The House of Representatives passed legislation protecting US businesses and agencies from cyber-attacks, a measure that critics say erodes civil liberties by allowing firms to onpass private data.

Chen Guangcheng, the blind Chinese lawyer who won global acclaim for uncovering rights abuses under China's "one child" policy, has escaped from house arrest, according to his supporters.

An Australian study of ocean salinity over the past 50 years has revealed a "fingerprint" showing that climate change has accelerated the rainfall cycle, according to a researcher.

Chinese oil giants Sinopec and Petrochina said they were hit by heavy refining losses in the first quarter, despite strong energy demand and higher oil prices.

Malaysian authorities sealed off a downtown square in Kuala Lumpur to prevent a planned sit-in by tens of thousands of electoral reform activists ahead of expected polls.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft, just one month after releasing veteran Peyton Manning.

Two-time 400m hurdles world champion Jana Pittman is aiming to represent Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics as a rower, according to a report.

Chinese brokerage Haitong Securities fell on its Hong Kong trading debut on Friday after raising $1.68 billion from a share sale, the world's largest IPO so far this year.

Chen Guangcheng, the blind Chinese lawyer who won global acclaim for uncovering rights abuses under China's "one child" policy, has escaped from house arrest, according to his supporters.

Airbus will pay to repair wing cracks in A380 superjumbos, but compensation is unlikely to extend to other costs such as the time the aircraft were out of service, according to reports.

Southeast Asian and European foreign ministers began meeting in Brunei on Friday to chart a "new chapter" in their relations now that democratic reforms are under way in former pariah Myanmar.

Osama bin Laden's family were deported from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia Friday, officials said, nearly a year after the Al-Qaeda leader was killed in a US raid.

Nations, rights groups and victims hailed a historic verdict after Liberia's Charles Taylor was convicted Thursday of aiding and abetting war crimes in Sierra Leone.

South Korea's current account surplus in March rose to a four-month high thanks to robust auto and petrochemical exports, according to the central bank.

Chen Guangcheng, the blind Chinese lawyer held under house arrest for nearly 20 months after being jailed for four years, has escaped from his closely guarded home, according to his supporters.

UN leader Ban Ki-moon said the Syrian government is "in contravention" of an agreed peace plan by keeping troops and heavy weapons in cities.

Brazil will boost its military presence in the Amazon region to protect its huge natural resources from any external threat, Defense Minister Celso Amorim told the Senate.

Argentina's Foreign Minister Hector Timerman lashed out at the EU, calling its reaction to his country's nationalization of YPF, a subsidiary of Spain's Repsol, "unacceptable."

The Secret Service said it is investigating explosive new allegations of misconduct in El Salvador, broadening a sex scandal that a US lawmaker said may lead to changes in how agents do their work abroad.

The weak pulse of Japan's economic recovery has slowed again, with mixed figures showing it is struggling to achieve momentum.

Cameron Tringale and Ken Duke shared the lead at the $6.4 million Zurich Classic golf tournament, with defending champion Bubba Watson six adrift in his first start since his Masters triumph.

The United States is to shift 9,000 Marines out of Japan in a move Washington hopes will ease sometimes fractious relations with its ally over the huge American military presence.

Australia said it would be officially drought-free next week for the first time in more than a decade, providing relief for struggling farmers.

Ratings agency Standard and Poor's downgraded Italian automaker Fiat's long-term corporate credit rating from BB to BB-, citing weak demand in Italy and overcapacity in Europe.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft, just one month after releasing veteran Peyton Manning.

Australia said it would be officially drought-free next week for the first time in more than a decade, providing relief for struggling farmers.

South Korea's Samsung Electronics reported a record net profit of 5.05 trillion won ($4.44 billion) in the first quarter, thanks largely to strong smartphone sales.

Spanish King Juan Carlos underwent surgery for a second time, the royal palace said, after suffering a broken hip during a much-criticised Botswana hunting trip and receiving a prosthesis.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft, just one month after releasing veteran Peyton Manning.

Jennifer Rosales came alive with five back-nine birdies to join Lindsay Wright, Caroline Hedwall and Katie Futcher atop a crowded leaderboard in the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic.

Prince William and his wife Catherine will this weekend mark a triumphant first year of marriage as a hopeful nation waits for news they are expecting a royal heir.

Japan's unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.5 percent in March, the internal affairs ministry said on Friday, in line with economists' expectations.

Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Manchester United that rivals Manchester City are here to stay as the two clubs prepare for their Premier League title duel on Monday.

The United States is to shift 9,000 Marines out of Japan in a move Washington hopes will ease sometimes fractious relations with its ally over the huge American military presence.

Africa's deadliest malaria parasite has shown resistance in lab tests to one of the most powerful drugs on the market -- a warning of possible resistance to follow in patients, according to scientists.

Australia captain Michael Clarke dismissed West Indies stalwart Shivnarine Chanderpaul with the last ball of the day to put his team in sight of victory in the third and final Test.

Eighteen US Olympians including swimming greats Mark Spitz and Janet Evans are suing Samsung Corporation, saying its US Olympic Genome Project Facebook app misuses their names and images.

The conviction of Liberian ex-president Charles Taylor on Thursday sends a "powerful message" to all war criminals, the United States said, hailing the "enormous" historical milestone.

The Secret Service said it is probing new accusations of agent misconduct in El Salvador, where members of a presidential advance team reportedly were seen paying for sex at a strip club.

Montpellier coach Rene Girard has admitted the pressure is increasing on his side as they travel to Toulouse on Friday night looking to take another step towards a first-ever Ligue 1 title.

A Catholic school in Michigan has rescinded its invitation to a graduation speaker after finding out he is gay. A Catholic school in Michigan has rescinded its invitation to a graduation speaker after finding out he is gay. Dominic Sheahan-Stahl told The Huffington Post that the Sacred Heart Academy invited him to give the keynote address at the high school's May 20 graduation, at which his youngest brother will be graduation. Sheahan-Stahl, who graduated from the school in 1998, said the school's principal, Denny Starnes, informed his mother that he would not be allowed to speak at graduation because he's gay. Starnes learned about about Sheahan-Stahl's sexual orientation from a Facebook post announcing his engagement to his partner Nathan. ?My mother kept asking why and what does his sexual orientation have to do with giving a graduation speech,? he said. ?She cried and didn't sleep at all that night. My poor brother, whose graduation it is, couldn't even be in the room when my mom h

A photo censoring a kiss between the 'Glee' characters played by Darren Criss and Chris Colfer is being used to promote an anti-gay post. ?A photo censoring a kiss between the Glee characters played by Darren Criss and Chris Colfer is being used to promote a post in which gay people are described as ?pigs,? media watchdog RightWingWatch.org reported. Peter LaBarbara, who helms Americans For Truth About Homosexuality, captions the picture, ?This photo of the infamous, extended homosexual kiss on the Fox program Glee is blocked for decency sake,? before promoting an article by Pass of the Salt Ministries' Coach Dave Daubenmire. In the piece, Daubenmire applauds the work of Mike Heath and Paul Madore of the nascent group No Special Rights Pac, which the pair formed to oppose passage of a gay marriage law at the ballot box in Maine. ?Madore is Rocky Balboa. Heath is his trainer Mickey,? Daubenmire wrote. ?Together, these defenders of the Faith are going to take sodomy head-on.? ?Rev. Mike

The North Carolina chapter of the NAACP has released two radio spots urging voters to reject a proposed gay marriage ban. The North Carolina chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has releas?ed two radio spots urging voters to reject a proposed constitutional amendment which would ban gay marriage, as well as civil unions and domestic partnerships for gay couples. Voters will decide on Amendment One on May 8. ?The polls and the politicians are asking the wrong questions on this discriminatory amendment, hatched in the backrooms of the extremist, rightwing think-tanks,? Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of the civil rights group, said in a statement. ?Our message is consistent: A vote on the same sex marriage amendment has nothing to do with your personal and religious opinion on same sex marriage but everything to do with whether or not you believe discrimination should be codified and legalized constitutionally. We should never seek to

Candidates are increasingly touting their support for gay marriage in television ads. ?Candidates are increasingly touting their support for gay marriage in television ads. The first to feature his support was Republican presidential candidate Fred Karger, who in January released a 30-second ad highlighting his support for marriage equality. In Fed Up, Karger says he's unlike his GOP rivals. ?Fed up with the Republican Party?? a male announcer rhetorically asks over a graphic which includes GOP presidential candidates Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann and Jon Huntsman. ?Well there's one candidate you just might like.? Karger is promoted in the ad as a moderate Republican for supporting a woman's right to choose, an end to the war in Afghanistan and marriage equality. In a TV ad released earlier this month, New Jersey Congressman Steve Rothman followed suit. ?Our Congressman Steve Rothman shares our Democratic values,? a female announcer i

Adam Lambert was the musical guest on Thursday's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'. Adam Lambert was the musical guest on Thursday's Jimmy Kimmel Live. The 30-year-old Lambert took to the Bud Light outdoor stage to perform a five song set from his sophomore album Trespassing, which is due May 15. Roughly 1,000 fans watched the live performance, which is broadcast from the parking lot behind El Capitan theater in Hollywood. Two songs, Trespassing and Never Close Our Eyes, which Lambert co-wrote with Bruno Mars, were broadcast on the ABC late-night talk show. (His performance of Never Close Our Eyes is embedded in the right panel of this page. Visit our video library for more videos.) Lambert also performed Naked Love, Broken English and Cuckoo. The American Idol alum also made the cover of gay glossy Instinct. He told the magazine that the gay community is resistant to celebrate gay male pop stars. ?As a community, we're a little bit resistant to a gay male pop star ourselves,? Lambert said. ?It's ve

A gay Navy veteran on Tuesday surprised his Marine boyfriend with a marriage proposal as he returned home from Afghanistan. A gay Navy veteran on Tuesday surprised his Marine boyfriend with a marriage proposal as he returned home from Afghanistan. According to LGBT Weekly, the proposal is believed to the first to take place on a military base. San Diego resident Cory Huston, who was drummed out of the Navy for violating ?Don't Ask, Don't Tell,? greeted his homecoming boyfriend, Avarice Guerrero, at Camp Pendleton with a hug and a proposal. ?This is a huge step for me,? Huston told the paper. When Guerrero finally arrived, the couple who had been separated by a 10-month deployment hugged and kissed. ?Huston went anxiously down on one knee; looked up at Guerrero, who was dressed from head to toe in military fatigues; and produced an engagement ring and the time-honored phrase, 'Will you marry me?'? ?Yes,? Guerrero answered. ?I was blown away,? Guerrero said. ?I was shocked that after all

A bill which would recognize gay and lesbian couples with civil unions is headed to the Colorado House after clearing the Senate. ?A bill which would recognize gay and lesbian couples with civil unions is headed to the Colorado House after clearing the Senate on Thursday. After two days of emotional debate, Senators approved the measure on a 23-12 vote. The bill's chief sponsor, Democratic Senator Pat Steadman, shared his perspective on the issue as a gay man. ?Why is this important?? Steadman asked colleagues. ?It's because life happens to people. People have babies. People adopt children. People have accidents. People end up in the hospital.? ?Are we not as human as you?? he asked. Senator Nancy Spence, a Republican, reiterated her support for the measure. ?The Republican Party, the party of Lincoln, must continue to champion civil liberties,? she said. The proposal now heads to the Republican-controlled House, where it faces an uncertain future. A House committee considering the mea

Mitt Romney once agreed with former Cub Scouts den leader Jennifer Tyrrell, who wants the Boys Scouts to accept gay leaders and scouts. Mitt Romney once agreed with former Cub Scouts den leader Jennifer Tyrrell, who wants the Boys Scouts of American (BSA) to accept openly gay leaders and scouts. The 32-year-old Ohio mother has launched a Change.org campaign to bring awareness to the policy after she was removed from her volunteer position because she failed to meet the group's ?high standards of conduct? in relation to her being in a 5 year relationship with another woman. In a statement released Wednesday, the Boy Scouts of America reiterated its opposition to gay leaders and scouts. ?Scouting, and the majority of parents it serves, does not believe it is the right forum for children to become aware of the issue of sexual orientation, or engage in discussions about being gay,? the group said. ?Rather, such complex matters should be discussed with parents, caregivers, or spiritual advi

Oakland A's Pitcher Brandon McCarthy is speaking out against a comedic 'Kiss Cam' routine, calling it anti-gay. ?Oakland A's Pitcher Brandon McCarthy is speaking out against a comedic ?Kiss Cam? routine, calling it anti-gay. The routine involves adding two random men to the tail end of a ?Kiss Cam,? encouraging the men to kiss on camera as everyone in the stadium looks on. It's a joke because it makes the men ? who most likely are straight ? uncomfortable. Last week, the 28-year-old McCarthy tweeted against the practice: ?They put two guys on the 'Kiss Cam' tonight. What hilarity!! (by hilarity I mean offensive homophobia). Enough with this stupid trend.? In remarks to the San Francisco Chronicle, McCarthy expanded on his tweet. ?There's that stupid, little comedic value of it if you don't really think about what it implies,? he said. ?It kind of got old on that level. Then I actually started thinking about why we were supposed to be laughing, and it bugged me.? ?The whole thing bugs m

On May 5th at 8PM gay cabler Logo will premiere 'Legalize Gay,' which looks at the next generation of gay rights advocates. ?On May 5th at 8PM gay cabler Logo will premiere Legalize Gay, which looks at the next generation of gay rights advocates. Advocates ? gay and straight ? featured in the film include Danny Sparks, Miss N.Y. Claire Buffie, Danniel Hernandez, Brian Sims, Jeshawna Wholley, Hudson Taylor, Ben Cohen and Zach Wahls. Danny Sparks is the Parma, Ohio student who organized a campaign demanding the teaching of gay relationships in sex-education classes in his school district. Brian Sims is the Philadelphia attorney who is poised to become Pennsylvania's first openly gay state representative. Jeshawna Wholley's successful efforts to bring the first LGBT pride to an historically black college was honored by President Barack Obama. Daniel Hernandez is the young aide who came to the rescue of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords after a shooting rampage in Arizona. Zach Wahls