marina Bay Sands' pool - in an airplane seat

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is bringing home memories of her visit this week to Singapore, not just of local delicacy chilli crab but also of a special visit to Marina Bay Sands' famous Infinity Pool.

The Hollywood star dazzled onlookers at the hotel, as she posed for a gravity-defying photo shoot, suspended on a British Airways Club World seat in the middle of the rooftop pool, says a statement.

Her visit here is to launch the airline's new Airbus A380 flights to Singapore.

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