March 24, 2005

Kyrgyzstan president flees, pro-democracy protesters seize country in peaceful revolution. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AP) -- Protesters stormed the presidential compound in Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, seizing the seat of state power after clashing with riot police during a large opposition rally. President Askar Akayev reportedly fled the country and resigned. An opposition leader, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, was at the scene, and state TV appeared to be in the hands of the opposition - underscoring the impression that it was consolidating control. Another leading opponent of the Akayev regime, Felix Kulov, was freed from prison and praised the "revolution made by the people." Kulov said Akayev had signed a resignation letter, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. 11:27:14 AM

Islamic school suspends teachers over student's hate-filled tale In Ottawa, Canada: One teacher was apparently involved in the artistic production of the eight-page story of killing and martyrdom. Handwritten in Arabic and titled The Long Road, the cover page was illustrated by a drawing of a burning Star of David beside a machine-gun and Palestinian flag atop the Dome of the Rock, an ancient Muslim shrine in Jerusalem. 10:32:42 AM

Metro Toronto Sony launches PlayStation Portable Metro Toronto - Wayne Gretzky (left) and Ian Jackson, director of Sony Computer Entertainment Canada, show off a PlayStation Portable running Wayne Gretzky NHL, which is available in Canada only with the purchase of a PSP. 10:18:09 AM