Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 19, 1990 TAG: 9005190384
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From wire reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Vatican was "overwhelmed" by messages and telephone calls pouring in from well-wishing world leaders too numerous to identify, papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro said.
No public celebration was planned and Navarro said he knew of no private celebration plans.
The Rome newspaper Il Messaggero published a front-page article written by Lech Walesa, the leader of the Solidarity labor movement in the pope's native Poland, who praised the pope for helping to transform Europe.
"Today a Europe of free nations has become a reality and I think that many people in Europe will thank God for giving the world John Paul II," it said.
John Paul held his usual audiences Friday and delivered several speeches.
The Vatican daily newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, marked the birthday with the headline "Best Wishes, Holy Father" and articles and photos on his 11 1/2 years as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
\ Paul McCartney, the former Beatle, gained a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest paid attendance at a public event, his publicist said Friday.
McCartney and his band performed for a crowd of 184,000 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on April 21.
He broke the record of 175,000 set by Frank Sinatra at the stadium on Jan. 26, 1980.
The Guinness Book acknowledged the record early this month, said Mika El-Baz, McCartney's New York publicist.
\ Catherine Crier, the Cable News Network anchorwoman, told a gathering of lawyers that courtroom competition and unnecessary lawsuits drove her from her post as a Texas district judge.
"We have moved into an arena where competition is the thing, and outdoing the other fellow may have surpassed the notion of serving clients, of seeking justice," Crier told members of the Grand Rapids Bar Association on Wednesday.
Crier, 35, said she decided to accept CNN's offer in October 1988 in part because she was frustrated by unnecessary litigation, including the case of a woman who sued her obstetrician because she suffered pain during childbirth.
" `It hurt,' she said. Well, I'm very sorry it hurt, but it dragged the doctor into court for several years in the process," Crier said.
In 1984, Crier became the youngest woman to be elected as a state district judge in Texas.
At CNN, she drew criticism at first for her lack of a journalism background. She said her skills in public speaking, legal writing and international relations helped her get the job.
\ Henry Rosenbaum, found rummaging through belongings in the hotel room of "Miami Vice" star Don Johnson, flew the coop but was convicted of burglary in absentia in Santa Monica, Calif.
Rosenbaum, 36, was last seen Tuesday afternoon following testimony from Johnson describing how he detained the trespasser until authorities arrived.
Rosenbaum proclaimed his innocence to reporters in a courthouse hallway following Johnson's testimony. He said he was paid by a national tabloid publication to break into the room at the Hotel Bel-Air in January 1989.
Superior Court Judge Robert Altman issued a warrant for Rosenbaum's arrest and ordered forfeiture of his $50,000 bail.
Johnson testified he surprised Rosenbaum in the room. He said he saw Rosenbaum going through the purse of actress Melanie Griffith, Johnson's wife.
Rosenbaum said he was a fan, but Johnson told him to "shut up." He ordered him to lie on the floor and to put his hands behind his back. Johnson held the trespasser until a hotel security guard arrived.
by CNB