Chubby Checker to Rock Hall: Induct Me or 'Drop Dead'
NEW YORK (AP) — Chubby Checker wants the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to know it’s time to induct him into its exclusive club before it’s too late. “I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years
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The Thai Army's View of the Coup: Irregular Threats Abound and Persist
The wide condemnation of the coup in Thailand is to be expected. Washington suspended $3.5 million in military aid, it’s considering halting $7 million more in direct assistance, and bilateral military exercises with this longtime ally have been curtailed. Secretary
Obama Warns of U.S. Action as Jihadists Push on Baghdad
(Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Thursday threatened U.S. military strikes in Iraq against Sunni Islamist militants who have surged out of the north to menace Baghdad and want to establish their own state in Iraq and Syria. Iraqi Kurdish forces took advantage
Shiite Cleric Calls on Iraqis to Defend Country
BAGHDAD (AP) — A representative for Iraq’s top Shiite cleric on Friday urged Iraqis to defend their country as militants who have seized large swaths of the nation’s Sunni heartland captured two towns in an ethnically mixed province northeast of
Bergdahl Back in the US to Continue Recuperation
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Bowe Bergdahl, the Army sergeant who has been recovering in Germany after five years as a Taliban captive in Afghanistan, returned to the United States early Friday to continue his medical treatment. A Pentagon spokesman, Navy
Iraq in Paralysis after Sunni Militants' Blitz
BAGHDAD (AP) — The Shiite-led government of Iraq’s Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki remained in paralysis Friday, unable to form a coherent response after al-Qaida-inspired militants blitzed and captured entire chunks of the nation’s Sunni heartland this week, including major cities,
Diminished France loses influence in Europe
PARIS (Reuters) – It’s not a good sign when the leader of a G7 nation feels the need to state his country still matters. That is precisely what French President Francois Hollande did at a meeting of European Union leaders
Tear gas and fireworks: Brazil World Cup off to a bang
It was a day of contrasts in Brazil as the country opened the World Cup with clashes between riot police and protesters in Sao Paulo, before wild street celebrations when the “selecao” beat Croatia 3-1 after coming from behind. The
Spurs Take 3-1 Lead with 107-86 Victory over Heat
MIAMI (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs have three more chances to grab the championship trophy that slipped away last year. The way they’re dominating the Miami Heat, they might need just one. Kawhi Leonard had 20 points and 14
Did FIFA Ask U.S. to Be Ready to Host 2022 World Cup Instead of Qatar?
Did FIFA ask the United States to get ready to host the 2022 World Cup if Qatar is stripped of it? As soon as Jorge Ramos of ESPN Deportes reported on Thursday that FIFA had asked the United States delegation
Union Tried to Fire Employees for Supporting 'Duck Dynasty'
A federal employees union wanted a pair of workers who publicly supported Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson with decals to be fired. The decal in question featured the words “I Support Phil,” a battle cry raised after Robertson was briefly
Ruby Dee: A Lifetime of Liberal Activism
Ruby Dee passed away Wednesday at the age of 91, leaving behind a string of memorable performances including her work in the classic 1961 film A Raisin in the Sun. Her legacy features more than theatrical greatness. Dee, along with
90-Year-Old George H.W. Bush Makes Parachute Jump
KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (AP) — Former President George H.W. Bush celebrated his 90th birthday on Thursday by making a tandem parachute jump near his summer home in coastal Maine, delivering on a vow he made five years ago even though he
California Rolls Back Teacher Tenure
WASHINGTON (AP) — Even before a judge’s scathing ruling against California’s teacher tenure policies, the once-sacred protections that make it harder to fire teachers already had been weakened in many states — and even removed altogether in some places. Florida,
Iraq Kurds Seize Kirkuk; Sunni Militants Surge Toward Baghdad
(Reuters) – Iraqi Kurds took control of the northern oil city of Kirkuk on Thursday after government forces abandoned their posts in the face of a sweeping Sunni Islamist rebel push towards Baghdad that threatens Iraq’s future as a unified
After Ukraine, U.S. Trains More Special Forces in Eastern Europe
(Reuters) – As NATO refocuses on its eastern borders after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the United States is quietly deploying more troops to train special forces in former Soviet bloc states anxious about Moscow’s intentions. Major exercises began last month
WORLD CUP: Balotelli to Curse England, says Amazonian Sorcerer
Sporting a bone through his nose, a jaguar’s tooth pendant, multicoloured feathers in his ears and tribal body tattoos, not many England fans would give credence to the footballing ‘expertise’ of Amazonian sorcerer Jaraquii. But the striking indian ‘Paje’ believes
UK Chancellor to Promise Action on Currency-Market Manipulators
Chancellor George Osborne will on Thursday announce new measures targeting the “unacceptable behaviour” of certain parts of the financial sector. He is expected to announce measures that would make manipulation of the foreign currency markets a criminal offence. Osborne will
CLIMATE CLASH: Australia's Abbott Says Climate Change is Not Priority Ahead of U.S. Visit
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has few closer allies than Australia, but climate change could prove a touchy issue when Australia’s conservative prime minister makes his first White House visit Thursday. Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who was elected in
Spotlight Brazil: Will the World Cup Host Nation Shine?
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil’s day has finally arrived. The sun rises Thursday on a tropical nation hosting its first World Cup in 64 years. Nearly half the world’s population, well over 3 billion spectators, is expected to watch
World Cup Opening Match: Plucky Croatia vow to Attack Brazil
Croatia vowed Wednesday to try to deliver a “miracle” when they take on mighty Brazil in the World Cup opener, refusing to adopt a negative approach against the star-studded home side. Captain Darijo Srna, speaking a day before the clash
World Cup Debut for 'Unhackable' Goal Line Technology
Goalline technology will be used at a World Cup for the first time in Brazil with its backers insisting it is 100 percent accurate and cannot be hacked. It will come as welcome news to the likes of Frank Lampard
Rangers Beat Kings 2-1, Stay Alive in Cup Finals
NEW YORK (AP) — The champagne the Los Angeles Kings had ready for a coronation stayed in boxes. The New York Rangers suddenly have some life in the Stanley Cup finals. Henrik Lundqvist made 40 saves and had the Madison
Barbra Streisand Stumps for More Research on Women's Heart Disease
When Barbra Streisand talks in public, it usually means she’s pushing a pet liberal cause or new project. This week, the famed Funny Girl is in Washington, D.C. to promote a cause with the potential for bipartisan support. The singer
FBI Joins Probe of Veterans Affairs Health Care Scandal
WASHINGTON (AP) — As Congress moves to help thousands of military veterans enduring long wait times for VA medical care, the FBI revealed Wednesday that it had opened a criminal investigation into a Department of Veterans Affairs reeling from allegations
