Australia plans to slap a levy on bank deposits to help boost its coffers with the money raised used to protect savings against a bank collapse, sparking criticism from the industry. It was widely reported that a 0.05 percent tax
Taiwanese lawmakers brawled in parliament on Friday over a bill on the fate of a controversial and nearly-completed nuclear power plant. Dozens of lawmakers from opposing camps clashed as they tried to seize the chamber’s podium and splashed water from
Gay and lesbian couples in Rhode Island and Minnesota began tying the knot as same-sex marriage laws in the two states went into effect. Minnesota became the 13th US state to legalize same-sex weddings, just an hour after Rhode Island,
The new Doctor Who will be unveiled in front of a live audience at a special show on Sunday, the BBC announced. Presenter by Zoe Ball will conduct an interview with the new Time Lord, who will replace Matt Smith,
(AP) Fort Hood shooting suspect renounces citizenshipFORT HOOD, TexasDays before he’s set to go on trial, the Army psychiatrist charged in the Fort Hood shooting rampage released more of his writings about America and Islam. Foxnews.com on Thursday posted documents
(AP) Threat closes US embassies in Muslim world for dayBy BRADLEY KLAPPERAssociated PressWASHINGTONThe United States is shuttering its embassies and consulates throughout the Muslim world on Sunday after receiving an unspecified threat, officials said. State Department officials said Thursday that
(AP) NASHVILLE, Tenn.The estranged wife of rocker Jack White has filed a restraining order against him after she said in their divorce filings he was threatening her and she fears for her safety and her children’s. British model and singer Karen
(AP) Monday MLB drug deal deadline as playoffs loomBy RONALD BLUMAP Sports WriterNEW YORKLooming playoffs could force an end to negotiations in baseball’s latest drug scandal as pressure builds to impose penalties so stars can still make the postseason. Monday
(AP) Legislation introduced in House to reform NCAAWASHINGTONLawmakers from Pennsylvania and Ohio introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that would require NCAA schools to guarantee four-year scholarships to athletes who play collision sports and due process for schools accused
The good news here is that he actually didn’t touch her or otherwise molest her. The bad news is that, even when he’s meeting the Deputy Mayors of nearby towns, he’s looking for some action. Escondido Deputy Mayor Olga Diaz
(AP) Hingis insists comeback limited to doubles onlyCARLSBAD, Calif.After a near six-year absence, former world No. 1 Martina Hingis is back on the WTA Tour. But Hingis, a five-time Grand Slam singles champion, insists her return will only be in
(AP) Playboy, Penthouse get the ax at military storesBy DAVID CRARYAP National WriterNEW YORKPlayboy, Penthouse and other sex-themed magazines will no longer be sold at Army and Air Force exchanges _ a move described by the stores’ operators as a
(AP) Actress to reunite with Sutherland on new `24′BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.Fan favorite Mary Lynn Rajskub is reteaming with Kiefer Sutherland for a 12-episode run of “24: Live Another Day” to debut next May on Fox. The network said Thursday at
TV sensation Dr. Mehmet Oz, or Dr. Oz to his devotees, took a non-medicinal trip to Israel this week along with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach to discuss Israeli-Turkish relations. Dr. Oz, who is of Turkish descent, released the following statement about
(AFP) – The BBC apologised on Thursday for accidentally showing an image of Britain’s Prince William with a penis drawn on his head. The blunder happened when the broadcaster’s breakfast TV show aired a clip of a promo video for
(AP) Russia will enforce anti-gay law during OlympicsBy LAURA MILLSAssociated PressMOSCOWRussia will enforce a new law cracking down on gay rights activism when it hosts international athletes and fans during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, the country’s sports minister said
(AP) Bacon fries on pavement as heat wave grips ChinaBy The Associated PressSHANGHAIIt’s been so hot in China that people are grilling shrimp on manhole covers, eggs are hatching without incubators and a highway billboard has mysteriously caught fire by
On Wednesday, the State Department ripped into Syrian President Bashar Assad’s Instagram account, calling it “nothing more than a despicable PR stunt.” The Instagram account features Assad meeting reveling Syrians, including children. Assad’s wife, Asma, shows up in the photos
(AP) Sensitivity training set for Eagles WR CooperPHILADELPHIAThe Philadelphia Eagles are setting up Riley Cooper with sensitivity training after the wide receiver was caught on video making a racial slur. Cooper apologized profusely Wednesday after a video of him using
(AP) New enforcement policies take effect at NCAABy MICHAEL MAROTAP Sports WriterINDIANAPOLIS NCAA’s new enforcement rules are now in effect. Legislation passed last fall imposes tougher penalties on rule-breakers and holds coaches more accountable for their actions and those of
Student complaints are multiplying at Georgia State University, where freshman Patrick Sharp has started a White Student Union, which he says is designed to allow those of European and Euro-American ancestry to “celebrate their shared history and culture,” according to
(AP) Italy court confirms Berlusconi fraud convictionBy FRANCES D’EMILIOAssociated PressROMEItaly’s highest court has upheld ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s tax fraud conviction, but ordered a review a five-year ban on public office that was part of the lower court’s sentence. The court
The United States said Thursday it would close an unspecified number of embassies around the world on Sunday over security concerns. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said that after Sunday, the government would reassess its options, without specifying the particular
Italy’s top court on Thursday confirmed a prison sentence for former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in the first ever definitive conviction in a tumultuous career for the billionaire tycoon. The court upheld a tax fraud sentence of four years in
(AP) California school yoga program gets $1.4m grantENCINITAS, Calif.A Southern California school district has accepted a $1.4 million grant to expand a student yoga program that sparked religious complaints and a lawsuit. Trustees of the Encinitas Union School District voted
