PARIS (AFP) ― Scientists on Wednesday said they had recorded the first real-time images of atoms moving in a molecule, a feat that captured movement lasting less than one millionth of a billionth of a second.The exploit entailed directing an ultra-fast laser onto molecules of nitrogen and of oxygen. Its pulse of light knocked a single electron out of its orbit around one of the atoms.The electron tumbled back onto the molecule, causing a tiny collision that, like ripples in a pond, proved a “bac

More natural gas-powered vehicles will hit the market soon, as rising gasoline prices, booming natural gas production and proposed tax credits make them a more attractive option. But they’re a long way from being a common sight in U.S. driveways.Starting in July, Chrysler will sell a Ram 2500 Heavy Duty pickup that runs on compressed natural gas. The truck has both gasoline and natural gas storage tanks, and the engine shifts automatically between the two, without the driver needing to push a sw

DAMASCUS (AFP) ― Syria’s deputy oil minister resigned on Thursday, becoming the most senior official to join the rebel ranks, as Washington revealed it is mulling non-lethal aid to the insurgency.Abdo Hussameddin announced his resignation in a video posted by activists on YouTube, saying he was joining the revolt.“I, the engineer Abdo Hussameddin, the deputy oil minister... announce my defection from the regime and my resignation,” he said in the video. “I am joining the revolution of the people

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Mitt Romney’s uninspiring showing in Super Tuesday’s primaries nonetheless moves him closer to the Republican presidential nomination. But a string of events and voter data underscore his challenge in winning independent voters turned off by the long, divisive primary.Romney won a tight race against Rick Santorum in Ohio, where he heavily outspent his main rival, and posted victories in Massachusetts, Virginia, Vermont , Idaho and Alaska. Tuesday’s mixed results will not change

Chinese officials sought Wednesday to discredit Tibetans who have set themselves on fire to protest China‘s rule over their region, calling them outcasts, criminals and mentally ill people manipulated by the exiled Dalai Lama.The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader has said he does not encourage the self-immolations. However, Chinese officials have sought to portray the past year’s wave of about two dozen immolations -- including three since Saturday -- as the result of outside orchestration rathe

 

PARIS (AP) ― France’s prime minister scrambled Wednesday to dispel concerns in the Jewish and Muslim communities after criticizing the ritual slaughter of animals for kosher and halal meat.Halal meat in particular has emerged as a hot-button issue in the campaign for presidential elections starting next month in France, a country with at least 5 million Muslims, the largest such population in western Europe.Francois Fillon’s call for religions to “reflect” upon what he called outdated traditions

Mitt Romney‘s campaign said Wednesday it would take “an act of God” for rivals to win the Republican presidential nomination, but the party is bracing for a rough, divisive fight well past Super Tuesday.Romney collected six victories in the 10-state voting bonanza including Ohio, the pivotal battlefield which he won in a nailbiter against his most persistent challenger, Rick Santorum.While Romney boosted his pole position in the race to become the Republican Party’s nominee against President Bar

OKYO(AFP) ― Japanese prosecutors said Wednesday they had charged scandal-hit Olympus and three former senior executives over a huge loss cover-up.It came as the 20-day detention period of former president Tsuyoshi Kikukawa, named as a key player in a scheme to shift $1.7 billion of losses from the camera-maker’s balance sheet, expired.Tokyo District prosecutors said Kikukawa, two other former Olympus executives, Hideo Yamada and Hisashi Mori, and three financial advisers conspired to falsify the