Layoffs rise 68 percent in April vs March: survey

"U.S. companies' planned layoffs jumped 68 percent in April from the prior month to the highest since September 2006, pointing to further deterioration in the labor market, a report showed on Thursday."

Kayakers arrive in NZ after 62 days

"Two adventurers who spent two months paddling across the Tasman Sea in a kayak arrived in New Zealand today, becoming the first people to kayak there from Australia. Several thousand people crowded the shore at Ngamotu Beach, near New Plymouth on New Zealand's west coast, to...

Russell Watson 'critical' after op

"Singer Russell Watson remains in a critical condition in hospital but the signs are positive, hospital bosses have said. The popular classical singer earlier underwent three hours of emergency surgery on a brain tumour but is now conscious and sitting up in bed talking, they...

America's New Leadership: Reboot and Restart

"Winning the war on terrorism depends substantially on winning the war of ideas; unfortunately, by most metrics, the U.S. is getting its clock cleaned. Public polling shows massive anger directed at the U.S. and our credibility at an all time low. In a few short years, the...

Unpopularity of Karzai government threatens Afghanistan war effort, Holbrooke...

"BRUSSELS, Belgium: NATO risks losing the war in Afghanistan because of a "tremendous deterioration" in the popularity of the government of U.S.-backed President Hamid Karzai, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke said Saturday. "Afghanistan...

The Big Lie

"I find the cover of the latest Atlantic quite important, signaling a new shift (and deterioration) in the perception of George Bush. Initially, the justification for going to war, among other deceptive acts, was framed by mass media in terms of expedience and cunning. Then,...

Polonium-210 one of world's rarest elements

"LONDON, England (AP) -- Polonium-210 -- the radioactive substance used to poison a former Russian spy in London -- is one of the world's rarest elements, first discovered in the 19th century by scientists Marie and Pierre Curie.  It is highly lethal when ingested, and...