Navy commissions destroyer named after NY SEAL

  Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- In a ceremony that was more joyful than solemn, the U.S. Navy on Saturday commissioned the USS Michael Murphy, a sleek new warship named for a Navy SEAL who died in Afghanistan at age 29.

Cannons boomed, dignitaries spoke of heroism, and nearly 300 sailors charged up a ramp while a band played "Anchors Aweigh" as the destroyer sprang to life in a ceremony in New York Harbor.

"You are now our family, our team," the ship's commander, Tom Shultz, told Murphy's parents, before leading hundreds of visitors in a SEAL battle cry.

"Hooyah, Michael Murphy!" Shultz said, pointing skyward.

Murphy, a Navy lieutenant who grew up in Patchogue, N.Y., was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during a 2005 ambush. Military officials said that after his four-man team was surrounded, Murphy risked exposure to enemy fire so he could radio a base for help.

The helicopter that rushed to the rescue was shot down, killing 16 sailors and soldiers. Murphy died on the battlefield. Only one man in his squad survived.

The 510-foot ship bearing his name was draped in red, white and blue banners and festooned with flags for Saturday's ceremony on a pier on Manhattan's west side.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said the ship would guarantee that Murphy's story would be retold. U.S. Rep. Peter King heralded the young sailor for "unbridled courage." U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer recounted stories of how Murphy, since he was a child, had empathy for others.

The $1.1 billion warship, built at the Bath Iron Works in Maine, is to be based in Hawaii.

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41-pound cat named Skinny up for adoption

  Eyewitness NewsRICHARDSON, Texas -- Don't be fooled by the name: Skinny the cat is one hefty feline. And all 41 pounds of her needs a home.

A Dallas-area animal shelter has cared for the 5-year-old orange tabby since getting a call about a stray in a yard about a week ago.

Kim Chapin with Richardson Animal Services said Friday that Skinny's "very sweet" - and the largest cat she's seen in 21 years with the shelter.

Not surprising. U.S. government growth charts show Skinny weighs about as much as the average 4-year-old child.

Chapin says Skinny appears healthy except for being overweight and likely having diabetes. Blood tests have been ordered.

Chapin says somebody apparently had been caring for the cat but officials aren't sure who owned the huge kitty.

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Brad Pitt named the new face of Chanel No. 5

Brad Pitt, usually known for his films and high-profile relationship to Angelina Jolie, is embarking on a new venture.

Pitt, 48, has been announced as the new face of Chanel No. 5. The French fashion house confirmed the news to People magazine on May 9, marking the first time in history that a man will represent the famed woman's fragrance.

While the scent is for females, the actor is set to appear in the ads which are usually dominated by actresses like Nicole Kidman, Vanessa Paradis, Audrey Tautou, Lauren Hutton and Ali MacGraw.

The star is reportedly shooting his first ad in London sometime next week, according to E! Online. The website also reported that Pitt will earn a hearty paycheck for the shoot, taking home around seven figures. The ads are set to appear overseas later this year.

It was announced in April that longtime partners Pitt and Angelina Jolie were engaged. The two have been together for more than six years and are parents to six children. Jolie was photographed wearing a large diamond ring at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Photo).

Rumors of a romantic affair between Pitt and Jolie began to circulate in 2004, when they filmed the spy movie "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," which saw them playing a married couple. This will be Jolie's third marriage. She was previously married to her "Hackers" co-star, Jonny Lee Miller, and Billy Bob Thornton, who appeared with her in the film "Pushing Tin."

Pitt divorced Jennifer Aniston, his first and only wife, in 2005. He and Jolie stepped out together publicly that year. The two are parents to three adopted children, Maddox, Pax and Zahara, and three biological children, Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne.

Last year, several online reports said Pitt and Jolie had planned to marry in secret, which the actress denied. In May 2011, Pitt told USA Today that marriage is "meaning more and more" to his and the actress' six children, adding: "So it's something we've got to look at."

In July 2010, Jolie told ABC News that she and Pitt may get married if their children asked them to do so, adding: "I think it'd be hard to say no to the kids."

The seasoned actor is known for his roles in films such as "Fight Club," "Se7en," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Inglourious Basterds."

(Copyright ©2012 OnTheRedCarpet.com. All Rights Reserved.)

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New York Archbishop Dolan named as Cardinal

  Eyewitness NewsVATICAN CITY (WABC) -- Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Timothy Dolan as one of 22 new Cardinals.

The pope announced the names "with great joy" following an Epiphany Mass that ends the Vatican top Christmas celebrations.

Archbishop Dolan says he's humbled and honored to have been named cardinal.

Dolan says he'll have more decision-making responsibilities but will continue to work as archbishop for New York.

He made the comments after celebrating Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan Friday morning.

He said he learned of the pope's decision Thursday, and called his mother who said, "It's about time."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo released the following statement:
"I would like to offer congratulations to my friend Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan on the announcement that he will be elevated to Cardinal in the Catholic Church. Archbishop Dolan has been a faithful and dedicated leader, who has always put service to others as his first priority. Our state has been blessed by Archbishop Dolan's vision and leadership, and I offer him my support and friendship as he continues to lead the Catholic Church here in New York."

The 61-year-old Dolan was installed as archbishop of New York on April 15, 2009.

Dolan is one of 22 prelates who will be elevated to cardinal. They include prelates from Hong Kong, Berlin and Prague and some key Vatican offices.

Cardinals are the pope's key advisers and are members of the group that will eventually elect Benedict's successor.

Of the 22, 18 are under 80 -- raising to 125 the numbers of cardinals eligible to vote in a papal conclave.

The Pope announced he will elevate them in a formal ceremony Feb. 18.

The 18 new cardinals under 80 are:

Santos Abril y Castello, (Spanish), Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major
George Alencherry, (Indian), Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church in India
Giuseppe Bertello, (Italian), President of the Government of the Vatican City State
Giuseppe Bettori, (Italian), Archbishop of Florence JoIao Braz de Aviz, (Brazil), Prefect of the Congregation for Religious
Domenico Calcagno, (Italian), President of the Apostolic Patrimony of the Holy See
Francesco Coccopalmerio, (Italian), President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts
Thomas Collins, (Canadian), Archbishop of Toronto
Timothy Dolan, (United States) Archbishop of New York
Dominik Duka, (Czech), Archbishop of Prague
Wim Eijk, (Dutch), Archbishop of Utrecht
Fernando Filoni, (Italian), Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
Antonio Maria Veglio, (Italian), President of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Refugees
Manuel Monteiro de Castro, (Portuguese), Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary
Edwin O'Brien, (United States), Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
John Tong Hon, (Chinese), Bishop of Hong Kong
Giuseppe Versaldi, (Italian), President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
Thomas Woelki, (German), Archbishop of Berlin

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The four new cardinals over 80 are:

Karl Becker (German), a priest and professor
Prosper Grech, (Maltese), a priest and professor
Lucian Muresan (Romania), an archbishop
Julien Ries, (Belgian), a monsignor and professor

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Obama, Hillary Clinton Named 'Most Admired'

                                                                                           Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images

When asked without prompting to name the living man and woman whom they most admire in the world, more Americans name Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton than any other figures.

The Gallup rankings, tallied from a nationwide poll conducted earlier this month, show Obama and Clinton each receiving 17 percent of all mentions.  

Clinton tops the list of most admired woman for a record 16th time, trailed by Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Sarah Palin and Condoleezza Rice.

Obama won the title of most admired man for the fourth consecutive year, followed by George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, the Rev. Billy Graham and Warren Buffett.

The lists, which Gallup has compiled nearly every year since 1948, are a mix of popular, high-profile leaders in politics, business, charitable causes and entertainment.

Of particular note this year, according to Gallup, are newcomers to the men’s list: Buffett and Thomas Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“It is common for the president of the Mormon Church to receive mentions, but Monson is the first to make the top 10,” Gallup managing editor Jeffrey Jones wrote on its blog.

On the women’s list, Sarah Palin fell from her second-place slot, which she has held since 2008, to fourth place.  

Michele Bachmann and Newt Gingrich are the only two Republican presidential candidates to make the lists.

Bachmann holds the 9th-place slot, with 2 percent of mentions as most admired woman, tied with Queen Elizabeth II.

Gingrich is tied for sixth place with Donald Trump, with 1 percent, barely above Pope Benedict XVI, Bill Gates and Monson for most admired man.

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