■ UNITED STATES
Man dies `battle dancing'
A man died while trying to outdo a rival with an acrobatic move while "battle dancing" in New Britain, Connecticut, police said. Robert Stitt, 48, and his rival were competing in a parking lot on Monday night when he tried a forward flip and landed on his head. "It was just two guys dancing. Everybody was laughing," Stitt's friend John Boxley said. Boxley said James Brown was on the radio and Stitt wanted to outdo a rival dancer, who had flipped in the air. Police said the victim went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead a short time at a local hospital.
■ UNITED STATES
Hilton tries online appeal
Her television series was called The Simple Life, but the prospect of an austere existence in the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California, does not much appeal to Paris Hilton. Thus the heiress and socialite on Tuesday appealed to fans to sign an online petition urging California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to commute her 45-day sentence for driving with a suspended license. The appeal says: "We undeniably support Paris Hilton being pardoned for her honest mistake as well, and we expect that the governor will understand and grant this unusual but important request." Hilton, 26, was sentenced on May 5.
■ UNITED STATES
Crossing accident kills six
An Amtrak passenger train collided with a compact sports utility vehicle in Modesto, California, on Tuesday, killing all six people inside the car. None of the 70 passengers or crew members aboard the Oakland-bound train was injured, Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham said. Shortly after 2pm, the driver of a Chevrolet Tracker stopped on the tracks before the railroad crossing arms came down, said Steve Mayotte, chief of the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District. She attempted to back up and then drive forward to escape the approaching train, he said. One person was thrown from the car. The others remained inside and were pronounced dead at the scene, Mayotte said.
■ UNITED STATES
Clinton makes crossword
A crossword posted on the New York Times Web site is generating interest well beyond the ranks of puzzle buffs. The reason: the compiler is former president Bill Clinton. Introducing the crossword, Times puzzle editor Will Shortz said: "The clues in this puzzle are a little more playful and involve more wordplay than in a typical crossword. You have been warned." The theme is the baby boomer generation. There are references to politics and popular music. There are also clues to make people groan: "How Kissinger would say he feels." "Vel," insists Clinton.
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