HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- A wind-driven wildfire burned almost 1,000 acres in Halifax, Nova Scotia, early Friday, forcing some 1,200 people from their homes, authorities said. No injuries had been reported as the Canadian Red Cross mobilized to set up shelters and communications facilities. Late Thursday, Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly said eight homes had been destroyed and an untold number of others badly damaged, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. "The fire is not under control," Kelly said. "We ... [full story]

TEL AVIV, Israel -- A British airline's planes flying to Tel Aviv displayed digital maps for passengers that did not include Israel, Israeli media reported. A spokesman for BMI told the Jerusalem Post the maps would be deactivated Thursday and changed within two weeks. He said they were an oversight after the company acquired British Mediterranean Airways, which primarily flew to Muslim countries, two years ago. The map also called Haifa "Khefa," its name before the creation ... [full story]

BAGHDAD -- Two Marines and a sailor were killed in Iraq Thursday, running the U.S Iraqi military death toll to 18, making April the deadliest month of 2009, CNN reported. Sixteen of those troops died in combat. In March there were nine reported fatalities, the lowest monthly count of the year. April was also the deadliest month this year for Iraqi civilians. At least 290 Iraqi civilians died that month, compared to 185 in March, an Interior ... [full story]

OTTAWA -- Canadian health officials say they have nearly 22 million more H1N1 flu vaccines than the country has people, as confirmed cases grew to 34. Nationally, 15 new cases of what was first called swine flu were reported Thursday for a total of 34, but various health officials said they suspect the number is much higher, the Globe and Mail reported. The World Health Organization renamed the flu suspected to have originated in Mexico to its ... [full story]

2009-05-03 The Mercury retrograde in the middle of this week presents an opportunity to communicate differently, as the same old channels may not work as well as they once did. This is a chance to notice details, address specifics and take extra precautions to be heard and understood. Consider what your message is, and pare down any superfluous information that might dilute or confuse it. Keep it simple and you'll be effective. ARIES (March 21-April ... [full story]

2009-05-02 ALL MY CHILDREN: Opal is spooked by her vision of Annie and later experiences a disturbing image of a bloodied Tad. Ryan's caught off guard when he receives a package from Alexander Cambias Sr. containing a manuscript outlining the details of the Satin Slayer murders. Alexander takes credit for all the murders except Dixie's, claiming someone else killed her. JR asks Adam point blank if he killed Dixie. Tad vows to find out who ... [full story]

MEXICO CITY -- Forty more people have tested positive for the H1N1 swine flu virus in Mexico, bringing confirmed cases to 300 with 12 deaths, authorities say. Schools, businesses and non-essential government offices will be closed for five days in an effort to contain the outbreak. President Felipe Calderon urged people to stay home during the Cinco de Mayo holiday, the Voice of America reported. Meanwhile, the United States announced plans to purchase an additional 13 million ... [full story]

Steve Lopez is a gifted writer, a journalist with a rare eye for the human condition, its struggles and its bliss.   RATINGS GUIDE: 4 STARS - Excellent. 3 STARS - Worthy. 2 STARS - Mixed. 1 STAR - Poor. 0 - Forget It (a dog.)  As a high-profile columnist, he captured life as he saw it in California's Silicon Valley for the San Jose Mercury News, then at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and currently at the Los ... [full story]

NEW YORK -- Some New York Police Department dress uniforms were made by a company that had employees working long hours without overtime, investigators said. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the department had generally been interested in the quality of the work and fabric used and did not investigate labor conditions, the New York Post reported Thursday. The New York State Labor Department says Forest Uniform Corp. and a subcontractor, Technical Garment USA Co., owe $500,000 to ... [full story]

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- It could take another week for Pakistani government forces to push back Taliban insurgents in the country's northwest, a military spokesman says. Major Gen. Athar Abbas says government forces secured mountain passes to the west and south of the Buner district Thursday while helicopter gunships hit Taliban positions to the north, The New York Times reports. Abbas said it would take another week to clear Buner since government forces have to proceed slowly to ... [full story]