Philippine ex-militiamen hold 57 hostages

Washington PostMANILA, Philippines — Officials negotiated for a second day Friday with government-armed former militiamen who took 57 villagers hostage in the southern Philippines to press their demands that murder and banditry charges against them be dropped.The abductions Thursday by 15 gunmen raised fresh questions over the government’s long-standing policy of arming civilian volunteers to… Read more

Senate Committee Passes Shield Law

New York TimesA bill to protect reporters’ confidential sources in federal court cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 14-to-5 vote, ending months of stalemate. If the full Senate approves the legislation, it will have to be reconciled with a different version approved earlier by the House. The bill does not give journalists absolute authority to protect sources, providing for exceptions in… Read more

Turner-Phillips intriguing subplot to ‘Boys-Bolts

SIARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -The last time Jerry Jones hired a head coach, he narrowed his choice to either Wade Phillips or Norv Turner.Considering how things have turned out, Jones should’ve hired both: Phillips to run things through Thanksgiving, then Turner to take over from there.Phillips got the job, of course, while Turner wound up the head coach in San Diego. Phillips’ teams have been… Read more

Rule 5 Draft

According to David Lennon of Newsday, a scout said teams had been trying to move up to select RHP Carlos Monasterios, who the Mets drafted then immediatly traded to the Dodgers. …by the way, the Mets just announced the trade in a press release… Updated at 10:32 am: The major-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft is over. …i will do a recap of the minor-league phase later in the day…… Read more

Portland State routs Division III opponent 85-52

HeraldtribunePORTLAND, Ore. – Jamie Jones had 10 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday to lead Portland State to an 85-52 win over Linfield College.Melvin Jones, Dominic Waters and Phil Nelson led the Vikings (4-4) with 11 points each while Chris Harriel added 10 points off the bench. Jamie Jones also had four blocked shots.Joel Paul led Linfield (1-4) with 12 points and Cody Tesoro added 10.Portland… Read more

Reynolds leads Villanova past St. Joseph’s 97-89

SIPHILADELPHIA (AP) -Taylor King already knows about the Duke-North Carolina rivalry. Now, he found one just as intense in Villanova-St. Joseph’s.King, a transfer from Duke, scored 20 points and hit two key 3-pointers in the closing minutes to lead the No. 3 Wildcats over St. Joe’s, 97-89 on Wednesday night.”In some ways, it was like a bout,” said Hawks coach Phil Martelli. “They took a swing…. Read more

Bob Ford: Eagles’ Vick turns back clock against Falcons

PhillyVick played along. Why not? That would be fine with him."We’re always saying things about what we’re going to do and stuff," said Vick, who didn’t have to add that much of the time those things don’t happen.Everything happened yesterday, though. The crowd greeted him with a mixture of cheers and boos, even when he scored a touchdown on a quarterback draw on the first drive of the… Read more

Philippines martial law challenged

Al Jazeera EnglishCivil rights groups in the Philippines have filed a legal challenge against the government’s imposition martial law in the southern province of Maguindanao, scene of last month’s election-related massacre in which 57 people died.Gloria Arroyo, the Philippines’ president, declared martial law in the province late on Friday, citing a breakdown in law and order in the province.The… Read more