Was President in Danger From Dinner Crashers? The Secret Service maintains that President Barack Obama was never in danger at a state dinner after an uninvited Virginia couple got through security, but it wouldn’t comment on whether anyone is screened for radiological or biological weapons. Larry Margasak, AP NEWS - 4 minutes ago
Australia Carbon Cuts Hit by Opposition Revolt Australia’s bid to pledge carbon cuts ahead of next month’s global climate talks was in serious doubt Friday as an opposition revolt over the legislation threatened to trigger snap polls. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 4 minutes ago
In Tobacco-Loving Va., Bars to Quit Cold-Turkey The bluish haze that has hung over the Third Street Diner’s bar and booths for decades finally lifts next month as a new anti-smoking law takes hold in Virginia, a huge shift for a state whose tobacco habit dates to the Jamestown settlement some 400 years ago. Bob Lewis, AP NEWS - 8 minutes ago
China Pledges Stable Economic Policy for Next Year Chinese leaders pledged Friday to maintain stable economic policies over the year ahead as they wrapped up an annual planning meeting amid a massive stimulus effort, a state news agency said. Staff, AP NEWS - 25 minutes ago
Japan’s Global Auto Production Mixed in October Honda Motor Co. set record production in Asia and China in October for the second straight month, leading a gradual and spotty recovery at Japanese automakers. Staff, AP NEWS - 26 minutes ago
Namibia Vote Expected to Return Party to Power Namibia’s President Hifikepunye Pohamba was among the first to vote in an election expected to return him and his party to power, despite a challenge from a new breakaway party. Staff, AP NEWS - 26 minutes ago
Deflation, Surging Yen Threaten Japan’s Recovery Japan got word Friday that prices fell again in October, just as a surging yen threatens to worsen the deflation that is undermining the country’s fragile economy. Tomoko A. Hosaka, AP NEWS - 27 minutes ago
Karzai Renews Call on Taliban to Lay Down Weapons President Hamid Karzai renewed his call Friday to the Taliban and other extremist groups in Afghanistan to lay down their weapons and participate in rebuilding the battered country. Staff, AP NEWS - 27 minutes ago
Dollar Sinks to Fresh 14-Year Low vs Yen The dollar sank to a fresh 14-year low against the yen Friday in Asia as worries about Dubai’s debt mountain drove investors to buy safe haven assets like the yen. Malcolm Foster, AP NEWS - 28 minutes ago
Asian Stocks Tumble Amid Dubai Fears, Dollar Slump Asian stock markets tumbled Friday, with Hong Kong and South Korea down about 5 percent, as fears mounted over the fallout from Dubai’s massive debt problems and the dollar continued its slide against the Japanese yen. Jeremiah Marquez, AP NEWS - 30 minutes ago
Cambodian Ex-Prison Chief Pleads for Release The Khmer Rouge prison chief blamed for thousands of deaths at an infamous torture center asked Cambodia’s genocide tribunal to release him Friday, citing the decade he already has served in jail and his cooperation with the panel. Sopheng Cheang and Luke Hunt, AP NEWS - 38 minutes ago
Oil Slides to Near $74 as Dubai Woes Roil Markets Oil prices sank to near $74 a barrel Friday in Asia as investors curtailed their risky bets on commodities amid uncertainty about the global fallout from Dubai’s financial troubles. Stephen Wright, AP NEWS - 54 minutes ago
Karzai Renews Call on Taliban to Lay Down Weapons President Hamid Karzai has renewed his call to the Taliban to lay down its weapons and participate in rebuilding Afghanistan. Staff, AP NEWS - 57 minutes ago
Namibia Begins Voting in General Election Namibians began voting Friday in general elections expected to see the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) return to power, despite a tough challenge from a new breakaway party. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 65 minutes ago
Japan Pop Star’s Husband Gets Suspended Jail Term The surfer husband of disgraced Japanese pop star Noriko Sakai received a suspended two-year jail term Friday for illegal drug use, weeks after his wife was also found guilty, court officials said. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 65 minutes ago
For Giant Turtles, Beach Offers a Precarious Start to Life After two hours of scouring the beaches of Pongara National Park in the dark night, Joan Ikoun-Ngossa and his patrol finally find a leatherback turtle. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 65 minutes ago
Namibia Set to Begin Voting in General Election Namibians were set to begin Friday two days of voting in general elections expected to see the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) return to power, despite a tough challenge from a new breakaway party. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 65 minutes ago
China to Launch Second Lunar Probe: State Media China will launch its second moon orbiter next October, state media reported Friday, as it powers ahead with a space programme that has sparked concerns abroad. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 65 minutes ago
Paris Celebrates Ballets Russes, Still Young at 100 When Serge Diaghilev brought his Ballets Russes to Paris in 1909, they were an overnight sensation and changed the course of ballet history. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 65 minutes ago
Singapore Firm Inks Massive Myanmar Gas Deal A Singaporean marine engineering company has signed a multimillion dollar contract with a Myanmar firm, and will lay gas pipelines off the shores of the military-ruled nation next year. Afp, AFP ASIAN EDITION - 65 minutes ago
UN Man Shot Dead Near Philippine Massacre: Police A local UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) worker was shot dead in a lawless part of the southern Philippines close to where a political massacre occurred this week, police said Friday. Afp, AFP ASIAN EDITION - 65 minutes ago
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