February 8, 2012
California Court Rules Voter-Approved Ban on Gay Marriage Unconstitutional
A California appeals court has ruled that a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. The judges said in their ruling Tuesday the ban, known as Proposition 8, “serves no purpose” other than to lessen the “status and human…
February 8, 2012
Britain Marks Charles Dickens’ 200th Birthday
Britain's Prince Charles has led ceremonies marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, one of English literature's most famous and celebrated novelists. The prince laid a wreath at Dickens' grave Tuesday at Westminster Abbey's…
February 8, 2012
Hezbollah’s Nasrallah Admits Receiving Material Support from Iran
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has acknowledged for the first time that the Lebanese militant group receives financial and material support from Iran, a longtime ally. He made the admission in a video-link speech to supporters in the Lebanese…
February 6, 2012
6.8 quake in Philippines kills 13, buries homes
A strong earthquake destroyed buildings and triggered landslides that buried dozens of houses, trapping residents, Monday in the central Philippines. At least 13 people were killed and 29 were missing. The 6.8-magnitude quake, in a narrow strait…
February 6, 2012
China Stresses Need for Stability in Tibet
China has warned officials in Tibet that they must maintain stability ahead of the fourth anniversary of deadly riots in Tibet's capital, Lhasa. China has increased security in Tibet and adjoining provinces following a series of self-immolations…
February 6, 2012
Factory Collapse in Pakistan Kills 3, Traps Dozens
Pakistani officials say a three-story factory has collapsed in the eastern city of Lahore, killing at least three people and trapping dozens of others. Officials are blaming Monday's collapse on a gas explosion. They say 62 people, including…
February 6, 2012
At Least 17 Killed in Syrian Attack on Homs
Syrian rights activists say at least 17 people have been killed and many more wounded in a new bombardment by Syrian forces on the flashpoint city of Homs. Arabic satellite television stations broadcast images from Homs Monday that showed smoke…
February 6, 2012
Palestinian Factions Agree to Form Unity Government
Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have agreed to form a unity government led by current President Mahmoud Abbas. A Palestinian official said Monday the agreement was reached at a meeting in Qatar. The official said the deal calls for Mr.…
February 5, 2012
Severe Winter Weather Continues Its Hold on Europe
Severe winter weather continues to dominate in many European countries with air and road travel disrupted and gas supplies running low. The hardest-hit country is Ukraine, where temperatures as low as minus 32 degrees Celsius have left at least…
February 5, 2012
Russia and China Block UN Resolution on Syria
Russia and China on Saturday again vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution on Syria condemning President Bashar al-Assad's nearly year-long crackdown on his people and calling for him step down. Thirteen remaining member states voted in favor,…