Amy's News Updates

A bombing on Sunday killed a 17-year-old French tourist and wounded 23 other people in Cairo, Egyptian authorities said.

"A man and a woman were arrested after the incident, security officials said. The nationalities of the arrestees were not disclosed," CNN reported.

The explosion occurred around 6:30 p.m. at the height of rush hour near Al Hussein Mosque, one of the largest coffee shops.

The bomb was left under a stone chair, a ministry statement said.

There has been a series of previous bombings from 2004 to 2006, including one that occurred in the same neighborhood when a suicide bomber killed three tourists, the BBC reported.

Posted by geexx029 at 11:24 PM | Permalink

President Barack Obama efforts to revive the economy is part of a greater plan to cut the federal deficit in half by the end of his term.

Obama will address Congress on Tuesday on his "efforts to restore fiscal discipline," the Associated Press reported. The goal is to halve the federal deficit to $533 billion by the end of his first term in 2013, an administration official said Saturday.

Obama inherited a deficit of about $1.3 trillion from former President George W. Bush.

"Obama has pledged to make deficit reduction a priority both as a candidate and a president. But he also has said economic recovery must come first," the Associated Press reported.

Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota said Sunday it's a bad idea to raise taxes "in the middle of a deep, deep recession," USA Today reported.

Sources:
Associated Press. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_BUDGET?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-02-22-obamaecon_N.htm

Posted by geexx029 at 10:46 PM | Permalink

Democrat Al Franken's legal team proposed Saturday to count nearly 1,600 absentee ballots, half of which Republican Norm Coleman wanted to be considered for counting.

Franken proposed this revised list of rejected ballots in a motion filed in the month-long trial over the U.S. Senate election.

"Franken increased the number of absentee ballots that he alone wants counted from 771 to 804. About a third are from Ramsey or St. Louis counties," the Star Tribune reported.

The court has defined that ballots "with specific flaws, such as those submitted by nonregistered voters, would not be considered," the Pioneer Press reported.

Franken's motion asks for 64 ballots which disappeared during the recount to be counted towards his total.

Franken also asks that 61 mail-order ballots that were lost and found three days later from Becker County be excluded from the recount "because officials failed to ensure that they were in custody during the time they were missing." (Star Tribune)

Sources:
Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/40034972.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl
Pioneer Press. http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_11758343?nclick_check=1

Posted by geexx029 at 8:24 PM | Permalink

A Muslim-American television executive accused of decapitating his wife remains in jail without bail while his lawyer denies that culture played a role in the crime.

The lawyer of Muzzammil "Mo" Hassan, 44, waived his right Wednesday to a felony hearing.

"'Culture, religion doesn't play a role,' said defense attorney James Harrington, reacting to speculation that the crime may have been an 'honor killing,'" the Associated Press reported.

The body of Aasiya Hassan, 37, was found at the offices of the Muslim-American television network, Bridges TV. Hassan turned himself in Feb. 12, telling police officers that his wife was dead. He was arrested on charges of second-degree murder, Police Chief Andrew Benz said.

On Feb. 6, one week before her death, A. Hassan filed for divorce and obtained an order of protection against M. Hassan.

Officers had responded to domestic dispute calls from the house in the past, Chief Benz said.

The couple had two children in elementary school and M. Hassan had two teenage children from a previous marriage, friends of the couple said.

Sources:
Associated Press. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WIFE_BEHEADED?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/nyregion/18behead.html?bl&ex=1235106000&en=8b9eb32a5d94c23a&ei=5087%0A

Posted by geexx029 at 9:36 AM | Permalink

We'll look at a story by CNN covering the plane crash in Buffalo, New York.

The lead tells us when and where the crash took place. It includes a death count, and what I assume is new information about the crash: the plane was rolling violently before impact. The next paragraph follows up information about the crash: "the 800-foot fall took five seconds." The following paragraphs provide details and extracted information from the report from the National Transportation Safety Board.

The news value of the story is to focus on the report from the National Transportation Safety Board on the crash. I don't feel like this is highlighted as strongly in the beginning of the story. It isn't written as hard news -- and I think that CNN tries to step away from hard news. As a reader, I'm a little lost. I don't think the most important part of the report was that the passengers probably experienced twice the normal force of gravity. That piece of information shouldn't have been included in the lead.

Sources:
CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/15/buffalo.plane.crash/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Posted by geexx029 at 11:51 PM | Permalink

A commuter plane was diverted to Gerald R. Ford International Airport after the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit.

Operated by Northwest Airlines subsidiary Pinnacle Aviation, the flight was headed for Cleveland when it landed Sunday around 6 p.m. in Grand Rapids.

"The 39 passengers were immediately transferred to another flight to continue on to Cleveland," the Associated Pressreported.

I'm not sure why this was on the front page of WCCO. Though it is a local story, I think it lacks newsworthiness. The passengers were fine. The plane had no serious mechanical issues. Maybe it's the immediacy of the event: I hope that I don't come across this article on the front page of another news company in the next 24 hours. Or maybe it's a slow news day.

Posted by geexx029 at 11:30 PM | Permalink

President Hugo Chavez won a vote Sunday to eliminate term limits, vowing to remain in power for at least another decade.

The referendum proposed that all public officials would be able to run for office indefinitely, contrary to the previous constitutional rule. Previously, the president was limited to two six-year terms in office, BBC News reported.

Chavez said he needs to serve beyond the end of his term in 2012 in order to secure his socialist revolution.

Thousands of people gathered outside Miraflores Palace, where Chavez sang the national anthem and addressed the crowd, the Associated Press reported.

"Those who voted 'yes' today voted for socialism, for revolution," Chavez said.

With 94 percent of the vote counted, 54 percent had voted for the constitutional amendment, National Electoral Council chief Tibisay Lucena said. Voter turnout was 67 percent.

Opponents said that removing the term limits gives Chavez unstoppable power and said that he is becoming a dictator.

Sources:
Associated Press. http://www.startribune.com/39634582.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU7DYaGEP7vDEh7P:DiUs
BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7891856.stm

Posted by geexx029 at 10:37 PM | Permalink

The 120 cats rescued from a St. Anthony mobile home were euthanized, The Animal Humane Society said.

The cats had diseases ranging from feline AIDS to herpes to ringworm, spokeswoman Deb Balzer said.

The cats were living in the 500-square-foot mobile home; the boards and the doors were rotting from feces and urine.

The couple, Stanley and Cheryl Saradis, slept on a mattress in the kitchen surrounded by the animals.

"Animal control officers say they removed 72 cats from the couple's previous home in Coon Rapids in 2002," reported the Associated Press.

St. Anthony police and the Animal Humane Society were tipped off anonymously.

Sources:
Associated Press (Star Tribune). http://www.startribune.com/local/west/39647207.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr
Pioneer Press. http://www.twincities.com/ci_11684221?source=most_emailed

Posted by geexx029 at 10:22 PM | Permalink

The United States army will now accept immigrants with temporary visas to enroll, offering accelerated citizenship.

Previously, immigrants needed to have permanent residency, known as a "green card", in order to enroll in the army. Those who enroll in the army with temporary visas could become U.S. citizens in as little as six months.

This is the first time the army has changed its restrictions since the Vietnam War.

“'The American Army finds itself in a lot of different countries where cultural awareness is critical,' said Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, the top recruitment officer for the Army, which is leading the pilot program," reported the New York Times.

The army will not enlist illegal immigrants, officers said. That policy would not change.

"To enlist, temporary immigrants will have to prove that they have lived in the United States for two years and have not been out of the country for longer than 90 days during that time. They will have to pass an English test," the New York Times reports.

About 8,000 immigrants with green cards join the armed forces annually, the Pentagon reports.

BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7891222.stm
New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/us/15immig.html?hp

Posted by geexx029 at 10:12 AM | Permalink

The U.S. Court of Claims has ruled against a case Thursday filed by parents with autistic children, who claimed vaccinations are to blame for their children's neurological disorder.

The evidence overwhelmingly supported the contrary, judges said. Years of science show that vaccines have no risk, the Associated Press reported.

Special master George Hastings said the parents of Michelle Cedillo -- who had charged that a measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine caused their child to develop autism -- had 'been misled by physicians who are guilty, in my view, of gross medical misjudgment,'" reported the Star Tribune.

Claimants believe their fight is not over. "Families can now go to civil court," said Sara DiFucci, who claims her daughter developed autism after receiving the vaccine.

Sources:
Associated Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iImMOJCETgsAZa31TvL7-z8ct7JAD96A3OCO0
Chicago Tribune. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-autism-vaccines-13-feb13,0,4833824.story
Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/39530622.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciatkEP7DhUs

Posted by geexx029 at 9:49 AM | Permalink

Not only do attributions give credit to sources in a story, they give readers a sense of validity. Attributions, whether quoted or paraphrased, provide readers evidence and proof to support a story.

We'll look at the Star Tribune's coverage of the Franken and Coleman recount debacle: a highly controversial case where the public relies on information from specific individuals. The story: "Senate recount trial judges put 4800 more ballots in play."

The stories are usually comprised of statements from both campaigns, and it's evident in this particular story as well. An attribution in the third paragraph recites a statement from Coleman legal spokesman Ben Ginsberg. The next paragraph then features a partial quote from Franken chief recount lawyer Marc Elias. As a reader, I can feel the tug-of-war battle between the two campaigns through the structure of the story. The attributions can sometimes be confusing.

The story also includes a quote from a Hamline University political scientist. I don't believe this person was noteworthy, but it was nice to get an "outside" perspective, one different from the parties involved in the case.

The story relies heavily on attributions, and until a ruling has been made, I believe that we will continue to see stories structurally similar to this one featured in the Star Tribune.

Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/38890229.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl

Posted by geexx029 at 11:45 PM | Permalink

Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak launched his reelection campaign for a third-term Saturday at the Riverview Theater, outlining a campaign concerned with issues of safety, infrastructure, education and opportunity. He refers to this plan as Opportunity Agenda

"I can't wait for the next four years," Rybak told supporters, the Star Tribune reports. "I can't wait to see what this city will do in these tough times."

Governing magazine featured a profile on Rybak, saying, "It's possible to be a left-leaning mayor in a left-leaning city and still be both a fiscal conservative and a friend to business and development."

Rybak has been endorsed by four labor unions for his reelection bid. He has also hired Jaclyn Urness, state field director for Barack Obama's Minnesota campaign, as his campaign manager.

Sources:
Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/local/39197712.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUl
WCCO. http://wcco.com/local/r.t.rybak.2.929597.html

Posted by geexx029 at 11:20 PM | Permalink

The Holocaust-denying bishop whose views sparked a "diplomatic crisis" in the Vatican lived and taught at a Minnesota seminary in Winona for 15 years.

Bishop Richard Williamson was one of four bishops from the society Society of St. Pius X whose excommunication was lifted in January. The decision sparked controversy because of a recent interview in which Williamson denies that Jews were gassed during the Holocaust, WCCO reported.

Williamson made similar statements in Winona, the Winona Daily News reported.

Pope Benedict XVI's recent decision to lift the excommunications shouldn't be interpreted as an embrace of the society's beliefs or an endorsement of its practices, said Rev. Donald P. Schmitz, vicar general of the Diocese of Winona.

Argentina newspapers reported that Williamson has been dismissed as the head of an La Reja seminary, CNN reported.

“Monsignor Williamson’s statements do not in any way reflect the position of our congregation," Father Christian Bouchacourt, the head of the Latin American chapter of the Catholic Society St. Pius X, said to the Argentine newspaper.

WCCO. http://wcco.com/local/holocaust.denying.bishop.2.929891.html
CNN. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/world/europe/09pope.html?ref=world

Posted by geexx029 at 11:02 PM | Permalink

The death toll for Australia's deadliest wildfire is 128, with the number expected to rise, authorities said.

Wildfires have been burning for weeks in Victoria, but wind and higher temperatures caused a deadly firestorm to sweep through the region. The southern region of Australia is suffereing worst drought in a century.

"The Victoria Country Fire Service said some 850 square miles (2,200 square kilometers) were burned out," reported the Star Tribune. The affected area is comparable to an area larger than Luxembourg, or three times the size of Hong Kong, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Australin Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said in an interview with Australian television that up to 400 troops will head to the affected regions to aid in rescue and recovery efforts.

"Rudd announced the creation of a AU$10 million ($6.7 million) relief fund to immediately assist the more than 600 families that have lost homes to the blaze. He also promised troops would be deployed to help fight the flames," reported CNN.

At least 750 homes were destroyed in Victoria state, where all the deaths occurred.

Police suspect arsonists are responsible for the deadly blazes.

"Our fire experts and our own investigators have suggested that the way that it happened, how fast that it happened, that there is good evidence to believe that it was lit," said state police commissioner Christine Nixon.

Sources:
Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/world/39280602.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUT
The Age. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/one-of-australias-darkest-days-gillard-20090209-81id.html
Sydney Morning Herald. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/australian-wildfires-rage-on-after-killing-128-20090209-81te.html
CNN. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/08/australia.wildfires/index.html

Posted by geexx029 at 9:55 PM | Permalink

More than 598,000 Americans lost their jobs in January, raising the unemployment rate to 7.6%, the highest percentage since 1982, the Labor Department said.

President Obama said the jobs report underlines the sense of urgency to pass the stimulus bill, the New York Times reported.

The manufactoring industries suffered the most job cuts with a total of 207,000 after cutting 162,000 in December. Retail and construction industries cut fewer jobs in January after large job cuts in December.

"The economy has lost 3.6 million jobs since the start of the recession in December 2007," reports National Public Radio.

The United States recession has started to affect the global market: most of Europe is slipping into a recession.

According to the report, economists say that unemployment will continue to rise. Economists predict the banking system to report over $1 trillion to $3 trillion in losses tied to the housing market.

"If there is anyone, anywhere, who doubts the need for wise counsel and bold and immediate action, consider the devastating news we just received this morning," said President Obama.

Sources:
New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/07/business/economy/07jobs.html
National Public Radio. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100328410

Posted by geexx029 at 2:47 PM | Permalink

Tom Daschle, former South Dakota senate majority leader and President Obama's nominee for the head of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, explained Monday why he recently paid $140,000 in back taxes and interest.

"In a letter to the panel, Tom Daschle, the former Senate majority leader and Democratic senator from South Dakota, said he was "deeply embarrassed and disappointed" by the tax errors," reported National Public Radio.

The Senate committee considering his nomination plans holds closed meetings Monday afternoons. Daschle will be expected to answer questions regarding his tax errors. The committee will decide whether or not the tax problem will stand in the way of his confirmation.

In the last two years, Daschle has collected over $5.2 million in earnings while advising companies: insurers, hospitals, real estate, energy, and telecommunications were a few industries included in a report issued by the Office of Government Ethics.

"Among the health care interest groups paying Daschle for speeches were America's Health Insurance Plans, $40,000 for two speeches, CSL Behring, $30,000, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, $16,000, and the Principal Life Insurance Co., $15,000," reported the Associated Press.

Sources:
National Public Radio. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100134492&ft=1&f=1001
Associated Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hKcJEw8d1rCegiLNxA85ewoJyqBgD9633R3G0

Posted by geexx029 at 9:17 AM | Permalink

The Obama administration has been a focal point for news stories, so I will analyze a lead from a recent story by the New York Times.

President Obama said on Sunday that he was confident his economic stimulus package, which moves to the Senate this week, would eventually receive “substantial support� from Republicans, and Democratic senators suggested they would be open to altering the bill to reflect Republicans’ ideas on housing and spending for infrastructure.

This lead gives readers the most important information summarized in one sentence. The lead describes the "who", it describes the parties involved: President Obama, Democrats, and Republicans. The "what" is the economic stimulus package. I could walk away and understand the main point of the story. The lead is written in an active voice, which underlines the main idea clearly.

It's written in a hard-news approach. There's no fluff, there's no drama, and it's not too lengthy. When reading politics, I don't want to dance around the topic. I need to know the essential facts, and all of that is included in this news lead. The first thing that "hit's the reader's eye" is "President Obama", an eye-catching start. Within the first clause, "President Obama said on Sunday that he was confident his economic stimulus package," the reader knows the most important information in the entire story.

On a visual level, I think that the lead looks a bit lengthy. If I counted correctly, there are four clauses, both independent and dependent, in the news lead. I started to get lost after the second comma. I would like this news lead to have a little more clarity. I feel that the main idea could still be extracted from the news lead if the last part of the news lead were to be omitted. The lead would then read:

President Obama said on Sunday that he was confident his economic stimulus package, which moves to the Senate this week, would eventually receive “substantial support� from Republicans.

Sources:
The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/us/politics/02obama.html?_r=1&ref=business

Posted by geexx029 at 10:59 PM | Permalink

Olympic medalist Michael Phelps apologized to the public in response to a photo published by a British tabloid on Sunday.

"News of the World said the picture was taken during a November house party while Phelps was visiting the University of South Carolina," reported the Associated Press. The photo, taken three months after the Olympics, shows Phelps inhaling from a marijuana pipe.

"I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment," Phelps said in the statement released Sunday by his marketing agency, Octagon. "I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."

The Associated Press also reported, 'Phelps' main sanctions most likely will be financial - perhaps doled out by embarrassed sponsors who might be reconsidering their dealings with the swimmer."

According to the World Anti-Doping Agency code, "cannabis is not considered a banned substance during out-of-competition testing" (AP).

Phelps has never tested positive for a banned substance. He is also one of few Olympic athletes participating in a testing program to determine the accuracy of doping tests.

Sources:
The Associated Press. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SWM_PHELPS_MARIJUANA?SITE=MAHYC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/sports/othersports/02phelps.html?ref=sports

Posted by geexx029 at 9:20 PM | Permalink

The Dunn County Sheriff's Department identified the victims of the Wisconsin plane crash that occured Friday, killing three passengers on board. Authorities reported that Laurence Berg and his wife, Vicki Berg, were headed home to Houlton, Wis. with a family friend, Brett Weller.

A call to the sheriff's department around 9:45 p.m. described a possible plane crash near Hwy. 55 and 770th Avenue in Tainter township, north of Menomonie, Wis. Deputies discovered the wreckage in a wooded area.

"Because there were fatalities, the National Transportation Safety Board will handle the investigation, Federal Aviation Administration officials said," reports the Pioneer Press.

The cause of the crash remains unknown. A preliminary report is expected next week from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Witnesses report seeing a bright flash in the sky.

"I saw something that looked like a big shooting star," Jackson McMahon, from Menomonie, said. "Then, on the horizon, I saw a big, pink glow."

Sources:
Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/local/east/38753792.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUsZ
Pioneer Press. http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11600276?nclick_check=1

Posted by geexx029 at 11:50 AM | Permalink