Abbey Westbury
UN observers enter mountainous enclave overrun by Syrian troops; bomb strikes Damascus suburb
BEIRUT – Smouldering buildings, looted shops, smashed cars and a strong stench of death greeted U.N. observers who entered the nearly deserted Syrian town of Haffa on Thursday, a day after President Bashar Assad’s forces overran it as part of a major offensive to recover rebel-controlled territories.
Egypt court dissolves Islamist-led parliament, deepening crisis with Muslim Brotherhood, army
CAIRO – Judges appointed by Hosni Mubarak dissolved the Islamist-dominated parliament Thursday and ruled his former prime minister eligible for the presidential runoff election this weekend — setting the stage for the military and remnants of the old regime to stay in power.
Most actively traded companies on the TSX, TSX Venture Exchange markets
TORONTO – Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange:
Baird holds Iran talks on with diplomats, warns of stalling tactic on nukes
OTTAWA – Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird held talks today with representatives of the six Western countries trying to negotiate an end to the nuclear standoff with Iran.
AP NewsBreak: Joe Paterno’s family releases will of Penn State coach
BELLEFONTE, Pa. – Joe Paterno’s family has released his will.
‘Burn Notice’ star Jeffrey Donovan says a main, longtime character is killed off in new season
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Hot news for “Burn Notice” fans: Jeffrey Donovan, who plays the CIA operative Michael Westen, says one of the main characters dies in the show’s sixth season premiering Thursday on the USA Network.
Canada faces step up in class as Italy arrives for rugby test at BMO Field
TORONTO – After an error-filled win over the U.S. Eagles, the Canadian rugby team steps up in class Friday against Italy.
Max Page, boy behind Darth Vader mask in car commercial, recovering after open heart surgery
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The 7-year-old actor known as the boy behind the Darth Vader mask in a popular car commercial has had open heart surgery.
Fernando Torres scores 2 goals as Spain eliminates Ireland from Euro 2012 with 4-0 win
GDANSK, Poland – Fernando Torres scored a goal in each half Thursday to give Spain a 4-0 win over Ireland and eliminate the Irish from the European Championship.
Tony-winner Susan Stroman will helm a musical adaptation of ‘Bullets Over Broadway’
NEW YORK, N.Y. – A Broadway-bound musical adapted from Woody Allen’s 1994 crime caper “Bullets Over Broadway” has a leader — Susan Stroman.
Microsoft to make ‘major’ announcement in Los Angeles; speculation ranges from tablets to Xbox
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Microsoft is being secretive about a “major” announcement it plans to make in Los Angeles on Monday.
Students rally for Montreal teacher who showed class infamous body-parts video
MONTREAL – Students at a Montreal high school are mostly rallying in support of a teacher suspended for showing a Grade 10 class what is believed to be the video of the infamous body-parts killing.
Return of the Kings: Los Angeles’ Stanley Cup champions celebrate with parade and rally
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – A celebration 45 years in the making ended in a blizzard of silver-and-black confetti when the Los Angeles Kings showed off the Stanley Cup.
OPEC oil ministers decide to keep output target at 30 million barrels a day
VIENNA – OPEC oil ministers agreed Thursday to keep their production target steady, in a compromise meant to defuse rivalries between Iran and Saudi Arabia and to send a soothing message to economically troubled consuming nations.
Investigator: Search of Jerry Sandusky’s home, former PSU office yielded info about accusers
BELLEFONTE, Pa. – A state investigator says authorities identified some of Jerry Sandusky’s alleged abuse victims through pictures and lists seized from his home and office.