"Chicago Tribune" Reader

"Chicago Tribune" Reader

Photos: Clown 'doctors' use laughter to aid patients

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 09:25 AM PST

Photos: Clown 'doctors' use laughter to aid patientsProfessional performer 'Doctor Aleksander Smerkelj', a member of the Red Noses clown doctors performs in the paediatric clinic in Novo Mesto, November 13, 2012. Since 2004 the 15 clown doctors, inspired by the U.S. Doctor 'Patch' Adams, visit different hospitals throughout Slovenia 2-3 times a week, using laughter to help aid the recovery of young and elderly patients suffering from serious illness or injury. Picture taken November 13. REUTERS/Srdjan Zivulovic (SLOVENIA - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY)

Sandy leads to Thanksgiving rental car shortage

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 04:27 PM PST

FILE- In this Friday, Nov. 2, 2012, file photo, cars that were uprighted and submerged by Superstorm Sandy remain at the entrance of a subterranean parking garage in New York's Financial District, as the water is pumped out. Thanksgiving travelers who have yet to rent a car in the Northeast are out of luck: Superstorm Sandy has created a shortage. The storm damaged thousands of cars, including those owned by the rental companies. The loss of vehicles was compounded by rising demand. Thanksgiving and Christmas are normally busy rental periods. And lingering mass transit problems caused by Sandy have added to demand. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)Thanksgiving travelers who have yet to rent a car in the Northeast are out of luck: Superstorm Sandy has created a shortage.

Feds accuse Michigan judge of real estate fraud

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 05:13 PM PST

FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2009 file photo, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway smiles following an investiture ceremony at the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing, Mich. On Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, federal authorities filed a civil suit in Detroit accusing Hathaway of fraud in a real estate transaction and seeking to seize a home she owns in Florida. The suit says Hathaway and her husband, Michael Kingsley, put a home in Windermere, Fla., in the name of Kingsley's daughter while they tried to persuade a bank to allow a short sale on their home in the Detroit suburb of Grosse Pointe Park. The lawsuit says the Windermere home was put back in the couple's hands after the short sale was approved. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)Authorities filed a lawsuit to seize the Florida home of a Michigan Supreme Court justice, accusing her of fraud.

Illinois may grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 04:16 PM PST

Cars travel on the New Jersey turnpike near ElizabethIllinois may soon become the most populous U.S. state to grant a form of driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, after the nation's growing Hispanic population boosted the power of Democrats in national and state elections on November 6. A bipartisan group of Illinois politicians announced on Tuesday they would propose such a law when the legislature convenes on November 27. Washington state and New Mexico are the only states that currently allow illegal immigrants to get licenses. Utah allows driving permits. ...

UBS trader gets 7 years for biggest fraud in British history

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 05:02 PM PST

Former UBS trader Adoboli arrives at Southwark Crown Court in LondonUBS trader Kweku Adoboli was jailed for seven years on Tuesday for the biggest fraud in British history, which cost the Swiss bank $2.3 billion.

Hostess, union fail to reach deal

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 04:41 PM PST

Hostess Brands Inc, the bankrupt maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread, said on Tuesday that it failed to reach a deal in mediation with the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco and Grain Millers Union.

Hostess, union fail to reach deal in mediation

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 04:58 PM PST

File photo of a box of Hostess Twinkies on the shelves at a Wonder Bread Hostess Bakery Outlet in GlendaleThe company said it will have no further comment until a hearing scheduled for Wednesday before a bankruptcy court.

Four men charged in California with plot to join al-Qaida

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 02:52 PM PST

Four men with California ties accused of making arrangements to join up with al-Qaida for training have been arrested.

Grand Canyon flooded — on purpose

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 04:59 PM PST

Grand Canyon Flood Underway to Rebuild BeachesThe Colorado River cascaded in a flood from the Glen Canyon Dam, the first step in an experiment to rebuild beaches and fish habitat.

'Mount Doom' likely to blow soon

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 04:20 PM PST

'Mount Doom' Likely to Blow SoonMount Ruapehu, a New Zealand volcano that stood in for Mount Doom in the "Lord of the Rings" movies, seems to be heading for an eruption.

Thanksgiving Day by the numbers: 10 mind-stuffing facts

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 01:53 PM PST

Raw: Turkeys prep for presidential pardonThere are a few important things about Thanksgiving week that the US Census Bureau can't claim to have tallied up.

In historic move, blasphemy case against Pakistani girl to be dropped

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 11:32 AM PST

In what is being termed a historic verdict by the higher courts in Pakistan, charges against a Christian girl accused of blasphemy were dropped on Tuesday, in response to an appeal filed by her council of lawyers.

Photos: Extraordinary phenomena from around the world

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 07:00 AM PST

Photos: Extraordinary phenomena from around the world

Clinton’s high-profile swan song

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 01:17 PM PST

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walks with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton upon her arrival to their meeting in JerusalemThe Secretary of State rushes to douse flaring violence between Israel and Hamas with three major goals in mind.

Cops discover new trafficking trend: Drugs disguised as tequila

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 08:47 AM PST

Cops Find Liquid Meth in Tequila BottlesA drug bust on one of California's most popular trafficking routes turned up liquid drugs disguised in liquor bottles, a new trend police are battling.

Bartender wounded in hotel stabbing: 'It was bone-chilling'

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 02:33 PM PST

Bartender Bradford Burner reacted quickly when he heard screaming after a botched robbery and saw a man race through the Westin Hotel and into the streets. Burner, who bristled at being called a hero, was stabbed by the suspect, then took a cab to the hospital to get his wound stitched, but not before tipping his driver.

Congressional Black Caucus bids farewell to last GOP member

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 01:36 PM PST

Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West speaks at a campaign stop with guests at SCORE South Palm Beach, a resource partner to the U.S. Small Business Administration, in Boca RatonIt will revert to a Democrats-only club when the 113th Congress convenes in January.

The germiest place on an airplane? It’s right in front of you

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 12:36 PM PST

United Airlines airplane painted in new corporate logo is seen ate at Liberty International Airport in Newark,Thought the weirdo in the window seat was your biggest worry? Think again.

Mark Warner declines to run for Virginia governor

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 12:53 PM PST

U.S. Senator Mark Warner speaks during an interview with Reuters in WashingtonDemocratic Sen. Mark Warner announced on Tuesday that he will not be a candidate for governor in 2013. "I loved being governor, but I have a different job now—and it's here in the United States Senate," Warner, who served as governor from 2002 to 2006, said in a widely reported statement. In Virginia, governors cannot [...]

Santa gets stuck — and not in a chimney

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 01:29 PM PST

Where's Rudolph when you need him? At a mall in England, a man dressed as Father Christmas was rappelling from a skylight when his (fake) beard got stuck in the rappelling device, leaving the man dangling several stories high. The stunt started well enough. Father Christmas (played by Steve Chessell of England's 11th Battalion Royal [...]