National News

Senate settles for admonishing Burris

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate ethics committee today admonished Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., for making “inconsistent, misleading or incomplete” statements about the circumstances surrounding his appointment to the seat once held by Barack Obama. The committee recommended no action beyond the letter.

Christian leaders issue ‘call of conscience’

WASHINGTON — More than 150 Christian leaders, most of them conservative evangelicals and traditionalist Roman Catholics, issued a joint declaration Friday reaffirming their opposition to abortion and gay marriage and pledging to protect religious freedoms. The 4,700-word document, called “The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience,” sounds familiar themes from political and social debates over the health care overhaul and gay marriage battles.

Gunman in rampage kills four, then himself

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands — A gunman went on a rampage on the Pacific resort island of Saipan today, killing four people and wounding six others before fatally shooting himself, officials said. Two men, a 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl, all local residents, were killed inside a shooting range, authorities said. A 4-year-old girl was injured. In a separate attack at a World War II historical spot, five South Korean tourists were wounded.

Man charged with raping, killing N.C. girl, 5

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A man charged with raping and killing a 5-year-old North Carolina girl was expected in court today, a day after authorities revealed what they believed happened to her.

Doctors’ group issues Pap-smear changes

WASHINGTON — New guidelines by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say most women in their 20s can have a Pap smear every two years instead of annually to catch slow-growing cervical cancer. ACOG began reviewing its recommendations in late 2007 and published the update today in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Winfrey ending show in 2011 after 25 years

CHICAGO — Oprah Winfrey was set to announce today that her powerhouse daytime television show, the foundation of a multibillion-dollar media empire with legions of fans, will end its run in 2011 after 25 seasons on the air. Winfrey planned to announce the final date for “The Oprah Winfrey Show” during a live broadcast, according to her production company.

California colleges approve big fee increase

LOS ANGELES (AP) — As protests resounded outside, the University of California Board of Regents approved a 32 percent fee increase for students attending the state’s premier public schools. The vote in a windowless University of California, Los Angeles, meeting room took place Thursday as hundreds of students and union members gathered nearby, waving signs, pounding drums and chanting “We’re fired up, can’t take it no more” and “Shame on you.”

2010 BMW 650i convertible is a grand tourer

The model year on the BMW 650i is 2010, but this lengthy, smooth-riding, luxury coupe and convertible feel a bit like yesteryear. There’s the old BMW styling, with a back end that looks subtly “smushed” in and headlights that seem sliced off at the top. The roof is fabric and contrasts with the current trend of retractable hardtops on the latest, newest convertibles.

Dear Abby: Woman’s size no deterrent in search for love

Dear Abby: I’m 32 and a “large girl.” I am also intelligent, witty and fun to be around. I make friends wherever I go. The problem is my mother — who is also big — keeps telling me that heavy women are not desirable and we must “settle” when it comes to choosing a mate. Abby, I would rather remain single than marry someone I’m not happy with just to have a man.

Webster’s prize word: ‘admonish’

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — When the U.S. House admonished Rep. Joe Wilson for shouting “You lie!” at President Barack Obama during a health care speech to Congress, it not only lit up talk show lines, but also sent many people scurrying to the Internet in search of a definition. Admonish, a verb dating to the 14th century meaning “to express warning or disapproval in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner,” generated enough curiosity to crown it Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2009.

Christo mourns loss of wife: Jeanne-Claude dies at age 74

NEW YORK (AP) Artist Jeanne-Claude, who created the 2005 installation in Central Park called “The Gates” with her husband Christo, has died. Jeanne-Claude, 74, died Wednesday night at a New York hospital from complications of a brain aneurysm, her family said.

No more Santa letters to North Pole

Local residents incensed as a security scare stops a holiday tradition

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Starry-eyed children writing letters to the jolly man at the North Pole this holiday season likely won’t get a response from Santa Claus or his helpers. The U.S. Postal Service is dropping a popular national program begun in 1954 in the small Alaska town of North Pole, where volunteers open and respond to thousands of letters addressed to Santa each year. Replies come with North Pole postmarks.

Astronauts step out on first spacewalk of mission

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Astronauts are taking the first spacewalk of their shuttle mission. Atlantis crewmen Michael Foreman and Dr. Robert Satcher Jr. floated outside Thursday morning to hook up a spare antenna and cables on the International Space Station. They also will tackle some other chores during their six-hour outing.

AOL to cut a third of staff

NEW YORK — AOL Inc., the struggling Internet company, is asking for 2,500 volunteers to accept buyouts, looking to cut its work force by at least a third as it prepares to spin off from Time Warner Inc. next month. The company, which has about 6,900 workers total, said it will resort to layoffs if it does not get enough people to accept buyouts.

Redesigned airspace over Hudson debuts

NEWARK, N.J. — Small aircraft flying over the Hudson River near New York City are now following new flight rules. Today marks the first day for new regulations created by the Federal Aviation Administration after a collision in August between a tourist helicopter and small plane killed nine people.