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Latest news stories, news stuff, international news stories, weird news stories, odd news stories etc. The head of Iran's election commission says President Mahmoud [[ MOCK-mood ]] Ahmadinejad [[ ahmah-DIN-ee-zhahd ]] could be the winner in today's election.  With about 20 percent of the ballots counted, the election official said Ahmadinejad got close to 70 percent of the votes.  His moderate opponent, however, says he is the winner and is claiming election irregularities occurred.  Earlier today, President Obama acknowledged Iran's "robust debate" and said he hoped the election would improve the way Washington and Tehran negotiate in the future. 

The House cast a final vote that was overwhelmingly in favor of a tobacco regulation bill.  The measure is now headed for President Obama's desk.  It gives the Food and Drug Administration broad power over cigarettes and other tobacco products for the first time, including nicotine levels.  Critics argue the FDA already has too much on its plate and cannot handle more regulatory authority.

The men in charge of struggling General Motors and Chrysler are defending their decisions to close hundreds of dealerships.  On the heels of a recent Senate hearing, Chrysler President James Press and GM CEO Fritz Henderson faced more grilling in a U.S. House hearing.  Roughly two-thousand GM and Chrysler dealers are losing their franchises.  The auto executives argued restructuring is painful but necessary as the two companies work to regain their footing.

Clark Rockefeller has been sentenced to four to five years in a Massachusetts prison for abducting his then seven-year-old daughter last summer.  Rockefeller, whose real name is Christian Gerhartsreiter [[GAIR-harts-riter]], was found guilty today of kidnapping and also assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.  During the trial, the defense argued Rockefeller could not be held responsible for his behavior because he was insane when he took the girl.

The countdown clock is ticking for tomorrow’s 7:17 a.m. Eastern Time launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour.  NASA managers say there are no last-minute technical issues at this time and weather conditions should be near perfect for lift-off.  Endeavour is blasting off on a 16-day mission to the International Space Station to install the final segment of the Japanese science lab called Kibo [[ kee-BO ]].

Heidi Montag-Pratt is making even more headlines by announcing she'll be in the September issue of "Playboy" magazine.  The MTV "Hills" star and her husband Spencer Pratt recently did a brief stint on NBC's "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here."  Heidi reportedly posed for the "Playboy" spread before she and Spencer took off to the Costa Rican jungle for the NBC reality show.  They tried to bail out of the show as contestents two times and then quit again after Heidi fell ill.

President Obama says the cycle of suspicion and discord that exists between the U.S. and the Muslim world must end. Veteran actor David Carradine has died in Bangkok. Residents in the Chinese city of Hong Kong held a candlelight ceremony to honor the demonstrators attacked 20 years ago in Tiananmen Square. The search continues in the Atlantic Ocean for bodies and debris from Monday's crash of an Air France jumbo jet. And both high-end and discount retailers are reporting disappointing sales for May.

The cycle of suspicion and discord that exists between the U.S. and the Muslim world must end. That's one of the points President Obama made in his much-anticipated speech at Cairo University in Egypt early today. He said violent extremists have exploited tensions in a minority of Muslims in different countries, who continue to carry out attacks on civilians. Obama also renewed the call for a two-state solution to the longtime Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Muslim-American Dr. Farah [[ fa-RAH ]] Khan, who worked on Obama's presidential campaign, said his speech was on target in what he wanted to convey to the Islamic world.

Veteran actor David Carradine has died at the age of 72. The former 1970s "Kung Fu" television star was found dead in a hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand, this morning. A hotel maid apparently discovered Carradine's body hanged inside a closet in the room. Police believe the actor may have committed suicide. In recent years, Carradine had starred opposite Uma Thurman in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films and was a guest star on television shows that included "Medium."

About 150-thousand people gathered in the Chinese city of Hong Kong for a candlelight ceremony to honor the demonstrators attacked 20 years ago in Tiananmen Square. Chinese authorities tightened security around the famous site in Beijing ahead of today's anniversary of the violence. Chinese troops and tanks opened fire on June 4th, 1989, on pro-democracy demonstrators. The enduring image from the event was of a young man standing in front of a tank, trying to block its path. weird stories

The search continues in the Atlantic Ocean for bodies and debris from Monday's crash of an Air France jumbo jet headed from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. The Paris newspaper "Le Monde" cites sources who say the plane could have been flying at the wrong speed given the stormy conditions it may have encountered. Planes typically slow down when entering thunderstorms, but slowing down too much can cause the aircraft or its engines to stall.

Both high-end and discount retailers in the U.S. are reporting disappointing sales for May. The numbers indicate shoppers are still keeping their cash in their wallets given the ongoing recession. Both Costco and Target missed expectations for May, while the biggest sales declines were among luxury retailers. Saks Fifth Avenue posted a drop of more than 25-percent for same-store sales during May.

Senate Republicans are introducing a measure to give U.S. taxpayers ownership of government shares in General Motors and Chrysler. Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander calls it the best way to get car stocks "out of the hands of Washington and back in the hands of taxpayers." The government has spent tens of billions of dollars to bail out the two struggling automakers.

Singer Ashlee Simpson-Wentz reportedly was spewing insults at the ex-girlfriend of her rocker husband Pete Wentz earlier this week. The celebrity gossip site PerezHilton.com says Simpson and Wentz bumped into "Gossip Girl" actress Michelle Trachtenberg at the "DJ Hero" video game party in Los Angeles. Ashlee reportedly began drinking and later was shouting insults at Michelle. The singer reportedly told Michelle that Pete had cheated on her.

The World Health Organization says drug manufacturers won't be able to start making a swine flu vaccine until mid-July at the earliest. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says there needs to be more international cooperation on finding a vaccine. The WHO says it will then take months to produce the vaccine for the H1N1 strain. Latest figures show 79 people have died after contracting the virus worldwide and almost ten-thousand people have been infected in 40 countries.

At least 300 students at a Washington state high school missed school Tuesday with flu-like symptoms. Lindbergh High School officials in the Seattle suburb of Renton say that's the same number of students who were either sent home or didn't show up to school on Monday for the same reason. Officials sent a letter home to parents asking them to keep their children home if they display flu-like symptoms. Extra cleaning workers were brought in Tuesday afternoon to make sure the school was disinfected.
Scientists at UCLA have identified a common gene variant that may increase a child's risk of developing autism. A study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and Cure Autism Now used tools from the Human Genome Project to find versions of genes that were prevalent in the DNA of families with autistic children. Researchers found that families with two or more sons affected by autism but no affected daughters were more likely to carry a particular form of a gene known as CACNA1G. The team at UCLA still isn't sure how changes in the gene, which helps move calcium between cells, may contribute to a higher autism risk. However, they hope the answer will unlock valuable clues into why boys are ten times more likely to be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder than girls. The study appears in the May 19th advance online edition of the journal "Molecular Psychiatry."

Legislation that would require insurance coverage of autism treatment has moved closer to becoming law in New Jersey. A total of ten states have enacted similar legislation, and New Jersey's Assembly may vote as early as Thursday. A Senate bill has moved to the Appropriations committee. New Jersey's bill would provide developmentally disabled patients younger than 21 with insurance benefits of as much as 36-thousand dollars annually for screening and therapies related to autism.

Consumer advocacy groups are asking Florida Governor Charlie Crist to veto legislation that allows doctors who don't belong to PPO networks to receive insurance payments. The groups say allowing out of network doctors to receive insurance checks would raise premiums. Brad Ashwell with the Florida Public Interest Research Group says the legislation could lead to surprise charges. Governor Charlie Crist has yet to receive the legislation. When he does he'll have 15 days to either sign or veto the bill.

A review will be conducted to determine if a brain injury research lab at the University of Texas should be relocated to Waco. The six-million-dollar Brain Imaging and Recovery Lab has been on hold since last year. The Department of Veterans Affairs rents the state-of-the-art brain scanner from UT to study traumatic brain injuries. The program was put in a holding pattern after its director, Robert Van Boven, accused his superiors of fraud and mismanagement. Congressional staffers will arrive Thursday to determine if the move to Waco should be accomplished.

A Minnesota study has found smoking bans make no economic difference to bars and restaurants nor do laws exempting some businesses from smoking bans. Researchers say clean indoor air laws also do not cause job losses in bars and restaurants. The study looked at employment trends over three years in eight Minnesota cities. All had varying policies when it came to indoor air. Two cities had no smoking restrictions at all. Elizabeth Klein, assistant professor of health behavior and health promotion at Ohio State University and the lead author of the study sums up the research saying "in the end we can say there isn't a significant economic effect by type of clean indoor air policy." Currently, 15 states have laws in effect that ban smoking in all workplaces, restaurants and bars according to figures provided by the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation. Three more states have passed similar restrictions that will go into effect soon. Research details are in the June issue of the journal "Prevention Science."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced a recall of more than 95-thousand pounds of ground beef products that may be tainted with E. coli. The potentially contaminated beef comes from Coal Valley, Illinois-based meatpacker Valley Meats LLC. The recall comes just as millions of Americans prepare to fire up the grill for Memorial Day. It was prompted by an investigation into a cluster of E. coli cases reported by the Ohio Department of Health. Health officials are trying to determine whether the case of a seven-year-old girl from Cleveland who died from E. coli may be linked to tainted Valley Meats products. Clusters of infections have now also been reported in Pennsylvania and Illinois. Included in the recall are beef products sold under the brand names 3S, Grillmaster, J&B, Klub, Thick 'N Savory and Ultimate, as well as specific non-brand name products. All the recalled products were produced on March 10th of this year and bear the establishment number "EST. 5712" inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were distributed to stores nationwide. A full list of the products included in the recall can be found on the USDA website.

Imagine a program embedded in your cell phone that keeps track of every move you make -- and you consider it a good thing. A team of researchers at the University of Houston has come up with an iPhone app that tracks the number of calories a person burns during the day. The app is called Walk n' Play and is in the form of a game that lets users compete against other iPhone users or against a simulator while the calories are burned. The creators say all that's really required is to "keep the phone attached to your waistband or carry it in your pocket." The phone keeps track of every body motion then translates the motion into calories burned. A total is presented to the user every 24 hours. The download at Apple's App Store is free. The creators say the program is actually more accurate than a treadmill calorie counter since it works on a 24-hour cycle. The gaming aspect makes the app more interesting than simply tracking the number of steps taken during the day with a pedometer. The creators hope to eventually use the program in a large scale study where user data will be tracked over a long period of time for research on obesity.

A health study determined the anti-cholesterol drug fenofibrate appears to reduce the risk of amputation for diabetics by as much as 36 percent. Researchers in Australia ran a five-year trial involving nearly ten-thousand diabetic patients. About half of them were given fenofibrate while the rest were given a placebo. By the end of the trial, 115 patients had to undergo lower-limb amputations. The risk of first time amputation was 36 percent lower for patients given the drug compared with those who received the placebo. Researchers say the findings could lead to a change in standard treatment for the prevention of diabetes-related lower-limb amputations. The study is published in a special edition on diabetes by the medical journal "The Lancet."

"Sobering" predictions of even more rises in healthcare costs are driving lawmakers to reach a deal on a major overhaul of the nation's healthcare system. Congressional legislators are working on a plan that would provide coverage to all Americans. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released a study concluding the number of uninsured Americans could rise to over 65 million in just ten years with healthcare costs more than doubling. The report says mostly middle-income and some high-income families could be among those who will be uninsured. Congressional Democrats are seeking a public plan that will compete with private insurers. That policy has been tagged as high as one-point-five-trillion-dollars. Some of the measures that have been proposed for raising the revenue to pay for the program include raising federal alcohol taxes and a proposed tax on sugary drinks. GOP lawmakers contend a government program could force private insurers to close their doors. President Obama has made it clear he wants to sign an overhaul of the healthcare industry into law by the end of this year.

Areas near the campus of Notre Dame University are the scene of protests again today. Demonstrators have been expressing their anger over President Obama's appearance tomorrow at the school to deliver the commencement address. He is also to receive an honorary degree from the Catholic school. Protesters are unhappy that a pro-abortion President who also advocates stem cell research is speaking at the university. During demonstrations yesterday, former presidential candidate Alan Keyes was among those who were arrested protesting Obama's appearance at Notre Dame tomorrow.


A Republican governor from Utah who speaks Mandarin has been nominated as the next U.S. ambassador to China. President Obama today tapped Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. for the post during an announcement from the White House. Huntsman served as deputy U.S. trade representative in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2001-2004. He's been mentioned as a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2012. The ambassadorship to China has grown increasingly important due to the country's role as the biggest investor in U.S. Treasury bonds and as a key U.S. trading partner.

Astronauts are working hard and earning their pay during a spacewalk to repair the Hubble Telescope today. During yesterday's nearly eight-hour mission, six gyroscopes were replaced on the Hubble. Two crew members from the Space Shuttle Atlantis are working on the telescope's survey camera today in what could be the most complex spacewalk of their mission to upgrade Hubble.

The final edition of Arizona's oldest newspaper hits the stands today. The owner of the "Tucson Citizen", the Gannett Company, had put the planned closure of the paper on hold in March while looking for a buyer. Unfortunately, there were no takers. The "Tucson Citizen" website will continue to operate, with opinions only, and minus news or sports content. Newspaper employees will receive a severance package and some may be able to stay on with the revised operation.

The favorite to win the 134th running of the Preakness today at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland is Rachel Alexander. The filly won the Kentucky Oaks and will be guided by the jockey that rode Mine That Bird to victory in the Kentucky Derby earlier this month. The one-point-one-million-dollar Preakness has a scheduled post-time of 6:15 p.m. Eastern.

President Obama and the GOP were talking about health care in their weekly radio addresses. Work continues to repair the Hubble Telescope. The head of the CIA is responding strongly to remarks concerning his agency made by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. And, Hollywood came to Washington for the premiere of "Night at the Museum."

President Obama had a lot to say about the state of health care costs in the U.S. During his weekly radio address to the nation today, Obama stressed the need for getting health care costs under control. He said the nation's businesses will not be able to compete; families will not be able to save or spend and budgets will remain unsustainable unless we get health care costs under control. Republicans were also talking about health care, but over increased worries about government interference. Representative Charles Boustany of Louisiana said a government health care plan would lead to rationed care and limited treatment options as well as far higher taxes.

Work is being done on the Hubble Telescope's survey camera in what could be the most complex spacewalk of the mission. Today's work could be some of the most intricate as the astronauts try to fix a scientific instrument while in orbit. During yesterday's nearly eight-hour spacewalk, six gyroscopes were replaced on the telescope.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been issued a stern response by CIA Director Leon Panetta over charges the spy agency lied to Congress about interrogation tactics. In his statement, Panetta said, quote, "CIA officers briefed truthfully on the interrogation of Abu Zubaydah," [[AH-boo zoo-BYE-dah]] a key terror suspect. He also made it clear it is not the policy or practice of the CIA to mislead Congress. Pelosi is being accused by Republican lawmakers of making misleading and contradictory statements about what she knew about controversial interrogation techniques in 2002 and 2003.

Protesters are out in force once again demonstrating against an appearance tomorrow at Notre Dame University by President Obama. He is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at the Catholic school and to be awarded an honorary degree. The South Bend "Tribune" reports busloads of protesters from the Pro-Life Action League are arriving from Chicago, St. Louis and Detroit to protest the President's pro-abortion stance and support for stem-cell research. Former presidential candidate Alan Keyes was among those who were arrested during demonstrations yesterday at the school. Keyes says he plans to return and be arrested again today.

The Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum has hosted plenty of big exhibits, but never a big movie premiere until Thursday night. Hollywood came to Washington, DC for the premiere of "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian." Among the film's stars that traveled to the Washington institution for the premiere: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria and Amy Adams. The film opens nationwide on May 22nd.

Officials in Arizona say they arrested a man who pulled over a real police officer and told him to slow down. According to the Arizona "Republic," David Word of Surprise used a siren on Tuesday night to pull over Avondale Police Officer Matt Lydic. Lydic was on his way to work at the time and was riving an unmarked police car. Lydic says Word pulled up next to him, told him to slow down and then drove away. Lydic ran a check on the license plat and they tracked down Word. Officials say he admitted pulling Lydic over but claimed he wasn't impersonating an officer.

A very chilling case is unfolding in Colorado that includes accusations of an 18-year-old killing a younger girl and then bragging about having sex with the corpse. Police in Broomfield say Alex Pacheco killed Kelsey Shannon last October and dumped her body in a drainage ditch. They say he also admitted to a friend he had sex with Shannon's remains after strangling her. Pacheco is charged with first-degree murder and behind bars without bond.

A 52-year-old Virginia man says he used his walking cane to scare off some thugs. Two men broke into Voneric Rhinehart's Danville home recently and tried to rob him. They were beating him up but Rhinehart managed to grab his cane and smack them until they left. He told WSET-TV, quote, "It's a life saving tool. I'll never forget the stick."

Sheriff's deputies in Jacksonville, Florida are trying to find a man who left his two young kids in a car with drugs while he went shopping. Officials say 25-year-old Taelius Pennington left the scene when deputies discovered the children inside a car with marijuana, cocaine and pills. Pennington allegedly took off when he came out of the store and spotted police around his car. He's accused of selling drugs from the vehicle.

A North Carolina couple is in hot water for allegedly growing pot in an 18-month-old child's closet. David Lee McMurty and Marie Ann Hawkins of Lincoln County were recently arrested after police received a tip that they were cultivating marijuana. Officials say they found marijuana plants in the child's bedroom closet as well as in another closet. The two were taken into custody while the toddler was placed with a family member.

NASA has canceled today's scheduled landing of Space Shuttle Atlantis. President Obama and Republicans paid tribute to the nation's veterans and those who currently serve in the military. Former police officer Drew Peterson allegedly tried to hire a hit man to kill his third wife. And, the findings of a new survey may want to may you keep an even more watchful eye on the other driver.

President Obama paid tribute to the nation's veterans and those who currently serve in the military, as well as their families in his weekly radio address. Obama told Americans on this Memorial Day weekend, America's troops "and the military families who love them" make up the best in America. He said "we have a responsibility to serve all of them as well as they serve all of us. Republicans were also talking about those who have served in the U.S. military in their weekly radio talk. Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming noted Memorial Day is a time to remember America's the ultimate sacrifice they made for the safety and prosperity of the U.S.

Former police officer Drew Peterson tried to hire a hit man to kill his third wife. That's the allegation being set forth by Illinois State's Attorney James Glasgow during a bail reduction hearing for Peterson yesterday. CNN reports Glasgow alleges Peterson tried to solicit a hit man for 25-thousand-dollars to kill Kathleen Savio. Peterson has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges connected with Savio's death in 2004. She was found dead in her bathtub.

Washington state's assisted suicide law has been put to use for the first time. CNN says a woman with advanced pancreatic cancer died Thursday night after taking prescribed medication. The nonprofit organization Compassion & Choices says Linda Fleming was diagnosed a month ago and was told she was "actively dying." It quoted her as saying the pain was unbearable and was going to get worse. Approximately 60-percent of the state's voters approved Washington's assisted suicide law in November.