Supreme Court to say whether it will hear appeal against Toronto mayor Rob Ford

Supreme Court to say whether it will hear appeal against Toronto mayor Rob Ford OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada will announce today whether it will hear an appeal in a conflict of interest case involving troubled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.

AP EXCLUSIVE: Taliban offer to free US soldier in exchange for Afghans held at Guantanamo

ISLAMABAD - The Afghan Taliban say they are ready to hand over a U.S. soldier held captive since 2009 in exchange for five of their senior operatives being held at the Guantanamo Bay prison.


Investigation sought in U.S. plane crash missile-strike theory

Investigation sought in U.S. plane crash missile-strike theory

MINEOLA, N.Y. - Former U.S. investigators want to reopen the probe into the 1996 crash of a Paris-bound jet off the coast of New York City, saying new evidence points to the often-discounted theory that a missile strike may have downed the flight.


US stocks slide, Treasury yields spike after Bernanke says Fed could slow bond purchases

US stocks slide, Treasury yields spike after Bernanke says Fed could slow bond purchases

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Financial markets in the U.S. shuddered after the Federal Reserve said it could start scaling back its huge economic stimulus program later this year and end it by the middle of next.


FBI chief: Drones used - rarely so far - in US for surveillance of stationary subjects

FBI chief: Drones used  -  rarely so far  -  in US for surveillance of stationary subjects

WASHINGTON - The FBI uses drones inside the United States for surveillance of stationary subjects, and the privacy implications of such operations are "worthy of debate," the agency's director said.


Regulators order lenders to bolster their finances and prevent crisis repeat

LONDON - British regulators are ordering its biggest banks to bolster their balance sheets by 27. 1 billion pounds ($42.1 billion) to prevent a repeat of the 2008 banking crisis.


Prosecutors raid South Korea's nuclear operator as probe widens into fabricated test results

SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea's sole nuclear power plant operator said Thursday that investigators raided its offices, a sign that a probe into faulty nuclear plant cables is widening.


Canadian Press

Myanmar says ILO decision to lift restrictions will boost trade, foreign investment

YANGON, Myanmar - Myanmar hopes a decision by the International Labor Organization to lift all remaining restrictions on the formerly isolated nation will help accelerate trade and foreign investment.


Asian stock markets fall after Ben Bernanke says Fed could scale back its bond purchases

MANILA, Philippines - Asian stock markets plummeted Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve said it could start scaling back its huge economic stimulus program later this year.


House votes to delay food safety rules, cut food stamps by $2B a year as part of farm bill

WASHINGTON - The House voted late Wednesday to delay sweeping food safety rules that would require farmers and food companies to be more vigilant about guarding against contamination.


Auction house to sell leg irons that held abolitionist John Brown

Auction house to sell leg irons that held abolitionist John Brown

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The leg irons that restrained abolitionist John Brown after his failed 1859 raid on a federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry are being sold Saturday in Texas, but two historical parks dedicated to his legacy can't afford to bid on them


Sony chief says time needed to study proposal from US hedge fund, promises investors revival

TOKYO - Sony Corp. needs more time to study a key proposal from a U.S. hedge fund to spin off a part of its entertainment unit as a way to propel its fledgling revival, the chief executive told shareholders Thursday.


The hit man next door: Bulger cohort's testimony shocks neighbours in Mass.

MILFORD, Mass. - He parks his silver Mercedes-Benz sedan behind his condo, below a deck decorated with white and pink flowers, where a couple of small dogs bark at the few passers-by.


Man faces sentencing in OH murder case that hinged on paralyzed victim blinking to ID shooter

CINCINNATI - An Ohio man found guilty in a murder trial that hinged on a paralyzed victim blinking his eyes to identify his shooter is scheduled to be sentenced.


NYC philanthropist Astor's son, 89, to hear Thursday whether he must start prison term

NEW YORK, N.Y. - An 89-year-old heir could end up in prison after a court date on his 11th-hour bid for a new trial in a case that shook New York society.