News #78: Airplane forced to turn back over Atlantic

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Airbus airplane forced to turn back to New York 90 minutes into flight to Paris
Air France A380 turned back due to a "minor incident," airline says
Airbus declines to specify what caused the plane to turn back

News #77: Albinos in hiding after attacks

News #76:White House crashers named in 16 civil suits

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Tareq and Michaele Salahi named in at least 16 lawsuits, filed for Chapter 7 in February
Couple posts Facebook photos purportedly showing them at inauguration events
Secret Service admits it "did not follow proper procedures"
Service said Salahis went through metal detectors, other levels of security

News #75: Cate Blanchett: I love raising boys

By Paul Chi, PEOPLE.com
cnnAuthor = "By Paul Chi, PEOPLE.com";4:23 p.m. EST

News #74: Thanksgiving 2009!!!!

Macy's parade balloons!!!
The Spiderman balloon moves down Central Park West marking the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York November 26, 2009Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/galleries/macys_parade_balloons/macys_parade_balloons.html#ixzz0YNpfnVRE

News #73: Clinical Trials Update

Stress Urinary Incontinence
This study will evaluate the long-term effectiveness of an investigational procedure for stress urinary incontinence. If you are a female, aged 18 or older, and have had stress urinary incontinence for at least six months, you may qualify.
(The research sites are located nationwide. )

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
This is a 12-week study for people with moderate-to-severe, stable COPD. Participants will receive study related treatment and compensation up to $550.
(The research site is in La Palma, Calif. )

News #72: National Situation Update

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Disaster Declaration Activity
The Governor of Virginia is requesting a major disaster declaration resulting from wind, rain and flooding associated with Tropical Storm Ida during the period of November 11, 2009 and continuing. Specifically requested is Public Assistance for five counties, seven independent cities, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)

News #71:Fort Hood victim 'died as she lived,' friend says

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Lt. Col. Juanita Warman was one of 13 slain at Texas' Fort Hood this month
Warman buried Monday at Arlington National Cemetery
She was a nurse practitioner with the Maryland National Guard
Warman was "passionate, caring, and serving others," friend says

News #70: Thousands march for, against Nicaraguan government

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Anti-government demonstrators protest president's bid for re-election
High court lifted ban on consecutive presidential terms last month
Supporters say government is acting on behalf of people

News #69:More than 30 top militants killed, detained, NATO force says

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Dead include Mullah Farid Fazil Lang, who was tied to New York Times reporter's kidnapping
NATO's International Security Assistance Force: 26 captured, eight killed
Militants "known for leading the planning and undertaking of deadly attacks," the force says

News #68: Poll: Public shifting blame for recession

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
38 percent blame Republicans, 27 percent blame Democrats
In May, 53 percent blamed Republicans for economic mess
Rising federal deficit may partly explain shift, CNN polling director says
Only 18 percent say economic conditions are good

News #67:Sweeping Pentagon review expected in wake of Fort Hood

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates expected to announce review of military procedures
Senior Pentagon official says Gates is still working though final details
Review could look at policies about weapons being brought onto bases
Another focus could be on sharing of information about potentially troubled personnel

News #66:Heidi Klum trying to lose 20 lbs.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Heidi Klum lost some of her pregnancy weight
The model said she still has 20 pounds to go, but is embracing her figure
Klum's working out with a trainer, but isn't doing too much too soon
With three kids and a new baby, she's focusing on giving her attention to them

By Charlotte Triggs, PEOPLE.com

News #65:Lang Lang: The most popular pianist on the planet

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Lang Lang began playing piano at age three, winning competitions by five
His parents pushed him hard, devoting their lives to his musical career
Lang Lang's celebrity surged after Beijing Olympics, Grammy Awards
Jazz legend Herbie Hancock and Lang Lang team for classical/jazz tour

Performance Art by Jahyung

News #64: A smoke-free Lebanon: Reality or pipedream?

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Lebanon has one of the highest smoking rates in the world, according to WHO
No minimum age to buy cigarettes; 65 percent of 13- to 15-year-old boys smoke
Anti-smoking guru says patients with smoking-related diseases getting younger
Lebanese unlikely to give up the weed easily as they associate smoking with freedom

News #63: Kim Yu-na Wins 7th Straight Grand Prix Event

News #62: Kim Yu-na

World champion Kim Yu-na sets record for short program at Skate America
By Barry Wilner, APNovember 14th, 2009

World champion Kim sets record

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Kim Yu-na is one straight-shooting Bond girl.


The world champion from South Korea set a world record for a short program Saturday night at Skate America, breaking her own mark with 76.28 points. She capped the mesmerizing performance to a James Bond medley with a marksman’s pose that would make Sean Connery or Daniel Craig proud.

“I’m trying to do a clean program every time,” Kim said after blowing away the field, grabbing a 17.48-point lead over American Rachael Flatt. “It’s not about the score. I don’t want to think about the score.”

She even admitted breaking the world mark was a surprise — to her, if not to the adoring fans who began buzzing when she came out for warmups, erupted in cheers when she finished to a standing ovation, then pressed their faces against windows overlooking the interview area.

There were banners proclaiming “Queen Kim” and even ones portraying the 19-year-old sensation as a Simpsons character and as the Pink Panther. On this night, she did everything but carve 007 into the ice.

“She wants to go out and skate well, show everybody what you are,” said coach Brian Orser, a two-time Olympic silver medalist. “I think she’s just excited about these new programs. They are such a good fit for her; she wears them well.”

If she keeps skating this way, she’ll be wearing gold in Vancouver in February. Asked if she can be beaten, she opened her mouth wide and shrugged.

News # 61: 'New Moon' soundtrack to make new stars?

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" soundtrack has already hit No. 1 on Billboard charts
Singer Anya Marina, a discovery of director, wrote a song for the album in one week
She may have success like that of Bobby Long, who had song on "Twilight" soundtrack

News #60: U.S. alleges company laundered money for Iran

The U.S. government seeks forfeiture of at least three mosques, including this one in Houston, Texas.

News #59: Peppero Day!

11 / 11 (November 11th) is a Korean celebrating the peppero day!
Because this snack Peppero looks like 11/ 11, Korean people made a "Peppero Day" and everyone give each other or special person a peppero, like Valentines' day.
On Nov. 11th 2009 in Korea, all the stores were out of pepperoes, and streets were crowded with many people holding their giant pepperoes.

News #58: Bill Clinton to address Senate Democrats on health care

Bill Clinton will talk to Senate Democrats on Tuesday, two senior Democratic sources tell CNN.


STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Clinton will attend Senate Democrats' weekly luncheon Tuesday, sources tell CNN.
Clinton will push message that failure to pass health bill will have election consequences.
House of Representatives passed health care bill over the weekend

News #57: Noted indie drummer dies in fall down elevator shaft

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Jerry Fuchs played with LCD Soundsystem, !!!, The Juan McLean

Fuchs was trying to get out of stuck elevator, fell down shaft

"The world of independent music has sustained a really significant loss," said friend

News #56: Hurricane Ida moves into U.S. Gulf Coast

News #55: Doctors, five others held in Mexican stolen babies case

Vanesa Edith Castillo Guzmán is reunited with her daughter Diana Fernanda Castillo.

News #54: Holocaust survivors at greater risk for cancer, study finds

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Cancer rates higher for Jews who were possibly exposed to the Holocaust
Mental stress and caloric deprivation could contribute to later health problems
Five-year cancer survival rates were worse, study author reported

News #53: Matsui and the league that Ruth built

The New York Yankees' Hideki Matsui is the first Japanese-born World Series MVP.

News #52: Does China really want the iPhone?

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Since its official launch in China, only 5,000 people have bought an iPhone
Wi-Fi restrictions in China mean that many iPhone services will be diminished
Still seen by many as a status symbol; high price tag and cachet of Apple brand
Analysts doubt many apps will be developed for the iPhone in China

News #51: Poll: Americans divided in battle for Congress

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
435 members of Congress are up for re-election next year
More than a third of the Senate seats are up for grabs
Poll: Half say they'd vote for the Democratic candidate if race held today
44 percent saying they'd back the Republican candidate, poll finds

News #50: Late season hot spots for leaf peepers

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

2009 fall foliage season peaking later than usual, say experts

November peaks expected in North Carolina, Georgia mountains, Arkansas

Arkansas uses Web technology to offer updated leaf peeping info

Sudden aspen decline affects Western states; New Mexico mountains may peak soon

News #49: Parents of California teen raped at school: Stop the violence

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

"Please do not respond to this tragic event by promoting hatred,"
victim's parents say

Family's statement read during community event at campus where attack took place

Police say 10 people may have been involved in rape outside Richmond High School

Five arrested in connection with attack, which occurred during homecoming dance