world

Future of abstinence-only funding is in limbo

With the exit of the Bush administration, critics of abstinence-only sex education will be making an aggressive push to cut off federal funding for what they consider an ineffective, sometimes harmful program.

Israel declares unilateral Gaza cease-fire

JERUSALEM – Israel declared a unilateral cease-fire in its 22-day offensive that turned Gaza neighborhoods into battlegrounds and dealt a stinging blow to the Islamic militants of Hamas, but the government said its troops will stay in the Palestinian territory for now.

US Airways jet ditches into NYC's Hudson River

DVD teaches autistic children the meaning of a smile

It wasn’t until Jude met Jenny that the 3-year-old autistic boy understood what happy people look like.

Zimbabwe opposition leader, Mugabe to discuss stalemate resolution

Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader will return home this weekend after more than two months out of the country, and plans to meet with Robert Mugabe in an effort to resolve the stalemate over a power-sharing agreement.

Survey says: At 631, endangered elephant count surprises in Malaysia

A count of elephant dung revealed a surprisingly large endangered elephant population – more than 600 – in Malaysia’s biggest national park, researchers said Thursday.

Kellogg pulls crackers over salmonella concerns in its peanut butter snacks

Concerns over consumer exposure to salmonella intensified Thursday, a day after Kellogg Co. asked stores to stop selling its peanut butter sandwich crackers until the food maker can figure out if the peanut paste is contaminated.

7 states sue over ‘unconstitutional’ rule on health workers

Seven states sued the federal government Thursday over a new rule that expands protections for doctors and other health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions and other medical procedures because of religious or moral objections.

Freezing temperatures close schools

Arctic air extended its grip Wednesday with below-zero temperatures stretching from Montana to northern New England and frost nipping the Gulf Coast.

Madoff in court for bail conditions

Besieged money manager Bernard Madoff has arrived at a Manhattan courthouse, where prosecutors are making another move to have him jailed.

Stocks tumble due to disappointing retail sales

Wall Street extended its 2009 retreat Wednesday, falling sharply after the government issued a dismal reading on retail sales and investors grew increasingly anxious about the banking industry. Major stock indexes lost more than 3 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which fell about 250 points, its sixth straight slide.

Isreal envoy plans ‘decisive’ cease-fire talks in Egypt

Israel’s chief negotiator will go to Egypt for “decisive” talks on a cease-fire with Hamas, officials said Tuesday.

Russia, Ukraine trade blame as Europe sees no gas

Russia and Ukraine hotly blamed each other Tuesday as Russia restarted natural gas supplies but little or no gas flowed toward Europe. EU officials criticized both nations for their intransigence and eastern European nations scrambled for a sixth day to find heat.

Closing Gitmo will raise questions about inmates’ futures

President-elect Barack Obama’s planned review of Guantanamo Bay prisoners, a prelude to closing the detention center, must weigh the threats posed by an extraordinarily diverse group, from die-hard jihadists to innocent men swept up in war.

Iraq official: Biden affirms ‘responsible’ troop withdrawal

Vice President-elect Joe Biden told Iraqi leaders Tuesday that the incoming U.S. administration is committed to a responsible troop withdrawal that would not endanger improvements in security, an Iraqi spokesman said.

Gay bishop to perform invocation at inaugural event

The first openly gay Episcopal bishop will offer a prayer at the Lincoln Memorial at an inaugural event for President-elect Barack Obama.

Carter urges Obama to work closely with China on key global issues

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, whose administration formalized diplomatic ties with China 30 years ago, urged President-elect Barack Obama to find ways to work more closely with Beijing on global issues.

Israel pounds new Hamas targets, enlists reserves to support offensive

Israeli warplanes pounded the homes of Hamas leaders and ground troops edged closer to the Gaza Strip’s densely populated urban center Monday, as Israel weighed a decision to escalate its devastating offensive.

Officials turn down Franken’s request for certificate in Minn. Senate race

Democrat Al Franken was quickly turned down Monday when he asked Minnesota’s governor and secretary of state to issue an election certificate that would let him take office in the Senate.

Future Chinese execs encouraged to seek inner chickens

Amena Schlaijker makes her students cluck like chickens, mimic a toothbrush, jump up and down or pretend to die an agonizing death.