Mideast Dispatches

World »

new Assad regime agrees 'in principle' to Syrian peace talks

The Syrian government has agreed "in principle" to attend a conference proposed by Russia and the United States on ending the country's civil war, Russia's Foreign Ministry say. However, Damascus has not issued a definitive statement on the talks.

new U.K. preps for possible copycat attacks after hacking death

Britain is bracing for clashes with right-wing extremists and possible copycat attacks after the brutal slaying of a young soldier although an official say no specific threats had been detected.

Man ‘lucky to be alive’ after Washington bridge collapse video

A Washington state bridge over a river collapsed last night, dumping two vehicles into the water and sparking a rescue effort by boats and divers who searched the chilly waterway north of Seattle.

more »

Canada »

analysis Greg Weston: Senate scandal may be Harper's worst hour

The widening Senate scandal that the prime minister flippantly tried to dismiss as a 'distraction' just days ago has instead become arguably Stephen Harper's worst hour.

updated Canadian forecasters warn of active hurricane season

Canadian forecasters are warning warmer-than-average ocean waters and the lack of an El Nino warming of the central Pacific Ocean will contribute to an "active" hurricane season this year.

updated Rob Ford allies set to take over if mayor steps down

Members of Rob Ford's executive committee say they are prepared to take over the day-to-day running of the city if the Toronto mayor is no longer able to perform his duties, amid a scandal involving allegations he was caught on video smoking crack cocaine.

more »

Politics »

updated Qatar drops bid to move UN aviation agency HQ from Montreal

Qatar has withdrawn its bid to bring the International Civil Aviation Organization's headquarters to Doha from Montreal, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announces on Twitter.

updated Mike Duffy says he wants to give Canadians 'the whole story' video

Senator Mike Duffy says he wants a "full and open" inquiry so Canadians can get all the facts about the scandal that has rocked the Senate and the Prime Minister's Office and that he has no plans to resign.

analysis Greg Weston: Senate scandal may be Harper's worst hour

The widening Senate scandal that the prime minister flippantly tried to dismiss as a 'distraction' just days ago has instead become arguably Stephen Harper's worst hour.

more »

Health »

Chronic fatigue may be reversed with exercise

Taking it easy is not the best treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, rather exercise and behaviour therapy are, a large study finds.

AT&T buys T-Mobile USA for $39B US

AT&T Inc. said Sunday it will buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $39 billion US, becoming the largest cellphone company in the U.S.

Milky Way home to 50 billion planets: NASA

Scientists have compiled the first cosmic census of planets in our galaxy: at least 50 billion planets are estimated to call the Milky Way home.

more »

Arts & Entertainment»

new Rolling Stones to rock with Mississauga choir video

The Rolling Stones take to the stage in Toronto Saturday night, accompanied by a Mississauga high school choir, for the first of three hotly anticipated Canadian concerts.

2nd jewel theft during Cannes Film Festival

Thieves outsmarted 80 security guards in an exclusive French Riviera hotel and made off with a necklace that creators say is worth a staggering €2 million ($2.7 million Cdn) — in the second such jewelry heist during this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Quebec film wins screenplay prize at Cannes

Le Démantèlement, a movie by Quebec director Sebastien Pilote, has won one of the main prizes of sidebar program Critics Week at the Cannes Film Festival.

more »

Technology & Science »

3D printers give rise to 'desktop manufacturing'

Customizable objects from plastic dollhouse furniture to medical prosthetics can now be designed and printed out by almost anyone at the press of a button, and is going to lead to an 'explosion of new stuff,' predicts author Chris Anderson.

new U.S. space chief updates on asteroid lasso mission

Surrounded by engineers, NASA chief Charles Bolden inspected a prototype spacecraft engine that could power an audacious mission to lasso an asteroid and tow it closer to Earth for astronauts to explore.

Canada's privacy laws inadequate for digital age, watchdog says

Canadians' trust in the digital economy is at risk because our laws don't have enough teeth to compel companies to protect consumers' privacy, Canada's privacy commissioner says.

more »

Money »

new Canada ranks 3rd last in paid vacations

Canada ranks third last among economically advanced counties in the amount of paid vacation time it guarantees its workers, a new U.S. study indicates.

new 29 New Jersey restaurants caught selling rubbing alcohol

Twenty-nine New Jersey bars and restaurants, including 13 TGI Fridays, were accused of substituting cheap booze - or worse - for the good stuff while charging premium prices.

new Abercrombie sales slump amid brand backlash

Teen clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch sales cratered last quarter, and stock for the American chain has sold off sharply as a result.

more »

Consumer Life »

Honda recalls Fit subcompacts

Honda Canada says it will recall 14,640 of its 2009 and 2010 Fit subcompact cars to replace lost motion springs.

U.S. travel fee proposal criticized by Harper

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he doesn't think much of a new border tax that's being proposed by the United States, calling it a cash grab designed to help a budget crisis.

Bell class action suit approved by Que. court

A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class action lawsuit to go ahead against Bell Mobility.

more »

Sports »

Scores: NHL NBA

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Friday's Need To Know

Ottawa is facing elimination for the first time in the playoffs, and several goalies are in the spotlight for reasons good and bad. Get your NHL playoff fix in Friday's Need to Know.

analysis German soccer strength on display in Champions League final

German soccer is no longer under the radar. It's about to be showcased in all its glory in Saturday's Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, writes Nigel Reed.

photos 2013 NBA Conference Finals

Enjoy a chronological pictorial of the NBA conference finals featuring the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers in the East and San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies in the West.

more »

Diversions »

more »