Exit polls: Kadima leads Israeli vote, big gains for Likud

Israel’s two largest parties each claimed a mandate early Wednesday after exit polls showed a surprise first-place finish by the ruling Kadima party and dramatic gains by its conservative rivals. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni’s failure to assemble a ruling coalition for Kadima last year triggered Tuesday’s elections. But she told supporters after the vote that the narrow edge Kadima appears to have held over the conservative Likud shows her party is “the common denominator of Israeli society.” Livni called on Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu “to respect the choice of Israel’s citizens …

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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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Brain scan may reveal risk for Alzheimer’s disease

Key structural changes have been identified in the brain images of some patients with mild cognitive impairment which could help determine who’s at greatest risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Francisco Velasco Delgado was detained by military officials early Monday and flown to Mexico City, where he was placed under 45 days of house arrest, according to the media reports

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California may have to cut prison population by 40 percent

Federal judges tentatively ruled on Monday that California must reduce the number of inmates in its overcrowded prison system by up to 40 percent to stop a constitutional violation of prisoners’ rights. “Overcrowding is the primary cause of the unconstitutional conditions that have been found to exist in the California prisons,” the court concluded

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Reports: Cancún police chief questioned in general’s killing

The police chief in Cancún has been relieved of his duties and placed under house arrest while he is investigated in the killing of a retired Mexican general who had been the area’s anti-drug chief for less than 24 hours, Mexican media are reporting. Francisco Velasco Delgado was detained by military officials early Monday and flown to Mexico City, where he was placed under 45 days of house arrest, according to the media reports.

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City duo Elano and Robinho tame Italy

Manchester City duo Elano and Robinho fired Brazil to a 2-0 victory in their prestige friendly international against world champions Italy at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. More than 60,000 fans saw Elano open the scoring after 13 minutes with Robinho finding the target on 27 in an encounter that brought an end to Italy coach Marcello Lippi’s unbeaten run. Lippi suffered a first loss with Italy in 32 games since defeat against Slovenia during his first spell in charge in 2004

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