http://TheState.com/nationwire/index.xml News, sports and entertainment from TheState.com en-us Copyright 2009 TheState.com Top Stories - Wire 60 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:20:40 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench support@TheState.com http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039499.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039499.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:09 EST Rep. Patrick Kennedy says Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has barred him from receiving communion because of his support of abortion rights.<p/>The Providence Journal reports on its Web site Sunday that Kennedy said in an interview that Tobin issued the order during discussions with the Democratic lawmaker, further escalating a simmering ideological dispute between the two men.<p/>Under church rules, Tobin can prevent Kennedy from receiving communion within his diocese, which covers Rhode Island. It's unclear whether bishops outside Rhode Island will take the same path.<p/>The dispute between the men began when Kennedy criticized the nation's Catholic bishops for threatening to oppose an overhaul of the health care system unless it included tighter restrictions on publicly financed abortion. Tobin asked for an apology and questioned Kennedy's faith. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1038349.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1038349.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:19 EST The gunman who killed four people and wounded nine in a shooting rampage on the Pacific island of Saipan was identified Sunday as a Chinese national believed to be employed at the shooting range where the deaths occurred.<p/>Li Zhongren, 42, who killed himself after Friday's shooting spree, left several notes and authorities suspect the violence was linked to his personal finances and frustrations.<p/>The police statement was the first official confirmation of his identity and shed light on what might have precipitated the worst violence on this normally tranquil island in recent memory.<p/>Police also said for the first time that he wounded eight South Korean tourists, and increase from the five police reported earlier. They were shot at a popular tourist site in what police earlier described as a drive-by shooting.<p/>Santiago F. Tudela, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, sent his condolences to the victims and their families. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039461.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039461.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:04 EST Suspected militants set off two bombs outside a police station in India's restive northeast on Sunday, killing seven people and wounding more than 50, police said.<p/>Five people died instantly after two blasts went off within minutes of each other outside the station in Nalbari town near the Assam state capital, Gauhati, a local police official said. Two people died later in a hospital, he said.<p/>The official, speaking on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the media, said what officials had earlier reported was a third bomb in a market a few miles (kilometers) away, turned out to be a firecracker.<p/>At least 52 people were wounded in the two blasts, said Bhaskar Mahanta, Assam's inspector general of police.<p/>India's northeast is beset by scores of conflicts. More than 10,000 people have died in separatist violence over the past decade. The region is home to dozens of separatist groups that accuse the government of exploiting the area's natural resources while doing little for the indigenous people. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039459.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039459.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:59 EST An Indonesian passenger ferry with almost 250 people aboard sank in rough waters off Sumatra island Sunday, killing at least one, police said, while a second ferry ran aground in nearby waters.<p/>Rescue teams had found one body and rescued 97 people but high waves were making the operation difficult, said Brig. Gen. Puji Hartanto, police chief of Riau Kepulauan province. The passengers on the second ferry were all said to be safe.<p/>The Dumai Express 10 left on an inter-island voyage Sunday morning and reportedly sank in poor weather 90 minutes into the trip from Batam to Dumai in Riau, a province off Sumatra island in western Indonesia. The area is about 600 miles (900 kilometers) northwest of Jakarta<p/>The passenger manifest said it was carrying 228 passengers, including 15 children, said Yasin Kosasih, a local police chief. It was also carrying 14 crew, according to Lt. Col. Edwin, the local navy chief.<p/>At least nine ships and several fishing boats were searching for those missing, Edwin said. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039448.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039448.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:39 EST Jonathan Toews scored two goals and added an assist as the Chicago Blackhawks won their sixth game in a row, knocking off the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 on Saturday night.<p/>Patrick Kane, Kris Versteeg and John Madden also scored for the Blackhawks (14-5-2), who built on a 7-1 win over Calgary for their second consecutive road win at the start of a six-game trip.<p/>Sheldon Souray and Dustin Penner had goals for the Oilers (9-11-3), who have lost five of six and eight of 10.<p/>Early in the game, Blackhawks rookie forward Bryan Bickell bounced off Penner while trying to make an open-ice hit, but instead hit his head on the ice following the collision. Bickell was helped to the dressing room and was unable to return.<p/>Chicago opened the scoring nearly four minutes in as Kane took the puck from Ladislav Smid behind the net and passed to Toews, who put his own rebound behind Jeff Deslauriers. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039434.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039434.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:59 EST Martevious Young threw a career-high four touchdown passes and Southern Mississippi beat Tulsa 44-34 on Saturday night.<p/>The Golden Eagles (7-4, 5-2 Conference USA) can earn a spot in the conference championship game with a win Saturday against East Carolina.<p/>Young went 12-for-21 for 276 yards. The Golden Eagles led 34-28 at the end of the third quarter and scored 10 unanswered points to put the game out of reach. DeAndre Brown had touchdown catches of 95 and 34 yards.<p/>The Golden Hurricane (4-7, 2-5), have lost five straight games and will miss a bowl game for the first time since 2004.<p/>Charles Clay ran for two touchdowns for Tulsa and caught two touchdown passes. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039433.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039433.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:59 EST Junior-college transfer Darington Hobson scored a career-high 30 points Saturday to lead New Mexico to an 81-52 victory over Louisiana Tech in the Basketball Travelers World Vision Classic.<p/>The Lobos (4-0) pulled away toward the end of the first half as Hobson scored the final seven points to give UNM a 33-28 lead at halftime. New Mexico opened the second half with a 7-2 run to push the lead into double figures.<p/>Hobson added 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Phillip McDonald contributed 16 points and Nate Garth had 11 for the Lobos.<p/>New Mexico played stingy defense, limiting the Bulldogs to 19-of-64 shooting from the field and 5 of 27 3-pointers. The Lobos also dominated on the board with a 49-33 rebound advantage as A.J. Hardeman pulled down a career-best 11 for UNM.<p/>Jamel Guyton and Kyle Gibson each scored 11 points to lead Louisiana Tech (2-1). http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039428.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039428.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:09 EST Dany Heatley scored his NHL-leading 18th goal and set up Joe Thornton's go-ahead tally pin the third period, leading the San Jose Sharks to a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night.<p/>Ryane Clowe also scored for the Sharks, and Evgeni Nabokov made 28 saves to send Anaheim to its 11th loss in 15 games.<p/>The Sharks and Ducks are at opposite ends of the Western Conference standings, separated by 19 points. Last season, San Jose had the most points in the NHL but lost to the Ducks in the first round of the playoffs.<p/>Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski, who sat out the final 2 1/2 periods of Thursday's 4-3 overtime win against Tampa Bay because of a bruised right foot, scored his first of the season during a power play.<p/>Corey Perry earned an assist on Wisniewski's goal to extend his career-best point streak to 14 games, the NHL's longest active run. Ryan Whitney added a power-play goal, and Jonas Hiller made 33 saves. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039422.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039422.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:49 EST Martell Webster had 21 points and 13 rebounds, Brandon Roy added 18 points, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat Minnesota 106-78 on Saturday night, handing the Timberwolves their 12th straight loss.<p/>Greg Oden had 16 points, and Steve Blake had 14 points and nine assists for the Blazers, winners of 11 straight against Minnesota.<p/>Minnesota hasn't won since beating winless New Jersey in the season opener.<p/>Portland rallied after falling behind early in the second half. Roy scored 11 points, and the Blazers went on a 16-0 run to open up the fourth. The Wolves managed just three field goals in the final quarter.<p/>Al Jefferson led the Wolves with 20 points and 10 rebounds in his second game back with the team after the death of his grandmother. Oleksiy Pecherov had 12 points and 10 rebounds. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039421.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039421.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:45 EST Nik Raivio scored 24 points to lead a big second-half turnaround as Portland registered an 88-81 victory over Oregon on Saturday.<p/>Robin Smeulders added 17 points and eight rebounds and T.J. Campbell chipped in 16 points for the Pilots (3-0).<p/>The Ducks (3-1) employed a tenacious defense to keep Portland off balance for a large stretch of the first half. That helped the Ducks jump to 10-point leads twice before halftime.<p/>But the Pilots turned the momentum around at the start of the second half. Campbell, Ethan Niedermeyer and Raivio each hit a 3-pointer during a 15-1 run that turned an eight-point halftime deficit into a 52-46 lead with 16:30 left in the second half. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039317.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039317.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:10 EST Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli watched as red-clad Arizona students ringed the sidelines as time ticked down, ready to rush the field.<p/>"I saw it and I actually smirked," Masoli said. "It was kind of funny. I wasn't really worried about it."<p/>The Ducks' gifted quarterback ruined the celebration in Arizona Stadium and started another one in Eugene.<p/>Masoli tied it with a touchdown pass to Ed Dickson with six seconds left, then won it with a 1-yard run in the second overtime as No. 11 Oregon defeated Arizona 44-41 on Saturday night and took a big step toward the Pac-10 title.<p/>The Ducks (9-2, 7-1 Pac-10) will earn a Pac-10 title and Rose Bowl berth with a victory over No. 20 Oregon State in a winner-take-all Civil War on Dec. 3 in Eugene. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039314.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039314.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:05 EST Carlos Boozer scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half and overtime to lead the Utah Jazz to their fourth straight victory, 100-97 over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night.<p/>Andrei Kirilenko scored 15 of his 22 points after halftime, including two free throws with 9.8 seconds remaining to provide the final margin.<p/>Detroit's Ben Gordon scored 25 points, but missed a potential tying 3-pointer in the final second. Rodney Stuckey added 18 points, and Charlie Villanueva had 17 points in the Pistons' fourth consecutive loss.<p/>Utah had a chance to win it in regulation, but Paul Millsap missed a jumper at the buzzer after Gordon's two free throws tied it at 90 with 22.1 seconds left.<p/>Detroit scored the final nine points of the third quarter to erase a five-point deficit and take a 68-64 lead into the fourth quarter. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039303.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039303.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:05 EST Carmelo Anthony scored 30 points and Chauncey Billups had 21, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 112-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.<p/>It was the 15th straight regular-season home win for the Nuggets, including all five this season as Denver bounced back from Friday night's loss in Los Angeles to the Clippers.<p/>Anthony, the NBA's leading scorer, reached 30 points for the ninth time in his first 13 games.<p/>Derrick Rose scored 28 points, Luol Deng had 22 and Joakim Noah 10 for the Bulls, who lost for the 10th time in their last 11 games in Denver.<p/>Reserve J.R. Smith added 19 points for the Nuggets, who swept their two-game season series with Chicago. They won the first meeting earlier this month when officials waved off a potential game-winning basket at the buzzer by Brad Miller, ruling it was an instant too late. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039298.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039298.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:45 EST Colt McCoy fired the cannon. He banged the big drum.<p/>Then he left the field to chants of "Colt for Heisman!"<p/>There's still plenty of work to do for the quarterback of No. 3 Texas, but for this one last night in front of the home crowd, he was going to have some fun.<p/>McCoy passed for 396 yards and four touchdowns, earning his NCAA record 43rd career victory as a starter in a 51-20 win over Kansas and embattled Jayhawks coach Mark Mangino that wrapped up the Longhorns' first Big 12 South title since 2005.<p/>"I always love winning," McCoy said. "I'm just so thankful. It's really special." http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039297.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039297.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:29 EST With a stunning victory in his hometown, Andre Ward proved he's ready for the world.<p/>Ward claimed the WBA 168-pound title with an unanimous technical decision over Denmark's Mikkel Kessler in the 11th round Saturday night, adding his first world championship belt to his Olympic gold medal.<p/>Ward (21-0, 13 KOs) announced his arrival among the world's elite boxers with a dynamic thrashing of Kessler (42-2). The WBA super middleweight champion for most of the past five years was the early favorite to win the Super Six tournament, but Ward soared on a wave of support from his frenzied Bay Area crowd.<p/>"Right now, I'm dreaming," Ward said after celebrating in the thick of a massive Oakland party with his trainer, Virgil Hunter. "I don't know what I'm feeling. I can't compare this to winning the gold medal, because it's going to take a while for it all to sink in. ... Everyone said we got the bad draw, but we just beat the toughest guy."<p/>In both fighters' debut bout in the Super Six tournament, Ward's speed, discipline and work rate gradually reduced Kessler's face to a bloody mess - although the longtime champion felt Ward also took liberties with elbows and head-butts. The ringside physician stopped the fight midway through the 11th round after looking at a growing cut on Kessler's face caused by a clash of heads. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039296.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039296.html?RSS=untracked Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:45 EST Kentucky scored 14 points off four Georgia second-half turnovers and the Wildcats rallied to beat the Bulldogs 34-27 on Saturday night for their first win in Athens in 32 years.<p/>Kentucky's Randall Cobb had scoring runs following Georgia turnovers at the Bulldogs' 14- and 8-yard lines.<p/>Joe Cox threw three touchdown passes, but had a screen pass intercepted by Kentucky defensive tackle Shane McCord to set up Cobb's go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run with 9:55 remaining.<p/>Kentucky (7-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) rallied from a 20-6 halftime deficit.<p/>Washaun Ealey's fumble on a pitch from Cox at the Kentucky 1 stopped the Bulldogs from tying the game with 2:21 remaining. Linebacker Danny Trevathan recovered the fumble for Kentucky. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039279.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039279.html?RSS=untracked Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:24 EST Keaton Belcher scored a career-high 17 points and Belmont defeated Alabama State 78-42 on Saturday night.<p/>The Bruins (1-3), who never trailed, jumped out to a 10-0 lead on two free throws by Scott Saunders with 14:46 left in the first half.<p/>Belcher was 6 of 9 from the field and the Bruins finished with a 50.9 shooting percentage (27 of 53).<p/>Mick Hedgepeth tallied 11 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, and Saunders added 13 points for Belmont.<p/>The Bruins, who outscored Alabama State 41-19 in the second half, held the Hornets to 23.2 percent from the field in the game (13 of 56). http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039278.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039278.html?RSS=untracked Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:45 EST Luis Scola scored 22 points and grabbed key rebounds in the final minutes, and the Houston Rockets held off the Sacramento Kings 113-106 Saturday night.<p/>The Rockets blew a 15-point, second-quarter lead and had to scrap in the final minutes of the fourth quarter before improving their record in the second game of back-to-backs to 4-0 this season.<p/>The Kings played without rookie Tyreke Evans, who sprained a finger on his right hand diving for a ball in Friday night's 104-102 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. He scored 29 points against the Mavericks and is averaging 18.2 points this season.<p/>The Kings had six players in double figures, led by Spencer Hawes with 24 and Beno Udrih with 18. Trevor Ariza added 19 for the Rockets.<p/>Scola's basket snapped a 101-all tie with 3:41 to play. He followed with two rebounds that helped the Rockets stay ahead. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039274.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039274.html?RSS=untracked Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:45 EST A month ago, in the wake of back-to-back home losses, Nebraska's season looked to be going south.<p/>Now the Huskers will be happily heading south to the Big 12 championship game in Arlington, Texas, after Saturday night's 17-3 victory over Kansas State.<p/>The Huskers (8-3, 5-2) clinched the North Division with their fourth straight win and will play South champion Texas on Dec. 5 for the conference title and a BCS bowl bid.<p/>"We've steadily improved and we've hung together," Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said. "We were in a tough spot after the Iowa State game, and everybody wanted to write us off. There's too much character in the locker room."<p/>Nebraska will go to the Big 12 title game for the first time since 2006 and fifth time in the league's 14 years. First, though, the Huskers travel to Colorado to finish the regular season Friday. http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039273.html?RSS=untracked http://www.thestate.com/nationwire/story/1039273.html?RSS=untracked Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:24 EST Mike Santorelli and David Legwand scored shootout goals to lead the Nashville Predators to a 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night.<p/>Pekka Rinne denied two of Columbus' three shooters in the tiebreaker to earn his fifth consecutive victory.<p/>Jason Arnott, Legwand and Martin Erat had goals for Nashville in regulation.<p/>R.J. Umberger scored at 4:55 of the opening period to give Columbus a 1-0 lead. Umberger added a second goal, and Anton Stralman also scored for the Blue Jackets.<p/>On Umberger's first goal, Derick Brassard's pass from the right boards ski-ramped into the air off Erat's stick. Standing in the low slot, Umberger took a baseball swing at the puck and knocked it past Rinne on the glove side.