Gayle Quinnel, a John McCain supporter says at a McCain Rally that "Obama is an Arab". She is quickly corrected by John McCain who takes away her microphone. This is an interview with her done by a live streaming cell phone. Interviewers include Noah Kunin, Senior Political Correspondent from The UpTake, Adam Aigner of NBC News and Dana Bash of CNN. Quinnel cited that she obtained the information on Obama being an Arab at "her local library" and from a pamphlet obtained at a local McCain campaign office (provided by a fellow volunteer not the campaign itself). She has taken it upon herself to redistribute the information as widely as possible by making copies of the pamphlet and sending it to random names in the phone book.
Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama went head to head in Cleveland last night. The two had their final debate before the primaries in Texas and Ohio next week. Obama took on Clinton for her past position on the Iraq war, while Clinton attacked the Illinois senator on health care mailings and NAFTA. She also said Obama was unprepared to handle foreign policy crises. Clinton has upped her attacks on her opponent recently, after he took 11 states in a row.
The European Union is fining Microsoft for failing to obey an antitrust order. The EU is fining the corporation a record 1.3 billon dollars for charging its rivals too much for software information. Microsoft says the fine refers to past problems, and they're now working to make their product more open. This is the largest fine the EU has ever issued to a single company for this issue.
The U.S. dollar has hit a new low in Europe today. The euro reportedly soared to more than $1.50 and the British pound reached $1.99...making it more expensive for Americans to travel in Europe. This comes as reports released show the U.S. economy is slowing and predicts the Federal Reserve will continue cutting interest rates. Meanwhile the sliding dollar caused oil prices hit a new high today...at $102 dollars a barrel.
Today is day three in the trial for the shooting of Sean Bell. Bell was killed on his wedding day by New York detectives last November...the 3 officials accused of the shooting say they thought Bell was reaching for a gun. The young man's father William testified in court yesterday, emotionally recalling the night of his death. Bell's father was with him celebrating his bachelor party, shortly before his death. The defense claims Bell was drunk and disorderly on that night.
Stars are stepping out on the campaign trail to show support for presidential candidates. Robert DeNiro joined Democratic hopeful Barack Obama on stage yesterday at a rally in New Jersey. The actor said Obama has inspired him and is the one person he believes can bring change to the U.S. The Illinois Senator has also had continued support from Oprah Winfrey. Other celebrity endorsements came from Jack Nicholson...he announced his support for Hillary Clinton on a morning radio show yesterday.
Britney Spears' father is staying in control of her wealth for now. A Los Angeles court ruled yesterday to keep Jamie Spears as the conservator of her affairs...which apparently includes her 40 million dollar fortune. Her Dad will hold onto control until the pop star is healthy. This comes after a Spears lawyer argued against the decision. He said the pop star was strongly opposed to the decision, fearing it may cause more tension and estrangement.
Heath Ledger's family is now back home in Australia after an emotional week. The actor's father Kim and other relatives reportedly solemnly walked through an airport in Perth yesterday. Ledger's family was in Los Angeles for several memorial services in honor of the actor. He'll now apparently be buried in a family plot near the family's home. Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment last month. The cause of death is still unknown.
Sean "Diddy" Combs is taking on acting and producing in a new made for TV film. He stars and was the executive producer for "A Raisin in the Sun"...a film version of a 1959 Broadway play. The actor attended the premiere for the new release last night in New York. His co-stars Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald were also at last night's event. "A Raisin in the Sun" will air on ABC February 25.
Amy Winehouse apparently still plans on making an appearance at the Grammy Awards. The singer reportedly took a break from rehab to visit the U.S. Embassy in London...She was accompanied by her father and a nurse from the facility. Her rep says she was looking to get a Visa in order to attend the Award ceremony on Sunday. Winehouse is nominated in six categories. The singer checked into rehab for substance abuse treatment last month.
Coming off Saturday's South Carolina blow-out, the Sunday shows were a wall-to-wall Clinton pile-on. In today's episode of our weekly Sunday show roundup we bring you the high/lowlights.
The Federal Reserve has cut two key interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point. The rate cut happened earlier today, just as stocks plunged at the opening bell. The Fed lowered its federal funds rate from 4.25 percent to 3.5. That rate affects how much people pay on credit card debt, home equity lines of credit and auto loans. It also lowered its discount rate three-quarters of a point to 4 percent. That rate determines what it costs banks to borrow directly from the central bank. This was the biggest rate cut by the Fed since October 1984.
Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama engaged in their most heated debate yet last night. Just minutes into the debate in South Carolina, the two exchanged sharp criticisms over health care and other issues. On numerous occasions, they interrupted each other and even turned to direct their responses to each other instead of a panel of moderators. Former Senator John Edwards tried to stay out of the heated exchange. South Carolina voters will go to the polls on Saturday for the first Democratic primary in the South.
Israel is allowing fuel and medical supplies into Gaza today after an earlier blockade left residents struggling with major power cuts. Last week, Israel closed all border crossings with Gaza after days of rocket attacks on the southern part of the country. That sparked massive protests and a fear from aid agencies that the move could turn into a humanitarian crisis.
President Bush marked the Martin Luther King holiday yesterday with a visit to Washington's downtown library named after the historic individual. The President, First Lady and D.C.'s mayor participated in a lesson for a handful children. Bush posted pictures on a bulletin board and taught the students how King fought to change unfair laws.
A new poll out shows Senator Barack Obama leading over Senator Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire. The state will hold its primaries tomorrow. Obama, who won last week's Iowa caucuses, stands at 39 percent. Clinton is at 29 percent. On the Republican side, Senator John McCain leads former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney by a narrower margin...32 to 26 percent. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is in third place at 14 percent.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is blaming former prime minister Benazir Bhutto for her own assassination. Musharraf says it was her fault to stand up outside the car. Bhutto was killed last month while she was standing in an armored moving car after rallying supporters for parliamentary elections. Those elections have now been postponed. Her head was above the roof and unprotected. The cause of her death is still not clear. Musharraf says he welcomes an international investigation.
The U.S. Supreme Court is taking up the issue of lethal injection today. It will hear arguments in a death penalty case to decide whether the lethal injections used to execute criminals cause unacceptable pain. The court's ruling is expected by the end of June. It could decide if the current lethal drug combination is constitutional or whether states have to come up with alternatives that pose less risk of pain and suffering.
In sports, former major-league pitcher Roger Clemens is suing his ex-trainer for defamation over allegations of steroid use. The trainer reportedly injected Clemens with steroid and human growth hormones between 1998 and 2001. The lawsuit claims the trainer was threatened with jail if he didn't connect the pitcher to steroids. Both men are expected to testify under oath next week before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Talk show host Oprah Winfrey is showing her support for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Winfrey spoke at a campaign event in Iowa over the weekend. She expressed her strong belief in Obama's capabilities to change the country for the better. This is Winfrey's first time campaigning for a presidential hopeful. She says it's the first time she felt compelled to stand up and show support.
Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough has tied the knot. People magazine says he married his girlfriend of about 7 years Leigh Boniello. The pair apparently said their vows in Dorough's hometown of Orlando, Florida. The singer proposed to Boniello last New Years in front of friends and family.
"The Golden Compass" topped U.S. box offices over the weekend. The fantasy thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig took the number one spot in theaters, bringing in more than 26 million dollars in ticket sales. Number two was Disney's "Enchanted starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey. The holiday film "This Christmas" landed in third.
Production workers are calling for an end to the Writer's Guild strike. Workers involved in TV and film marched in Los Angeles over the weekend to fight for their jobs back. They want negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to continue. These production workers are not part of the strike, but many have lost their jobs as a result.
Stars flooded a Hollywood red carpet last night for the premiere of a new romantic comedy. Oscar award winning actress Hillary Swank stars in "P.S. I Love You," as well as Girard Butler and Lisa Kudrow. The film is about a widow trying to get her life back together. Other stars like singer James Blunt and actress Mary Louise-Parker made it to the premiere as well. The film hits theaters December 21.
