Al Qaeda in Yemen offers bounty for U.S. ambassador

Al Qaeda in Yemen offers bounty for U.S. ambassador


Al Qaeda in Yemen offers bounty for U.S. ambassador

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:10 PM PST

DUBAI (Reuters) - The Yemen-based branch of al Qaeda has offered a bounty for anyone who kills the U.S. ambassador to Yemen or an American soldier in the impoverished Arab state, a group that monitors Islamist websites said. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) said it was offering three kilograms of gold for the killing of the U.S. ambassador in Sanaa, Gerald Feierstein, the U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group said, citing an audio released by militants. AQAP will also pay 5 million rials ($23,350) to whoever kills any American soldier in Yemen, it said. ...

In Indian student's gang rape, murder, two worlds collide

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:35 PM PST

Policemen stand guard outside the cremation ground during the funeral of a rape victim after her body arrived from Singapore, in New DelhiNEW DELHI (Reuters) - One of hundreds of attacks reported in New Delhi each year, the brutal gang rape and murder of a young medical student in a private bus this month caught authorities and political parties flat-footed, slow to appreciate it had become symbolic of all the others. ...


Asian nations giving enthusiastic welcome to 2013

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:18 PM PST

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The first countries to see 2013 dawn will enthusiastically welcome the new year.

VIDEO: Kidnapped Pakistan troops killed

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 01:30 AM PST

Militants in north-west Pakistan have killed at least 20 of the paramilitaries they seized from a checkpoint near Peshawar, officials say.

VIDEO: Pakistan car bomb kills pilgrims

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 01:16 AM PST

At least 19 Shia Muslim pilgrims have been killed by a bomb attack on a bus convoy in southwest Pakistan, local officials say.

VIDEO: Obama presses Republicans on deal

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 02:33 PM PST

US President Barack Obama has increased pressure on Republicans to accept a deal aimed at stopping the country going over a "fiscal cliff".

VIDEO: Chile arrests over singer's death

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 08:24 PM PST

A judge in Chile has ordered the arrest of eight former army officers over the murder 39 years ago of well-known left-wing singer Victor Jara.

VIDEO: Hillary Clinton has blood clot

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:24 PM PST

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been admitted to hospital in New York with a blood clot, officials say.

VIDEO: Mascots schooled in Japan

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:06 PM PST

There is a mini-boom in the use of mascots in Japan and one woman is making it her mission to ensure they are of a high quality.

VIDEO: Local government reforms in Afghanistan

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:17 PM PST

In the troubled province of Helmand, Afghanistan, local government reform has been a notable success.

Al Qaeda in Yemen offers bounty for U.S. ambassador

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:10 PM PST

DUBAI (Reuters) - The Yemen-based branch of al Qaeda has offered a bounty for anyone who kills the U.S. ambassador to Yemen or an American soldier in the impoverished Arab state, a group that monitors Islamist websites said.

In Indian student's gang rape, murder, two worlds collide

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:35 PM PST

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - One of hundreds of attacks reported in New Delhi each year, the brutal gang rape and murder of a young medical student in a private bus this month caught authorities and political parties flat-footed, slow to appreciate it had become symbolic of all the others.

VIDEO: Colombia hit by deadly landslide

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 08:53 PM PST

Rescue teams in Colombia have been searching for at least 25 people missing after a landslide cut off a road near the south-western city of Neiva.

VIDEO: Chinese couple turn 100 on same day

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 08:52 PM PST

A village in China has been marking a very special occasion with a married couple celebrating their 100th birthdays on the same day.

Seven Strategies for Highly Effective New Year's Resolutions

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 04:01 PM PST

New Year's Eve is just around the corner.  It's likely that at least one person will ask you what your resolutions are for the year ahead. Whether you like to make them or not, research has found that people who make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their [...]

Sun's Peculiar Rotation May Be One Key To Life's Evolutionary Longevity, New Observations Suggest

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 03:47 PM PST

Artist's concept of Epsilon Eridani, located about 10 light-years away in the constellation Eridanus. It is visible in the night skies with the naked eye. The system's inner asteroid belt appears as the yellowish ring around the star, while the outer asteroid belt is in the foreground. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Most Astronomy [...]

10 Most Cringeworthy TV Moments Of 2012

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 12:56 PM PST

Today co-hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife) It's almost not fair to put these lists together during an election year, because there's so much low-hanging fruit. Therefore, I've tried to keep election-related media outbursts, gaffes and polarizing dialogue to a minimum. There will be no [...]

The Year In Wine: Best Values Of 2012

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 03:32 PM PST

It's all about value - these are the best affordable wines I tasted in 2012.

China academics warn of "violent revolution" if no political reform

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 08:14 PM PST

BEIJING (Reuters) - A prominent group of Chinese academics has warned in a bold open letter that the country risks "violent revolution" if the government does not respond to public pressure and allow long-stalled political reforms. The 73 scholars, including well-known current and retired legal experts at top universities and lawyers, said political reform had not matched the quick pace of economic expansion. ...

South Korea parliament expected to approve budget on Monday

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 07:58 PM PST

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's parliament was expected to pass next year's government budget on Monday after slightly expanding welfare spending programs in line with President-elect Park Geun-hye's campaign pledges. Media cited officials at the ruling and main opposition parties as saying they now aimed to put their agreed version up for vote later in the day after winding up debate on minor issues at sub-committee meetings. The value of the 2013 budget bill is expected to rise to about 342.7 trillion won ($320.11 billion) from 342. ...

Day Laborers Find Steady Work After Hurricane Sandy

Day Laborers Find Steady Work After Hurricane Sandy


Day Laborers Find Steady Work After Hurricane Sandy

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 12:56 PM PST

For workers in New York and New Jersey, Hurricane Sandy has been a boon, conjuring up demolition and construction work that has been mostly absent since the housing market's collapse.

Former MP Sir Irvine Patnick dies

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 01:01 PM PST

The former Conservative MP Sir Irvine Patnick has died, according to his family.

Afghan Army Deaths Topped 1,000 in 2012

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 12:44 PM PST

The Afghan government hit a grim record in its quest to take over the country's security: more than 1,000 soldiers died in 2012, a 20 percent increase from 2011.

Dr. Rita Levi-Montalcini, a Revolutionary in the Study of the Brain, Dies at 103

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 12:47 PM PST

By studying chicken embryos in the bedroom of her house in Turin, Italy, Dr. Levi-Montalcini discovered how embryo cells built a latticework of intricate connections.

Attack on Libyan church building kills two

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 12:01 PM PST

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - An explosion on Sunday at a building belonging to a Coptic church in western Libya killed two Egyptian men and wounded two others, a military spokesman said.

C African rebels to consider coalition offer

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 11:59 AM PST

After meeting African Union chief, rebel leaders say they will weigh power-sharing offer do not want to join government.

How to Help Afghan Refugees

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 12:04 PM PST

The aid organization with the most permanent presence in Kabul's refugee camps is a respected Afghan group, Aschiana.

Car bomb attempt on Northern Irish policeman foiled

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 11:48 AM PST

BELFAST (Reuters) - An attempt by militant nationalists to kill a Northern Irish policeman was foiled when a booby trap bomb was found under his car, police said on Sunday.

Shedding Door Pulls, Mumbai Taxis Rattle Off

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 11:15 AM PST

The Padmini taxi was once ubiquitous in Mumbai. But under a 2008 government decree requiring cabs older than 25 years to be retired, the old car is slowly disappearing.

Nine hostages in Brazil robbery

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 11:06 AM PST

Some 200 policemen in the south of Brazil are chasing a gang that escaped with nine hostages after a frustrated attempt to rob a jewellery factory.

Protests and vigils for India rape victim

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:45 AM PST

Thousands gather to demand justice for 23-year-old who died from injuries sustained in attack and other rape victims.

Bahrain policemen jailed for beating opposition member to death

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:33 AM PST

DUBAI (Reuters) - Two Bahraini policemen were sentenced to jail for seven years each on Sunday for beating to death a Shi'ite opposition activist in custody during last year's crackdown on protesters.

Italy's Rita Levi-Montalcini dies

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:51 AM PST

The Italian neurologist Rita Levi-Montalcini, who won the Nobel prize for her work on cells, dies at the age of 103.

A Rush to Split Up Big Bank Deposits to Keep Them Safe

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:47 AM PST

Next year, $1.5 trillion of bank deposits will lose an unlimited government guarantee granted during the financial crisis, and boutique firms are offering new shelters for the cash.

Cold-Weather Aid Trickles Into Afghan Camps

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 12:45 PM PST

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Sunday distributed emergency cold weather supplies to families in a refugee camp where two days earlier a 3-year-old child died of exposure to the cold.

QPR 0-3 Liverpool

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 10:11 AM PST

A woeful QPR display intensifies their relegation fears as they are beaten by a Luis Suarez-inspired Liverpool.

Cold-Weather Aid Trickles Into Afghan Camps

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 12:23 PM PST

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Sunday distributed emergency cold weather supplies to families in a refugee camp where two days earlier a 3-year-old child died of exposure to the cold.

Sudanese police block protest at human rights commission

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 09:58 AM PST

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudanese security forces on Sunday blocked activists trying to deliver a petition criticizing the government to the country's human rights commission, drawing a rare rebuke from the state-appointed body.

'Fattest man' looks to the future

Posted: 26 Dec 2012 11:22 AM PST

'World's fattest man' Paul Mason looks to the future

Court to rule on legality of Egyptian parliament

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 09:26 AM PST

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's highest court is to examine the legitimacy of the upper house of parliament, a case likely to increase the legal uncertainty of the country's political transition and leave it without a legislature.

U.S. plane stuck in Iran for repairs after emergency landing

U.S. plane stuck in Iran for repairs after emergency landing


U.S. plane stuck in Iran for repairs after emergency landing

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 12:47 AM PST

DUBAI (Reuters) - A small U.S. commercial plane has been stuck in Iran for nearly three weeks after making an emergency landing near the city of Ahvaz, the country's airports director said on Sunday.


Israel indicts former foreign minister Lieberman

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 12:45 AM PST

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli far-right leader Avigdor Lieberman was charged on Sunday with fraud and breach of trust, allegations that prompted his resignation as foreign minister two weeks ago, justice officials said.


Pakistani Taliban execute 21 captured paramilitary men

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 12:09 AM PST

PESHAWAR Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani Taliban militants have executed 21 paramilitary force men who were captured in attacks on their posts late last week, government officials said on Sunday.


Five Bangladeshi sentenced to death for Saudi diplomat killing

Posted: 30 Dec 2012 12:07 AM PST

DHAKA (Reuters) - A Bangladeshi court sentenced five members of a gang to death on Sunday for killing a Saudi Arabian diplomat in the capital Dhaka last March, court officials said.


Pakistan blast kills 20 Shia pilgrims in latest sectarian attack

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 11:59 PM PST

QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - A car bomb exploded on Sunday near a convoy of buses taking Pakistani Shia pilgrims to Iran, killing 20 people and wounding 24, officials said, the latest attack on the minority sect.


Pakistan blast kills 20 Shia pilgrims in latest sectarian attack

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 11:47 PM PST

QUETTA, Dec 30 — A car bomb exploded today near a convoy of buses taking Pakistani Shia pilgrims to Iran, killing 20 people and wounding 24, officials said, the latest attack on the minority sect. Witnesses said the blast occurred as the three buses were overtaking a car about 60km west of Quetta, capital of sparsely populated Baluchistan ...


China expands pollution monitoring to biggest cities

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 10:06 PM PST

BEIJING, Dec 30 — China plans to release hourly air pollution monitoring data in 74 of its biggest cities starting on New Year's Day, state media said today, in a sign of increasing responsiveness to quality-of-life concerns among prosperous urban people. Choking pollution and murky grey skies in Chinese cities is a top gripe among both Chinese ...


Body of India rape victim arrives home in New Delhi

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 10:58 PM PST

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The body of a woman whose gang rape provoked protests and rare national debate about violence against women in India arrived back in New Delhi early on Sunday and was quickly cremated at a private ceremony.


At least three al Qaeda-linked militants killed in Yemen - sources

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 10:23 PM PST

SANAA (Reuters) - At least three al Qaeda-linked militants were killed in the southern Yemeni province of al-Bayda late on Saturday in an apparent drone strike, government and tribal sources said.


Pakistani Taliban execute 21 captured paramilitary men

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 10:11 PM PST

PESHAWAR Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani Taliban militants have executed 21 paramilitary force men who were captured in attacks on their posts late last week, government officials said on Sunday.


Pakistani Taliban execute 21 captured paramilitary men

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 09:14 PM PST

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani Taliban militants have executed 21 paramilitary force men who were captured in attacks on their posts late last week, a government official said on Sunday.


Pakistani Taliban execute 21 captured paramilitary men

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 09:06 PM PST

DERA ISMAIL KHAN (Pakistan), Dec 30 — Pakistani Taliban militants have executed 21 paramilitary force men who were captured in attacks on their posts late last week, a government official said today. The men, who were kidnapped on Friday in attacks on three checkpoints near the city of Peshawar, were tied up, blindfolded and lined up before being ...


Body of India rape victim arrives home in New Delhi

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 08:08 PM PST

NEW DELHI, Dec 30 — The body of a woman whose gang rape provoked protests and rare national debate about violence against women in India arrived back in New Delhi early today. The unidentified 23-year-old medical student died from her injuries yesterday, prompting promises of action from a government that has struggled to respond to public ...


Syria doomed to ‘hell’ without political deal, says envoy

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 05:22 PM PST

AZAZ (Syria), Dec 30 — The international mediator touting a peace plan for Syria warned yesterday of "hell" if the warring sides shun talks, and Moscow accused enemies of President Bashar al-Assad of blocking negotiations. UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said in Moscow that responsible people inside and outside Syria should "help the Syrians ...


Woman charged with ‘murder as a hate crime’ in fatal subway pushing

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 04:41 PM PST

NEW YORK, Dec 30 — A woman suspected of shoving a man to his death in front of an oncoming New York subway train was arrested yesterday and charged with "second-degree murder as a hate crime" in the second such fatality this month for one of the world's busiest transit systems. The district attorney for the New York City borough of Queens said ...


Four killed when Russian airliner crash lands

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 04:20 PM PST

MOSCOW, Dec 30 — A Russian airliner flying without passengers broke into pieces after it slid off the runway and crashed onto a highway outside Moscow upon landing yesterday, killing four of the eight crew on board and leaving smoking chunks of fuselage on the icy road. The crash during peak holiday travel ahead of Russia's New Year's vacation, ...


Former President George H.W. Bush moved out of intensive care

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 04:05 PM PST

HOUSTON, Dec 30 — Former President George H.W. Bush's condition improved enough for him to be moved yesterday out of the intensive care unit and into a regular room at the Houston hospital where he was admitted last month for respiratory problems, a spokesman said. Bush, 88, who served as president from 1989 to 1993, entered Methodist Hospital on ...


Death of India rape victim stirs anger, promises of action

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 03:59 PM PST

NEW DELHI, Dec 30 — A woman whose gang rape provoked protests and rare national debate about violence against women in India died from her injuries yesterday, prompting promises of action from a government that has struggled to respond to public outrage. The unidentified 23-year-old medical student suffered a brain injury and massive internal ...


VIDEO: Chile arrests over singer's death

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 08:24 PM PST

A judge in Chile has ordered the arrest of eight former army officers over the murder 39 years ago of well-known left-wing singer Victor Jara.

VIDEO: Elephants compete at 'beauty contest'

Posted: 29 Dec 2012 08:18 PM PST

Elephants in Nepal and their trainers compete for prizes at a beauty pageant, which is used to highlight conservation programmes.