News Briefs

“Boy” loses job

The U.S. Navy expelled one of its own after he appeared on Bravo’s gay romantic reality show, “Boy Meets Boy.”

Michael Tiner, who went by his middle name Jason on the show, was discharged for violating the Navy’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

The combat systems instructor said he knew the risk he was taking by going on the show but was comfortable enough with his sexual orientation to face the consequences.

As part of the Boy Meets Boy’s twist, Tiner’s sexuality was ambiguous – he could have been one of the series’ heterosexual contestants – but after being rejected by the leading man, his orientation was revealed.

The 26-year-old had already alerted his commander by the time the episode aired July 29. The move to expel Tiner began immediately and became effective Aug. 19. He received an honorable discharge.

Autopsy set for priest killed in prison

An autopsy will be conducted Monday on former priest John Geoghan, the convicted child molester who died Saturday after apparently being strangled in prison.

The 68-year-old was at the center of the sex abuse scandal that rocked the Roman Catholic church.

In civil lawsuits more than 130 people have claimed Geoghan sexually abused them as children in the more than three decades that he served as a priest in Boston-area parishes.

He was convicted last year of indecent assault and battery in the first three criminal charges brought against him. Prosecutors couldn’t bring charges in other cases because the statutes of limitations had expired.

Although Geoghan was kept in protective custody to shield him from the general prison population, he still had some contact with other inmates, said a Department of Corrections spokeswoman.

Ricki Lake marriage over

After nine years of marriage, talk show queen Ricki Lake and her husband Rob Sussman have filed for separation.

The couple has two boys, 6-year-old Milo and 2-year-old Owen.

According to Los Angeles court documents, Lake and Sussman filed for separation August 13.

The 34-year-old has hosted “The Ricki Lake Show” since 1993.

Three dead after bomb attack on Iraqi cleric

Terrorists have detonated a bomb outside the house of one of the most important Muslim Shiite clerics in Iraq, killing three guards.

Around 10 others, including family members, were injured.

A glass cylinder bomb was placed on the side of the home of Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim, who suffered scratches on his neck.

Al-Hakim was the leader for the armed wing of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq.

A member of Iraq’s U.S.-picked governing council said terrorists from the former regime were behind the attack.

Gas prices spike after power sputters

National gas average prices rose 15.53 cents in the two weeks ending Aug. 22, reaching $1.7191 per gallon, according to a Lundberg survey of nearly 8,000 gas stations, due to power outages at refineries and the temporary shutdown of an Arizona pipeline. The price increase was the biggest recorded in the Lundberg survey’s 50-year history.

The survey’s editor attributed the price spike to the Aug. 14 power outage that hit parts of central and northeastern United States, interrupting production at some refineries.

The most expensive gasoline was found in Phoenix, Ariz., at $2.1425 a gallon while the cheapest was in Charleston, S.C., at $1.4920 a gallon, according to the survey.

Mars closest Wednesday

Wednesday will be a big night for millions of astronomers all around the world: The Red Planet will be closer to Earth than it has been in 59, 619 years.

This occasion is caused by the coincidence of their orbits. The Earth’s will be farthest and Mars’ closest to the sun, putting the two planets 34 million miles apart.

Australia going amok

One person was killed and several others injured during the violent storms that have swept Australia’s east coast.

Winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour have caused wide damage in Sydney and New South Wales.

Tens of thousands of people are without power in the New South Wales region and Canberra. Police warned motorists in Tasmania to put driving on hold until the floods in the area are under control.

Israeli attack kills four

Four members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas were killed Sunday evening due to an Israeli helicopter attack in Gaza City.

The attack occurred at approximately 9:55 p.m. when the Israelis fired at least two missiles at a vacant lot near a base housing Yasser Arafat’s personal guard.

Americans eat 30 pounds of cheese per year

The U.S. Agriculture Department says Americans are eating more cheese than ever – 30 pounds each year. Experts say the primary reason for the increase is Americans’ love for pizza. Pizzerias account for more than half of all cheese sales and last year they purchased $2.5 billion worth, according to the National Association of Pizzeria Operators.