Obama emphasizing responsible fatherhood, devoting block of time to accomplishing that mission

WASHINGTON — In an unusual devotion of time for the president, Barack Obama is blocking out nearly an entire afternoon to promote the importance of being a good dad as a national priority.

Not just liberal rich kids: Iran’s opposition now drawing families, religious conservatives

TEHRAN, Iran — It’s not just young, liberal rich kids anymore: Whole families, taxi drivers, even conservative women in black chadors are joining Iran’s opposition street protests.

Layoffs based on seniority mean LA’s grittiest neighborhoods may lose nearly half of teachers

LOS ANGELES — Sean Leys sat huddled and still in a tent on a sidewalk outside of a Los Angeles middle school, fatigued by an ongoing hunger strike but resolved to protest looming teacher layoffs.

Obama struggling with smoking ‘addiction’ every day, admits White House

WASHINGTON - Even as US President Barack Obama congratulated Congress for passing tough new tobacco regulations, the White House admitted on June 12 that the commander-in-chief himself was still struggling to do away with his smoking ‘addiction’.

5 NY family members accused of endangering 7 children by living in squalor

MASTIC BEACH, N.Y. — Five family members kept seven children and more than a dozen animals in a Long Island house that reeked of urine and was littered with rotting food and animal feces, authorities said Friday.

Maharashtra govt. to sue television producers for hiring child actors

MUMBAI - Maharashtra Government has decided to sue television producers for hiring child actors in their serials.

US man who swam to Suu Kyi, prompting new charges against her, left confusion, anger back home

FALCON, Mo. — John Yettaw left his 10-year-old and three teenagers in southern Missouri, visited his former wife in California last month and told her he had to go to Asia to work on a psychology paper about forgiveness. That was bad enough for his ex-wife, but it got worse.

Hindus want England faith schools to teach all major religions

WASHINGTON - Hindus want that faith schools in England should provide well-balanced education about religions, educating pupils about all major religions.

NHRC takes suo motu notice of Dalit discrimination in Madhya Pradesh

NEW DELHI - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a news report published in two parts in The Hindustan Times on May 5 and 6 under the title “Apartheid” alleging how dalit kids are being discriminated against in four districts - Jhabua, Sheopur, Katni and Ujjain of Madhya Pradesh.

California wild: whitewater rafting and mountain scenery along 3 forks of the American River

There is white water to ride on California’s American River, and it flows through the mountain scenery of the Sierra Nevada and some of the state’s historic Gold Rush country.

Jamie Foxx lends his voice to the homeless

LONDON - American actor Jamie Foxx has decided to reach out to the homeless kids across America by recording a message for a crisis telephone helpline.

Having a bad teacher in first year can harm kids’ entire academic life

LONDON - Having a bad teacher in the reception year can harm a child’s entire education, according to a new study.

JLo urges parents to protect kids from whooping cough

WASHINGTON - American actress Jennifer Lopez has taken up a new campaign and she is urging parents to vaccinate themselves against whooping cough, so that the deadly virus will not be passed on to their kids.

First ‘American Idol’ finalist rolled off competition on a double elimination night

LOS ANGELES — “American Idol” finalist Lil Rounds was swiftly dismissed first on Wednesday’s double elimination episode.

Billy Joel piano auction to benefit NYC music students

NEW YORK — A baby grand autographed by the Piano Man is being sold to raise money for music students in New York City.

Madonna’s former cook blasts her Malawian adoption bid

WASHINGTON - Madonna’s former cook has blasted her Malawian adoption bid, claiming that the superstar ignores the children she already has.

‘Texting’ bug has bitten moms and grannies too!

NEW YORK - It’s not just the teenagers who are addicted to sending text messaging, for the ‘texting’ bug has bitten their moms too.

Kids of stressed parents prone to tooth decay

WASHINGTON - Kids born to parents under stress-induced by low income, having little education, and being a single parent-are more likely to have tooth decay, according to a study.

Ashanti to walk down the aisle with beau Nelly

WASHINGTON - Singer Ashanti revealed that she would be walking down the aisle with her beau Nelly this year itself.

Christie Brinkley turns to West Side Story to teach son about gang violence

WASHINGTON - American model Christie Brinkley has revealed that she turned a viewing of revived Broadway musical West Side Story into a life lesson for her teenage son.

Child stars of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ to attend Oscars

LOS ANGELES - The child stars of Mumbai-set hit movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ will be celebrating two firsts this weekend: a trip on an airplane and a ticket to the Oscars Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles Sunday.

Fires spark friction as police hunt arsonists

SYDNEY - Australian police said they were homing in on arsonists Wednesday as victims vented their anger over forest fires north of Melbourne expected to claim well over 200 lives.

35 child workers rescued from leather sweatshops in Delhi

NEW DELHI - Next time you go shopping and are looking up fancy bags and shoes, remember these may be products of labour of hapless children - like the 35 rescued Tuesday from the capital’s leather factories.

Britney Spears quits Los Angeles home for quiet life

LONDON - Pop star Britney Spears has quit her Los Angeles home and is all set to move into a sprawling new mansion to escape the paparazzi and her troubled past.