AP Online
01-12-2006
Senators Take Last Turn to Question Alito
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, makes opening remarks as Chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., left, looks on during the fourth day of confirmation hearings in Washington Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, for the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito said Thursday that Americans have a right to designate family members or friends to carry out their right-to-die wishes, an issue pushed to the forefront last year by the case of a brain-damaged Florida woman. On the fourth day of his confirmation hearings, President Bush's choice to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor fielded questions on the courts' role as people face their final hours.
110 Dead in Stampede on Last Day of Hajj
After having thrown their last 21 stones toward a pillar representing the devil, Muslim pilgrims rest before leaving the Saudi Arabian city of Mina to head for Mecca, Islam's holiest shrine during the hajj, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)
MINA, Saudi Arabia (AP) _ Thousands of Muslim pilgrims rushing to complete a symbolic stoning ritual on the last day of the hajj tripped over luggage Thursday, causing a crush in which at least 110 people were killed and 1,000 injured, Saudi medical officials said. The stampede occurred as tens of thousands of pilgrims headed toward al-Jamarat, a series of three pillars representing the devil that the faithful pelt with stones to purge themselves of sin.
Turkey to Review Pope Gunman's Release
Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish gunman who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981 leaves a military recruitment center after being released from prison in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. Agca was serving more than 25 years behind bars in Italy and Turkey for the plot against the pontiff and the slaying of a Turkish journalist. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) _ The man who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981 was released from prison Thursday after serving more than 25 years in Italy and Turkey for the plot against the pontiff and the slaying of a Turkish journalist. To the cheers of nationalist supporters, a white sedan whisked Mehmet Ali Agca _ whose attempt to assassinate the pope gained notoriety for himself and shame for his homeland _ through the gates of the high-security Kartal Prison as dozens of police officers stood guard. His supporters showered the car with red and yellow flowers.
Europeans Say Iran Talks Reach 'Dead End'
Members of the 'National Council of Resistance of Iran' protest against the Iranian government and the nuclear program near the Foreign Ministry in Berlin on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. The British, French and German foreign ministers meet Thursday to agree on a response to Iran's resumption of nuclear activities, which has pushed international patience to the breaking point. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
BERLIN (AP) _ The British, French and German foreign ministers said Thursday that negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program had reached a "dead end" and the Islamic republic should be referred to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions. The ministers called for a special session of the International Atomic Energy Agency to decide the referral. The ministers' call came two days after Iran broke U.N. seals at a uranium enrichment plant and said it was resuming nuclear research after a two-year freeze.
Trade Deficit Narrows, Jobless Claims Up
WASHINGTON (AP) _ The U.S. trade deficit improved slightly in November but was still the third highest on record as imports of foreign cars hit an all-time high and America's foreign oil bill remained near record levels. The politically sensitive deficit with China narrowed modestly as shipments of Chinese toys, clothing and other consumer products fell. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that the deficit declined by 5.7 percent in November to $64.2 billion after hitting a record of $68.1 billion in October.
BlackBerry to Support Google Messaging
NEW YORK (AP) _ BlackBerry handheld devices will soon support the Google Talk instant-messaging and Google Local mapping programs, the maker of the devices said Thursday, as the Internet titan continues its push to put its services on mobile devices. Financial details for the deal between Waterloo, Ontario-based Research in Motion Ltd. and search-engine leader Google Inc. were not disclosed.
U.S. Mint to Begin Shipping New Nickels
These images provided by the U.S. Mint show the front and reverse of the 2006 Thomas Jeffersn nickel. The Mint plans to begin shipping 80 million of the five-cent coins on Thursday, Jan. 12. They will be the first of an estimated 1 billion new nickels which will be put into circulation over the next year. (AP Photo/US Mint)
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Coming soon to a cash register near you _ a smiling Thomas Jefferson looking straight at you from a new nickel that will end nearly a century of tradition for U.S. coins. The Mint plans to begin shipping 80 million of the new 5-cent coins on Thursday to the 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks. They will be the first of an estimated 1 billion new nickels which will be put into circulation over the next year.
Oprah Dismisses Claims About Frey Memoir
James Frey poses for a portrait outside a cafe in New York, March 24, 2003. An online publication is alleging that Frey's best-selling memoir about substance abuse, "A Million Little Pieces," wildly exaggerates his past, with inflated claims about his criminal record and about his involvement in an accident that killed two high school students. (AP Photo/Gino Domenico
NEW YORK (AP) _ Oprah Winfrey broke her silence about James Frey's disputed memoir of addiction, "A Million Little Pieces," dismissing allegations of falsehoods as "much ado about nothing" and urging readers who have been inspired by the book to "Keep holding on." "What is relevant is that he was a drug addict ... and stepped out of that history to be the man he is today and to take that message to save other people and allow them to save themselves," Winfrey said Wednesday night in a surprise phone call to CNN's Larry King, who was interviewing Frey on his live television program.
Man Aims for New Snake-Kissing Record
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) _ A kiss is just a kiss, but it may prove to be the kiss of death for a Malaysian snake charmer who will attempt to set a new world record by planting 50 smooches on a venomous snake in 10 minutes. Shahimi Abdul Hamid, 33, will perform the dangerous feat on March 11 in a bid to break the current record held by an American man who kissed a poisonous snake 30 times in an unspecified time, the national news agency Bernama said Thursday.
NFL or USC? Bush to Decide Thursday
Southern California's Reggie Bush outruns Notre Dame defenders on his way to a third quarter touchdown in South Bend, Ind., in this Oct. 15, 2005 photo. Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush will announce Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006 whether he'll return to Southern California for his senior season or enter the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Reggie Bush's backfield buddy is off to the NFL, and he's expected to be the next Southern California star to go pro. The Heisman Trophy winner was scheduled to announce Thursday whether he'll return to USC for his senior season or enter the NFL draft. LenDale White, Thunder to Bush's Lightning for three stellar seasons with the Trojans, declared himself eligible for the draft Wednesday. He set a USC record by scoring 57 career touchdowns, helping USC win two national titles and play for a third in the Rose Bowl last week.
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