In a Nutshell

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By Kayla Falgoust

WORLD

U.S. withdraws forces from Iraqi cities

Tuesday, June 30, marked the final deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraqi cities. By midnight, U.S. forces had moved most combat troops into bases outside Iraqi cities - although several troops stayed behind to train and advise Iraqi forces. U.S. troops will only return to Iraqi cities if asked, and the U.S. military will continue operations in rural areas and along the Iraqi border as long as the Iraqi government permits. Tuesday's withdrawal, which was agreed upon under a U.S.-Iraqi security pact, was met with fireworks, as Iraqi forces assumed command of Baghdad and other major cities. The U.S. is scheduled to completely withdraw from Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011, and President Obama promises that all U.S. combat troops will leave the country by August 2010. (Source: CBSnews.com)

NATION

Bernie Madoff sentenced to 150 years in prison

On Monday, Bernie Madoff was given the maximum sentence of 150 years for running one of the most lucrative Ponzi schemes in American financial history. On March 12, Madoff, 71, pleaded guilty to 11 criminal counts, including fraud and money laundering. To accomplish the scam, Madoff, who founded and chaired Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC in 1960, took investment money from new clients and gave it to older clients, creating the appearance of consistent returns on his clients' investments and garnering more business for his firm. Investigators believe that Madoff had been running the scam since the 1980s, stealing billions of dollars from at least 1,341 clients and leaving many investors with nothing. (Source: CNN.com)

America mourns the deaths of three beloved entertainers

From the King of Pop to everyone's favorite angel to television's go-to pitchman, America has lost three very distinct but well known personalities within the last week: Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Billy Mays.

Last Thursday, June 25, American icons Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett died at ages 50 and 62, respectively. Jackson suffered a heart attack at his rented home in Los Angeles, but the official cause of death is still pending the results of toxicology reports. News of Jackson's death caused an extreme influx in Internet traffic, setting records on many popular sites. Fawcett died earlier in the day at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., losing her battle with anal cancer.

On Sunday, June 28, television personality and infomercial sensation Billy Mays died from heart disease at his home in Tampa, Fla. The exact cause of death is still pending on toxicology reports, however. Mays, 50, was famous for pitching products like OxiClean and Orange Glo in TV commercials and infomercials. (Source: CNN.com)

STATE

Former LSU tennis star makes Wimbledon appearance

Former LSU tennis standout Ken Skupski and doubles partner Colin Fleming competed in the men's doubles main draw of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. The wild card duo squared off against Johan Brunstrom and Jean-Julien Rojer in the first round of competition. Skupski and Fleming took the first two sets 7-6 before losing sets 3-5 (7-6, 6-4, 6-4) and the match. Skupski also competed in the mixed doubles event at Wimbledon with partner Katie O'Brien. The pair advanced to the second round, where they were defeated by Andre Sa and Ai Sugiyama.

Skupski left the Tigers after the 2006-07 season, having played at the No. 1 singles spot his entire career. The Liverpool, England, native earned the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's All-America status three times during his time at LSU, twice in singles and once in doubles. The four-year letterman holds the fourth-most wins in school history at 104, and the record for most doubles wins in a season, compiling 34 victories with partner Mark Growcott in 2005. (Written by Stephanie Kraft)

Originally Published: Issue 806 - July 1, 2009

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