Fire at illegal market In India kills at least 18
KOLKATA, India (AP) -- A fire broke out at an illegal six-story plastics market in the Indian city of Kolkata early Wednesday morning, killing at least 18 people, police said.
Suicide bomber attacks Afghan army bus; 7 wounded
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- A suicide bomber attacked a bus carrying Afghan soldiers to work in the capital early Wednesday, wounding seven people in an explosion that engulfed the undercarriage of the bus in flames, officials and witnesses said.
Half-dozen former LAPD officers seek review of terminations in Dorner aftermath
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – At least six fired police officers want their disciplinary cases reopened after the Los Angeles Police Department began reinvestigating the termination of a former officer who left a trail of violence to avenge his firing.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
seenewstoday.com : Top News updates
Authorities detain head of Mexico's powerful teachers' union on embezzlement charges
MEXICO CITY – Federal officials say the head of Mexico’s powerful teachers’ union has been detained for alleged embezzlement.
Canada crashes out of CONCACAF U20 championship with 4-2 loss to the U.S.
PUEBLA, Mexico – Canada was eliminated from the 2013 CONCACAF under-20 championship on Tuesday thanks to a 4-2 quarter-final loss to the United States.
JPMorgan to cut up to 17,000 jobs by end of 2014
NEW YORK (Reuters) – JPMorgan Chase & Co said on Tuesday that it plans to cut 17,000 jobs by the end of 2014, representing about 6.6 percent of the company's overall workforce , as the bank sheds staff that helped it deal with bad home loans. The bank is optimistic that it can generate record income this year and is planning to add 4,000 employees in commercial and investment banking and credit cards to help it win business, bank executives said at an investor conference. …
Calif. judge sentences Bobby Brown to 55 days in jail, 4 years' probation for drunken driving
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Bobby Brown has been sentenced to 55 days in a Los Angeles jail and four years of probation for a drunken driving case.
Head of Mexico's powerful teachers' union detained
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Federal officials say the head of Mexico’s powerful teachers’ union has been detained for alleged embezzlement.
MEXICO CITY – Federal officials say the head of Mexico’s powerful teachers’ union has been detained for alleged embezzlement.
Canada crashes out of CONCACAF U20 championship with 4-2 loss to the U.S.
PUEBLA, Mexico – Canada was eliminated from the 2013 CONCACAF under-20 championship on Tuesday thanks to a 4-2 quarter-final loss to the United States.
JPMorgan to cut up to 17,000 jobs by end of 2014
NEW YORK (Reuters) – JPMorgan Chase & Co said on Tuesday that it plans to cut 17,000 jobs by the end of 2014, representing about 6.6 percent of the company's overall workforce , as the bank sheds staff that helped it deal with bad home loans. The bank is optimistic that it can generate record income this year and is planning to add 4,000 employees in commercial and investment banking and credit cards to help it win business, bank executives said at an investor conference. … Calif. judge sentences Bobby Brown to 55 days in jail, 4 years' probation for drunken driving
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Bobby Brown has been sentenced to 55 days in a Los Angeles jail and four years of probation for a drunken driving case.
Head of Mexico's powerful teachers' union detained
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Federal officials say the head of Mexico’s powerful teachers’ union has been detained for alleged embezzlement.
seenewstoday.com : Top News updates
Cyclone intensifies, Australia's iron ore mines brace
PERTH (Reuters) – A powerful cyclone headed for Australia's Port Hedland, that has brought half the world's seaborne-traded iron ore to a halt, has in tensified and is set to make landfall late on Wednesday, threatening to flood inland mine operations and rail links. Weather warnings extend as far as 500 kms (310 miles) inland to the massive mining camps and towns of Tom Price, Mt Newman and Nullagine, operated by Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals Group. Hardest-hit areas could receive up to 600 millimeters, or 2 feet, of rain in 24 hours, said the Bureau of Meteorology. …
Puerto Rico airport privatization deal lifts off
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Puerto Rico’s governor on Tuesday approved turning over the operations of Puerto Rico’s largest airport to a private company as part of an estimated $2.6 billion deal that began under his predecessor and has been fiercely protested.
New stats show jump in family class immigration to Canada last year
OTTAWA – New figures show a jump in family class immigration to Canada last year.
Former Montreal senior official forced to explain phone calls, Italian vacation
MONTREAL – A former senior supervisor at Montreal city hall is being forced to defend hundreds of phone conversations he had with different construction company bosses.
PERTH (Reuters) – A powerful cyclone headed for Australia's Port Hedland, that has brought half the world's seaborne-traded iron ore to a halt, has in tensified and is set to make landfall late on Wednesday, threatening to flood inland mine operations and rail links. Weather warnings extend as far as 500 kms (310 miles) inland to the massive mining camps and towns of Tom Price, Mt Newman and Nullagine, operated by Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals Group. Hardest-hit areas could receive up to 600 millimeters, or 2 feet, of rain in 24 hours, said the Bureau of Meteorology. … Puerto Rico airport privatization deal lifts off
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Puerto Rico’s governor on Tuesday approved turning over the operations of Puerto Rico’s largest airport to a private company as part of an estimated $2.6 billion deal that began under his predecessor and has been fiercely protested.
New stats show jump in family class immigration to Canada last year
OTTAWA – New figures show a jump in family class immigration to Canada last year.
Former Montreal senior official forced to explain phone calls, Italian vacation
MONTREAL – A former senior supervisor at Montreal city hall is being forced to defend hundreds of phone conversations he had with different construction company bosses.
seenewstoday.com : Top News updates
Adventure travel grows despite occasional disaster
NEW YORK (AP) -- When Carole Rosenblat was growing up in the 1970s, her parents’ idea of an adventurous vacation was “driving cross-country from Michigan to California in a non-air-conditioned car with three kids.”
Fiery balloon accident kills 19 tourists in Egypt
LUXOR, Egypt (AP) -- The terror lasted less than two minutes: Smoke poured from a hot air balloon carrying sightseers on a sunrise flight over the ancient city of Luxor, it burst in a flash of flame and then plummeted about 1,000 feet to earth. A farmer watched helplessly as tourists trying to escape the blazing gondola leaped to their deaths.
Israel quietly sends migrants to Sudan
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel has quietly repatriated hundreds of Sudanese migrants in recent months, drawing accusations from rights groups that it has coerced the Africans into potentially life-threatening situations and possibly violated international norms for treating refugees.
NEW YORK (AP) -- When Carole Rosenblat was growing up in the 1970s, her parents’ idea of an adventurous vacation was “driving cross-country from Michigan to California in a non-air-conditioned car with three kids.”
Fiery balloon accident kills 19 tourists in Egypt
LUXOR, Egypt (AP) -- The terror lasted less than two minutes: Smoke poured from a hot air balloon carrying sightseers on a sunrise flight over the ancient city of Luxor, it burst in a flash of flame and then plummeted about 1,000 feet to earth. A farmer watched helplessly as tourists trying to escape the blazing gondola leaped to their deaths. Israel quietly sends migrants to Sudan
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel has quietly repatriated hundreds of Sudanese migrants in recent months, drawing accusations from rights groups that it has coerced the Africans into potentially life-threatening situations and possibly violated international norms for treating refugees. seenewstoday.com : Top News updates
Coral comeback: Reef 'seeding' in the Caribbean
ORACABESSA BAY, Jamaica (AP) -- Mats of algae and seaweed have shrouded the once thick coral in shallow reefs off Jamaica's north coast. Warm ocean waters have bleached out the coral, and in a cascade of ecological decline, the sea urchins and plant-eating reef fish have mostly vanished, replaced by snails and worms that bore through coral skeletons.
ORACABESSA BAY, Jamaica (AP) -- Mats of algae and seaweed have shrouded the once thick coral in shallow reefs off Jamaica's north coast. Warm ocean waters have bleached out the coral, and in a cascade of ecological decline, the sea urchins and plant-eating reef fish have mostly vanished, replaced by snails and worms that bore through coral skeletons. seenewstoday.com : Top News updates
Canadian military losing as much 'teeth' as 'tail' in budget cuts: expert
OTTAWA – A defence expert says money being cut from National Defence will inevitably slice into the Canadian military’s ability to carry out missions at home and abroad.
Australian billionaire launches plans for Titanic II; replica of doomed ship to sail in 2016
NEW YORK, N.Y. – An Australian billionaire is getting ready to build a new version of the Titanic that could set sail in late 2016.
Weather was calm, clear on night of fatal ferry sinking: witnesses
VANCOUVER – Two witnesses have told the trial of a crew member charged in a fatal ferry sinking that the weather was relatively calm as the ship sailed down B.C.’s Inside Passage.
China denies new Canadian ambassador permission to travel to Tibet
OTTAWA – China’s government barred Canada’s new ambassador from visiting Tibet as desperate monks prolong their wave of self-immolation to protest Beijing’s rule over the Himalayan plateau region.
Jays left-hander Ricky Romero uses first outing of spring to test out sinker
DUNEDIN, Fla. – Spring training is like a laboratory for pitchers, and Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Romero spent his time on the mound Tuesday testing out his sinker.
Napolitano warns looming U.S. spending cuts will cause border woes for Canada
WASHINGTON – Janet Napolitano, the Obama administration’s homeland security chief, warned Tuesday that the looming array of U.S. spending cuts known as sequestration will cause pain for Canadians, in particular at the busy Canada-U.S. border.
Gamblers who lost $2M at Fallsview Casino lose another round in casino lawsuit
TORONTO – Four high-stakes gamblers who lost $2.1 million over a few years at Fallsview Casino lost another round today in court.
Lohan's attorney seeks deal with prosecutors, suggests actress as inspirational speaker
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Lindsay Lohan’s attorney has suggested to prosecutors that the actress serve as a motivational speaker and perform non-jail activities to resolve her latest criminal case.
Repsol to hang on to Canaport LNG, signs 10-year supply deal with Shell
CALGARY – The Canaport LNG facility in Saint John, N.B., is not included in Repsol’s $6.7-billion asset sale to Royal Dutch Shell.
OTTAWA – A defence expert says money being cut from National Defence will inevitably slice into the Canadian military’s ability to carry out missions at home and abroad.
Australian billionaire launches plans for Titanic II; replica of doomed ship to sail in 2016
NEW YORK, N.Y. – An Australian billionaire is getting ready to build a new version of the Titanic that could set sail in late 2016.
Weather was calm, clear on night of fatal ferry sinking: witnesses
VANCOUVER – Two witnesses have told the trial of a crew member charged in a fatal ferry sinking that the weather was relatively calm as the ship sailed down B.C.’s Inside Passage.
China denies new Canadian ambassador permission to travel to Tibet
OTTAWA – China’s government barred Canada’s new ambassador from visiting Tibet as desperate monks prolong their wave of self-immolation to protest Beijing’s rule over the Himalayan plateau region.
Jays left-hander Ricky Romero uses first outing of spring to test out sinker
DUNEDIN, Fla. – Spring training is like a laboratory for pitchers, and Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Romero spent his time on the mound Tuesday testing out his sinker.
Napolitano warns looming U.S. spending cuts will cause border woes for Canada
WASHINGTON – Janet Napolitano, the Obama administration’s homeland security chief, warned Tuesday that the looming array of U.S. spending cuts known as sequestration will cause pain for Canadians, in particular at the busy Canada-U.S. border.
Gamblers who lost $2M at Fallsview Casino lose another round in casino lawsuit
TORONTO – Four high-stakes gamblers who lost $2.1 million over a few years at Fallsview Casino lost another round today in court.
Lohan's attorney seeks deal with prosecutors, suggests actress as inspirational speaker
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Lindsay Lohan’s attorney has suggested to prosecutors that the actress serve as a motivational speaker and perform non-jail activities to resolve her latest criminal case.
Repsol to hang on to Canaport LNG, signs 10-year supply deal with Shell
CALGARY – The Canaport LNG facility in Saint John, N.B., is not included in Repsol’s $6.7-billion asset sale to Royal Dutch Shell.
seenewstoday.com : Top News updates
Benedict to be called 'emeritus pope,' wear white
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Two pontiffs, each wearing white and each called "pope" living a few yards (meters) apart, with the same archbishop serving both.
$200 Promo Code on Air New Zealand
Take $200 off your next trip with Air New Zealand via this snazzy little promo deal. Just use promo code NZAUS200 to apply discount.
Man who set friend ablaze at Kelowna, B.C., house party gets 18 months in jail
KELOWNA, B.C. – A man who set his sleeping friend on fire during a house party in Kelowna, B.C., has received an 18-month jail sentence.
Mexico says 26,121 missing during drug war
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Mexico’s new administration says an official count shows at least 26,121 people reported missing during the term of President Felipe Calderon, who launched the country’s offensive against drug cartels.
Cuba says cigar sales $416 million last year
HAVANA (AP) -- Cuban cigar sales rose last year despite the ongoing economic crisis in some of the most important European markets including No. 1 buyer Spain, state-run tobacco company officials said Tuesday.
Appeal court affirms order to Toews to accept prisoner transfer from U.S.
TORONTO – The Federal Appeal Court has upheld an order to Public Safety Minister Vic Toews to accept the transfer to Canada of a prisoner serving his sentence in a U.S. jail for drug possession.
Chavez's return spurs doubts, new speculation
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- President Hugo Chavez's continued silence in the week since his return to Venezuela has only deepened the mystery about his health.
Lopes-Schliep pregnant with second child; has sights set on 2016 Rio Games
WHITBY, Ont. – Priscilla Lopes-Schliep rebounded from pregnancy to run Canada’s fastest time in the 100-metre hurdles last season.
Canadian Press NewsAlert: Alberta officer shot outside courthouse: mayor
WHITECOURT, Alta. – Mayor of Whitecourt says an Alberta sheriff has been shot outside the town’s courthouse.
Montreal's populist former archbishop says Canadian pope a possibility
MONTREAL – Montreal’s populist former archbishop says Quebecers will be proud if one of their own becomes the new pontiff.
Israelis plan to press Obama to free convicted spy
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel's Nobel-laureate president, backed by thousands of followers, is leading an effort to press President Barack Obama during his upcoming visit to free convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, ending one of the most painful episodes between the two allies.
Alberta regulator slams Plains Midstream over massive 2011 oil pipeline spill
CALGARY – Alberta's energy regulator is sharply critical of a company responsible for a massive 2011 oil pipeline spill that fouled land in the northwest part of the province.
As atrocities pile up, Syrians collect evidence
BEIRUT (AP) -- Syrian activist Yashar hopes the security agents who tormented him dur ing five months of detention will one day be put on trial. In detention, he says, he was locked naked in a tiny box for a week, beaten daily during marathon interrogations and blindfolded for 45 days.
Fierce clashes near landmark mosque in Syria
BEIRUT (AP) -- Syrian rebels battled government troops near a landmark 12th century mosque in the northern city of Aleppo on Tuesday, while fierce clashes raged around a police academy west of the city, activists said.
A look at the deadliest hot air balloon accidents
Tuesday’s crash of a hot air balloon near Egypt’s ancient city of Luxor, killing 19 tourists, surpasses what ballooning experts believed to have been the deadliest accident in the sport’s 200-year history, a 1989 crash in Australia that left 13 dead. Here is a look at some of the worst accidents involving recreational hot air balloons.
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Two pontiffs, each wearing white and each called "pope" living a few yards (meters) apart, with the same archbishop serving both. $200 Promo Code on Air New Zealand
Take $200 off your next trip with Air New Zealand via this snazzy little promo deal. Just use promo code NZAUS200 to apply discount.
Man who set friend ablaze at Kelowna, B.C., house party gets 18 months in jail
KELOWNA, B.C. – A man who set his sleeping friend on fire during a house party in Kelowna, B.C., has received an 18-month jail sentence.
Mexico says 26,121 missing during drug war
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Mexico’s new administration says an official count shows at least 26,121 people reported missing during the term of President Felipe Calderon, who launched the country’s offensive against drug cartels.
Cuba says cigar sales $416 million last year
HAVANA (AP) -- Cuban cigar sales rose last year despite the ongoing economic crisis in some of the most important European markets including No. 1 buyer Spain, state-run tobacco company officials said Tuesday.
Appeal court affirms order to Toews to accept prisoner transfer from U.S.
TORONTO – The Federal Appeal Court has upheld an order to Public Safety Minister Vic Toews to accept the transfer to Canada of a prisoner serving his sentence in a U.S. jail for drug possession.
Chavez's return spurs doubts, new speculation
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- President Hugo Chavez's continued silence in the week since his return to Venezuela has only deepened the mystery about his health. Lopes-Schliep pregnant with second child; has sights set on 2016 Rio Games
WHITBY, Ont. – Priscilla Lopes-Schliep rebounded from pregnancy to run Canada’s fastest time in the 100-metre hurdles last season.
Canadian Press NewsAlert: Alberta officer shot outside courthouse: mayor
WHITECOURT, Alta. – Mayor of Whitecourt says an Alberta sheriff has been shot outside the town’s courthouse.
Montreal's populist former archbishop says Canadian pope a possibility
MONTREAL – Montreal’s populist former archbishop says Quebecers will be proud if one of their own becomes the new pontiff.
Israelis plan to press Obama to free convicted spy
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel's Nobel-laureate president, backed by thousands of followers, is leading an effort to press President Barack Obama during his upcoming visit to free convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, ending one of the most painful episodes between the two allies. Alberta regulator slams Plains Midstream over massive 2011 oil pipeline spill
CALGARY – Alberta's energy regulator is sharply critical of a company responsible for a massive 2011 oil pipeline spill that fouled land in the northwest part of the province.
As atrocities pile up, Syrians collect evidence
BEIRUT (AP) -- Syrian activist Yashar hopes the security agents who tormented him dur ing five months of detention will one day be put on trial. In detention, he says, he was locked naked in a tiny box for a week, beaten daily during marathon interrogations and blindfolded for 45 days. Fierce clashes near landmark mosque in Syria
BEIRUT (AP) -- Syrian rebels battled government troops near a landmark 12th century mosque in the northern city of Aleppo on Tuesday, while fierce clashes raged around a police academy west of the city, activists said. A look at the deadliest hot air balloon accidents
Tuesday’s crash of a hot air balloon near Egypt’s ancient city of Luxor, killing 19 tourists, surpasses what ballooning experts believed to have been the deadliest accident in the sport’s 200-year history, a 1989 crash in Australia that left 13 dead. Here is a look at some of the worst accidents involving recreational hot air balloons.
seenewstoday.com : Top News updates
Unrest of the Maple Spring is 'behind us': Quebec's new premier
MONTREAL – Quebec Premier Pauline Marois is declaring that unrest in her province related to student protests is over, one year and one week after it began.
Canada regulators to propose extended poison pills: paper
TORONTO (Reuters) – Canadian securities regulators want to change the rules on takeover defenses to make it more difficult for hostile bidders to buy Canadian companies, a newspaper reported on Tuesday. The plan being floated would allow companies to keep “poison pill” defenses in place almost indefinitely, greatly enhancing their protection against unwanted suitors, according to the Globe and Mail, which cited sources it did not identify. Poison pills effectively raise the price of a hostile takeover by enabling shareholders to buy additional stock in the target company at a discount. …
Morneau ready to play for Canada, but confused about Martin's decisions
DUNEDIN, Fla. – Unlike Russell Martin, first baseman Justin Morneau says he’s willing to play anywhere for Canada at the World Baseball Classic.
GM says did not request 2013 pay bump for CEO Akerson
DETROIT (Reuters) – Ge neral Motors Co denied that it asked U.S. officials to allow for a pay increase of more than 20 percent for its top executive and said its request was misinterpreted for "political points" ahead of a congressional hearing on executive pay. GM submitted a request to U.S. officials to pay Chief Executive Dan Akerson $9 million for 2013, about the same as his 2012 and 2011 pay packages, GM said in a statement on Tuesday. The largest U.S. automaker's statement came in response to media reports that GM wanted to pay Akerson $11.1 million for 2013. …
Experts: In shooting at door, Pistorius broke gun rules, exposing himself to homicide charge
JOHANNESBURG – Even if Oscar Pistorius is acquitted of murder, firearms and legal experts in South Africa believe that, by his own account, the star athlete violated basic gun-handling regulations and exposed himself to a homicide charge by shooting into a closed door without knowing who was behind it.
MONTREAL – Quebec Premier Pauline Marois is declaring that unrest in her province related to student protests is over, one year and one week after it began.
Canada regulators to propose extended poison pills: paper
TORONTO (Reuters) – Canadian securities regulators want to change the rules on takeover defenses to make it more difficult for hostile bidders to buy Canadian companies, a newspaper reported on Tuesday. The plan being floated would allow companies to keep “poison pill” defenses in place almost indefinitely, greatly enhancing their protection against unwanted suitors, according to the Globe and Mail, which cited sources it did not identify. Poison pills effectively raise the price of a hostile takeover by enabling shareholders to buy additional stock in the target company at a discount. …
Morneau ready to play for Canada, but confused about Martin's decisions
DUNEDIN, Fla. – Unlike Russell Martin, first baseman Justin Morneau says he’s willing to play anywhere for Canada at the World Baseball Classic.
GM says did not request 2013 pay bump for CEO Akerson
DETROIT (Reuters) – Ge neral Motors Co denied that it asked U.S. officials to allow for a pay increase of more than 20 percent for its top executive and said its request was misinterpreted for "political points" ahead of a congressional hearing on executive pay. GM submitted a request to U.S. officials to pay Chief Executive Dan Akerson $9 million for 2013, about the same as his 2012 and 2011 pay packages, GM said in a statement on Tuesday. The largest U.S. automaker's statement came in response to media reports that GM wanted to pay Akerson $11.1 million for 2013. … Experts: In shooting at door, Pistorius broke gun rules, exposing himself to homicide charge
JOHANNESBURG – Even if Oscar Pistorius is acquitted of murder, firearms and legal experts in South Africa believe that, by his own account, the star athlete violated basic gun-handling regulations and exposed himself to a homicide charge by shooting into a closed door without knowing who was behind it.
seenewstoday.com : Top News updates
Bulgarian leader offers meeting with protesters
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) -- Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said Tuesday he is inviting representatives of widespread protests to meet with officials to seek solutions to a crisis which has already led the government to resign.
Prosecutors do not object to Kenya trial delays
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- The trials of four prominent Kenyans charged with orchestrating deadly postelection violence in 2007 and 2008 could be delayed until next summer.
Fugitive oligarch Ablyazov denied appeal by Supreme Court
LONDON (Reuters) – The Supreme Court has rejected a last-ditch attempt by fugitive Kazakh oligarch Mukhtar Ablyazov to defend himself in court against charges that he masterminded one of the largest frauds to be tried in Britain. The decision means that Ablyazov, who has been in hiding since a UK judge attempted to jail him for contempt of court last February, has run out of legal options in Britain unless he turns himself in and fully declares his assets. …
Tunisia: 4 suspects from radical group held in politician's murder, killer still at large
TUNIS, Tunisia – Four suspects belonging to a radical Islamic group have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of a leftist politician that plunged Tunisia into crisis, but the killer himself remains at large, the interior minister said Tuesday.
Man who killed Toronto cop with snow plow not criminally responsible: defence
TORONTO – The lawyer for a man charged with first-degree murder for killing a Toronto police officer with a snow plow is raising a defence of not criminally responsible.
Sen. Brazeau enters formal not guilty plea to assault, sexual assault charges
GATINEAU, Que. – Sen. Patrick Brazeau has formally entered a not guilty plea to charges of assault and sexual assault.
Zimbabwe PM's party reports increase in violence
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- The party of Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Tuesday that violence against its supporters is increasing as political tensions rise before upcoming elections.
Google and Spain wrestle over EU privacy law
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Google did battle with Spain's data protection authority in Europe's highest court on Tuesday, in a ca se with global implications that poses one of the toughest questions of the Internet age: When is information really private? The issue before the European Court of Justice boils down to this: If a person fails to make social security payments and their house is auctioned as a result, do they have the right to force Google to delete such damaging information from search results? Behind that question lie complex arguments over freedom of information, the right to protect …
Radio transmitter, quail and mouse feast help recapture California zoo's bald eagle
PALO ALTO, Calif. – A radio transmitter and then a feast of quail and mouse led to the capture of a California zoo’s bald eagle after three days on the lam.
Read all about it: Redford touts Keystone, Alberta's record, in USA Today
EDMONTON – Alberta Premier Alison Redford is taking her message on the Keystone XL pipeline across the United States in the daily newspaper USA Today.
Top Hungarian court overturns disputed church law
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) -- Hungary’s top court issued a ruling on Tuesday on the procedure the country should follow to decide which religions to officially recognize. But the verdict may have little practical effect because lawmakers are debating a constitutional amendment about the same issue.
Bystander killed in southern Yemen clashes
ADEN, Yemen (AP) -- Security and health officials say a bystander has been shot dead in clashes in southern Yemen between protesters and the military.
Balloon crash in Egypt's Luxor kills 19 tourists
LUXOR, Egypt (AP) -- A hot air balloon carrying tourists over Egypt's ancient city of Luxor caught fire Tuesday, and some passengers trying to escape the flames leaped to their deaths before the craft crashed in a sugar cane field. At least 19 tourists were killed in one of the world 's deadliest ballooning accidents.
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) -- Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said Tuesday he is inviting representatives of widespread protests to meet with officials to seek solutions to a crisis which has already led the government to resign.
Prosecutors do not object to Kenya trial delays
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- The trials of four prominent Kenyans charged with orchestrating deadly postelection violence in 2007 and 2008 could be delayed until next summer. Fugitive oligarch Ablyazov denied appeal by Supreme Court
LONDON (Reuters) – The Supreme Court has rejected a last-ditch attempt by fugitive Kazakh oligarch Mukhtar Ablyazov to defend himself in court against charges that he masterminded one of the largest frauds to be tried in Britain. The decision means that Ablyazov, who has been in hiding since a UK judge attempted to jail him for contempt of court last February, has run out of legal options in Britain unless he turns himself in and fully declares his assets. …
Tunisia: 4 suspects from radical group held in politician's murder, killer still at large
TUNIS, Tunisia – Four suspects belonging to a radical Islamic group have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of a leftist politician that plunged Tunisia into crisis, but the killer himself remains at large, the interior minister said Tuesday.
Man who killed Toronto cop with snow plow not criminally responsible: defence
TORONTO – The lawyer for a man charged with first-degree murder for killing a Toronto police officer with a snow plow is raising a defence of not criminally responsible.
Sen. Brazeau enters formal not guilty plea to assault, sexual assault charges
GATINEAU, Que. – Sen. Patrick Brazeau has formally entered a not guilty plea to charges of assault and sexual assault.
Zimbabwe PM's party reports increase in violence
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- The party of Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Tuesday that violence against its supporters is increasing as political tensions rise before upcoming elections.
Google and Spain wrestle over EU privacy law
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Google did battle with Spain's data protection authority in Europe's highest court on Tuesday, in a ca se with global implications that poses one of the toughest questions of the Internet age: When is information really private? The issue before the European Court of Justice boils down to this: If a person fails to make social security payments and their house is auctioned as a result, do they have the right to force Google to delete such damaging information from search results? Behind that question lie complex arguments over freedom of information, the right to protect … Radio transmitter, quail and mouse feast help recapture California zoo's bald eagle
PALO ALTO, Calif. – A radio transmitter and then a feast of quail and mouse led to the capture of a California zoo’s bald eagle after three days on the lam.
Read all about it: Redford touts Keystone, Alberta's record, in USA Today
EDMONTON – Alberta Premier Alison Redford is taking her message on the Keystone XL pipeline across the United States in the daily newspaper USA Today.
Top Hungarian court overturns disputed church law
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) -- Hungary’s top court issued a ruling on Tuesday on the procedure the country should follow to decide which religions to officially recognize. But the verdict may have little practical effect because lawmakers are debating a constitutional amendment about the same issue.
Bystander killed in southern Yemen clashes
ADEN, Yemen (AP) -- Security and health officials say a bystander has been shot dead in clashes in southern Yemen between protesters and the military.
Balloon crash in Egypt's Luxor kills 19 tourists
LUXOR, Egypt (AP) -- A hot air balloon carrying tourists over Egypt's ancient city of Luxor caught fire Tuesday, and some passengers trying to escape the flames leaped to their deaths before the craft crashed in a sugar cane field. At least 19 tourists were killed in one of the world 's deadliest ballooning accidents. seenewstoday.com : Top News updates
Hope and fear in Labrador as Muskrat Falls hydro project ramps up
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – There was a time when Mayor Leo Abbass knew almost everyone in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, a subarctic town of about 7,600 people near the mouth of Labrador’s Churchill River.
Laid-back beach, lost in time, in carefree hippie haven of Zipolite, Mexico
ZIPOLITE, Mexico – “You’re going to like it here in Zipolite,” Daniel Weiner, the owner of Brisa Marina hotel said with a wry smile as he handed me the keys to my quarters. “You’re not going to want to leave in five days.”
Prosecutors do not object to delaying trials of 4 Kenyans charged in post-election violence
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court say they do not object to delaying the start of the trials of four prominent Kenyans charged with orchestrating post-election violence in 2007-2008.
Violence rages near historic Syria mosque
BEIRUT (AP) -- Combat raged near a historic mosque in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Tuesday while anti-government activists reported fresh clashes near a police academy west of the city.
NY marks 20th anniversary of '93 World Trade Center bombing with a ceremony at 9-11 memorial
NEW YORK, N.Y. – A ceremony honouring six people who died 20 years ago in the first terrorist attack on the World Trade Center was being held Tuesday at the 9-11 memorial, where the twin towers were destroyed eight years later.
Shiite militant threatens Iranian exiles in Iraq
BAGHDAD (AP) -- The head of a new Shiite militant group in Iraq on Tuesday threatened to carry out more attacks on a refugee camp for Iranian exiles that was struck by dozens of rockets and mortar shells earlier this month.
Egypt's main opposition coalition to boycott vote
CAIRO (AP) -- Egypt’s main opposition coalition announced on Tuesday it will boycott upcoming parliamentary elections, a decision likely to deepen the nation’s political crisis and worsen an already troubled economy.
Tunisia: 4 in custody for politician's slaying
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) -- Four suspects belonging to a radical Islamist group have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of a leftist politician that plunged the country into a crisis, but the killer himself remains at large, Tunisia’s interior minister said Tuesday.
Bahrain court clears 2 police in protester death
MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) -- A defense lawyer in Bahrain says a court has acquitted two policemen charged in the shooting death of a protester at the beginning of the 2-year-old uprising in the Gulf nation.
Egypt hot air balloon crash death toll rises to 19
LUXOR, Egypt (AP) -- A hot air balloon flying over Egypt's ancient city of Luxor caught fire and crashed into a sugar cane field on Tuesday, killing at least 19 foreign tourists in one of the world's deadliest ballooning accidents and handing a new blow to Egypt's ai ling tourism industry.
First Gaza rocket in 3 months rattles cease-fire
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Gaza militants on Tuesday fired a rocket into Israel for the first time in three months, rattling a cross-border truce that has held since Israel's military offensive against the Hamas-run territory.
Egypt's main opposition coalition announces boycott of upcoming parliamentary elections.
CAIRO (AP) -- Egypt’s main opposition coalition announces boycott of upcoming parliamentary elections. .
Tunisia: 4 in custody for politician's murder
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) -- Tunisia’s interior minister said Tuesday that four suspects belonging to a radical Islamist group are being held for their involvement in the murder of a leftist opposition politician earlier this month that plunged the country into a political crisis.
Hot air balloon crash in Egypt kills 18 tourists
LUXOR, Egypt (AP) -- A hot air balloon flying over Egypt's ancient city of Luxor caught fire and crashed into a sugar cane field on Tuesday, killing at least 18 foreign tourists in one of the world's deadliest ballooning accidents and a new blow to Egypt's ailing tourism industry.
Ally of Iran president accused in protester deaths
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran’s state TV says prosecutors have accused a close ally of the Iranian president of involvement in the deaths of detainees during unrest after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election nearly four years ago.
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – There was a time when Mayor Leo Abbass knew almost everyone in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, a subarctic town of about 7,600 people near the mouth of Labrador’s Churchill River.
Laid-back beach, lost in time, in carefree hippie haven of Zipolite, Mexico
ZIPOLITE, Mexico – “You’re going to like it here in Zipolite,” Daniel Weiner, the owner of Brisa Marina hotel said with a wry smile as he handed me the keys to my quarters. “You’re not going to want to leave in five days.”
Prosecutors do not object to delaying trials of 4 Kenyans charged in post-election violence
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court say they do not object to delaying the start of the trials of four prominent Kenyans charged with orchestrating post-election violence in 2007-2008.
Violence rages near historic Syria mosque
BEIRUT (AP) -- Combat raged near a historic mosque in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Tuesday while anti-government activists reported fresh clashes near a police academy west of the city. NY marks 20th anniversary of '93 World Trade Center bombing with a ceremony at 9-11 memorial
NEW YORK, N.Y. – A ceremony honouring six people who died 20 years ago in the first terrorist attack on the World Trade Center was being held Tuesday at the 9-11 memorial, where the twin towers were destroyed eight years later.
Shiite militant threatens Iranian exiles in Iraq
BAGHDAD (AP) -- The head of a new Shiite militant group in Iraq on Tuesday threatened to carry out more attacks on a refugee camp for Iranian exiles that was struck by dozens of rockets and mortar shells earlier this month.
Egypt's main opposition coalition to boycott vote
CAIRO (AP) -- Egypt’s main opposition coalition announced on Tuesday it will boycott upcoming parliamentary elections, a decision likely to deepen the nation’s political crisis and worsen an already troubled economy.
Tunisia: 4 in custody for politician's slaying
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) -- Four suspects belonging to a radical Islamist group have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of a leftist politician that plunged the country into a crisis, but the killer himself remains at large, Tunisia’s interior minister said Tuesday.
Bahrain court clears 2 police in protester death
MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) -- A defense lawyer in Bahrain says a court has acquitted two policemen charged in the shooting death of a protester at the beginning of the 2-year-old uprising in the Gulf nation.
Egypt hot air balloon crash death toll rises to 19
LUXOR, Egypt (AP) -- A hot air balloon flying over Egypt's ancient city of Luxor caught fire and crashed into a sugar cane field on Tuesday, killing at least 19 foreign tourists in one of the world's deadliest ballooning accidents and handing a new blow to Egypt's ai ling tourism industry. First Gaza rocket in 3 months rattles cease-fire
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Gaza militants on Tuesday fired a rocket into Israel for the first time in three months, rattling a cross-border truce that has held since Israel's military offensive against the Hamas-run territory. Egypt's main opposition coalition announces boycott of upcoming parliamentary elections.
CAIRO (AP) -- Egypt’s main opposition coalition announces boycott of upcoming parliamentary elections. .
Tunisia: 4 in custody for politician's murder
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) -- Tunisia’s interior minister said Tuesday that four suspects belonging to a radical Islamist group are being held for their involvement in the murder of a leftist opposition politician earlier this month that plunged the country into a political crisis.
Hot air balloon crash in Egypt kills 18 tourists
LUXOR, Egypt (AP) -- A hot air balloon flying over Egypt's ancient city of Luxor caught fire and crashed into a sugar cane field on Tuesday, killing at least 18 foreign tourists in one of the world's deadliest ballooning accidents and a new blow to Egypt's ailing tourism industry. Ally of Iran president accused in protester deaths
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran’s state TV says prosecutors have accused a close ally of the Iranian president of involvement in the deaths of detainees during unrest after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election nearly four years ago.
seenewstoday.com : Top News updates
New home sales jump to 4-1/2-year high in January
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Sales of new U.S. single-family homes surged to their highest level in 4-1/2 years in January and the month's supply of houses on the market was the smallest since March 2005, further evidence the housing sector recovery is gaining muscle. The Commerce Department said on Tuesday sales jumped 15.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 437,000 units, the highest level since July 2008 when the economy was in the throes of a recession. The percentage gain was the largest since April 1993. …
US new-home sales soar nearly 16 pct. in January to highest level in 4 1/2 years
WASHINGTON – U.S. new-home sales jumped in January from the previous month to the highest level since July 2008, a sign that the housing recovery is accelerating.
Blue Jays to decide on Dickey catcher after World Baseball Classic
DUNEDIN, Fla. – The Toronto Blue Jays will decide who catches knuckleballer R.A. Dickey after the World Baseball Classic, says manager John Gibbons.
Litvinenko lawyer accuses UK, Russia of cover-up
LONDON (AP) -- A lawyer for the family of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko accused the British and Russian governments Tuesday of trying to stymie a long-delayed inquest into his poisoning death.
Insurers seek to head off criticism over annuities
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s insurers have pledged to help pension savers find the best deal for their retirement, following criticism they have not always done so in the past and the launch of a review by regulators. The Association of British Insurers (ABI), whose 350 members run some of Britain’s biggest pension schemes, said on Tuesday its members had all signed up to the new “ABI Code of Conduct on Retirement Choices”. The code requires insurers to spell out options for buying an annuity – which converts pension savings into retirement income – up to two years before an individual …
Pope to be called 'emeritus pope,' will wear white
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Benedict XVI will be known as "emeritus pope" in his retirement and will continue to wear a white cassock, the Vatican announced Tuesda y, again fueling concerns about potential conflicts arising from having both a reigning and a retired pope.
Donkey, buffalo found in South African meat products
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Donkey, water buffalo and other unconventional ingredients have been found in almost two thirds of hamburgers and sausages tested in South Africa, a study released on Tuesday showed. The tests by the University of Stellenbosch were planned before a scandal broke out in Europe over horsemeat labelled as beef that raised concerns worldwide over the risks to human health from a complex and nebulous meat supply chain. …
Strauss-Kahn: Leave me and my love life in peace
PARIS (AP) -- Dominique Strauss-Kahn says he’s sick of people trying to exploit his private life to make money.
Shoppers steer clear of frozen burgers - Kantar
LONDON (Reuters) – Grocers have seen sales of frozen burgers and ready meals plummet in the wake of a scandal over the discovery of horsemeat in beef products, acc ording to industry data published on Tuesday. Market researcher Kantar Worldpanel said in the four weeks ending February 17, frozen burger sales were down 43 percent year-on-year and sales of frozen ready meals declined by 13 percent. The issue, which broke on January 15, has only affected the products consumers buy rather than where they actually do their shopping, said Edward Garner, director at Kantar Worldpanel. …
Horse meat sold in beef products in Hungary - watchdog
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Horse meat labelled as beef has been sold in Hungary, the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nebih) said on Tuesday. Gyorgy Pleva, director of Nebih told television channel TV2 that the authorities were looking into three separate cases of suspected horse meat found at the retail and wholesale level. “Horse meat certainly got into (shops),” he said, adding that all the shipments investigated by the authority took place last year. Horse meat has been found in beef products across Europe in recent weeks, damaging confidence in the continent’s vast and complex food industry. …
Litvinenko lawyer accuses UK of cover up to help Russia ties
LONDON (Reuters) – The lawyer for the family of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, who was murdered in Lon don in 2006, accused Britain and Russia on Tuesday of colluding to try and shut down an inquiry into his death for the sake of trade links. Litvinenko, who had been granted British citizenship and become a vocal critic of the Kremlin, died after someone slipped polonium-210, a rare radioactive isotope, into his cup of tea at a London hotel. The fallout from his death has beleaguered diplomatic relations between London and Moscow ever since. …
Judge warns of delays in agent poisoning inquest
LONDON (AP) -- A long-delayed inquest into the poisoning death of former Russian intelligence agent Alexander Litvinenko will likely not start on schedule, the British judge overseeing the case said Tuesday.
Dutch court: Jews must also carry ID cards
AMSTERDAM (AP) -- A Dutch appeals court has upheld a EUR60 ($90) fine against an Orthodox Jew who refused to show police an identity card, citing religious reasons.
Ex jailed for Tamara Ecclestone blackmail plot
LONDON (AP) -- A former boyfriend of British socialite Tamara Ecclestone has been sentenced to four years in prison for plotting to blackmail her for 200,000 pounds ($303,000).
Dutch court rejects terror suspect's injunction
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- A court has rejected a Dutch-Pakistani terror suspect’s final attempt to use the Dutch legal system to block his extradition to the United States, where he is wanted for allegedly plotting a suicide attack on an American military base in Afghanistan.
Kerry regales Berliners with tales of divided city
BERLIN (AP) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told young Germans on Tuesday of his adventures as a 12-year-old son of an American diplomat in divided postwar Berlin, and urged them to be true to their ideals and values as Europe struggles to emerge from economic doldrums and deal with the threat of terrorism.
UK CBI February retail sales index weakest since September
LONDON (Reuters) – Retail sales rose this month compared to a year ago at the slowest pace since September, a survey by the Confederation of British Industry showed on Tuesday. The reported sales balance in CBI's monthly distributive trades survey d ropped to +8 versus economists' forecasts of a dip to +16. The expected sales balance for March fell to +9, also the weakest since September. However, in the CBI's quarterly survey, the business situation balance rose to +12 – the strongest reading since August 2011. …
French finance minister - "Worrying" Italy vote shows Europe needs growth
PARIS (Reuters) – Italy's inconclusive election shows Europe's leaders must give voters across the region hope of stronger growth to offset painful austerity, French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said on Tuesday. France's Socialist government, which last week acknowledged it will not hit its 2013 deficit-cutting target, has long insisted that efforts to rein in debt across the euro zone must be counter-balanced by measures to bolster its sickly economies. Germany and others are less keen on that view. …
Media challenge secrecy bid over dead Russian spy
LONDON (AP) -- British media organizations are challenging a government secrecy bid for parts of an inquest into the death of a former Russian intelligence agent poisoned in London.
Close encounters with the popes over 3 decades
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- The Middle East Airlines jetliner had barely taken off from Beirut when I was escorted down the aisle to the first-class section and seated beside Pope Benedict XVI. He had just ended a delicate two-day visit to Lebanon as civil war raged in neighboring Syria, and he looked and sounded weary.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Sales of new U.S. single-family homes surged to their highest level in 4-1/2 years in January and the month's supply of houses on the market was the smallest since March 2005, further evidence the housing sector recovery is gaining muscle. The Commerce Department said on Tuesday sales jumped 15.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 437,000 units, the highest level since July 2008 when the economy was in the throes of a recession. The percentage gain was the largest since April 1993. … US new-home sales soar nearly 16 pct. in January to highest level in 4 1/2 years
WASHINGTON – U.S. new-home sales jumped in January from the previous month to the highest level since July 2008, a sign that the housing recovery is accelerating.
Blue Jays to decide on Dickey catcher after World Baseball Classic
DUNEDIN, Fla. – The Toronto Blue Jays will decide who catches knuckleballer R.A. Dickey after the World Baseball Classic, says manager John Gibbons.
Litvinenko lawyer accuses UK, Russia of cover-up
LONDON (AP) -- A lawyer for the family of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko accused the British and Russian governments Tuesday of trying to stymie a long-delayed inquest into his poisoning death. Insurers seek to head off criticism over annuities
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s insurers have pledged to help pension savers find the best deal for their retirement, following criticism they have not always done so in the past and the launch of a review by regulators. The Association of British Insurers (ABI), whose 350 members run some of Britain’s biggest pension schemes, said on Tuesday its members had all signed up to the new “ABI Code of Conduct on Retirement Choices”. The code requires insurers to spell out options for buying an annuity – which converts pension savings into retirement income – up to two years before an individual …
Pope to be called 'emeritus pope,' will wear white
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Benedict XVI will be known as "emeritus pope" in his retirement and will continue to wear a white cassock, the Vatican announced Tuesda y, again fueling concerns about potential conflicts arising from having both a reigning and a retired pope. Donkey, buffalo found in South African meat products
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Donkey, water buffalo and other unconventional ingredients have been found in almost two thirds of hamburgers and sausages tested in South Africa, a study released on Tuesday showed. The tests by the University of Stellenbosch were planned before a scandal broke out in Europe over horsemeat labelled as beef that raised concerns worldwide over the risks to human health from a complex and nebulous meat supply chain. …
Strauss-Kahn: Leave me and my love life in peace
PARIS (AP) -- Dominique Strauss-Kahn says he’s sick of people trying to exploit his private life to make money.
Shoppers steer clear of frozen burgers - Kantar
LONDON (Reuters) – Grocers have seen sales of frozen burgers and ready meals plummet in the wake of a scandal over the discovery of horsemeat in beef products, acc ording to industry data published on Tuesday. Market researcher Kantar Worldpanel said in the four weeks ending February 17, frozen burger sales were down 43 percent year-on-year and sales of frozen ready meals declined by 13 percent. The issue, which broke on January 15, has only affected the products consumers buy rather than where they actually do their shopping, said Edward Garner, director at Kantar Worldpanel. … Horse meat sold in beef products in Hungary - watchdog
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Horse meat labelled as beef has been sold in Hungary, the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nebih) said on Tuesday. Gyorgy Pleva, director of Nebih told television channel TV2 that the authorities were looking into three separate cases of suspected horse meat found at the retail and wholesale level. “Horse meat certainly got into (shops),” he said, adding that all the shipments investigated by the authority took place last year. Horse meat has been found in beef products across Europe in recent weeks, damaging confidence in the continent’s vast and complex food industry. …
Litvinenko lawyer accuses UK of cover up to help Russia ties
LONDON (Reuters) – The lawyer for the family of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, who was murdered in Lon don in 2006, accused Britain and Russia on Tuesday of colluding to try and shut down an inquiry into his death for the sake of trade links. Litvinenko, who had been granted British citizenship and become a vocal critic of the Kremlin, died after someone slipped polonium-210, a rare radioactive isotope, into his cup of tea at a London hotel. The fallout from his death has beleaguered diplomatic relations between London and Moscow ever since. … Judge warns of delays in agent poisoning inquest
LONDON (AP) -- A long-delayed inquest into the poisoning death of former Russian intelligence agent Alexander Litvinenko will likely not start on schedule, the British judge overseeing the case said Tuesday. Dutch court: Jews must also carry ID cards
AMSTERDAM (AP) -- A Dutch appeals court has upheld a EUR60 ($90) fine against an Orthodox Jew who refused to show police an identity card, citing religious reasons.
Ex jailed for Tamara Ecclestone blackmail plot
LONDON (AP) -- A former boyfriend of British socialite Tamara Ecclestone has been sentenced to four years in prison for plotting to blackmail her for 200,000 pounds ($303,000).
Dutch court rejects terror suspect's injunction
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- A court has rejected a Dutch-Pakistani terror suspect’s final attempt to use the Dutch legal system to block his extradition to the United States, where he is wanted for allegedly plotting a suicide attack on an American military base in Afghanistan.
Kerry regales Berliners with tales of divided city
BERLIN (AP) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told young Germans on Tuesday of his adventures as a 12-year-old son of an American diplomat in divided postwar Berlin, and urged them to be true to their ideals and values as Europe struggles to emerge from economic doldrums and deal with the threat of terrorism. UK CBI February retail sales index weakest since September
LONDON (Reuters) – Retail sales rose this month compared to a year ago at the slowest pace since September, a survey by the Confederation of British Industry showed on Tuesday. The reported sales balance in CBI's monthly distributive trades survey d ropped to +8 versus economists' forecasts of a dip to +16. The expected sales balance for March fell to +9, also the weakest since September. However, in the CBI's quarterly survey, the business situation balance rose to +12 – the strongest reading since August 2011. … French finance minister - "Worrying" Italy vote shows Europe needs growth
PARIS (Reuters) – Italy's inconclusive election shows Europe's leaders must give voters across the region hope of stronger growth to offset painful austerity, French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said on Tuesday. France's Socialist government, which last week acknowledged it will not hit its 2013 deficit-cutting target, has long insisted that efforts to rein in debt across the euro zone must be counter-balanced by measures to bolster its sickly economies. Germany and others are less keen on that view. … Media challenge secrecy bid over dead Russian spy
LONDON (AP) -- British media organizations are challenging a government secrecy bid for parts of an inquest into the death of a former Russian intelligence agent poisoned in London.
Close encounters with the popes over 3 decades
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- The Middle East Airlines jetliner had barely taken off from Beirut when I was escorted down the aisle to the first-class section and seated beside Pope Benedict XVI. He had just ended a delicate two-day visit to Lebanon as civil war raged in neighboring Syria, and he looked and sounded weary. seenewstoday.com : Top News updates
Clinton: Nigerian poverty fuels religious violence
ABEOKUTA, Nigeria (AP) -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has said that poverty is fueling the violence now sweeping across Nigeria’s north.
US home prices post healthy gain in December due to rising sales, dwindling supply
WASHINGTON – U.S. home prices rose at a healthy pace in December compared with a year ago, driven higher by rising sales and a smaller supply of available homes.
Interior secretary says budget cuts imperil thousands of department's workers
WASHINGTON – Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says thousands of Interior Department workers would be furloughed, and thousands more seasonal workers would not be hired under automatic spending cuts set to take effect Friday.
Nepalese woman who summited Mount Everest twice in season recognized with Guinness record
KATMANDU, Nepal – Nepalese mountaineer Chhurim entered the record book by scaling Mount Everest twice in the same climbing season. In fact, she did so a week apart.
Deaths of teen drivers increased sharply in first 6 months of last year, reversing trend
WASHINGTON – Deaths of younger teen drivers increased sharply in the first six months of last year, reversing a decade-long trend, according to a report released Tuesday by state highway safety officials.
Maple Leaf Foods profit jumps on lower charges
(Reuters) – Maple Leaf Foods Inc , one of Canada's biggest bakers and meat processors, reported a jump in quarterly profit on Tuesday as restructuring charges fell, and said it expects volatile earnings in t he first half of 2013 as it raises prices. The Toronto-based company, best known for its Maple Leaf and Schneiders branded meats and Dempster's bread, has been hurt by soaring grain prices caused by a severe drought in the United States, which drove up the cost of raising hogs and baking. …
Ethiopian leader very present 6 months after death
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) -- Ethiopia’s long-ruling leader died half a year ago, but it seems Meles Zenawi still holds on to power. In the capital, his face looks down from hundreds of posters plastered on walls, and government representatives vow to implement the late Meles’ vision without alteration.
National Park Service report: Acadia visitors add $186M to region's economy
BAR HARBOR, Maine – A new report says Acadia National Park isn’t just a pretty place to visit, it’s crucial to the region’s economy.
Hawaii promotes islands to New York, Chicago with $500K, monthlong marketing campaign
HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau heavily promoting the state to New York and Chicago this month.
Officials raise death toll in Egypt hot air balloon accident to 19 after Brit dies of wounds
LUXOR, Egypt – Health officials say the death toll from a hot air balloon accident in Egypt has risen to 19 after a British tourist died of his injuries.
Kenya: Official who oversaw 2007 chaotic poll dies
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Kenya’s former electoral chief who oversaw a flawed electoral process in 2007 has died following a battle with cancer.
TSX set to open higher, eye on BMO, Bernanke
(Reuters) – Canadian stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Tuesday, helped by higher-than-expected results and a dividend increase from Bank of Montreal , with investors also looking ahead to testimony from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. TOP STORIES Bank of Montreal on Tuesday reported its quarterly profit eased as lower loan recoveries at its U.S. retail bank offset higher wholesale banking and wealth management profits. …
Sony's Xperia Z smartphone off to a good start: executive
BARCELONA (Reuters) – Sales of Sony Corp's Xperia Z high-end smartphone have got off to a good start since its launch in several leading European markets on Monday, said Sony Mobile's Calum MacDougall, head of Xperia marketing. "We have seen really good pre-orders", McDougall said in an interview at the Mobile World Congress. "We had the first stocks available in Germany in Berlin at the Sony store and sold those out in two hours. "In France, we sold more in one day in our online store than we sold in 12 weeks in mobile devices. …
Payroll earnings up 2.8 per cent on annual basis in December
OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees averaged $908 in December, up 0.3 per cent from November.
Toronto FC to clarify future of captain Torsten Frings' at news conference
The future of Torsten Frings will be clarified today.
Egypt: Hot air balloon crashes in ancient city of Luxor, killing at least 18 foreign tourists
LUXOR, Egypt – A hot air balloon flying over Egypt’s ancient city of Luxor caught fire and crashed into a sugar cane field on Tuesday, killing at least 18 foreign tourists, a security official said.
ABEOKUTA, Nigeria (AP) -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has said that poverty is fueling the violence now sweeping across Nigeria’s north.
US home prices post healthy gain in December due to rising sales, dwindling supply
WASHINGTON – U.S. home prices rose at a healthy pace in December compared with a year ago, driven higher by rising sales and a smaller supply of available homes.
Interior secretary says budget cuts imperil thousands of department's workers
WASHINGTON – Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says thousands of Interior Department workers would be furloughed, and thousands more seasonal workers would not be hired under automatic spending cuts set to take effect Friday.
Nepalese woman who summited Mount Everest twice in season recognized with Guinness record
KATMANDU, Nepal – Nepalese mountaineer Chhurim entered the record book by scaling Mount Everest twice in the same climbing season. In fact, she did so a week apart.
Deaths of teen drivers increased sharply in first 6 months of last year, reversing trend
WASHINGTON – Deaths of younger teen drivers increased sharply in the first six months of last year, reversing a decade-long trend, according to a report released Tuesday by state highway safety officials.
Maple Leaf Foods profit jumps on lower charges
(Reuters) – Maple Leaf Foods Inc , one of Canada's biggest bakers and meat processors, reported a jump in quarterly profit on Tuesday as restructuring charges fell, and said it expects volatile earnings in t he first half of 2013 as it raises prices. The Toronto-based company, best known for its Maple Leaf and Schneiders branded meats and Dempster's bread, has been hurt by soaring grain prices caused by a severe drought in the United States, which drove up the cost of raising hogs and baking. … Ethiopian leader very present 6 months after death
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) -- Ethiopia’s long-ruling leader died half a year ago, but it seems Meles Zenawi still holds on to power. In the capital, his face looks down from hundreds of posters plastered on walls, and government representatives vow to implement the late Meles’ vision without alteration.
National Park Service report: Acadia visitors add $186M to region's economy
BAR HARBOR, Maine – A new report says Acadia National Park isn’t just a pretty place to visit, it’s crucial to the region’s economy.
Hawaii promotes islands to New York, Chicago with $500K, monthlong marketing campaign
HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau heavily promoting the state to New York and Chicago this month.
Officials raise death toll in Egypt hot air balloon accident to 19 after Brit dies of wounds
LUXOR, Egypt – Health officials say the death toll from a hot air balloon accident in Egypt has risen to 19 after a British tourist died of his injuries.
Kenya: Official who oversaw 2007 chaotic poll dies
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Kenya’s former electoral chief who oversaw a flawed electoral process in 2007 has died following a battle with cancer.
TSX set to open higher, eye on BMO, Bernanke
(Reuters) – Canadian stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Tuesday, helped by higher-than-expected results and a dividend increase from Bank of Montreal , with investors also looking ahead to testimony from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. TOP STORIES Bank of Montreal on Tuesday reported its quarterly profit eased as lower loan recoveries at its U.S. retail bank offset higher wholesale banking and wealth management profits. … Sony's Xperia Z smartphone off to a good start: executive
BARCELONA (Reuters) – Sales of Sony Corp's Xperia Z high-end smartphone have got off to a good start since its launch in several leading European markets on Monday, said Sony Mobile's Calum MacDougall, head of Xperia marketing. "We have seen really good pre-orders", McDougall said in an interview at the Mobile World Congress. "We had the first stocks available in Germany in Berlin at the Sony store and sold those out in two hours. "In France, we sold more in one day in our online store than we sold in 12 weeks in mobile devices. … Payroll earnings up 2.8 per cent on annual basis in December
OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees averaged $908 in December, up 0.3 per cent from November.
Toronto FC to clarify future of captain Torsten Frings' at news conference
The future of Torsten Frings will be clarified today.
Egypt: Hot air balloon crashes in ancient city of Luxor, killing at least 18 foreign tourists
LUXOR, Egypt – A hot air balloon flying over Egypt’s ancient city of Luxor caught fire and crashed into a sugar cane field on Tuesday, killing at least 18 foreign tourists, a security official said.
seenewstoday.com : Top News updates
Strong sales help Home Depot outshine Lowe's
(Reuters) – Improvements in the U.S. housing market and sales tied to Hurricane Sandy helped Home Depot Inc report a higher-than-expected quarterly profit and outshine rival Lowe's Cos Inc for the 15th straight quarter. The strong results, announced on Tuesday, prompted the world's largest home improvement chain to forecast higher sales and earnings for the current fiscal year. Home Depot also raised its quarterly dividend by 34 percent to 39 cents a share and said it had approved a $17 billion stock repurchase program to replace its previous authorization. Shares of Home Depot were up 1. …
Bank of Montreal raises dividend but profit slips
(Reuters) – Bank of Montreal's quarterly profit eased 5.4 percent on lower loan recoveries at its U.S. retail bank, but core profits beat expectations and the company raised its quarterly dividend by 2.8 percent. The bank, Canada's fou rth largest bank and a major player in the U.S. Midwest, said on Tuesday it earned C$1.05 billion ($1.02 billion), or C$1.53 a share, in the fiscal first quarter ended January 31. That compared with a year-before profit of C$1.11 billion, or C$1.63 a share, when the bank benefited from the unexpected paydown of bad loans acquired when it purchased U.S. …
First Majestic Silver profit rises on higher output
(Reuters) – Canada’s First Majestic Silver Corp , which backed out of a bidding war for Orko Silver Corp last week, said fourth-quarter profit rose 5 percent on higher production. Net income rose to $22.4 million, or 19 cents per basic share, from $21.3 million, or 20 cents per basic share, a year earlier. Revenue rose 17 percent to $71 million. (Reporting by Krithika Krishnamurthy in Bangalore; Editing by Don Sebastian)
AP Newsbreak: US-led coalition's report of drop in Taliban attacks wrong; figures show no drop
WASHINGTON – The U.S.-led military command in Afghanistan is acknowledging that its report of a decline last year in Taliban attacks was incorrect. Officials say corrected figures will show no decline.
Ex-boyfriend sentenced to 4 years in jail for plot to blackmail daughter of Formula One boss
LONDON – A former boyfriend of British socialite Tamara Ecclestone has been sentenced to four years in prison for plotting to blackmail her for 200,000 pounds ($303,000).
Vatican: Retired Pope Benedict XVI will be called 'emeritus pope,' will continue to wear white
VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has answered some of the outstanding questions about Pope Benedict XVI’s future once he’s retired, saying he’ll be known as “emeritus pope,” and continue to wear a white cassock.
Bank of Montreal announces dividend increase, $1-billion first-quarter profit
TORONTO – Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) says its profit in the first quarter was slightly more than $1 billion.
South Africa: Buffalo and donkey in beef products
JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- South African food scientists say there is water buffalo, donkey and goat meat in mislabeled South African foods including beef burgers and sausages.
Amnesty criticizes Ivory Coast for biased justice
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) -- Ivory Coast’s government is subjecting supporters of former President Laurent Gbagbo to biased legal proceedings, ill-treatment and torture, while failing to ensure their security in the country’s volatile western region, according to a report released Tuesday by Amnesty International.
(Reuters) – Improvements in the U.S. housing market and sales tied to Hurricane Sandy helped Home Depot Inc report a higher-than-expected quarterly profit and outshine rival Lowe's Cos Inc for the 15th straight quarter. The strong results, announced on Tuesday, prompted the world's largest home improvement chain to forecast higher sales and earnings for the current fiscal year. Home Depot also raised its quarterly dividend by 34 percent to 39 cents a share and said it had approved a $17 billion stock repurchase program to replace its previous authorization. Shares of Home Depot were up 1. … Bank of Montreal raises dividend but profit slips
(Reuters) – Bank of Montreal's quarterly profit eased 5.4 percent on lower loan recoveries at its U.S. retail bank, but core profits beat expectations and the company raised its quarterly dividend by 2.8 percent. The bank, Canada's fou rth largest bank and a major player in the U.S. Midwest, said on Tuesday it earned C$1.05 billion ($1.02 billion), or C$1.53 a share, in the fiscal first quarter ended January 31. That compared with a year-before profit of C$1.11 billion, or C$1.63 a share, when the bank benefited from the unexpected paydown of bad loans acquired when it purchased U.S. … First Majestic Silver profit rises on higher output
(Reuters) – Canada’s First Majestic Silver Corp , which backed out of a bidding war for Orko Silver Corp last week, said fourth-quarter profit rose 5 percent on higher production. Net income rose to $22.4 million, or 19 cents per basic share, from $21.3 million, or 20 cents per basic share, a year earlier. Revenue rose 17 percent to $71 million. (Reporting by Krithika Krishnamurthy in Bangalore; Editing by Don Sebastian)
AP Newsbreak: US-led coalition's report of drop in Taliban attacks wrong; figures show no drop
WASHINGTON – The U.S.-led military command in Afghanistan is acknowledging that its report of a decline last year in Taliban attacks was incorrect. Officials say corrected figures will show no decline.
Ex-boyfriend sentenced to 4 years in jail for plot to blackmail daughter of Formula One boss
LONDON – A former boyfriend of British socialite Tamara Ecclestone has been sentenced to four years in prison for plotting to blackmail her for 200,000 pounds ($303,000).
Vatican: Retired Pope Benedict XVI will be called 'emeritus pope,' will continue to wear white
VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has answered some of the outstanding questions about Pope Benedict XVI’s future once he’s retired, saying he’ll be known as “emeritus pope,” and continue to wear a white cassock.
Bank of Montreal announces dividend increase, $1-billion first-quarter profit
TORONTO – Bank of Montreal (TSX:BMO) says its profit in the first quarter was slightly more than $1 billion.
South Africa: Buffalo and donkey in beef products
JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- South African food scientists say there is water buffalo, donkey and goat meat in mislabeled South African foods including beef burgers and sausages.
Amnesty criticizes Ivory Coast for biased justice
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) -- Ivory Coast’s government is subjecting supporters of former President Laurent Gbagbo to biased legal proceedings, ill-treatment and torture, while failing to ensure their security in the country’s volatile western region, according to a report released Tuesday by Amnesty International.
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