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Blasphemy riots: 6 examples around the world

Many Muslims consider any depiction of the prophet to be forbidden, and Islamic teachings call for handling the Quran with respect. Incidents of both intentional and unintentional disrespect have occasionally prompted protests and violence around the world. Here are six examples:

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Feds target 'stand your ground' laws, but what can they do?

Neither Congress nor the executive branch can force states to change their laws, and courts have been skeptical about attempts to strike down stand your ground legislation. At least one juror has said this law was a key factor in the George Zimmerman verdict.
Royal baby watch: From Niagara Falls to St. Mary's Hospital

Royal baby watch: The birth of Prince William and Kate Middleton's baby is fast approaching. And the royal baby watch spans the globe, from St. Mary's Hospital to Niagara Falls and beyond.
How hawkmoths jam the sonar signals from bats

Hawkmoths are now the second known species of moths that have found a way to jam bat sonar. Moths have evolved other defense mechanisms to detect and avoid bats.
Houston airport shooting leaves one injured

The shots were fired near the ticket counter in Terminal B at Bush Intercontinental Airport, he said. One person has been taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Giant snail invasion hits South Florida. Gooey mess.

Giant snail invasion puts more than 500 plant species and even stucco and plaster at risk. More than 1,000 giant African land snails caught each week in Miami and invasion expected to spread in upcoming rainy season.
Washington sinkhole: What's with all the sinkholes anyway?

The appearance of a small sinkhole Tuesday has closed down an entire block in Washington D.C. Why are there so many sinkholes?
Cause of Florida sinkhole tragedy: Human activity or revenge of the karst?

One of the most heavily developed states is also one of the most geologically hazardous – two facts that are not mutually exclusive in creating dangerous sinkholes.
Florida sinkhole swallows man: shocking start to 'sinkhole season' (+video)

Florida sinkhole points to the state's greater risks. But the disappearance of a Tampa man, whose bedroom fell into a sinkhole, is extremely rare. Most sinkholes develop slowly enough for people to walk away.
Is Facebook setting you up for identity theft?

Social media sites like Facebook and YouTube provide a gold mine for bad guys. When you post your birthday or download free apps, you may be setting yourself up for identity theft.
How basketry preserved a people

Zulu basketry began to die out because of tin and plastic containers, but now the craft is flourishing.
Eight sentenced to death in Egypt over prophet film

The case was seen as largely symbolic because the defendants, most of whom live in the United States, are all outside Egypt and are thus unlikely to ever face the sentence.
The Coptic Christian in California behind the anti-Islamic film

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, a Coptic Christian, says that he helped with logistics for the film "Innocence of Muslims," which mocked Muslims. He denied directing the film. But there's evidence to suggest the filmmaker, Sam Bacile is an alias, which is strikingly similar to Nakoula's middle name.
Blasphemy riots: 6 examples around the world

Many Muslims consider any depiction of the prophet to be forbidden, and Islamic teachings call for handling the Quran with respect. Incidents of both intentional and unintentional disrespect have occasionally prompted protests and violence around the world. Here are six examples:
Giant python sets records in Florida

More than 17-feet-long and carrying 87 eggs, a record-breaking Burmese python's discovery emphasizes Florida's pesky invasive reptile and amphibian problem. Pet owners dumping unwanted exotics into the wild play a role in the invasion.
Change Agent How cities can get drivers biking

How can planners attract the 60 percent of Americans who say they would bike more if they felt more secure? The answer could be cheap and simple.
Great white shark sightings up on East and West Coasts: What are they after? (+video)

Great white sharks are moving closer to shore looking for seals, not people, researchers say. What may look like an 'attack' on YouTube may be something else. Still, use caution.
Astronomers find humongous galaxy cluster, thanks to gravitational lensing

Using NASA's Huble Space Telescope, astronomers have detected a huge cluster of galaxies some 10 billion light-years away. The cluster is so massive that it distorts light that passes near it.
Tropical storm Debby lashes across Florida, spares Gulf oil rigs (+videos)

Strong winds and heavy rains from tropical storm Debby threaten to drench central Florida, but meteorologists say the slow-moving storm is already weakening.
SpaceX launch: private industry inspires new generation of rocketeers (+video)

SpaceX launch a reminder that NASA isn't the only game in town anymore. Aspiring engineers, rocket designers, space geeks look to 'New Space' companies to boldly go where only governments used to go.
Most well-read cities: Three Virginia cities on Amazon top 20 list

Most well-read cities included Alexandria, Va., which came out ahead of Cambridge, Mass., and Berkeley, Calif., in the Amazon list. The top 5 most-well read cities also included Ann Arbor, Mich., and Boulder, Colorado.
Cover Story CSI Tornado: Decoding – and chasing – supercells with the experts

CSI Tornado: Chasing supercells, interviewing a homeowner sucked off his front porch in an Oklahoma tornado outbreak, and examining the path of a destructive funnel, an expert expedition shows how science is close to decoding the way a tornado works.
Trayvon Martin case: sparks of racial violence appear

Police report isolated incidents of blacks attacking whites in the name of 'justice for Trayvon Martin.' The incidents are rare, but they indicate frustrations in the African-American community.
Africa Monitor What African Evangelicals think of Florida's Quran-burning preacher

US Evangelicals are influential in Africa, but African church members focus on building schools and hospitals, and interfaith dialogue, rather than the Rev. Terry Jones's burning of sacred books.
Why the pope wants stronger ties with Mexico and Cuba

While the Catholic church is bolstering the faithful in Mexico and Cuba, it is also seeking closer ties with national governments during Pope Benedict XVI's first visit to these countries.
Change Agent Fast-track breeding could bring a second Green Revolution

Green revolution: Fast-track breeding is beginning to develop crops that can produce more and healthier food – without controversial genetic engineering.