At least 158 feared dead in India plane crash

(CNN) -- At least 158 people are feared dead after a passenger jet overshot a runway, crashed into a valley and burst into flames in southern India on Saturday morning, officials said.

Rescue teams had recovered 127 bodies at the wreckage site outside Mangalore International Airport by mid-afternoon, Air India Director Anup Srivastava told CNN.

Eight of the 166 people onboard Air India Flight IX-812 survived the crash and were taken to hospitals, he said.

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The Boeing 737 took off from Dubai and crashed while trying to make its scheduled landing in Mangalore at 6:30 a.m. Saturday (9 p.m. ET Friday), Srivastava said.

Witnesses said the plane crashed through the hilltop airport's boundary wall and fell into a valley, CNN-IBN reported.

Survivors told CNN's sister network that they jumped out of the plane after it crashed, seconds before it burst into flames.

Rescue workers struggled to reach the crash site in a hilly wooded area beyond the runway, the network said. Smoke from the plane also hampered rescue efforts, CNN-IBN reported.

Abhay Pathak, a regional manager for Air India based in Dubai, said there were 160 passengers on board the plane and six crew members.

Of the passengers, 32 were women, 105 were men, 19 were children and four were infants, he said.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced financial aid for the victims Saturday and canceled scheduled events at his residence to mark the end of his first year in office.

The government said families would receive 200,000 rupees, or about $4,260, for each dead passenger and 50,000 rupees, or $1,064, for every injured passenger.

The airline has offered relatives of crash victims in the United Arab Emirates free passage to India, Pathak said, and about 20 people have accepted the offer.

Srivastava said India Air was investigating the crash and trying to confirm casualties.

The pilot did not report any problems before landing the plane, the civil aviation ministry said.

The Mangalore airport reported calm wind, no rain and a visibility of 6 km at the time of the crash, the ministry said.

Boeing released a statement saying the company would send a team to provide technical assistance to Indian authorities during their investigation.

The new Harry Potter Theme Park : We were there

The first thing you should know about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is that the Butterbeer tastes magical. It’s frothy, butterscotchy, and incredibly yummy, and it’s one of many details that make the theme park — part of Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando (admission: $79 per day for adults, $69 for kids) — a transportive delight for Potter fanatics. The park’s grand opening is June 18, but EW was invited for a special early look on May 17. After passing the Hogwarts Express, guests should prepare to drop more than a few Galleons on Potterphernalia in the commercial area of Hogsmeade — from $15 for the Sneakoscopes at Zonko’s joke shop, to $300 for the Firebolt broomstick at Dervish and Banges magic shop. Thanks to close supervision by the Potter films’ design team, everything looks and feels precisely right, down to the absurdly high shelves and cramped, English-style layouts. In other words, expect some tight crowds.

The above photo, meanwhile, was taken yesterday morning. Yep, that’s Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) — no, really, that is the kid who plays Neville Longbottom, no fooling — Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), and Oliver and James Phelps (George and Fred Weasley), getting their first look at Hogsmeade. So how can snow blanket the roofs of the buildings in hot and humid Orlando, Fla.? Do you think my answer to that will be anything other than “magic”?

For more inside scoop on the park — including the bewitching surprises that abound while standing in line for its signature ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey — pick up the new issue of EW (with Jane Lynch as Glee‘s Sue Sylvester on the cover) on stands this Friday.

Tulsa class competing for chance at Harry Potter trip

The eighth-grade class at the San Miguel School of Tulsa could be driving to Oklahoma City for a class trip or flying to Florida to attend the grand opening of a Harry Potter attraction at Universal Studios.

It all comes down to clicks of a mouse.

The class of 19 students is one of four finalists in NBC’s “Today” show Harry Potter contest. The class with the most online votes by Wednesday will win the trip to the grand opening of the theme park’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Students were asked to submit videos explaining “why my class is extraordinary.” People can view the four videos online and vote for the class they think deserves to win a trip to Orlando in June.

Anna Sullivan is an eighth-grade math teacher at San Miguel, a Catholic middle school with admission based on education and economic need.

“The amount of responsibility they have is greater than most 14-year-olds,” Sullivan said, adding that many of her students take care of siblings in the evening while parents work, act as translators for older members of the family, and do regular school work. “They don’t complain, they think ‘How can I make this better?’?”

Most students were surprised when they found out they were finalists.

“We’re such a small school. I never thought we’d get in something so big,” said eighth-grader Ilse Enriquez.

Because of the school’s size, the students act more like a family than a class of teenagers, Sullivan said.

“There are no cliques, no one picks on anyone,” she said. “They go to school from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They’re very close to each other, very respectful of each other.”

Jesus Carvajal started at San Miguel just five months ago and it’s as if he’s gone there all three years.

“I’m kind of new to the school and I already feel a part of it,” the eighth-grader said. “We’re all like a family, we’re all really close.”

Word has been spreading about the contest through the students and faculty, social networking sites like Facebook and other Tulsa Catholic schools.

Roberto Gomez, an eighth-grader at San Miguel, said he’s checked out the competition. “They were actually really good,” he said of the other schools’ videos.

The class will find out if they won the trip on Thursday morning on live TV.

“I’m nervous. The suspense is killing me,” said Gomez, who will take his first ride on an airplane if the school wins. “This is a whole new experience for me. Get a chance to do something I’ll probably not get to do again.”

The class has been making and selling accessories such as bracelets and hair bows to sell to other schools to raise money for their class trip, whether it’s in Florida or at Oklahoma City’s Frontier City.

“We’re proud of it because at least we tried and did our best,” Enriquez said. “To me, that seems like we already won.”

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=371&articleid=20100517_19_0_tablet900760

Emma Watson, Harry Potter girl: Scandal Update

Emma Watson is in the eye of a controversy. Recently pictures of Emma Watson surfaced where she is topless with just a towel covering her lower body. Emma Watson have contacted her lawyers and the press statement has been these pictures are fake and totally put
This is nothing new for the Harry Potter star. Emma Watson has seen many such pictures of her surface in the internet and magically she gets into these situations where she has to defend herself from these controversies.

Emma Watson is currently attending college in US and has been working towards a graduate degree in Brown University. She is also gearing up for the next installment of Harry Potter set to hit screens later this year.

Around the BigTen Conference

ILLINOIS

INSIDE SLANT
Midway through Illinois' embarrassing 3-9 season in 2009, athletic director Ron Guenther promised there would be a shuffling of the coaching staff. When the dust settled, sixth-year head coach Ron Zook found himself surrounded by six new assistants — including a new offensive coordinator (Paul Petrino) and defensive coordinator (Vic Koenning), who were promised the chance to run things as they saw fit.

Petrino and Koenning used Illinois' 15 spring practices to speed up the installation of their systems. And while there were the anticipated learning-curve issues that come with extensive changes, Zook headed into the offseason excited about the way his coaches and players attacked the problem areas.

"If there's one thing that kind of stood out to me this spring, it's the demanding part," Zook said. "When we demand something, we're getting it. That's maybe one of the issues that we weren't getting it before. When you say you've got to get something done, we're getting it done and we're holding them to the fire. I think that's what's important. And I think the relationship with the coaches and the players, it's really been a lot of fun this spring. ... Deep down they love being coached the way they're being coached and demanded to do things the way they're being demanded to do them on both sides of the ball. It's been a breath of fresh air for me."

But it's going to take a lot of breathing and a lot of demanding to turn around a program that has a lot of question marks. The offense lost three NFL draft picks (WR Arrelious Benn, RG Jon Asamoah and TE Michael Hoomanawanui) along with four-year starting quarterback Juice Williams and center Eric Block.

Redshirt freshman Nathan Scheelhaase, a dual-threat quarterback, took a solid lead in the derby to succeed Williams, but he betrayed his inexperience by throwing two interceptions in Illinois' official spring game. His maturation process will be a continual theme in the fall, as will that of his receiving corps as no one returns with more than 16 catches.

As for Koenning's revamped defense, he found himself complaining during the spring about things as remedial as his players' tackling technique and their odd penchant for demonstrative celebrations after the most mediocre plays. He found some building blocks (including junior defensive tackle Corey Liuget), but several of his potential playmakers avoided contact in the spring to allow injuries to heal.

NOTES, QUOTES
—Though Illinois stunk in so many facets of the game during its 3-9 campaign in 2009, the offense still found a way to finish 17th nationally in rushing with 200.4 yards per game. There's a good chance the Illini will equal or better those numbers in 2010, even though Juice Williams (507 yards, four TDs) has been graduated and the scheme has changed from the spread option to more of a pro-style attack.

Why so optimistic? Because likely new QB Nathan Scheelhaase's ability to run the ball is at least as good as Williams', while junior tailbacks Mikel Leshoure and Jason Ford are a striking combination that figures to allow Illinois to play a fresh runner at all times. Leshoure, a battering ram who uncorked a 75-yard touchdown run in Illinois' spring scrimmage, posted a team-high 734 yards and a 6.8 average in 2009. Ford, who also runs with a low center of gravity, produced 588 yards and a 6.1 average in 2009.

—With just 36 turnovers forced in the last two seasons, Illinois ranked among the nation's least prolific teams in that crucial category. Sixth-year head coach Ron Zook wanted to see his defensive improve its takeaways during spring ball and they did just that. The trend certainly carried over to the official spring game as the defense piled up four interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 93 plays.

"The one thing we've done defensively is we've gotten a lot more turnovers than maybe we've seen in the past," said Zook, mindful his Illini forced just 16 turnovers in 12 games last season. "Which is good for the defense. Obviously the offense has got to take care of the football. We can't have turnovers."

SPRING MOVERS:

QB Nathan Scheelhaase — He started spring ball in a dead heat with sophomore Jacob Charest and early enrollee Chandler Whitmer, but this redshirt freshman from Kansas City seized control of the competition for three reasons: He has the best mobility, the best leadership skills and made the most plays. While the coaching staff didn't anoint Scheelhaase as the starter, he's certainly the clear leader to start the Sept. 4 opener against Missouri.

WR A.J. Jenkins — Everyone expected the junior to transfer after a dismal 2009 season (10 catches, 123 yards), but the Floridian eventually decided to stay and he wound up becoming the biggest standout in offensive coordinator Paul Petrino's receiving corps. He shared the most improved offensive player award with C Grahm Pocic.

C Graham Pocic — After trying unsuccessfully to break into the lineup at tackle and guard, this four-star recruit shifted into the middle of the line and earned a starting job. He could be Illinois' center for the next three years.

DTs Akeem Spence and Glenn Foster — If senior starter Josh Brent doesn't regain his academic eligibility, then these youngsters must be crucial parts of the tackle rotation. Foster is a sophomore who converted from defensive end while Spence, a redshirt freshman, is a 6-foot-1, 305-pound fireplug that's almost immovable.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We've got to mesh together better. We've got to be there for each other, know exactly what each other is going to do. That's built throughout the summer." — Redshirt freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase offering his offseason plans to the Champaign News-Gazette.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
2010 OUTLOOK: After serving as the Big Ten's most disappointing team two years in a row, the Illini are trying to build their way back into bowl contention with completely new looks on both sides of the ball. New offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, younger brother of Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, has installed the family's multiple offense. New defensive coordinator Vic Koenning, who turned around Clemson and Kansas State in recent years, has installed his style that plans to be an eight-man front with lots of bells and whistles. The Illini must play an inexperienced quarterback and there are several question marks on defense as well, so a .500 season likely would be considered successful enough to save Ron Zook's job.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: When Petrino was introduced as the new OC, observers figured his more traditional style (complete with huddles and quarterbacks under center) wouldn't be the best fit for Juice Williams' heir apparent, Nathan Scheelhaase. Reputed as a spread-option wizard with his fleet feet, redshirt freshman Scheelhaase turned out to be the best of the three QBs this spring and figures to start the Sept. 4 opener against Missouri. Since he has yet to take a varsity snap, Scheelhaase will rely heavily on tag-team junior running backs Mikel Leshoure and Jason Ford. These bruisers combined for 1,322 yards, nine TDs and 6.4 yards per carry in 2009. Jarred Fayson and Jack Ramsey are the top returning receivers with 16 catches apiece, while there will be at least two new starting O-linemen. Projected starting left tackle Corey Lewis suffered a torn ACL in the spring game and will miss the season.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: If starting defensive tackle Josh Brent can't regain his final year of eligibility (he flunked out after the fall semester and retreated to the local junior college to get right), then the Illini must find at least two defensive linemen and two safeties for a defense that surrendered 30.2 points per game last year. Koenning's plans call for a "bandit" that's a hybrid pass-rusher/coverage linebacker, but there aren't a lot of players who fulfill the qualifications. Wiry sophomore-to-be Michael Buchanan could handle that marquee spot eventually. Junior DT Corey Liuget and senior DE Clay Nurse show flashes of brilliance while MLB Martez Wilson boasts the athleticism to become a huge factor. One key question: Can junior Tavon Wilson and sophomore Terry Hawthorne develop into above-average at the corners? Zook lauded Wilson's spring-ball showing.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Junior kicker Derek Dimke took over for Matt Eller late last season and maintained his edge in spring ball. He has converted all five of his field goals and all 12 extra points in his career. Punter Anthony Santella is back for his fourth year as a starter. He has improved his average each year as he posted 41.3 yards per boot in 2009. Illinois has been poor returning punts and kicks the last two years, but cornerback Terry Hawthorne should be an upgrade on both return platoons if given the opportunity.

ROSTER REPORT:

—DT Lendell Buckner and S Walter Aikens, a pair of defensive underclassmen, were arrested during spring ball at different times for the same incident. Buckner, who redshirted his freshman year in the fall, was suspended indefinitely after being arrested on suspicion of residential burglary. Aikens, who started a handful of games as a true freshman and seemed on target to start this fall, was suspended after being arrested April 23 for possession of stolen property.

—MLB Martez Wilson (neck surgery) and CB Miami Thomas (knee surgery) were limited to individual drills during spring ball as they continued their recoveries that cost them virtually all of the 2009 season. Wilson will be a likely starter in the fall while Thomas should be no worse than the third corner.

—Junior DT Josh Brent flunked out of school and switched to nearby Parkland Junior College in an attempt to regain his eligibility. If Brent pulls through he'll likely regain his starting job, but Illinois likely won't know his fate until fall camp nears.

—S Garrett Edwards decided not to return for his final year of eligibility. Edwards was Illinois' most experienced safety with 16 starts over the previous two years.

—RB Justin Green broke his ankle midway through spring drills. It's too soon to know whether he'll be ready for fall camp. As Illinois' top speed back, though No. 3 overall on the depth chart, he fills a niche for the Illini.

Here's how the White House was told that Elena Kagan is straight

The story that won't go away, even if we might want it to.

ABC News White House correspondent Jake Tapper has a scoop on his blog — an answer to the question: How did the White House learn of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan's sexual orientation?

Well, according to what his White House sources say, la Casa Blanca learned that Kagan claimed to be heterosexual from ... Kagan. Tapper says Kagan called administration officials to set them straight, so to speak, after erroneous reports appeared declaring that she was openly gay.

Anyway, here's the top of Jake's blog post:

    How did the White House learn that Solicitor General Elena Kagan is straight?

    A White House official tells ABC News that "Solicitor General Kagan volunteered the information to the White House when media reports surfaced in the pre-nomination process for the Supreme Court."

    This was on April 11 after conservative blogger Ben Domenech wrote at the New Ledger and at CBSNews.com that "Kagan is apparently still closeted — odd, because her female partner is rather well known in Harvard circles."

    The White House protested, saying the claim was untrue, and CBSNews.com pulled the blog post. Domenech apologized for passing on what he "erroneously believed" to be true.

New Victim Accuses Roman Polanski of 'Sexual Abuse

A British actress who starred in a Roman Polanski film charged today that the director "sexually abused" her when she was 16 years old in his Paris apartment.

The incident allegedly happened in 1982, four years after Polanski fled the United States to because he feared a California judge was going to send him to prison on charges he raped a 13-year-old girl.

"Mr. Polanski sexually abused me in the worst possible way when I was just 16, four years after he fled the U.S. to avoid sentencing for his crime," Charlotte Lewis, now 44, told reporters.

Four years later in 1986, Lewis starred in Polanski's comedy "Pirates." 

Jeffrey MacDonald Seeks New Trial in Triple Murder

Forty years have passed since one of the most infamous and grisliest crimes in American history.
Jeffrey MacDonald's young wife, Colette, and their daughters were brutally bludgeoned and stabbed to death in their home in Fort Bragg, N.C., in what seemed like a pointless and murderous fury. Then 26-year-old MacDonald was left alive.

MacDonald, a Green Beret, a graduate of Princeton University, and a respected doctor, told investigators that he had been sleeping on the couch when he heard his wife and children calling for help and awoke to find three male intruders and a mysterious woman in a floppy hat and boots chanting, "acid is groovy, kill the pigs."

He said was attacked, defended himself, blacked out and awoke to the horror of his blood-covered wife and children.

The murders came just months after Charles Manson's drug-addled "family" slaughtered actress Sharon Tate and others in California. Just as Manson's family wrote "Helter Skelter" and "pig" in their victims' blood, "pig" was written in blood in the MacDonald home.

But to Army investigators and then later to federal prosecutors, it was all wrong. The crime scene seemed staged and hardly anything was damaged after a supposedly ferocious, Manson-style home invasion.