The conflict between Iran and the West just keeps heating up, with the Iranians announcing over the weekend that they have begun to enrich uranium at a second major facility, a well-defended site outside the city of Qom. Given the high stakes, it’s valuable to take another look at the main source of the tension: Iran’s nuclear-weapons program. That this enterprise is active is widely considered ...

Last week, Israelis had one more reason to be proud of themselves ― one of their cities was singled out for a rare honor. The Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail selected the “most creative cities” of the world. Leaning on the Global Creativity Index, devised at the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, the newspaper looked at the three T’s (techno...

Rights campaigners and politicians Wednesday condemned a video showing women from a protected and primitive tribe dancing for tourists reportedly in exchange for food on India’s Andaman Islands. British newspaper The Observer released the undated video showing Jarawa tribal women ― some of them naked ― being lured to dance and sing after a bribe was allegedly paid to a policeman to produce them....

NEW YORK (AFP) ― British artist and self-marketing genius Damien Hirst looks to connect the dots in a big way with the opening Thursday of a global show for his body of colored spot paintings. The Gagosian Gallery network, with 11 locations in New York, London, Paris, Los Angeles, Rome, Athens, Geneva and Hong Kong, has been turned over entirely to Hirst’s geometric blizzard of round spots. At ...

WASHINGTON (AFP) ― U.S. President Barack Obama took a break from the affairs of state to rub shoulders with Hollywood royalty Wednesday, meeting Angelina Jolie and her beau Brad Pitt at the White House. Jolie was in Washington for the launch of her new movie “In the Land of Blood and Honey” and the couple were seen through the paneled windows of the Oval Office by reporters and photographers. “...

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Katy Perry is in the popular clique now. The singer-actress won the most People’s Choice Awards at Wednesday’s 38th annual fan-favorite extravaganza. Perry, who was absent from the ceremony, was honored in five categories, including favorite female artist, tour headliner, song of the year for “E.T.’’ with Kanye West, music video for “Last Friday Night,’’ and TV guest star for ...

The government has decided to discount medical fees for people who designate neighborhood clinics as their primary care facilities, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Wednesday. The new system comes into effect starting in April. Currently, 70 percent of outpatient medical expenses are covered by the national health insurance program, but for those who register a nearby clinic as their prim...

An appeals court here ruled on Thursday in support of the local fair trade watchdog's decision to fine 16 airlines for fuel surcharge price fixing. The Seoul High Court rejected Thai Airways International's demand that the Fair Trade Commission withdraw its 2.1 billion won ($1.8 million) penalty imposed on the company for price fixing. "We recognize that Thai Airways and other air cargo carrier...

HONG KONG (Yonhap) -- South Korean cosmetics maker Genic Co. is set to begin operations in China this year in a bid to tap into the world's fastest growing cosmetics market, officials said Thursday. Genic recently obtained approval for a hygiene permit from the Chinese Ministry of Health in order to register products in China, company officials said. The cosmetics manufacturer holds the largest...

WASHINGTON (AP) ― With Penguins captain Sidney Crosby watching from the press box, Washington’s Jason Chimera scored off a turnover in the first period and Tomas Vokoun made 30 saves, giving the Capitals a 1-0 victory on Wednesday night, Pittsburgh’s sixth consecutive loss. Vokoun handed Pittsburgh its first shutout this season. The Penguins have scored only six goals in the skid. Chimera gave ...