News on the Go: March 12, 2013

Maura Zurick

Investigators in Warren spent Monday trying to figure out what happened in a SUV crash Sunday that killed six teenagers and injured two others. The SUV was packed with the eight teens as it sped, flipped over and landed in a pond. Police have not released why the group was out so late or where they were heading, but the owner of the SUV was not present.

Read the full story here.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg hoped to ban large, sugary drinks Monday, but a judge said there were too many loopholes. The ban was intended to limit soda-cup sizes to 16 ounces. The State Supreme Court Justice, Milton Tingling, said the ban only applied to certain sugary drinks and places that sell them. Some restaurants, in preparation for the new law, already ordered smaller cups and changed their menus. Bloomberg’s effort was to combat high obesity rates in the city.

Read the full story here.

Disney’s “Oz the Great and Powerful” earned $80.3 million this weekend at the box office. The film is a prequel to the classic L. Frank Baum tale “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” The new “Oz” tells the story of the wizard, as played by James Franco, and three witches, as played by Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz.

A Clemson University professor who studies the trends of zombies said the undead become popular when society is dissatisfied or there is economic upheaval. The professor, Sarah Lauro, said this trend explains the popularity of shows like “The Walking Dead.” Recently, prank alerts warned of a zombie apocalypse on radio stations in several states, and “zombie walks” draw more than 4,000 people, but Lauro said those things are just part of the zombie popularity.

For the last several months, Egyptians have been encountering diesel shortages where truck drivers, bus drivers, farmers and other professionals have to wait hours in hopes of filling their tanks. The diesel crisis is adding to Egypt’s economic troubles, which in turn feed the political instability and societal turmoil. In response to the high costs and shortages, Egyptians protested Sunday by blocking important roads and bridges in Cairo.

All information is from The Associated Press.

Contact Maura Zurick at [email protected].