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FORT WORTH -- A man moving into a new apartment today may have found a bag containing two human hands.A prospective tenant in the 1100 block of Grainger Street in southwest Fort Worth was cleaning out a garage apartment in anticipation of moving in when he found a plastic grocery sack in the freezer, according to Fort Worth police.The man opened the sack and found what looked like "two mangled up frozen hands," according to a statement from Fort Worth Police spokesman Lt. Paul Henderson.The man called police. Some officers who arrived on the scene agreed that the items could...

Below are the results of a three-day poll in the state of Iowa. Results are based on telephone interviews with 600 likely Republican cacus goers and 600 likely Democratic cacus goers, aged 18+, and conducted December 26-27, 2007. The margin of sampling error is ±4.5 percentage points for each party. 1. If the 2008 Republican presidential caucus were held today between Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and Fred Thompson, for whom would you vote? (Republicans Only; Names Rotated) Mike Huckabee 29% Mitt Romney 27% Fred Thompson 15% John McCain 14% Rudy Giuliani 4%...

WATERFORD -- Waterford High School's principal reportedly disciplined two freshmen for fighting by having them get on their hands and knees, look at each other through a chair, apologize to each other and promise their behavior would end. It worked, according to one of the boys who made the pledge after the altercation last week. It also made his mother furious. Penny Watson said she was shocked when her son told her of the punishment. "I can understand having them stand up like men, apologize and shake hands," she said. "I'm past confusion. Now I'm angry."

A woman has filed a lawsuit against a McDonald's franchise, claiming that employees in two suburban Chicago restaurants refused to serve her because a birth defect forces her to use her feet as hands. Dawn Larson was born with Holt-Oram Syndrome, which left her with diminutive hands just six inches from her shoulder, according to a report Monday in the Chicago Sun-Times. "I drank my baby bottle with my feet," she told the paper. "Nobody ever taught me how to do it, I just did it. I can ride a regular 10-speed bike. I can swim. It has not been...

The man responsible for protecting Egypt's antiquities has said he will "fight" for the return of an ancient bust of Nefertiti, an ancient Egyptian queen, now housed in a Berlin museum. Zahi Hawass also requested the temporary return of other ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the Rosetta Stone which is housed in London's British museum. "Some people say, 'If we give this bust to Egypt for three months they will not return it'." Hawass said, regarding the bust of Nefertiti, in an interview on Wednesday.Zahi Hawass is seeking "unique artifacts" from at least 10 museums around the world [AP]Germany says the...

SCRANTON, Pa. - During a nine-day trial, a federal judge has learned a lot about Hazleton, a working-class former coal town that few outside Pennsylvania had heard of until the mayor declared war on illegal immigrants. Mayor Lou Barletta and his administration told U.S. District Judge James Munley that illegal immigrants have ruined the town's quality of life and drained the municipal treasury. However, the landlords and business owners who joined the American Civil Liberties Union and others in suing to overturn the ordinance targeting those immigrants said the crackdown was hurting them, emptying apartments and closing stores. Ultimately, the...

LONG BEACH – Some California public university students may be paying higher fees next year. California State University officials are expected to approve a tentative $4.2 billion budget today that includes $65.2 million worth of potential student fee increases – which could translate into as much as 10 percent higher tuition for the 2007-08 academic year. CSU officials declined to call the sum a fee increase yesterday, even in theory. “It's a fund we're hoping the governor's office will support,” said Patrick Lenz, assistant vice chancellor for finance. He said there will likely be many adjustments to the budget before...

Poor farmers invoke land law to get their hands on South Africa's richest diamond mine Stephen Bevan in Taaibosch (Filed: 01/10/2006) Deep in the bushveld of South Africa's far north, 20 miles down a dirt track from the nearest road, the dusty township of Taaibosch is an unlikely place to find the owners of one of the country's most valuable pieces of real estate. Yet the residents of its rows of tiny brick huts, baking in the harsh sun, may soon be declared joint proprietors of South Africa's richest diamond mine. John Matlathi, 66, the village's head man, and other...

DAHUK, Iraq (Army News Service, July 19, 2006) – Soldiers brought toys and smiles to children in one of Iraq’s northernmost provinces recently with Operation Helping Hands. The humanitarian assistance mission was conducted by Soldiers of the 142nd Corps Support Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. “The 142nd enjoys this just as much as the kids enjoy it,” said Lt. Col. Ronald Green, battalion commander. “This will stay in the minds and hearts of my Soldiers.” Soldiers handed out Beanie Babies, sports uniforms, soccer balls, teddy bears and candy, all donated by a variety of American organizations, said Capt. John Smith, battalion...

USS PORT ROYAL (CG 73), North Arabian Gulf – Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3, U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Carl Jensen, turned over command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 158 to Royal Australian Navy Commodore Peter Lockwood June 23. CTF 158 is responsible for Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the North Arabian Gulf (NAG). This coalition force works with the Iraqi navy to protect key oil producing assets. MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the NAG and protect Iraq 's sea-based infrastructure which provides the Iraqi people the opportunity for self-determination. “These are some tough...

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2006 – The United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington honored several individuals and the Miss America Organization here last night during its 23rd annual awards dinner. Navy Adm. Edmund Giambastiani, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (left), Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Donnelly (center), and Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin Ledsome talk at the USO of Metropolitan Washington Annual Awards Dinner, March 22. Giambastiani presented Donnelly with the Bronze Star Medal and Ledsome with a USO award. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Sean P. Houlihan, USAF  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The Miss America...

The fate of the nation's most ambitious stem cell research agency will soon rest in the hands of a California judge as the weeklong trial challenging the institute's legality neared conclusion Wednesday. Three taxpayer groups have alleged in two lawsuits that the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine lacks the proper state government oversight to dole out $3 billion in stem cell grants over the next 10 years. They also accused the board that oversees the agency as being rife with conflict of interests and wrongly exempting itself from the state's open-meeting law. The trial was expected to end Thursday after...

HAMZA GETS £30,000 NURSE.. TO WIPE HIS BUM Jail aid as cleric gets new hooks on NHS By Nathan Yates TERROR suspect Abu Hamza has been given new hooks on the NHS - and a £30,000-a-year nurse to wipe his backside in jail. The Muslim extremist, who has no hands, was fitted with special £5,000 replacement hooks because it was feared his original metal ones could be used as weapons. He is unable to clean himself as he could do himself an injury. So prison officials have hired a male nurse named Harry to perform the task. A prison source...

The would-be president is messing with ire January 13, 2006 Fans-turned-critics say Hillary Clinton is sacrificing principle in the hunt for votes, writes Anne Summers. It is still more than two years before the major parties in the United States decide upon their candidates for the 2008 presidential elections, and it is widely assumed that the Democratic Party candidate will be the junior senator from New York, Hillary Rodham Clinton. You might expect the political conversation among Democrats to be along the lines of "Is Hillary electable?" (given the preponderance of red states on the American political map) but many...

Terror law targets the 'little hands' By Colin Randall in Paris (Filed: 03/08/2005) France's move against supporters and perpetrators of terrorism gathered pace yesterday with plans to stiffen prison terms for those involved at any level in preparing attacks. Pascal Clément, the justice minister, wants the French parliament to approve amendments to existing law to allow even minor participants in terrorism to be accused of "criminal conspiracy to commit a terrorist crime". The maximum sentence would be 15 years' imprisonment, compared with the present highest term of 10 years for associating with terrorists or involvement in the direction of terrorism....

Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if he was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK. He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking, he said in a clear strong voice. I didn't mean to disturb you,...

Ex-Clinton aide's fate in jury's hands Rosen denies wrongdoing in reporting cost of gala to FEC Wednesday, May 25, 2005 Posted: 11:53 PM EDT (0353 GMT) LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Jurors in the federal trial of David Rosen, former finance director of Hillary Clinton's U.S. Senate campaign, will begin deliberating his fate Thursday. **SNIP** Defense and prosecuting attorneys finished their closing arguments Wednesday. The jury was to convene Thursday at 8:30 a.m. (11:30 a.m. ET). Rosen's attorney, Paul Sandler, described his client as "courageous and truthful," adding that Rosen "has suffered for years with this sword of Damocles over...

Politicians of the Texas State House took the time this week to pass HB 1476 which will put an end to "sexually suggestive" performances by middle and high school students. The bill, all 219 words of it, didn't bother to define what a sexually suggestive performance may be. Here are the main portions of the bill: Sec. 33.088. SEXUALLY SUGGESTIVE PERFORMANCES PROHIBITED. (a) A school dance team, drill team, cheerleading team, or similar performance group may not perform in a sexually suggestive manner at an athletic or other extracurricular event or competition sponsored or approved by a school district or...

A GUN-control group has called for a total ban on semi-automatic handguns to prevent them falling into criminal hands with deadly consequences. Speaking at the launch of a new national anti-handgun advertising campaign, National Coalition for Gun Control chair Sam Lee said the future looked bleak in relation to guns. "What we are going to see in the future is more high-powered handguns on the streets because gun manufacturers are developing what are called quick-draws, which means they can be quickly grabbed and aimed at someone," Ms Lee said. The campaign launch comes just days after the fatal drive-by shootings...

The purpose of FreeRepublic.com's multiple message boards is to limit the topics for each board to particular topics. Posting the same message on all the boards defeats the purpose of multiple-boards for special topics. It is very annoying to see the same message on every bulletin board. PLEASE! DO THE READERS A FAVOR. STOP CROSS-POSTING YOUR MESSAGES!

WASHINGTON (AP) - The second-in-command at the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs is recusing herself from Indian gambling and recognition decisions so she can resign and join the private sector - just four months after the head of the department also recused himself from those issues. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Aurene Martin will resign effective Sept. 10, Interior Department spokesman Dan DuBray said Tuesday. Effective immediately, responsibility for tribal gambling and recognition decisions is being given to Mike Olsen, currently the counselor to the assistant secretary. Olsen will become the third official in less than a year...

For all of you complaining that the major media were all ignoring the documentary made by North about the businessmen that Saddam had their hands amputated. Paula Zahn did that story last night following the appearance of some of the businessmen with President Bush yesterday. She showed part of the documentary and had as guests both North and one of the businessmen with his new prostethic hand. The segment ran at least ten minutes and maybe fifteen. With all the complaints about the media ignoring the documentary, I was surprised to see it discussed on CNN and surprised to find...

When Mel Gibson's film about the death of Jesus, "The Passion of the Christ," opens this month, critics contend that it may spur anti-Jewish bigotry. Those critics have been led by the Anti-Defamation League, arguably America's most prominent Jewish organization. If the ADL is right that the film "could fuel latent anti-Semitism," whom should we hold responsible if any Jews get hurt as a consequence of its release? Mel Gibson, you say? How about the Anti-Defamation League? This film will be seen by lots and lots of people, thanks largely to the controversy around it, and nobody has done more...

BOSTON -- As millions of Catholics prepare for the traditional midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the Boston Archdiocese is making an unusual plea to parishioners. NewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported that church leaders are asking anyone with cold or flu symptoms to take certain precautions and avoid some rituals. The announcement comes days after two elderly men on Cape Cod died of flu complications. But public health officials warn against overreactions saying the cases are not unusual considering the ages of the victims, 89 and 90. Parishioners attending Christmas Mass are urged not to shake hands as a sign of...

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) -- If people think with their hands, then what on earth are the Democratic presidential candidates thinking?</p> <p>There's Howard Dean, with two pointy fingers extended straight out one moment, traffic-cop palms out the next and back to the single digits. And there's North Carolina Sen. John Edwards' karate chops and thumbs-up sign. Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri shakes his fist and Al Sharpton knocks his hand against the podium, then cups his hands toward himself.</p>

An international hunt is on to find a flying bomb – a stolen Boeing 727 – which led to British Airways canceling all flights to Saudi Arabia last week. The plane is a fuel tanker that MI6 and other spy agencies fear is in the hands of al-Qaeda. The search is being coordinated by Richard Dearlove, director of MI6, and George Tenet, the CIA chief. Both President Bush and Tony Blair, on holiday in Barbados, are being kept updated on the search – one of the most difficult in aviation history. Hidden somewhere in the vast Sahara desert of...

An Iraqi looter who was caught stealing from a house in Basra has had both of his hands cut off by a vigilante mob. The injured thief, who has not been identified, was then apprehended by British soldiers, who took him to a hospital for treatment. UK military officials in the city are warning the backlash against the looters could mean more violence as thefts from schools, hospitals and family homes have created a well of anger. They say many civillians are irate about the degeneration of law and order in Iraq's capital and are administering their own brand of...

Don't shake hands, they tell us - 'just say hi and wave goodbye' Rachel Aris on life in Hong Kong in the shadow of Sars Friday April 11, 2003 The Guardian (UK) Tuesday April 1 New cases 80; total hospital admissions 610; total patients discharged 79; death toll 15. Personal paranoia level:5 stars With headlines screaming: "More contagious than the ebola virus" and "It's a holocaust", you'd think the entire population of Hong Kong was on the brink of being wiped out by atypical pneumonia, or severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars). Even the war in Iraq has taken a back...

Neanderthals 'had hands like ours' By Helen Briggs BBC News Online science reporter The popular image of Neanderthals as clumsy, backward creatures has been dealt another blow. Neanderthals used tools and had a capacity for speech It was always thought they were a somewhat ham-fisted lot. However, computer reconstructions of fossilised bones show their hands had almost the same manual dexterity as ours. Far from being "butter fingered", they would have been adept at using implements such as axes and knives. The finding is important because it casts doubt on the idea that Neanderthals died out because of a physical...

Federal grand jury hands down 17 counts against police veteranBy GWEN O'BRIENTribune Staff Writer Michigan City Police Chief Eugene Simmons discusses the indictment of one of his police officers during a news conference Thursday at the Federal Courthouse in South Bend. Tribune Photo/ JIM RIDER SOUTH BEND -- Twenty-four years to the day since Donald Webb Sr. became a sworn Michigan City officer, a federal grand jury handed down a 17-count indictment against him, including charges of dealing cocaine and marijuana and extorting money from drug dealers.The alleged offenses occurred from 1998 to the present.The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested...

<p>Accused child-molester Father Michael Hands - the star grand-jury witness in the Suffolk DA's probe of how Catholic church officials handled child-abuse cases - is back in jail after he was caught accessing kiddie-porn Web sites in a convent, sources told The Post yesterday.</p>

Scientist Says Ostrich Study Confirms Bird "Hands" Unlike Those Of Dinosaurs CHAPEL HILL -- To make an omelet, you need to break some eggs. Not nearly so well known is that breaking eggs also can lead to new information about the evolution of birds and dinosaurs, a topic of hot debate among leading biologists. Drs. Alan Feduccia and Julie Nowicki of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have done just that. They opened a series of live ostrich eggs at various stages of development and found what they believe is proof that birds could not have descended...