Economists more upbeat about job growth, housing
A new survey shows economists are growing slightly more optimistic about recovery in the job and housing markets but expect other pillars of the economy to remain weak. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 10:35pm
NATO endorses strategy to end Afghan war but risks remain
CHICAGO (Reuters) - NATO set an "irreversible" course out of Afghanistan on Monday but President Barack Obama admitted the Western alliance's plan to end the deeply unpopular war in 2014 was fraught with peril. A landmark NATO summit in Chicago endorsed an exit strategy that calls for handing control of Afghanistan to its own security forces by the middle of next year but left... Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 10:23pm
Suicide bomber kills 90 in Yemen, al Qaeda vows more attacks
SANAA (Reuters) - A suicide bomber in army uniform killed more than 90 soldiers in the heart of the Yemeni capital on Monday and an al Qaeda affiliate threatened more attacks if a U.S.-backed campaign against militants in the front-line state did not stop. The bombing, which wounded more than 200 people, underscored the dangers Yemen faces as it battles... Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 7:56pm
Obama: Americans can’t wait for Afghanistan to be 'perfect'
President Barack Obama on Monday acknowledged "risks" in his decision to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 but said war-weary Americans can't wait for that strife-torn country to be "perfect." "I don't think that there is ever going to be an optimal point where we say, this is all done, [...] Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 7:40pm
Obama: Bain attacks 'not a distraction'
Targeting Mitt Romney's record at Bain Capital "is what this campaign is going to be about," he says. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 6:35pm
Egypt: Armed Forces Council Calls for Peaceful Elections
[Aswat Masriya]
The ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) called upon Egyptians to accept the results of the presidential elections beginning on Wednesday May 23. The elections will represent the choice of the people, SCAF said. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 5:39pm
Obama hails 'power of community' in Joplin graduation speech
In a soaring speech to graduating seniors from the tornado-ravaged town of Joplin, Mo., President Barack Obama spoke in glowing terms of the "bigness of spirit" that was on display in the aftermath of last year's storm and called the students examples for the rest of the country. Unlike some of the president's recent public [...] Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 5:38pm
'El Loco' arrested after 49 beheaded bodies found
Authorities have arrested an alleged Zetas drug cartel leader nicknamed "El Loco," AKA the Fool or the Crazy One, on charges that he dumped 49 headless bodies on a highway outside Monterrey, Mexico. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 5:35pm
Obama campaign condemns Bill Maher’s Romney ‘cult’ remark
President Barack Obama's reelection campaign on Monday repudiated comic Bill Maher's description of Mitt Romney's religion, Mormonism, as a "cult." Maher, a major donor to a super PAC backing Obama, had tweeted "Why even listen to #MittRomney on foreign policy? His entire FP experience is 2 yrs trying to brow-beat Frenchmen into joining his cult." [...] Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 5:27pm
Why ex-Rutgers student got 30-day sentence in spycam case
A former Rutgers University student was sentenced to serve 30 days in jail in a case of webcam spying that drew national attention to issues of online privacy, suicide, and antigay bullying. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 5:20pm
Online bids rise for apparent vial of blood from Ronald Reagan
Online bids are racking up for what appears to be the remains of a vial of blood from former president Ronald Reagan after a failed assassination attempt. A 5-inch vial with "dried blood residue" drawn from Reagan after the 1981 assassination attempt by John Hinckley Jr. is on the auction block by British house PFC [...] Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 5:10pm
Daniels on VP call: ‘I would disconnect the phone’
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels delivered his most forceful rejection of the vice presidential post yet, saying he would "disconnect the phone" if he found out that Romney was considering him for the job. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 4:34pm
‘Big Bain Backfire’: Cory Booker stars in new Romney ad
The Mitt Romney campaign didn't waste any time to latch onto Newark Mayor Cory Booker's criticism of the Obama campaign's "nauseating" attack on Romney's Bain Capital record. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 4:20pm
Photos: Satellies snap stunning images of eclipse from space
This image, taken by the sun-watching Hinode satellite, was taken two minutes after the start of the annular solar eclipse on May 20, 2012. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 4:01pm
Obama and Pakistani leader chat, despite testy relations
President Barack Obama spoke briefly Monday with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on the sidelines of a NATO summit as the uneasy allies looked to drain the poison from their wounded relations. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 3:53pm
'Good news' that Afghans are still thwarting 'insider plots'?
How badly are things going in Afghanistan? The top U.S. and NATO commander, Gen. John Allen, told reporters it was "good news" that Afghan authorities had arrested 160 people in the last few months for plotting so-called "green-on-blue" attacks by Afghan security forces on their NATO-led international partners. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 3:48pm
Is Congress dumbing down its discourse?
Are members of Congress dumbing down their discourse? The Sunlight Foundation determined that Congress is talking at nearly a full grade level below the level at which members spoke seven years ago, according to its study of the Congressional Record—the official record of members' proceedings and speech. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 3:21pm
The Facebook sell-off: Will shares recover?
Shares of Facebook (FB) fell as low as $33 today, more than 13% below the offering price on Friday. Ironically the same shareholders who were assumed to be buyers of the stock at any price are now ditching FB at a steep discount. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 2:43pm
Mali: Transitional President 'Beaten by Protesters'
[allAfrica.com]
The transitional president of Mali has been admitted to hospital after protesters reportedly burst into his office and beat him. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 2:06pm
Chicago newlyweds caught in NATO protests
Like" us on Facebook.com/TrendingNow and follow Trending Now on Twitter: @Knowlesitall and @YahooTrending. Newlywed bliss turned into a nightmare for one Chicago couple this weekend. Beth and Tim Alberts were married Saturday and were attempting to take pictures of the happy moments after their wedding ceremony when they were interrupted by protests near Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. [...] Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 1:55pm
Four tons of marijuana found floating off Southern Calif. coast
Four tons of marijuana in large bales were found bobbing off the Southern California coast, and authorities are still trying to determine where it came from. Harbor patrol agents began receiving tips about "suspicious bales" 13 miles offshore near Dana Point, in Orange County around noon on May 20, according to a report from CBS [...] Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 1:08pm
Florida Democrats ding Marco Rubio with a song
Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio delivered a red meat speech to the South Carolina Republican Party in Columbia on Saturday, calling President Barack Obama the most "divisive figure in modern American history." In response, Florida Democrats wrote a song mocking him for his connections with Sen. Jim DeMint, who was in attendance at the dinner. [...] Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 1:05pm
Angola: Calls for Govt to Investigate Abuse of Congolese Migrants
[IPS]
Johannesburg -
The Angolan government is being urged to carry out a thorough and independent investigation into allegations of sexual and physical abuse by its security forces against Congolese migrants. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 12:13pm
Notre Dame suing over birth-control mandate
On Monday, the University of Notre Dame filed suit against the Obama administration over its rule that all employers must offer contraception without a copay in their insurance plans. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 12:08pm
Interactive: Find out if taking out that student loan was worth it
As estimates of the total student loan debt exceed $800 billion and default rates approach 9 percent, some commentators are beginning to wonder whether an expensive education is really worth it, at least from a financial perspective. The combination of skyrocketing tuition and a dismal job market creates an environment where many are struggling to pay off hefty loans. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 12:02pm
Dharun Ravi to make statement before sentencing at Rutgers trial
Former Rutgers student Dharun Ravi will make a statement to a packed New Brunswick, N.J. courtroom today before he is sentenced. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 11:07am
West Africa: On Visit to Region, Security Council Praises Liberia's Progress
[UN News]
Ahead of their visit to Côte d'Ivoire, the members of the Security Council commended Liberia for its progress since the end of its civil war in 2003, and reiterated their support for efforts on reconciliation and inclusive dialogue in the West African country. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 11:07am
Libya: Lockerbie Bomber Dies in Tripoli
[iMaverick]
Johannesburg -
Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, the Libyan convicted of the 1988 bombing of a PanAm flight over Lockerbie, died of cancer on Sunday aged 60, leaving many questions on the attack and its aftermath unanswered. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 11:04am
Yahoo! Makeover Continues With Alibaba Deal
Over the weekend Yahoo! (YHOO) finalized a deal to sell half of its long-standing 40% stake in Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba. The deal is valued at $7.1 billion -- $6.3 billion in cash and $800 million worth of newly minted Alibaba preferred shares. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 10:56am
Congo-Kinshasa: Banana Disease Threatens Livelihoods
[IRIN]
Idjwi -
More than half of mountainous South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is infected by banana xanthomonas wilt (BXW), often referred to by farmers as "Banana AIDS". Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 10:52am
South Africa: Vinegar Test Can Help Identify Cervical Cancer
[Health-e]
As many young women are now developing cervical cancer and more are at risk of cancer of the cervix because of HIV infection, new and simpler methods of diagnosis are needed. Now, scientists have discovered that vinegar is useful in diagnosing cervical cancer. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 10:48am
Tanning mom: ‘I’m sorry, I’m tan. I like to be tan. It just feels good’
Patricia Krentcil, the New Jersey woman dubbed the "Tanning Mom" after she was arrested for allegedly taking her young daughter tanning, wants people to know she's not the leather-faced lunatic the media has made her out to be. "I'm up at three in the morning, making sure all the wash is done," Krentcil told the [...] Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 10:14am
Facebook’s stock drops, but that doesn't mean it failed
Thanks to rapidly growing private exchanges like SecondMarket, the price discovery that an IPO enables can take place long before the media frenzy of an initial public offering. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 10:12am
Angola: Stop Rape, Abuse of Congolese Migrants by Security Forces
[HRW]
Johannesburg -
Angolan security forces frequently abuse irregular migrants during expulsions from Angola, including sexual violence and other degrading and inhuman treatment, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 9:39am
Lesotho: Violence As Lesotho Starts Early Voting
[allAfrica.com]
Lesotho has seen political violence flare ahead of May 26 elections, with the opposition claiming that dirty tricks have undercut their turnouts. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 9:37am
Kenya: Deputy PM Kenyatta Launches New Party
[Capital FM]
Nairobi -
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday launched The National Alliance (TNA) party which he will use to vie for presidency in the forthcoming general elections. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 9:36am
Cote d'Ivoire: Helping Victims of Post-Election Crisis Obtain Justice
[IPS]
Abidjan -
Thousands of people suffered rape, torture and other violence during the post-electoral crisis in Côte d'Ivoire beginning in December 2010. But many survivors of rights violations have been afraid to seek justice for fear of reprisals by the perpetrators. An initiative by the International Federation of Human Rights aims to support 75 such victims as they bring their cases to court. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 9:32am
Four climbers die on Everest
Four climbers from Germany, South Korea, China and Canada have died returning from the summit of Mount Everest, tour agents and officials said Monday, with one other mountaineer also missing. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 9:18am
Nigeria: Gunman Arrested At Venue of Ministerial Briefing
[Daily Trust]
A lone gunman was arrested around 12:00pm today at the Radio House, Area 10, Abuja which is the venue of the ongoing ministerial briefings ahead of the Democracy Day celebrations. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 9:02am
Suicide bomber kills at least 96 in Yemen; al-Qaida claims responsibility
On Monday, a suicide bomber posing as a member of the Yemen military killed at least 96 people and wounded hundreds more--most if not all soldiers--in a blast in Sanaa, Yemen's capital. The soldiers were rehearsing for a military parade in Sabeen Square near the presidential palace, Yemeni officials said. According to Agence France-Press, the [...] Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 8:49am
Dominican election in dispute after apparent win
A governing party official appeared to have scored a first-round win in the Dominican Republic's presidential election but supporters of his main opponent said they would challenge the results. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 8:31am
John Edwards jury looking at 'bunny' money
Edwards' trial for misusing campaign money enters its second full day of jury deliberations. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 8:28am
Tanzania: Ubungo MP Seeks Clarification On Water Project
[Daily News]
UBUNGO Member of Parliament (MP) Mr John Mnyika (CHADEMA), has requested the Ministry of Water to explain what has become of the Dar es Salaam Water Supply and Sanitation Project (DWSSP) which cost the government 164.6 million US dollars between 2003 and 2010 but has not materialized. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 8:28am
Egypt: Widespread Military Torture of Protesters Arrested in May
[HRInfo]
Military soldiers beat and tortured protesters they arrested at a demonstration near the Defense Ministry on May 4, 2012, Human Rights Watch said today, after interviews with numerous victims and lawyers. The military also failed to protect the protesters from attacks by armed groups in the early morning hours of May 2, at the same demonstration, which began on April 27 in Cairo's Abbasiyya neighborhood. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 8:28am
East Africa: Lead U.S. Commander 'Confident' Kony Will Be Caught
[New Vision]
The Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) Gen. Carter F. Ham has stated that he is confident the Lord's Resistance Army chief, Joseph Kony will be brought to justice. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 8:27am
Equatorial Guinea: Government Resigns According to Reform Plan
[Capital FM]
Malabo -
The government of Equatorial Guinea's Prime Minister Ignacio Milam Tang resigned in line with a constitutional reform approved in November, the country's communications minister said on Friday. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 8:16am
Aftershocks rattle Italy, residents sleep outdoors
Thousands of people in northern Italy slept in tents and cars overnight as more than 100 aftershocks rocked the area hit by a magnitude 6.0 quake that killed seven and inflicted heavy damage to centuries-old sites. Read more...
Yahoo! News: Terrorism, May 21, 8:05am
Ethiopia: How Meles Rules The Country
[African Arguments]
Meles Zenawi is the cleverest and most engaging president in Africa - at least when he talks to visiting outsiders. When he speaks to his fellow Ethiopians, he is severe and dogmatic. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Latest, May 21, 7:51am