A tropical storm, a college basketball program and some angry Chinese farmers are dominating the attention of contributors to NowPublic, the "crowd-powered media" site The Associated Press is working with to selectively incorporate citizen journalism -– especially photos and video -– into its news report.
Listen to this audio clip
to learn more from NowPublic's Brian Kennedy.
-- Eric Carvin
(AP Photo/EyePress)
"No, this is not RoboCop."
That's how Michael Feldman, the AP's international photo editor, introduced this photo of a law enforcement officer in Zhengzhou, China. The officer was showing off body armor and a gun that shoots a net to catch dogs.
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles up the road, baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. has some fun during a clinic he's conducting for kids in Beijing.
(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
See below for more of Feldman's top photo picks.
-- Eric Carvin
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Looks like former Yankees star and bench coach Don Mattingly won't be in pinstripes next year. The popular, early favorite to replace longtime manager Joe Torre has been passed over in favor of Joe Girardi, who spent the past season as a Yankees TV announcer after being fired last year by the Florida Marlins.
"Don was extremely disappointed to learn today that he wasn't the organization's choice to fill the managerial vacancy," Mattingly's agent, Ray Schulte, said today in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Instead, he was informed the organization offered the position to Joe Girardi."
Girardi, 43, beat out Mattingly and first-base coach Tony Pena for the job. Mattingly told the Yankees he isn't interested in a coaching position next year and he also extended congratulations to Girardi and offered his best wishes, Schulte said.
Girardi, shown above before Saturday's World Series game, was the first person to interview to replace Torre, who managed the team to the playoffs in each of his 12 seasons.
For more on the Yankees, who also lost star player Alex Rodriguez to free agency, read this report by AP baseball writer Ronald Blum.
--Paul Chavez
Baseball, cardboard tubes and the anniversary of a journalist's death are dominating the attention of contributors to NowPublic, the "crowd-powered media" site The Associated Press is working with to selectively incorporate citizen journalism -– especially photos and video -– into its news report.
Listen to this audio clip
to learn more from NowPublic's Brian Kennedy.
-- Eric Carvin
(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Is there a reason to feel happy for these guys anymore?
When the Boston Red Sox won the World Series back in 2004, there was cause to celebrate outside of New England, too. Who doesn't want to see decades of misery washed away by a scruffy group of self-proclaimed "idiots," including one in blood-soaked hose?
But is the bloom off that rose, now that the high-priced Red Sox are looking less like an underdog and more like, well ... the Yankees? (And let's not forget that just about every team in Boston -- heck, even the Bruins have a winning record -- is enjoying a preposterous level of success right now.)
For some outside perspective, check out AP Sports Columnist Tim Dahlberg's take (below).
--Josh L. Dickey
(AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)
(AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)
Two of the images highlighted by AP International Photo Editor Michael Feldman at the AP global news meeting came from East Timor, where pilgrims traveled to a Christ statue on Matebian Mountain -- formerly the site of a rebel base.
Some claim that, in 1978, thousands of Timorese were killed at the base in fighting with Indonesia forces.
See below for more of the AP photos Feldman chose to highlight at the meeting. (Though Rockies fans might want to cover their eyes.)
-- Eric Carvin
(AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
The San Diego Chargers helped bring some normalcy to a region that's been ravaged by deadly wildfires by whipping the Houston Texans today by a score of 35-10. Philip Rivers tossed three touchdown passes for the Chargers and cornerback Antonio Cromartie had a great game with a fumble recovery for a touchdown and two interceptions, one of which he returned 70 yards for another TD. Cromartie is shown above with the ball celebrating with teammate Barton Siler after recovering a bad snap in the end zone.
The game was played at Qualcomm Stadium just two days after the last fire evacuee left and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and firefighters were on hand for the game.
For more details on the Chargers, read this report by AP sports writer Bernie Wilson.
UNDEFEATED MATCHUP SET: In other developments, the New England Patriots won again, this time thoroughly dismantling the Washington Redskins, 52-7. The Indianapolis Colts also won today with Peyton Manning leading the way to a 31-7 win over the Carolina Panthers. The Colts and Patriots play each other next weekend in a battle of unbeaten teams.
--Paul Chavez
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
California firefighters work to hold gains
Astronauts conduct second spacewalk
Report: 15 Kurds dead in clashes with Turkey
Rookies lead Red Sox to brink of sweep
Caption: Boston Red Sox player Jacoby Ellsbury watches his RBI double against the Colorado Rockies in the eighth inning in Game 3 of the baseball World Series Saturday at Coors Field in Denver. Boston's Julio Lugo scored on the hit.
--Paul Chavez
(AP Photo/Don Ryan)
Oregon is still a contender for the national title after the fifth-ranked Ducks beat No. 9 USC 24-17 today in front of a raucous crowd at Autzen Stadium.
Southern California, ranked No. 1 in many polls before the season, suffered their second Pac-10 defeat with the loss and winning the conference will be a long shot at this point. Jonathan Stewart, shown above, ran for 103 yards and scored two touchdowns. Oregon's Dennis Dixon also passed for 157 yards and ran for another 76 yards and a touchdown. The Ducks (7-1) came into the game ranked second nationally in offense.
For more on the game, read this report by AP sports writer Anne M. Peterson.
--Paul Chavez
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)
SoCal wildfire pollution poses health threat
Auto workers OK 4-year pact with Chrysler
Democrats lash out at GOP over children's health program
Turkish prime minister vows fight with Kurds 'when needed'
Red Sox a mile high in Denver with 2-0 lead
Caption:The Colorado Rockies take batting practice at Coors Field in Denver on Friday The Rockies will face the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 today of baseball's World Series. Boston leads the best-of-seven games series 2-0.
--Paul Chavez
