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Mega Millions lottery: Waiting for winner of jackpot ticket bought in San Jose - San Jose Mercury News Posted: 18 Dec 2013 09:01 AM PST Click photo to enlarge Jenny's Gift & Kids Wear in San Jose, Calif., owned by Thuy Nguyen, sold the winning Mega Millions ticket that had a jackpot of more than $630 million, it was announced Tuesday night, Dec. 17, 2013. This is a video frame grab. (Eric Kurhi/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE -- Call it the 318 million dollar question of the day. Who is San Jose's newest multi-millionaire and what will that person do with all that money? One of two winning tickets in Tuesday's Mega Millions lottery drawing was purchased in San Jose, lottery officials confirmed Tuesday night. The winning ticket in the $636 million drawing -- with numbers 8, 14, 17, 20, 39 and a mega number of 7 -- was sold at Jenny's Gift Shop at 1818 Tully Road, according to California Lottery spokesman Russ Lopez. Two California Lottery officials arrived at Jenny's Gift & Kids Wear just before 8 a.m. today to congratulate the shop owner and deliver a sign which reads "millionaire made here. Are you next?" California Lottery officials put this sign up in front of the winning store in San Jose. (Gary Reyes, Mercury News) John Reading, a supervisor with the California Lottery, said the owner of the winning ticket has not yet stepped forward. "Some people wait a while and get their ducks in a row," Reading said. "Others come right away ready for that money." A second winning Mega Millions ticket was sold in Atlanta, Georgia, according to lottery officials, though it was not immediately known if there were more winning tickets. The winners can choose to be paid over time or in a cash lump sum, Mega Millions Executive Director Paula Otto said. Based on the $636 million figure, if there are only two winners, they could receive $318 million each over time or $170 million each in cash. Social media was buzzing late Tuesday night as people wondered who bought the lucky ticket in San Jose. Jenny's Gift Shop owner Thuy Nguyen, who said he had just taken over the store four months ago, said lottery sales had "been keeping me real busy" Tuesday. He planned to reopen the store at 9 a.m. today. "The lottery called me and let me know (that the winning ticket was sold here), so then when I came and take a look, everybody (was) here, and whoa!" Nguyen said with a huge grin, jumping deliriously around the parking lot before heading out to celebrate. Nguyen added with a laugh: "I am so happy, I feel good." Mel Cruz, a security guard at the strip mall that includes Jenny's Gift Shop, said he had bought 15 tickets from the store where the winning ticket was sold but had only a few numbers. But he remained optimistic. "I bought two tickets for my girlfriend that she hasn't looked at," he said. "I told her to hold on to them -- don't lose your numbers! I said, 'If you win, you gotta give me something.' She said, 'I'd buy you a coffee, but just one.'" Lottery officials said Nguyen would receive a prize of about $1 million for selling the winning ticket. "This is a long time coming," Lopez said. "We have some of the best, most loyal players. We have some great people who spend a dollar or two and their lives are going to change overnight." Peter Lai, 28, who owns a pho restaurant in the same strip mall, said people often congregate I'm the courtyard to "chill" and play the lottery. "They'll hang out, go in and buy a scratcher, come out and scratch it," he said. He added that he is excited for his shopkeeper neighbor. "He was like 'Man, I wish I had some money, I would remodel this place.'" Hai Nguyen, not related to the shopkeeper, said be played last week but not this time. He said that some of the shopkeepers who play pool their money, and maybe there will be a group winner. "They take their money and put it together in one big pot for tickets." The jackpot was believed to be the second-highest in U.S. history. A March 2012 jackpot hit $656 million. Two other states have yet to report if any winning tickets were sold, but in the San Diego County area, two tickets that matched five of the six numbers were also sold. "This is a big deal," Lopez said. "We are excited when anybody wins money, but this is just huge." Mega Millions changed its rules in October to help increase the jackpots by lowering the odds of winning the top prize. That means the chances of winning the jackpot are now about 1 in 259 million. It used to be about 1 in 176 million, nearly the same odds of winning a Powerball jackpot. The Mega Millions revamp comes about two years after Powerball changed some of its game rules and increased the price of a ticket to $2 and added $1 million and $2 million secondary prizes. Mega Millions remains $1, and an extra $1 option has been expanded to allow up to $5 million as a secondary prize. The Mega Millions lottery is available in 43 states and the District of Columbia. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Katie Nelson at Twitter.com/katienelson210.

Obama's day: Health care moms - USA TODAY Posted: 18 Dec 2013 08:52 AM PST [unable to retrieve full-text content] Washington Post Obama's day: Health care moms USA TODAY President Obama re-engages Wednesday in his latest political campaign, the one to promote his embattled health care plan. The president and first lady Michelle Obama meet with a group of mothers "to discuss how health care reform could benefit their ... Obama, first lady meet with moms on health carePhilly.com Obama to meet with data surveillance review group WednesdayChicago Tribune Obama meeting with task force reviewing NSA spyingSTLtoday.com all 888 news articles »

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Asian shares climb ahead of Fed decision Posted: 17 Dec 2013 07:11 PM PST HONG KONG: Asian markets rose on Wednesday, with attention focused on Washington as investors await the end of a Federal Reserve policy meeting to find out its plans for its huge stimulus programme. Japanese equities were the stand-out performers after official data showed a surge in exports thanks to a weaker yen. Tokyo climbed 1.54 per cent by the break, Sydney added 0.10 per cent and Seoul strengthened 0.26 per cent while Shanghai gained 0.10 per cent and Hong Kong was 0.43 per cent higher. Regional traders were given a soft lead from Wall Street, where the three main indexes ended in the red following a tepid set of economic figures. With the Fed due to wrap up its two-day policy meeting later in the day, opinion is split on whether or not it will announce a cut in its US$85 billion a month bond-buying scheme. While some analysts point to a string of figures that indicate a healthy pick-up in the US economy, boosting the argument for a slight reduction, others say the central bank will likely wait until early next year to see if the recovery can be sustained. "Wednesday's Federal Reserve monetary policy announcement is one of the most anticipated events of the year," said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management. John Kicklighter, chief currency strategist at DailyFX, said speculation about the Fed decision "has run rampant". The latest numbers showed the economy is still fragile. Consumer prices were unchanged in November compared with October and up a tame 1.2 per cent from the previous year. Inflation remains well below the Fed's 2.0 per cent annual target. Income growth for Americans — a key indicator of the health of the economy — remained modest at 1.1 per cent year-on-year . The Dow edged a touch lower, the S&P 500 fell 0.31 per cent and the Nasdaq eased 0.14 per cent. On currency markets, the dollar rose to 102.82 yen in early trade from 102.63 yen in New York late Tuesday. The euro bought US$1.3762 and 141.50 yen against US$1.3765 and 141.28 yen. Japanese shares outperformed the region after Tokyo released figures showing exports last month rose 18.4 per cent year-on-year, boosted by shipments of automobiles and a weaker yen. Expectations had been for a 17.3 per cent rise, according to Dow Jones Newswires. However, while the likes of Toyota and Sony benefited, the softer currency also sent the price of imports higher, especially for energy. Imports soared 21.1 per cent, leaving Tokyo with a trade deficit for the 17th straight month. Oil prices edged up. New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for January delivery, was up seven cents at US$97.29 in early Asian trading while Brent North Sea crude for February gained seven cents to US$108.51. Gold fetched US$1,234.40 at 0220 GMT compared with US$1,239.20 late Tuesday. -- AFP

Sunway's stock to be on limelight Posted: 17 Dec 2013 07:06 PM PST KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Bhd's share on Bursa Malaysia is expected to be on the limelight today following its 24.5-acre land acquisition announcement yesterday. The land was acquired through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sunway City (Penang) Sdn Bhd, with the intention to establish its first landmark development in Penang. In a filing to Bursa Malaysia yesterday, Sunway said the proposed acquisition will provide an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM1.5 billion when fully developed, as the land is strategically located within the vibrant centre of Penang Island and surrounded by tourism spots as well as matured residential townships. The acquisition is expected to be completed within three months. Meanwhile, Hong Leong Investment Bank has maintained its "buy" call on Sunway following this acquisition, with unchanged target price of RM3.35. "Despite the potential headwinds from property tightening measures and slower contract flows, its recapitalised balance sheet and large order book will be able to sustain earnings growth. "With the latest acquisition, it will lift Sunway's landbank in Penang to 145 acres, with total Penang GDV of RM3.3 billion, which represents six per cent of Sunway's overall GDV," it said in a note. As at 10.16 am, the property developer share gained one sen to RM2.65, with 11,200 lots transacted. -- Bernama

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Budget compromise clears Senate procedural hurdle - CNN Posted: 17 Dec 2013 09:23 AM PST STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: A new poll shows public support for the budget deal 12 Republicans join Democrats in overcoming a filibuster attempt Bill aims to avert another government shutdown as early as mid-January The House already passed the compromise budget plan Washington (CNN) -- A federal budget compromise that already passed the House cleared a key procedural hurdle on Tuesday in the Senate, increasing the likelihood it will win final Congressional approval this week. President Barack Obama has signaled his support for the plan worked out by the budget committee leaders in each chamber that would guide government spending into 2015 to defuse the chances of another shutdown such as the one that took place in October. Tuesday's vote overcame a Republican filibuster attempt that required 60 votes in the 100-member chamber to proceed on the budget measure. The count was 67-33, with a dozen Republicans joining the 55 Democrats and independents in support of the plan. 5 ways Senate could mess it up Final approval in the Senate requires a simple majority of 51 votes. The budget plan easily passed the House last week on a 332-94 vote. GOP concerns The politics of the issue were clear in Tuesday's vote breakdown. Only one Republican Senator facing a primary challenge in their re-election campaigns voted with Democrats to overcome the GOP filibuster -- Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. Alexander has indicated he will oppose the budget plan in the final vote later this week. A new ABC News/Washington Post poll released Tuesday showed 50% of respondents approving of the budget plan while 35% opposed it. According to the survey, a majority of Democrats and independents backed the proposal, while only 39% of Republicans liked it. Some Senate Republicans said before Tuesday's vote that the most important thing for now was to lower the budget deficit, even if only by a small percentage, and prevent further government shutdowns like the 16-day stoppage in October that proved politically damaging to the GOP. Sen. Ron Johnson, who was lobbied to support the bill negotiated by fellow Wisconsin Republican Rep. Paul Ryan, said he wanted "to make sure we avoid any additional government shutdowns." "The federal government does enough harm to our economy," Johnson said. "We don't need to add additional harm by this crisis management. In the end this is not the kind of deal I would want to see. I'm sure it's not the kind of deal Paul Ryan would want to produce." Conservative GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said in a statement that "sometimes the answer has to be yes." "Ultimately, his agreement upholds the principles conservatives stand for and, with Democrats controlling the White House and the Senate, it is the best we can hope for," he said of the plan Ryan negotiated with Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington. CNN vote count: Budget deal nearing Senate approval, but not there yet Final congressional approval of the elusive budget agreement would mark a rare win for bipartisanship and a step up for a Congress infected with political dysfunction and held in low public esteem with midterm elections less than a year off. Democrats wary, too While Democrats supported the bill, many had concerns. More liberal senators -- like Tom Harkin of Iowa -- complained that an unemployment benefit extension was not included in the deal. "There's over a million people now who cannot find a job, out of work, and right at this time of year their unemployment insurance is being cut off," Harkin told Radio Iowa last week. "It's really unconscionable." Poll: Congress neck-and-neck with car salespeople, lobbyists for least honest Budget deal The budget agreement, which was months in the making, eases spending caps for the next two fiscal years while softening the impact of across-the-board spending cuts, known as the sequester, on defense and non-defense programs. Overall, it calls for more than $20 billion in deficit reduction. Current federal spending expires in mid-January, raising the possibility of another shutdown at that time if there's not a new agreement in place to keep federal coffers filled. The strong vote in the House on the budget plan on Thursday brought a collective sigh of relief among supporters, who initially thought it would sail through the Senate, where bipartisanship has been more the norm than in the sharply divided House. Don't expect Boehner to totally change his tune But after reading details of the agreement, many Senate Republicans -- including several in leadership positions -- came out against the bill. "I'd really like to stay within the (spending) caps," complained GOP Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas. "This busts the caps and as a result I'll vote against it." Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina complained that the plan reduces military benefits. 2016 in play Three leading tea party-backed senators with 2016 presidential aspirations -- Rand Paul of Kentucky, Ted Cruz of Texas, and Marco Rubio of Florida -- also have come out against the budget compromise for similar reasons. CNN's Dana Bash, Paul Steinhauser and Dan Merica contributed to this story. 0 Comments » SHARE THIS Print Email More sharing

Requesting Asylum, Snowden Offers to Help Brazil With NSA Inquiry - New York Times Posted: 17 Dec 2013 08:48 AM PST By SIMON ROMERO Published: December 17, 2013 RIO DE JANEIRO — Edward J. Snowden, the former contractor for the National Security Agency now living temporarily in Russia, said in comments published on Tuesday that he was prepared to assist Brazilian investigations of United States spying in Brazil. But he said he could not speak freely until a country grants him permanent political asylum, which he requested from Brazil months ago. Mr. Snowden, whose disclosures of N.S.A. surveillance practices have shaken Washington's relations with an array of countries, made his comments in an "open letter" published in a prominent Brazilian newspaper, Folha de São Paulo, in which he described the agency's activities as potentially "the greatest human rights challenge of our time." Brazil, a leading target of the N.S.A.'s activities, has already reacted angrily over the spying, which included surveillance of President Dilma Rousseff, her inner circle of senior advisers and Petrobras, Brazil's national oil company. Ms. Rousseff called off a state visit to Washington in October after the revelations of the N.S.A.'s operations in Brazil. Since then, Brazilian legislators have pressed ahead with inquiries into spying by the United States, relying to a large degree on news reports and testimony by Glenn Greenwald, the American journalist to whom Mr. Snowden leaked N.S.A. documents. David Miranda, the domestic partner of Mr. Greenwald, who lives in Rio de Janeiro, has helped lead an effort to obtain asylum in Brazil for Mr. Snowden, who is now in Russia on a one-year visa. "He deserves thanks for what he's done, not a life in prison," Mr. Miranda said, referring to the legal challenges Mr. Snowden faces in the United States. Mr. Miranda has recently been working with Avaaz, an international advocacy group, to get signatures in support of Mr. Snowden's asylum request in Brazil. In his letter, Mr. Snowden referred to the spying on Ms. Rousseff, who as president personally decides on granting asylum to foreigners, and on N.S.A. surveillance of ordinary Brazilians who may be having extramarital affairs or viewing pornography, activities which could then be used to hurt their reputations. "American senators tell us that Brazil should not worry, because this is not 'surveillance,' it's 'data collection,' " Mr. Snowden wrote. "They say it is done to keep you safe. They're wrong." Mr. Snowden continued: "These programs were never about terrorism: they're about economic spying, social control and diplomatic manipulation. They're about power." A spokeswoman for Ms. Rousseff declined to comment on Mr. Snowden's letter and his request for asylum in Brazil, which had sought in July, when he also requested asylum in other countries. The authorities in Brazil did not accept his request at the time. A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry press office said it was monitoring the reaction to Mr. Snowden's letter but that it was "not suitable for the Brazilian government nor the Foreign Ministry to respond." Venezuela and Bolivia have offered asylum to Mr. Snowden, but it is unclear whether their offers meet his conditions. In his letter, he referred to the refusal in July by several European nations to allow the plane of Bolivia's president, Evo Morales, into their airspace amid suspicions that Mr. Snowden was on board. Here in Brazil, a Senate committee investigating the N.S.A.'s activities was expected to convene later Tuesday to discuss Mr. Snowden's asylum request. In July, the Brazilian Senate's committee on foreign relations and defense unanimously recommended granting asylum to Mr. Snowden. Mr. Greenwald said he supported such a move. "Millions of people in nations around the world have understandably expressed gratitude for Edward Snowden's courageous whistle-blowing," he said. "Each of those countries' governments has the legal and moral obligation to protect him from the persecution to which the U.S. government is now trying to subject him." Taylor Barnes contributed reporting.

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United Nations launches record $6.5-billion aid appeal for Syria - Los Angeles Times Posted: 16 Dec 2013 08:51 AM PST BEIRUT—With the Syrian humanitarian crisis worsening amid mounting fears of starvation and illness, the United Nations on Monday launched a drive for about $6.5 billion in aid, described as the largest amount ever sought for a single emergency. Speaking in Geneva, U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos, who recently returned from a trip to Syria and Lebanon, cited the plight of "millions of Syrians who are displaced and in urgent need of food, shelter and healthcare both inside the country and across the region." Aid agencies are seeking donations from governments, private organizations and individuals. Last week saw the region's first severe seasonal storm, bringing snow and sub-freezing temperatures and dramatizing the plight of multitudes living in precarious circumstances as the Syrian conflict enters its third winter. PHOTOS: Rare snow blankets Middle East If the war continues, the number of Syrian refugees is expected to almost double during 2014, to more than 4 million, according to U.N. estimates. Most refugees have resettled in neighboring nations, including Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq, where the massive influx  has taxed resources and aggravated social and political tensions. Inside Syria, the U.N. says more than 9 million people — more than a third of the population — are in need of assistance, including many forced from their homes by clashes, bombardments and threats. The 2 1/2-year-old conflict has caused a near-collapse of many basic services inside Syria, especially in contested zones and areas controlled by anti-government rebels. Relief groups say aid is often held up at Syria's borders or never reaches needy people living in battle zones and besieged communities. Syria recently experienced its first cases of polio since 1999, an alarming outbreak that has spurred a massive campaign to vaccinate more than 23 million children region-wide against the crippling disease. Basic medical items such as antibiotics, painkillers and gauze are in short supply in many areas, said the International Rescue Committee, a New York-based aid group. In addition, the group said Syria is now confronting a food crisis, with the cost of staples such as bread skyrocketing and limited access to clean water in many areas. "Starvation is now threatening large parts of the Syrian population," the group's president, David Miliband, said in a statement. "With polio on the loose and sub-zero weather already here, the people of Syria now face months of more death and despair. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe that is receiving far too little attention and funding around the world." ALSO: China state media posts images from moon rover Heavy rain and snow cause deaths, evacuations in Middle East As Mandela's home village prepares for funeral, some are left out Twitter: @mcdneville patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com

Harvard bomb scare cancels exams, evacuates buildings - Boston.com Posted: 16 Dec 2013 08:30 AM PST CAMBRIDGE — The evacuation at Harvard University this morning was triggered by an e-mail that warned explosives had been planted in four buildings at the heart of the storied campus, according to a law enforcement official. At 10:40 a.m., authorities reported that no explosive devices had been found in the Sever, Emerson, and Thayer halls, as well as the Science Center, although they stressed that the search was continuing by police from at least five different agencies assisted by bomb-sniffing dogs. "As of the writing of this message the report remains unconfirmed and the HUPD [Harvard University Police Department] has no reason to believe there is a threat to any other site on campus,'' Harvard posted on the emergency page on its website. Emerson and Sever are buildings that contain lecture halls, while Thayer is a freshman dorm. All are located inside the ancient Harvard Yard section of the campus. The Science Center stands just outside the Yard. According to the school's academic calendar, final exams are scheduled for this week for undergraduates. College officials said they were working to identify and reschedule exams that were scheduled for this morning in the buildings. Officials also plan to make an announcement about afternoon exams as soon as possible, a university spokesman said in an e-mail. President Obama was briefed this morning at the events taking place at his alma mater, a White House official said. Obama attended Harvard Law School, which has its own campus near the Science Center and the Yard. "We continue to encourage the public to follow directions from the local officials. The White House will remain in touch with our federal, state and local partners and the President will continue to receive briefings as needed," the official said. Nathan Pflueger, a graduate student, had just arrived at his office at the Science Center when the alarm went off, prompting a mass exodus. Police immediately told people it would be a while before the building would reopen. "My guess is someone is trying to cause mischief during finals week," said Pflueger. The alarm went off at 9:05 a.m., he said, just after exams were handed out. Rescheduling the exams will create many difficulties, he said. "It's going to be chaos," he said Police closed streets in the area, then reopened some. Shortly before noon, Cambridge police reported that Oxford Street at Everett Street, Quincy Street at Broadway, Kirkland Street at Quincy, remained closed. "We are certainly still actively engaged in looking, but we are opening a couple of streets up," said Cambridge Police Deputy Superintendent Steven DeMarco. Harvard alerted its students with text messages at 9:08 a..m. and then posted alerts on its Web pages shortly after 9:33 a.m. that required everyone to evacuate the four impacted buildings. Visiting scholar Chung Hao was puzzled when he arrived at the Science Center. "Excuse me, do you know what's going on with the Science Center?" asked Hao, who has an office in the building. Told that police were searching for possible explosives, he replied, "Never mind. I take one day off." Ben Forman, an employee at the Harvard Book Store on Massachusetts Avenue across from the Yard, said in a telephone interview that the atmosphere around Harvard's campus was not that tense this morning as police swept through the area. "It looks pretty relaxed out there, actually," he said. "There is a gate closed into the Yard, but it's not panicked." Bomb squad and other officers from the State Police, MBTA Transit Police, and the Cambridge, Boston, and university police responded to the campus, officials said. Cambridge firefighters are also at the scene. According to MBTA spokeswoman Kelly Smith, Red Line service has not been disrupted, but bus Routes 1, 68 and 69 are being diverted. Transit Police swept the Harvard Square subway station, but nothing was found, Smith said late this morning. © Copyright 2013 Globe Newspaper Company.

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Nelson Mandela buried in his hometown of Qunu, in South Africa - CTV News Posted: 15 Dec 2013 04:38 AM PST Christopher Torchia, The Associated Press Published Sunday, December 15, 2013 7:37AM EST Last Updated Sunday, December 15, 2013 11:46AM EST QUNU, South Africa -- Anti-apartheid champion Nelson Mandela was buried in his home village on Sunday after a funeral that mixed ancient tribal rituals with a display of the might of the new, integrated South Africa. Military officers, both black and white, rolled Mandela's flag-draped coffin to the family burial plot in the village of Qunu. Formations of planes and military helicopters, South African flags flapping from the bellies, flew over the green hills where thousands of mourners had gathered. Unlike a public memorial service on Tuesday at a stadium that was rife with problems, the funeral and burial -- broadcast on many TV channels -- went smoothly, although behind schedule. The ceremonies mixed solemnity with joy at Mandela's accomplishments, lasted all morning and into the afternoon and were fit for African royalty. Mandela, South Africa's first black president, is descended from royalty. Several thousand gathered in a huge white tent at the Mandela family compound for the state funeral that preceded a private service at the gravesite. Songs, speeches and the boom of artillery rang across the fields and a tribal chief draped in animal skin declared: "A great tree has fallen." Mandela, who spent 27 years in jail as a prisoner of the racist white government and emerged to lead a transition to a multiracial democracy, died on Dec. 5 at the age of 95 after a long illness. His portrait looked over the assembly in the tent from behind a bank of 95 candles representing each year of his remarkable life. His casket, transported to the tent on a gun carriage, rested on a carpet of cow skins below a lectern where speakers delivered eulogies. Ahmed Kathrada, an anti-apartheid activist who was jailed on Robben Island with Mandela, remembered his old friend's "abundant reserves" of love, patience and tolerance. He said it was painful when he saw Mandela for the last time, months ago in his hospital bed. Some listeners wiped away tears as Kathrada spoke. "He tightly held my hand, it was profoundly heartbreaking," Kathrada said, his voice quavering with emotion. "How I wish I never had to confront what I saw. I first met him 67 years ago and I recall the tall, healthy strong man, the boxer, the prisoner who easily wielded the pick and shovel when we couldn't do so." The songs and speeches in the tent ceremony were broadcast on big screens in the area, including at one spot on a hill overlooking Mandela's property. Several hundred people gathered there, some wearing colours of the African National Congress -- the liberation movement-turned political part that Mandela used to lead -- and occasionally breaking into song. "A great tree has fallen, he is now going home to rest with his forefathers," said Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, a representative of Mandela's family. "We thank them for lending us such an icon." Mandela's widow, Grace Machel, and his second wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, were dressed in black and sat on either side of South African President Jacob Zuma. Guests included veterans of the military wing of the African National Congress, the liberation movement that became the dominant political force after the end of apartheid, as well as U.S. Ambassador Patrick Gaspard and other foreign envoys. Britain's Prince Charles, Monaco's Prince Albert II, U.S. television personality Oprah Winfrey, billionaire businessman Richard Branson and former Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai were also there. After the ceremony in the tent, a smaller group of guests walked to a family grave site. Bayanda Nyengule, head of the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha and Qunu, was one of the eyewitnesses to the private burial. "I realized that the old man is no more, no more with us you know," Nyengule said. "The moment when the coffin went down into the ground I felt too ... emotional." Mandela was co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize along with F.W. de Klerk, the last president of the apartheid government, for his efforts at bringing about a peaceful transition in South Africa. He had emerged from prison in 1990 advocating forgiveness and reconciliation, and became president after South Africa's first all-race elections, in 1994. He served one five-year term. The burial ended 10 days of mourning ceremonies that included a massive stadium memorial in Johannesburg and three days during which Mandela's body lay in state in the capital, Pretoria. While South Africa faces many problems, including crime, unemployment and economic inequality, Mandela is seen by many compatriots as the father of their nation and around the world as an example of the healing power of reconciliation. Gregory Katz and Alan Clendenning in Johannesburg contributed to this report.

'She needs your continued prayers': 17-year-old girl in critical condition after ... - Fox News Posted: 15 Dec 2013 08:49 AM PST A 17-year-old girl is in critical condition after authorities say she was shot at point-blank range by an 18-year-old gunman at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colo. Friday afternoon. At a news conference Saturday, Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson identified Claire Davis as the victim and read a statement from her family saying that first responders and a trauma team at nearby Littleton Adventist Hospital had saved her life, but she was suffering from severe head trauma. "She needs your continued prayers," part of the statement read. Students and residents held a candlelight vigil for Davis Saturday night at a park near the school. Friends and well-wishers posted prayers on Twitter, and some students collected money to help pay for her medical expenses. "I feel like it's going to make us a stronger senior class and school as a whole," said Chris Davis, an Arapahoe senior who is not related to Claire Davis and helped organize the fundraising effort. He said she has a lot of friends, always seems happy and loves horses. Robinson called Claire Davis a young woman of "principle" and "purpose." "She is an innocent young lady and she was an innocent victim of an evil act of violence," he said. Authorities said that the gunman, identified as Karl Pierson, had entered the building with a shotgun, a machete and three Molotov cocktails in his backpack, and planned to hurt multiple people. "It is our strong belief that he came to the school with that weapon and with multiple rounds … to cause harm to a large number of individuals," Robinson said. "His intent was evil." Robinson said Pierson likely was motived by retaliation against a faculty member – believed to be librarian and debate coach Tracy Murphy -- when he opened fire Friday. Robinson also said that the teen had bought the pump-action shotgun legally Dec. 6 at a local store. In all, the sheriff said Pierson fired six shots from his weapon, including the shot that killed him. Three of the shots were random blasts down the school's hallway. Pierson was reportedly targeting Murphy because he had recently kicked him off the school's debate team. Pierson was disciplined in September by the librarian for reasons Robinson said were under investigation. Pierson made some sort of threat in September against the librarian, according to The Associated Press. Students and a teacher said Pierson was an Eagle Scout who finished at the top of speech competitions. He competed in extemporaneous speaking — in which students prepare short speeches on current events — in the National Forensic League's national tournament in June in Birmingham, Ala. "I think he (Pierson) really cultivated his speech and argument skills and really thought that was a big part of his identity," said Steve Miles, an English teacher who taught Pierson as a freshman. "He probably thought it was a pretty crushing blow to get kicked off the debate team." KDVR.com reported that a student at Arapahoe High School in Centennial said Pierson was in a "rage" on Wednesday and yelled at one of his teachers. "Apparently that was enough to set him off," the student said. Robinson said that after Pierson entered the high school at approximately 12:33 p.m. Friday, near the student parking lot, he asked for the teacher by name. At one point, Pierson went into the library, where Murphy actually was located, but a janitor initiated a lockdown and Murphy was able to escape as Pierson entered the room. After that, Pierson set off one of the Molotov cocktails, setting at least three bookshelves on fire, investigators told KDVR.com. When an armed school resource officer entered the room, Pierson believed he was cornered and turned his gun on himself, Robinson said.  The entire attack lasted approximately 80 seconds and was captured by security cameras.   Pierson's body remained inside the school Friday night, Robinson said, "because it is part of a crime scene investigation." Robinson said he did not know if the student was enrolled in Murphy's class. "He knew he was the target and he left that school in an effort to try to encourage the shooter to also leave the school," the sheriff said. "That was a very wise tactical decision." Authorities also said Saturday that a second student who had been taken to a hospital with blood on her after the shooting was not physically injured. Davis, Robinson said, appeared to be a random target. Pierson, whose parents are divorced, lived at least part of the time with his mother in a higher-end neighborhood in suburban Highlands Ranch. The front door of the home was covered with plywood Saturday after authorities conducted a search. Students said he was a smart, funny and sometimes goofy student who sometimes debated his teachers. "He would speak for himself," said Zach Runberg, 18, a senior in Pierson's English class. "He would not be afraid to tell someone how he feels." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click here for more from KDVR.com.

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Bells toll as nation marks anniversary of Sandy Hook school shooting - Los Angeles Times Posted: 14 Dec 2013 08:19 AM PST From the steepled churches of Newtown, Conn., to the state Capitol in Hartford, bells chimed 26 times Saturday to remember the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which sparked a debate on gun laws that continues to divide the nation. While the small New England city marked the one-year anniversary of its tragedy, residents of Centennial, Colo., more than 1,500 miles away, were beginning to deal with their own school shooting. One teenager was in critical condition and the teenage shooter was dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after opening fire at Arapahoe High School there on Friday. There have been more than 20 school shootings in the United States since Adam Lanza shot his way into the Sandy Hook school on the morning of Dec. 14, 2012, and killed 20 first-graders and six school employees. Lanza, 20, who had already shot dead his mother, Nancy, in their Newtown home, then committed suicide in the school. As snow fell over Newtown, the bells began ringing at 9:30 a.m., the time that Lanza entered the school. At the St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, each chime was accompanied by the reading of a victim's name. Newtown officials and residents have appealed for privacy, and the city said it would not hold a public memorial out of respect for victims' survivors and others who do not want to be reminded of what happened. But the Colorado shooting catapulted Sandy Hook into the nation's collective memory, and Sandy Hook Promise, an organization formed in Newtown in the aftermath of its massacre, lamented the stream of school shootings in the last year. "We were horrified to hear today of a school shooting ... just one day before the one-year mark of the Sandy Hook shootings," the group's executive director, Tim Makris, said in a statement after the Centennial shooting. "It's time to start a new conversation to protect our children." In Washington, President Obama, whose effort to pass stricter federal laws after Sandy Hook failed, paid tribute to Newtown parents who have battled for changes in gun laws that permit high-capacity magazines and the purchase of weapons without universal background checks. "Over the past year, their voices have sustained us," Obama said in his weekly address. But he said the rest of the country needed to do more to prevent future shootings, and he warned that Newtown could be any town. "Newtown is a town like so many of our hometowns," said Obama. "The victims were educators and kids that could have been any of our own." Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy ordered flags flown at half-staff in observance of the Sandy Hook anniversary and urged people to mark the day by performing an act of kindness. "The message of these two actions is simple: a moment to come together and mourn, followed by acts of kindness to one another," Malloy said. Jim Rousseau, father of first-grade teacher Lauren Rousseau, who was killed at Sandy Hook, echoed the thought. "Acts of kindness and efforts to promote just cause are the best way to keep the memory of victims of gun violence alive," Rousseau, clutching a photograph of his daughter, said during a Washington, D.C., vigil for gun violence victims last week at the National Cathedral. Some victims' parents posted videos to remember their children, describing them as fun-loving, energetic first-graders whose deaths should serve as catalysts for change. "Dylan was a very happy little boy," Nicole Hockley said of her son, Dylan, who was 6 when he was killed at Sandy Hook. "We'll never know what he might have been or what he might have contributed to society. That's why I'm here talking about him. To ensure in this way, in some way, Dylan remains alive and his name and image are associated with the promises that we make to build a safer future." The mother of Ana Grace Marquez-Greene, Nelba Marquez-Greene, said her daughter "sang before she spoke, and danced before she walked." One of the family's favorite things, Marquez-Greene said, was to make music together. "Our life now is trying to make sense of having a trio, and not a quartet." Daniel Barden's father, Mark Barden, described his son's empathy for everything from tiny bugs to his classmates at Sandy Hook. "He would pick up ants from the kitchen and carry them outside to reconnect them with their families. He would pick up worms from the driveway and rescue them from the sun," Barden said. "He had a way of noticing if someone or something was vulnerable. He was just compelled to go comfort that person." "I choose to honor Daniel's life by sharing his love and his joy with everyone I can," Barden said. ALSO: Amid hatred, Colorado shooter mourned Estate of poisoned Illinois Lottery winner is settled Up to four people stabbed after Broncos football game in Denver

Ryan's Spending Deal Sets Back His Hopes for 2016, Boosts Fortunes in House - Bloomberg Posted: 14 Dec 2013 08:07 AM PST Dec. 10 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, and U.S. Representative Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, speak at a news conference in Washington about a agreement reached on the federal budget. (Source: Bloomberg) U.S. Representative Paul Ryan put his political future on the line by brokering a budget deal blasted by the Tea Party groups that have shaped his Republican Party's agenda in recent years. In doing so, the Wisconsin lawmaker created a hurdle for his presidential ambitions, while strengthening his status within the House and positioning himself to possibly succeed John Boehner as the chamber's speaker. "The Ryan-for-Republican-nominee campaign took a step backward with this deal, but Ryan's future in the House -- and even being a speaker one day -- took a big step forward," Mike Murphy, a Republican strategist, said in an interview. The deal, passed by the House 332-94 yesterday and expected to clear the Senate next week, takes off the table for two years the spending issues that have crippled Republicans in polls and contributed to the battle over control of the party. "It saves us from ourselves," Tom Rath, a Republican strategist in New Hampshire, said of the deal. "We can now have the argument on entitlements," the funding of programs including Medicare and Social Security, "without the threat of a shutdown," he added. Ryan, 43, has said he's considering a 2016 run for the White House. He was the Republican vice presidential nominee last year, yet his leadership position in Washington may hamstring his ability to win the nomination for the White House. Photographer: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo Walking through a basement corridor on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Dec. 11, 2013,... Read More Walking through a basement corridor on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Dec. 11, 2013, House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., talks to reporters on the morning after a budget deal was worked out between Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Chair Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. Close Close Open Photographer: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo Walking through a basement corridor on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Dec. 11, 2013, House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., talks to reporters on the morning after a budget deal was worked out between Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Chair Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. Several Republican strategists, including Steve Schmidt, the top adviser on John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, said the party's best chance to win is with a governor or former governor who can criticize Washington. Party Clash Still, there's no stronger voice than Ryan's for House Republicans on the budget, the issue fueling the party's civil war. Tea Party groups have moved to oust senators who backed a budget that ended the 16-day partial government shutdown in October, while business advocates are mobilizing to defeat allies of the small-government movement. Polls show that voters blamed Republicans for the shutdown. The party's favorability was at a record low of 28 percent in October, down 10 percentage points from the previous month and 15 points below the figure for Democrats, according to a Gallup Poll. Republicans' favorability improved to 32 percent this month, still trailing Democrats by 10 points, according to Gallup. Though Ryan wasn't a key player in the October deliberations to end the shutdown, fund the government through early next year and raise the nation's debt limit, he became the House Republican point man in fiscal talks called for by that agreement. Revised Cuts Teaming with Senator Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, the pair this week announced the agreement that lessens automatic spending cuts by $40 billion in the 2014 budget, which began Oct. 1, and about $20 billion in fiscal 2015. The plan sets spending at about $1.01 trillion for this fiscal year, higher than the $967 billion required in the 2011 deal that set in place the automatic cuts. It also includes $23 billion in long-term debt reduction. Ryan told reporters in Washington yesterday that he and Murray kept their "emotions in check and kept working at it" to reach a deal. "That's the key, it's just trying to understand each other, get to know each other and just talk things out," he said. The easing of the automatic cuts, known as sequestration, spurred attacks from groups including the Club for Growth and Heritage Foundation that, like Tea Party activists, push for smaller government and have exerted strong influence within the House Republican caucus. 'Much Higher' Boehner, who's given no indication he plans to relinquish the speakership, responded by criticizing the groups' campaign against the Ryan-Murray accord. And the margin by which it passed the House surprised many, including Ryan. "It was much higher than I expected," he said. "People are hungry to get things done around here." Club for Growth President Chris Chocola refused to scold Ryan personally for the budget deal that he worked to defeat. "If you're looking for someone to bash or defend Ryan, I'm not your guy," Chocola said in an interview. While arguing that Republicans should have kept current spending levels in place, he said, "The problem is that Ryan didn't have enough votes to craft the deal he wanted." Representative Devin Nunes, a California Republican who was an outspoken critic of party tactics that led to the government shutdown, characterized Ryan as "one of our rising stars." 'Knows His Facts' He said Ryan's political skills and knowledge of the government's finances helped him win support -- or silence -- from Tea Party Republicans in closed-door meetings where the budget agreement was detailed. "He knows his facts," Nunes said. "He was willing to take any questions from the members, and many of the members who were going to vote 'no' on this were hiding. They didn't even ask him a question because they do not want to know the truth." The agreement's fiercest opponents included Representative Tim Huelskamp, a Kansas Republican backed by the Tea Party who routinely criticizes Boehner and his leadership team. He said Ryan often serves as a liaison between those leaders and Tea Party-aligned members on controversial bills. "Leadership will bring him in when they want conservatives to vote for something that conservatives don't want to vote on," Huelskamp said in an interview. 'Spoils' Milk For Huelskamp, the latest budget may be one deal too many for Ryan. "It kind of spoils the milk on this one," he said. "Name one conservative thing in here -- spending increase?" Others see Ryan as maintaining a stronger following within the House Republican caucus than Boehner, of Ohio, or Majority Leader Eric Cantor, a Virginia Republican. "Paul is solid in every respect and even the people who choose to criticize him over this particular deal will be some of the people that will have enormous support for him with whatever he chooses to do in the future," Representative Steve Womack, an Arkansas Republican, said in an interview. "It's another example of Paul's incredible ability to negotiate in a very responsible and respectful way." To contact the reporters on this story: Michael C. Bender in Washington at mbender10@bloomberg.net; Roxana Tiron in Washington at rtiron@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Jodi Schneider at jschneider50@bloomberg.net

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Uncertainty after North Korea announces execution of leader's uncle - CNN International Posted: 13 Dec 2013 08:08 AM PST In an image taken from footage shown by North Korea's KCTV and released by South Korea's Yonhap news agency on December 9, 2013, Jang Song-Thaek is reportedly being dragged away from his chair by two police officials during a meeting in Pyongyang. North Korea confirmed on December 9 that the powerful uncle of Kim Jong-Un, the nation's leader, had been removed. New reports from North Korea say that Jang has been executed. HIDE CAPTION Jang Song Thaek: From adviser to 'traitor' Jang Song Thaek: From adviser to 'traitor' Jang Song Thaek: From adviser to 'traitor' Jang Song Thaek: From adviser to 'traitor' Jang Song Thaek: From adviser to 'traitor' Jang Song Thaek: From adviser to 'traitor' Jang Song Thaek: From adviser to 'traitor' Jang Song Thaek: From adviser to 'traitor' Jang Song Thaek: From adviser to 'traitor' << < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 > >> STORY HIGHLIGHTS North Korea seems "not as stable as we thought," one analyst says Some observers warn a provocative move like a missile or nuclear test could follow Jang Song Thaek was married to Kim's aunt, was vice chairman of the top military body North Korea state media say Jang was convicted and executed (CNN) -- As the shock sinks in of North Korea's extraordinary announcement of the execution of leader Kim Jong Un's uncle and former protector, government officials and analysts are trying to decipher what the brutal move means. The ruthless disposal of Jang Song Thaek -- Kim's uncle by marriage who had, until recently, been regarded as the second-most powerful figure in the secretive, nuclear-armed nation -- has serious implications for North Korea, its neighbors and the United States, observers said. But exactly what is going on inside the notoriously opaque North Korea regime remains as murky as ever. "We don't have a clear sense of this at all," said Victor Cha, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies who represented the United States in nuclear talks with North Korea. Some saw the execution, which North Korean state media reported early Friday, as a chilling demonstration of total control by Kim, the young leader who came to power two years ago. "I think what he's telling people -- the United States, South Korea, China, others -- is that he is his own man, that you are going to have to deal with him," said Philip Yun, executive director of the Ploughshares Fund, a nuclear nonproliferation group. Who is Jang? Jang, who was married to Kim's aunt, was vice chairman of North Korea's top military body and had often been pictured beside the young leader, who is believed to be around 30. He was considered to be the regent who secured Kim's assumption of power after the 2011 death of his father, Kim Jong Il. But in a lengthy article foaming with outraged rhetoric, North Korea's official news agency on Friday accused Jang of trying to overthrow the state, describing him as "despicable human scum." One big question is whether Kim acted out of strength, consolidating the power he has amassed over the past two years, or out of fear his uncle was building a rival force inside the regime. Kim already removed the country's top general last year, Cha noted. By taking down Jang, he's axed a powerful figure from the country's dominant Workers' Party. "It makes you wonder: If he's consolidating his power, what is he building it around?" Cha said. "He's basically attacking the two most important institutions in North Korea, which is the party and the military." A U.S. official said, "Executing someone with Jang's pedigree would be a dramatic statement that Kim Jong Un intends to be ruthless in consolidating his control. "The public airing of the power play under way -- which is highly unusual -- is probably sending shockwaves through North Korea's leadership cadre." Provocative moves Few analysts interpreted the execution, which took place days after the North had said Jang had been dramatically removed from his government posts, as a healthy sign. "If two weeks ago, we thought that North Korea was somewhat stable, I think today people feel that it's not as stable as we thought it was," said Cha, author of "The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future." North Korean citizens bow before the portraits of the founding father Kim Il-Sung, left, and his son Kim Jong-Il, in Pyongyang, North Korea on Monday, April 9, 2012. April 15 marked the 100-year anniversary of the founder's birth and journalists were allowed inside the country. A glimpse inside North Korea HIDE CAPTION << < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 > >> A stern looking North Korean guard by the Chinese border customs office. This image was deleted by North Korean officials. Photos North Korea didn't want you to see HIDE CAPTION << < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 > >> North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects a military factory in this undated picture released by the Korean Central News Agency on Friday, May 17. North Korea launched several short-range guided missiles into the sea off the Korean Peninsula's east coast May 18, South Korea's semi-official news agency Yonhap cited the South Korean Defense Ministry as saying. Kim Jong Un and North Korea's military HIDE CAPTION << < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 > >> Suh Sang-ki, a lawmaker in South Korea's governing Saenuri Party who sits on a parliamentary intelligence committee, said the decision to kill Jang suggests Kim's power is weaker than that of his father. In a statement issued after a phone briefing from South Korea's National Intelligence Service, Suh said the execution appeared to be a pre-emptive effort to prevent any internal unrest over Jang's ouster. Analysts said North Korea was likely to continue with the provocative moves under Kim that have strained its relations with South Korea, the United States and others. "I think there's going to be a clear amount of brinksmanship," said Yun of the Ploughshares Fund. "I think if we continue to wait for him to do things, he's going to continue to shoot missiles, and he'll probably at some point decide to test a nuclear weapon." Missile and nukes North Korea carried out a long-range rocket launch a year ago and an underground nuclear test, its third so far, in February. The U.N. sanctions that followed were met by a barrage of threatening rhetoric from Pyongyang, directed at South Korea and the United States, which ratcheted up tensions in the region. The situation has calmed since, and the North and South have resumed dialogue. The two sides have agreed to meet next week in their joint industrial zone on the North's side of the border. But with the anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death, last year's rocket launch and now Jang's execution, Seoul is keeping a close eye on Pyongyang's actions, officials said. The South Korean defense ministry said Friday that no unusual activities by the North Korean military had been detected. "December has always been a month in which something happens with North Korea," Cha said. "And we're only halfway through it." In Washington, a State Department official acknowledged having seen the report of Jang's execution. "While we cannot independently verify this development, we have no reason to doubt the official KCNA report," deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said in a statement, referring to North Korea's state news agency. "If confirmed, this is another example of the extreme brutality of the North Korean regime. We are following developments in North Korea closely and consulting with our allies and partners in the region," Harf added. China, whose senior officials were considered to have close ties to Jang, described the recent developments as North Korea's "internal affairs." Beijing hopes and believes that relations between the two countries "will continue (to) advance healthily and steadily," Hong Lei, a foreign ministry spokesman, said at a regular briefing Friday. Opinion: How Kim Jong Un got rid of his uncle 'Worse than a dog' The official North Korean report on the execution said a special military tribunal had been held Thursday against Jang, who was accused of trying to overthrow the state "by all sorts of intrigues and despicable methods." It added, "All the crimes committed by the accused were proved in the course of hearing and were admitted by him." Once his guilt was established, Jang was immediately executed, it said. The KCNA report described Jang as a "traitor for all ages" and "worse than a dog," saying he had betrayed his party and leader. Jang and his allies were accused of double-dealing behind the scenes, "dreaming different dreams" and selling the country's resources at cheap prices, thereby threatening North Korea's economic development, according to a KCNA statement this week. "Jang desperately worked to form a faction within the party by creating illusion about him and winning those weak in faith and flatterers to his side," the statement said. It also accused Jang of womanizing, drug use, gambling, eating at expensive restaurants and undergoing medical treatment in a foreign country. Friday's KCNA report said Jang distributed pornographic pictures among his confidants and took at least 4.6 million euros ($6.3 million) "from his secret coffers and squandered it in 2009 alone." Analysis: North Korean execution raises more questions than answers CNN's Elise Labott, Jim Sciutto and Paula Hancocks, and journalist Yoonjung Seo contributed to this report. 0 Comments » SHARE THIS Print Email More sharing

Tonight's Mega Millions jackpot raised to $425 million - USA TODAY Posted: 13 Dec 2013 09:30 AM PST Natalie DiBlasio hosts NewsBreak on the Mega Millions jackpot. Gary Strauss @gbstrauss, USA TODAY 12:05 p.m. EST December 13, 2013 Story Highlights Ticket sales ahead of 11 p.m. drawing surging Jackpot is fifth-largest on record Tonight's Mega Millions jackpot, already the fifth largest ever, is getting bigger. Buoyed by strong ticket sales, lottery officials boosted the jackpot to $425 million from $400 million Friday morning, about 12 hours ahead of the 11 p.m. drawing. A lump sump, post-tax payout is worth about $161 million. The jackpot was raised after sales were projected to rise about 40% by Friday evening, says Paula Otto, head of the Virginia lottery and lead director of the Multi State Lottery Association, Chances of selecting the winning six-number ticket are just 1 in 259 million, but hopefuls aren't thwarted by the odds or suspicious of a Friday the 13th drawing. Ticket sales in Virginia were running nearly 600% above normal sales, while in Oregon, they were up almost 400%, lottery officials said. "As a rule, things will really take off the day of the drawing,'' says Oregon state lottery spokesman Chuck Baumann. The jackpot has been growing since Oct.1, with 20 straight drawings failing to hit a winner. Forty-seven-year-old Scott Byerly, of Ankeny, Iowa, doesn't expect he'll have to solve the happy problem - or win - but says he's "buying the tickets to daydream." If there's no winner tonight, Tuesday's drawing could rise to $550 million, Otto says. Mega Millions record $656 million jackpot was split between three ticket holders in March 2012. A record Powerball jackpot, worth $590.5 million, was won by Floridian Gloria MacKenzie in May. Contributing: Associated Press

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