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LOS ANGELES – Scientists believe NASA’s Phoenix Mars lander exposed bits of ice while recently digging a trench in the soil of the Martian arctic, the mission’s principal investigator said Thursday. Crumbs of bright material initially photographed in the trench later vanished, meaning they must have been frozen water that …

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran said Tuesday that additional sanctions by the European Union will not affect Tehran, while President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proposed the formation of a special court to punish the world “tyrants” for their attempt to thwart Iran’s nuclear program. Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying to a group of …

ATHENS, Greece – Authorities evacuated three villages in southwestern Greece on Monday after seismologists warned that a strong aftershock was expected in areas where a powerful earthquake killed two people and injured more than 200. The quake, which had a preliminary magnitude of 6.5, struck Sunday afternoon near the western …

FORT WORTH, Texas – A Graham man who suffered hundreds of bee stings has been upgraded to fair condition Tuesday at a Fort Worth hospital. Young County authorities say 72-year-old old James Milton Dunsworth was in critical condition after the attack. Sheriff Brian Walls says medical crews initially estimated Dunsworth …

CAIRO, Egypt – The U.N. nuclear watchdog chief urged Syria on Friday to show “transparency” and cooperate with inspectors from the world agency visiting the Mideast country this weekend. • U.N. Nuke Chief: Mideast Could Burn If Iran Attacked It marks the start of an international fact check of U.S. …

SAN FRANCISCO – An initiative that would again outlaw gay marriage in California has qualified for the November ballot, the Secretary of State announced Monday. California Secretary of State Debra Bowen said a random check of signatures submitted by the measure’s sponsors showed that they had gathered enough names for …

TOKYO – A black jumbo watermelon auctioned in northern Japan fetched a record $6,100 Friday, making it the most expensive watermelon ever sold in the country — and possibly the world. The 17-pound premium “Densuke” watermelon, grown only on the northern island of Hokkaido, was purchased by a marine products …

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean police refused to allow more candlelight protests against the resumption of American beef imports, after the government announced Sunday it would not tolerate violent, illegal rallies. Authorities used police buses to encircle a plaza in front of Seoul City Hall — the main site …

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine: Tongue Tied As we saw Friday, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are trying to unify the Democratic Party — and for good reason. The Hill newspaper reports that Obama said he had to bite his tongue “many times” during his primary battle …

DETROIT – Thieves seeking copper to sell as scrap may have stolen an 8-foot statue of Jesus Christ off a crucifix in Detroit. Problem is, it’s made of plaster. The Rev. Barry Randolph said Wednesday that the statue at the Church of the Messiah is a green color and looks …