7.1 quake hits eastern Indonesia, no tsunami threat: USGS

JAKARTA: A major 7.1-magnitude earthquake shook eastern Indonesia's Maluku islands Tuesday but there was no tsunami alert, the US Geological Survey said.The quake hit at 1653 GMT some 365 kilometres (226 miles) south-southeast of Ambon in the Maluku islands at a relatively deep 157 kilometres, it said, revising its strength down slightly from an initial measurement of 7.2.Indonesian government...

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Looks like dismal voter turnout to end Facebook's quasi democracy

So much for a quasi-democratic Facebook. So far, the social network's users haven't cast anywhere near enough votes to preserve users' ability to veto Facebook's policy changes.Facebook users have until noon today to vote on Facebook's recently proposed policy changes relating to data use and privacy. Unless at least 30 percent of Facebook's membership -- or around 300 million users -- cast ballots,...

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N. Korea extends rocket launch window a week

SEOUL, South Korea North Korea on Monday extended the launch period for a controversial long-range rocket by another week, until Dec. 29, citing technical problems. An unidentified spokesman for the North's Korean Committee of Space Technology told state media scientists found a "technical deficiency in the first-stage control engine module of the rocket." The statement didn't elaborate, but said...

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Iran: We Stole All Secrets From US Drone

An Iranian military commander claimed Monday that the country has stolen all the secrets held by a high-tech American surveillance drone that crashed in Iran last year, according to Iranian news reports."All the intelligence in this drone has been completely decoded and extracted and we know each and every step it has taken," said Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Commander of the...

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Egypt's opposition scorns Mursi's concession

CAIRO (Reuters) - A concession offered by President Mohamed Mursi failed to placate opponents who accused him on Sunday of plunging Egypt deeper into crisis by refusing to postpone a vote on a constitution shaped by Islamists. Islamists say they see the referendum as sealing a democratic transition that began when a popular uprising toppled Hosni Mubarak 22 months ago after three decades...

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Football: FA probe 'appalling' Ferdinand coin attack

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: The Football Association have opened an investigation into the incident that saw Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand hit by a coin during his side's 3-2 win at Manchester City on Sunday.The English centre-back was left with blood pouring from his face after being hit by the coin apparently thrown from the crowd in the aftermath of Robin van Persie's injury-time...

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Iran launches own YouTube-like video-sharing Web site

Mehr, Iran's alternative to YouTube.(Credit:Screenshot by Steven Musil/CNET)Iran has launched a video-sharing site in its latest effort to provide alternative government-sanctioned Internet services.Dubbed "Mehr," the Farsi word for affection, the site aims to attract Persian-speaking users and promote Iranian culture, according to the About Us page reviewed by the Agence France-Press."From now on,...

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Cory Booker considering run for N.J. governor, Senate

(CBS News) Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker did not skirt the question nor pause for a moment when asked if he had aspirations for higher office. Booker said he is considering running for either the New Jersey Senate seat or governor. "I am absolutely considering running for governor, as well as giving other options some consideration." Booker said on CBS News' "Face the Nation." He added that he...

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Cowboys Players Were Like 'Brothers'

Dallas Cowboys players Joshua Price-Brent and Jerry Brown Jr., had a brotherly bond that began when they were teammates at the University of Illinois and carried on when they were both signed, in different years, to the NFL franchise.But in an instant, the lives of the young, successful men who were living out their NFL dreams were altered.Irving police suspect Price-Brent,...

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Football: Wigan leave Redknapp still searching for first win

WIGAN, United Kingdom: QPR manager Harry Redknapp was left looking for his first win since he took over at the Premier League bottom side after a double by Ireland international James McCarthy gave Wigan a deserved 2-2 draw here on Saturday.QPR remain rooted to the bottom despite coming from behind to lead 2-1 through goals by their Kiwi captain Ryan Nelsen and substitute Djibril Cisse...

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