Russians Pull Back, But West Not Satisfied

23 reported killed yesterday as Arab League seeks peacekeepers

(NEWSER) - Syrian tanks have relaunched their assault on Homs, shelling the beleaguered city for a 10th day today after the government's rejection of the Arab League's attempts to launch a UN peacekeeping mission in the country. The League's push was today also rejected by Russia, which said a ceasefire—by both the government and the opposition—must precede such a mission. "The tragedy is that the armed groups that are confronting the forces of the regime are not subordinate to anyone and are not under control," said a Russian official. More»

Unofficial envoy fears 'crisis'

(NEWSER) - Despite global fears of a violent confrontation, South Korea launched fighter jets and fired live artillery in a military exercise close to the North Korea border. But the two-hour operation ended without incident, and Pyongyang officials promised not to retaliate, reversing earlier threats of a "deadly" response. Residents of Yeonpyeong and other "front-line" islands had been ordered to move into air-raid shelters for the operation, but many fled the island attacked last month by North Korea. More»

Republic thumbs its nose at the mother country

(NEWSER) - Georgia has decided to give Russian the boot and change its second official language to English, NPR reports. The post-communist nation, which has spoken Russian since it was annexed by the Russian Empire in the 1800s, hasn't exactly seen relations with its former mother country improve since the 2008 conflict between the two. As an Al Jazeera video report (at left) on the change found, many Georgians see and appreciate the move as part of the country's gradual process of Westernization. More»

Spacewalks may be necessary to perform repairs

(AP) - Half of the International Space Station's cooling system has suddenly shut down, forcing the astronauts on board to power down equipment and face the likelihood of urgent spacewalking repairs. After huddling today, NASA managers gave preliminary approval for a pair of spacewalks, the first of which would take place later this week. Officials stressed that the six occupants—three Americans and three Russians—were in no danger, and that the orbiting complex was in a stable situation. More»

From reindeer fat ice cream to 2-foot-long hot dogs

(NEWSER) - Some states are pudgier than others—here's looking at you, Texas—but none escapes this list of beloved yet fat-filled dishes. Health.com tracked down the worst offender in each of the flabby 50:

• Alaska: Eskimo Ice Cream, a mix of blackberries and salmon berries—in reindeer fat and seal oil.
• Connecticut: The Hartford-area Doogie's hot dog joint serves one of the insanest franks known to man: a 2-foot-long pork and beef hot dog topped with a half-pound of chili, cheddar cheese sauce, bacon, and more.