http://www.mynorthwest.com MyNorthwest.com delivers up-to-the-minute local news and information for Seattle and the greater Puget Sound area. en-us 15 144 21 http://www.mynorthwest.com http://www.mynorthwest.com/img/lg_mynw_144x21.gif http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=17&sid=622431 Associated Press CAIRO (AP) - Their kidnappers gave them tea and dried fruit, and talked about religion and tribal rights. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:22:38 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=17&sid=616163 VATICAN CITY (AP) - The administration of the Vatican City State on Saturday categorically rejected as groundless a top prelates accusations of corruption in the Holy Sees awarding of contracts. Last month, an Italian investigative news program reported that the prelate had unsuccessfully requested not to be transferred to Washington by Pope Benedict XVI after exposing alleged corruption that cost the Holy See millions of euros in terms of higher contract prices. Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano was the No. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:23:13 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=17&sid=499388 Associated Press BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Londons tabloids and British leaders are depicting Argentina as dangerous and belligerent 30 years after its invasion of the Falkland Islands. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:28:06 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=17&sid=446605 Associated Press BEIRUT (AP) - Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:22:22 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=17&sid=425433 Associated Press CAIRO (AP) - Egyptian security forces on Saturday fired tear gas from armored trucks at protesters demanding an end to military rule, as anger over a deadly soccer riot fueled a third day of clashes that have killed at least 12 people. The violence followed a melee and stampede after a soccer match Wednesday in the Mediterranean city of Port Said in which 74 people died in the worlds worst soccer violence in 15 years. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:10:33 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=17&sid=611015 Associated Press GUACHOCHI, Mexico (AP) - Its been months since Maria Luisa Gonzalez and her husband have been able to harvest anything from their drought-parched land or catch fish in a lake thats become little more than a muddy puddle. Like other Tarahumara Indians suffering from severe drought in Mexicos vast northern canyons, Gonzalez said she had yet to receive any aid last week, nearly two months after President Felipe Calderon said that he had assessed the droughts damage and his government was tending to the crisis. The federal Interior Department declared a state of emergency in 37 Sierra Madre municipalities in the Tarahumara region on Jan. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:04:36 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=17&sid=452246 Associated Press CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez celebrated the 20th anniversary of the failed coup attempt that launched his political career on Saturday, presiding over a military parade while fighter jets and helicopters roared overhead. Chavez was flanked by allies including Cuban President Raul Castro and Bolivian President Evo Morales while his military showed off some of its newest and most sophisticated weapons, including Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles mounted on trucks. Chavez also used the occasion to reiterate to Venezuelans that the military is firmly behind him as he runs for re-election in October. "From now on we will have generals, admirals, officers and troops (who are) revolutionaries, anti-imperialists, socialists and Chavistas, so that it hurts the bourgeoisie and imperialism all the more," the president said at the televised parade. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:35:01 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=17&sid=564707 Associated Press ROME (AP) - Romans bewildered by their citys first big snowfall in 26 years used government-issued shovels to clear sidewalks, and kitchen utensils to clear windshields Saturday. The snow _ up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) deep in some neighborhoods _ made buses and taxis scarce. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:52:09 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=17&sid=618878 Associated Press SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) - Bosnias government declared a state of emergency in its capital on Saturday after Sarajevo was paralyzed by snow, and hundreds of people remained trapped in their homes and vehicles throughout the country. After a weeklong cold snap that has killed scores of people across Eastern Europe, more than three feet (one meter) of snow fell in Sarajevo on Saturday, closing roads and public transportation. Some neighborhoods reported water shortages, and residents struggled to make it to local shops to shore up on food. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:40:38 PST http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=17&sid=427237 Associated Press TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran began ground military exercises Saturday and defiantly warned that it could cut off oil exports to "hostile" European nations as tensions rise over suggestions that military strikes are an increasing possibility if sanctions fail to rein in the Islamic Republics nuclear program. Tehran has stepped up its rhetoric as international pressure mounts over allegations that it is seeking to develop atomic weapons, a charge it denies. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued stern warnings against any possible U.S. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:03:36 PST