Namibian Begins Voting in General Election Namibians began voting Friday in general elections expected to return the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) to power, despite a tough challenge from a new breakaway party. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 9 minutes ago
Climate Debate Heats Up Caribbean Summit An approaching global climate summit has raised the temperature at what is usually low-key meeting of leaders from Britain’s former colonial empire. Ben Fox, AP NEWS - 10 minutes ago
Idaho Gov’s Road Funding Panel Due to Meet in Dec. With Idaho officials trying to plug holes in the state budget, most lawmakers aren’t thinking transportation funding as the 2010 Legislature nears. Staff, AP NEWS - 13 minutes ago
Iraqi VP: No Deal Yet on Election Law Standoff A top Iraqi official warned Friday “it is too early” to claim a breakthrough in a political crisis over the fragile democracy’s election law, all but assuring that a national vote will be pushed past its deadline. Lara Jakes, AP NEWS - 17 minutes ago
Maine Police Take on Excise Tax Evaders It takes Sgt. Charles Denault barely two minutes to spot a dozen cars with out-of-state license plates parked in driveways and outside houses and apartments. Clarke Canfield, AP NEWS - 18 minutes ago
Ahead of the Bell: Lower Demand, Dollar Hurt Deere An improved 2010 revenue forecast prompted an analyst to slightly increase his profit estimate for Deere & Co. Friday, although he warned that the farm equipment manufacturer could be hurt by reduced demand and the weak dollar. Staff, AP NEWS - 18 minutes ago
4 Relatives Shot Dead at Fla. Thanksgiving Party Three women and a child in bed were shot to death during a family Thanksgiving gathering in South Florida and a male relative was being sought early Friday. Travis Reed, AP NEWS - 21 minutes ago
Iran Tells Norway to Stay Out of Nobel Medal Row Norway has no right to criticize Iran for confiscating Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi’s medal, Iran’s foreign ministry said Friday. Nasser Karimi, AP NEWS - 22 minutes ago
Shoppers Pack Stores as Holiday Season Revs Up Shoppers crowded stores and malls in the wee hours Friday, some after spending the night waiting in line, to grab early morning deals and hard-to-find items. Anne D'Innocenzio, AP NEWS - 22 minutes ago
Diplomats: Iran Censured at UN Nuclear Meeting The board of the U.N. nuclear watchdog censured Iran on Friday, with 25 nations backing a resolution that demands Tehran immediately freeze construction of its newly revealed nuclear facility and heed Security Council resolutions calling on it to stop uranium enrichment. George Jahn, AP NEWS - 24 minutes ago
US Stock Futures Tumble on Fears Over Dubai Debt U.S. stock futures plunged Friday as a wave of fear swept through world markets over concerns that financial trouble in the Middle Eastern city-state of Dubai will upend a global economic recovery. Tim Paradis, AP NEWS - 25 minutes ago
Namibia Vote Expected to Return Party to Power Namibia’s longtime ruling party may see its grip on this desert nation weakened in elections that began Friday, with a challenge from a new breakaway party hoping to attract voters dissatisfied with corruption and leadership scandals. Alexandra Regner, AP NEWS - 29 minutes ago
Key British Diplomat Testifies to Iraq Inquiry Britain’s top diplomat at the United Nations in the build up to the 2003 Iraq war told an inquiry Friday that attempts to win international authorization for the invasion were deliberately undermined by the United States. David Stringer, AP NEWS - 30 minutes ago
Ariz. Lawmakers Hit Reset Button on Loan Lawsuits Arizona legislators responded quickly last June when bankers complained that investor-builders were abusing a post-foreclosure protection intended for homeowners. Paul Davenport, AP NEWS - 38 minutes ago
Filipino Who Lost Wife in Massacre Files Candidacy The Philippine politician whose wife and relatives were among 57 people massacred in an apparent bid to stop him from running for governor filed his candidacy papers Friday, vowing only his death could stop him. Jim Gomez, AP FEATURES - 43 minutes ago
Obama-Saved Turkey Does Disneyland “Courage”, the turkey given a presidential pardon this week by U.S. President Barack Obama, is flown to its new home and given a celebratory reception at Disneyland, California. Reuters Video, REUTERS NEWS VIDEO - 47 minutes ago
Lion Cubs Are Instant Stars in Tokyo Three adorable lion cubs draw a crowd at the Kamine Zoo, north of Tokyo, Japan. Reuters Video, REUTERS NEWS VIDEO - 47 minutes ago
Secret Service: Crashers Posed No Danger to Obama 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 - 50 minutes ago
Climate Debate Heats Up Caribbean Summit An approaching global climate summit has raised the temperature at a typically low-key meeting of leaders from Britain’s former colonial empire. Ben Fox, AP NEWS - 54 minutes ago
Food Banks Go High-Tech to Feed the Hungry Food banks across the country are undergoing a high-tech revolution, adopting sophisticated databases, bar coding, GPS tracking, automated warehouses and other technologies used in the food industry that increasingly supplies their goods. George Tibbits, AP NEWS - 60 minutes ago
Canadian Buyer Wants Multiple Sports at Silverdome The owner of the Canadian company that’s buying the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan says he wants to bring football, baseball and other sports to the 80,300-seat venue. Staff, AP NEWS - 61 minutes ago
In Greenland, Warming Fuels Dream of Hidden Wealth Gert Ignatiussen returns to this fjord-front Inuit town with the spoils of his hunting trip. Six seals, all killed with a single shot to the head. Karl Ritter, AP NEWS - 61 minutes ago
Barroso Unveils Lineup of New European Commission European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Friday named the 26 people he wants to help him drive the EU’s day-to-day agenda for the next five years, including nominees for new posts that reflect major shifts in policy priorities, notably climate issues. Robert Wielaard, AP NEWS - 64 minutes ago
Retired Admiral Says Russia Losing Its Navy Russia’s once-mighty navy faces further dramatic decline after 2015, when most Soviet-built ships will have to be mothballed, a retired admiral was quoted as saying Friday. Vladimir Isachenkov, AP NEWS - 65 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 - 66 minutes ago
4 Relatives Shot Dead at Fla. Thanksgiving Party Four people including a child in bed were shot to death during a family Thanksgiving gathering and a manhunt was under way across South Florida early Friday for a male relative suspected in the slayings. Staff, AP NEWS - 68 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 - 68 minutes ago
World Leaders Spur on Climate Debate World leaders sought on Friday to spur on the global-warming debate ahead of a Copenhagen climate conference that has been fired up by pledges from China and the United States to cut emissions. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
World Leaders Spur on Climate Debate World leaders sought Friday to spur on the global-warming debate ahead of a Copenhagen climate conference that has been fired up by pledges from China and the United States to cut emissions. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
For 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 - 68 minutes ago
Polanski to Spend One More Weekend in Jail Roman Polanski has not come up with 4.5 million dollars bail to allow him to be moved to house arrest in his Swiss chalet, and will stay in jail till after the weekend, Swiss authorities said Friday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Iraq Invasion of ‘Questionable’ Legitimacy The US seemed set on invading Iraq regardless of what the UN Security Council thought, Britain’s then ambassador to the UN said Friday, calling the war “legal but of questionable legitimacy.” Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
UAE Not to Deport Syrian Witness in Hariri Probe The UAE will not extradite a former Syrian spy accused of misleading a UN probe into the murder of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri, Gulf News reported on Friday, citing an official source. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
UN Watchdog Censures Iran on Nuclear Drive The UN nuclear watchdog censured Iran on Friday and demanded it immediately halt construction of a newly-revealed uranium enrichment plant as world powers united against Tehran. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Russia Has Assured Iran on Missile Delivery: Diplomat Russia has assured Iran it will honour a deal to supply the Islamic Republic with advanced S-300 air-defence missiles, Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow said Friday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
UN Atomic Watchdog Censures Iran: Diplomats The UN atomic watchdog passed a resolution censuring Iran over its nuclear programme at a meeting here Friday, diplomats said. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Ebadi Defiant Despite Iran Assets Seizure: Report Iranian rights activist Shirin Ebadi has vowed not to cave in to pressure from the Islamic republic despite the seizure of her bank accounts and Nobel medal, a report said on Friday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Hajj Pilgrims in ‘Stoning the Devil’ Ritual Pilgrims pelted pillars symbolising the devil with pebbles to show their defiance on the third day of the hajj on Friday as Muslims worldwide marked the Eid al-Adha holy day with mass animal sacrifices. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Philippine Politician Charged With Murder A Philippine politician was charged with murder on Friday after authorities accused him of ordering soldiers, police and other gunmen to kill at least 57 defenceless people in an organised slaughter. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Dubai Panic Pushes World Stocks Down for Second Day Global stock markets fell for a second day on Friday over investor alarm about possible domino defaults rippling out from a shock request by Dubai to suspend debt payments. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
German Minister Quits Over Afghan Strike Germany’s former defence minister Franz Josef Jung quit the cabinet on Friday over a deadly bombing in Afghanistan, the day after claims of a cover-up took the scalp of the country’s top general. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Khmer Rouge Jail Chief in Shock Acquittal Plea Former Khmer Rouge prison chief Duch stunned Cambodia’s UN-backed war crimes court Friday by unexpectedly asking judges to acquit and release him on the final day of his trial. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Sri Lanka to Hold Presidential Poll in January Sri Lanka will hold presidential elections on January 26, the electoral office said Friday, with President Mahinda Rajapakse expected to face his former military chief Sarath Fonseka. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Sri Lanka to Hold Presidential Poll Jan 26 Sri Lanka’s electoral office said on Friday that presidential elections would be held on January 26, with President Mahinda Rajapakse expected to face his former military chief Sarath Fonseka. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Key Anti-Taliban Pakistan Leader Assassinated A key anti-Taliban leader was assassinated in a bomb attack in Pakistan’s tribal belt, as troops backed by helicopters killed 15 militants in a new operation on Friday, officials said. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Banks in Firing Line of Dubai Debt Rout Jittery investors Friday dumped stock in the two foreign banks with the heaviest exposure to Dubai -- HSBC and Standard Chartered -- as ripples from a feared debt default spread worldwide. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Paris Faces Museum Shutdown After Pompidou Strike Strike action kept the landmark Pompidou modern art centre shut for a fifth day Friday as culture ministry unions threatened to close down the Louvre and other Paris museums to protest planned job cuts. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Oil Hits Seven-Week Low on Dubai Shock The price of oil slumped to a seven-week low point close to 72 dollars on Friday with investors spooked by a shock call from the Dubai government to suspend the debt of a key state company, analysts said. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Reforms Urged After Report Slams ‘Dirty’ Hospitals Revelations of blood-scattered equipment and an unusually high death rate at two Essex hospitals sparked concerns on Friday, prompting calls for managers at the trust to resign. Afp, AFP EUROPEAN EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Ferguson Backs Grant in Portsmouth Survival Fight Alex Ferguson has backed Avram Grant to succeed at Portsmouth and believes the former Chelsea manager has the ability to save his new club from relegation from the Premier League. Afp, AFP EUROPEAN EDITION - 68 minutes ago
London Stocks Slide Further on Dubai Threat London shares were slipping on Friday following sharp losses across Asian markets on worries about Dubai’s debt default threat. Afp, AFP EUROPEAN EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Japan’s Top Banks Exposed to Dubai World: Reports Japan’s top banks have hundreds of millions of dollars exposed to Dubai World, the Gulf conglomerate teetering on the brink of a potential debt crisis, analysts said on Friday. Afp, AFP ASIAN EDITION - 68 minutes ago
‘Patience Is Running Out’ Over Iran: US Ambassador Patience is “running out” over Iran’s nuclear programme, the US ambassador said here Friday after the UN atomic watchdog passed a resolution censuring Tehran. Afp, AFP AMERICAN EDITION - 68 minutes ago
Jobs, Economics Complicate Brazil’s Amazon Fight Drawing his .40-caliber pistol, Severiano Pontes dashes across the steaming, muddy jungle floor, a hunch telling him what he would find around a bend. Bradley Brooks, AP NEWS - 69 minutes ago
Swiss: Polanski in Jail Until at Least Monday Roman Polanski will remain in a jail outside Zurich for at least three more days until he meets the security conditions of his bail, a Swiss official said Friday. Bradley S. Klapper, AP NEWS - 76 minutes ago
On Video: Ranger Beats Croc Attack In a “snap”shot of thinking on your feet, an Australian ranger at a Queensland sanctuary saves his colleague from being eaten for lunch by a 4-metre crocodile. Reuters Video, REUTERS NEWS VIDEO - 77 minutes ago
Sri Lanka’s Presidential Poll Set for Jan. 26 Sri Lankan elections officials said Friday that the nation would hold early presidential elections on Jan. 26 in what is expected to be a battle between two men revered for their efforts to crush the Tamil Tiger rebels. Bharatha Mallawarachi, AP NEWS - 77 minutes ago
Brazil: ‘Gringos’ Must Pay to Stop Amazon Razing Brazil’s president said that “gringos” should pay Amazon nations to prevent deforestation, insisting rich Western nations have caused much more past environmental destruction than the loggers and farmers who cut and burn trees in the world’s largest tropical rain forest. Marco Sibaja, AP NEWS - 78 minutes ago
© 2009 Polity Media, Inc.