Clint Dempsey recorded his first hat-trick for the United States in a dominant 6-0 win over Cuba on Saturday that put theAmericans into a CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final against Jamaica.

Jamaica scored a late winning goal while Costa Rica needed only a scoreless draw as both teams advanced from Group B to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The United States recovered from a poor first half and earned a 1-1 draw against Panama on Monday that kept the Central Americans from clinching an automatic spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals.

The United States secured a quarter-final spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup when they beat Haiti 1-0 on Friday, while Panama and Honduras drew 1-1 in the other Group A match in Massachusetts.

Here are some of the best iPhone photos taken this year.

Professor Mohammad Ismail Bhat warns of a strong quake waiting to happen in Jammu and Kashmir.

We once again present a special feature on the ten worst earthquakes that had shaken the world and caused immense damage in the past 25 years.

With many searching their loved ones after the Nepal earthquake, Google has launched its 'person finder' tool and Facebook has activated its 'safety check' feature to help locate and report missing persons.

Football idols Zidane and Ronaldo team up in UN Ebola fundraiser.

CONCACAF's congress witnessed an outburst of support for incumbent Sepp Blatter.

US First Lady Michelle Obama has invited a prominent Indian-American doctor, who is playing a key role in fighting the dreaded Ebola disease in West Africa, for Wednesday's State of the Union Address.

We bring you a collection of some of the best photographs taken this week by Reuters photographers.

A map showing the percentage of undernourished people across various countries.

Dr Kalyani Gomathinayagam, a young Indian doctor who volunteered to spend four weeks in west Africa helping those suffering and dying of Ebola, speaks to Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com why she took on an assignment many would shy away from.

Though hunger levels are not alarming in India, it still fares badly, lagging behind Nepal and Sri Lanka on the Global Hunger Index.

About one-third of the world's poor live in India but there are countries where 88 per cent of population is extremely poor.

Other large recipients are China ($64 billion), the Philippines ($28 billion), Mexico ($24 billion), Nigeria ($21 billion), Egypt ($18 billion), Pakistan ($17 billion), Bangladesh ($15 billion), Vietnam ($11 billion) and Ukraine ($9 billion).

Ever wondered what happens when Hollywood A-listers turn protestors? Take a look.

About 77 per cent of girls aged between 15 and 19 in India have been subjected to sexual violence by their spouses, according to a report by UNICEF which said more than half of the girls in the age group faced physical abuse at the hands of their parents.

In the fifth part of a series on Presidential Scholars, Arthur J Pais profiles Rajet Vatsa

Eight Indian soldiers, who lost their lives while serving in United Nations peacekeeping operations last year, are among 106 military, police and civilian personnel to be posthumously awarded a prestigious UN medal this week for their courage and sacrifice in the line of duty.

Two whole weeks after he landed on his feet in unfamiliar territory, Patrick Ward records what it is to be a parachute journalist in the chaos called India

While his father has often been quoted on tips for investing, Buffett junior's focus is on spreading the word about both self-improvement and ways in which to make a positive difference in the world - with a special focus on solving hunger.

India could add $7.7 billion every year to its economic productivity if its young girls are able to study and work till their 20s.

While Asia and Africa are home to the vast majority of modern slaves, no continent is free from modern slavery

Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut has come up with some futuristic concepts of what the green cities of tomorrow might be like.

Even though India improved upon its ranking (79 out of 178) compared to 2012 -- climbing two spots -- the country is still not out of the woods in the danger list owing to starkly uneven economic development and widespread poverty.

Amidst all the glitz, glamour and luxury yacht vacations, Hollywood stars make time for charity work too.

Rajeev Srinivasan on how Indians are satisfied with illusions, not reality.

In a year of countless accomplishments, India Abroad for the first time chooses two icons as the India Abroad Person of the Year. Monali Sarkar reports from New York

World champions Spain held on for a 2-1 win over Haiti in a friendly on Saturday as they warmed up for this month's Confederations Cup.

Welcome to the weekly fashion round-up, where we bring you the latest on supermodels, style, designers and everything in-between!

James F Dobbins, a veteran United States diplomat, has been named as the new special American envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, at a time when both countries are going through "a pivotal moment". Announcing his appointment, US Secretary of State John Kerry said, "He has a deep and longstanding relationships in the region and I couldn't be more grateful that Jim has agreed to take on this assignment."

United States President Barack Obama appointed Denis R McDonough, one of his top foreign policy advisors and longtime trusted aide as his next Chief of Staff.

European cities continue to dominate the list of world best cities to live in according to the Mercer 2012 Quality of Living Survey.

Foreign Policy, a United States-based magazine has placed 15-year-old Pakistani child rights activist Malala Yousafzai in its top 100 Global Thinkers list.

The United Nations headquarters overlooking the East River in United Nations suffered "major damage" as the megastorm Sandy caused heavy flooding in the world body's complex, the United Nations security chief has said.

Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been appointed as the United Nations' special envoy for global education.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed deep regret over the death of an Indian UN peacekeeper who was killed during clashes between renegade soldiers of Congo and government troops on the border with Uganda.

The Foreign Policy magazine has released its annual 'Failed States Index'. The average score on the 2012 index, prepared in collaboration between the Foreign Policy and Fund For Peace, has remained more or less steady from year to year.