3/21 CNN.com Recently Published/Updated

Recession pushes NASCAR racer into owner March 20, 2009 at 9:37 pm You can call 18-year-old Marc Davis a veteran of the racetrack. On everything from BMX bikes and Bandolero cars to Legends and Late Models, Davis has steadily moved up the ranks of competitive racing. Connecticut, 19 other states launch AIG investigations March 20, 2009 at 9:36 pm Twenty state attorneys general announced investigations Friday into the $165 million bonuses paid by insurance giant AIG last week, with Connecticut's top lawyer issuing subpoenas to CEO Edward Liddy and 11 other executives. Commentary: Don't rush bonus tax March 20, 2009 at 9:27 pm With our last word of the week on the AIG bonuses, it's OK to be mad, but in Congress, too often one person's rage is another person's instant law in the making. That is not always a good thing. Obamas plant organic kitchen garden at White House March 20, 2009 at 9:24 pm Want to know where the presidential produce comes from? Postal service to slash more than 3,000 jobs, offer early retirements March 20, 2009 at 8:52 pm The U.S. Postal Service will be cutting more than 3,000 jobs and offering nearly a quarter of its work force early retirement as part of its efforts to streamline operations amid the worsening economy, the agency said Friday. Pentagon video: 'Chinese aggression ... details at 11' March 20, 2009 at 8:30 pm Sailors aboard a U.S. ocean surveillance ship reacted with a mix of bemusement and profanity to what they said was harassment by Chinese ships earlier this month, according to video released Friday by the Pentagon. Former border agents optimistic about future after prison release March 20, 2009 at 8:18 pm Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos began their "supervised release" Friday after President Bush commuted their sentences in January for convictions related to the shooting of a Mexican drug smuggler. 'The Fareed Challenge' March 20, 2009 at 7:52 pm 'Smart Grid' may be vulnerable to hackers March 20, 2009 at 7:38 pm Is it really so smart to forge ahead with the high technology, digitally based electricity distribution and transmission system known as the "Smart Grid"? Tests have shown that a hacker can break into the system, and cybersecurity experts said a massive blackout could result. Special Olympics takes on use of 'R-word' March 20, 2009 at 6:48 pm An unexpected and sudden spotlight on the Special Olympics, an organization that for more than 40 years has served and honored those with intellectual disabilities, comes less than two weeks before the nonprofit launches a new campaign: Spread the Word to the End the Word. Jobless rate for recent military veterans rises March 20, 2009 at 5:57 pm More veterans of the current era of wars were unemployed in the last month than other Americans in the same age group, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lobster rolls and history in Boston March 20, 2009 at 4:30 pm King: Lower Ninth Ward trails in New Orleans 'new normal' March 20, 2009 at 4:22 pm Patricia Berryhill sits behind a desk in what not too long ago was her living room, greeting those who walk in with a smile and reaching for the phone as it rings yet again. Colombian guerrillas held on U.S. drug charges March 20, 2009 at 3:56 pm Two members of a Colombian guerrilla group have been arrested on federal U.S. drug charges, the U.S. attorney in New York announced. This week in iReport: Selling to survive March 20, 2009 at 3:24 pm Commentary: Boards are real culprits in AIG mess March 20, 2009 at 3:21 pm The stories about the outrageous $160 million bonus payments at AIG have all omitted the most important names. Turning toxic coal ash into bridges, buildings March 20, 2009 at 2:27 pm Despite the destruction it caused in a massive spill near a Tennessee power plant in December, coal ash has found many uses that benefit industry and even the environment. Winger Lennon signs new deal at Tottenham March 20, 2009 at 2:14 pm England international Aaron Lennon has signed a contract extension at Tottenham Hotspur after speculation linking him to a summer move to fellow Premier League side Liverpool. Spitzer: I failed in a very important way March 20, 2009 at 2:13 pm In his first television interview since being forced from office in a prostitution scandal, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer talked with CNN about his personal failings, the AIG bailout and President Obama's handling of the economy. Furyk tops leaderboard at last on PGA Tour March 20, 2009 at 2:11 pm Jim Furyk took a one-shot lead after the opening round of the $5.4 million Transitions Championship on the PGA Tour. Famous paleontologist to plead guilty to fossil theft March 20, 2009 at 2:05 pm An internationally renowned paleontologist will plead guilty to stealing dinosaur bones from federal land, his attorneys said in a court filing. Poll: Most Americans would trade some school control for funding March 20, 2009 at 1:57 pm Most Americans would be willing to give up some control of their public schools to the federal government in return for funding from Washington, according to a new poll. Dodd says he was misled on bonus legislation March 20, 2009 at 1:44 pm A defensive Sen. Chris Dodd said Friday that he was misled on the issue of bonuses for AIG executives. Prince and Kallis put Aussies to the sword March 20, 2009 at 1:34 pm Opener Ashwell Prince and all-rounder Jacques Kallis scored centuries as South Africa took a strangehold on the third and final Test against Australia in Cape Town. U.S. moves to suspend aid for Madagascar March 20, 2009 at 1:33 pm The United States is moving to suspend all non-humanitarian aid to Madagascar because it considers this week's forced departure of its president "tantamount to a coup d'etat," State Department spokesman Robert Wood said Friday. Indian army holds soldiers to account over deaths March 20, 2009 at 1:24 pm The Indian army has found an officer and two troopers accountable for "lapses" in the killing of two youths in Indian administered Kashmir. Broadway dims lights to honor Natasha Richardson March 20, 2009 at 1:10 pm Broadway dimmed its lights Thursday night to honor actress Natasha Richardson, who died after suffering a brain injury while skiing at a Canadian resort. Hamilton slams new Formula One rules March 20, 2009 at 1:07 pm World champion Lewis Hamilton has joined the growing number of critics of the new rules to be introduced to Formula One this season. Gunman fires at French nursery March 20, 2009 at 1:04 pm A gunman holed up across the street from a French nursery school opened fire Friday on mothers and nannies entering the building to pick up children for lunch, slightly injuring eight adults, police said. Bonus tax not the answer, some say March 20, 2009 at 12:52 pm The Senate is taking up a controversial bill that would impose a hefty tax on bonuses paid out by companies propped up by taxpayer money. Risk rewarded for Cuban restaurant owner March 20, 2009 at 12:34 pm Former mortgage broker Alberto Gonzalez is doing well in this economy -- so well that just six months after opening his first restaurant in Chicago, Illinois, he is doing the unthinkable: expanding. Violence sparks conversation on decriminalizing drugs March 20, 2009 at 12:30 pm While Congress is considering major spending requests for security along the Mexican border to help curb drug violence, others are proposing a less-expensive but, some say, dangerous solution: decriminalizing drugs. U.S. Navy vessels collide near Iran March 20, 2009 at 12:17 pm A submerged U.S. submarine hit a Navy warship early Friday in the Strait of Hormuz near Iran, damaging both vessels and causing minor injuries, Navy officials said. Gerrard sent to trial on affray charge March 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm A Liverpool court dropped an assault charge against English football star Steven Gerrard for a nightclub brawl in December but ordered him to appear at trial next month, a court spokeswoman said Friday. Israeli military to probe Gaza campaign allegations March 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm The Israeli military plans to investigate claims by Israeli soldiers that Palestinian civilians were killed and Palestinian property intentionally destroyed during Israel's recent 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip. Officials: Staff at top restaurant carried virus March 20, 2009 at 12:02 pm Investigators probing the illness that forced famed chef Heston Blumenthal to temporarily close his award-winning Fat Duck restaurant last month said Friday that 14 staff members and diners were infected with norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug. Livestock blamed for anthrax outbreak March 20, 2009 at 6:08 am Fifteen people have been diagnosed with cutaneous anthrax in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh over the past week, health officials said Friday. Desperate Japanese head to 'suicide forest' March 20, 2009 at 6:04 am Aokigahara Forest is known for two things in Japan: breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and suicides. Also called the Sea of Trees, this destination for the desperate is a place where the suicidal disappear, often never to be found in the dense forest. Commentary: Spring break in a nation at war with drug lords March 20, 2009 at 6:00 am A lot of Americans are wondering: Is it safe to travel to Mexico? It depends where you go, and what your intentions are once you get there. IMF: Global economy to shrink for first time in 60 years March 20, 2009 at 6:00 am The global economic slowdown is so severe that the worldwide economy will contract for the first time in 60 years, the International Monetary Fund says. Obama mixes politics, comedy on 'Tonight Show' March 20, 2009 at 5:56 am President Obama mixed jokes with serious discussion Thursday during an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Pirates seize Greek ship in waters near Somalia March 20, 2009 at 5:24 am Pirates have struck again, this time capturing a Greek cargo ship in waters off Somalia on Thursday evening, a Greek government spokesman said. China pushes N. Korea on nuke talks March 20, 2009 at 5:11 am Chinese President Hu Jintao reiterated a call for North Korea to resume nuclear talks during his meeting with North Korean Premier Kim Yong Il. Obama offers Iran 'the promise of a new beginning' March 20, 2009 at 4:32 am President Barack Obama reached out to Iran on Friday -- the start of the Iranian New Year -- in a video message offering "the promise of a new beginning" that is "grounded in mutual respect." Obama announces new housing money for California March 20, 2009 at 3:44 am President Barack Obama continued a two-day campaign-style swing through California Thursday, announcing the distribution of $145 million in new Housing and Urban Development funds at a town hall meeting in Los Angeles. Mitt Romney: Obama 'is learning on the fly' March 20, 2009 at 3:14 am Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, but John McCain snagged the nomination. 'Era of open government' behind information policy reversal March 20, 2009 at 2:21 am To expand openness and transparency, the Obama administration has rescinded a Bush administration standard on withholding government documents, Attorney General Eric Holder said Thursday. Jury convicts Alabama dad of throwing 4 kids off bridge March 20, 2009 at 1:17 am After deliberating for only 45 minutes, a jury convicted an Alabama man Thursday of throwing his four children off a Gulf Coast bridge in January 2008, according to prosecutors. Ecuador: Seven die from Quito plane crash March 20, 2009 at 12:45 am A small military plane on a training flight in heavy fog crashed Thursday into a populated area of Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, killing the five people aboard and two on the ground, authorities said. Rocket attack kills at least 11 in Pakistan March 20, 2009 at 12:32 am A rocket attack killed at least 11 people and injured 30 others on Thursday evening in northwest Pakistan, a Khyber Agency official said.