Preview of Oz The Great And Powerful

The first trailer for Oz The Great and Powerful has been released.

Disney is making this prequel to The Wizard of Oz, one of the greatest movies of all time.

Don't be expecting to see Dorothy, the Lion, Scarecrow, Tinman, Toto, or the ruby slippers.

Oz The Great and Powerful tells the story of how Oscar Diggs, a magician and con artist, ends up in the land of Oz.

Once there he finds himself in the middle of a battle between good and evil, and is forced to take a side.

James Franco stars as Oz, Michelle Williams portrays Glinda the Good, Rachel Weisz plays the Evanora the wicked witch of the east, and Mila Kunis will be bringing Theodora the wicked witch of the west to life.

Fans can look forward to the prequel keeping the theme of the "real world" being in black and white, with the land of Oz being in color.

Oz The Great and Powerful is scheduled to hit theaters March 8, 2013.

Kurds Clash With Turkish Riot Police

Kurds clashed with riot police in south east Turkey on Saturday.

The local governor had declined permission to allow the pro Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party to hold a rally, but they did so anyways.


Police came asking the crowds to leave, they refused and began throwing things at the police.


Things escalated when around fifty members of parliament attempted to join the demonstrators, but were blocked by police.


Water cannons and teargas were turned on the crowds, forcing many to disperse, but others began turning it into a riot.


In the midst of things, militants detonated a bomb, causing over a dozen police officers to suffer minor injuries.

More Protests in Bahrain

Bahrain's decision to ban demonstrations has completely backfired.

It has resulted in riots, and protests decrying the move by the government.

The government stated it would not allow more demonstrations as they get in the way of every day life.

At least fifty people have been killed in violent protests since they began in February of 2011.

The Shiite majority says that the Sunni run country discriminates against them.

150 Killed in Possible Syrian Massacre

UN observers are reporting that yet another massacre has taken place in Syria.

Syrian forces are accused of shelling, then moving infantry through a village in central Syria, killing as they went.

Reports from UN monitors and human rights groups, say that at least one hundred and fifty people were killed in the massacre.

If they reports are true, it would make this the worst single act in the sixteen month conflict.

Accusations of moving and preparing chemical weapons are also being aimed at the Syrian government.

So far none have been used, but if they are being prepared for use the civil war has gotten even further out of control that had been thought.

Some fear that if brought out, of their storage locations, that the weapons could be captured by Al Qaeda or other terrorist organizations.

Merkel Defends Circumsion as Religious Freedom

Chancellor Angela Merkel defended Jewish and Muslim religious rights on Friday, after a court in Cologne ruled that circumcision was an act of bodily harm on a child.

The ruling came after a four year old suffered medical complications from being circumcised.

It went further to say that children's right to be kept from physical harm over ruled their parents religious beliefs.

After the ruling, Germany's Medical Association immediately ordered doctors to not perform any circumcisions.

Jewish and Muslim communities joined forces to protest the ruling, calling it an "affront to our basic religious and human rights".

Opinion in Germany, over the issue is mixed, but Merkel very strongly stated that circumcision was a right of religious freedom, and therefore should be protected as such.

Acid Attack Victim Grateful for Opporutnities it Has Brought

Ten years ago, Julie Aftab was working in Pakistan when a man walked in and asked if she was a Christian three times, when she said yes the third time, he left.

Thirty to forty minutes later he returned and threw battery acid on her, burning the right side of her face and body.

When she tried to run, a second man grabbed her by the hair and together the two men forced more acid down her throat, searing her esophagus.

A crowd was drawn by her screams, and they detained the men, but then released them when they accused her of  insulting Islam.

Hospitals and doctors refused to treat her, as they were threatened with being burnt themselves if they did so. Luckily one doctor had pity on her, and treated her anyways, saving her life.


The acid had burned through the left side of her face, taking an eye, scarring bone, and removing teeth. Whilst she was being treated, neighbors burned the family's home, and they were taken in by a nondemoninational Christian bishop, who contacted Shriners Hospitals for Childern.

They arranged for her to be brought to Houston, Texas and undergo medical treatment. After her arrival a couple in the area took in the girl, who at the time spoke no English.

Since then Julie has undergone thirty-one surgeries, all of which were donated by the doctors. She is studying accounting at University of Houston Clear Lake and is about to undertake her citizenship test.

Julie plans to one day become a pastor, and for the last few years has raised money for a safe house in Pakistan that helps persecuted girls.

Aftab has become grateful for the opportunities she has been presented because of what happened to her.

When asked about the attack she says, "Those people, they think they did a bad thing to me, but they brought me closer to God. They helped me fulfill my dreams. I never imagined I could be the person I am today."

Starbucks in Funeral Home

Starbucks' latest location could remind you you're alive, with more than the caffeine buzz.

Robinson Funeral is set to open the location in August, in a special wing.

The owners of the home hope that it will be another way of helping the families grieve.

Chris Robinson, said "If this provides them a little escape, gives them a break from the stress they are going through, that's what its all about, to make them feel a little better."

He also noted that in a way it returns the business to it's original roots, as his great grandfather started the funeral home in a general store, where people would come to sit and drink coffee.

The location will be open to the general public as well.

Bomb Threat Closes US Canada Tunnel

A bomb threat called into Canadian authorities led to the closure of the tunnel connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.

Federal and local police from both countries have responded to the scene, and a Detroit bomb squad was leading the search for explosive devices.

The tunnel is one of the busiest crossings between the two countries.

Travelers were being diverted to the Ambassador Bridge.

The search and investigation are still under way.

Tatum to Play Knievel

Some of the latest movie news has Channing Tatum set to play Evel Knievel.

As of yet the movie is untitled, but it is based on Stuart Baker's Life of Evel, a biography of the famed dare devil.

Tatum will also be involved as a producer in the film, which will be seventh time he has done that.

All three of his 2012 movies have, or are about to, hit the $100 million mark.


The thirty-two year old actor is proving himself to be able to play any role, whether it be action, comedy, romance, or drama.

Channing is currently one of the busiest actors in Hollywood.

He has three movies scheduled to come out in 2013 and two in 2014, with the Knievel movie making a total of four in production with no release date set yet.

I-225 Light Rail Approved

Plans to extend the RTD light rail up I-225 through Aurora were approved Tuesday night.

Currently the rail ends at Parker Road, but the new plans would add ten and a half miles to it, bringing it through Aurora to I-70.

Colorado's light rail has been massively successful and popular, as it allowed for easier access to downtown Denver.

Several other extensions have been added since the main line began, with plans to eventually connect Ft. Collins, Boulder, Golden, Longmont, and Colorado Springs to Denver.

Most of those extensions have already been approved, with several already under construction.

The I-225 addition is expected to cost around $350 million, but most consider it well worth the cost.

Some though worry about the planned route of the rail, which between Mississippi and 6th would leave the 225 to reach Aurora City Center.

On July 24, Aurora City Council will vote on which company's proposal to select as the official builders of the project.