Los Angeles
Church attack: A former Scientologist stormed the church’s high-profile Celebrity Center in Hollywood this week, brandishing two samurai swords and shouting threats before a security guard shot him dead. Police said Mario Majorski, 48, had a history of erratic behavior. Majorski was a devoted Scientologist for several years, authorities said, but turned against the group a few years ago and was previously accused of making threatening phone calls to Scientology centers in California and Oregon. The Celebrity Center is a castle-like Hollywood landmark that, according to the Scientology website, serves as “a home for the artist, a place where he can come and learn, attend seminars, and even perform.”
Dallas
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Muslim charity verdict: A federal jury this week convicted five former officers of a Muslim charity of funneling more than $12 million to Hamas, a Palestinian militant group on the State Department’s list of terrorist organizations. In the biggest terrorism-financing case since 9/11, the jury took eight days to convict the Holy Land Foundation and its top officers of 108 counts of supporting terrorism, tax fraud, and money laundering. A previous case against the foundation, once the largest Muslim charity in the U.S., ended in a mistrial last year. The group claimed its activities were entirely philanthropic and that it was singled out for political reasons. But the government argued that money raised by the group was used to “spread Hamas’ violent ideology” and recruit terrorists. The defendants face prison sentences of 15 years on each count.
Rochester, Minn.
King Santa: Christmas came early to Rochester, Minn., this week, as members of the Saudi royal family filled hotels, kept restaurants hopping, and shopped so much that they flew in a second 747 to transport their purchases. Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is in town for a checkup at the famed Mayo Clinic, traveling with a large entourage. Groups of Saudi royals have been spotted cruising the shopping district, and local restaurants report that the Saudis tend to order the best wines and tip lavishly. “They’re super-nice people, and they take really good care of the staff,” said Nicci Sylvester, assistant manager of Chester’s restaurant. Thanks to the Mayo Clinic, international visitors pump up to $50 million into Rochester’s economy every year.
Miami
Gay adoption cleared: A Florida judge this week struck down the state’s ban on adoptions by gay couples, ruling that there was no “legal or scientific” reason to bar adoptions based on sexual orientation. Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman said the ban, passed in 1977, violated the Florida’s state constitution’s equal-protection clause. The state plans to appeal, and the matter is likely to end up before the Florida’s highest court. But for now, the ruling means that Martin Gill, 47, and his partner can adopt the two boys they’ve been fostering since 2004. “I’ve never seen myself as less than anybody else.” Gill said. “We’re very grateful.”
Detroit
Big Three try again: Executives of the three major U.S. auto companies are scrambling to fashion a new appeal for federal aid, following a disastrous appearance before Congress last week. Rick Wagoner, Robert Nardelli, and Alan Mulally, the CEOs of General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford, respectively, had asked Congress to speed the release of $25 billion in government loans and allow them to use the funds to meet operating expenses rather than for producing fuel-efficient vehicles, as Congress originally intended. But the CEOs alienated many lawmakers by flying separately to Washington on private jets and offering few specifics about how they’d spend the aid. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave the CEOs until Dec. 2 to present “a credible restructuring plan,” including limits on executive pay.
Washington, D.C.
National security picks: Barack Obama this week filled two crucial slots on his national security team, breaking precedent by reappointing Robert Gates as defense secretary and tapping retired Army Gen. James Jones as national security advisor. Gates, 65, is the first defense secretary to be kept on by an incoming president from a rival party. He provides “continuity and stability,” an Obama adviser said, while the U.S. draws down forces in Iraq and turns its focus to Afghanistan. The choice allows Obama to deliver on his promise of a bipartisan Cabinet, though Gates has not been an active Republican.?Jones, 64, is the former head of NATO and U.S. forces in Europe. He served as a national security advisor to John McCain during the presidential campaign.
