Sacking of Dior designer Galliano overshadows Paris fashion week
PARIS (AP) — Emerging designers fought for the limelight as Paris’ fall-winter 2011-12 ready-to-wear shows began on Tuesday, but the surprise sacking of Dior’s longtime designer John Galliano stole their thunder.
Christian Dior SA said it had launched layoff proceedings against Galliano following the creative director’s suspension on Friday pending an investigation into an alleged anti-Semitic incident at a Paris cafe.
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Gadhafi forces retake towns near Libyan capital as rebellion continues
TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Moammar Gadhafi’s forces battled poorly armed rebels Tuesday for control of towns near the capital trying to create a buffer zone around his seat of power. The increasingly violent clashes threatened to transform the 15-day popular rebellion in Libya into a drawn-out civil war.
Facing an unprecedented challenge to his 41-year rule, Gadhafi’s regime has launched the bloodiest crackdown in a wave of uprising against authoritarian rulers in the Middle East.
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Greece: 59 migrants on hunger strike hospitalized on 36th day
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — In the opulent settings of a central Athens mansion, more than 200 North African immigrants are slowly starving themselves to death in a bid to secure legal residence — the latest headache for debt-crippled Greece’s governing Socialists.
By late Tuesday, the 36th day of the hunger strike, 59 of the men had been hospitalized with kidney, heart and other problems. Doctors say several more will need treatment soon as dozens have stopped taking liquids.
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Georgia joins 10 states questioning Obama citizenship with legislation
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia is the latest state to propose legislation that questions whether President Barack Obama was born in the U.S., joining 10 other states with measures wanting more proof before his name is put on the 2012 ballot.
Even though Hawaii officials have repeatedly confirmed Obama’s citizenship, his birth certificate was made public and courts have rebuffed challenges, the so-called “birther” issue hasn’t gone away.
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Massachusetts man punished for importing sperm whale teeth
BOSTON (AP) — A Massachusetts antiques dealer convicted of illegally importing and trafficking in sperm whale teeth and narwhal whale tusks worth up to $400,000 has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison.
Authorities say David Place was sentenced Tuesday after a federal jury in Boston convicted him of eight counts including conspiracy and violating a law against trading in illegally captured wildlife.
Place owned Manor House Antiques Cooperative in Nantucket. Prosecutors say he committed the violations from 2001 to 2004.
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University of La. System puts up 138 programs to be cut, merged
(AP) — The University of Louisiana System has put 138 degree programs — many education certification specialties — up for elimination or consolidation in response to a Board of Regents’ order to cut offerings at its schools.
The Daily Advertiser reported Tuesday that the system’s staff compiled the recommendations from its eight campuses after the Regents identified 200 programs as “low completer” programs that could be chopped. System campuses recommended consolidating 98 programs, terminating 35 and continuing 63.
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New Orleans anti-gay pastor booked on obscenity charge
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A former pastor known for attempts to shut down an annual gay festival in New Orleans is apologizing following his arrest on an obscenity charge.
Rev. Grant Storms was arrested Friday after two women reported seeing him masturbating as he sat in a van near a playground, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Storms told television stations he was in his van, reclined, with his hands in his underwear.
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