Zany scientists honored in alternative Nobels

NEW YORK (AFP) - In the ultimate accolade for the world's mad scientists, spoof Nobel prizes were awarded Thursday for studies into beetle sex, turtles yawning, the desperation of people dying to urinate and other daffy investigations.The annual Ig Nobel prizes, now in their 21st year, were given at

Sept. 30, 2011

U.S. man planned to blow up Pentagon

BOSTON (AP) ― A man was arrested Wednesday and accused of plotting an assault on the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol using remote-controlled aircraft armed with explosives ― the latest of several terrorism cases to spring from federal sting operations.Rezwan Ferdaus was arrested in Framingham, Massachuset

Sept. 29, 2011

U.S. ‘threat’ of military action unites Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (AP) -- U.S. accusations that Pakistan is supporting Afghan insurgents have triggered a nationalist backlash and whipped up media fears of an American invasion, drowning out any discussion over the army’s long use of jihadi groups as deadly proxies in the region.The reaction shows the prob

Sept. 29, 2011

U.N. Council moves to consider Palestinian bid

UNITED NATIONS (AP) ― The Security Council took its first official step Wednesday to consider the Palestinians’ request for U.N. membership.Lebanese Ambassador Nawaf Salam, who holds this month’s rotating council presidency, announced that he was forwarding the Palestinians’ request to the committee

Sept. 29, 2011

Putin rebuilds economic team, seeks unity

 

Sept. 28, 2011

Killings spread fear on Mexico social networks

MEXICO CITY (AFP) -- The brutal killing of a third person in apparent retaliation for reporting crime on social networks has raised fears of further censorship of Mexico's drug violence.The beheading of journalist Maria Elizabeth Macias on Saturday came two weeks after the half-naked bodies of

Sept. 28, 2011

Western powers back off from sanctions call on Syria

DAMASCUS (AFP) -- Western powers dropped calls for immediate sanctions against Syria at the U.N. Security Council in the face of veto threats from China and Russia, as activists reported more Syrian civilian deaths.A new draft resolution drawn up by Britain, France, Germany and Portugal, with U.S. b

Sept. 28, 2011

Bolivian official quits in march backlash

LA PAZ (AP) ― Bolivia’s interior minister and his deputy resigned Tuesday after mounting recriminations over a violent police crackdown on marchers opposed to a jungle highway that they say would despoil an indigenous preserve.Interior Minister Sacha Llorenti became the second Cabinet member to step

Sept. 28, 2011

Haiti moving to restore army: documents

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) ― Haiti’s president is moving forward with a controversial campaign pledge to restore the country’s disbanded military with an initial force of 3,500 soldiers, according to a document obtained Tuesday by the Associated Press.The role for the army replacing the former discr

Sept. 28, 2011

Bin Laden photos must stay secret: U.S.

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Public disclosure of graphic photos and video taken of Osama bin Laden after U.S. commandos killed him would damage national security and lead to attacks on American property and personnel, the Obama administration contends in a court document.In a response late Monday to a Freedom

Sept. 28, 2011

Soong: China does not want me to run

TAIPEI (AP) ― A China-friendly Taiwanese presidential candidate has been quoted as saying Beijing opposes his candidacy because it fears it could dig into support for President Ma Ying-jeou, Beijing’s widely presumed favorite.The statement was attributed to veteran Taiwanese politician James Soong,

Sept. 28, 2011

Guinea opposition march dispersed

CONAKRY (AP) ― Opposition supporters attempting to join a march were violently dispersed, and at least four people were killed when paramilitary police seized control of traffic circles and lobbed tear gas at people walking toward the meeting point, an official said.Opposition leader Cellou Dalein D

Sept. 28, 2011

First post-Mubarak election to begin Nov. 28

CAIRO (AP) -- Egypt’s first parliamentary elections since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak will begin on Nov. 28, the country’s military rulers said Tuesday in an announcement greeted with little fanfare by activists who have grown deeply suspicious of the generals’ commitment to change.The military coun

Sept. 28, 2011

Shanghai subway trains crash; hundreds injured

SHANGHAI (AP) -- A Shanghai subway train crashed into a stopped train during a signal failure Tuesday, injuring more than 270 people in the latest trouble for the newly expanded transportation system in China’s commercial center.The signal failure meant trains on Line 10 were being directed via phon

Sept. 28, 2011

Japan, Philippines to increase sea defenses

TOKYO (AP) ― Japan and the Philippines agreed to boost sea security Tuesday amid China’s growing assertiveness over territorial claims and resources in the region’s waters.Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and visiting Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said the two island nations both bel

Sept. 28, 2011