Srinagar / AFP A fierce gun battle killed two soldiers and five suspected militants Saturday in Indian-administered Kashmir near the de facto border with Pakistan, army officials said. The seven died during a heavy exchange of fire in the border village of Marsari, 130 kilometres northwest of the main city of Srinagar, defence spokesman NN Joshi said. The 16-hour gun …

Caracas / AFP Venezuelans are accustomed to severe shortages of oil, diapers and other staple products. But those hoping to buy what they could find got a new unpleasant surprise this week. They found malls dark and shuttered on the first day of a government electricity rationing regime. “This is madness, this is not the solution!” said Nataly Orta, 48, …

Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business The current slowdown in the UAE real estate market should be seen as a minor correction as opposed to a major crash, according to a Middle East property expert. David Dudley, International Director at JLL MENA, said that while the impact of reduced oil prices on the economy will lead to a short-term slowdown in …