Sir Edmund Hillary dies

Sir Edmund Hillary dies

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th-century’s greatest adventurers, died today. He was 88. The gangling New Zealander devoted much of his life to aiding the mountain people of Nepal and took his fame in stride, preferring to be called Ed and considering himself an “ordinary person with ordinary qualities.” Hillary died at Auckland Hospital at 9 a.m. today, New Zealand time, Prime Minister Helen Clark’s office said. Though ailing in his later years, he remained active, but no cause of death was immediately given. “Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality, he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only ‘knocked off’ Everest but lived a life of determination, humility and generosity,” Clark said in a statement. Hillary’s life was marked by grand achievements, high adventure, discovery, excitement — and by his personal humility. He was humble to the point that he only admitted being the first man atop Everest long after the death of climbing companion Tenzing Norgay.

Motion 666: Is it a sign?

LONDON — The beast of the Book of Revelation intruded into the banter of the House of Commons on Thursday when a motion calling for the disestablishment of the Church of England was numbered 666. The last book of the Bible says 666 is the number of a beast that “had two horns like a lamb, and ... spake as a dragon,” and that “doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” “It is incredible that a motion like this should have, by chance, acquired this significant number,” said Bob Russell, a Liberal Democrat lawmaker.

Bush ends Mideast trip

JERUSALEM — President Bush called for a halt to Israel’s military occupation of land the Palestinians claim for a state and an end to the terrorist threat over the Jewish homeland, spelling out the U.S. bottom line Thursday for ending the long and bloody Mideast conflict. “Now is the time to make difficult choices,” Bush said. An agreement will require “painful concessions” by both sides, Bush said, but he predicted one could be reached within a year, putting himself more firmly on the line than ever for an achievement considered unlikely by many experts.

Interim pact in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES — The Weinstein Co., one of Hollywood’s largest independent filmmakers, said Thursday it expects to reach a deal with striking Hollywood writers that would allow the company to resume production. The company was anticipating that an interim agreement with the Writers Guild of America would be signed by the end of the day, company spokesman Matthew Frankel said.

Shipwreck ruling

TAMPA, Fla. — The Spanish government will receive detailed information about a shipwreck site where a Florida company found $500 million worth of coins and artifacts last year, a federal judge ruled Thursday. Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. will reveal the exact location of the shipwreck and items found onboard, U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Pizzo said. The company will also disclose the locations of two other shipwrecks, the judge said. The information, which includes videos and photos taken from the sites, will not be made public, he said. Odyssey is required to turn the information over within two weeks, and Spanish representatives will be allowed to view the treasure.

Charged in girls’ deaths

WASHINGTON — A mother found in her home with the decomposing bodies of four girls was charged Thursday with murder after reportedly telling investigators that the children were possessed by demons and died in their sleep. Banita Jacks, 33, was charged with felony murder and appeared in District of Columbia Superior Court. She told police that the deaths occurred before a utility turned off her electricity, which prosecutors said was in September 2007, according to charging documents. The bodies of the girls — ages 5 to 17 and believed to all be Jacks’ daughters — were found Wednesday when deputy U.S. marshals served an eviction notice at the apartment in southeast Washington.

Associated Press