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Monday, September 29, 2014

Van Gogh still life coming to auction in NYC

Van Gogh still life coming to auction in NYC

Van Gogh still life coming to auction in NYC

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:35 PM PDT

This undated photo provided by Sotheby's shows Vincent van Gogh's "Still Life, Vase With Daisies and Poppies," which could sell for $30 million to $50 million when it is auctioned by Sotheby's in New York on Nov. 4, 2014. Van Gogh painted it weeks before his death at the home of his physician, Dr. Paul Gachet, in 1890. It's one of the few works he sold during his lifetime. (AP Photo/Sothyby's)NEW YORK (AP) — A bouquet of wildflowers painted by Vincent van Gogh weeks before his death is going on the auction block in New York City.

Brazil's Rousseff pulls ahead in election poll

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:35 PM PDT

Brazil's President and Workers' Party (PT) presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff gives a thumbs up to journalists as she arrives for a TV debate, in Sao PauloBRASILIA (Reuters) - President Dilma Rousseff is leading her closest rival Marina Silva by nine percentage points in a likely second-round runoff to Brazil's presidential election that begins on Sunday, a new opinion poll showed on Monday. Rousseff would win the runoff by 47.7 percent of the votes against 38.7 percent for Silva, widening her lead from the one-point advantage she had in the previous survey by polling firm MDA last week. In first-round voting, scheduled for Oct. 5, leftist incumbent Rousseff has 40.4 percent voter support and environmentalist Silva 25.2 percent. ...

Road salt supply low, demand high as winter looms

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:34 PM PDT

In a this Sept. 16, 2014 photo salt is unloaded at the Scio Township, Mich. maintenance yard. The rewards for surviving last year's punishing winter are tight supplies of road salt and some drastic price spikes for the commodity across much of the U.S. as the next cold season approaches. Some Midwest county road officials are facing price increases that are twice or more _ even five times _ what they paid last year if they can get it. Increases of at least 20 percent have been common in cities including Boston and Raleigh, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)DETROIT (AP) — The reward for surviving last winter's frigid temperatures and record snowfall, several states are learning, is drastic price increases for road salt — in some cases, five times as expensive as last season.

US stocks head lower, following drops overseas

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:32 PM PDT

A specialist works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. The U.S. stock market slid to start the week, following European markets lower. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)NEW YORK (AP) — Concerns over high stock prices and global politics continued to plague markets Monday as major stock indexes ended with slight losses in another day of choppy trading. Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, a major world financial center, added to the host of political concerns on investors' minds.

Stars at S. Laurent, Valli makes Clooney wife coup

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:32 PM PDT

Models wear creations as part of Stella McCartney's Spring/Summer 2015 ready-to-wear fashion collection presented in Paris, France, Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)PARIS (AP) — Beginning with Stella McCartney and ending with powerhouse Saint Laurent, Paris fashion shows packed a creative punch Monday — luring in myriad front row stars such as Salma Hayek, Lenny Kravitz, Catherine Deneuve and Neneh Cherry.

High court puts off start of early voting in Ohio

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:32 PM PDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided Supreme Court has put off the start of early voting in Ohio, which had been set to begin Tuesday.

Sacramento police seek suspect in dog's drowning

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:30 PM PDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Sacramento police are searching for a man suspected of tying a bowling ball to a dog and drowning the border collie in the American River.

Argentina to deposit Par coupon payment Tuesday: source

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:28 PM PDT

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina will deposit the next interest payment due on its restructured debt with a domestic bank on Tuesday, a source at the central bank said, defying a U.S. court that blocked such payments until the country compensated U.S. hedge funds suing over unpaid bonds. The country fell into default again in July after the U.S. judge overseeing its decade-long court battle with the funds - known as "holdouts" - froze a June coupon payment on Argentine foreign law bonds once it reached a U.S. intermediary bank. ...

Syria backs global fight against Islamic State, minister tells U.N.

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:27 PM PDT

By Michelle Nichols and Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Syria stands with a worldwide effort to combat Islamic State, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said on Monday, in a statement to the United Nations that appeared to give tacit approval of U.S. and Arab air strikes in Syria targeting the militants. Moualem told the United Nations General Assembly that military action to tackle Islamic State, al Qaeda's Syrian wing Nusra Front, and other extremist groups should coincide with cutting off their flow of funds, weapons, fighters and training. ...

Christie campaigns for Walker in Wisconsin

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:24 PM PDT

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, right, talk with employees at Empire Bucket as Walker campaigns in Hudson, Wis., Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)HUDSON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's tense race for governor got some political star power Wednesday, with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie urging Republicans to step up their support for a potential presidential rival, Scott Walker. First Lady Michelle Obama, meanwhile, was campaigning for former state commerce secretary Mary Burke.

Amanda Bynes arrested for DUI in Los Angeles

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:24 PM PDT

FILE - In this June 5, 2011 file photo, Amanda Bynes arrives at the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles. Bynes was arrested early on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, and booked on suspicion of driving while under the influence of a drug. She was released after posting $15,000 bail. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former actress Amanda Bynes was arrested early Sunday morning on suspicion of driving while under the influence of a drug, authorities said Monday.

Islamic State closes in on Kurdish area of Syria

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:23 PM PDT

Turkish tanks roll to take positions along the Turkey-Syria border near Suruc, Turkey, Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. U.S.-led coalition air raids targeted towns and villages in northern and eastern Syria controlled by the Islamic State group, including one strike that hit a grain silo and reportedly killed civilians, activists said Monday.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)ANTAKYA, Turkey (AP) — Militants of the Islamic State group were closing in Monday on a Kurdish area of Syria on the border with Turkey — an advance unhindered so far by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, including one that struck a grain silo, killing two civilians, according to activists.

Battle against Islamic State creates new alliances

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:20 PM PDT

In this Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014 photo, radical al-Qaida-linked preacher Abu Qatada, first left, receives a friend, on the day he was released from Jordanian prison after an acquittal on security charges, in Amman, Jordan. Abu Qatada and Abu Mohammed al-Maqdisi, two of Jordan's top pro-al-Qaida ideologues held court on the rooftop of a villa whispering to each other and rising occasionally from plastic chairs to greet supporters. The two have denounced some of the Islamic State group's practices as un-Islamic - comments some analysts say have turned the preachers into assets in Jordan's campaign to contain the Islamic State, which is believed to have attracted thousands of followers in Jordan. (AP photo/Mohammad Hannon)AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — On a recent evening, two of Jordan's top pro-al-Qaida ideologues held court on the rooftop of a villa decorated with strings of lights. Sporting shaggy beards and robes, the Muslim preachers whispered to each other and rose occasionally from plastic chairs to greet supporters.

Big smile in Denver bank robbery suspect mug shot

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:20 PM PDT

A Sept. 23, 2014 photo provided by the Denver District Attorney's Office shows Michael Whitington with a broad, toothy smile and eyes open wide after his Sept. 23, 2014 arrest in Denver. Whitington was captured after allegedly trying to flee a bank robbery in Denver. He has been charged with one count of robbery and is due to appear in court on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, to be advised of the charge. (AP Photo/Denver District Attorney's Office)DENVER (AP) — The mug shot of a man captured after trying to flee a bank robbery in Denver shows him flashing a broad, toothy grin.

Obama hosting India's Modi for White House visit

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:18 PM PDT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of IndiaWASHINGTON (AP) — Once shunned by the United States, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is riding a wave of enthusiasm and popular support Monday to the White House, where he is kicking off a two-day visit with President Barack Obama. The two leaders are working to put a brave face on the relationship despite widespread concerns that U.S.-Indian ties have frayed in recent years.

Argentina says US contempt sanctions over debt would be illegal

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:12 PM PDT

U.S. Secretary of State Kerry and Argentina's Foreign Minister Timerman attend a High-Level Dialogue on Combating Violence Targeting LGBT at the United Nations headquarters in New YorkBy Joseph Ax and Hugh Bronstein NEW YORK/BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina said on Monday that any sanctions for contempt of court, leveled against it for refusing to pay U.S. hedge funds suing over defaulted debt, would be illegal under international law. The hedge funds have asked a U.S. judge to order the country to pay $50,000 a day after the government enacted a new law to skirt a court ruling saying it must pay more than $1.3 billion in interest to U.S. investment funds known as "holdouts" after they rejected Argentina's 2005 and 2010 bond restructurings. ...

Judge Griesa holds Argentina in contempt in debt case

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:12 PM PDT

Argentina Default(Reuters) - A U.S. judge held Argentina in contempt of court on Monday, saying the republic was trying to find ways to circumvent a prior order requiring it pay holdout bondholders at the same time as other creditors who restructured their debt in recent years. U.S. District Judge Thomas Griesa in Manhattan deferred a decision on imposing sanctions against Argentina to a later date. But he did say that the "problem is that the republic of Argentina has been and is now taking steps in an attempt to evade critical parts of" his injunction. ...

Jim Harbaugh dismisses reports of 49ers discord

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:12 PM PDT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Jim Harbaugh has no time for Deion Sanders, Trent Dilfer or others who want to question whether the fourth-year coach has lost his locker room or the faith of his players.

Defense, prosecutors preview school cheating cases

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:11 PM PDT

Defendant Dana Evans talks to her attorney, Robert Rubin, during the prosecution's opening statement in a case against 12 former Atlanta Public Schools educators and administrators, in Atlanta, Monday, Sept. 29, 2014 in Fulton County Superior Court. Prosecutors said 12 former Atlanta Public Schools educators and administrators cheated, lied and stole as part of a widespread but cleverly disguised conspiracy to inflate state test scores that affected thousands of students. Prosecutors have agreed to plea deals with 21 other defendants included in the initial indictment. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Kent D. Johnson, Pool)ATLANTA (AP) — Prosecutors said Monday that 12 former Atlanta Public Schools educators and administrators cheated, lied and stole as part of a widespread but cleverly disguised conspiracy to inflate state test scores that affected thousands of students. Defense attorneys countered in their opening statements that their clients were committed educators but made enemies of former colleagues who are now lying about their involvement in cheating.

US stocks slip following drops overseas

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:07 PM PDT

Specialist Anthony Rinaldi works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. The U.S. stock market slid to start the week, following European markets lower. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are closing slightly lower after recovering most of an early slide.

Afghan president sworn in, paving way for US pact

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:07 PM PDT

Afghanistan's new President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai shakes hands with Afghanistan's Chief Justice Abdul Salam AzimiKABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan swore in Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai as its second elected president on Monday, embarking on a new era with a national unity government poised to confront a resilient Taliban insurgency by signing an agreement with the United States that would guarantee a continuing American military presence.

A's Lester, Royals' Shields in AL wild-card focus

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:04 PM PDT

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jon Lester throws to the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals made one of the boldest trades in franchise history two years ago. The Oakland Athletics made a similarly aggressive move just a couple of months ago.

VA settles complaints by 3 Phoenix whistleblowers

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:04 PM PDT

FILE - In this July 8, 2014 file photo, Katherine Mitchell, M.D., medical director, Iraq and Afghanistan Post-Deployment Center, Phoenix VA Health Care System, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Veterans Affairs Department has reached financial settlements with three employees who faced retaliation after filing whistleblower complaints about the troubled Phoenix VA hospital. The employees were among the first to report widespread wrongdoing at the Phoenix hospital, including chronic delays for veterans seeking care and falsified waiting lists covering up those delays. Similar problems soon were identified across the country amid a growing scandal that forced the ouster of former VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Veterans Affairs Department said Monday it has settled complaints filed by three employees who faced retaliation after filing whistleblower complaints about the troubled Phoenix VA hospital.

Toyota recalls 690,000 pickups in US over fire risk

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:00 PM PDT

New and used Toyota cars and truck are lined up at a Toyota dealership in Torrance, California, on March 12, 2010Washington (AFP) - Toyota on Monday said it was recalling about 690,000 Tacoma pickup trucks in the United States to fix a suspension system flaw that could result in vehicle fires.

FAA reviews security after Chicago air traffic center fire

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 01:00 PM PDT

Passengers wait in line to reschedule flights at O'Hare International Airport on September 26, 2014 in Chicago, IllinoisWashington (AFP) - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Monday a nationwide security review, three days after a fire at a key Chicago air traffic facility led to ongoing travel chaos.

AP: Mayor nixes tax break to save Taj Mahal casino

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:53 PM PDT

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Atlantic City's mayor said Monday he cannot agree to massive tax reductions sought by the owners of the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, throwing into serious doubt an already long-shot plan by billionaire Carl Icahn to buy and save the casino and its 2,800 jobs.

Number of US kids in foster care up after long dip

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:52 PM PDT

After dropping for seven straight years, the number of U.S. children in foster care rose slightly last year, according to new federal figures released Monday.

45 dogs dead, 48 alive after North Las Vegas fire

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:50 PM PDT

A small dog looks out from beneath a car in the front yard at a home where more than two dozen dogs were killed in an overnight fire in North Las Vegas on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. Firefighters say at least 41 dogs were killed and 52 survived after the fire. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, Chase Stevens)LAS VEGAS (AP) — Authorities in North Las Vegas say the tenants of a house owned by a city councilman could face animal-cruelty charges after a weekend fire killed 45 of 93 small dogs inside.

Netanyahu: Hamas, Islamic State group share creed

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:47 PM PDT

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters, Friday, Sept. 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)UNITED NATIONS (AP) — In a blistering speech to the United Nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday that Hamas and the Islamic State group are "branches of the same poisonous tree," both bent on world domination through terror, just as the Nazis were.

Jeb Bush appears for Sen. Roberts in Kansas

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:41 PM PDT

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Potential 2016 Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush weighed in to a key midterm election race on Monday, telling a Kansas fundraiser for struggling Sen. Pat Roberts that the incumbent must be re-elected so the GOP can take control of the Senate and "fix a few things" in Washington.

Texas' Strong tells Goodell colleges can do better

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:36 PM PDT

NFL football commissioner Roger Goodell arrives at the headquarters of the National Domestic Violence hotline, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — College football programs need to do a better job of molding players into responsible adults, Texas coach Charlie Strong said Monday, a day after he visited with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Rep. Lamborn decried for urging generals to quit

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:35 PM PDT

FILE - In this June 16, 2014 file photo, incumbent U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, (R-Colo.), speaks during the GOP congressional debate at Centennial Hall in Colorado Springs, Colo. A Lamborn spokesman said Monday Sept. 29, 2014, that the Republican congressman from Colorado was not trying to undermine President Barack Obama's military actions in the Middle East by recently urging generals who disagreed with the president to resign "in a blaze of glory." (AP Photo/Julia Moss, The Colorado Springs Gazette, file) MAGS OUTDENVER (AP) — A Republican congressman from Colorado was not trying to undermine President Barack Obama's military actions in the Middle East by urging generals who disagreed with the president to resign "in a blaze of glory," a spokesman said Monday.

Ferguson officer enlists police union attorney

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:31 PM PDT

FILE - In this Feb. 11, 2014 file image from video provided by the City of Ferguson, Mo., officer Darren Wilson attends a city council meeting in Ferguson. Police identified Wilson, 28, as the police officer who shot Michael Brown on Aug. 9, 2014 in the St. Louis suburb. The incident sparked racial unrest and numerous protests, including some that turned violent. (AP Photo/City of Ferguson, File)CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — The suburban St. Louis County police officer who fatally shot an unarmed 18-year-old has enlisted a police union attorney who has spent decades representing members of law enforcement in court.

Crew makes 1,126-pound bowl of Hawaii rice dish

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:25 PM PDT

HONOLULU (AP) — A group is claiming a world record for a popular Hawaii dish, after putting together a massive bowl of rice, hamburger, eggs and gravy.

Correction: St Louis-Jazz Center story

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:22 PM PDT

This artist's rendering provided by Jazz St. Louis shows the new Harold & Dorothy Steward Center, in St. Louis. Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra are scheduled to perform at the grand opening of the center on Thursday. (AP Photo/Jazz St. Louis)ST. LOUIS (AP) — In a story Sept. 27 about a new jazz center in St. Louis, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Dave Steward is CEO of World Wide Technology. He is actually chairman.

'Children of a Lesser God' heads to Broadway

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:22 PM PDT

FILE - In this April 8, 2004 file photo, playwright Mark Medoff author of "Children of a Lesser God," poses in New York. Producer Hal Luftig said Monday that a revival is in the works for the 2015-2016 Broadway season. Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon will direct. (AP Photo/Justin Walters, File)NEW YORK (AP) — The romantic story "Children of a Lesser God," which has been a hit already onstage and on film, is heading back to Broadway.

IS jihadists close in on key Syria border town

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:21 PM PDT

Syrian Kurds stand on a hill looking down on clashes between Islamic State jihadists and Kurdish fighters, near the Turkey-Syria border, on September 28, 2014Damascus (AFP) - Islamic State group fighters closed in Monday to within only a few kilometres of a key Kurdish town on Syria's border with Turkey, despite new air strikes by the US-led coalition.

Jury selection begins in penalty retrial of Arias

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:19 PM PDT

FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2013, file photo, Jodi Arias appears for her trial in Maricopa County Superior court in Phoenix. Jury selection is set to begin in the penalty retrial of convicted murderer Arias, on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014, as prosecutors again seek a death sentence. A previous jury deadlocked on punishment. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)PHOENIX (AP) — About two dozen potential jurors who said they could not be impartial were dismissed Monday in the penalty retrial of convicted murderer Jodi Arias, as prosecutors again seek a death sentence in the Arizona case that became a tabloid TV sensation.

Toll from Guinea-Bissau mine blast rises to 22

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:18 PM PDT

BISAAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — Two more people who were wounded when a minibus struck a land mine in Guinea-Bissau have died, a doctor said Monday, raising the death toll in the accident to 22.

Islamic State fight seen costing U.S. $2.4 billion or more annually

Posted: 29 Sep 2014 12:13 PM PDT

By David Alexander WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. military efforts against Islamic State have cost nearly $1 billion so far and are likely to run between $2.4 billion and $3.8 billion per year if air and ground operations continue at the current pace, according to a think tank analysis. But a ramp-up, including more air strikes and a significant boost in ground forces, could send costs soaring to between $13 billion and $22 billion annually, said the analysis released on Monday by the nonpartisan Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. ...
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