World leaders worry, seek plans for Arab unrest

Arab protest wave hurts al-Qaida, Iran: U.S.WASHINGTON (AFP) ― U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday that protests across the Arab world have dealt a major setback to al-Qaida militants and Iran by endorsing democratic change.“It basically gives the lie to al-Qaida’s claim that the only way to get rid of authoritarian governments is through extremist violence,” Gates told reporters.W

March 2, 2011

US to weigh any military action against Libya

The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge is underway February 16, 2011 in the Red Sea in the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility. A US warship with hundreds of Marines on board headed towards Libya on March 1, 2011, defense officials said, as US and European allies sought to pile pressure on embattled leader Moamer Khadafi. The USS Kearsarge, an amphibious assault ship accompanied by two other na

March 2, 2011

Iran opposition leaders arrested

TEHRAN (AFP) ― Iranian opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi and their wives have been arrested and put in a Tehran jail, their websites said Monday in reports swiftly denied by a judicial official.The two had been under house arrest after judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani said earlier this month they had committed “treason” and MPs demanded they be hanged.“Mir Hossein M

March 1, 2011

Chimpanzee meat on sale in Britain’s restaurants and markets

Chimpanzee meat could be on sale illegally in restaurants and markets in Britain. (MCT)So-called “bush meat” -- allegedly found by in a raid by U.K. Trading Standards officials -- is believed to have been traded from market stalls in the Midlands.An investigator from Trading Standards told British tabloid The Sun on Monday:“We’ve found things like rat in the past, but it’s really shocking to find

March 1, 2011

‘Free Libya’ chants heard near capital

U.S. pledges assistance as opposition forms its own leadershipZAWIYA, Libya (AP) ― With residents shouting “Free, free Libya,” anti-government rebels who control this battle-scarred city nearest to the capital deployed tanks and anti-aircraft weapons Sunday to brace for an attack by troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi. The Obama administration offered “any type of assistance” to Libyans seeking to ous

Feb. 28, 2011

Tunisia gets new premier after new violence

TUNIS (AFP) ― Tunisia’s Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi resigned Sunday and was replaced by Beji Caid Essebsi, a former minister, after anti-government protests left five people dead over the weekend.Security forces again clashed with protesters in Tunis demanding the removal of some ministers of Ghannouchi’s interim government before the premier announced his resignation.“The acts of violence

Feb. 28, 2011

Ashton Kutcher, Sarah Jessica Parker awarded worst actor and actress

Ashton Kutcher and Sarah Jessica Parker were awarded the worst actor and actress at the Golden Raspberry Awards on Feb. 26, the night before the Oscars, the Telegraph reported Sunday. Ashton Kutcher (left) and Sarah Jessica Parker (right) (MCT)Known as the “Razzies,” the Golden Raspberry Awards is held annually to recognize the worst films of the year. “The Last Airbender” was crowned the worst, w

Feb. 28, 2011

U.N. slaps sanctions on Gadhafi

Security Council imposes arms embargo, urges asset freeze and travel banUNITED NATIONS (AP) ― The U.N. Security Council moved as a powerful bloc Saturday to try to halt Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s deadly crackdown on protesters, slapping sanctions on him, his children and top associates.Voting 15-0 after daylong discussions interrupted with breaks to consult with capitals back home, the counci

Feb. 27, 2011

N. Zealand prays for quake victims

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) ― New Zealand’s premier said the Christchurch quake may be the country’s worst disaster ever, as officials raised the toll to 146 dead and more than 200 missing while giving a grim prognosis for the city’s downtown.Residents said prayers for the dead and missing at church services Sunday in Christchurch and across New Zealand. But church leaders canceled a planned mu

Feb. 27, 2011

Egypt proposes competitive presidential poll

CAIRO (AP) ― A constitutional reform panel on Saturday recommended opening Egypt’s presidential elections to competition and imposing a two-term limit on future presidents ― a dramatic shift from a system that allowed the ousted Hosni Mubarak to rule for three decades.The changes are among 10 proposed constitutional amendments that are to be put to a popular referendum later this year. The proposa

Feb. 27, 2011

UN council slaps sanctions on Libya's Gadhafi

   UNITED NATIONS (AP) _ The U.N. Security Council has voted unanimously to impose sanctions on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, his five adult children and top associates.   Voting after a day of discussions _ interrupted at times for consultations with home capitals _ council members agreed on Saturday to freeze the assets of Gadhafi, his four sons and one daughter, and to ban travel by the whole

Feb. 27, 2011

Space shuttle Discovery launches on final voyage

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) ― Discovery, the world’s most traveled spaceship, thundered into orbit for the final time Thursday, heading toward the International Space Station on a journey that marks the beginning of the end of the shuttle era.The six astronauts on board, all experienced space fliers, were thrilled to be on their way after a delay of nearly four months for fuel tank repairs. But i

Feb. 25, 2011

Man has 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren

Ziona Chana is head of the world’s largest family, British paper the Daily Mail reported last Saturday, with 39 wives, 94 children, 14-daughters-in law and 33 grandchildren living under his roof. (captured from The Daily Mail)The gigantic family lives in a 100 room, four story house in the Indian state of Mizoram.According to the Daily Mail, Chana keeps the youngest women near his bedroom with the

Feb. 25, 2011

Ex-spy Anna Chapman to run for Russian parliament

Anna Chapman, 29, one of the Russian spies expelled from the U.S last year, will probably run for the Russian parliament a s a member of Vladimir Putin’s ruling party. Russian spy Anna Chapman launched her own weekly TV show on Friday. (AP)According to British paper the Telegraph, Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper reported that the Russian prime minister has already penciled in Chapman as the next MP

Feb. 25, 2011

China charges subversion for protest repostings

BEIJING (AP) ― China filed subversion charges against Internet users who reposted a call for protests as the authoritarian government enforced its crackdown against any Middle East-style democracy movement, activists said.In addition to well-known activists who apparently remained in custody after being taken away ahead of the planned protests on Sunday, at least three people were detained on char

Feb. 24, 2011

Police arrest a boy for drawing “teacher must die”

A Colorado boy has been arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for drawing stick figures and a threatening message while in his classroom, according to news reports. (captured from The Daily Mail)The as-yet-unnamed boy drew some stick figures saying “teachers they must die” along with himself and a gun. He had thrown away his drawing, yet his teacher found it and reported to the principal.The boy

Feb. 24, 2011