9/11 widow apparently on Buffalo flight

Friends, relatives and acquaintances were shocked to hear news reports that Beverly Eckert, the widow of a September 11 victim, was aboard the Continental flight to Buffalo, New York, that crashed Thursday night. “I am horribly saddened by this news,” said Valerie Lucznikowska, a member of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. Lucznikowska said she, Eckert and another woman traveled to Washington last Friday for a meeting between 9/11 family members and President Barack Obama

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Could South Africa be the worst team to host the World Cup?

It is an unwritten rule of all World Cups: if the host nation fails on the pitch, interest in the competition dies off the pitch. As the 500 day countdown to the 2010 World Cup begins, most commentators have focused on South Africa’s preparedness, with the country’s vast unfinished stadiums causing concern in some quarters. But far more worrying for the country’s fans is the state of the national football team

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Global alert issued for 85 terror suspects

Interpol has issued a rare global security alert for 85 suspected al Qaeda-linked terrorists wanted by Saudi Arabia. The “orange alert,” issued on Tuesday, comes after Saudi Arabia asked for Interpol’s help last week in apprehending the 83 Saudis and two Yemenis.

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Frustration for survivors as Australian bushfires smolder

As fires smoldered and sometimes raged across sections of the scarred landscape Tuesday, rescue officials in Victoria attempted to offer solace to hundreds burned out of their homes and frustrated at being unable to return. Tent cities sprung up around Whittlesea, just north of Melbourne, as relief agencies pitched camps for those forced out of their homes

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Ahmadinejad: Iran welcomes Obama overtures

Iran’s president said Tuesday his country welcomes talks with the United States "in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect." Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made the remarks a day after President Barack Obama said the United States is looking for opportunities for “face to face” dialogue with Iran, even though he has “deep concerns” about Tehran’s actions. “Right now, the world is entering the era of dialogue,” Ahmadinejad told hundreds of thousands of people in a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution. “The new U.S.

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Chelsea cleared to talk with Hiddink

Chelsea said on Tuesday that they had been given permission to talk with Guus Hiddink about taking charge at the Premier League club until the end of the season. The Dutchman has emerged as the clear favorite to replace the sacked Luis Felipe Scolari, but his involvement with the Russian national team is a stumbling block.

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Facebook flashmob shuts down station

Thousands of dancers jammed a major London train station in a Facebook-driven "flashmob" mimicking an advertisement for a phone company. And the event last Friday evening was so successful that another is planned for next Friday in Trafalgar Square in central London. Plus, a group has been set up to organize another one at Liverpool Street Station a week later.

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