WASHINGTON: SpaceX said Monday it is pushing back by a week a bid to become the first private company to attempt to launch a spacecraft to the International Space Station on an unmanned cargo mission. "After reviewing our recent progress, it was clear that we needed more time to finish hardware-in-the-loop testing and properly review and follow up on all data," said SpaceX spokewoman Kirstin Brost Grantham. "While it is still possible that …

A fishing boat lost in the massive Japanese tsunami a year ago has turned up off Canada's west coast, authorities said Saturday. An aerial inspection suggested that there was no one on board, Transport Canada spokeswoman Sau Sau Liu told AFP. The 65-meter (210-foot) vessel was spotted Tuesday by a Canadian Forces aircraft on a routine surveillance patrol, and its Japanese owner has been notified, said Transport Canada. A military photo …

The Obama administration is threatening to impose sanctions on India over its continued economic ties with Iran amid disagreements between Washington and New Delhi over how much and how soon the latter is reducing oil imports from the (in US eyes) pariah nation. India has "failed" to reduce its purchase of Iranian oil and if it doesn't do so, President Barack Obama may be "forced" to impose sanction, unnamed administration officials were cited …

They've come a long way since the man who would be Mario set off to rescue Pauline from Donkey Kong and Pac-Man gobbled up as many dots as he could before the ghosts caught up with him. But really, are video games art? Absolutely, contends a major exhibition that opened Friday at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington that celebrates gaming's rich creative side and the people behind a medium that's still in full bloom. "The …

US ambassador to Egypt rushed to Germany from where she will return to United States, according to German news agency. Earlier, around 100 protesters calling for an end to military rule in Egypt clashed with soldiers near the US embassy in Cairo. Shouting "Down with military power!" the protesters lobbed stones at the soldiers, who responded by throwing them back and trying to disperse the crowd. The soldiers then returned to their position, where …

The World Bank was on Friday to propose a coalition of governments, global organisations and other groups to protect the oceans, aiming to raise $1.5 billion in the next five years for the purpose. World Bank president Robert Zoellick was to tell a global conference in Singapore that the new partnership would bring together various groups to confront problems of over-fishing, marine degradation and loss of habitat. "The world's oceans are in danger, …

Shortly before the United States ended a two-month pause in missile strikes on militants in Pakistan last month, senior U.S. officials telephoned their Pakistani counterparts and told them Washington would be resuming its covert drone program despite mounting objections in Islamabad. Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were among those who spoke with Pakistani officials shortly before the eight-week pause in the drone …

It's an unlikely sight at one of the biggest US military bases: young families lining up and waiting patiently outside a warehouse for free gifts to slip under the Christmas tree. Times are tough as much for military families as for anyone else in America this Christmas, making donated toys for the children -- from teddy bears and Barbies to board games and bicycles -- more welcome than ever. "Like any other family, it's hard times," said Sergeant …

The Pakistani rupee hit a record low for the fifth consecutive day on Friday due to increased import payments, the country's bleak economic outlook and an overall weakening of regional currencies. "The rupee was traded at 89.02 (to the dollar) and there are some (import) payments of about $50 million to $60 million today," said a bank dealer. The rupee was trading at 88.92/89.02 to the dollar at 11:21 a.m. (0621 GMT), compared with Thursday's close …

Pakistan is refusing to take part in a US military investigation of air strikes near the Afghan border that left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead, the Pentagon said Friday. Pakistan was invited to cooperate in the probe into Saturday's incident, which has enraged Islamabad and plunged US-Pakistani relations into crisis, but officials have declined to do so. "They have elected to date not to participate, but we would welcome their participation," said …