Chinese-made drywall ruining homes, owners say

Officials are looking into claims that Chinese-made drywall installed in some Florida homes is emitting smelly, corrosive gases and ruining household systems such as air conditioners, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says. The Florida Health Department, which is investigating whether the drywall poses any health risks, said it has received more than 140 homeowner complaints

San Diego: The new super-yacht capital?

It carries the nickname "America’s Finest City," and right now it appears San Diego is living up to the hype. Though the international financial crisis has precipitated economic woe across the United States, developments in San Diego’s super-yacht industry don’t appear to be slowing. Fifth Avenue Landing, a stylish new facility promising the ultimate docking experience for super-yachts up to 300 feet long, has just opened in city’s downtown area

Sarkozy wins French NATO re-entry vote

Opposition lawmakers Tuesday ridiculed President Nicolas Sarkozy for taking France back into NATO’s military command after more than 40 years, but were unable to stop the move when it came to a vote. The National Assembly voted in favor of Sarkozy’s plan, 329-238. Socialist Laurent Fabius, a former prime minister, told Prime Minister Francois Fillon: “You tell us this would mean more independence and more influence.

Senators want to fight Mexican drug cartels’ expanding influence

A bloody war between Mexican drug cartels is no longer solely a south-of-the-border problem, members of Congress said Tuesday at a hearing on the issue. The violence accompanying those battles has crept into the United States, and is believed to largely be fueled by money and guns pouring over the border from America, said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois.

North Korean premier arrives in China

North Korea Premier Kim Yong-Il arrived in China on Tuesday for a five-day visit that coincides with the 60th anniversary celebration of diplomatic ties between the two countries, state media said. The visit is the first for Kim, who was elected in 2007. He is not related to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, who controls the country’s military

American, 88, freed after two months in Mexican jail

An elderly American man has been released from a Mexican jail more than two months after the grandson he was traveling with was arrested on child pornography charges, a family member said. Edward Chrisman, 88, and his grandson had traveled to Algodones, Mexico, for discount dental care, as a part of a growing trend known as medical tourism

Iran’s Khatami won’t run for president, state news agency says

Iran’s moderate former president will not challenge President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the upcoming presidential election, the state-run Fars news agency said Monday. Mohammad Khatami said last month that he would run in June, ending weeks of speculation, the state-run IRNA news agency reported February 8. But he now says he will instead support moderate candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi, Fars reported Monday

Contador stamps his authority on Paris-Nice

Alberto Contador wrested the overall lead in the Paris-Nice cycle race on Friday with a commanding victory on the testing sixth stage. Contador was always expected to make his move on the “mini-Ventoux” in a summit finish to the stage at La Montagne de Lur and did not disappoint