In the news
John Betar, 101, and his wife, Ann, 97, a Fairfield, Conn., couple who eloped 80 years ago after Ann’s father arranged for her to marry another man, have been recognized by Worldwide Marriage Encounter as the “longest married couple” in the United States — a title that the Christian marriage group based in San Bernardino, Calif., admits is based on nominations it receives and not extensive research.
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has been chosen to deliver the Republican response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Tawana Bourne, 30, has been charged in Newington, Conn., with reckless endangerment, risk of injury to children, threatening and breach of peace over allegations she pulled a gun and threatened another woman at a Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurant.
Steven Michael Quezada, who plays federal drug agent Steven Gomez on the AMC television series Breaking Bad, has won a seat on the School Board in Albuquerque, N.M., after he was the only candidate to file for the position.
Gov. Chris Christie, a New Jersey Republican who has been candid about his struggles with his weight, was less than thrilled with comments by Dr. Connie Mariano, a former White House physician who told CNN that she worries about Christie dying in office because he is so heavy, with Christie saying that unless Mariano gives him an exam and learns his family history, “she should shut up.”
Dr. Charles Hirsch, 75, New York City’s long-serving medical examiner who was injured in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks but returned to work later that day despite broken ribs and cuts, is retiring, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., wants Steven Spielberg to correct his hit movie, Lincoln, saying two congressmen from his state did not vote against the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery as depicted in the film.
Annette Schavan, 57, Germany’s education minister, said she has no intention of resigning as she denied plagiarism allegations and vowed to fight a ruling by Duesseldorf’s Heinrich Heine University to revoke her doctorate.
Floyd Corkins II, 28, pleaded guilty in Washington to shooting a security guard at the Family Research Council’s headquarters, admitting he targeted the group because of its opposition to same-sex marriage.