Civilian contractor killed in shooting on US base near Iraqi city of Tikrit

BAGHDAD — A civilian contractor was shot and killed Sunday on an American military base in the Iraqi city of Tikrit and a U.S. soldier has been detained in connection with the incident, the military said.

Palm’s Pre will get a cheaper, lighter sibling with holiday release of Pixi smart phone

SAN FRANCISCO — Palm Inc., which revitalized its product line with the Pre smart phone launch in June, is hoping to keep momentum going with the release of a lighter, cheaper handset called the Pixi.

Now, a smart home that can alert owner about a stove burner left on

LONDON - Ever thought that your home would tell if you have left a stove burner on after making your breakfast? Well, it is now possible, thanks to the new sensor-stuffed apartment created by researchers at Washington State University in Pullman.

Analysis: Death of Iraqi Shiite leader brings questions about future of political empire

BAGHDAD — Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim held together Iraq’s biggest Shiite political party as the ultimate middleman: maintaining his deep ties with Iran and cultivating his new alliances of necessity with America.

Influential Iraqi Shiite leader who rose to power in post-Saddam era dies in Iran from cancer

BAGHDAD — Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, who channeled rising Shiite Muslim power after the fall of Saddam Hussein to become one of Iraq’s most influential politicians and maintained ties with both the U.S. and Iran, died Wednesday in Tehran. He was 59.

Spitting image: Gritty Chinese city cleans up its act, seeks to win ‘civilized’ award

GUANGZHOU, China — Government-backed neighborhood groups are going door-to-door in south China’s gritty business capital with a set of simple requests: Please stop spitting in public, cutting in bus lines and talking loudly in the streets.

World’s first Muslim super heroes set to counter jihadist role models

LONDON - The world’s first Muslim super heroes getting ready to fight for truth, justice and the Islamic way, and in the process will counter jihadist role models.

Two brit schoolgirls accuse teacher’s husband of sexual assault

LONDON - Two Brit schoolgirls have accused their teacher’s husband for sexually assaulting them.

OAS chief sending envoys to pressure Honduran coup leaders to restore ousted President Zelaya

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — A high-ranking diplomatic mission will travel to Honduras in a new effort to pressure coup-installed leaders to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya, the chief mediator in the crisis said Monday.

Berlusconi offered sex tape scandal escort seat in European Parliament

LONDON - The escort girl at the centre of Silvio Berlusconi sex tape scandal has revealed that the Italian Prime Minister had offered her a seat in the European Parliament.

Scenic town on SF Bay wants to photograph, track license plates of every car entering town

TIBURON, Calif. — Visitors should be prepared to have their pictures taken as they enter and leave this picturesque town of million-dollar views and homes along the San Francisco Bay.

Sudanese women flogged for wearing trousers in violation of strict Islamic law

CAIRO — Sudanese police arrested 13 women in a raid on a cafe and flogged 10 of them in public for wearing trousers in violation of the country’s strict Islamic law, one of those arrested said Monday.

Now, Berlusconi in trouble over ‘Lesbian’ clinch

LONDON - The reputation of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is set to receive a further blow after the release of new photographs showing the Italian Prime Minister grinning while two young women kiss in front of him.

Turmoil at home could distract Iran from expanding regional muscle

CAIRO — Iran has had an impressive run for the past decade — expanding its regional muscle through proxy militias, its expanding missile capabilities and its big brother role with Iraq’s Shiites after the toppling of arch-foe Saddam Hussein.

CPI-M’s cup of woe brimmeth over (Comment)

The CPI-M’s troubles seem to be brimming over. As if its worst-ever electoral performance wasn’t enough, the party has now become embroiled in two other critical situations in its putative strongholds of West Bengal and Kerala.

Sarod maestro Ali Akbar Khan was a man of great humility (Obituary)

NEW DELHI - Legendary sarod exponent Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, one of the greatest Indian classical musicians of modern times, was in personal life a man of great compassion, innocence and humility.

India pledges support to new Nepal PM

KATHMANDU - India’s new government Sunday pledged support to neighbour Nepal’s new prime minister-elect communist leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, saying it was ready to assist the new cabinet in any way possible.

Blaming India, Nepal PM quits

KATHMANDU - After obstructing parliament for three weeks, Nepal’s Maoist party finally allowed the house to convene Friday with caretaker Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda making an impassioned valedictory address, in which he blamed neighbour India, Nepal’s President Ram Baran Yadav, his allies and the army chief, Gen Rookmangud Katawal and warned of a catastrophe in the days to come.

CPI-M infighting, big brother attitude did LDF in (News Analysis)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The electoral mauling of Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), in particular major partner the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), has cast gloom over the alliance, but the writing was on the wall for some time.

Former Red Sox great Dom DiMaggio, younger brother of Yankees legend Joe, dies at 92

BOSTON — Dominic DiMaggio, the bespectacled Boston Red Sox center fielder who made his own mark on the major leagues despite playing in the shadow of Hall of Fame brother Joe and teammate Ted Williams, died early Friday at his Massachusetts home. He was 92.

Peace, love, nostalgia: Woodstock ‘69 veterans to headline anniversary show

BETHEL, N.Y. — Some performers from the 1969 Woodstock concert will get back to the garden for a 40th anniversary show this summer.

Italy PM blames wife, media for marriage bust-up

ROME - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says his wife owes him a public apology after falling for a ‘media trap’ that led her to seek a divorce.

When Jack Tweed met ‘naked’ Boy George in jail shower

LONDON - Looks like Jack Tweed is having a tough time facing another celebrity inmate in prison-he fled from jail showers with lightning speed after three encounters with naked gay star Boy George.

He became a Big Brother at 65, and the relationship is 30 years old and still treasured

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — It was an unlikely pairing, the old man and the boy.

Berlusconi’s wife enraged as premier’s party reportedly mulls TV starlets as EU candidates

ROME — Silvio Berlusconi may be one of Italy’s most popular politicians, but the premier’s approval ratings are sinking fast with at least one Italian — his wife.

Fedorov’s late goal gives Capitals 2-1 wins over Rangers in Game 7, to take series

WASHINGTON — Thanks to sage old Sergei Fedorov and a monumental comeback, the Washington Capitals are headed to the second round of the NHL playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. Fedorov beat Henrik Lundqvist with 4:59 left in the third period, and the Capitals edged the New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal Tuesday night, becoming the 21st team in NHL history to win a series after trailing 3-1.

Ramesh vs Ramesh in South Delhi

NEW DELHI - Once known as the constituency of the rich and the famous, South Delhi has lost its elite touch post-delimitation. Many of the posh colonies have been shifted to the New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, while South Delhi now has a majority of voters from villages and slums, bringing caste politics into play as never before.

Jade Goody: The Musical on the way?

LONDON - Jade Goody’s life and death is to be the subject of a musical, according to one of her closest friends.

Top prospect Xavier Henry won’t follow Calipari to Kentucky, chooses Kansas instead

OKLAHOMA CITY — John Calipari’s move to Kentucky has cost him one of his prized recruits.

Now, Berlusconi bares his ballot babe ‘harem’

LONDON - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has brought some pretty girls with a background in showbusiness into his Cabinet to brighten up politics.