Newport Beach native and Olympic gold medalist swimmer Amanda Beard created a stir on Wednesday in China after authorities said no to a planned unveiling of her naked, anti-fur campaign poster at a Beijing hotel.
Beard, the current 200-meter breaststroke champion, had hoped to unveil the poster at the hotel, but Chinese authorities canceled the event, citing public safety concerns. Beard, 26, appears naked in the poster for animal rights group PETA in front of the U.S. flag and the slogan "Be comfortable in your own skin. Don't wear fur."
According to reports, Chinese police and security did not stop the event when it was moved outside the village's south gate, but kept a close eye on the proceedings.
PETA has been investigating the fur trade in China for some time now.
NEWS*
A new scanner will search some travelers at Los Angeles International Airport, searching for weapons and explosives that previous technology could not reportedly detect. The technology will reportedly peer through clothing and creates an image of the traveler's body. Questions are being raised, though, about privacy rights with the new technology.
* Some estimates say up to 5,000 people protested outside CNN's Hollywood Studios in anger over comments made by one of the network's commentators regarding China. The protest was aimed at CNN's Jack Cafferty, who angered China and many of its citizens with comments earlier this month, saying that Americans "continue to import their junk with lead paint on them and the poison pet food" and said, "I think they're basically the same group of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years." Cafferty apologized, saying he was referencing the Chinese government, not the people. There were no arrests reported during the demonstration.
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The decomposing body of a male was found in bushes in San Diego's famed Balboa Park. Authorities say a homeless man discovered the body in the early afternoon hours. An autopsy will be done to determine a cause of death.
SPORTS
* The Los Angeles Angels scored a 4-1 win over the Seattle Mariners, while the Los Angeles Dodgers dropped a 4-1 decision in Atlanta. Both San Francisco and Oakland scored diamond victories.
NEWS* The controversy surrounding the Olympic torch in San Francisco carried on despite the torch itself being rerouted away from the demonstrators. This was the only North American appearance of the torch, headed for the 2008 Summer Games in China. People around the world are protesting the Olympics due to China's record on human rights issues. The ceremony with the torch was moved to San Francisco International Airport.*
A lawsuit between recording artist Snoop Dogg and a record label has reportedly been settled. Dogg and Priority Records were at odds over fees and advances for a recording agreement made 10 years ago. Dogg sued the record company two years ago, saying that he was allegedly owed some $2 million in fees under the 1998 arrangement.*
Veteran character actor Stanley Kamel, 65, was found dead in his Hollywood home. Kamel portrayed Dr. Charles Kroger on the USA Network series "Monk" recently. Before his recent work on "Monk," he had portrayed the dad of Rebecca Gayheart's character on the long-running "Beverly Hills 90210."
Editor's note: For more world and national news and opinions, please visit newsblip.blogspot.com .SPORTS* The Arizona Diamondbacks concluded their series sweep with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Valley of the Sun with a 4-3 victory. Meantime, the Los Angeles Angels prevailed at home in a 9-5 win over the Cleveland Indians. Finally, San Francisco held San Diego to just four hits in a 1-0 shutout at home.
NEWS*
Two teen girls from Los Angeles were killed when a taxi cab crashed in City Terrace after one of the teens allegedly assaulted the driver of the cab. The reported assault led to the cab crashing into a concrete barrier. Two men in their early 20s were detained and are suspected of being involved with the girls in a reported plan to rob the driver, who survived the crash.
* The Olympic torch arrived in San Francisco in the early morning hours as more protests are feared over the next 24 hours. Making its only North American stop, the torch is to be carried through the city on Wednesday in a six-mile relay amid tight security. People are protesting this summer's 2008 games in China because of the country's human rights record.
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San Diego police will vote Wednesday on a new contract. While details of the proposed contract have not been released, it reportedly includes a pay raise. Most officers received a 9 percent pay raise a year ago.
Editor's note: For more world and national news and opinions, please visit newsblip.blogspot.com .
SPORTS
* The dream of a national women's basketball title ended in the evening hours in Atlanta for the Stanford Lady Cardinal. Tennessee captured its eighth national crown with a convincing 64-48 victory over Stanford.
* The Oakland A's got one run in the ninth inning to post a 9-8 win at Toronto. Meantime, the Cleveland Indians got two runs in the ninth inning in a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Newport Beach native and Olympic gold medalist swimmer Amanda Beard created a stir on Wednesday in China after authorities said no to a planned unveiling of her naked, anti-fur campaign poster at a Beijing hotel.
