NATO chief to make first visit to Ukraine

Brussels: NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg will next week make his first visit to Ukraine, the alliance said on Friday, as efforts to solve the conflict between pro-Russian rebels and government forces continue. Ukraine, where around 7,000 people have been killed in fighting since April 2014, is a key partner but not a member of the 28-nation military alliance. AFP 

Muslims flock to hajj despite deadly crane collapse

Mecca: Pilgrims from around the world have begun massing in Saudi Arabia for the hajj, one of the biggest gatherings on the planet, undeterred by a crane collapse that killed 108 people, including 11 Indians, at Islam's holiest site. More than 1.2 million faithful have already arrived for the annual hajj, which begins on Tuesday. AFP

Indian-origin anti-apartheid activist dies in S Africa

Johannesburg: Indian-origin veteran anti-apartheid activist in South Africa, Reggie Vandeyar has died at the age of 84. Vandeyar, who died on Thursday, was a member of the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC)‚ the South African Communist Party (SACP)‚ the African National Congress (ANC) and Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). PTI

Open to any Syrian request to send troops: Kremlin 

Moscow: Moscow said on Friday it would consider any request from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to send troops, as Washington frets over an alleged Russian military buildup in the war-torn country. Moscow says it is sending arms to Syria under existing contracts but denies bolstering its forces in the country. AFP

Muslim teen not to return to school  

Houston: A Muslim boy in the US,   Ahmed Mohamed , arrested over a homemade clock said he would not return to the school where teachers got him arrested for an invention that 'looked like a bomb' as more support gathered for the 14-year- old, with people questioning the real motive of his detention. PTI