Former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier died Monday, after he was diagnosed with liver cancer, his family said in a statement.
Frazier was 67.
He fought fellow boxing legend Muhammad Ali three times, including the famous "Thrilla in Manila" fight in 1975.
"He's a true gentleman," personal and business manager Leslie Wolff said Saturday when confirming Frazier's illness. "Along with Muhammad Ali, (he is) one of the two most recognizable athletes in the world."
Fans and well-wishers were encouraged to post their thoughts and prayers on a Facebook page at joefrazierscorner.com.
"Thank you for being such a class act," read a Facebook post written before the champ's death. "I grew up watching boxing with my dad and you were at the top of our list of exceptional fighters who were also great people."
FULL STORYComments of the Day:
"Justice has been served. Assisting a self-destructive man in destroying himself is a crime."–TonyWestover
"American justice system sucks. Casey, who killed Caylee, goes free; and Jackson, who was walking dead when alive, died and Murray goes to jail.–PeterDesai
Verdict reached in Conrad Murray trial
Dr. Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. The prosecution, in closing arguments on Thursday, argued Murray was responsible for Jackson's death because his reckless use of propofol to treat Jackson's insomnia in his home was criminally negligent.
Many CNN.com readers said Murray was a scapegoat, but others disagreed. Before the verdict was announced, Bremen said, "Whether he is innocent or not, I would almost bet this man is gonna be found guilty. When people like Michael Jackson die like that, someone is taking the blame, no matter what the case."
bjj said, "Jackson was a propofol addict for years, according to his plastic surgeon, and Murray was his doctor for two months? I find it hard to believe he was convicted. This is sad."
foxxyredd28 said, "I disagree with the verdict! Dr. Murray only did what MJ really wanted him do. However he did violate medical codes and deserves to lose his license, but I feel he should not have to go to jail. I love Michael Jackson, but truth is he was a drug addict and he was going to die from drugs regardless whether it was Dr. Murray or whoever!"
AndyDaniel said, "Definitely a tough call for me. Negligent, probably, but criminally so? That's tougher. Murray obviously did not want Jackson to die. Did Murray push the boundaries of safety because he didn't want to be fired by his world-famous client? Possibly."
Editor's note: A verdict has been reached in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray. Watch the verdict read live on CNN.com or the CNN apps for iPhone and iPad and follow the reaction tonight on HLN with Jane Velez-Mitchell, Nancy Grace, Dr. Drew and Joy Behar.
[Updated at 5:02 p.m. ET] For full coverage of the verdict and the reaction to the verdict read more here.
[Updated at 5:01 p.m. ET] Defense attorney Ed Chernoff told CNN he and his team have not yet decided whether they will appeal the jury's verdict.
Chernoff said right now the team is preparing for sentencing, noting their job right not was to make sure that Conrad Murray will not occupy a jail bed.
Chernoff added that he was not shocked by the verdict.
[Updated at 4:52 p.m. ET] A message from the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, John Branca and John McClain has been posted on the michaeljackson.com website. It says:
"The Estate of Michael Jackson and Michael himself has always believed the jury system works and despite the tragedy that brought about this trial we are in agreement with the jury's verdict. In this case justice has been served. Michael is missed on a daily basis but his genius and his music will be with us forever. He is 'the greatest entertainer that has ever lived.'"
A Chicago woman said Monday that Herman Cain sexually groped her in 1997 when Cain was head of the National Restaurant Association.
Sharon Bialek made the claims during a press conference with famed defense attorney Gloria Allred. Bialek is the fourth accuser to come forward with allegations of inappropriate behavior by Cain.
Cain has vehemently denied committing sexual harassment.
Full story at CNN PoliticsComments of the morning:
"Sounds like Penn State and the Catholic Church have the same kind of cover-up talents." - CommDecker
"Please, if you saw this happen on the street you'd call 911. So because it happens at work, telling a supervisor is adequate?" - WatAnon
Penn State coach calls sexual abuse charges against colleague 'shocking'
2 Penn State officials tied to sex abuse case step down
A child sexual-abuse scandal swirling around the Pennsylvania State University football program had many CNN.com readers venting their shock that head coach Joe Paterno did not follow up after reporting a "locker-room incident" to university administrators in 2002. The "incident" was the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year old boy by former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly. Sandusky, who retired from coaching in 1999, maintains his innocence. Two university administrators are facing perjury charges connected to an alleged cover-up.
Just43242 said, "I can't believe that a 10-year-old boy was molested, and the coaches basically said, 'Just don't bring boys here again!' What a message. And Paterno didn't follow up?"
Guest said, "Yes, Paterno alerted the Penn State administration back in 2002. But, why didn't he follow up when it became clear the PSU administration was sitting on the allegations? Didn't he find it odd that Sandusky was never charged with a crime?"
OvrHyped said, "And it's very late 2011; how is it possible the authorities have taken almost five years? Lots of questions, too few answers."
guest1guest2 said, "Paterno's hands aren't clean. Regardless of what 'specifics' were left out when he heard about it, the words 'coach,' 'boy' and 'shower' warrant a little more than reporting the incident to administrators and going on with your life."
Mexico City (CNN) - Authorities have arrested a top lieutenant of the Arellano Felix cartel, the Mexican defense ministry announced Monday.
Juan Francisco Sillas Rocha, 34, "is considered one of the most violent subjects responsible for countless killings," defense ministry spokesman Col. Ricardo Trevilla Trejo told reporters.
Sillas, also known as "The Wheel," has been one of the key lieutenants in a brutal turf war over drug-trafficking territory with the Sinaloa Cartel, the defense ministry said in a statement.
FULL STORYIt's a day that shocked the sports world and changed the course of NBA history. Nov. 7, 1991, 20 years ago today, NBA superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson told the world that he contracted the HIV virus and was retiring from basketball. At the time, Magic's announcement seemed like a death sentence, especially because people had so many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. In the years following his diagnosis, Johnson has become the face of HIV and an advocate for safe sex. Today we look back at the day that changed Magic Johnson's career and the way the world viewed HIV.
A U.N. peacekeeper died in an attack launched by "unidentified armed persons" in the south Darfur region of Sudan, the global body said Monday.
The attack Sunday targeted an African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur patrol near Nyala, the mission said in a statement. One soldier was killed and two were wounded. All three were from Sierra Leone, the statement said.
After the incident, peacekeepers searched the area and apprehended a suspect, the statement said. The suspect was handed over to Sudanese police.
FULL STORYIn a report to be released early this week, the International Atomic Energy Agency will make the most detailed charges to date that Iran's nuclear program is geared toward weapons development and military use, several Western diplomats briefed on the report told CNN.
The diplomats said that the report will include more data than the organization has previously released on clandestine efforts by Iran to develop technologies to build a nuclear weapon, including computer models of a nuclear warhead. They argue the IAEA studies offer no other explanation for those efforts beyond Iran seeking to develop a nuclear weapon.
Although previous IAEA reports have cited concerns by the organization that Iran has been seeking to develop nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles to deliver them, the diplomats said the upcoming report is expected to make the charges more explicitly.
FULL STORYAftershocks from Saturday's 5.6-magnitude earthquake in Oklahoma are likely to continue for weeks or even months, the U.S. Geological Survey says, but rattled residents can expect them to decrease in intensity.
The USGS says dozens of aftershocks from the temblor, and a 4.7-magnitude foreshock, have been recorded since the 5.6 quake hit at 10:53 CT Saturday night.
The Oklahoma Geological Survey says the quake was the largest ever to strike in the state, topping a 5.5-magnitude temblor that struck on April 9, 1952.
Saturday's quake was centered about four miles east of Sparks, in Lincoln County, Oklahoma. The USGS says on its website that it has not been able to determine what fault line the quake occurred on, but scientists are focusing on the Wilzetta fault, which they describe as one of a series of small faults that formed in the area about 300 million years ago. If the Wilzetta fault did rupture Saturday, it would be the first time a surface-rupturing quake has been recorded on it.
All previous surface-rupturing quakes in Oklahoma have occurred on the Meers fault, in the south-central portion of the state, the USGS says.
Damage from Saturday's quake was slight, with The Oklahoman newspaper reporting minor damage to 12 homes and a buckling of U.S. Highway 62 near the epicenter in Lincoln County.
But the quake was anything but minor to one couple whose home sits near the epicenter. The chimney of Joe and Mary Reneau's home came crashing through their roof in Prague, Oklahoma, CNN affiliate KJRH-TV reported.
"Wham! It wasn't just a sudden bang,” Joe Reneau told KJRH. “This house was rocking and rolling."
But it wasn't just people that the quake stirred up. Birds and bugs were so rattled that they took to flight in massive numbers, enough to show up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather radar, CNN affiliate KTUL-TV reported. Check out the radar images here.
CNN.com Live will have coverage of a verdict in Dr. Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial when it happens. The jury will resume its deliberations today.
Today's programming highlights...
10:15 am ET - Bachmann in Washington - GOP presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann looks to boost her struggling campaign as she speaks before the Family Research Council.
[Updated 7:49 a.m. ET] Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi denied rumors Monday that he might resign.
"The rumors of my resignation are groundless," a message on his official Facebook page said.
[Posted 7:14 a.m. ET] Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi does not plan to resign, one of his press aides said Monday, denying reports to the contrary.
On Saturday, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Rome to voice opposition to his government and its reforms.
Lindsay Lohan was released from jail early Monday morning, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said.
Lohan, 25, checked herself into the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California, on Sunday.
Last week, a Los Angeles County judge ordered Lohan, 25, to serve a 30-day jail term after she admitted she violated her probation on a necklace theft conviction.
"It's possible she could be booked in and booked out" the same day, Los Angeles County Sheriff spokesman Steve Whitmore said Wednesday.
"It depends on the fluctuations of the day, what's going on in the jail," Whitmore said.
After that, the actress must work at least 12 days a month at the county morgue until she completes the 53 remaining days on her court-ordered community service, Judge Stephanie Sautner told her. Lohan must also attend 18 psychotherapy sessions.
If Lohan misses any of those goals, she will be returned to jail for another 270 days, the judge ruled.
Two Penn State university officials who are accused of misleading a grand jury in their investigation into child sexual abuse allegations against former coach Jerry Sandusky have stepped down, the university said early Monday morning.
Penn State Athletic Director Timothy Curley, 57, and Gary Schultz, 62, the university's senior vice president for finance and business, face charges of one count of perjury each.
They stepped down late Sunday after an emergency meeting of the university's board of trustees.
Curley and Schultz "allegedly failed to report the sexual assault of a young boy after the information was brought to their attention, and later made false statements to a grand jury that was investigating a series of assaults on young boys," Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly said over the weekend.
Earlier, Penn State President Graham Spanier said Curley and Schultz have his "unconditional support."
"I have complete confidence in how they have handled the allegations about a former University employee," he said, adding that the charges are "groundless."
Curley requested to be placed on administrative leave so he could devote time needed to defend himself, the university said Monday. Schultz will go into retirement, it said.
The man at the center of the case is former assistant football coach Sandusky, 67, who served 23 years as defensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions,
Sandusky allegedly engaged in fondling, oral sex and anal sex with young boys over a period of more than 10 years, according to an investigative grand jury's summary of testimony.
FULL STORY
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