Ports buyer requests 45-day review of deal
UAE company seeks to avert conflict with Congress

(CNN)—After an outcry from U.S. lawmakers over possible security risks, a company owned by the United Arab Emirates has said it has asked for further review of its deal to buy management rights to terminals at major U.S. ports.

“We recognize that there are concerns regarding DP World’s acquisition of P&O’s U.S. terminal operations,” Ted Bilkey, Dubai Ports World’s chief operating officer, said in a statement Sunday. . .

Reiner Takes a Leave From Panel on Children

SACRAMENTO — Facing pressure from legislators and others, producer Rob Reiner said Friday he is taking a leave as chairman of a state commission that spent $23 million for ads touting the value of early education while he is promoting a statewide preschool initiative.

Reiner took the action in a letter addressed to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The leave takes effect immediately and will last until June 7, the day after voters decide the fate of Proposition 82, a Reiner-backed initiative to raise taxes on wealthy Californians to pay for preschool for all 4-year-olds. . .

Planned Exhibit of Cartoons Protested
The caricatures of Muhammad will be displayed at a UCI student forum. Muslims object, and university officials are wary.

Plans by a Republican student group at UC Irvine to showcase the controversial cartoons of the prophet Muhammad that led to violent protests around the world are drawing condemnation from Muslim groups and university officials.

The caricatures will be part of a panel discussion sponsored by the campus College Republicans scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. in UCI’s Crystal Cove Auditorium.

“We are firm believers in the 1st Amendment,” said Kristin Lucero, a 21-year-old UCI senior and president of the campus College Republicans. “The public has the right to discuss as well as view the cartoons.” . . .