Today in the World......

Wednesday November 16th, 2011


10 facts about today:
1. Gingrich acknowledges Freddie Mac consulting fees
URBANDALE, Iowa — Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich acknowledged on Wednesday that he had received consulting fees from troubled mortgage giant Freddie Mac for providing "strategic advice."

2. Penn State powerless to keep Sandusky off campus

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State says alleged child sex abuser Jerry Sandusky is "not welcome" on its campus, but the university so far has no legal recourse to keep the former assistant football coach away.

3. New Agreement Will Expand U.S. Military Presence in Australia

CANBERRA, Australia – President Obama insisted Wednesday that the United States does not fear China, even as U.S. officials acknowledged that a rising China is part of the reason for a new U.S.-Australia security pact created in response to Beijing's growing aggressiveness. 4. Adams: Time for Occupy Portland to evolve

PORTLAND -- With two parks outside his office cleared of Occupy Portland demonstrators for the first time in more than five weeks, Mayor Sam Adams has a message for the protesters: Evolve.

5. Italy goes "from bunga bunga to banca banca"

ROME — In seven tumultuous days Italy has gone, as one cartoonist put it, "from Bunga Bunga to Banca Banca".

6. Will Syria listen to anyone as crisis grows?

(CNN) -- Syria has faced a chorus of criticism over its eight-month crackdown on opposition protesters that has left, according to sources reporting to the U.N., at least 3,500 people dead. The regime is showing no indication it will soften its position, so will President Bashar al-Assad be open to any outside influence?

7. East-West split threatens nuclear unity on Iran

VIENNA — The U.S. and its Western allies face an unpalatable choice over Iran at a key U.N. atomic agency meeting Thursday.

They can defy Russia and China with a demand that the Islamic Republic start answering questions on its alleged secret nuclear arms program or face renewed referral to the U.N. Security Council. Or they can settle for a milder rebuke of Tehran that leaves the big powers formally speaking with one voice but leaves the world's hands tied in investigating the suspicions about Iran.

8. New York court upholds eviction of Occupy protesters

A New York Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Occupy protesters will be allowed to return to Zuccotti Park, but they can't bring their tents and generators -- once a mainstay of the movement.

The Lower Manhattan property has been a home for the loosely defined group for nearly two months, spawning similar demonstrations in cities nationwide and around the world.

Police in riot gear cleared out them out early Tuesday morning, a move that attorneys for the demonstrators say was unlawful.

9. Hamilton wins Abu Dhabi GP to silence critics

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—At times this season, Lewis Hamilton has been little more than a distraction at Formula One races, colliding with fellow drivers, ranting against race stewards and, most recently, breaking up with his pop singer girlfriend.

10. Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg fighting Parkinson's

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Forrest Gregg, who earned the nickname "Iron Man" for playing in a then-record 188 consecutive NFL games during his Hall of Fame career, has told

The Associated Press he's been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.