Thai elephant park reopens in sign of recovery
AYUTTHAYA, Thailand (AP) — A huge work force in Thailand was back on the job Tuesday: the elephants famous for carrying tourists through the country’s ancient capital. Authorities reopened a major elephant park in Ayutthaya, hoping to show tourists the…
New Greek cabinet to be sworn in
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s incoming prime minister is due to name his cabinet Friday, a day after being appointed to head an interim coalition government that will push through a new European debt deal and secure continued bailout funding…
11-11-11 brings hopes of good luck
From China to New York, place your bets! Tie the knot! Make a wish! Friday marked the 11th day of the 11th month of 2011. Around the world, people celebrated the triple convergence of 11s with a splash. Some 1,000…
Detroit prayer event puts Muslim community on edge
DETROIT (AP) — An area with one of the largest Muslim communities outside the Middle East is bracing itself for a 24-hour prayer rally by a group that counts Islam among the ills facing the U.S. The gathering in Detroit…
Billy Crystal returning to host the Oscars
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Billy Crystal is doing it again. The 63-year-old comedian and veteran Oscar host said Thursday on Twitter that he is hosting this season’s Academy Awards “so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my…
Jackson Doctor defends self in NBC broadcasts
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The doctor convicted of killing Michael Jackson never testified at his trial, but he is now defending himself in multiple NBC interviews taped just days before a jury returned his guilty verdict. NBC’s “Today” show planned…
Snow, hurricane-force winds batter Alaska coast
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Packing hurricane-force winds, an Alaskan storm of “epic proportions” slammed into coastal communities, sending some residents fleeing to higher ground as it tore roofs from homes and knocked out power. The strongest storm to hit the…
Obama donor discussed solar loan with White House
WASHINGTON (AP) — A major donor to President Barack Obama discussed with White House officials a solar energy company that received a half-billion dollar federal loan and later went bankrupt, newly released emails show. The emails released by a House…
Pope may visit Cuba, Mexico next spring
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI is looking into visiting Cuba and Mexico next spring and will make a final decision shortly, the Vatican said Thursday. The announcement marks the first word from the Vatican of a possible foreign…
Guilty verdict for Jackson doctor ends latest saga
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The single word, “Guilty,” brought a muffled shriek in the gallery of the packed courtroom and tears from Michael Jackson’s family, but no reaction from the doctor convicted of supplying the King of Pop with the…
