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Earthquake of 7.1 magnitude hits New Zealand city
(Reuters)
Reuters - A major earthquake hit New Zealand's second biggest city Christchurch early on Saturday, bringing down power lines, ripping up roads and wrecking building facades, but authorities reported no deaths.
Pacquiao shrugs off Mayweather rant, eyes Margarito
(AFP)
AFP - Manny Pacquiao shrugged off Floyd Mayweather Jnr's online video rant against him as an "uneducated message" on Friday as the Filipino fighter continued to tout his November bout with Antonio Margarito.
Irish crowd pelt Gun N' Roses after lengthy wait
(Reuters)
Reuters - American rock band Guns N' Roses incurred the wrath of a crowd in Ireland after showing up almost an hour late -- and then left the stage after being pelted with plastic glasses.
Ohio voters to Boehner: Step away from the self-tanner
(The Upshot)
The Upshot - Finally, there's one thing Democrats and Republicans can agree on in this highly polarized, hotly contested election year: John Boehner is simply way too tan. In a survey that threatens to send a chill down Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's own perpetually tan spine, Public Policy Polling finds that a majority of voters in Boehner's home [...]
Government: Mozambique lost $3M because of riots
(AP)
AP - Mozambique's economy has lost more than $3 million because of deadly riots over the rising prices of food and other goods, the government said Friday, as state media reported new protests in two other towns.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer at a loss for words in first debate
(The Upshot)
The Upshot - It's a politician's worst nightmare: Drawing a complete blank in a high-profile debate. That's what happened to Arizona GOP Gov. Jan Brewer, who lost her train of thought during her opening statement during her first televised debate with her Democratic challenger, state Attorney General Terry Goddard. Brewer was in the middle of talking up her [...]
1st Australian female PM leads party to low point
(AP)
AP - Whether or not she emerges as winner following recent elections, Australia's first woman prime minister will have led the nation's oldest political party to one of the lowest points in its 119-year history.
Dubai police chief calls BlackBerry a spy tool
(AP)
AP - Worries about spying by the U.S. and Israel spurred plans to sharply limit BlackBerry services in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai's police chief said in comments that suggest a tough line in talks with the smart phone maker.
Botox maker to pay $600M to resolve investigation
(AP)
AP - Allergan Inc., the maker of wrinkle-smoothing Botox, has agreed to pay $600 million to settle a yearslong federal investigation into its marketing of the top-selling, botulin-based drug.
Hillary Clinton’s one-man presidential campaign
(The Upshot)
The Upshot - While the rest of the political world is preoccupied with the midterm elections, Chicago dentist William DeJean is hatching plans for 2012. He shelled out $5,000 to create an ad encouraging Americans to back a Hillary Clinton presidential run in 2012. He says the spot will run in New Orleans, Washington, New York and Los [...]
Pacquiao focuses on Margarito, not Mayweather rant
(AP)
AP - Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao dismissed a derogatory online video posted by Floyd Mayweather Jr., calling it an "uneducated message" and choosing to instead focus on his upcoming fight with Antonio Margarito.
Indonesia's smoking toddler kicks the habit
(AP)
AP - Indonesia's smoking toddler has kicked the habit. Footage of 2-year-old Aldi Rizal — who smoked up to two packs a day — puffing away circulated the Internet in May and sparked an international outcry. His parents said he'd throw tantrums every time they tried to stop him from lighting up.
Son's 'No Secrets' Policy Irks His Confiding Mother
(Dear Abby)
Dear Abby - DEAR ABBY: My son "Clay" has been married seven years. There are times I like to discuss things of a personal nature with him having to do with our family, and I have asked him not to mention our talks with his wife. These discussions have nothing to do with her.
Pakistan Taliban say their bomber kills 43 Shiites
(AP)
AP - A suicide bombing claimed by the Pakistani Taliban killed at least 43 Shiite Muslims at a procession in southwest Pakistan on Friday. The assault sharply drove up the toll of sectarian assaults in a country battered by massive flooding.
Bomb kills 54 in Pakistan, Taliban threatens U.S.
(Reuters)
Reuters - A suicide bomber struck a rally in the Pakistani city of Quetta on Friday, killing at least 54 people in the second major attack this week and piling pressure on a U.S.-backed government overwhelmed by a flood crisis.
Whitman leads Brown in California governor's race
(Reuters)
Reuters - Republican Meg Whitman has opened up a 7-point lead over Democrat Jerry Brown in their closely watched race for California governor, the latest poll of likely voters showed on Friday.
Iran could strike Israeli nuclear site if attacked
(AP)
AP - Iran's military chief of staff says Tehran could strike Israel's nuclear facility if the Jewish state were to attack Iran's nuclear sites.
Stocks rally as jobs data spurs optimism
(Reuters)
Reuters - Wall Street closed a stellar week on Friday after recent economic data, including a stronger-than-expected labor market report, bolstered optimism that the economy would not fall back into recession.
Chinese Satellites Bump During Secret Maneuvers
(SPACE.com)
SPACE.com - A Chinese satellite may have intentionally nudged another spacecraft
during secretive space maneuvers in near-Earth orbit, according to analysts.
Mexico: Soldiers kill 30 in troubled border state
(AP)
AP - Mexican soldiers killed at least 30 suspected cartel members in two shootouts near the U.S. border in a region that has become one of biggest battlegrounds in the country's drug war, authorities said Friday.