WikiLeaks has released 2,628 diplomatic cables that came from the US State Department, or a meager 1% of the 251,287 in its possession, despite Julian Assange’s repeated assurances to speed their release. But what’s unclear, notes the AP , is whether the most salacious revelations have already been released,…
Continue reading …Congress can go ahead and sing “Kumbaya” at Tuesday’s State of the Union address for all Mitch McConnell cares: The Senate minority leader tells Fox News Sunday that he’s keeping his seat, reports the AP, though legislators should feel free to do whatever they want to. McConnell also vowed a…
Continue reading …Ireland’s small but critical Green Party quit the coalition government today, just a day after Irish PM Brian Cowen stepped down as party chair but sought to hold on to his seat. The move puts pressure on Cowen to quit as the Greens join the opposition in calling for March…
Continue reading …Spurred on by the successful revolution in Tunisia, activists across the Middle East are moving away from ideology and theology, in favor of more practical and secular demands, such as ending government corruption, instituting the rule of law, and easing economic suffering, reports the New York Times . “Ideology now has…
Continue reading …Comic books are gaining Hollywood cachet and, apparently, global appeal. For the first time, India will host a comics convention similar to the huge San Diego Comic-Con, the Telegraph reports. “Comics is big business in India right now and we felt this was the perfect moment to host our own…
Continue reading …China’s got a brand-new shiny stealth fighter, and it might drop Washington a thank-you note for it, reports the AP. Seems a US-made F-117 Nighthawk, the revolutionary original stealth fighter, that was shot down over Serbia in 1999 attracted some attention in Beijing. “At the time, our intelligence reports told…
Continue reading …Ivory Wave, Red Dove, Vanilla Sky—the names sound more tranquil than menacing, but authorities are calling them the latest in drugs as dangerous as crystal meth. They’re bath salts, and can be bought legally in stores, but they contain mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, which can cause hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart…
Continue reading …Marriage isn’t a God-given right and it’s not just for any schmuck, Pope Benedict said yesterday in an annual speech to the Vatican’s tribunal that rules on annulments. “No one can make a claim to the right to a nuptial ceremony,” he said. The pontiff also urged priests to provide…
Continue reading …His 19 grandchildren read short remembrances, U2 frontman Bono led mourners in singing “Forever Young” and fond memories and laughter filled a funeral service for R. Sargent Shriver, the 95-year-old statesman laid to rest this weekend. Shriver, who served as the Peace Corps’ first director for brother-in-law John Kennedy and…
Continue reading …With Democrats and Republicans asking out each other and coupling up, Tuesday’s State of the Union address is transforming from high partisanship to high school prom, reports Politico . Some are pairing up by region, with the senators from Pennsylvania and Illinois sitting together. Others are sitting by job function, like…
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