People talk 11/27/03

Mob makes move on Jay-Z concert

NEW YORK -- A mob of fans tried to force their way into a concert by rapper Jay-Z, resulting in six arrests, police said. No one was injured in the crush, which began around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday outside the concert at Madison Square Garden. Officers were called in for crowd control and arrested four people for disorderly conduct and two others for obstruction of governmental administration.

UNCC winter grads not 'Idol'-izing Aiken

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Students are protesting a seven-ticket limit for the University of North Carolina-Charlotte's graduation ceremony, which the university imposed partly because "American Idol" star Clay Aiken is among the graduating class. About 500 people signed a petition Tuesday that calls the ticket policy "unfair" and asks university leaders to meet with students to consider alternatives. The 24-year-old pop singer is finishing an independent study course at UNCC, his last requirement toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in special education.

Iranian actress leaves screen for school

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- A young actress who starred in "Secret Ballot," an Iranian movie that's banned in her native land, has a new role: college student. Nassim Abdi Dezfooli, who's pursuing a master's degree in education at Bowling Green State University, starred in Babak Payami's comedy about the problems in bringing democracy to Iran. In the movie she plays an election official sent to collect ballots from citizens who don't always understand the democratic process.

Al Sharpton filling in for Godfather of SoulAUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augustans expecting the Godfather of Soul at an annual turkey giveaway were greeted by a surprise substitute -- Al Sharpton. He stood in for James Brown at the singer's ninth-annual turkey giveaway Tuesday.

-- From wire reports