London's West End Optimistic About Olympics

Theater producers no longer so worried that sports events will cause small cultural crowds

2012-04-21

Jill Lawless The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) -- London's theater industry is increasingly confident that culture won't suffer during a summer devoted to celebrating sports. Read the complete article

Case of South African White Supremacist's Killing Ends

Relative calm around Eugene Terreblanche death shows how far nation has moved since apartheid

2012-04-19

Donna Bryson The Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) -- Lawyers in South Africa's heartland quietly wrapped up arguments Thursday in the murder of a white supremacist, a case that has illustrated how far South Africa has moved from apartheid. Read the complete article

Norway Killer: 'I Would Have Done It Again'

Anders Behring Breivik claims killing 77 people prevented a wider civil war

2012-04-17

Karl Ritter The Associated Press

OSLO, Norway (AP) -- Norwegian gunman Anders Behring Breivik insisted Tuesday he would massacre 77 people all over again, calling his July rampage the most "spectacular" attack by a nationalist militant since World War II. Read the complete article

Norway Killer Admits Massacre, Claims Self-Defense

The key issue to be resolved during the 10-week trial is the state of Breivik's mental health

2012-04-16

OSLO, Norway (AP) -- With a defiant closed-fist salute, a right-wing fanatic admitted Monday to a bomb-and-shooting massacre that killed 77 people in Norway but pleaded not guilty to criminal charges, saying he was acting in self-defense. Read the complete article

Mr. Gay World Comes to Africa

A significant step forward for homosexual community on continent where activists have long been vilified

2012-04-14

Donna Bryson The Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- After Mr. Gay Ethiopia entered the Mr. Gay World contest, his father cut off all communications. Mr. Gay Zimbabwe withdrew, fearing the publicity was making life difficult for his mother. Read the complete article

North Korea Launch Draws Anger as Failure Wounds Pride

Rocket disintegrates over Yellow Sea but US and others continue condemnation of action

2012-04-13

Jean H. Lee The Associated Press

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) -- A satellite launch North Korea had hailed as a moment of national pride ended in failure Friday when the rocket disintegrated over the Yellow Sea, earning Pyongyang embarrassment as well as condemnation from a host of nations that deemed it a covert test of missile technology. Read the complete article

Syrian Cease-Fire Deal Appears to Collapse

Syria's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Jihad Makdessi, placed a new condition - that the opposition agree in writing 'to halt violence with all its forms and their readiness to lay down weapons'

2012-04-08

Bassem Mroue and Albert Aji The Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) -- A U.N.-brokered peace deal for Syria appeared to collapse Sunday as the government made a new demand that its opponents provide "written guarantees" to lay down their weapons before regime forces withdraw from cities, a call swiftly rejected by the country's main rebel group. Read the complete article

James Murdoch Steps Down as BSkyB Chairman

39-year-old moves away from broadcasting company in wake of phone hacking scandal

2012-04-03

Jill Lawless The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) -- Media executive James Murdoch, under pressure over his role in Britain's tabloid phone hacking scandal, has stepped down as chairman of British Sky Broadcasting PLC, the company announced Tuesday. Read the complete article

James Murdoch: 'I Could Have Asked More Questions'

In letter to British investigators, exec continues to insist he knew nothing of criminal actions at News of the World

2012-03-17

Raphael Satter and Cassandra Vinograd The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) -- News Corp. executive James Murdoch acknowledged Wednesday that he could have done more to investigate the phone hacking scandal that has rocked Britain and threatened his place as the likely heir to his father's global media empire. Read the complete article

Journalist: London Police Gave Reporters Grades

Editor at The Sun says police kept formal tabs on who was most favorable; authorities say claim is false

2012-03-17

Raphael Satter The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) -- London's Metropolitan Police Service "graded" reporters on their coverage of the agency, a senior crime journalist for The Sun tabloid said Thursday. The claim was denied by the officials involved. Read the complete article