680News - Breaking World News Headlines

Palestinians take step toward unity; Israel warns this closes door to peace talks

Ibrahim Barzak,Karin Laub, The Associated Press 7 Feb, 2012 0

After months of wavering, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has taken a decisive step toward reconciliation with the Islamic militant group Hamas, a move Israel promptly warned would close the door to any future peace talks. In a deal brokered by Qatar, Abbas will head an interim unity government

Staff at LA school to be removed while district investigates allegations against 2 teachers

Robert Jablon, The Associated Press 7 Feb, 2012 0

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The entire staff at an elementary school where two teachers were arrested on suspicion of lewd conduct will be removed while the school district investigates, the Los Angeles school superintendent said Monday night. Superintendent John Deasy told parents and media that 88 teach

Study concludes growth in mobile, Facebook applications has created 466,000 US jobs since 2007

The Associated Press 7 Feb, 2012 0

SAN FRANCISCO - Looking for a promising career in a lousy economy? A new study suggests you're apt to find it in the apps built for smartphones, computer tablets and Facebook's online social network. The demand for those applications has created 466,000 jobs in the U.S. since 2007. That's based on a

US closes Syrian embassy, UK ambassador recalled in new Western push to isolate Assad

Bradley Klapper,Elizabeth A. Kennedy, The Associated Press 7 Feb, 2012 0

BEIRUT - The U.S. has closed its embassy in Syria and Britain recalled its ambassador to Damascus in a new Western push to get President Bashar Assad to leave power and halt the murderous grind in Syria — now among the deadliest conflicts of the Arab Spring. Although the diplomatic effort was stymie

Dog owners complain, McDonald's pulls ad comparing eating Chicken McBite to petting pit bull

Sue Manning, The Associated Press 7 Feb, 2012 0

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - McDonald's has apologized and pulled an ad that said eating a Chicken McBite was less risky than petting a stray pit bull, shaving your head, naming your son Sue or giving friends your Facebook password. It enraged pit bull owners and their supporters. The radio ad for Chicken

Maldives soldiers fire rubber bullets at police protesting government's 'illegal orders'

The Associated Press 6 Feb, 2012 0

MALE, Maldives - Maldives soldiers on Tuesday fired rubber bullets and clashed with police officers who were defying a presidential order to end a protest against what they perceive as illegal orders by authorities. Hundreds of police started demonstrating early Tuesday in the capital, Male, after o

Romania's prime minister resigns after protests, interim leader is appointed

Alison Mutler, The Associated Press 6 Feb, 2012 1

BUCHAREST, Romania - Romania's government has collapsed following weeks of protests against austerity measures, the latest debt-stricken government in Europe to fall in the face of raising public anger over biting cuts. Emil Boc, who had been prime minister since 2008, said Monday he was resigning "

Fiery Northern Ireland Protestant leader the Rev. Ian Paisley, 85, hospitalized

The Associated Press 6 Feb, 2012 0

BELFAST, Northern Ireland - The Rev. Ian Paisley, once the loud voice of Protestant opposition to compromise with Catholics in Northern Ireland, has been taken to a hospital, his wife said. Eileen Paisley confirmed through the Democratic Unionist Party that her 85-year-old husband is being treated i

Under EU pressure, Greece caves in on civil service firings, announces 15,000 job cuts in 2012

Derek Gatopoulos,Nicholas Paphitis, The Associated Press 6 Feb, 2012 3

ATHENS, Greece - Greece's coalition government caved in to demands to cut civil service jobs, announcing 15,000 positions would go this year, amid mounting international pressure to agree on austerity measures needed to secure major new debt agreements. The announcement Monday signals a shift in Gre

A $340,000 home for $16? Texas man tries to stake claim by squatting in suburban Dallas home

Nomaan Merchant, The Associated Press 6 Feb, 2012 0

FLOWER MOUND, Texas - After paying $16 to file a one-page claim to an empty, $340,000 home in an upscale Dallas suburb, Kenneth Robinson moved in furniture, hung a "No Trespassing" sign in the front window and invited television cameras inside for a tour. He quickly turned into something of a local