January 14, 2006
Saturday

Alito coasting toward confirmation

Judge Samuel Alito underwent 18 hours of grueling Senate questioning during hearings over his nomination to the Supreme Court. Democrats challenged his credibility, independence and philosophy, but Alito said nothing to undermine support from Republicans and appeared headed toward confirmation.

Sharon's condition improves

Ariel Sharon moved his left hand for the first time since his massive stroke. His doctors said the 77-year-old Israeli prime minister was no longer in immediate danger of dying but they cautioned that it would be days before they could know how much damage he suffered from a brain hemorrhage.

Bush returns to Gulf Coast

President Bush returned to the Gulf Coast for the first time in three months and said he was committed to rebuilding communities after Hurricane Katrina. Bush toured still-devastated neighborhoods where there was little evidence of recovery. "There's no homes to repair," the president said. "It's just been flattened. That's what the people of America have got to understand."

Turkey frees pope's would-be assassin

Mehmet Ali Agca was freed from a Turkish prison nearly 25 years after he shot Pope John Paul II. Agca, 48, served 20 years in prison for attempted murder in Italy. He was extradited to Turkey and released after five years in jail for the murder of a Turkish journalist.

Scofflaw Schwarzenegger crashes motorcycle

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger collided his motorcycle with a neighbor's car. With 15 stitches in his lip, he admitted to reporters that he "never thought about" getting a license to pilot his Harley, which he's been driving illegally for years. "I just never really applied for it," he said. "It was just one of those things that I never really did."

Iran resumes nuclear activity

Iran broke U.N. seals at a uranium-enrichment plant and resumed what it called nuclear research after a two-year freeze. The United States and Britain said Western countries would probably seek economic sanctions against Iran. Iran's president said his country would push ahead with the program. Enriched uranium can be used as a fuel for both nuclear energy and nuclear weapons.

Utah theater bans 'Brokeback Mountain'

Actor Heath Ledger said he was not surprised a Utah cinema banned his movie "Brokeback Mountain," which depicts a lifelong love affair between two Montana cowboys. "Personally, I don't think the movie is (controversial) but I think maybe the Mormons in Utah do," Ledger said. "I think it's hilarious and very immature of a society."

Judge: Don't count fetuses for traffic lanes

A judge in Mesa, Ariz., ruled that fetuses don't count when it comes to carpool lanes. Candace Dickinson was fined $367 for improper use of a High Occupancy Vehicle lane but contended that Arizona traffic laws don't define what a person is, so the child inside her womb justified her use of the lane.

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