Photo of the day - December 31, 2011

VIDEO: Pre-caucus scramble
Republican presidential hopefuls are cramming in the campaigning as the time approaches for the critical Iowa caucus.

Man's marijuana stash isn't safe anymore
Tip for pot-growers: even if gun-toting thieves bust into your home, it may not be smart to call the cops.

Canadian freed in Congo
Media reports say that an Ottawa man who had been jailed in the Congo because of his political ties has been freed.

'Stupid' dead man sued for flying body parts
An Illinois woman has the green light to sue a dead man's estate after she was hit by one of his flying body parts.

Photo of the day - December 30, 2011

'Occupy, 'baby bump' banished
The wordsmiths at Lake Superior State University released their annual list of banished words Friday.

Craziest crimes of 2011
My choices of 2011 wacky, gritty crime-and-guns-related tales may seem stranger than fiction - but they're all too real.

Trump fired up over Keystone delays
The White House-delayed Keystone XL pipeline proves Canada's government trumps America's, says The Donald.

Hong Kong Cops probing Canadian's death
Hong Kong police have launched a criminal investigation into the death of Canadian student and musician Joey Basha.

Violence rages in Syria
Arab League monitors are finally in Syria, but it's changed nothing as security forces continue a bloody crackdown.

Ottawa man behind bars in Congo
An Ottawa man is behind bars in the Congo because of his close ties with that country's opposition leader.

Ron Paul rising as Iowa imminent
The twists keep on coming in a mercurial U.S. Republican race with the crucial Iowa caucus just days away.

New Kim reigns 'Supreme'
As its bizarre old dictator is laid to rest, North Korea has officially gained a mysterious new one.

$14.4M winning lottery ticket about to expire
Some very lucky person is about to become extremely unlucky.

Photo of the day - December 29, 2011

Canadian man's death in Hong Kong raises questions
New revelations about the death of Canadian Joey Basha in Hong Kong have elicited more questions than answers.

One calendar, one time zone would benefit the world: Researchers
It may be an idea whose time has come - a calendar that never changes.

Samoa to skip December 30
When the residents of Samoa go to bed Dec. 29, they'll wake up the next day to find it's New Year's Eve.

U.S. memorializing 1812 invaders
A group of Kingston-based soldiers who died almost two centuries ago will soon get a proper farewell.

Photo of the day - December 28, 2011

North Koreans mourn a monster
North Koreans packed the streets of Pyongyang Wednesday for the funeral of 'Dear Leader' Kim Jong-il.

Chopper crash kills 3 picking up organ for transplant
According to reports, the team was on its way to pick up a heart due to be transplanted to a patient at the Mayo Clinic.

Nigeria Terror Attacks
Dozens killed in a series of Christmas Day blasts in the African country that killed at least 35 Christians.

Christmas around the world
The global experience of Christmas.

Photo of the Day - December 25, 2011

Canada freezes Syrian regime's assets
New sanctions for Syria as Ottawa freezes Syrian assets.

Protesters pile pressure on Putin
Protesters gathered in Moscow, increasing pressure for an end to Vladimir Putin's rule.

Photo of the Day - December 24, 2011

Iran naval exercise a threat: Baird
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says a planned military exercise by the Iranian navy is an act of provocation.

Bloodbath in Syria
Suicide bombers blasted two government buildings in Damascus killing more than 30 people and wounding another 100.

2012, une bonne année pour les petits investisseurs?
L'année qui se termine aura été pénible pour les investisseurs. Ébranlés par la crise de 2008, ils ont vu leurs portefeuilles encore fragiles perdre de la valeur de mois en mois depuis l'été.

Prince Philip taken to hospital
Queen Elizabeth's husband, Prince Philip, has been taken to hospital with chest pains.

Baird targets UN for inaction on Syria
Minister John Baird has criticized the U.N. for standing on the sidelines while violence escalates in Syria.

Two-headed baby born in Brazil
A Brazilian mother has given birth to a baby boy with two heads - an apparent case of a very rare conjoined anomaly.

Canada snubs UN tribute to Jong-il
Representatives from many countries left the room Thursday when the UN held a moment of silence for Kim Jong-il.

Republicans blink in payroll tax stare-down
Republicans in the House have relented and will vote on a stopgap measure to extend a payroll tax break.

Photo of the day - December 22, 2011

Photo of the day - December 21, 2011

More jail time for Canadian in Gadhafi escape plot
A Canadian jailed implicated in a plot to help Moammar Gadhafi's son flee to Mexico has had her detention extended.

Want to know what human flesh tastes like? Two dutch TV hosts did
A pair of Dutch TV hosts ate each other's flesh to know what it tastes like in a controversial segment to air Wednesday.

Photo of the Day - December 20, 2011

T.O. sex-store purchase outs U.S. mayor
The Republican Mississippi mayor was forced to admit he's gay after he an audit showed receipts from a Toronto sex shop.

Strippers trade lap dances for toys
A Chicago strip club is offering free lap dances for the needy.

U.K. store sells out of reindeer pate after animal-rights campaign
An animal-rights group's campaign to rid the shelves of reindeer pate in a U.K. store has backfired.

Harper bids good riddance to North Korean dictator
"We hope his passing brings positive change," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Monday.

Photo of the Day - December 17, 2011

Key Iowa paper backs Romney for president
Says Romney has matured since 2008.

Death of a Dictator
Kim Jong-il, North Korea's leader, died of heart failure over the weekend.

Photo of the Day - December 17, 2011

Atheist billboards creating buzz
An atheist group has put a bee under under the bonnet of America's Beehive State.

Potential pipeline deal struck
The controversial Keystone CL pipeline cleared a significant hurdle Saturday after a bill passed in U.S. Congress.

Oilsands snub sparks banana boycott
An Alberta group is calling for a boycott of Chiquita after it agreed to avoid fuels derived from oilsands crude.

Photo of the day - December 16, 2011

Republicans blast Obama over Keystone
The Keystone XL pipeline was the clear winner in Thursday's Republican debate.

Uproar over Virgin Mary's pregnancy test
An ad outside a New Zealand church is causing outrage because it shows Virgin Mary holding a positive pregnancy test.

Thieves pocket-dial 911
Two thieves were heard bragging about stealing from a Madison, Wis., Target after they pocket-dialled 911, police say.

Photo of the day - December 15, 2011

'The time to leave Syria is now'
The federal government has launched voluntary evacuation plans for the roughly 5,000 Canadians remaining in Syria.

Feds say simple letter to Lebanon won't guarantee potato farmer's release
Things are looking up for a New Brunswick farmer who's been sitting in a Lebanese prison since March.

Christmas stalking: UK teen sends death threat to Santa
A British teenager has threatened to kill Santa Claus if she doesn't get what she wants.

Trial delayed in Canadian's murder
Any hope of closure in the Jordan Morrison murder trial will have to wait a few more months.

VIDEO: Payroll/pipeline bill problem for Obama
U.S. lawmakers passed a controversial payroll tax cut extension Tuesday, a bill will also impact the Keystone pipeline.

MPs sound alarm on Iranian refugees
MPs from all parties in sounded the alarm Wednesday on what they say is a dangerous refugee situation in Iraq.

Photo of the day - December 14, 2011

Charles, Camilla coming back to Canada
Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will be returning to Canada in the new year.

Saudi woman beheaded for sorcery
A Saudi woman who charged people $800 a session to treat illnesses was beheaded for sorcery Monday.

Zimbabwe PM fined cattle, cloth
Zimbabwe's PM has been fined two cows, two sheep and more for getting hitched during a culturally sacred time.

Mounties in Texas on polygamy probe
B.C. Mounties are in Texas this week to investigate claims underaged girls were trafficked between Canada and the U.S.

Goldstein: Climate conference achieves nothing
The United Nations' annual meeting on global warming in Durban wrapped up on Sunday as it always does.

Thousands of Russians protest against Putin ‎
Thousands protest against Putin after Russian parliamentary vote.

Photo of the Day - December 11, 2011

Political power in the hands of a few (million)
Iowa and New Hampshire could hold the key to who wins the Republican primary.

Photo of the Day - December 12, 2011

Photo of the day - December 9, 2011

Americans to stand guard over Canadian-captured insurgents
Afghan prisoners captured by Canadian troops will be handed over to U.S. forces as part of a deal announced Friday.

Euro zone tussles in Brussels
European Union leaders held all-night talks to hammer out a treaty to save the euro, but couldn't get everyone on board.

'Chewbacca' wanted in Florida shooting
Florida cops hunting for Chewbacca after a witness reported seeing two men and one Wookiee involved in a shooting.

Dad loses finger during nativity play brawl
A fight between two men resulted in one of the men losing part of his finger before their children's nativity play.

Photo of the Day - December 8, 2011

Japan apologizes to Canadian P.O.W.s
Japan's government formally apologized for its brutal treatment of Canadian prisoners during the Second World War.

Alert lifted at Virginia Tech
Law enforcement officials say there is "no longer an active threat" after a fatal shooting at the Virginia Tech campus.

'Do-or-die' for Euro leaders
EU leaders kick off a crucial summit in Brussels Friday in a desperate attempt to stave off economic collapse.

Lessons learned at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech suffered a great tragedy in 2007, and many people worked to ensure Thursday would not be a repeat.

274 US troops' ashes dumped in landfill
Partial remains of dead U.S. soldiers who were supposed to be buried with dignity were dumped in a Virginia landfill.

Parents take teachers hostage
Teachers at a private school in France have been released after a group of parents held them hostage overnight.

Two dead in VA tech shooting
Two people, including one police officer, are dead after a shooting on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Keystone falls on deaf ears in Washington
Prime Minister Stephen Harper had no luck swaying President Obama on Wednesday to budge on Keystone.

Border deal aims to smooth trade, boost security
Canada and the U.S. unveiled the details of a new border deal Wednesday they say will ease border congestion.

Photo of the day - December 7, 2011

Canadian accused in Gadhafi plot
A Canadian is implicated in an international scheme to smuggle Moammar Gadhafi's son Saadi in Mexico.

Harper, Obama to unveil border security deal
A new deal is expected to streamline the flow of goods and people between Canada and the United States.

Alberta wants 'realistic' approach to climate change
Alberta's environment minister will be bringing new carbon capture ideas back from climate change talks in Durban.

Photo of the Day - December 6, 2011

Royals get pay cut
Even the Queen has to cut back during these hard economic times.

Canada out of Kyoto round 2
Environment Minister Peter Kent has confirmed Canada won't be part of a second Kyoto Protocol to fight climate change.

Teacher, anchor ruin Christmas
A Fox news anchor and a New York school teacher found themselves in hot water after declaring there is no Santa Claus.

Foreigners funding anti-oilsands 'mischief'
Environment Minister Peter Kent warns that some opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline is not genuine.

Photo of the Day - December 5, 2011

Stranded 3 days, man survives on frozen beer
When Clifton Vial crashed his truck into an Alaska snowdrift he had only snow and a few frozen cans of Coors Light.

Port-a-potty prisoner apprehended
When Chicago police finally located an escaped inmate, they didn't have to tell him that he was in deep doodoo.

VIDEO: Kingmaker Cain?
Herman Cain's out of the running but he could still play a major role in the U.S. Republican race.

Iceland volcano showing signs of activity: Experts
A large volcano in Iceland is showing signs of activity and could affect air travel in the near future, experts warn.

Canadian hiker missing in Australia found
The Quebec man thought missing in Australia since Nov. 20 posted on Facebook Saturday that he was alive and well.

Cain suspends campaign
In the midst of several accusations of sexual impropriety, Herman Cain has suspended his bid for the GOP leadership.

Florida saddest state to live in, magazine says
Despite miles of beaches and a record 768 consecutive days of sun, Florida is apparently the saddest state to call home.

Shanghai Marathon
Participants compete during the Shanghai international Marathon in Shanghai December 4, 2011.

Accidental Italian appointment
The Italian government mistakenly appointed a University of Guelph professor new minister of agriculture.

Keystone XL the 'safest pipeline ever'
Republicans turned up the heat on U.S. President Obama Friday to reverse his decision to delay the Keystone XL pipeline.

Harper headed to Washington
Stephen Harper travels to Washington next week to chat with a president accused of playing politics with Canadian crude.

Female drivers lead to porn, prostitution, divorce
Allowing Saudi women to drive would cause rampant sex, porn and homosexuality, some of the country's scholars say.

EU targets Iranian economy
EU foreign ministers agreed Thursday to slap new economic sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

Dog shoots man in the butt
A Utah duck hunter took 27 pellets of birdshot in the butt when he was shot by his dog.

Photo of the day - December 1, 2011

Fear of Iran 'palpable:' Baird
Fears over Iran's nuclear ambitions is widespread and real, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Thursday.

Atheists universally untrusted
Atheists are almost universally perceived as untrustworthy, and only rapists rate as low, a new study has found.

Cannibal suspect surrenders
The search for a suspected cannibal on a French Polynesian island ended Monday when he gave himself up to police.

Baird talks tough on Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka needs to take accountability for serious allegations of war crimes committed during its 25-year civil war.