DUBLIN, Ireland -- Preliminary returns Friday indicated that Ireland voted against ratifying a new governing treaty for the European Union, election officials said. While a final declaration wasn't expected until late Friday, returns indicated 52 percent of Irish voters cast votes against the treaty and 48 percent voted in favor of it, The Times of London reported.The treaty, officially called the Lisbon Treaty, needs the approval of all 27 EU members to take effect. Of ... [full story]

NEW YORK -- Many women who supported Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., are reported crying foul over perceived sexist news coverage. These are charges that have split critics and news executives as many others see nothing wrong with the coverage of Clinton campaign for the Democratic Party's nomination for president coverage or "mistakes" that were corrected, The New York Times says.But many women and erstwhile Clinton supporters are proposing boycotts of the cable networks, starting a ... [full story]

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- An earthquake registering 4.0 on the Richter scale rumbled in southern Lebanon Friday, officials said but no casualties were reported. A seismology center in Behaness indicated the quake affected a region between Tyre and Srifa, reported KUNA, the Kuwaiti news agency. Twenty-five tremors struck the regions since Thursday, damaging several buildings, officials said. Copyright © 2008, by United Press International. All Rights Reserved. [full story]

WASHINGTON -- U.S. polls indicate a tight race between Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama but international surveys indicate Obama is heavily favored. In 21of 24 nations polled by the Pew Global Attitudes Project, respondents said Obama, D-Ill., and the presumptive Democratic nominee, would more likely "do the right thing regarding world affairs" than his presumptive GOP challenger John McCain, R-Ariz., USA Today reported Friday."Obama obviously has an appeal that has crossed the waters," ... [full story]

WASHINGTON -- Pork-barrel funding, curbed by the U.S. Congress a year ago, is making a stout comeback with billions of dollars aimed at home districts, a watchdog group says. Earmark spending in the U.S. House of Representatives' defense authorization bill soared 29 percent, from $7.7 billion last year to $9.9 billion, reports Taxpayers for Common Sense, a non-partisan Washington watchdog group.The Senate bill, which hasn't been approved, includes an increased number of earmarks, although for ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. – Citing possible conflict of interest issues, Deschutes County District Attorney Mike Dugan today referred to the Marion County DA’s Office the case involving Redmond Police Lt. Wayne Shortreed, who was cited last Friday on two counts of harassment, officials announced.   Redmond Police Detective Lt. Wayne Shortreed  Lt. Shortreed was placed on paid administrative leave after he was cited for harassment when Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to his Terrebonne-area home in response to ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. -- An Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife trooper is resting comfortably in a Bend hospital after surviving a 50-foot fall down a cliff Tuesday morning while helping ODFW conduct a big horn sheep census in Grant County.   OSP Sergeant Gordon Larson with Senior Trooper Johnson's wife and son watching Air Life prepare for takeoff from Blue Mountain Hospital - OSP photo OSP Senior Trooper Larry Johnson was with two ODFW employees conducting ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. – A 34-year old Bend man was taken into custody and charged with driving drunk, hit-and-run and other crimes after he allegedly smashed his pickup into several mailboxes in the Tumalo area north of Bend, Oregon, then fled on foot before being apprehended Tuesday evening.   Kyle Anthony Dotson - DCJ photo  Deschutes County Sheriff’s Lt. Shane Nelson said deputies received a report about a hit-and-run incident involving a Chevrolet pickup and some mailboxes in ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. – The St. Charles Foundation recently received two grants from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Oregon and SW Washington Affiliate. Both grants will benefit programs within the Sara Fisher Breast Cancer Project. The first grant for $25,000 will help to grow the Sara Fisher Breast Cancer Project initiative to take breast health education on the road to women in rural and frontier areas. The goal is for women in these regions ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. – Young people interested in fishing will be able to give it a try at a youth fishing event hosted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on Saturday, June 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Century Pond southwest of Bend. “This event is specifically for kids and young people,” said Ted Wise, ODFW fisheries biologist. “We want to encourage young people to learn to fish in hopes that they ... [full story]