“Saturday Night Live” refuses to parody the current Oval Office occupant, but the return of one of the show’s biggest alums gave it the chance to mock President George W. Bush all over again. Will Ferrell hosted last night’s new
Cuban President Raul Castro backs greater gay rights and ending discrimination against homosexuals, his daughter Mariela, a famed sexologist, said Saturday during a colorful gay rights march in Havana. Mariela Castro runs Cuba’s National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) and
From the Washington Post: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s budget deficit has swelled to a projected $16 billion — much larger than had been predicted just months ago — and will force severe cuts to schools and public safety if voters
China said on Saturday it would cut reserve requirements for banks, after disappointing economic data raised fears of a sharp slowdown in the world’s second largest economy. The People’s Bank of China, the central bank, said it would cut banks’
JPMorgan Chase’s shares were pummeled and politicians blasted its CEO Jamie Dimon after the bank reported a shock $2 billion derivatives loss that even the pugnacious chief executive called “egregious.” The huge New York-based bank sent shivers through the markets
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez returned home from Havana late Friday, declaring success in his fight against cancer after a week in which he received what was supposed to be his last session of radiation therapy. Interior Minister Tareck El Aissami
The government of Iraq’s Kurdish region fired back on Saturday over allegations by Iranian diplomats and officials that Kurdistan was playing host to Israeli intelligence. Kurdish authorities described the claims, made in previous weeks, as “untrue”, after Iran’s consul in
A roadside bomb killed four Afghan policemen when it ripped through their patrol vehicle in western Afghanistan, a provincial government official says. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but roadside bombs are regularly planted by Taliban insurgents fighting a
DEMETRIS NELLASAssociated PressATHENS, GreeceGreek President Karolos Papoulias called for the leaders of Greece’s political parties to meet on Sunday, in a last-ditch effort to broker a deal for a coalition government and avoid another general election. Papoulias took the step
Spain head to Euro 2012 looking to make history but their bid for a third consecutive major tournament triumph could be hit by fatigue, with top players feeling the effects of several years competing at the highest level. Spain were
BRETT ZONGKERAssociated PressWASHINGTONBetty White says she usually keeps her political views private but in this presidential election strongly favors one candidate. As she prepares to visit the Smithsonian Institution and National Zoo next week, White told The Associated Press she
China said on Saturday it would cut reserve requirements for banks, after disappointing economic data raised fears of a sharp slowdown in the world’s second largest economy. The People’s Bank of China, the central bank, said it would cut banks’
By MATTHEW PENNINGTONAssociated PressWASHINGTONChina’s assertive behavior is breathing life into America’s historically tumultuous relationship with the Philippines. With Washington turning its attention more to the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. and the Philippines last week held the first joint meeting of
Tens of thousands of people flocked to South Korea’s 2012 international expo Saturday on the first day of the three-month show with the theme of “The Living Ocean and Coast”. The southern coastal city of Yeosu opened Expo 2012 to
By DON MELVIN and ROD McGUIRKAssociated PressIn Europe, where more than 200,000 people thronged a Berlin rally in 2008 to hear Barack Obama speak, there’s disappointment that he hasn’t kept his promise to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay,
(AP) Jury: Hudson stardom no factor in murders verdict By MICHAEL TARM Associated Press CHICAGO Jurors shrugged off Jennifer Hudson’s star status and insisted it played no role in their decision to convict her former brother-in-law for slaying the Oscar
(AP) Obama basks again in Hollywood glory, but at cost? By JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer Under a tent on George Clooney’s basketball court, the cheers were loud and warm for President Barack Obama. It can’t feel too shabby to
DHD: Yes, the biggest North American movie is getting still bigger and still setting records. Playing very wide in 4,349 theaters, The Avengers looks like around $28M for Friday and approaches a gargantuan $100M second weekend. This will be far-and-away
By LAURIE KELLMANAssociated PressWASHINGTONPresident Barack Obama delighted his liberal base by coming down on the side of gay marriage, but he cheered the opposition, too. Republican activists now want to use Obama’s stance on the issue _ public opinion is
China has impounded Philippine fruit exports alleged to carry pests, squeezing a key industry amid a tense stand-off between the two countries over disputed territory, a Philippine official said. Manila newspapers on Saturday reported tonnes of Philippine bananas were rotting
(AP) Obama wants Congress to help homeownersBy JIM KUHNHENNAssociated PressRENO, Nev.Refocusing on the economy, President Barack Obama on Friday pushed Republicans to back housing policies the White House says would help shore up struggling homeowners and prevent foreclosures. Against the
South Korea’s president on Friday opened an international expo at a glittering hi-tech venue with a huge seafront display of fireworks and lasers. After four years of preparation and $10 billion investment, a 2,000-strong crowd — including foreign delegates —
The ABC series “GCB,” which drew the ire of religious groups for its often nasty portrait of Christians, won’t be coming back for a second season. The show, which stars Leslie Bibb, Annie Potts and Kristin Chenoweth, featured morally dubious
US authorities have seized $1.5 million worth of proceeds from counterfeit goods made in China and sold online in the United States, Justice Department officials said Friday. The probe seized funds from interbank accounts and six money service business accounts,
(AP) Egyptians abroad vote in presidential electionsBy LEE KEATHAssociated PressCAIROEgyptian expatriates headed to the polls on Friday, casting the first votes to name a successor to ousted leader Hosni Mubarak in what are hoped to be the first genuinely contested
