John Paul II to be buried Friday; cardinals to choose successor

Pope John Paul II died Saturday at the age of 84. According to CNN.com, he died of septic shock and cardiocirculatory failure, the Vatican said.

He suffered from several chronic illnesses, including crippling hip and knee ailments and Parkinson's disease. His condition began deteriorating rapidly last Thursday, after a urinary tract infection caused a high fever.

When he became pope in October 1978, John Paul II was the first non-Italian pontiff in 455 years. He died of septic shock and cardiocirculatory failure, the Vatican said.

On Tuesday, the Vatican said the pope would be buried in a grave beneath the basilica that was once occupied by the body of Pope John XXIII. His remains were exhumed and re-entombed on the basilica's main floor in 2001.

Last of the Big Three announces he has lung cancer Tuesday

According to USATODAY.com, ABC's Peter Jennings, announced that he has lung cancer.

Jennings, the last of the modern-day Big Three anchors, made the announcement Tuesday.

Jennings' previous absences have been explained by respiratory infection. He assured audiences he will continue to host "World News Tonight," during outpatient chemotherapy beginning next week.

Jennings is said to have been formerly heavy smoker who has struggled with quitting.

Rapper to change stage name because he feels misunderstood

According to The Advocate, Rapper C-Murder has changed his stage name to C-Miller.

The rapper, whose real name is Corey Miller, said the decision came about because he thinks he's been misunderstood.

Miller currently resides in the Jefferson Parish jail after a murder conviction in the 2002 killing of a teenage fan.

He is serving a life sentence with no option of parole.

Despite his imprisonment, the rapper has recently angered officials by the filming of his new music video and release of his new album that has reached the top five Billboard R&B/hip hop and rap charts this week.

Delivery man stuck in elevator in Bronx apartment rescued

According to CNN.com, a delivery man was found alive after apparently spending more than three days trapped in an elevator that had become stuck between floors.

Ming Kuang Chen, 35, vanished after taking Chinese food to a Bronx high-rise apartment building. Kuang had been the subject of a widespread search after he failed to return to his restaurant Friday night with $200 in receipts.

His absence prompted speculation that he was the victim of armed bandits or some other urban mischief. Kuang was rescued at 5 a.m. Tuesday after firefighters responded to an emergency call.

Kurd elected president of Iraq; Hussein allowed to view results

Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, has been elected president of Iraq. According to CNN.com, his election is seen as positive sign of change in a country were Kurds were persecuted under the rule of former president Saddam Hussein.

Hussein and ten of his associates were allowed to view the results of the historical election from detainment, though it is not known how much of the proceedings the men actually paid any attention to. Addressing the transitional assembly, Talabani spoke of achieving unity for all the different ethnicities in Iraq.

Along with Talabani, two deputy presidents were chosen. The three of them make up the presidency council.

Tasks for Talabani and his deputies will be to choose the country's prime minister and cabinet, and to work with the transitional government to draft a constitution for the country.

U.S. helicopter crashes, kills 4 Americans in Afghan capital

The U.S. death toll in Afghanistan could be higher, according to FOXnews.com reports of a US Helicopter crash in Afghanistan Wednesday. A military spokeswoman told the Associated Press bad weather caused the crash of the Chinook helicopter near Ghazni city 80 miles southwest of the capital, Kabul.

The helicopter was one of two Chinooks flying to the main American base at Bagram when controllers lost radio contact with it.

The helicopter came down at 2:30 p.m. three miles from the city where it burst into flames.

US troops rushed to the scene to begin a search for survivors that yielded nine of the 13 Americans on board.

The helicopter was one of two returning to Bagram Air Field from a routine mission in southern Afghanistan, the second landed safely at the air field.

"Skies were cloudy with strong winds at the time," Abdul Rahman Sarjang, the chief of police in Ghazni, said

The weather was reported to be cloudy with strong winds but no explanation was given as to why the helicopter came down in a flat desert. There was no sign of enemy fire involved in the crash.

Former Jacko maid testifies singer showered with a boy

Michael Jackson's former maid testified Tuesday at his molestation trial that she found the singer showering with a boy who often slept in the pop star's bed.

The 8-year-old that Jackson allegedly showered with frequently stayed at Neverland.

The maid's own son received a $2.4 million settlement from Jackson in 1994 after claiming the pop star groped him.

The maid's now 24-year-old son testified Monday that Jackson twice touched his crotch over his clothes and once reached under his clothes and touch his genitals during tickling games when he was 7 to 10. He also said that in the first two incidents Jackson gave him $100.

The trial is recessed until today.

Jeb Bush to sign gun rights bill to empower Florida homeowners

Jeb Bush, Florida's governor, said Tuesday that he will sign a bill allowing Floridians to "meet force with force," extending their rights to gun use in their homes and cars to the streets.

According to CNN.com, the House of Representatives has passed the measure 94-20 and has already passed through the Senate.

The bill states a person has "the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so, to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another."

The current Florida law states that people who are attacked anywhere else besides their homes or cars are to first attempt to flee from their attacker before retaliating.