"Chicago Tribune" Reader

"Chicago Tribune" Reader

California man linked to anti-Islam film denies violating probation

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 04:38 PM PDT

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula is escorted out of his home by Los Angeles County Sheriff's officers in Cerritos, CaliforniaA California man linked to an anti-Islam film that stoked violent protests in the Muslim world denied on Wednesday that he had violated his probation on a bank fraud conviction, and he was sent back to jail until his case can be heard on its merits. The man, who has been known publicly as Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, denied under oath in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles that he committed eight probation violations, including lying to officials over the scope his role in the film and using aliases. ...

Shooting of Pakistan girl activist sparks outrage

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 01:02 PM PDT

A supporter of Pakistani political party Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), center, reacts while she and other women chant prayers in support of 14-year-old schoolgirl Malala Yousufzai, who was shot on Tuesday by the Taliban for speaking out in support of education for women, at the (MQM)' headquarter in Karachi, Pakistan, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. Pakistani doctors successfully removed a bullet Wednesday from the neck of a 14-year-old girl who was shot by the Taliban for speaking out in support of education for women, a government minister said. Writing on poster read, " Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Pakistan." (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)Schools shut their doors in protest and Pakistanis across the country held vigils Wednesday to pray for a 14-year-old girl who was shot by a Taliban gunman after daring to advocate education for girls and criticize the militant group.

U.S. sets steep final duties on Chinese solar panels

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 04:53 PM PDT

An employee walks on solar panels at a solar power plant in AksuThe United States on Wednesday set steep final duties on billions of dollars of solar energy products from China, but turned down a request from lawmakers and U.S. manufacturers to expand the scope of its order. Chinese solar manufacturers criticized the decision, adding more heat to the U.S.-China trade relationship following a congressional panel report on Monday urging American companies not to do business with two Chinese telecommunications companies because of security concerns. ...

U.S. sends forces to Jordan as check on Syria

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 01:31 PM PDT

In this photo taken Oct. 10, 2012, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta speaks at NATO headquarters in Brussels. The US has sent troops to Jordan to bolster its military capabilities in the event Syria's civil war escalates, Panetta said Wednesday, reflecting U.S. concerns about the conflict spilling over allies' borders and about the security of Syria's chemical weapons arsenal. Speaking at a NATO conference of defense ministers, Panetta said the U.S. has been working with Jordan to monitor chemical and biological weapons sites in Syria and also to help Jordan deal with refugees pouring over the border from Syria. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)The United States has sent troops to Jordan to bolster its military capabilities in the event Syria's civil war escalates, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday, reflecting U.S. concerns about the conflict spilling over allies' borders and about the security of Syria's chemical weapons arsenal.

S&P cuts Spain credit rating to BBB-minus, near junk

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 03:52 PM PDT

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy looks down as he attends a ceremony at Torrejon's air baseStandard & Poor's on Wednesday cut Spain's sovereign credit rating to BBB-minus, just above junk territory, citing a deepening economic recession that is limiting the government's policy options to arrest the slide. The S&P downgrade comes with a negative outlook reflecting the credit ratings agency's view that there are significant risks to economic growth and budgetary performance, plus a lack of clear direction in euro zone policies. ...

Lance Armstrong accused of elaborate doping operation

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 03:33 PM PDT

The United States Anti-Doping Agency accused seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong of using an elaborate doping operation, a claim his lawyer rejected as a "hatchet job."

Obama on first presidential debate: 'I had a bad night'

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 07:18 AM PDT

President Obama Vows 'Determined' Performance at Second DebateThe president said he plans to more aggressively confront Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in their second debate next week, trying to allay concerns among supporters that a lackluster first debate performance may have cost him the race.

State Dept: Security was adequate in Benghazi

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 12:19 PM PDT

Lt. Col. Andrew Wood, a Utah National Guard Army Green Beret who was the top security official at the consulate in Libya, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing investigating the Sept. 11, 2012 attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that resulted in the death of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and other Americans. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)Officials deny security problems, saying the compound was overrun by an "unprecedented attack" by dozens of heavily armed extremists.

Obama on debate with Romney: 'I had a bad night'

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 03:28 PM PDT

President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event at The Ohio State University Oval Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)President Barack Obama conceded Wednesday he did poorly in a debate last week that fueled a comeback by his rival in the race for the White House. Mitt Romney barnstormed battleground Ohio and pledged "I'm not going to raise taxes on anyone" in a new commercial.

2 dead, 1 trapped in Fla. parking garage collapse

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 03:26 PM PDT

Firefighter look over the rubble after a section of a parking garage under construction at Miami-Dade College in Doral, Fla., collapsed, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 in Doral, killing one worker and trapping at least two others in the rubble, officials said. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)A section of a parking garage under construction at a community college collapsed Wednesday, killing two people and trapping two others in the rubble, officials said. One worker was rescued amid the debris, but there was too much concrete around the other to immediately get him out.

State senator not guilty of trespassing, property damage

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:25 PM PDT

State Sen. Suzi Schmidt has been found not guilty of trespassing and criminal damage to property, clearing her of the charges stemming from a long-running dispute with her neighbors.

Photos: Wendella celebrates 50 years

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:14 PM PDT

Wendella Chicago Water Taxi will offer free rides all day Thursday in celebration of the service¿s 50th anniversary. Here's a historical look back.

11 teammates testified in case against Lance Armstrong

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 12:39 PM PDT

Lance Armstrong at the 2010 Tour of California in VisaliaLance Armstrong challenged the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to name names and show what it had on him.

1 dead, 1 trapped in Fla. parking garage collapse

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 01:31 PM PDT

Firefighter look over the rubble after a section of a parking garage under construction at Miami-Dade College in Doral, Fla., collapsed, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 in Doral, killing one worker and trapping at least two others in the rubble, officials said. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)At least 10 others were hurt when the roof of the five-story garage fell, creating a pancake-style collapse on the campus of Miami-Dade College.

Security at Benghazi consulate drawn down before attack

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 12:51 PM PDT

Lt. Col. Andrew Wood, left, a Utah National Guard Army Green Beret who was the top security official at the consulate in Libya, and Eric Nordstrom, right, a regional security officer with the State Department, testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing investigating the Sept. 11, 2012 attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that resulted in the death of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and other Americans. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)U.S. officials did not have enough protection, the former head of a U.S. security team in Libya told lawmakers on Wednesday.

Turkey intercepts Syrian plane suspected of carrying weapons

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 12:45 PM PDT

Turkish Chief of Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel, right, listens to a commander during his tour of the military along the border with Syria in Hatay, Turkey, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday Turkey was prepared to counter any threats from Syria. "We received information that it was carrying certain equipment in breach of civil aviation rules."

Romney drops SEAL story after mother complains

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:57 AM PDT

Wake Held For Former Navy SEAL Killed In LibyaMitt Romney's campaign says he will stop citing his meeting with a former Navy Seal killed in last month's terror attack in Libya.

Orphaned baby walruses find new homes

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 12:59 PM PDT

They say that good things come in small packages. But for two zoos in the United States, two cute things are coming in two very big packages.

EBay unveils big redesign with a nod to Pinterest

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 03:05 PM PDT

This screenshot made Oct. 10, 2012, shows EBay's redesigned website meant to encourage visitors to browse and collect items they might want to buy later with something it calls the EBay has redesigned its website to encourage visitors to browse and collect items they might want to buy later with something it calls the "feed."

1 dead, 2 trapped in Fla. parking garage collapse

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 11:44 AM PDT

Firefighter look over the rubble after a section of a parking garage under construction at Miami-Dade College in Doral, Fla., collapsed, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 in Doral, killing one worker and trapping at least two others in the rubble, officials said. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)The two trapped workers used cellphones to talk to rescue teams, Miami-Dade Fire-Rescue spokeswoman Griselle Marino said.