Briefs | Kinetics is this weekend

Advance tickets for Saturdays race will be sold at the festival and at Longmont recreational facilities for $2 each, not including parking. Advance tickets with outlying parking at Longmont recreational facilities are $8 (tickets with parking the day of the event are $10), and $20 for VIP, close-in parking.

Buff Briefs | CU's ranking dips to 39th

The program is intended to help students become better informed about how to host responsible gatherings, while giving police and neighbors other options for resolving noise complaints. The program will run Friday and Saturday nights, Aug. 20 to Sept. 25.

Briefs | Fringe Festival begins

The construction project is expected to be completed in October. A new bike lane on the uphill side of the road, plus a concrete walk/run lane on the downhill side, will give cyclists and vehicles more room to safely pass people traveling by foot.

Briefs | Humana drops Boulder hospital

Over the past 12 months of negotiation, Boulder Community Hospital failed to offer fair and reasonable rates comparable to that within the market, he said. Our research showed that Boulder Community Hospital charged Humana rates that are at least 23 percent higher than United HealthCare and Anthem health plans.

Buff Briefs | Target targets freshmen

The University of Colorado at Boulder has joined about two dozen other institutions of higher education in an open letter to publishers of campus sustainability rankings, providing guidelines for consistent, comparable and commensurate metrics to size up green colleges and universities.

Briefs | New fire training center opens

The center was constructed over the past year on 10 acres of city-owned land. The site includes a 15,800-square-foot classroom/administration building, a training tower and a burn building.

Buechner: I didn’t refuse to be interviewed

But Buechner told Boulder Weekly that he never actually declined to be interviewed, he just told someone that he’d have to think about it before agreeing to be interviewed. “I’ve said that to a couple of presidencies, too,” says the former University of Colorado president, who has also served as Boulder mayor and state legislator.

Buff Briefs | UCB halts study abroad in Mexico

CU sponsors study abroad programs in Mexico in Guadalajara, Guanajuato, Oaxaca and Monterrey. CUs International and National Voluntary Service Training, or INVST, a community studies program, also canceled a field experience in Mexico. INVST is a service-learning program at CU-Boulder.

Briefs | ClimateSmart deadline nears

As part of the final 2010 funding cycle, applications for grants from the citys ClimateSmart Solar Grant Fund must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 16. For applications and more program information, visit the citys Solar Rebate and Grant Programs website at www.

Briefs | BoulDurango tour rolls out

On July 19, 10 brewercyclists from local breweries Avery Brewing Company and Oskar Blues, as well as Durango-based Ska Brewing, will depart on their bicycles from the Avery brewery in Boulder to kick off the Second Annual Tour of BoulDurango, a five-day, 470mile trek over six mountain passes from Boulder to Durango.

Squatters' Rights

Eldorado Springs says county is passing the buck on new sewer system

County officials argue it was clear from the start, based on county commissioners discussions at the time, that the $1.8 million would not be enough to cover the entire cost of the project, and that the homeowners should be the ones who pay for the new system in its entirety, since they are the only ones benefitting from the sewer plant.

At What Cost?

Three ballot issues have some wondering just how much the citizens of Colorado are willing to give up for a tax break

Its an ideal time to address the fact that our government has been ignoring our constitution, Menten said. Right now the government is racking up billions of dollars in debt. A great amount of blame can be put on excessive government and irresponsible spending.

Freeze tag

Spike in graffiti prompts more arrests, stricter regulation

The Vandals Destroying Streets Krew has left its VDSK mark all over the city in recent months. It is composed of at least a half-dozen teenagers who have been responsible for about one-third of the 87 percent increase in graffiti reported over the past year, police say.

Dreaming of a future

Young undocumented immigrants still hoping DREAM Act will pass

This young woman, who is now 19 and has a track record of high scholastic achievement, volunteerism and leadership training through Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors), Journey through Our Heritage programs and LYFE (Longmont Youth for Equality), has no concrete recollection of her first few years of life in Durango, Mexico.

Blowin` in the Wind

Citizen sampling finds breathable plutonium in a home and on open space near Rocky Flats, a future recreation area

LeRoy Moore has always been opposed to the plan to open to the public a wildlife refuge that sits on the former site of the Rocky Flats nuclear bomb plant near Golden. He says hes never bought the assertions of the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency that the site, although dotted.

Boxed in

Pearl Street performer Ibash-I faces immigration troubles after pot arrests. Here’s why Zip Code Man is fighting to keep him in Boulder.

Ive been street performing on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder for almost 20 years. Another performer, Ibash-I (pronounced ee-BAH-shee), the contortionist Ive been performing alongside for about 15 years, is being threatened with deportation from the United States.

Mobility Impaired

Manager, residents of local mobile home park at odds

Arranged thoughtfully on two stacked coffee tables are metal pigs, a sideways detergent container sprouting a plant and a giant gold medallion bearing the words Boulder and Colorado. Flanked by sunflowers are a female mannequin head on a stick and a walker that is only big enough for a child.

Stripped of dignity

Women inmates call strip-search procedure demeaning, traumatizing

Being strip-searched has long been a part of incarceration. But inmates at Denver Womens Correctional Facility (DWCF) say a change in their strip-search procedure subjects them to undue humiliation and leaves some of them traumatized, particularly those with a history of sexual assault.

27 Years of Activism

Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center lays off staff, reinvents itself

In the late 1970s, a group of protesters blocked the railroad tracks at Rocky Flats in an attempt to keep trains from delivering nuclear bomb-making supplies to the plant. That group, the “Rocky Flats Truth Force,” occupied the tracks for a whole year, and was joined by several prominent figures, including Allen Ginsberg, Anne Waldman and Daniel Ellsberg.

On the wings of change

An interview with Nobel Peace Prize winner & Mayan leader Rigoberta Menchú Tum

Greed, envy, individualism, and an excessive materialism are altering the human experience and causing a lack of equilibrium in the world. I believe the inequality has also generated racism, the sickness of discrimination. This world has lost values; it must begin again.

in case you missed it | The war is over-ish

And you know what that means, right? Dont you? Neither do we, and neither does anyone else. The combat troops are coming home, ostensibly forever. A mere 50,000 American troops will remain in the country until the end of 2011, CNN reported. Their mission will be to train, assist and advise the Iraqis.

In case you missed it | Out of a K-hole, into the pharmacy

The report says psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, a substance found in shrooms, and ketamine have led to renewed interest in the clinical potential of psychedelics in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders.

in case you missed it | Making herself Hurd

Whats truly odd about this case is the accusers reaction to Hurds punishment. Jodie Fisher, who revealed her identity last week, was quoted by a number of news agencies saying she was surprised and saddened that Hurd lost his job, adding that such an outcome was never her intention.

in case you missed it | Best senator money can buy

As if its not odd enough to have an American musical icon and Grammy winner running for president of the earthquake-ravaged island nation of Haiti, the fact that Wyclef Jean has all but predicted his own death in that position should at least raise a few eyebrows.

in case you missed it | Pot perplexity

Tancredo, who announced on July 26 that he is stabbing the Republican Party in the back and running for governor under something called the American Constitution Party, has indeed peeled off a pretty good chunk of the states right-wingers and Teabaggers.

in case you missed it | Lives of the rich and corporate

If you're tempted to cheer BP for removing Hayward from the helm, dont. BP could and should have gotten rid of him back in April when he first opened his mouth and proved he didnt give a shit about his employees deaths or the oil spill. The fact that they didnt proves that a lot of people high up in the company likewise didnt give a shit.

in case you missed it | Economic struggle, ethnic cleansing in Arizona

Arizona may be paying an unexpected price for SB 1070, the new law that enables racial profiling in an effort to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants. According to The Guardian UK, Latinos are fleeing the state in anticipation of the racial hostility they fear may be just around the corner.

in case you missed it | Misogynist Mel-odrama

He also threatens to fire the person whos helping Grigorieva with childcare for their 9-month-old daughter Lucia. Ill report her to the fucking people that take fucking money from the wetbacks, OK? At one point, he tells Grigorieva that she should fucking smile and blow him.

in case you missed it | What collateral damage looks like

On Tuesday, Private Bradley Manning, an Army intelligence analyst, was formally charged under U.S. military law for allegedly leaking a video to Wikileaks.org that shows personnel in a U.S. military helicopter callously killing a group of 12 people, including two employees of the Reuters news service.

in case you missed it | Every sperm wasted

Unlike previous attempts at a male contraceptive, the injection doesnt have the side effects of mood swings and loss of libido that men on hormonal birth control have experienced. And thats a really good thing because who wants men with PMS? Besides, whats the point of contraception if it leaves you limp?.

Judge dismisses Arizona policeman's suit against immigration law

The federal judge who halted most of a controversial Arizona immigration law dismissed a separate lawsuit Tuesday that had been filed by a Tucson police officer.

Lehman's ex-CEO blames government for failure

The former chief executive of Lehman Bros., whose failure in 2008 helped trigger the financial crisis, blamed the government for its collapse, saying Wednesday there was a double standard in the decision by federal officials to grant extraordinary assistance to other companies but let his go bankrupt.

Study: Illegal U.S. immigration has slowed dramatically

Illegal immigration into the United States has slowed considerably in the past several years, a study released Wednesday concludes.

Mexico arrests 'La Barbie,' accused drug lord wanted by U.S.

Mexican police Monday captured a Texas-born accused drug kingpin wanted by the United States and known for his unusual nickname — La Barbie. Edgar Valdez Villarreal, 37, was captured in the state of Mexico adjacent to the capital, the Foro and Milenio television networks reported.

Obama not worried about Muslim rumors

President Barack Obama said in an interview Sunday that he can't worry about dispelling every rumor about him — even though a recent poll showed nearly 20 percent of Americans erroneously believe he is Muslim.

Tourist family sues SeaWorld, claims child who saw orca attack is traumatized

A New Hampshire family who witnessed the Feb. 24 death of a killer-whale trainer at SeaWorld Orlando has sued the company in state court in Orlando, claiming their child was traumatized by the event.

School turns away student because of parents' lesbian relationship

Olivia Harrison's pink Hello Kitty backpack and matching lunchbox were ready for her first day at St. Vincent's School. And all summer, when her family drove past the campus, the 4-year-old was told that she would be starting pre-kindergarten there in August.

Facebook sues company for using 'book' in its name

Social networking giant Facebook has sued a Northbrook, Ill.-based Web company for using "book" in its name.

Woman pleads guilty to killing 2 fellow soldiers, kidnapping their baby

A 24-year-old woman pleaded guilty Monday to killing two fellow soldiers and kidnapping their baby in March 2008.

Federal agency fines SeaWorld $75,000 in trainer's death

Federal regulators blasted SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment on Monday for allowing animal trainers to work with killer whales without adequate protection, concluding a six-month investigation into the violent drowning of a trainer at SeaWorld Orlando.

Humanity and baseball

Locals launch outreach trips to benefit Kenyan children

It wasn't about religion, although the trip was organized by a missionary. And it wasn't really about baseball, although most of the luggage was packed with sports equipment. But the trip to Africa that local residents Jim Cederberg, 55, and Drew Sauer, 28, went on last winter has them committed to returning regularly, bats, balls and gloves in hand.

Boulder Weekly's Back-to-School Bash this weekend!

Looking for something to get you amped and revved up for the new school year? Boulder Weekly's Back-to-School Bash goes down this Friday, September 3, 2010 at the Fox Theatre (1135 13th St.) featuring Cobraconda, The Um a.k.a. UmConcious and Wildabeast.

Personhood revisited

Granting a fertilized egg the legal status of person would effectively criminalize abortion procedures in all circumstances, as well as outlaw certain — but not all — forms of birth control, and would also affect medical procedures such as in vitro fertilization and embryonic stem cell research.

60, 61 and 101, in full

Amendement 60 changes Section 20, Article X, of the Colorado Constitution, commonly known as TABOR.

repealinganypropertytaxincrease, extension, or abatement rate increase that occurred after 1992 without voter approval.

CU looks toward closing journalism program

CU-Boulder officials announced Wednesday that the University’s journalism program may be on the chopping block as part of a plan to create a new, more modern program to address the realities of modern communication.

Celebrate Boulder Weekly's 17th Anniversary!

The week, Boulder Weekly will be celebrating its 17th year in production and wants you to come join us to celebrate!

A Q&A with CU Athletic Director Mike Bohn

Mike Bohn is in his sixth year as athletic director at the University of Colorado. Bohn, a Colorado native, has also worked for the athletic programs at San Diego State University, the University of Idaho, the Air Force Academy and Colorado State University. Bohn helped engineer CU’s move from the Big 12 Conference to the Pac-10 Conference, which will take place sometime in the next two years. We sat down with Bohn to reflect on parts of his first five years working for CU.

New open space tax on the ballot

Now, three decades later, the commissioners are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Having secured thousands of acres of land around the county, the commissioners are zeroing in on the last major purchase they will need to complete the 30-year-old open space plan.

Colorado Lawmakers

The most recent of those laws, SB 1070, would give Arizona law enforcement expanded powers to determine immigration status.

Boulder County chooses Romanoff over Bennet

While incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet edged challenger Andrew Romanoff in the statewide Senate race, the opposite was true in Boulder County.

Gallery: The Black Keys live at the Fillmore

The Black Keys tore up the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver on June 3, 2010. Take a look at the visuals.

GALLERY: Miike Snow at the Ogden Theater

Boulder Weekly's Michael Accomazzo had a chance to check out Miike Snow at the Ogden Theater on Friday, April 9. Check out some of the action:

GALLERY: Signtology at its finest

In this week's issue we feature Dan Ericson aka Dunn the Signtologist and his extraordinary portraits that make run-of-the-mill street signs works of art. Check out the gallery:

GALLERY: Spoon live at the Ogden Theater

Spoon played a packed, sold-out show at the Ogden Theater in Denver last night, and the band did not disappoint the loyal crowds there to see the indie-rock icons. The opening acts, Micachu and the Shapes and Deerhunter, received unenthusiastic yet polite applause from the crowd, and a quick look at the many bored faces dotting the floor of the Ogden implied that most were there for the main act, not the openers.

Slideshow: Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Check out photos from the new exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart. The exhibit will run from now until July 18, 2010. Look for the Boulder Weekly feature about the exhibit in the March 18 issue.

Police Blotter | Unexpected growth

The victim said she was in her bedroom when she heard an alarm indicating someone was opening a door to her residence. She left the room to investigate and observed a white male walking around. She ran back into the bedroom to call police and looked outside, where she noticed that the interior dome light of her vehicle was on.

Police Blotter | A clean getaway for peeper

On Friday, Aug. 20, Boulder police responded to the 900 block of Grandview Ave. on a report of unlawful sexual contact. The victim stated she was in the shower when she heard a noise and saw a male looking into her bathroom through a window. She was unable to identify the man and there are no suspects at this time.

Police Blotter | Assault and child enticement

Police said the victim was walking with a group of friends when he made a comment or gesture toward a woman who was walking with two other women and four men. One of the men in the womans group took offense to the victims comments, and an argument ensued.

Police Blotter | Leave the pipe in the car

From 6 to 8:30 p.m., the Sheriff s Office and its partners will be hosting a community barbecue at the San Lazaro Community Complex, located at 5505 Valmont Road. The Heatherwood Community will be hosting an ice cream social and green event at St. Mary Magdalenes Church, at 4775 Cambridge St.

Police Blotter | Nearly knife

The victim said the suspect pulled a knife on him after he ignored the suspects request to give him money. The victim called the police and followed the suspect to a bar in the 1900 block of 11th Street. He was able to identify the 27-year-old male suspect, who was subsequently arrested and charged with felony menacing.

Police Blotter| Elderly exploitation

Police arrested Ollie Eddington on suspicion of committing wrongs to at-risk adults and theft on July 7. Eddington allegedly invited himself into the backyard of a 93-year-old female on June 11 and tried to convince her he was there to repair her roof, police said.

Police Blotter | Police investigate fatal accident

A 20-year-old motorcyclist was traveling westbound on Iris Avenue at 28th Street when he collided with a Dodge Intrepid that was turning from eastbound Iris to northbound 28th Street. The motorcyclist was transported to Boulder Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:28 a.

Police Blotter | Avoid getting a DUI

Sheriff s deputies were dispatched to the 38000 block of the Peak-to-Peak Highway on Saturday when a 44-year-old male from Berthoud and a 32-year-old female from Fort Collins reported that they had been abducted while hiking in the area. The male was able to escape and summon help, and the female was later released by her abductor.

Police Blotter | Attempted murder

Police responded to a report of domestic violence at a Gunbarrel home on June 19 at about 3:10 p.m. Police said that Aaron Whalen, 25, was engaged in an argument with his girlfriend when it turned violent. According to the report, the victim suffered injuries resulting from being strangled to the point where she became unconscious.

Police Blotter | Carbon up, rent down?

An apartment building in the 1800 block of Pearl Street was evacuated on June 14 after high levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, toxic gas, were found inside.

Bob Biniak, daring skateboarder, dies at 51

Bob Biniak, whose daring and innovative skateboarding style as one of the original Dogtown Z-Boys helped revitalize the pursuit in the 1970s, has died. He was 51.

Crosby's OT goal a fitting end to Canada's Winter Games

VANCOUVER, British Columbia —The Canadians made a promise to their country that, this time, they would come after Ryan Miller. They would throw pucks and bodies at him and swarm like hornets around the net.

U.S. planning, investment in winter sports is paying off as medals pile up

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Many Olympians spend their lives preparing for an event that lasts a minute or two but can define them for a lifetime.

Woods apologizes to family, friends

Tiger Woods, in his first public appearance since crashing his SUV near his home Nov. 27 and the parade of reports about his alleged sexual indiscretions that followed, apologized to his family and friends Friday in an emotional 14-minute presentation at PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Tiger Woods expected to issue apology Friday during first public appearance

ORLANDO, Fla. — Tiger Woods is set to make his first public appearance since his extramarital escapades became worldwide news, with the announcement of a Friday briefing at PGA Tour headquarters to apologize for his infidelity.

Vonn leaves drama, downhill field behind in run to Olympic gold

WHISTLER, British Columbia — Forget about the bruised shin, the controversial magazine pictures and all the other hype. American Lindsey Vonn left all of those distractions along with her competitors behind Wednesday on her way to making Olympic history.

White adds a McTwist to his gold-medal ending

WEST VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Shaun White would have won the gold medal without his most daring trick, the Double McTwist 1260. But the American snowboarder had to do it.

Boulder company creates virtual Olympic gateway

A one-stop virtual gateway to the 2010 Winter Olympics — including bios, medals won and hometowns of all the U.S. Olympians — is now online at www.olympicsin3D.com. Boulder-based EarthvisionZ created the site.

Georgian luger dies during practice run on Olympic course

WHISTLER, British Columbia — A luger from the former Soviet republic of Georgia was killed after a horrific crash on the year-old sledding track Friday, Olympic officials confirmed.

Lumberjacks? Gretzky? Canada awaits Opening Ceremony surprises

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — With the Winter Olympics now hours away, the speculation here builds.

Happy 80th birthday to the Twinkie

Twinkies do, in fact, have a shelf life — 25 days, to be precise, according to Hostess Foods. It only seems like the yellow sponge cake injected with vanilla cream filling lasts forever. Maybe because it's been around as long as anyone can remember.

Amphibious caterpillars discovered in Hawaii

Moths of the Hawaiian genus Hyposmocoma are an oddball crowd: One of the species' caterpillars attacks and eats tree snails. Now researchers have described at least a dozen different species that live underwater for several weeks at a time.

Radiation from space floated as possible cause of Toyota issues

It may sound far-fetched, but federal regulators are studying whether sudden acceleration in Toyotas is linked to cosmic rays. Radiation from space long has affected airplanes and spacecraft, and is known for triggering errors in computer systems, but has received scant attention in the auto industry.

Florida targets Giant African snails

They're not as menacing as Burmese pythons, but Giant African snails are now in the same class as the large snakes — targets of the government. The invasive mollusks are considered a major plant pest and a potential public health threat. And now federal and state authorities are seeking to prevent the large, slimy, shell-toting snails from re-establishing themselves in Florida.

Philadelphia airport screener disciplined over prank

DETROIT — A University of Michigan student boarding a plane in Philadelphia to return to Detroit Metro Airport from winter break got a big fright in the form of a prank by an airport security screener.

Fat owners linked to fat dogs, but not fat cats

Many thanks to the Lempert Report for alerting us to a piece of pet-obesity news. A study published in the journal Public Health Nutrition investigated the relationship between body weight in pet owners and body weight in their pets. Its finding: Overweight owners tend to have overweight dogs, as other studies have reported before. But no such relationship was seen between owners and pet cats.

Police leave ransom note for pot plants, nab alleged grower

MARATHON, Fla. — After a citizen's tip led undercover detectives to six large marijuana plants growing in a wooded lot in the Florida Keys, police half-jokingly left a phone number and ransom note.

Chillax, the '09 banned words list has arrived

DETROIT — Drawing nominations from English enthusiasts and those just plain tired of overused expressions, Lake Superior State University's Word Banishment Committee has issued its list of words and phrases it deems time to be "unfriended."

Couple accused of stealing Christmas gifts, setting fire to church

MODESTO, Calif. — Officers arrested a married couple suspected of breaking into a Modesto church late Tuesday, stealing Christmas gifts intended for needy children and starting a fire, a police spokesman said.

Drunk 4-year-old Tenn. boy found trying to steal Christmas presents

A four-year-old boy was found wandering in the street – beer in hand – wearing a dress in Chattanooga, Tenn. earlier this week.

Google and AP, often seen at odds, reach new deal

Google Inc. and the Associated Press on Monday said they have reached a new licensing agreement that will allow the Internet search giant to continue to host the news service's content.

Android phones outsell iPhone in 2010

Google-powered Android phones are outselling Apple's iPhone, according to a report released Monday by Nielsen Co. Among consumers who purchased a smart phone in the first half of 2010, 27 percent opted for Android phones, compared with 23 percent who bought an iPhone, according to the study.

Internet users seen spending more time on Facebook, less on e-mail

"Time suck" is a phrase often used to describe online social networks like Facebook and online games like FarmVille. Now new research quantifies the phenomenon, showing that nearly one-third of the time Americans spend online is devoted to such activities, while time spent on conventional e-mail and portals such as Yahoo has declined.

Facebook, forefront of social networking, hits a half-billion users

Some people may watch a little television if they wake in the night. Jim Reed of Oceanside, N.Y., reaches for his BlackBerry and posts comments to Facebook. He goes back on to the social networking site first thing in the morning. And again when he goes out for breakfast and lunch, when he's killing time before an appointment or sitting at a traffic light. He checks it, he estimates, 100 times a day.

Hulu pay version launch imminent

Popular online video service Hulu is launching an ad-supported subscription service that will offer top broadcast shows in high definition to be viewed from a plethora of devices, including Internet-connected TVs, set-top boxes and game consoles, as well as portable devices such as Apple's iPad and iPhone.

iPhone coming to Verizon in January

Apple Inc. will launch its popular iPhone with Verizon Wireless as early as January, according to a media report Tuesday, which cited unnamed sources as confirming that widely anticipated step.

At gaming giant Activision, CEO's rigidity causes friction

On a warm Monday afternoon three months ago, the producers of the hit video game Call of Duty found their offices under invasion. Security guards with Secret Service-style radio earpieces showed up on the second floor of Infinity Ward headquarters in Encino, Calif., on March 1 and refused to tell employees why they were monitoring the entrances. Staffers congregating in the hallways suspected it had to do with the mysterious absence that day of their longtime bosses Jason West and Vincent Zampella.

Video-game convention gives taste of future releases

The Electronic Entertainment Exposition — better known as E3 — got a big, if unofficial, kick-off on Monday as two of the video game industry's largest players touted their latest wares.

Vending machines now dispense iPods, GPS gear

Press your face up to this vending machine, and savor the selections. With some items at $400, chances are you won't have the change in your pocket. But not to worry, credit cards are accepted. Vending machines aren't just for soda, chips and candy bars in the break room anymore. Now sophisticated models with touch screens and high-definition video offer instant gratification for more expensive treats — iPods and Garmin GPS systems, T-shirts, even pacifiers and baby formula.

Porn need not apply on iPad, iPhone

Late on a Friday night in May, when the small children of first-generation iPad users were fast asleep after bedtime stories on its fascinating new digital display, a tech blogger launched this e-mail fireball at Apple CEO Steve Jobs: "If Dylan was 20 today, how would he feel about your company? Would he think the iPad had the faintest thing to do with 'revolution?' Revolutions are about freedom."

Venezuelan farmer dies after hunger strike against government policy

During his six-year quest to force the government to return his land, Venezuelan farmer Franklin Brito sewed his mouth shut, amputated a finger and went on at least eight punishing hunger strikes.

Mexico fires 3,200 federal police officers

About 3,200 Mexican federal police officers, nearly a tenth of the force, have been fired under new rules designed to weed out crooked cops and modernize law enforcement, officials said Monday.

Ex-cardinal in Belgium admits requesting silence from sex-abuse victim

The former head of Belgium's Roman Catholic Church acknowledged Monday that he was wrong to have urged a sexual-abuse victim to stay quiet until after the bishop who repeatedly molested him over a span of 13 years could retire.

Flooding forces North Korea to evacuate 5,000

Torrential downpours caused the rain-swollen Yalu River on the North Korea-China border to overflow Sunday, prompting the evacuation of 5,000 North Koreans who remained "at the crossroads of life and death," according to state-run news media there.

Trapped Chilean miners confirmed alive after more than 14 days

Miners who have been trapped for more than 14 days in a copper mine in Chile's Atacama Desert are alive, President Sebastian Pinera said Sunday.

At least 69 killed in weekend bombings, shootings in Iraq

Weekend bombings and shootings in Iraq left at least 69 people dead from the north to the south, intensifying fears of a possible surge of violence coinciding with the drawdown of U.S troops.

152 presumed dead in Pakistani plane crash

A Pakistani passenger plane crashed into the hills that flank Islamabad on Wednesday with 152 people on board, including two Americans, officials and witnesses said. Apparently no one survived.

After heated debate, Catalonia bans bullfighting

The independence-minded region of Catalonia became the first on the Spanish mainland to outlaw bullfighting Wednesday after impassioned debate. Lawmakers in Catalonia's regional assembly approved the ban after emotional speeches that mixed expressions of support for maintaining tradition with denunciations of bullfighting as institutionalized cruelty.

Suspected camp guard charged in murder of 430,000 Jews

A 90-year-old man has been charged with taking part in the murder of some 430,000 Jews at a Nazi-run death camp during World War II, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Guards allowed Mexican prisoners out to act as hit men, authorities say

Prison inmates allowed to leave their cells with weapons borrowed from guards carried out last week's killings of 17 people in northern Mexico, federal authorities said Sunday.