Mandela saw Freeman as the actor to play him in films

MiamiHeraldLOS ANGELES — There was an actor Nelson Mandela had in mind when asked in 1995 who should play him in a movie of his autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom.” Morgan Freeman was that man.”From then on it was Morgan Freeman was going to play Nelson Mandela somewhere down the line,” Freeman says in an interview about the Clint Eastwood movie “Invictus,” in which he plays Mandela.But,… Read more

Week 14 NFL Matchups

New York TimesChargers (9-3) at Cowboys (8-4)The Cowboys don’t want to hear about their 15-27 record in December over the past decade. They’ve been interrogated in news conferences and on talk radio. They’ve been criticized by everyone from their own stars of yesteryear — some of whom raised off-field distractions to an art form — to citizen bloggers who equate December toughness with… Read more

Green doesn’t like Suh’s chances

ESPNFormer Pittsburgh All-America defensive end Hugh Green watched last week’s Big 12 championship game with interest. EnlargeGeorge Gojkovich/Getty ImagesHugh Green was the favorite for the 1980 Heisman.Nearly three decades ago, Green was considered a Heisman Trophy favorite in 1980, along with South Carolina running back George Rogers.Green, who now lives in his hometown of Natchez, Miss.,… Read more

calf born with cross-shaped marking to be spared from slaughter

Los Angeles TimesA calf born last week in Connecticut is getting a lot of attention for his unusual forehead marking: a cross that's been immortalized in "holy cow!" and "sacred calf" headlines from news organizations all over the world. (You'll notice, if you please, that we've spared you that cutesy headline-writing here.)The calf, a Jersey-Holstein cross whom… Read more

US Growing Impatient With Iran

Wall Street JournalGen. James Jones has the ramrod-straight demeanor and no-frills speaking style befitting someone who once was the commandant of the Marine Corps. And so it is with matter-of-fact precision that President Barack Obama’s national security adviser describes where things stand in the quest to walk back Iran’s nuclear program.”Iran still controls its destiny on this issue,” he says… Read more

Overdue hunters in northern Arizona accounted for

AOL NewsFLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -Authorities in northern Arizona said Thursday all hunters reported stranded or overdue after a powerful storm brought deep snow and freezing temperatures to the area have been accounted for.In all, authorities received 22 reports either from hunters or concerned family members. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Gerry Blair said 50 hunters were offered assistance… 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

New on DVD: ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,’ ‘Julie & Julia,’ ‘Public …

NY Daily NewsYou’re in luck: This week brings titles likely to please the pickiest gift-getters. If you’ve got a tween in your life, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (PG, $28.98) is ideal. Though the series is growing darker, older kids will love the hints of romance and increasingly complex plot.”Julie & Julia” (PG-13, $28.96) is a great grownup choice, especially if you know someone… Read more

Quitting smoking can reverse asthma-inducing changes in lungs

PhysOrgAsthmatic smokers may be able to reverse some of the damage to their lungs that exacerbates asthmatic symptoms just by putting down their cigarettes, according to research out of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.The research is published in the December 15 issue of the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.”We found that… Read more