TRIPOLI (AFP) - Explosions rocked Tripoli as Western forces staged fresh air strikes to halt Moamer Kadhafi's attacks on civilians, with one raid flattening a building in the strongman's heavily-fortified residence.As warplanes took off from Italian bases and anti-aircraft guns roared in the Libyan capital, Kadhafi's army announced a new ceasefire Sunday, saying it was heeding an African Union cal

World News March 21, 2011

A warplane is seen being shot down over the outskirts of Benghazi, eastern Libya, Saturday. (AP-Yonhap News)Libya says 48 killed in West's air and missile strikesTRIPOLI (AFP) - At least 48 people have died since the US, Britain and France began pounding Libya with air strikes and Tomahawk missiles, according to an initial toll given to AFP by a Libyan official early Sunday.Allies launch Libya for

World News March 20, 2011

Libya declared an immediate cease-fire and promised to stop military operations Friday in a bid to fend off international military intervention after the U.N. authorized a no-fly zone and ``all necessary measures'' to prevent the regime from striking its own people. The announcement by Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa followed a fierce attack by Gadhafi's forces against Misrata, the last rebel-held

World News March 18, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) _ For the first time, Earth has a regular orbiting eye-in-the-sky spying on the solar system's smallest and strangest planet, Mercury.NASA's spacecraft called Messenger successfully veered into a pinpoint orbit Thursday night after a 6 1/2-year trip and 4.9 billion miles (7.9 billion kilometers) and tricky maneuvering to fend off the gravitational pull of the sun. It is the fifth p

Industry March 18, 2011

SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- Women in the military are no exception when it comes to sexual violence that is rampant in North Korea, which claims it runs one of the world's finest armies, a human rights group said Thursday.It remains unknown how many women serve in the 1.2 million-strong North Korean military, but joining the armed forces is considered an honor even for women in the communist count

Social Affairs March 18, 2011

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's youngest son and a four-star general Kim Jong Un attends a Lantern Festival concert in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP-Yonhap News)SEOUL (AFP) - North Korea said on Friday it would call its parliament into session in April, with attention focused on whether heir apparent Kim Jong-Un will be further promoted.The fourth session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly will

North Korea March 18, 2011

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US celebrities are rallying their fans to raise money for survivors of the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan, with Lady Gaga leading the charge and raising $250,000 in 48 hours. The larger-than-life pop icon announced her plan Monday to raise money for Japan by selling red and white wristbands bearing the message "We Pray for Japan" for $5 a piece via her online merchandis

Television March 17, 2011

TOKYO (AP) _ Australia, Britain and Germany advised their citizens in Japan to consider leaving Tokyo and earthquake-affected areas, joining a growing number of governments and businesses telling their people it may be safer elsewhere.The advisories came as the crisis at Japan's Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in the northeast deepened in the wake of last week's earthquake and ensuing tsunami.Aus

World News March 17, 2011

MILAN (AP) _ Premier Silvio Berlusconi paid for sex with an under-age Moroccan teen 13 times at his villa near Milan, prosecutors said in a document filed Tuesday seeking indictments against three aides for allegedly soliciting prostitutes for the Italian leader.The seven-page document, obtained by The Associated Press, alleges that the sex-fueled parties started with dinner, progressed to erotic

Politics March 16, 2011