Europe

French Hostage Released After Being Held For 3 Years By Al-Qaida

9:38am December 11, 2014

by Eleanor Beardsley

France has now obtained the release of all known French hostages being held by militants, but critics say there are questions about whether governments should negotiate with hostage-takers.

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The Russian pop group Televizor has criticized Russia's involvement in Ukraine. Here, frontman Mikhail Borzykin performs at a 2011 show in St. Petersburg. At some concerts he sings, "Putin is a fascist," a reference to the Russian president, shown on the

Russian Pop Stars Pay A Price For Speaking Out On Ukraine

8:44am December 11, 2014

by Corey Flintoff

Russian performers who have criticized the country's role in Ukraine have been denounced on TV programs and had concert dates abruptly canceled.

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For The Sophisticated Souse, Fabric Infused With A Whiff Of Whiskey

8:13am December 11, 2014

Johnnie Walker Black Label has teamed up with an Edinburgh university to invent cloth that emits a subtle aroma of liquor, a scent the researchers say some find attractive.

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World News

Alan Rusbridger, Editor Of 'Guardian,' To Step Down

2:51pm December 10, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

He is best known in the U.S. for shepherding the newspaper through its coverage of Edward Snowden's leaks of classified material. He will become the chair of the trust that runs the Guardian.

After a woman reported that she was raped by an Uber driver in New Delhi, protesters gathered outside a police station.

Alleged Rape Of Passenger Raises Concerns About How Uber Runs Abroad

1:51pm December 10, 2014

by Nsikan Akpan

A passenger in an Uber car in New Delhi reported that the driver raped her. As the company expands into the developing world, questions about the screening of its drivers are being raised.

Sports

Lebron Somehow Forgets British Royals' Well-Known 'No Touching' Rule

6:23am December 10, 2014

In a photo op, the Cleveland Cavaliers star put his arm around Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. The press in England immediately went into a huffy Miss Manners mode.

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Politics & Government

Britain's House Of Lords Still Seems As Elitist As The Name Suggests

6:23am December 10, 2014

The unelected legislative body recently refused to merge its catering services with those of the House of Commons, out of concerns for the quality of the chamber's champagne selection.

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The 1962 Nobel Prize Medal in Medicine or Physiology that James Watson sold at auction last week will be returned to him, at the buyer's request.

Science

After $4.75 Million Auction, Watson Will Get Nobel Medal Back

6:27pm December 09, 2014

by Bill Chappell

"In my opinion, a situation in which an outstanding scientist has to sell a medal recognizing his achievements is unacceptable," says Russian business tycoon Alisher Usmanov.

World News

Ireland Softens Under Pressure To Drop Its Corporate 'Duty-Free Zone'

12:27pm December 09, 2014

by Ari Shapiro

U.S. and European officials are angry about Irish rules that let some firms pay just 2 percent in corporate taxes. Ireland announced some tax code changes, but few think they will change things much.

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Raimund Larat at a recent Sinterklaas parade in Amsterdam. He and his family object to the Black Pete tradition and believe the Christmas character should change.

World News

Santa's Black-Faced Helpers Are Under Fire In The Netherlands

6:49pm December 08, 2014

by Eleanor Beardsley

Since the 19th century, Christmas in the Netherlands has always included Santa's helpers, known as Black Pete. He's a Christmas tradition to some and a racist stereotype to others.

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