How Obama can end Congo conflict

Conflict in CongoConflict in CongoConflict in CongoConflict in CongoConflict in CongoSTORY HIGHLIGHTSPresident Obama can help end the Congo conflict for good, says Vava TampaObama has asked Rwanda to end all support to armed groups in the CongoFDLR militia gang is a threat to stability and must leave CongoObama must push for change in Congolese government, argues TampaEditor's note: Vava Tampa is...

Read More..

6.5-magnitude quake strikes off Solomon Islands

HONIARA: A 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit off the Solomon Islands on Sunday, the latest powerful aftershock following a 8.0-magnitude quake that sparked a tsunami four days ago, US seismologists said.The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at 8:02 am, 2102 GMT Saturday, 29 kilometres south-southwest of Lata, the main town on remote Ndende Island in the Santa Cruz Islands, which are...

Read More..

Almost famous: See celebs' early roles

By Henry Hanks, CNNupdated 5:05 PM EST, Thu February 7, 2013Stars who started out like GoDaddy's geekJesse HeimanSylvester StalloneJohn TravoltaKeanu ReevesCourtney CoxMatt LeBlancTina FeyRainn WilsonMegan FoxDean Wint...

Read More..

Pastor: Slain teen the face of violence epidemic

CHICAGO A prominent Chicago pastor remembered a slain 15-year-old girl Saturday as the face of an "epidemic of violence causing funeral processions around the country." Father Michael Pfleger spoke at Hadiya Pendleton's funeral, telling a packed South Side church that "we must become the interrupters of funeral processions." Pendleton was a band majorette and honor student who was shot and killed...

Read More..

After Blizzard, Northeast Begins to Dig Out

The Northeast began the arduous process of cleaning up after a fierce storm swept through the region leaving behind up to three feet of snow in some areas.By early this morning, 650,000 homes and businesses were without power and at least five deaths were being blamed on the storm: three in Canada, one in New York and one in Connecticut, The Associated Press reported.The storm...

Read More..

Gun violence plans: What's in the works

STORY HIGHLIGHTSConnecticut school massacre prompts a number of proposals in Washington aimed at curbing gun violence They include a ban on assault weapons that insiders say has little chance of getting through CongressSome bipartisan support for proposals to expand background checks around gun purchases Washington (CNN) -- December's school massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, has prompted congressional...

Read More..

Football: Second-half rally sees PSG go six points clear

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain shook off a lacklustre first half to defeat Bastia 3-1 on Friday and go six points clear at the top of Ligue 1 in a morale-boosting win ahead of their Champions League duty next week.PSG, who will tackle Valencia on Tuesday in the first leg of their last 16 tie in Europe, moved onto 51 points, taking their recent run to 12 matches without defeat in all competitions.Jeremy...

Read More..

The making of a No. 1 song

Singer/songwriter Benny Blanco has produced some major hits by stars like Maroon 5, Rihanna and Ke$sha.STORY HIGHLIGHTSA hit song could be a catchy earworm or a heartfelt balladTop producer Benny Blanco says every song needs a hookBillboard expert says while albums aren't selling big, music is everywhere(CNN) -- Don't ask music super-producer Benny Blanco to whip up a No. 1 song for an artist because...

Read More..

Ohio Amish beard-cutting ringleader gets 15 years

Samuel Mullet Sr./WKBN/U.S. Attorney (AP) CLEVELAND - Samuel Mullet Sr., the ringleader in hair- and beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio, was sentenced Friday to 15 years in prison.Pictures:  Amish members convicted in beard-cutting attacks Before his sentencing, Mullet told Judge Dan Aaron Polster in Cleveland that he had been blamed for running a cult and was ready to take the punishment....

Read More..

Blizzard of 2013 May Bring More Than 2 Feet of Snow

A blizzard of possibly historic proportions is set to strike the Northeast, starting today and could bring more than two feet of snow and strong winds that could shut down densely populated cities such as Boston and New York City.A storm from the west will join forces with one from the south to form a nor'easter that will sit and spin just off the East Coast, affecting more...

Read More..

Bring drones out of the shadows?

STORY HIGHLIGHTSJohn Brennan's confirmation hearing is a chance to ask about drone program, author saysSarah Holewinski: Brennan is one of a few officials who knows full story on dronesShe says senators need to ask about damage drone program does to civilians, U.S. reputationHolewinski: CIA should hand over drone program to Defense DepartmentEditor's note: Sarah Holewinski is executive director of...

Read More..

Tennis: Injured Li Na out of Qatar Open

DOHA: China's Li Na has pulled out of next week's $2.3 million Qatar Open after failing to recover from the ankle injury she suffered in her Australian Open final defeat to Victoria Azarenka."Li Na has withdrawn from QatarTennis due to her ankle injury from the Australian Open final. #WTA #tennis," the WTA said on its Twitter account.The Qatar Open starts on Monday.- AFP/de !-- Zone...

Read More..

Iran: We decoded drone footage

By Lateef Mungin, CNNupdated 1:38 PM EST, Thu February 7, 2013STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe footage was released by Iranian state media and placed on YouTube Iran claims it downed the plane in 2011Obama in the past asked for the drone back(CNN) -- Iran says it has decoded and released footage from a U.S. drone that it downed more than a year ago.The black and white aerial footage, which Iran claims was from...

Read More..

Blizzard warning for NYC as Northeast braces

Updated 4:30 p.m. EasternBOSTON Halfway through a merciful winter across the Northeast, a blizzard threatened to strike with a vengeance starting Friday, with up to 2 feet of snow forecast for much of New England. The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for New York City, southern Westchester County and coastal portions of northeast New Jersey. From New Jersey to Maine, people stocked...

Read More..

Alleged Cop-Killer Has Calif. Region on Edge

Police officers across Southern California are on the defensive and scaling back their public exposure today, no longer responding to "barking-dog calls" and donning tactical gear outside police stations as former-cop-turned-alleged-gunman Christopher Dorner, armed and apparently on the hunt for cops, remains at large.Dorner is suspected of killing one cop and two civilians...

Read More..

Should we still fear al Qaeda?

Mali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist insurgentsMali military battles Islamist...

Read More..