Leprechaun-garbed holdup suspect shot dead

Police say two bank robbery suspects, including one dressed in a green leprechaun costume, have been shot dead after a St. Patrick’s Day chase and shootout with police in Tennessee. Full Story

Minister defends meat-inspection system

The federal government defended its ready-to-eat meat-inspection system Wednesday after charges that it upholds a higher standard for meats destined for the United States than for foods consumed only in Canada. Full Story

Jaffer has a knack for catching breaks

Not only did the husband of embattled Minister Helena Guergis have two very serious criminal charges — impaired driving and cocaine possession — dropped last week, he is also likely eligible for a tax break on a $500 donation he volunteered to make to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Full Story

Tent cities a huge success: CCAP

Look out Vancouver; more tent cities are heading your way. Full Story

Israel lifts closure of West Bank

Israel on Wednesday lifted its tight restrictions on Palestinian access to Jerusalem’s holiest shrine and called off an extended West Bank closure after days of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces. Full Story

Female dissidents prevented from marching in Havana

Uniformed Cuban security agents prevented the mothers and wives of dissidents from marching on the outskirts of the capital on Wednesday to demand release of their loved ones, shoving them into a bus when they lay down in the street in protest. Full Story

Official: Al-Qaida leader believed killed

An al-Qaida leader believed to have played a key role in bombing a CIA post in Afghanistan last December was apparently killed by an American missile strike last week, a senior U.S. official said Wednesday. Full Story

Black people leave, Wal-Mart announcer says

Customers at a Wal-Mart store in southern New Jersey are expressing dismay after hearing that someone used the public address system to order “all black people” to leave. Full Story