American-Dutch same sex couples to wed at Amsterdam gay pride festival

AMSTERDAM — The mayor of Amsterdam is officiating at the weddings of five American-Dutch homosexual couples on a boat during the city’s Gay Pride festival, in part to challenge the United States to legalize gay marriage.

Nigerian police kill Islamist leader, face criticism (Lead, Changing dateline)

NAIROBI/ABUJA - Nigerian police Friday hailed the killing of the leader of an Islamist sect as a victory over extremism, but human rights workers called for an investigation into his death.

Some sample UK and US government tweets as politicians embrace new technology

A sampling of recent Downing Street tweets:

Mumbai witnesses highest tides in 100 years

MUMBAI - Scores of people gathered at Mumbai’s Gateway of India on Friday to watch the tallest waves in 100 years.

Michelle Obama’s mother: White House is very big, very beautiful and her ‘life is wonderful’

WASHINGTON — First lady Michelle Obama’s mother summed up her life at the White House in one word: wonderful.

Nepal PM breaks eclipse taboo

KATHMANDU - Nepal’s new Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Wednesday took the lead in watching the much-acclaimed longest solar eclipse of the century, breaking an old taboo that in the past forbade Nepalis from venturing out during the phenomenon.

Schwarzenegger warns of 2,000 more layoffs in Calif., Moody’s downgrades bonds

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told state employee unions Tuesday his administration would cut another 2,000 jobs to help close California’s $26.3 billion budget deficit.

Prominent Chinese dissident arrested after 6 months in secret detention

BEIJING — A well-known Chinese dissident who co-authored a bold political manifesto calling for greater freedom and an end to one-party rule has been arrested in an attempt to cow dissent ahead of the 60th anniversary of communist rule this fall.

STIMULUS WATCH: Extra $25 a week in unemployment benefits cancels food stamps for some

WASHINGTON — When President Barack Obama increased unemployment benefits as part of his economic stimulus, he also made some Americans ineligible for hundreds of dollars a month in food stamps.

India’s realty industry sees homecoming of non-residents

NEW DELHI - The Indian realty industry has reason to cheer. After a yearlong gloom, non-residents have started looking at the residential market in the country again, especially high-end projects, say experts.

Amid rubble of nuclear terror, bomb sleuths may come up short in hunt for clues, terrorists

VIENNA — If the unthinkable happened, would we be left on the day after, as radioactive dust settled, with the unknowable?

Oz Government’s safe sex ads that ‘glow’ down the drain

MELBOURNE - Clubgoers in Australia will get a little more educated about safe sex and condoms the next time they go to pee, for heat-activated stickers have been fixed to nightclub urinals across the country for a government ad campaign.

At celebrity-studded annual meeting, Wal-Mart vows to hang onto customers gained in recession

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s new President and CEO Mike Duke pledged to shareholders Friday that the world’s largest retailer will speed efforts to improve its operations, from offering more compelling merchandise to keeping prices low, as it aims to hold onto customers when the economy improves.

California man sentenced to death for arson murders of 5 US firefighters

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A convicted arsonist was sentenced to death Friday for setting a Southern California wildfire that claimed the lives of five federal firefighters as they struggled to defend a rural home from raging wind-driven flames.

Aaron Brooks scores 34 points and Yao-less Rockets rout Lakers 99-87 to even series 2-2

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets never doubted they could still beat the Los Angeles Lakers without Yao Ming. The Lakers better believe it, too. Aaron Brooks scored a career-high 34 points, Shane Battier sank five 3-pointers and added 23, and the Rockets beat the Lakers 99-87 on Sunday to even their Western Conference semifinal at two games apiece.

Deve Gowda and the dance show

NEW DELHI - This is hectic campaigning time for politicians, but that didn’t stop former prime minister and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) president H.D. Deve Gowda from turning up for a dance performance.

Lewis scores 29, Alston has 21 to help Magic beat 76ers 114-89 and advance to second round

PHILADELPHIA — Who needs Superman? On a night a suspended Dwight Howard recorded a double-double in blog and Twitter posts from his hotel room, the Orlando Magic advanced to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 114-89 in Game 6 on Thursday.

SC firefighters who survived roaring blaze continue helping to contain coastal wildfire

CONWAY, S.C. — Wayne Springs and Terry Cook tried to outrun a South Carolina wildfire as it started ripping through forests and homes near the coast. The two state forestry technicians survived by huddling in portable fire shelters, and four days later they were still stomping out the blaze.

Schoenfeld steps in for suspended Tortorella, explains what led to confrontation with fan

NEW YORK — New York Rangers coach John Tortorella stood up for one of his players when he got into a confrontation with a fan that drew a suspension for a playoff game, replacement coach Jim Schoenfeld said Sunday.

Jordan’s king warns of new Mideast war if US does not spur peace talks

AMMAN, Jordan — Jordan’s king urged President Barack Obama Sunday to take a more forceful role in the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, warning of a new Mideast war if there is no significant progress in the next 18 months.

Police find body of missing 3-year-old girl in NJ river, seek uncle who disappeared with her

PASSAIC, N.J. — The body of a 3-year-old girl has been found in a northern New Jersey river, just hours after police say her uncle left with her and told family members “to watch the 6 o’clock news tonight”.

Law enforcement source: Evidence links Craigslist suspect to RI hotel where 3rd crime occurred

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A fingerprint has been found linking a medical student accused of killing a masseuse in Boston to a hotel near Providence where another woman claims she was attacked, a law enforcement official said Friday.

Contempt of court proceedings sought against Rabri Devi

PATNA - A case was filed in the Patna High Court Monday seeking initiation of contempt of court proceedings against former Bihar chief minister and Leader of the Opposition Rabri Devi for her remarks allegedly ’scandalising and lowering’ the authority of the judiciary.

Family heirloom getting spoilt? Help is at hand

CHANDIGARH - Want to learn how to restore an old black and white photograph of your grandmother, your grandfather’s watch, antique furniture, a lucky cup or an old painting? Experts from the government museum here will show you how.

On a 50-km march to create awareness on water pollution

CHANDIGARH - Environmentalist and godman Balbir Singh Seechewal will go on a 50-km march along the banks of river Sutlej to create awareness about water pollution.

‘Slumdog’ Oscar win brings cheer to Bihar village

PATNA - Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ winning eight Oscars in Los Angeles has brought much joy to Budhiya Devi, an uneducated woman in a Bihar village - because her son Mahendra Kumar Singh was a location assistant in the acclaimed film.

Reihana hopes her brother Rahman brings home two Oscars

CHENNAI - She is hoping her brother will bring back at least two Oscars for ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. Music maestro A.R. Rahman’s elder sister Reihana, a well-known Tamil music composer and singer, says the family is very excited and deliriously happy at his super success.

Army shells Tamils, LTTE prevents their flight: rights body

NEW YORK - The Sri Lankan government should immediately cease indiscriminate artillery attacks on civilians in the north and its policy of detaining displaced people in internment camps, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Friday.

Comedy king Adam Sandler now looking for family movies (Interview)

NEW DELHI - He has been tickling the funny bone for 20 years with his mindless, slapstick Hollywood comedies and black humour, but acting in ‘Bedtime Stories’ has inspired Adam Sandler to take on more family-friendly movies.