The Press Association: Westminster links 'need to change'
The "informal" relationship between the Scottish Government and Westminster cannot last and needs to change, a body examining the devolution settlement found. The Calman Commission has identified broadcasting, energy policy, animal health, firearms and mis-use of drugs among a range of areas which could see further powers given to Holyrood, in an interim report released on Tuesday. But ...
The Press Association: Degale goes pro
Great Britain's Olympic boxing champion James DeGale has turned professional and signed up with promoter Frank Warren. Warren has also signed DeGale's Olympic colleague Billy Joe Saunders, and Frankie Gavin, whose dream of Beijing gold was shattered when he failed to make his required weight. The three former amateurs will make their professional debuts in 2009. By turning ...
The Associated Press: Somali pirates fail to hijack US cruise liner
An Omani shipping agency, named Youssef Kano, had a direct contact with the US cruise when it made a stop at Salalah, 1000 kilometers south of the Omani capital. Khalil Shaker, the head of the agency's branch in Salalah, confirmed that the ship arrived on Monday morning and that the passengers had a tour in Salalah then sailed to Mascut. "They talked about pirates opening fire at their ...
The Associated Press: UN concerned over treatment of Iraqi detainees
BAGHDAD (AP) -- The United Nations says it's concerned about overcrowded prisons and the treatment of detainees in Iraq. Senior U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura says the issue will be a major challenge as the United States prepares to turn over control of thousands of inmates in its custody to Iraq's government. The transfer is required under a security pact with the U.S. recently ...
The Associated Press: Bedroom Bach? YouTube starts a cyber symphony
By MARTIN STEINBERG - 3 hours ago, NEW YORK (AP) -- There's a new way to get to Carnegie Hall -- YouTube, YouTube, YouTube. Borrowing from "American Idol," the online video site announced plans Monday for a YouTube Symphony Orchestra, featuring a collaboration of wannabe musicians with Carnegie Hall, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, composer Tan Dun and others. Through Jan. 28, ...
The Press Association: 11 schoolgirls die of poisoning
Eleven girls died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a school in northern China's Shaanxi province, an education official said. According to one report the girls had lit a fire to keep warm. A dozen girls were found poisoned at the Duiziliang Middle School in Yulin city, said an official with the Yulin Education Bureau. Carbon monoxide detectors aren't required in schools in China, ...
The Press Association: Disabled paratrooper receives medal
The Prince of Wales presented campaign medals to Paratroopers A 25-year-old paratrooper who lost both legs and an arm fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan achieved an ambition by standing to receive a medal from the Prince of Wales. Lance Corporal Tom Neathway, of Worcester, climbed from his wheelchair to meet Prince Charles during a ceremony at The Parachute Regiment's base in Colchester, ...
The Associated Press: Car's drunken drivers have NY police seeing double
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (AP) -- Police on Long Island say they've pulled two drunken drivers from one car. Nassau County officers say they spotted a woman trying to make a three-point turn on a road in East Meadow. They say that when she couldn't complete the maneuver, she switched places with a male passenger, who took the steering wheel and completed the turn while not wearing a seat belt. ...
Radcliffe returns to face top London field - CNN.com
(CNN) -- World record holder Paula Radcliffe will return to run in next year's London marathon where she faces five of the first six finishers at the Olympic Games in Beijing. Radcliffe suffered Olympic heartbreak again as she struggled to 23rd after an inadequate preparation but bounced back to win the New York marathon last month. The British star headlines a stellar field headed by gold ...
Pakistan offers joint probe of Mumbai attacks - USATODAY.com
With Indian blaming "elements" in Pakistan for the bloodshed, Shah Mehmood Qureshi also sought to reassure Pakistanis. "I also want to tell the nation not to worry," Qureshi said in a televised address. "The government of Pakistan, the armed forces of Pakistan are united and are fully capable of defending the frontiers of Pakistan, the geography of Pakistan and the ...
Somali pirates fail to hijack U.S. cruise liner - USATODAY.com
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Pirates near Somalia chased and shot at a U.S. cruise liner with more than 1,000 people on board but failed to hijack the vessel, a maritime official said Tuesday. The liner, carrying 656 international passengers and 399 crewmembers, was sailing in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday when it encountered six pirates in two speedboats, said Noel Choong who heads the International ...
Official: Bomb blast kills 3 wounds 29 in India - washingtonpost.com
By WASBIR HUSSAIN, Tuesday's blast comes just days after suspected Muslim militants attacked targets across Mumbai, killing at least 172 people and injuring 239. Tuesday's blast was not seen as related to the Mumbai attacks. Two train passengers were killed on the spot and one of the 30 wounded later died in a hospital, said Bhaskar Mahanta, a police official. Two of the wounded were ...
AFP: Tesco says sales jump nearly 12 percent
LONDON (AFP) -- Tesco said Tuesday that group sales grew 11.7 percent during its third quarter as the country's biggest retailer enticed recession-threatened shoppers with cheaper products. "Tesco has maintained solid progress in sales and profits during the third quarter," chief executive Terry Leahy said in an update of the group's performance. "We are pleased with our ...
AFP: Michelin gives first three-star rating to Chinese chef
Michelin Guide director Jean-Luc Naret poses with the Michelin Man HONG KONG (AFP) -- Culinary bible Michelin on Tuesday gave its coveted three-star rating to a Chinese chef for the first time, as French gastronome Joel Robuchon brought his global total of stars to 24. Launching its inaugural guide to restaurants and hotels in Hong Kong and Macau, Michelin inspectors gave three stars to Lung ...
AFP: Merkel seeks to make bank bail-out plan 'more attractive'
Merkel is mulling a decrease in interest rates paid by banks that ask for guarantees on interbank loans Merkel seeks to make bank bail-out plan 'more attractive' Merkel and her conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) are mulling a decrease in interest rates paid by banks that ask for guarantees on interbank loans, from the current level of 2.0 percent, the Financial Times ...
AFP: Toyota to cut bonuses production
Assembly line workers on a Toyota Motor's production line at the company's Tsutsumi factory in Japan TOKYO (AFP) -- Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it would cut management bonuses by 10 percent, excluding top executives, and further reduce domestic production to cope with an industry slump. About 8,700 managers in Japan will have their year-end bonuses reduced, company spokeswoman Kayo ...