Friday - New Straits Times

Explosion during Paris musical rehearsal injures at least 15

PARIS: Around 15 people were injured on Friday, five of them seriously, in an accidental explosion during rehearsals for a Paris musical, just hours before the show was due to start, police sources and an employee said.

Clarke poised for comeback with New South Wales

Australian captain Michael Clarke is in line to make his comeback from injury to lead New South Wales in their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania this week, team officials said Monday.

Hamilton quickest in Korea Grand Prix practice, Kimi crashes

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton set the pace in first free practice at the Korean Grand Prix on Friday as injury-hit Finn Kimi Raikkonen walked away from a late crash.

One dose of HPV vaccine may prevent cervical cancer

A single dose -- rather than the recommended three -- of a vaccine against the sexually transmitted disease HPV may be enough to ward off cervical cancer, researchers say.

Portugal get Sweden in WCup playoffs while France visit Ukraine

Continental giants Portugal and Sweden were drawn together in the pick of the World Cup qualifying play-offs in Europe made by football's governing body FIFA on Monday.

Japan, Russia hold first diplomatic-defence talks

The foreign and defence ministers of Japan and Russia agreed Saturday to cooperate in fighting terrorism and piracy as the neighbours, still at odds over territorial woes, held an unprecedented security dialogue.

Iran hangs 16 in reprisal for Pakistan border killings

Iran said it executed 16 "rebels" Saturday in reprisal after gunmen killed at least 14 border guards near the border with Pakistan, in a rugged area often rocked by violence.

Mexico frees 61 kidnap victims, 1 American

MEXICO CITY: Mexican federal forces have freed 61 kidnap victims in the northern border city of Reynosa, including 53 Central Americans, seven Mexicans and one U.S. citizen, federal security spokesman Eduardo Sanchez said Friday.

Wenger wants Arsenal to prove their worth

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal's League Cup fourth round tie against Chelsea on Tuesday is a golden opportunity to prove they can be serious contenders for silverware.

Wawrinka reaches ATP finals semis, Nadal wins

LONDON: Stanislas Wawrinka keeps reaching new milestones in 2013.