WASHINGTON (AP) -- Mitt Romney's vice presidential search has entered a new phase: auditions. As his campaign evaluates potential running mates, Republicans with a possible shot at the No. 2 spot on the presidential ticket are starting to engage in unofficial public tryouts for the traditional vice presidential role of attack dog. Democratic President Barack Obama is "the most ill-prepared person to assume the presidency in my lifetime," New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie declared at a speech in Kentucky this week. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio told South Carolina Republicans that Americans hadn't seen such a "divisive figure in modern American history" as Obama. Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, speaking Tuesday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library - it's a favorite venue for Republicans seeking more attention ... Continue reading →
Nearly a year and a half after the ouster of autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak, (m) millions of Egyptians lined up for hours outside polling stations on Wednesday to choose a president of their own. (May 23 2012) Continue reading →
On Wednesday, Egypt began its first free presidential election since it came under dictatorship 60 years ago. The winner will succeed Hosni Mubarak, one of four rulers toppled in the uprisings that began 18 months ago across the Middle East and became known as the Arab Spring. But replacing dictatorships with democracy is proving much harder. Here's where things stand: TUNISIA The first Arab country to throw off its ruler, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, in January 2011, Tunisia has also had the smoothest transition. Elections in October resulted in an interim coalition led by the election-winning Islamist Ennahda Party in a coalition with two liberal parties. Ennahda has taken a moderate track in this country that has a strong secular heritage, refraining from seeking ... Continue reading →
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The first private spaceship is headed to the International Space Station. Some questions and answers about the cargo mission by Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX: Q: If this is just supplies and no astronauts, why is this launch such a big deal? A: It's not the ship or what's in it that makes this important. It's who's behind it. Until now, going to and from the space station has been the job of governments, big ones at that. This is a privately built and run spaceship and it's loaded with food, clothing and equipment for the test run. Q: What's next in this space trip? A: The Dragon capsule is in orbit after its launch on top a Falcon 9 rocket. ... Continue reading →
CHICAGO (AP) -- A spokesman for Zenith Electronics says Eugene Polley, the inventor of the first wireless TV remote control, has died. John Taylor says the former Zenith engineer died of natural causes Sunday at a suburban Chicago hospital. He was 96. Couch potatoes everywhere have Polley to thank for hours of feet-up, channel surfing. His invention began as a luxury, but has become a necessity in an era of hundreds of TV channels and home theaters. Just ask anyone who's lost a remote. Polley's 1955 Flash-Matic pointed a beam of light at photo cells in the corners of the screen. This activated the picture and sound and changed channels. Polley and fellow Zenith engineer Robert Adler were honored in 1997 with an Emmy for ... Continue reading →
Oslo (AP) -- Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will finally get a chance to deliver her Nobel acceptance speech, nearly 21 years after winning the peace prize. Nobel Peace Institute spokeswoman Sigrid Langebrekke said Suu Kyi is set to deliver her speech June 16 in Oslo's City Hall during a three-day visit to Norway. After becoming leader of the country's pro-democracy movement, Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest for 15 of the following 22 years of military rule. Her confinement kept her from attending the ceremony for the 1991 prize. Norway's government said Monday that Suu Kyi will also meet Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg during her June 15-18 visit. She is also expected to visit Britain during her trip to Europe. Continue reading →
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