California’s execution of a murderer this morning outraged many in Europe who regard the practice as barbaric, and feelings ran particularly deep in state Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s native Austria.

Hollywood legend Warren Beatty and his Oscar-winning wife Annette Bening caused a stir when they turned up at California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger campaign rally in San Diego, California, on Saturday.

A bill approved by an Assembly committee would bar Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, among others, from lighting up cigars in the California Capitol courtyard.

Senator John Kerry has opened narrow leads in Florida, Michigan, New Hampshire and a handful of other battleground state polls since accepting the Democratic nomination, increasing pressure on President George Bush to regain lost ground at the Republican National Convention.