■ UNITED STATES
Louisiana man sues Oprah
A Louisiana man has filed a lawsuit against TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey, claiming she and an attorney made false statements that led the FBI to arrest him on charges that he tried to extort her. Keifer Bonvillain, who had the charges dismissed, seeks damages of US$180 million from Winfrey, her attorney and the FBI in the federal lawsuit filed on Tuesday. Bonvillain, of Houma, Louisiana, was arrested in December 2006 after he allegedly recorded telephone conversations with an employee of Winfrey’s production company and told a company associate he wanted to publish a book based on the recordings.
■ UNITED STATES
‘Hit a Jew Day’
At least four students from a suburban St Louis middle school face punishment for allegedly hitting Jewish classmates during what they called “Hit a Jew Day.” The incident happened last week at Parkway West Middle School in Chesterfield. District spokesman Paul Tandy said some of the school’s approximately three dozen Jewish students were hit on the shoulders or backs. But in one case, a student was allegedly slapped in the face. It began with an unofficial “Spirit Week” among sixth-graders that started harmlessly enough with a “Hug a Friend Day.” Then there was “High Five Day.” Soon, though, the days moved from friendly to silly. Next there was “Hit a Tall Person Day” and, finally, “Hit a Jew Day.” District officials said a handful of children were directly involved. Those who actually struck classmates could face suspension and required counseling, Tandy said. Others who weren’t directly involved but taunted Jewish students or egged on classmates could face lesser penalties.
RSS