World | US News

World


Google appears to drop censorship in China

By msnbc.com on March 16, 2010

An unidentified Chinese man, calling for an end to the violence and bloodshed against pro-democracy demonstrators, stands alone to block a line of tanks heading east on Beijing's Cangan Blvd. in Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989. Once censored, the picture could be seen over the Internet in China Tuesday.Web sites dealing with subjects such as the Tiananmen Square protests could all be accessed through Google’s Chinese search engine Tuesday in defiance of Beijing’s censorship rules.


Palestinians, Israeli police clash

By msnbc.com on March 16, 2010

Border policemen arrest a Palestinian protester during clashes at the Shuafat refugee camp in Jerusalem on Tuesday.Dozens of Palestinian stone-throwers clash with Israeli police in East Jerusalem on a “day of rage” Hamas Islamists declare in protest at Israel’s consecration of an ancient synagogue.


Thai protesters give blood to pour on streets

By msnbc.com on March 16, 2010

A supporter of deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra holds a syringe full of blood after making a donation at protest site in Bangkok, Thailand.Anti-government protesters started donating their own blood as part of a plan to splatter the Thai government headquarters in a symbolic sacrifice to demand new elections.


NYT: U.S. reins in special forces in Afghanistan

By msnbc.com on March 16, 2010

Children related to five people, including three women, who died Feb. 12 in a night raid near Gardez in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, stood at their graves last week. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top American commander in Afghanistan, has brought most American Special Operations forces under his direct control for the first time.


British boy kidnapped in Pakistan freed

By msnbc.com on March 16, 2010

A British boy who was kidnapped in Pakistan while on vacation has been released, an official and a relative said on Tuesday, ending a 12-day ordeal.


Kidnapped British boy found safe in Pakistan

By CNN on March 16, 2010

(CNN) — A five-year-old British boy who was kidnapped in Pakistan earlier this month has been found safe, the British High Commission said Tuesday.

The commission did not say when or where Sahil Saeed was found. It issued a statement thanking the police in the Pakistani town of Jhelum for the boys return.

Sahil, a British citizen of Pakistani descent, was on the last day of a two-week vacation in Pakistan before he was to return home to Oldham, in northern England.

Gunmen barged into Sahils grandmothers home in Jhelum, in the eastern province of Punjab, and took him at gunpoint on March 3. They reportedly demanded a ransom of 10 million rupees ($118,000).

Soon after the abduction, Pakistans Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the captors included someone close to the family.

"There is someone who is very close to the family because the way the situation happened, the way the entry was made," Malik told reporters.


Strong, moderate quakes rock Chile

By CNN on March 16, 2010

(CNN) — A pair of earthquakes rattled coastal Chile overnight, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

A strong 6.7-magnitude quake hit at 11:22 p.m. Monday, and a moderate 5.5-magnitude quake followed at 12:05 a.m. Tuesday.

Vicente Nuñez, director of the National Emergencies Office, appealed to Chileans to remain calm, saying there was no danger of a tsunami.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage, he said.

Both quakes were centered 35 to 45 miles north of Concepcion, which was heavily damaged by a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake on February 27.

Aftershocks have continued to rock Chile — at least seven of magnitude 5.0 or above since Sunday.


Thai protesters collect blood for message

By CNN on March 16, 2010

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) — Anti-government protesters launched a blood drive Tuesday to collect enough samples to douse the ministers offices.

The dramatic gesture is the latest move by the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and call new elections.

Thousands of "red shirts" — so named for their clothing — held out their forearms to allow their compatriots to draw blood.

The protesters intended to collect 1,000 liters (1 million cubic centimeters) and then throw the blood on the grounds of the Government House, which houses ministerial offices, at 6 p.m. (7 a.m. ET).

"Red shirts" rally in Bangkok: Share your photos

If Abhisit still refuses to dissolve parliament, the demonstrators said they will collect another 1,000 liters of blood Wednesday and splash it on the headquarters of the ruling party.

The next day, they will collect 1,000 more liters and target the prime ministers residence, the demonstrators said.

Abhisit has repeatedly said he will listen to the protesters but will not accede to their demands.

The anti-government demonstrations began Friday. By Sunday, tens of thousands of protesters had poured into the center of Bangkok.

The rallies have been largely peaceful. Abhisit has said his government will not use force to quell the demonstrations.

The nations tourism minister estimated the demonstrations might have resulted in a 20 percent drop in tourists. The impact on Chinese visitors appears to have been greater, with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce reporting a 50 percent cancellation rate.

The protesters are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006.

Thaksin was the only Thai prime minister to serve a full term and remains hugely popular.

He fled the country in 2008 while facing trial on corruption charges that he says were politically motivated.

The protesters say Abhisit was not democratically elected and have demanded that he call new elections.

Since Thaksins ouster, Thailand has endured widespread political unrest that has pitted Thaksin loyalists against Abhisit supporters.

Two people were killed and at least 135 wounded in riots in April 2009 when protesters clashed with demonstrators supporting the government.

CNNs Kocha Olarn and Dan Rivers contributed to this report


Afghan women fear loss of hard-won progress

By msnbc.com on March 16, 2010

Afghan schoolgirls listen to their teacher as they sit in a classroom in a Turkish-Afghan school in Herat, Dec. 12.As Karzai’s government considers negotiating with Taliban, retreat from hard-won progress is worry for Afghan women.


Iranian leader shuns ancient fire festival

By CNN on March 16, 2010

Tehran, Iran (CNN) — Irans supreme leader is attempting to extinguish an annual event celebrating the last days of winter and the Persian calendar year, and the government is strengthening its security presence in the days leading up to a major holiday, Iranian media reported.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday urged Iranians to dismiss the ancient practice of fire jumping and feasting on Chaharshanbe Soori, a festival held on the eve of the last Wednesday before spring — this year, March 16. The activities date back thousands of years.

The festivities have no basis in Islam, and can cause "harm and corruption," Khamenei said in a statement published by Iranian news sites. "It is appropriate to avoid it," he said.

The celebrations lead up to Norooz, the holiday that marks the first day of spring and the Persian new year. Norooz falls on Saturday this year.

Iran is beefing up security to ensure "order and calm" during the two-week period celebrating Norooz, stationing 200,000 security personnel across the Islamic republic, according to Raja news, the official new site of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In the eastern city of Mashad, the chief prosecutor said those who engage in "disruptive behavior" during Chaharshanbe Soori would face "strong consequences."

Its a precaution thats become increasingly commonplace in Iran, especially in advance of holidays, as the government continues to warn against political demonstrations that have emerged since last summers disputed presidential elections.

Most recently, the Iranian government quashed anti-government protests that brewed in February as the nation commemorated the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, which marked the end of the countrys Western-backed monarchy and the start of an Islamic republic. In the days that led up to the February 11 holiday, the government mobilized security forces and heightened its warnings, saying it would arrest protesters and hold them until the April 9 end of Norooz.

Six protesters who were arrested in December on the Muslim holiday of Ashura were sentenced to death on Monday, the day before Chaharshanbe Soori, the semi-official Fars news agency reported Monday. Their sentences are being reviewed by an appeals court, Fars said.

And some 350 inmates at Evin prison have gone on hunger strike to demand that their cases be examined before Norooz, saying their ward is so overcrowded with recent political arrestees that prisoners are in poor health, according to the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, an Iranian group.

There were also reports that opposition leader Mehdi Karrubis home was vandalized. Karrubis Eetemade-Melli (National Trust) partys Web site, called Saham News, said a group had gathered in front of his house and tossed red paint on the walls of the apartment building. Two weeks earlier, a similar group threw tomatoes and eggs at the building, the Web site said.

A video identifying a vandalized apartment building as Karrubis was posted on YouTube Monday, showing exterior walls scrawled with the last names of Karrubi, fellow opposition leader Mir Hossein Moussavi and former President Mohammad Khatami — all reformists. In some areas, the black spray paint read "death to Karrubi" and "death to Khatami."

Anti-government demonstrations began after the disputed June 12 presidential vote, which re-elected hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over main opposition candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi.

Eyewitnesses in Iran said thousands of riot police and security officers lined the streets of the capital, Tehran, and patrolled major intersections on motorcycles and on foot Monday night. Beginning Saturday, police also set up checkpoints along major roads in Tehran, and vehicles have been stopped and searched from late at night into the early morning hours, witnesses said.

CNNs Reza Sayah contributed to this report.


Next Page »

World »

Google appears to drop censorship in China

March 16, 2010

An unidentified Chinese man, calling for an end to the violence and bloodshed against pro-democracy demonstrators, stands alone to block a line of tanks heading east on Beijing's Cangan Blvd. in Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989. Once censored, the picture could be seen over the Internet in China Tuesday.Web sites dealing with subjects such as the Tiananmen Square protests could all be accessed through Google’s Chinese search engine Tuesday in defiance of Beijing’s censorship rules.

Politics »

McCain, Palin to campaign together in Arizona

March 15, 2010

John McCain and Sarah Palin will campaign together in Arizona next week. It will be their first public appearance together since they conceded the presidential election in Phoenix in 2008.

Business »

Report: Linux Gains Ground, Windows Stumbles

January 26, 2010

Linux inched ahead in the operating-system arena during the final month of 2009, even as Windows and Mac gave up some ground. That’s according to research firm Net Applications, which recently released its Market Share report covering operating systems in December. Linux accounted for 1.02 percent of the market in December, up from an even 1 percent the month before.

Technology »

Twitter CEO unveils \’@anywhere\’ feature

March 15, 2010

Austin, Texas (CNN) — Twitter CEO Evan Williams announced a product Monday that will further integrate Twitter feeds into other Web sites.

The "@anywhere" feature will allow users to post to Twitter from a number of other sites and to comment on each others posts without visiting Twitter.com.

"Imagine being able to follow a New York Times journalist directly from her byline, tweet about a video without leaving YouTube, and discover new Twitter accounts while visiting the Yahoo! home page — and thats just the beginning," the company wrote in a blog post.

The feature, which is expected to launch soon, will be introduced first on 13 Web sites, including The New York Times, Amazon, eBay, Bing, YouTube and The Huffington Post.

Williams made the announcement at the South by Southwest Interactive festival, which is a yearly gathering of technology enthusiasts. Twitter debuted at South by Southwest in 2007.

The @anywhere feature will make browsing the Web more seamless and help Web users find sites and videos more easily, Williams said.

"One of the things weve found with Twitter is that discovery is one of the hardest challenges," he said.

"Twitter drives tons of traffic. … It should result in more followers for a site than just sending out links does," Williams said. "It should hopefully result in more people who are your audience [and who are] using Twitter talking among themselves about your content."

Williams keynote was one of the most highly anticipated events at SXSW, but the speech was met with some negative reaction from the audience in Austin, Texas.

Twitter executives have acknowledged plans to add advertising to the site, which currently is free of ads. Many attendees said they had hoped Williams would talk about how such advertising would work on Twitter.

Instead, some audience members began filing out of the keynote address, which was held as an on-stage interview, about 40 minutes after it started. By the time the interview was over, the hall was more than half-empty.

The session also took a real-time beating on Twitter.

"Ive seen more energy at a lawn bowling tournament," one user wrote.

In an interview with CNN, Williams said Twitter doesnt have anything to announce in relation to its advertising plans.

"Unfortunately, were not in control of what people anticipate well announce," he said.

The measured reactions to the @anywhere feature didnt help the energy level at Williams talk.

"Its an interesting idea to bring Twitter out into the ecosystem, but I think at the end of the day, the intelligence [it would provide] is a little light," said John Logioco, vice president of Outbrain, which makes a widget designed to suggest content on a Web page based on a persons preferences.

"What were looking for on the Web, I think, is less noise, not more noise."

Its unclear exactly when the @anywhere feature will launch. Williams said in an interview that prototypes are being tested now.

"I dont know if we have a launch date yet," he said. "We have participating sites who are working on implementing it right now, and we have sort of prototypes working. It will depend somewhat on the sites who are implementing it when it actually launches because everybody is sort of adopting it differently."

CNNs Valerie Streit contributed to this report.

Health »

Brain scans may reveal early Alzheimer’s

March 15, 2010

An undated image of the human brain taken through scanning technology. REUTERS/Sage Center for the Study of the Mind, University of California, Santa Barbara/HandoutPeople with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease often have clumps of a toxic protein in their brains even though they are perfectly healthy, researchers said on Monday.

Sports »

Vegas Advisors on Gambling

March 16, 2010

A game by game breakdown by the experts



SELECTED HEADLINES

Business »

Report: Linux Gains Ground, Windows Stumbles

January 26, 2010

Linux inched ahead in the operating-system arena during the ...

U.S. »

Official: Cops had gun in Pentagon spree

March 16, 2010

Washington (CNN) -- A gun recovered from this months ...

Politics »

McCain, Palin to campaign together in Arizona

March 15, 2010

John McCain and Sarah Palin will campaign together in ...

Technology »

Twitter CEO unveils \’@anywhere\’ feature

March 15, 2010

Austin, Texas (CNN) -- Twitter CEO Evan Williams announced ...

Health »

Brain scans may reveal early Alzheimer’s

March 15, 2010

People with a family history of Alzheimer's disease often ...

Fashion and Style »

Gisele Bundchen ‘changed’ by son

March 16, 2010

Gisele Bundchen has "changed" since having her first child. ...

Fashion and Style »

Gisele Bundchen ‘changed’ by son

March 16, 2010

Gisele Bundchen has “changed” since having her first child.
The 29-year-old model had baby Benjamin – her first child with husband Tom Brady – in November 2009, and admits she found it hard to get back to work.

Fashion and Style »

$400 Denim Giveaway By Charley 5.0

March 16, 2010

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Charley 5.0, the hot new brand which is already a big hit with young Hollywood starlets like Ashely Tisdale, Jessica Alba and Blake Lively.
Charley 5.0, a newcomer to the nontemporary scene is a denim based item driven collection. If you’re looking for a staple that will add flair to your closet you’ll absolutely love Charley 5.0 for their amazing must have denim legging, sexy little denim dress or the perfect denim parka. Whatever you’re fancy you won’t be disappointed.

The winner of this giveaway will get $400 to spend on any Charley 5.0 denim of their choice. Please note that by entering this competition you are agreeing to receive email newsletters from both Denimology and Charley 5.0. Only one entry per email address will be accepted and the closing date for entries is March 30th, 2010.

To take part in this giveaway please enter your email address in the box below.
$(document).ready(function() { $(‘#save’).click(function() { var email = $(‘#email’).get(0).value; if(email.length==0) { alert(‘Email Required.’); return; } else { var rx = new RegExp(“\\w+([-+.\']\\w+)*@\\w+([-.]\\w+)*\\.\\w+([-.]\\w+)*”); var matches = rx.exec(email); if(matches == null || email != matches[0]) { alert(‘Invalid Email.’); return; } } $(this).attr(‘disabled’, ‘disabled’); $.ajax({ type: “GET”, url: “http://www.denimology.com/storemail.php”, data: “type=competitionCHA0310B&email=” + email, success: function(msg) { $(‘#save’).removeAttr(‘disabled’); alert(“Data Saved: ” + msg); } }); }); }); Enter your email:

Fashion and Style »

Ben Stiller’s funny marriage

March 16, 2010

Ben Stiller claims laughter is the best way to a successful relationship.
The 44-year-old actor admits his relationship with wife of nine years Christine Taylor works because the pair share a sense of humour.