Saudi police kill al Qaeda suspect in shootout

Saudi police kill al Qaeda suspect in shootout


Saudi police kill al Qaeda suspect in shootout

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 01:05 PM PST

JEDDAH, Saudi Aarabi (Reuters) - Saudi security forces shot dead a suspected al Qaeda militant and arrested another after one of them opened fire at agents at a checkpoint on Friday, the interior ministry said.


Man dies as Tunisian police open fire in clashes

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 01:06 PM PST

TUNIS (Reuters) - One civilian was killed and several others were injured on Friday when Tunisian police opened fire on protesters during clashes in a provincial city, official and trade union sources said.


Terror threat by Somali group raised

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:58 PM PST

The authorities in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi have all issued alerts over possible terrorist attacks during Christmas and New Year celebrations.


Taurasi May Face Olympic Ban for Positive Drug Test

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:46 PM PST

Diana Taurasi's positive test for a banned drug while playing basketball professionally in Turkey may threaten her eligibility to play for the U.S. in 2012.


Karzai warms to idea of talking to Taliban in Turkey

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:31 PM PST

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Hamid Karzai said on Friday the Afghan government would welcome any offer by Turkey to facilitate talks with the Taliban that could help bring an end to the conflict in his homeland.


Hawaii’s Governor Takes On ‘Birthers’

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 01:03 PM PST

Neil Abercrombie, who knew Barack Obama's parents, is incensed at those who assert he was born in Kenya.


At War: For Some Iraqi Christians – Shelter in Istanbul

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 11:40 AM PST

"We are a national church without a nation," said, Idris Gabriel Emlek, one of the Fathers of the Chaldean Assyrian Church.


Australian navy in drug scandal

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 11:57 AM PST

Investigations launched into claims of navy personnel abusing privileged access to smuggle drugs into Sydney.


Ivorian leader handed ultimatum

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:06 PM PST

West African regional bloc tells Laurent Gbagbo he must stand down as president or expect to face "legitimate force".


Democrats Seek Changes to Senate Procedures

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 11:25 AM PST

Frustrated by regular filibusters and other blockades, Senate Democrats are urging their leadership to change the chamber's rules.


Iraqi Christians Lie Low on Christmas

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 01:00 PM PST

Many Iraqi churches canceled Christmas observances in response to an outbreak of violence against Christians.


W African bloc threatens Gbagbo

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 01:03 PM PST

West African regional bloc Ecowas tells Ivory Coast incumbent Laurent Gbagbo to stand down or expect to face force.


Leonardo in for Benitez at Inter

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 11:06 AM PST

Inter Milan appoint former AC Milan boss Leonardo as successor to Rafael Benitez as coach on a one-and-a-half-year contract.


Cargo ship on fire off Kent coast

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 11:18 AM PST

Three casualties are airlifted from a cargo ship on fire in the English Channel, off the Kent coast.


Police meet Muslims after arrests

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 10:56 AM PST

Police meet Muslims at a Cardiff mosque to discuss the arrests of five men in the city suspected of terrorism offences.


South Africa asked to join emerging powers bloc

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 11:06 AM PST

Established already as a key player in Africa, South Africa boosted its image Friday after it was formally invited to join a federation of soaring global economies.


France to help build Russian warships

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 09:36 AM PST

Top officials in Moscow have accepted a French offer to help supply the Russian Navy with two new amphibious assault warships, according to a statement released Friday by the office of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.


Hollywood Dispute Pits Parking Against Organic Food

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 01:00 PM PST

A film school is trying to block a renewal of the permit for the Hollywood Farmers Market because it obstructs its most convenient parking lot.


City Room: Tree Man | The Long Goodbye

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:58 PM PST

A once swaggering Christmas-tree seller on Broadway gets his comeuppance.


Russia to buy two warships from France in major military deal

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 10:55 AM PST

PARIS - After a long hesitation and arduous negotiations, Russia has decided to buy at least two of France's advanced Mistral-class amphibious warships in an unprecedented military deal between Moscow and the West, the two nations said Friday.


Man drives into Obama security roadblock in Hawaii

Man drives into Obama security roadblock in Hawaii


Man drives into Obama security roadblock in Hawaii

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:57 AM PST

HONOLULU (Reuters) - A man being pursued by police drove into a security roadblock near President Barack Obama's vacation home in Hawaii on Thursday, the U.S. Secret Service said.



24,000 Vietnam workers strike at two South Korean plants

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:52 AM PST

HANOI, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - Around 24,000 workers at two South Korean plants in Vietnam have gone on strike over pay, bonuses and lunar new year holidays, company staff and news reports said Friday.

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Abhisit, Finance Minister Korn cleared from SMS case charges

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:48 AM PST

BANGKOK, Friday 24 December 2010 (Bernama) -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Thursday dismissed a case of alleged abuse of power against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, according to Thai News Agency on Friday.

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Bandar Tasik Selatan Integrated Transport Terminal to open 1 January

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:47 AM PST

North and south-bound commuters from Kuala Lumpur will enjoy the state-of-the-art Integrated South-Bandar Tasik Selatan Transport Terminal (TBS-BTS) which is set to open on Jan 1.

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Anwar's allegations a desperate tactic, says Muhyiddin

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:47 AM PST

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today refuted Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's allegations that he belittled the role of teachers when he questioned the opposition's offer to introduce a special monthly allowance of RM500.

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Nation set to be net ICT exporter in 2011

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:46 AM PST

Malaysia's information and communication technology (ICT) industry is expected to achieve a significant milestone in 2011 with the transformation of the country into a net ICT exporter.

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Tawau police looking for Muzakkir to assist in doctor's murder

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:45 AM PST

The Tawau police are looking for a youth identified as Muzakkir Abdul Hak to assist in the investigation into the murder of a private medical practitioner in Taman Bunga Tulip, on Dec 8.

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Reported crimes in Philippines down 405% in 2010: police

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:36 AM PST

MANILA, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - The number of crimes reported in the Philippines in the first 11 months of 2010 fell almost 40% compared with the same period last year, the national police said Friday.

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N.Korea warns family reunions might be in danger

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:34 AM PST

SEOUL, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - Pyongyang warned Friday that new efforts by Seoul to investigate alleged wartime abductions of South Koreans by the North would endanger further reunions of separated families.

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Philippine Airlines loses wage row with union

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:33 AM PST

MANILA, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - Philippine Airlines has been told to pay millions of dollars in salary increases and scrap its age limit policy after the government ruled that cabin crew had been discriminated against.

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N.Korea may stage atom test to boost heir: think-tank

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:32 AM PST

SEOUL, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - North Korea may carry out another atomic test next year to bolster the status of leader-in-waiting Kim Jong-Un, a Seoul state think-tank said Friday, a day after the North threatened a nuclear attack.

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China pledges regular patrols near disputed islands

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:18 AM PST

BEIJING, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - China has said it will do more to protect its fishing grounds next year, with regular patrols near disputed islands in the East China Sea that sparked a huge row with Japan.

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Beijing traffic official resigns amid gridlock woes

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:17 AM PST

BEIJING, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - The vice-mayor of Beijing in charge of traffic management has resigned and been sent to the far-western region of Xinjiang as officials take drastic steps to ease chronic gridlock in the Chinese capital.

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Two Koreas take tough stance as think-tank warns of war

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:16 AM PST

SEOUL, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - The two Koreas are still talking tough one month after the North's artillery bombardment sent tensions soaring, with Pyongyang threatening nuclear war and Seoul vowing strong retaliation for any new attack.

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Christmas tree to glow until N.Korea successor's birthday

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:14 AM PST

SEOUL, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - South Korea said Friday a giant Christmas tree near the North Korean border will stay lit up till January 8 -- a move likely to anger Pyongyang since the date marks the birthday of its heir apparent.

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Onions, coconuts and the politics of taste in S.Asia

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:13 AM PST

NEW DELHI, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - Food and politics have always been closely intertwined in the developing countries of South Asia, but when national taste buds are at stake the relationship can become especially volatile.

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Iceland's scary troll Santas herald Christmas fear

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:10 AM PST

REYKJAVIK, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - They don't wear red, and they're not jolly: the 13 Santas who usher in Christmas in Iceland are "descendants" of trolls and ogres who revel in terrifying young children.

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Christmas is an ordinary day for Zimbabwe's rural poor

Posted: 24 Dec 2010 12:07 AM PST

ZIMUNYA, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - For ordinary Zimbabweans this Christmas will bring a mixture of pleasure and pain, with once-empty shops full of food and drink but most families left wondering how to pay for it.

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At Christmas, elves in Quebec become lumberjacks

Posted: 23 Dec 2010 11:58 PM PST

SAINT-CUTHBERT, Friday 24 December 2010 (AFP) - Seven-year-old Marie, wading through snow up to her knees, squealed in delight at one of Santa's helpers: "Elf, elf, come here. I found my Christmas tree!"

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Understand 1Malaysia to prosper in unity, CM tells Sabahans

Posted: 23 Dec 2010 11:57 PM PST

Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman has called on Sabahans to fully understand the 1Malaysia concept and subscribe to its principles in order to prosper in unity with the rest of the nation.

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