Reuters - A couple who penetrated layers of security to enter a State Dinner at the White House this week without an invitation met U.S. President Barack Obama in the receiving line, a White House official said on Friday.
When he stopped his car at a traffic light in Basra, Bassam Rady noticed the motorbike with two riders on it inch past him. Suddenly the bike swung round and Mr Rady, sensing danger, tried to drive off. Before he could, a man on the back of the bike pulled a gun from his jacket and fired. The bullet went through the windscreen and just missed him. As he sped away another shot was fired, but missed the car. Mr Rady is a former interpreter for British forces in Iraq. As such, his life is in danger from the militia that once terrorised the Iraqi city and is now returning. More than a year ago Iraqi soldiers, backed by US forces, brought peace and stability to Basra by driving militants over the…
AP - Older Americans who were raised on stories of the Great Depression and acquired lifelong habits of thrift now find themselves crowding soup kitchens and food pantries in greater numbers for the first time after seeing retirement funds, second jobs and nest eggs wiped out by recession.
AFP - Rescue workers searched for bodies on Saturday and investigators opened a terrorism probe after a Russian passenger train derailed overnight, reportedly killing 39 people and injuring nearly 100 more.
AP - For years, Dubai seemed unstoppable, an oasis of excess boasting indoor ski slopes and manmade islands, the world’s tallest tower and dreams that reached even higher.
AP - The nation’s shoppers took advantage of deals on toys and TVs with some renewed vigor in stores and online on Black Friday after a year of concentrating their spending on basic necessities.
Reuters - At least 39 people were killed and nearly 100 injured when a Russian express train was derailed late on Friday in what the head of the national railway company said could have been a bomb attack.