Ukraine: Parliament boss takes presidential powers

Ukraine: Parliament boss takes presidential powers
Thousands march in Hong Kong against erosion of media freedoms
3 dead in weekend attacks in Thailand
Noose closed on Mexican drug lord as allies fell
Taliban says it suspends talks on held US soldier
La.'s Landrieu looks for independent, GOP support
Bills seek to tackle backlog of untested rape kits
Samsung's new smartwatches have fitness features
Kiss says it won't play at Rock HOF induction
Canada beats Sweden 3-0 for Olympic hockey gold
IOC confident in success of anti-doping program
Evolution in US cellphone plans over past year
Probe begins into carbon monoxide leak at NY mall
Maria von Trapp, 99, dies in Vermont
After 5th case, IOC says anti-doping program works
5 tycoons who want to close the wealth gap
Ukraine: president's whereabouts unknown
Babe Ruth World Series watch auctioned for $700K

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 10:08 AM PST

A top Ukrainian opposition figure assumed presidential powers Sunday, plunging Ukraine into new uncertainty after a deadly political standoff — and boosting long-jailed Yulia Tymoshenko's chances of a return to power.

Thousands march in Hong Kong against erosion of media freedoms

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 05:32 AM PST

Thousands rallied outside Hong Kong's government headquarters on Sunday demanding the city's leader uphold media freedoms amid growing anger towards perceived behind-the-scenes intrusions on local media outlets. Tensions have been rising between forces backing democratic institutions in Hong Kong and China's Communist Party leaders as the city proceeds with political reforms that could lead to an unprecedented direct election for its next leader in 2017. Carrying "Free Speech, Free Hong Kong" banners, some 6,000 protesters including working journalists, demanded Hong Kong protect media freedoms as a core value underpinning the financial hub's success and global reputation. In recent years, Hong Kong journalist and rights groups have warned of mainland Chinese propaganda officials influencing local newsrooms, deepening ties between Hong Kong media bosses and Beijing, greater censorship, and the dismissal of influential liberal journalists.

3 dead in weekend attacks in Thailand

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 07:13 AM PST

An apparent grenade attack against anti-government protesters occupying an upscale shopping area of Thailand's capital killed at least two people Sunday, the latest violence in a months-long political crisis that is growing bloodier by the day.

Noose closed on Mexican drug lord as allies fell

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 08:48 AM PST

CULIACAN, Mexico (AP) — For 13 years Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman watched from western Mexico's rugged mountains as authorities captured or killed the leaders of every group challenging his Sinaloa cartel's spot at the top of global drug trafficking.

Taliban says it suspends talks on held US soldier

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 08:53 AM PST

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghanistan's Taliban said Sunday they had suspended "mediation" with the United States to exchange captive Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl for five senior Taliban prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, halting — at least temporarily — what was considered the best chance yet of securing the 27-year-old soldier's freedom since his capture in 2009.

La.'s Landrieu looks for independent, GOP support

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 06:07 AM PST

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Democrat Mary Landrieu's quest for a fourth Senate term will turn on whether she can attract just enough support from independents and Republicans to win in this increasingly conservative state.

Bills seek to tackle backlog of untested rape kits

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 08:32 AM PST

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — With possibly hundreds of thousands of rape kits untested across the country, a number of states are proposing legislation to address backlogs that in at least one case dates back nearly three decades.

Samsung's new smartwatches have fitness features

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 08:49 AM PST

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Samsung unveiled two new computerized wristwatches on Sunday, this time including health sensors and related fitness features to give people a reason to buy one.

Kiss says it won't play at Rock HOF induction

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 10:12 AM PST

WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — Kiss won't rock and roll all night — or at any point during the day, either — when they are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April, the band said Sunday.

Canada beats Sweden 3-0 for Olympic hockey gold

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 08:36 AM PST

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Sidney Crosby skated in alone on Henrik Lundqvist, faking Sweden's goalie to the ice with a textbook-quality deke and sliding a perfect backhand into the net.

IOC confident in success of anti-doping program

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 07:17 AM PST

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — At the midpoint of the Sochi Games, not yet marred by a single case of doping, the IOC's top medical official said its efforts to catch drug cheats were so successful they had scared them all away.

Evolution in US cellphone plans over past year

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 05:54 AM PST

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — In the old days, U.S. wireless customers typically paid $100 or $200 for a phone and agreed to a two-year service contract. Although the phone actually cost hundreds of dollars more, wireless companies made up for it through the monthly service fees for voice, text and data.

Probe begins into carbon monoxide leak at NY mall

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 05:48 AM PST

HUNTINGTON STATION, N.Y. (AP) — Officials investigating a carbon monoxide leak at a New York mall are concentrating on the heating system of the restaurant where a manager was found dead by police responding to an unrelated call.

Maria von Trapp, 99, dies in Vermont

Posted: 22 Feb 2014 07:03 PM PST

STOWE, Vermont (AP) — Maria von Trapp, the last surviving member and second-eldest daughter of the musical family whose escape from Nazi-occupied Austria was the basis for "The Sound of Music," has died. She was 99.

After 5th case, IOC says anti-doping program works

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 05:33 AM PST

5 tycoons who want to close the wealth gap

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 06:54 AM PST

As the middle class struggles to make gains and President Barack Obama strives to shine a spotlight on the issue of income inequality, an unlikely constituency is looking for ways to close the nation's growing wealth gap: A handful of top U.S. business tycoons.

Ukraine: president's whereabouts unknown

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 02:03 AM PST

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — The whereabouts of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych were unclear on Sunday, after he left the capital and his archfoe Yulia Tymoshenko was freed from prison and returned to Kiev to address a massive, adoring crowd.