Egypt's interim president pledged Thursday to protect his country against those who seek chaos and violence in the aftermath of a popularly backed military coup, promising that justice and reconciliation will be for all. President Adly Mansour gave his first address to the nation ahead of planned protests Friday by ousted President Mohammed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt's military, worried by post-coup violence that already has killed more than 60 people, issued a stern warning about causing

World News July 19, 2013

The first openly gay mayor ever elected in Mexico is scheduled to take office in the rough, violence-plagued state of Zacatecas in September.It's an unexpected place to see a step forward in gay rights. The city of Fresnillo has become better known recently for gang shootouts.Mayor-elect Benjamin Medrano says he doesn't think he's at risk from the drug violence, but is proud to be openly gay.He said Thursday he won't challenge the Catholic church, or advocate for gay marriage or adoption.Medrano

People July 19, 2013

Moody's Investors Service upgraded the outlook for U.S. government debt to ``stable'' from ``negative'' and affirmed the United States' blue chip Aaa rating.The rating agency cited a surprising drop in the federal deficit _ the difference between what the government collects in taxes and what it spends. The U.S. government is on track to report its lowest annual deficit in five years.Through the first eight months of the budget year, the deficit has totaled $509.8 billion, according to the Treas

World Business July 19, 2013

A five-member U.N. team is scheduled to arrive in Panama in early August for an on-site examination of a North Korean ship seized for carrying weapons from Cuba, officials said Thursday.Panama raided the 14,000-ton Chong Chon Gang ship last week as it tried to pass through the Panama Canal. It is alleged to be transporting contraband weapons in violation of U.N. sanctions.The Panamanian authorities asked the U.N. Security Council Sanctions Committee to investigate the case.The team of five exper

World News July 19, 2013

The Emmy Awards are television's biggest celebration of itself, but this year's ceremony will face an intruder: ``House of Cards,'' the first online series to nab a top nomination with its best drama series.The nomination, one of nine nods earned by the political thriller, is a marker in the unfolding revolution in how audiences receive and watch video entertainment. Netflix's triumph on Thursday also included nods for its revival of ``Arrested Development.'' Kevin Spacey, the nominated star of

Television July 19, 2013

The Dow and the S&P 500 closed at new record highs Thursday on robust corporate earnings reports and the latest reaffirmation of the Federal Reserve's easy-money policy.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 78.02 (0.50 percent) to 15,548.54.The broad-market S&P 500 ended 8.46 (0.50 percent) higher at 1,689.37.The rally solidly topped both indices' prior closing records set Monday of15,484.26 on the blue-chip Dow and 1,682.50 on the S&P 500.The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index, meanwhile, eked ou

World Business July 19, 2013

The Pentagon's top military officer said Thursday there are "some setbacks" in efforts to get South Korea ready for the takeover of wartime operational control(OPCON) of its troops by the agreed-upon date of Dec. 1, 2015.But Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), said he still supports the OPCON transition as scheduled."From a military perspective, the timing of the transfer of wartime OPCON is appropriate," he said in a written answer submitted to the Senate

Defense July 19, 2013

Detroit became the biggest U.S. city to file for bankruptcy Thursday, its finances ravaged and its neighborhoods hollowed out by a long, slow decline in population and auto manufacturing that once made it the very symbol of American industrial might. The federal bankruptcy court filing, which had been feared for months, conserves cash so the city can operate but it will hurt Detroit's image for years. It could mean laying off municipal employees, selling off assets, raising fees and scaling back

World Business July 19, 2013

North Korea on Monday marked the 19th anniversary of its founder's death with the country's leadership, people and media all paying respects to Kim Il-sung.Kim, who founded the communist country in 1948, laid the foundation of the state before his death in July 8, 1994. He is immortalized in the North and remains the "Eternal President of the Republic" even after his death.Highlighting the importance of the day, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the founder's grandson, paid homage to Kim's remain

North Korea July 8, 2013

Asiana Airlines Inc., South Korea's No. 2 flag carrier, apologized Sunday over a crash landing of its passenger jet in the U.S., which killed at least two people and injured dozens of others.An Asiana Airlines flight from Seoul crashed and caught fire on the runway while landing at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday. The Boeing 777 plane, which departed from Incheon International Airport west of Seoul, was carrying 291 passengers and 16 crew members, according to the airline.Seventy

Social Affairs July 7, 2013

Owners of South Korean conglomerates and their family members have pocketed a total of 469 billion won (US$411 million) in dividends over the past five years from affiliates owned by them, industry data showed on Sunday.Family-owned conglomerates, or chaebol, have been under fire in the country for their practice of granting profitable contracts to their affiliates owned by heads' children or relatives in a bid to avoid paying gift taxes on future transfers of wealth.Previously, laws did not reg

Social Affairs July 7, 2013