Oscar for ‘Best Picture’ Worth Its Weight in Gold – ABC News
ABC NewsFor a movie to win the Oscar for Best Picture is, of course, an honor. But what’s it worth at the box office? To find out, IBISWorld, an industry and market research firm, looked…
Daily Star
Hezbollah takes lead in pounding Syrian rebels – USA TODAY
USA TODAYBEIRUT, Lebanon — Forces of the terrorist group Hezbollah say they are winning battles to defeat a three-year rebellion against Syrian dictator Bashar Assad by pouring fighters into remote regions where the Sunni Muslim…
Israel suspects Hezbollah will target top Israeli officials – Haaretz
HaaretzIsrael won’t publicly admit to Monday’s strike and Hezbollah is not making threats, but under the surface, the sides are locked in conflict. By Amos Harel | Feb. 26, 2014 | 12:31 AM | 4….
No spying on friends: NSA bugs Merkel aides instead of chancellor – RT
RTIn the wake of President Obama’s promise to stop spying on German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the US intelligence has switched its attention to her top government officials, a German newspaper reported. Washington’s relations with Germany…
At least 21 Afghan soldiers killed, seven kidnapped by Taliban – ABC Online
ABC OnlineAt least 21 soldiers have been killed and seven kidnapped by Taliban in a raid on a border outpost, prompting Afghan President Hamid Karzai to blame Pakistan for failing to eliminate “terror nests”. The…
Syria field hospital hit by car bomb near Turkey – BBC News
BBC NewsSeveral people are reported to have been killed by a car bomb near a field hospital in northern Syria, close to the border with Turkey. Activists said the blast happened in the rebel-held town…
Libyan Vote on Charter Assembly Is Marred by Violence and Low Turnout – New York Times
New York TimesTRIPOLI, Libya — Libya’s long-delayed efforts to draft a new Constitution hit another obstacle on Thursday when elections for a 60-member constitutional drafting committee fell well short of expectations, with a low turnout…
Panel OKs funding help for Glendale Super Bowl costs – Arizona Daily Star
Panel OKs funding help for Glendale Super Bowl costsArizona Daily StarPHOENIX — A House panel agreed Wednesday to help Glendale with some of its 2015 Super Bowl costs, but with a warning that similar relief…
Justin Bieber cluelessly burning through his money – Examiner.com
Examiner.comJustin Bieber may soon become the next entertainer to wind up broke despite raking in the money. The Daily Star reported on Sunday, Feb. 16, that the singer is burning through his millions almost as…
Made In Britain? Alfonso Cuarón Defends Gravity’s British Accolades – Entertainmentwise
EntertainmentwiseGravity stars an American actress, Sandra Bullock, and actor, George Clooney, who are directed by Mexican auteur, Alfonso Cuarón. So why does Alfonso believe his film deserves the British Academy of Film And Television’s “Made…
Countdown to Daytona: Today’s Number is 7 – HNN Huntingtonnews.net
HNN Huntingtonnews.net7: The record number of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships won by Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt. This year, Jimmie Johnson will attempt to join that exclusive club, as he tries for…
Kerry: Russia Enabling Syria’s Pursuit of Military Path – Voice of America
Voice of AmericaU.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the Syrian government is trying to win a military victory over the opposition, and that Russia is enabling President Bashar al-Assad on that path. Speaking Monday…
Snake-handling preacher dies after refusing treatment for bite – Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles TimesIn some readings of the Bible, faith is stronger than venom. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing…
Egyptian ex-leader Morsy to return to court, this time on conspiracy charges – CNN
CNN(CNN) — Ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsy and 35 Muslim Brotherhood members are scheduled to stand trial Sunday on conspiracy charges. They stand accused of spying for foreign organizations outside Egypt, committing terrorist acts inside…
Chechen leader offers to take Danish giraffe – UPI.com
UPI.comAn 11-day-old giraffe calf stands with his herd at the Brookfield Zoo on July 2, 2013 in Brookfield, Illinois. Jasiri, a 7-year-old giraffe gave birth to the 173-pound, 5-foot-9-inch tall male calf on June 21,…
Syria conflict: Homs aid convoy comes under fire – BBC News
BBC NewsAn aid convoy bringing supplies into the besieged district of the central Syrian city of Homs has come under fire, leaving at least one person hurt. Renewed fighting in the city had already slowed…
Bosnia-Hercegovina protests break out in violence – BBC News
BBC NewsDemonstrators in Bosnia-Hercegovina have set fire to government buildings, in the worst unrest since the end of the 1992-95 war. Hundreds of people have been injured in three days of protests over high unemployment…
Baghdad bombs, one near foreign ministry, kill 24 – AFP
AFPBaghdad — Three explosions in Baghdad, including one opposite the foreign ministry, killed 24 people on Wednesday, the latest in the country’s worst surge of violence in nearly six years. The attacks, which wounded dozens…
Afghan presidential election campaign begins – BBC News
BBC NewsThe campaign for Afghanistan’s presidential election has been formally launched, with rallies for key candidates in the capital, Kabul. The election is scheduled to take place on 5 April, with 11 candidates to replace…
Al Qaeda fighters in Syria kill rival rebel leader – Fox News
Fox NewsBEIRUT – Al Qaeda fighters killed the leader of a rival Islamic brigade in a twin car bombing near Syria’s northern city of Aleppo, an attack likely to further exacerbate rebel infighting even as…
UN calls for unity after deadly Lebanon bombing – The Daily Star
The Daily StarBEIRUT: The U.N. Security Council appealed to the Lebanese people to preserve national unity despite consistent attempts to undermine the country’s stability, in the wake of the deadly bombing in the northeastern city…
Kerry warns Syria of consequences on chemical weapons – The Daily Star
The Daily StarBERLIN: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad he could face consequences for failing to live up to international agreements on removing his chemical weapons stockpile. Kerry…
Ukraine Warring Sides Sharpen Rhetoric as President Out Sick (1) – Businessweek
BusinessweekAnti-government protesters stand at a road block in Kiev on Jan. 30, 2014. Photographer: Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images. Ukraine’s opposition accused President Viktor Yanukovych of foul play as he took sick leave and his Defense Ministry…
Syrian government ‘demolished thousands of homes’ – BBC News
BBC NewsThe Syrian government has been “deliberately and unlawfully” demolishing thousands of homes, a new report by Human Rights Watch says. Satellite images appear to show large-scale demolitions with explosives and bulldozers in opposition strongholds…
11 things to know about Lunar New Year – CNN
CNN(CNN) — It’s that time again: Lunar New Year. Red packets of money will change hands and dragon dances will roar through the streets as people around the world, predominately of Chinese descent, usher in…
Egypt ex-President Morsi ‘arrives for jail escape trial’ – BBC News
BBC NewsEgypt’s former Islamist President Mohammed Morsi has arrived at a court in Cairo to go on trial over his escape from prison in 2011, state media say. He was taken to the court by…
Opportunity Still Roving on Mars After a Decade – ABC News
ABC NewsA decade after landing on Mars, the rover Opportunity is still chugging along. Sure, it has some wear and tear. One of its six wheels and two instruments stopped working long ago. It has…
High stakes, low expectations for Syria peace talks – CNN International
CNN International(CNN) — A new peace conference aimed at ending Syria’s civil war convenes Wednesday in Switzerland, where the international community hopes to apply a tourniquet to the Middle East’s worst open wound. Here’s a…
Turkey’s Erdogan, on Brussels visit, criticized over crackdown – Reuters
ReutersBRUSSELS (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, making his first visit to Brussels in five years, faced sharp criticism from European Union leaders on Tuesday over a crackdown on the judiciary and police that…
Deadly car bomb targets Hezbollah in Beirut – USA TODAY
USA TODAYBEIRUT (AP) — A car bomb ripped through a Shiite neighborhood in south Beirut on Tuesday, killing four people and sending plumes of smoke over the area in the latest attack to target supporters…
Bomb Hits Hezbollah Neighborhood – Wall Street Journal
Wall Street JournalHezbollah supporters gather at the site of a bomb blast in the Haret Hreik neighborhood in southern Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday. European Pressphoto Agency. BEIRUT—A car bomb exploded in the Hezbollah stronghold of southern…
Four killed in Beirut southern suburbs blast: security source – Reuters
ReutersBEIRUT (Reuters) – Four people were killed in a blast in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Tuesday, a security source told Reuters, attributing the blast to a suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt. The source said…
Livni, Molcho head for Washington to confer with Kerry on peace talks – Jerusalem Post
Jerusalem PostAfter six months of negotiations, there are still believed to be enormous gaps between Israelis, Palestinians. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni Photo: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post. Israeli’s top two negotiators with the Palestinians were…
Kabul restaurant was beloved refuge; now it’s terrorists’ rubble – CNN
CNN(CNN) — The best chocolate cake I ever ate in Kabul was tucked away on a discreet corner near the city’s diplomatic area. Kamal Hamade, the well-known and loved Lebanese owner of Taverna du Liban,…
Analysis: Egypt vote muddies political outlook – Houston Chronicle
Houston ChronicleCAIRO (AP) — For all the self-congratulatory headlines in Egypt’s pro-military media, the results of last week’s constitutional referendum may have fallen short of the emphatic popular mandate the nation’s military chief was looking…
Voters support military-backed constitution in Egypt – euronews
euronewsIn Egypt, more than 98 percent of those who voted in a constitutional referendum supported the government. But just over a third of the electorate took part. Nabil Salib, Head of the Supreme Election Committee,…
Assad: Quitting not up for debate – BBC News
BBC NewsSyrian President Bashar al-Assad has said he has no intention of quitting, and the issue is not up for discussion at next week’s peace talks. “If we wanted to surrender we would have surrendered…
ASU’s uphill battle vs. Wildcats compounded by Marshall’s injury – FOXSports.com
FOXSports.comTUCSON, Ariz. — It was never going to be easy. Playing the nation’€™s No. 1 team never is. But the degree of difficulty was compounded when Arizona State went into McKale Center on Thursday night…
John Kerry urges Syria opposition to attend talks – BBC News
BBC NewsUS Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Syria’s opposition to join next week’s peace talks. The main political opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition, meets in Istanbul on Friday to vote on whether…
Obama to Democrats: Put off new Iran sanctions – USA TODAY
USA TODAYPresident Obama laid out his legislative agenda for Senate Democrats at a White House meeting on Wednesday, but also asked them not to do something. Don’t slap new sanctions on Iran. Monday is the…
Polling on constitution underway in Egypt – Xinhua
XinhuaCAIRO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) — Egyptians started casting their votes Tuesday on the country’s new draft constitution, which is widely seen as a milestone during Egypt’s political transition after Islamist president Mohamed Morsi was ousted…
Iraq Bombings Kill 41 – Wall Street Journal
Wall Street JournalAn Iraqi police officer stands guard at the site of a car bomb in central Baghdad on Wednesday. Agence France-Presse/Getty Images. BAGHDAD—A wave of bombings across Iraq striking busy markets and a funeral…
Israel Says It Will Build New Homes in West Bank – ABC News
ABC NewsIsrael on Friday announced plans to build 1,400 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territory the Palestinians claim for their future state. Even though it was no surprise,…
Troops battle al-Qaida fighters near Baghdad – USA TODAY
USA TODAYIraq’s government urged Fallujah residents to expel al-Qaida militants to avoid an all-out battle in the besieged city. The seizure of Fallujah and nearby Ramadi mark the most direct challenge to the government since…
Ariel Sharon needs a ‘miracle’ to prevent further decline – Haaretz
HaaretzDirector of Sheba Medical Center says the former leader’s health has deteriorated for sixth straight day. By Ido Efrati and The Associated Press | Jan. 6, 2014 | 12:38 PM. Tweet. Former Israeli Prime Minster…
Syrian rebels battle al-Qaeda-linked fighters – USA TODAY
USA TODAYBEIRUT (AP) — Syrian rebels seized a compound held by al-Qaeda-linked militants Sunday as their one-time allies used car bombs against them, in some of the most serious infighting between fighters challenging the rule…
Kerry: ‘No Boots On The Ground’ in Iraq – Voice of America
Voice of AmericaThe top U.S. diplomat says the United States supports Iraq as it battles against al-Qaida militants who have taken control of a town in Anbar province. However, John Kerry said Sunday the U.S….
5 most incredible discoveries of the week – USA TODAY
USA TODAYAn amazing find by a sharp-eyed astronomer and a bizarre discovery about the pooping habits of dogs are on this week’s list: 1. For 2nd time ever, we saw an asteroid before it hit…
Al-Qaida Takes Control of Iraqi City – Voice of America
Voice of AmericaReports Saturday say the Iraqi government has lost control of Fallujah to al-Qaida militants after days of fighting. A senior security official told the French news agency that Fallujah is under the control…
Militant chief Majid al-Majid ‘dies in Lebanon’ – BBC News
BBC NewsMajid al-Majid, the commander of the al-Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades, has died in custody in a hospital in Lebanon, state media say. Majid al-Majid, a Saudi who is on Saudi Arabia’s most-wanted-terrorists list, was…
South Sudan: Finding shelter by the Nile – BBC News
BBC NewsThe tens of thousands of people who fled Bor town and crossed the Nile dragging what few possessions they could carry, landed in Awerial county and found the nearest tree to set up camp….
Briton, New Zealander found shot dead on Libyan beach – CNN
CNNTripoli, Libya (CNN) — Authorities on Friday identified a British man and a woman from New Zealand as the two foreigners killed in Libya and their bodies found on a beach west of Tripoli. Libya’s…
Iraq Fights to Recapture Towns From Al-Qaeda as Violence Spirals – Businessweek
BusinessweekA police vehicle burns during a clash between Iraqi tribesmen and Iraqi security forces in Ramadi, Iraq on Jan. 2, 2014. Source: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images. Iraqi forces backed by aircraft and Sunni tribal…
Blast in Hezbollah-run area of Beirut kills 5 – USA TODAY
USA TODAYBEIRUT (AP) — An explosion tore through a crowded commercial street Thursday in a south Beirut neighborhood that is bastion of support for the Shiite group Hezbollah, killing at least five people, setting cars…
Kerry in Jerusalem: Hard work on Israeli, Palestinian goals – Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles TimesJERUSALEM — U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry arrived in Jerusalem on Thursday to begin another round of meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, his 10th visit since taking office with the…
South Sudan rebel ‘agrees to talks after taking Bor’ – BBC News
BBC NewsSouth Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar has told the BBC he will enter peace talks, claiming his forces have captured the key town of Bor. He had previously demanded 11 detainees accused of being…
DR Congo repels ‘terror attacks’ – BBC News
BBC NewsThe Democratic Republic of Congo’s army has repulsed several attacks in the capital, Kinshasa, by an “unknown terrorist group”, the government says. Spokesman Lambert Mende Omalanga said action had been taken to “preserve at…
Hollande meets Crown Prince Salman at end of Saudi visit – Al-Arabiya
Al-ArabiyaSaudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud (R) walks alongside French President Francois Hollande (L) following a meeting with Saudi businessmen in Riyadh on Dec. 30, 2013. (AFP). Tweet. Text size A A…
Congo coup attempt unfolds on morning TV talk show – USA TODAY
USA TODAYDAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Assailants armed with machetes and automatic weapons attacked the state television station, the airport and the main military base in Congo’s capital in what appeared to be a coup attempt…
Lebanon struggles to get a grip on violence – Deutsche Welle
Deutsche WelleLebanon is struggling to cope with the fallout from Syria’s civil war, which has divided the country along confessional lines and paralyzed the fragile state. With recent killings, violence is set to continue in…
