Polar ends of fight for female equality

Hillary Clinton in Kolkata, India, last May. Clinton said that women still suffered from a 'glass ceiling' in politics.STORY HIGHLIGHTSFrida Ghitis: Hillary Clinton illness and New Delhi rape tell different stories about state of womenShe says women's equality faces sharp divide; some ascend, most kept powerlessShe says Egypt's new constitution presents time-bomb for new oppression of women Ghitis:...

Read More..

Tennis: Williams races to Brisbane title win

BRISBANE, Australia: American superstar Serena Williams demolished Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 6-1 in just 50 minutes to win the Brisbane International on Saturday.Third-seeded Williams served notice that she will be the one to beat at this month's Australian Open with a ruthless display against Pavlyuchenkova, the world number 36.She took control at 2-2 in the first set when...

Read More..

Armstrong's lawyer: No mea culpa talks

By Jillian Martin and Chelsea J. Carterupdated 2:48 AM EST, Sat January 5, 2013STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe New York Times report cites unnamed associates and doping officials in its reportCyclist's lawyer says his client was not in discussion with U.S. or world anti-doping agenciesArmstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned for life Cyclist has repeatedly denied using banned performance-enhancing...

Read More..

Feds: 2nd inmate who escaped Chicago jail captured

This undated photo provided by the FBI shows , Kenneth Conley one of two inmates who escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012. /AP Photo/FBI,HONS (AP) CHICAGO -- The second of two bank robbers who escaped last month from a high-rise federal jail in downtown Chicago was captured Friday at an apartment complex across the street from a suburban police...

Read More..

Quadruple Amputee Gets Two New Hands on Life

It's the simplest thing, the grasp of one hand in another. But Lindsay Ess will never see it that way, because her hands once belonged to someone else.Growing up in Texas and Virginia, Lindsay, 29, was always one of the pretty girls. She went to college, did some modeling and started building a career in fashion, with an eye on producing fashion shows.Then she lost her hands...

Read More..

Myanmar: Evolution, not revolution

Tourists walk around the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon in April. The tourism industry is set for expansion.STORY HIGHLIGHTSMyanmar is undergoing incremental change, welcomed by all, says Parag KhannaBut he says people still tread lightly, careful not to overstep or demand too muchMyanmar has survived succession of natural and man-made ravages, Khanna addsWith sanctions lifted, foreign investment is now...

Read More..

German minister says "never again" to nuclear power

BERLIN: German Environment Minister Peter Altmaier said on Friday his country would never again return to nuclear energy, hitting back at a top EU official who doubted Berlin's commitment to phase out nuclear power."I cannot see any plausible political line-up that would enable a revival of nuclear power in Germany," Altmaier told Friday's edition of the Leipziger Volkszeitung regional...

Read More..

Chavez battling 'severe' lung infection

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: The U.S. says it is talking to Venezuelans from "across the political spectrum"Venezuela's information minister says Chavez has "respiratory insufficiency"Doctor: Chavez is likely on artificial respiration and receiving high doses of antibioticsOfficials say media, opponents fueling speculation to destabilize Venezuela(CNN) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is battling a "severe"...

Read More..

Pakistani girl shot by Taliban out of hospital, for now

The Pakistani teenager shot in the head by the Taliban in October for advocating girls' education has been discharged from the British hospital where she was being treated, but faces rehabilitation and future hospital stays, the facility says. Malala Yousufzai was released from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Birmingham, on Thursday to continue her rehabilitation at her family's temporary home...

Read More..

Ex-USC Player: Painkiller Injections Caused Heart Attack

Despite stated label risks of possible fatal heart attack, stroke or organ failure, college football players across the country are still being given injections of a powerful painkiller on game days so they can play while injured, an ABC News investigation has found.The drug, a generic version of Toradol, is recommended for the short-term treatment of post-operative pain in...

Read More..

How Donald Trump hijacks U.S. media

STORY HIGHLIGHTSHoward Kurtz: Donald Trump said the GOP can go nuclear in budget showdownKurtz: It's remarkable that Trump draw attention no what what he saysHe says it's so easy to hijack the media in the age of Twitter Kurtz: Journalists like sexy stories but shouldn't lose focus of what's importantEditor's note: Howard Kurtz is the host of CNN's "Reliable Sources" and is Newsweek's Washington bureau...

Read More..

Marine Life Park dolphins released from quarantine

SINGAPORE: The dolphins at Resorts World Sentosa's Marine Life Park have been released from quarantine and is expected to meet the public soon.The park said the 24 dolphins have received the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore's (AVA) approval for their release.It added the mammals have adjusted well to their new home through the care of its staff and veterinary professionals.The...

Read More..

As fiscal cliff bill becomes law, new Congress takes over

STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe fiscal cliff was averted, but issues like the the sequester and debt ceiling awaitThe new Congress will vote on $60 billion in aid to Superstorm Sandy victimsHouse Speaker John Boehner canceled the vote on the aid in light of the fiscal cliff voteDemocrats gain seats in both chambers, but Republicans keep control of the House(CNN) -- A new Congress takes office Thursday, and many...

Read More..

Hillary Clinton discharged from hospital

WASHINGTONSecretary of State Hillary Clinton was discharged from a New York hospital Wednesday, after spending 72 hours under observation following the discovery of a blood clot in her head, the State Department said. In a statement, spokesperson Philippe Reines said: "Her medical team advised her that she is making good progress on all fronts, and they are confident she will make a full recovery....

Read More..

Obama Signs 'Fiscal Cliff' Bill With Autopen

Jan 3, 2013 12:53am Charles Dharapak/AP PhotoHONOLULU, Hawaii — President Obama has signed the “fiscal cliff” legislation into law via autopen from Hawaii, where he is vacationing with his family.The bill to avert the “fiscal cliff” arrived at the White House late this afternoon and it was immediately processed, according to a senior White House official. A copy was...

Read More..

Time to rebrand in Lincoln's image?

Wade Henderson thinks the modern Republican Party should look to Abraham Lincoln for some inspiration.STORY HIGHLIGHTSWade Henderson: January 1 is 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation He says GOP should look to Lincoln, a canny politician who led moral fight on civil rightsHe says GOP has history of civil rights support that it has largely abandoned in recent yearsHenderson: In 2012,...

Read More..

Eurozone manufacturing shrinks in December

BRUSSELS: Eurozone manufacturing activity contracted for a 17th month running in December, a key survey of business managers showed on Wednesday.The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector, a leading indicator compiled by the Markit research firm, came in at 46.1 points in November, down from an earlier estimate of 46.3 points and down from November's 46.2 points.Any...

Read More..

Crises averted, but more fights loom

STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe vote prevents tax increases for more than 98% of Americans It also wards off $110 billion in automatic cuts to domestic and military spendingMost Americans will still see a payroll tax increase after a 2011 cut expiresOther fiscal challenges this year include the debt ceiling and a continuing budget resolutionWashington (CNN) -- After exhaustive negotiations that strained the country's...

Read More..