Israeli military chief hints at anti-Iran activity

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli leaders typically greet word of violent setbacks to Iran‘s nuclear program with a wall of silence. Now a throwaway comment by Israel’s military chief has hinted of possible Israeli involvement in attacks like the explosion that killed an Iranian nuclear scientist Wednesday.The car bombing in Tehran was the latest in a string of murky mishaps for Iran‘s nuclear program caused by computer worms, explosions and assassinations of top experts. Israel, which has identified a

Jan. 12, 2012

47,000 people killed in drug violence in Mexico

MEXICO CITY (AP) ― Two decapitated bodies were found inside a burning SUV early Wednesday at the entrance to one of Mexico’s most luxurious malls, feeding fears drug violence is infiltrating privileged realms previously thought safe.Police recovered the mutilated bodies before dawn off a toll highway at a shopping mall entrance in the heart of the Santa Fe district that’s a haven for international corporations, diplomats and the wealthy. The heads and a threatening message were dumped a few yard

Jan. 12, 2012

Russian ship stopped carrying arms bound for Syria

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) ― A Russian ship that made an unscheduled stop in Cyprus while carrying tons of arms to Syria was technically violating an EU embargo on such shipments, say Cypriot officials.The vessel, however, was allowed to continue its journey Wednesday after changing its destination.The cargo ship, owned by St. Petersburg-based Westberg Ltd., left the Russian port on Dec. 9 for Turkey and Syria, which is 65 miles (105 kilometers) east of Cyprus, the officials said.Russia and Turkey are

Jan. 12, 2012

Marines probe video depicting urination on corpses

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The U.S. Marine Corps said Wednesday it is investigating a video depicting what appears to be four Marines urinating on the corpses of Taliban fighters.In a statement, the Marine Corps said it has not verified the origin or authenticity of the YouTube video. It also said the action

Jan. 12, 2012

World’s ‘most expensive’ tea grown in Chinese panda poo

CHENGDU, China (AFP) ― Chinese entrepreneur An Yanshi is convinced he has found the key ingredient to produce the world’s most expensive tea ― panda poo.The former calligraphy teacher has purchased 11 tons of excrement from a panda breeding center to fertilize a tea crop in the mountains of Sichuan province in southwestern China, home to the black and white bears.An says he will harvest the first batch of tea leaves this spring and it will be the “world’s most expensive tea” at almost 220,000 yu

Jan. 11, 2012

Disagreements emerge in peace efforts: Israel

JERUSALEM (AP) ― Disagreements have already emerged in nascent negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, an Israeli official said Tuesday, but he said his government remains committed to a year-end target to reaching a final peace deal.The Israeli pronouncement was the first time either side has spoken about the dialogue launched last week in Jordan. The low-level contacts, between the chief Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, are aimed at reviving formal peace talks.The Israeli officia

Jan. 11, 2012

‘Doomsday’ ticks closer to end

WASHINGTON (AFP) ― Global uncertainty on how to deal with the threats of nuclear weapons and climate change have forced the “Doomsday clock” one minute closer to midnight, leading international scientists said Tuesday.“It is now five minutes to midnight,” said Allison Macfarlan, chair of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, which created the Doomsday clock in 1947 as a barometer of how close the world is to an apocalyptic end.The last decision by the group, which includes a host of Nobel Prize win

Jan. 11, 2012

`Doomsday Clock' moves 1 minute closer to midnight

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A group of scientists that tracks the likelihood of a global cataclysm says the world is moving closer to doomsday.The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced Tuesday that it has moved its ``Doomsday Clock'' to five minutes to midnight.The group says inadequate progress on stop

Jan. 11, 2012

1 dead after South Africa university stampede

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- Officials at a South African university say one person is dead after prospective students stampeded the campus.Thousands of young adults and their parents began gathering at the University of Johannesburg campus on Monday to seek admission to the college.Many had only learn

Jan. 10, 2012

Egypt’s Brotherhood cautious after victory

CAIRO (AP) ― The Muslim Brotherhood has emerged as the biggest winner in parliamentary elections, but the fundamentalist group that has long dreamed of ruling Egypt is likely to be cautious about flexing its newfound muscle.The Brotherhood has been crushed by the military before and will likely tread carefully to avoid spooking the ruling generals or the country’s Western supporters, who provide generous amounts of badly needed foreign aid.That may be the best tactic for the Brotherhood as it se

Jan. 10, 2012