Beyond the Bubble
World News
An interim Iraqi constitution was formed by the Governing Council earlier in the week, a move that bodes well for the plan of United States' officials to turn over control to an Iraqi government by June 30 of this year. The constitution includes a bill of rights in addition to making a compromise on the future structure of the presidency and the role of Islam in the country. Islam will no longer be considered as the ultimate source of legislation, but rather one of many different sources. Gone as well are laws that prevented violations of Islam.
The bill of rights is designed to give the Iraqi people freedom, as it protects free speech and freedom of religion.
This constitution will only be enacted on an interim basis until an elected assembly can make a permanent charter. It has not yet been decided how the next Iraqi government will be formed.
The goal is to create a parliamentary government with representation from women.
National News
A girl believed to have died in a fire six years ago was found alive in the possession of a woman suspected of starting the fire, Philadelphia police said Monday.
Police issued a warrant for the arrest of Carolyn Correa, 41, for offenses including kidnapping, aggravated assault and arson, according to Reuters.
Six-year-old Delimar Vera, who has been raised by Correa for the majority of her life, was spotted by her biological mother, Luz Cuevas, at a party in Philadelphia. Cuevas was still able to recognize her daughter after several years of estrangement.
"When she smiled she had eye dimples and when she was a baby she had dimples," Cuevas said in an article for Reuters.
Police suspect that Correa, a distant relative of Vera's father, caused the fire in order to be able to kidnap Vera when she was only 10-days-old.
Despite not being able to find a body, Vera was determined to have not survived the fire. Cuevas said that she never gave hope that her daughter was still alive, according to the Kansas City Star.
Vera and Cuevas have yet to be reunited after Cuevas first saw her again two months ago.
"I'm going to give her a lot of love, and a hug, and kisses," she said in an article for the Kansas City Star. Cuevas said that she hopes "one day she calls me mommy."
College News
In what was the last game ever to be played in Maples Pavilion, the Stanford men's basketball team beat Oregon 76-55. The 7,391 seat arena had been the home for Stanford basketball and volleyball for 36 years.
"I'll sure have lots of fond memories of this place," coach Mike Montgomery said, as reported by CBS Sports. "There has not been a day that I walked in and there was nothing wrong. It adds to the character of the place."
Renovations as part of a $30 million face-lift began just two days after the Oregon victory.
The facility will include new locker rooms, an outer concourse, new seating and a new floor, according to CBS Sports.
Stanford's new arena is expected to be finished in January 2005.Ã The men's and women's basketball teams will play their preseason games in Santa Clara's own Leavey Center.
Entertainment News
As "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" swept the Oscars, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's infamous flop, "Gigli" did some sweeping of its own, mopping up the floor at the Razzies â€" an award show spoof of the Academy Awards designed to award the year's worst films.
In total, "Gigli" won six awards, including worst actress Jennifer Lopez, worst actor Ben Affleck, and worst director and screenwriter Martin Brest. The icing on the cake for the award-winning film was the Golden Raspberry â€" the award given to the worst movie of the year.
Other winners at the Razzies were Demi Moore who won the "worst actress in a supporting role" award for her role in "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle," a movie that also won for worst sequel.
Sylvester Stallone, renowned as the "Razzie King," was awarded for an unprecedented 10th time, winning the trophy for his role in "Spy Kids: 3-D Game Over."
In a new category this year, "The Cat in the Hat" starring Mike Myers won "the worst excuse for an actual movie" award, labeling it as a movie that was all fluff, and absent of content.
"Showgirls" and "Battlefield Earth" still hold the record for most Razzies won, with seven a piece. The Razzies, which have been running for 24 years, are traditionally handed out the day before the Oscars.
-Compiled by Lance Dwyer