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

City of Oakland offers 3 possible ballpark sites

HeraldtribuneOAKLAND, Calif. – The City of Oakland unveiled three waterfront sites Thursday as potential spots to build a new ballpark for the Oakland Athletics and ultimately keep the team from leaving town.As the small-budget A’s have seen before, there are still plenty of hurdles ahead. In the past they haven’t been able to find a suitable spot to build and were set to leave Oakland and move… 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

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

It’s a Done Deal: Granderson Will Be Wearing Pinstripes

The LedgerINDIANAPOLIS | Curtis Granderson is all set to put on the pinstripes. Only one thing to settle: What number does he wear for the New York Yankees?The World Series champions landed yet another All-Star, getting the speedy center fielder from Detroit in a three-team trade Wednesday that included Arizona.Granderson has worn No. 28 for nearly his entire career. But Joe Girardi may well take… 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

Ed Miliband: climate change deniers are ‘profoundly irresponsible’

guardian.co.ukEd Miliband, the climate change secretary, today said critics who argue that climate change is not the result of human actions are “profoundly irresponsible”.As negotiating teams from 192 countries gather in Copenhagen for the climate change summit, Miliband admitted there was “further to go” on persuading climate change sceptics here and abroad. But he defended Gordon Brown’s… Read more

Fla. House set to vote on rail bill

MiamiHeraldTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida House is set to vote on a bill that would clear the way for the proposed SunRail commuter system in central Florida.The chamber Monday is expected to pass the legislation. It’ll then go to the Senate, where the outcome remains in doubt. Lawmakers there have twice before defeated similar measures.Supporters say SunRail will create thousands of… Read more

Copenhagen climate summit: ‘long way to go’ to convince sceptics, says Ed Miliband

TelegraphMr Miliband said politicians face a “huge challenge” to convince people that action on global warming should be a priority since much of the evidence is invisible.He conceded that the row over leaked emails from scientists in East Anglia which appeared to suggest data making the case for man-made climate change was manipulated had been “damaging”.But he insisted that there was “as close… Read more