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Harlem: woman in critical condition after she was hit by a shopping cart thrown from a fourth floor walkway.

Diane A. Wade
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Harlem: woman in critical condition after she was hit by a shopping cart thrown from a fourth floor walkway.

Police has arrested two 12-year-old boys in East Harlem, New York, for hurling a shopping cart from a fourth floor walkway that hit and critically injured Marion Hedges.

Marion Hedges, 47, has been left fighting for her life after she was struck by the falling cart when the dangerous prank went wrong on Sunday evening.

The mother-of-two, who works as a real estate agent, had been walking with her 14-year-old son on the ground floor when she was hit, according to the New York Post.

Marion Hedges‘ son was not injured in the incident.

Marion Hedges, 47, has been left fighting for her life after she was struck by the falling cart when the dangerous prank went wrong on Sunday evening
Marion Hedges, 47, has been left fighting for her life after she was struck by the falling cart when the dangerous prank went wrong on Sunday evening

 

According to police report, the cart was thrown from a walkway that connects a parking garage to a Target store where Marion Hedges had just finished shopping.

Marion Hedges, who also has a daughter, was rushed to Harlem Hospital where she is reported to be in a stable condition but remains unconscious.

Police has arrested the two boys, who have been charged as juveniles with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

The boys were arrested after one of their friends reported the prank to the police.

A law-enforcement source told the New York Post:

“They deliberately pushed it over the edge.

“They’re a bunch of stupid kids, they made a bad decision. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

A family friend said that Marion Hedges was shopping for candy at Costco for the Stanley M Isaacs Neighborhood Center, a community centre for the elderly.

Marion Hedges has worked with charities for over 25 years and is currently involved in at least six different projects.

“She is such a super, super nice person,” the friend said.

Marion Hedges’ husband, Michael is flying home from Spain, where he works as the head of emerging markets trading and structuring at Auriga Sociedad de Valoresworks.

Speaking of her condition, Marion Hedges’ father, told the New York Post:

“It’s in God’s hands now. It’s so hard to tell.

“They have her sedated right now, she’s unconscious. It’s not quite clear what happened but I hear she has some broken bones and some cranial injuries – there’s some blood up there.

“They’re letting us up two at a time and we can only stay for five minutes. You can’t really see anything up there – it’s just her lying in a bed unconscious with 50 thousand tubes in her. She’s stable, they’re keeping her stable and her respiratory system is functioning.”

When asked about what should happen to those responsible for throwing the shopping cart, Marion Hedges’ father said: “They should have the book thrown at them.”

A friend of the family added: “That is one tough kid. That little kid marched down to the police department this morning to give a statement. He’s such a tough little kid. They’re the nicest, kindest family.”

At a hearing on Monday, the two boys were remanded in the custody of New York’s Administration for Children’s Services, the city’s child welfare agency and they will attend an arraignment hearing on November 4.

 

William Jameson jailed for life after he bound, gagged and raped a woman contacted via Facebook.

Diane A. Wade
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William Jameson jailed for life after he bound, gagged and raped a woman contacted via Facebook.

A woman became a victim of William Jameson, an old friend contacted via Facebook, who lured her to an isolated shed where she was bound, gagged and raped.

The man, William Jameson, 48, who unknown to the woman had a history of violence including manslaughter, attempted murder and child rape, then left the victim tied up with a rope around her neck.

The 31-year-old woman, who is a civil servant and cannot be named for legal reasons, managed to free her feet and force her way out of the building with her wrists still tied by electric cable.

She frantically tried to raise the alarm and was seen by the driver of a passenger train as she ran alongside a railway track in Wiltshire waving her bound hands, an image which was caught by the onboard CCTV.

The victim then managed to reach a nearby farmhouse where, distressed and covered in mud and blood, she got help.

Sex offender William Jameson was jailed for life after he bound, gagged and raped a woman contacted via Facebook
Sex offender William Jameson was jailed for life after he bound, gagged and raped a woman contacted via Facebook

 

The woman, who worked in the civil service in Ireland, first met William Jameson, who she knew as Liam, in 2004 when they were on a computer course.

The woman had suffered from delusions that a relative was being held against their will in hospital, which married William Jameson knew about and preyed upon.

William Jameson enticed her to England saying he would help free the family member.

William Jameson cheated her out of £18,000 ($27,000), saying he needed the money to pay for the relative’s “escape” and to buy some land in Wiltshire which they would sell at a profit.

In November 2010, William Jameson took the woman to a patch of land near the village of Minety, Wiltshire, under the pretence of meeting a nurse with the relative there.

When Jameson got the woman into the shed, he forced her to the ground and tied her hands and feet with electric cable, binding it behind her back.

The attacker put a gag in her mouth and tied a rope around her neck and started to strangle her, saying she was going to be his “sex slave”.

William Jameson told the woman he was “a dangerous and violent man” and that he had been in prison in Belfast for rape and attempted murder.

Prosecutor Kerry Barker told Swindon Crown Court the woman offered William Jameson more money in a bid to get him to leave her, but he was not interested and raped her.

After William Jameson went outside to answer his phone the woman heard him leave and she managed to free her feet after removing a shoe and sock.

The victim then forced the shed door and, with her hands still tied, got to the railway line before running to a nearby farm to raise the alarm.

After William Jameson was arrested police searched his home and found he had more than 1,500 sickening films and pictures of violent sexual child abuse on his computer.

William Jameson, of Finchampstead, Berkshire, pleaded guilty to rape, false imprisonment and ten counts of making indecent images of children.

Prosecutor Kerry Barker told the court that in 1986 William Jameson was jailed for 12 years for attempted murder, attempted rape, and other sex offences against a child.

William Jameson lured an 8-year-old girl from a Belfast street before putting a belt round her neck and sexually abusing her, then twice slammed a breeze block into her head in an attempt to kill her.

In 1998, William Jameson was jailed for 6 years in Dublin after a man died when he strangled him in a sex game.

William Jameson’s attorney, Alex Daymond said his client realized he presented a danger to the public and was facing a lengthy jail term, but urged it to not be a life term.

Alex Daymond said his client had been abused terribly as a child and while in custody on remand was clean of drugs and was even a “listener” for other prisoners.

Although the shed was kitted out with sex toys Alex Daymond said it was where William Jameson went to act out his alter ego, Julie-Ann, away from his wife and was not set up for the rape.

Jailing William Jameson for life, Recorder Peter Blair QC said: “You pose a considerable risk of serious harm to the public. This case falls fair and square into one that that demands a sentence of life imprisonment.

“Mr Daymond rightly observes that this sentence should be reserved for the most grave cases – in my judgment this is one of those.

“I am quite simply of the view that there is a significant risk of serious harm to the pubic. Your offences are considerably serious to justify such a sentence. I also take into account your previous convictions.”

William Jameson will not be allowed to seek parole for five years and must register as a sex offender for life.

 

Northeast storm: 19 deaths and millions of homes still without power.

Diane A. Wade
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Northeast storm: 19 deaths and millions of homes still without power.

The unseasonable snowstorm, which brought up to 30 inches (76 cm) of snow in parts of the US East Coast over the weekend , has been blamed for as many as 19 deaths and millions of homes without power.

It was repoerted that power outages in two states exceeded damage wrought by Hurricane Irene.

Many schools are closed across the storm’s path, with children in the state of Connecticut warned to call off Halloween trick-or-treat plans.

The snowstorm fatalities, which include one death in Canada, were caused by traffic accidents, electrocutions and other causes as a result of the snowstorm.

Yesterday, about 750,000 households were still without power in Connecticut, where the storm damage was said to have surpassed that wreaked by Hurricane Irene in August
Yesterday, about 750,000 households were still without power in Connecticut, where the storm damage was said to have surpassed that wreaked by Hurricane Irene in August

States of emergency were declared in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and parts of New York.

Some states have warned it could be days or even a week before residents have power again. Crews have been brought in from as far away as Michigan and Canada.

Trees, branches and power lines still littered roads and rail lines throughout the region, making it difficult for many to get to work on Monday.

Connecticut officials warned residents to cancel their Halloween trick-or-treat plans.

“With so many wires down… the sidewalks will not be safe for pedestrians [Monday] night,” said Mark Boughton, mayor of the city of Danbury.

“We have 200 streets with wires down… [we] would hate to have children hurt.”

Yesterday, about 750,000 households were still without power in Connecticut, where the storm damage was said to have surpassed that wreaked by Hurricane Irene in August.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, whose own house lost power, also declared the damage worse than that from Hurricane Irene.

Among the deaths blamed on the storm were an 84-year-old Pennsylvania man killed by a tree that fell on his home, a person who died in a traffic accident in Connecticut and a 20-year-old man who was electrocuted in Massachusetts.

In New York City, a new record for October snowfall was set on Saturday when 1.3 inches fell in Central Park.

Only three other snowy October days in the US have been recorded in the park in 135 years of record-keeping.

Most of the Occupy Wall Street protesters in New York’s Zuccotti Park saw out the storm.

The storm brought chaos to flights schedules at New York airports, while Amtrak reported massive disruption to train services.

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How to Find the World’s Best Skin Care Products

Kathryn R. Bown
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There certainly seems to be no shortage of skin care product lines that promise you the moon – no break-outs, clean, and healthy skin.

 

They’ll also tell you they can give your skin ultra elasticity plus take decades of abuse from your skin. There’s no surprise at all when people listen to the hype, then walk away feeling more confused than ever. So if they are all fabulous toners and cleansers, is there any way to know which ones are the top performers? How do you think you’re able to determine which skin care products work best for your skin? Is there a way to know if all you’re doing is dropping a lot of money on a way to clog your pores? Here are some very helpful skin tips to assist you with knowing the products that are best for your skin type, or not.


You really should discuss the matter with your doctor, first, just to rule out other possible causes for breaking-out.

 

Your doctor may be able to help you pinpoint other contributors for your skin condition. Perhaps dietary changes plus some exercise may be in order. Perhaps a vitamin deficiency is the root cause. Many people avoid seeing their doctor, but if all attempts to improve the situation have failed, then a doctor’s visit may be a good idea.


So find out your skin type, then simply provide what your unique situation needs. You never know, your skin may do best with a toner and moisturizer in addition to the standard cleanser. Others break out if they use toner and still others find that using a moisturizer makes their face feel itchy or heavy. Believe it or not, there are some people who only need cleanser. Of course there are many cases when all three skin products are needed, and perhaps even a specialized product for troublesome areas. If you are using only cleanser and are still prone to breakouts, consider adding in a spot treatment for acne after you finish cleansing your skin each night.


Lots of people talk to their friends who have similar problems and see what they use on their own skin.

 

Of course you’ll find people who don’t want to talk about any failures with skin care, but their results will always be obvious to the casual observer. Another possible benefit to speaking with as many people as you can is you may be able to get a lot of reviews and feeback on products that otherwise you would have had to spend money on to try. There are creative ways to go about learning which skin products are best for your skin type. You can always find people who have no problems with their skin, and they can use almost anything. But there are many of us who need just a little helping hand. Don’t give up on your skin, keep learning and trying and soon you’ll know what your skin likes and what it doesn’t like.

Abdul Hamid, a Sudanese man publicly beheaded in Saudi Arabia.

Roy Siemens
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Abdul Hamid, a Sudanese man publicly beheaded in Saudi Arabia.

A Sudanese man was publicly beheaded last month in Saudi Arabia for being a “sorcerer”, as is shown in a shocking video.

Abdul Hamid Bin Hussain Bin Moustafa al-Fakki, who was crouched on his knees and blindfolded was executed in a car park Medina, in the west of the country, as dozens looked on.

The shocking video shows the executioner lining his sword up on the back of Abdul Hamid’s neck, before one swift stroke decapitates him.

Abdul Hamid, a Sudanese man was publicly beheaded last month in Saudi Arabia in a car parking for being a "sorcerer"
Abdul Hamid, a Sudanese man was publicly beheaded last month in Saudi Arabia in a car parking for being a "sorcerer"

 

Abdul Hamid Bin Hussain Bin Moustafa al-Fakki, who was killed on September 20, is believed to have been the 44th person executed in Saudi Arabia this year – and the 11th foreign national.

This year, a total of 17 people were executed in Saudi Arabia, which is more than for the whole of 2010.

Lebanese TV host Ali Hussain Sibat, who was sentenced to death over making predictions of the future on his show, had been scheduled to be beheaded on Friday.

Ali Hussain Sibat’s attorney May El Khansa said the execution did not take place on that day – but that did not mean he has been given a reprieve.

The alarming rise in the number of executions in Saudi Arabia has led to criticism from a number of human rights charities.

It is said that Saudis prefer beheading by a sharp sword, as they think it more humane and quicker than electrocution and lethal injection.

The crime of “sorcery” is undefined in Saudi Arabian law, but it has been used to punish people for the legitimate exercise of their human rights.

The Sudanese man, Abdul Hamid is understood to have been arrested in 2005 after he was entrapped by a man working for the Mutawa’een (religious police).

Abdul Hamid was asked to concoct a spell that would cause the officer’s father to leave his second wife.

According to the officer’s account the Sudanese agreed to carry out the curse in exchange for 6,000 Saudi Arabian riyals (approximately $1,500).

Abdul Hamid was beaten after his arrest and thought to have been forced to admit to acts of sorcery.

In a secret trial, where Abdul Hamid was not allowed legal representation, he was sentenced to death by the General Court in Medina in March 2007.

Few details are available about Abdul Hamid’s trial but he is reported to have been tried behind closed doors and without legal representation.

At the time of Abdul Hamid’s arrest, English language daily The Saudi Gazette ran an article entitled Magic Maids which said that “we must face up to the threats from some maids and servants and their satanic games of witchcraft and sorcery, their robbery, murder, entrapment of husbands, corruption of children and other countless stories of crime that have been highlighted by both experts and victims of these crimes”.

Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International’s Director for the Middle East and North Africa, heavily criticized the killing.

“Abdul Hamid’s execution is appalling as is Saudi Arabia’s continuing use of this most cruel and extreme penalty.

“That he should have been executed without having committed anything that would appear to constitute a crime is yet another deeply upsetting example of why the Saudi Arabian government should immediately cease executions and take steps to abolish the death penalty.”

Amnesty International had campaigned on Abdul Hamid’s behalf following his arrest and had urged Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah to prevent his execution.

But the campaign has been to no avail, and since the end of the holy month of Ramadan a few weeks ago, the Saudi Arabian authorities have resumed executions at an alarming pace.

Amnesty International said that seven people have been executed since the killings resumed on September 5.

Currently, 140 prisoners are believed to be facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, which was one of a minority of states that voted against a United Nations general assembly resolution calling for the worldwide moratorium on executions on December 2010.

Warning: video has graphic content!

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Jessica Simpson confirms she is pregnant.

Lisa.Felice
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Jessica Simpson confirms she is pregnant.

Jessica Simpson finally confirms she is pregnant, making an official announcement on her website.

Jessica Simpson, 31, wrote a short message, telling her fans: “It’s true, I am going to be a mummy.”

The reality star and former singer, who is engaged to NBA star Eric Johnson, also comically dressed up in a mummy Halloween outfit in a photograph to accompany the announcement, while cradling her bump.

Jessica Simpson finally confirms she is pregnant, making an official announcement on her website
Jessica Simpson finally confirms she is pregnant, making an official announcement on her website

Jessica Simpson has been at the centre of swirling pregnancy rumours for weeks now – but until today has remained mum.

According to a Boston-based gynaecologist, Jessica Simpson is at least six months gone and is heading into her third trimester.

Dr. Dave David, told RadarOnline: “She looks to be 26 weeks, which is around six months.

“It is definitely a pregnancy and not weight gain. You can by the shape of her abdomen, her belly wouldn’t be that rounded if it was just fat.”

On Monday, Jessica Simpson reunited with Eric Johnson after jetting back to the West Coast from her business trip in New York.

Jessica Simpson was seen laying a protective hand over her growing tummy as she walked hand-in-hand with her fiance.

The former singer was dressed casually in black leggings, platform Alaia boots and a holey beige jumper.

Eric Johnson was the perfect gent and helped his wife-to-be into their black BMW by holding the door open for her as she got in.

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson looked in good spirits as they put on a smiley display during their outing in Beverly Hills.

Last week Jessica Simpson, along with her mother Tina and some friends, checked out several apartments in New York.

Jessica Simpson is reportedly looking for somewhere to buy in New York City for her and fiance Eric Johnson to reside now that she spends so much time there working on her fashion lines.

 

History of Halloween

James J. Williams
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History of Halloween

Halloween is not an American holiday. In fact, Halloween is considered to be one of the oldest holidays in the world, and one celebrated around the globe in one fashion or another.

It is not always labeled “Halloween” and doesn’t always fall on October 31.

In Mexico and throughout Latin American, for example, the Halloween-type holiday is known as Las Dia de los Muertos, a celebratory day meant to honor the dearly departed.

Halloween-type celebrations appear to be a product of timing, observances of life giving way to death. They arrive at the very end of the harvest when fields lie fallow, and just before winter starts to bear down on us.

“It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts,” according to History.com.

Fast forward to the eighth century, when Pope Gregory III chose November 1 as All Saints’ Day, a day to collectively honor saints and martyrs. And it wasn’t long until the night became known as All Hallows’ Eve and, eventually, Halloween. The word Halloween is first attested in the 16th century and represents a Scottish variant of the fuller All-Hallows-Even (“evening”), that is, the night before All Hallows Day.

The American tradition of carving pumpkins is recorded in 1837 and was originally associated with harvest time in general, not becoming specifically associated with Halloween until the mid-to-late 19th century
The American tradition of carving pumpkins is recorded in 1837 and was originally associated with harvest time in general, not becoming specifically associated with Halloween until the mid-to-late 19th century

Development of artifacts and symbols associated with Halloween formed over time. For instance, the carving of jack-o’-lanterns springs from the souling custom of carving turnips into lanterns as a way of remembering the souls held in purgatory. The turnip has traditionally been used in Ireland and Scotland at Halloween, but immigrants to North America used the native pumpkin, which are both readily available and much larger – making them easier to carve than turnips.

The American tradition of carving pumpkins is recorded in 1837 and was originally associated with harvest time in general, not becoming specifically associated with Halloween until the mid-to-late 19th century.

The imagery of Halloween is derived from many sources, including national customs, works of Gothic and horror literature (such as the novels Frankenstein and Dracula), and classic horror films (such as Frankenstein and The Mummy). Among the earliest works on the subject of Halloween is from Scottish poet John Mayne in 1780, who made note of pranks at Halloween; “What fearfu’ pranks ensue!”, as well as the supernatural associated with the night, “Bogies” (ghosts), influencing Robert Burns’ Halloween 1785. Elements of the autumn season, such as pumpkins, corn husks, and scarecrows, are also prevalent. Homes are often decorated with these types of symbols around Halloween.
Halloween imagery includes themes of death, evil, the occult, or mythical monsters. Black and orange are the holiday’s traditional colors.

Today, Halloween celebrations run the gamut in the U.S. West Hollywood and New York City celebrate as if there’s no tomorrow. Other places more or less close the curtains, turn out the lights and hope the kids pass us by. Some adults go all out with the costumes, while others wouldn’t be caught dead in some get-up.

Kim Kardashian is divorcing from Kris Humphries after 72 days.

Lisa.Felice
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Kim Kardashian is divorcing from Kris Humphries after 72 days.

Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce from NBA star Kris Humphries this morning after just 72 days of marriage.

Kim Kardashian, 31, is seeking the divorce from husband Kris Humphries, 26, on the grounds of “irreconcilable differences”, according to the court documents.

Kim Kardashian said in a statement to E!, which screens her TV show:

“I hope everyone understands this was not an easy decision. I had hoped this marriage was forever, but sometimes things don’t work out as planned. We remain friends and wish each other the best.”

This morning Ryan Seacrest, the producer of Kim Kardashian‘s reality show, tweeted:

“Yes @KimKardashian is filing for divorce this morning. I touched base with her, getting a statement in just a few mins.”

Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce from NBA star Kris Humphries this morning after just 72 days of marriage
Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce from NBA star Kris Humphries this morning after just 72 days of marriage

 

Kim Kardashian ensured they both signed a prenuptial agreement before they got hitched at a lavish ceremony two months ago, on August 20 in Montecito, California.

It netted the couple a reported $18 million from magazine deals, TV coverage and endorsements, that’s $250,000 every day.

Today Kim took to Twitter, but rather than mentioning anything about her marital breakdown cynically plugged her new boutique Kardashian Khaos, which opens tomorrow at The Mirage hotel in Las Vegas.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’ separation is listed as today (October 31), according to the divorce papers logged with the Superior Court of California.

Kim Kardashian, 31, is seeking the divorce from husband Kris Humphries, 26, on the grounds of "irreconcilable differences", according to the court documents
Kim Kardashian, 31, is seeking the divorce from husband Kris Humphries, 26, on the grounds of "irreconcilable differences", according to the court documents

The reality star has hired top divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, who has dealt with the likes of Britney Spears, Maria Shriver, Angelina Jolie and Ryan Reynolds.

Her husband, Kris Humphries didn’t know she was actually filing for divorce until this morning, TMZ reported.

TMZ goes on to claim that Kris Humphries is “totally bummed” about the situation and “doesn’t believe in divorce”.

E! TV today released a statement about Kim Kardashian’s divorce:

“All of us at E! are surprised and saddened by this news, and we send our support to Kim and Kris at this difficult time.

“The Kardashians have always been uniquely open with all aspects of their lives from joyous events to intimate moments to heartbreaking transitions.

“E! will continue to share the fascinating real lives and larger-than-life existence of this close-knit family.”

Earlier this month there were reports saying that Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’ marriage had hit the rocks.

A source close to them said just two weeks ago: “I don’t know when they’ll announce the split or why they got married in the first place but they are done.”

“They are divorcing. Kim has been staying in a New York hotel which Kris has failed to visit.”

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries have been dogged by persistent reports that all is not well between them for several weeks now.

Star magazine claimed Kris Humphries has been spotted partying in both Miami and New York without Kim Kardashian, getting flirty with multiple women and “acting like a single man”.

Meanwhile, Life & Style magazine claimed that on a recent trip to Toronto, Kris Humphries contacted his ex-girlfriend, Bianka Kamber.

Life & Style magazine also spoke to a Kourtney & Kim Take New York producer who said: “Kim’s mapping out 2012, including holidays, and Kris isn’t a part of it. Any itineraries for the future don’t include Kris very much.”

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’ fiery relationship was captured on her reality show Keeping Up With Kardashians, where strong-minded Kris frequently complained about feeling “emasculated” by his wife.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries started dating in December 2010 soon after she ended her brief dalliance with Canadian model Gabriel Aubry (Halle Berry’s ex) and announced their engagement in May.

The divorce will mark the second failed marriage for Kim Kardashian, she eloped to Las Vegas with music producer Damon Thomas – 10 years her senior – when she was just 19, but divorced in 2004 after four years together.

Kim Kardashian has also had high-profile relationships with RnB singer Ray J, who she filmed a sex tape with, and NFL star Reggie Bush.

 

Canada: police shot and killed two cows escaped on the road in Gatineau.

Diane A. Wade
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Canada: police shot and killed two cows escaped on the road in Gatineau.

Canadian police officers shot and killed two cows that escaped on their way to the slaughterhouse on a rural road in Gatineau, Quebec on Thursday afternoon.

Officers later claimed that they thought the animals were “threatening” and “dangerous”.

The cows were shot repeatedly and killed as they evaded capture running amok on a rural road in Gatineau.

Canadian police officers shot and killed two cows that escaped on their way to the slaughterhouse on a rural road in Gatineau, Quebec on Thursday afternoon
Canadian police officers shot and killed two cows that escaped on their way to the slaughterhouse on a rural road in Gatineau, Quebec on Thursday afternoon

A tourist, who captured the moment on video, watched in horror as the officers surrounded one of the cows with their cars, sirens blaring, before shooting it dead.

A police spokesman told CTV:

“The cops, at one point they have to decide, is it threatening for the population? Is it too dangerous?

“So they did realise, and they did decide at one point that they had no choice to shoot the animal and kill the animal.”

The video, which has been viewed over 58,000 times on YouTube, has caused anger from animal rights groups.

Esther Klein of the Animal Defence League of Canada said that officers should be better prepared to deal with animals.

She told CTV: “One way or another, there has to be responsibility taken for these situations.”

“If it’s going to end up being the police, then police need the training and the tranquilizer guns and everything that is required to deal with this situation.”

Lucille Cloutier, who took the video while on vacation from Ontario, said that she would have expected the officers to have used tranquilizers rather than shooting the cows dead.

“This would’ve been the most appropriate thing to do,” Lucille Cloutier told CTV.

Police said that they are investigating the shooting but have no plans to use tranquilizer guns.

Officers in Ottawa last year shot dead several moose after they roamed into the city.

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Occupy Wall Street protesters refuse to call police about sex assaults inside their camp.

Diane A. Wade
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Occupy Wall Street protesters refuse to call police about sex assaults inside their camp.

Occupy Wall Street protesters said they are dealing with the sexual assault of a woman internally after she was attacked by a man in her tent in the early hours of the morning.

It is the second alleged sexual assault at the Occupy Wall Street camp, which organizers have warned is attracting prisoners straight out of Rikers, but have refused to call police.

It was reported that the woman was in her tent at around 06:00 a.m. yesterday when the man burst into her tent and attacked her.

After few moments, fellow protesters surrounded the attacker and shone flashlights in his face before chasing him out of Zuccotti Park where they are staying.

Occupy Wall Street protesters said they are dealing with the sexual assault of a woman internally after she was attacked by a man in her tent in the early hours of the morning
Occupy Wall Street protesters said they are dealing with the sexual assault of a woman internally after she was attacked by a man in her tent in the early hours of the morning

“We don’t tell anyone, we handle it internally,” a protester told the New York Post, adding that another woman was raped weeks earlier.

The woman said that fellow protesters were “yelling at him to leave”, shouting “pervert, pervert, get the f**k out.”

Occupy Wall Street organizers have raised concerns that the camp is becoming a refuge for homeless people and is attracting convicts fresh out of Rikers prison.

“They’re telling people who leave prison to go to Zuccotti Park,” Daniel Zetah, leader of the Occupy Wall Street community-relations group told the New York Post.

The newly-released criminals are thought be attracted by the free accommodation and food, and reported alcohol and drug-fuelled parties taking place at the site.

“There’s a lot of drugs, alcohol, assault [and] theft [by] the homeless groups coming in. We’ve had meetings all day to brainstorm what to do,” Daniel Zetah said.

The cold weather is continuing to plague the Occupy Wall Street protesters in New York, who have had their gas-powered generators confiscated by fire department as they are seen as a safety risk.

The movement organizers have put out an “urgent” alert on their website asking for waterproof boots, hats and gloves.

Occupy Wall Street protesters, who were drenched by snow and rain over the weekend, are reportedly “in need of emergency supplies crucial for cold weather survival”.

The protesters also want cots so that demonstrators can get off the ground and are looking for thermal heaters after the generators were taken.

It was reported that three protesters have been taken to hospital with cold-related ailments.

Other protesters say they will defiantly remain, no matter how bad the weather gets though.

Occupy Wall Street has reportedly raised $454,000 in donations. So far around $50,000 has been spent on clothing, food and medical supplies.

 

Taj, a Bengal tiger plays with a little girl at Cougar Mountain Zoo, Washington.

James J. Williams
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Taj, a Bengal tiger plays with a little girl at Cougar Mountain Zoo, Washington.

Photographer Dyrk Daniels captured the remarkable moments when a huge Bengal tiger bowed its head and placed a paw up to the hand of a small girl at Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah, Washington.

Dyrk Daniels, 47, noticed the 370lb Golden Bengal Tiger had taken an interest in the little girl, who was leaning against his glass enclosure.

As the tiger, called Taj, headed over to her, Dyrk Daniels got his camera ready, expecting him to snarl and bang against the glass.

But amazingly the Bengal tiger hung his head, stretched a paw out to her hand and rubbed his cheek against where the little girl’s face was.

Dyrk Daniels, a father-of-two went to Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah, Washington State, to photograph the Bengal tigers.

When the photographer got to the enclosure there were several children and families in the area, so he decided to let them see the tigers first before he tried to photograph them himself.

Photographer Dyrk Daniels captured the remarkable moments when a huge Bengal tiger bowed its head and placed a paw up to the hand of a small girl at Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah, Washington
Photographer Dyrk Daniels captured the remarkable moments when a huge Bengal tiger bowed its head and placed a paw up to the hand of a small girl at Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah, Washington

“That is when I noticed this little girl was leaning against the glass with both hands out stretched staring at the <<big kitties>>,” Dyrk Daniels said.

“I noticed that Taj had taken an interest in the girl and was heading towards her.

“I thought for certain that the little girl would need therapy after the encounter and fear cats for the rest of her life.

“I could not believe my eyes when Taj approached the girl, bowed his head and then placed his huge right paw exactly in front of where the little girl’s left hand was.”

“It was incredible to watch. Taj let down his right paw, rubbed his cheek against the glass where the little girl’s face was and moved off.”

Far from being scared, the little girl was so excited that she started clapping as she walked back afterwards towards her mother.

“I have never seen such tenderness from such a large predator,” Dyrk Daniels said.

 

Bride texting during service at the Mission Beach Women’s Club in San Diego.

Diane A. Wade
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Bride texting during service at the Mission Beach Women’s Club in San Diego.

A hilarious video showing a bride texting during the service was posted on YouTube and had about 38,000 views.

The footage shows the bride standing with the groom directly in front of the preacher during the service and she suddenly puts her hand down her chest and pulls out her cellphone.

As the preacher talks of the sanctity of marriage and God’s love, the bride furiously sends a text message.

After the text the bride replaces the cell phone down the front of her dress.

The groom, meanwhile, looks more than just a little embarrassed.

At one point it looks as though he’s going to say something but, hey, it’s the bride’s big day so let her carry on.

Presumably the bride had the phone on vibrate.

As the preacher talks of the sanctity of marriage and God's love, the bride furiously sends a text message
As the preacher talks of the sanctity of marriage and God's love, the bride furiously sends a text message

The hilarious moment was captured by professional videographer Jim Costa, who uploaded it on YouTube.

Jim Costa wrote: “This is part of a wedding video I shot in August 2008 at the Mission Beach Women’s Club in San Diego, CA. It was otherwise perfectly normal except for this one funny clip of the bride TEXTING just after her dad walked her down the aisle!

“At one point, I noticed her doing it through my lens and I had to pull away from the camera to make certain I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. Totally funny!”

The video has had about 38,000 views on YouTube.

[youtube 47EDdvSqn7Y]

 

Janet Rodriguez wants to keep $500K severance payment from Pfizer given to her by mistake.

Clyde K. Valle
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Janet Rodriguez wants to keep $500K severance payment from Pfizer given to her by mistake.

Janet Rodriguez from New York, who was laid off after over a decade’s time under the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, says she’s keeping their mailed severance check, even if it is 400-thousand over.

Janet Rodriguez, 54, is now playing defense, however, after the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, the world’s biggest drug maker and manufacturer of Viagra, says they want their money back.

Pfizer insists the check for $517,140.24 was an honest mistake with only $105,851.75 of the check meant to be paid.

Thecompany plans to take it every which way in court.

Pfizer says Janet Rodriguez cashed a severance check priced over $400K more than she was owed
Pfizer says Janet Rodriguez cashed a severance check priced over $400K more than she was owed

 

An attorney for Janet Rodriguez told the New York Post that Pfizer waited far too long to spot their error and collect it from her.

Janet Rodriguez was laid off in December 2009 and her check arrived on March 31, the following spring

Pfizer, however, took three and a half months before they either noticed their mistake or came to collect.

“By virtue of the fact that they bring this claim so late in the game, so long after their alleged mistake, [it] is just a cheap bullying tactic that we expect the court to see right through,” Janet Rodriguez’s lawyer, Saul Zabell told the New York Post.

After ignoring a collection agency hired by Pfizer, the company totting $1.9 billion in sales last year filed a suit in the Manhattan Supreme Court against Janet Rodriguez this past week.

Janet Rodriguez just missed a change in the company’s severance package to its employees which went into affect last December after it announced the change to employees in 2009.

For years, Pfizer had offered its laid-off employees three weeks pay for each year worked, in addition to 13 weeks’ severance, the rate believed to have been received by Janet Rodriguez.

Those newly laid off Pfizer employees now receive two weeks’ pay for every year’s service, including 12 weeks of severance.

 

US East Coast: snowstorm killed nine people and left 3 million without power.

Diane A. Wade
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US East Coast: snowstorm killed nine people and left 3 million without power.

The unseasonable snowstorm which hit the US East Coast, with some areas of Massachusetts seeing more than 27 inches (68 cm) of snow, killed at least nine people and left three million houses without power.

Tv footages show snow in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Vermont while in New York, Occupy Wall Street protesters said they were not deterred by the weather.

According to authorities, at least nine people have died in snow-related accidents and more than three million homes have lost their electricity supply from Maryland to Massachusetts with some residents left without power for several days.

The snowfall had worsened as it moved north, with states of emergency declared in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and parts of New York.

It was reported that communities in western Massachusetts were among the hardest hit.

Nantucket in Massachusetts experienced wind speeds of 69mph (111km/h), a National Weather Service (NWS) statement said.

The unseasonable snowstorm which hit the US East Coast, with some areas of Massachusetts seeing more than 27 inches of snow, killed at least nine people and left three million houses without power
The unseasonable snowstorm which hit the US East Coast, with some areas of Massachusetts seeing more than 27 inches of snow, killed at least nine people and left three million houses without power

Four people were killed in two separate crashes on an icy road in Philadelphia, while falling snow killed an 84-year-old man in Temple, Pennsylvania.

Traffic accidents killed one person in Colchester, Connecticut, a 54-year-old New York woman, and a person in New Jersey.

In Springfield, Massachusetts, a man died when he touched a protective rail surrounding downed power lines.

Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy said over 750,000 people were without electricity in his state and that the effects of the storm would still be felt after the snowfall stopped.

“If you are without power, you should expect to be without power for a prolonged period of time,” CBS News quoted Governor Dannel P. Malloy as saying.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s house was one of the 600,000 suffering power cuts in the state.

West Milford, New Jersey, about 45 miles (70km) north-west of New York, saw 19 inches of snowfall, and Hillsboro, New Hampshire, saw 21.5 inches.

In New York City, a new record for October snowfall was set when 1.3 inches fell in Central Park.

Most of the Occupy Wall Street protesters in New York’s Zuccotti Park saw out the storm.

On Sunday, passengers were stranded for more than seven hours on one JetBlue flight in Hartford, Connecticut.

On Saturday, flights were delayed at Newark airport in New Jersey, which was being lashed by heavy rains and winds.

Amtrak reported massive disruption to train services, including a 13-hour delay for passengers on one train in central Massachusetts.

High pressure over south-eastern Canada had fed cold air south and into moisture from the North Carolina coast.

In New England it is usual for measurable snow to fall in early December.

National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Simpson said temperatures could return to normal by the middle of next week.

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Danica May Camacho from Philippines recognized as the world’s 7billionth baby.

Kathryn R. Bown
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Danica May Camacho from Philippines recognized as the world’s 7billionth baby.

Danica May Camacho, born in Philippines last night, has been recognized by United Nations as one of the world’s symbolic “seven billionth” babies, presenting her with a special cake.

United Nations say Seven Billion Day – October 31 – is the date when the world’s population reaches landmark number.

The Philippines, which is ranked 12th as the most populated country in the world, joined the rest of the world as it welcomed its symbolic seven billionth baby in a simple ceremony at the hospital.

Danica May Camacho was born two minutes before midnight and arrived to a celebratory cheer at the packed Government-run Jose Fabella Hospital in Manila.

Weighing 5lbs 5oz (2,5 kg), Danica May Camacho was delivered amid an explosion of media flash bulbs in the delivery room at Manila’s Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital.

Danica May Camacho, born in Philippines last night, has been recognized by United Nations as one of the world's symbolic "seven billionth" babies, presenting her with a special cake
Danica May Camacho, born in Philippines last night, has been recognized by United Nations as one of the world's symbolic "seven billionth" babies, presenting her with a special cake

Danica May Camacho’s mother, Camille Dalura said:

“She looks so lovely. I can’t believe she is the world’s seventh billion.”

Danica May Camacho is the second child for Camille and her partner Florante, who quietly stood in a corner wearing a white hospital gown as television crews and photographers crowded to get a shot of his daughter.

Camille, Florante and Danica May Camacho were met by top United Nations officials in the Philippines, who presented the child with a cake.

There were also gifts from local benefactors including a scholarship grant for the child’s study, and a livelihood package to enable the parents to start a general store.

Lorrize Mae Guevarra, 12, who was declared the world’s symbolic six billionth baby in 1999 and is now in the sixth grade, was also present at the event.

Lorrize Mae Guevarra said: “I am very happy to see this cute baby. I hope like me she will grow up to become healthy and well loved by everyone.”

Danica May Camacho is one of several in countries around the world being declared a symbolic seven billionth human.

The United Nations has declared October 31 as Seven Billion day – the date when the world’s population is estimated to reach seven billion.

It was hoped Danica May Camacho would arrive at exactly midnight, but she was delivered two minutes early.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the arrival of the world’s seven billionth baby also presented the Philippines with an opportunity to assess population related issues.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) State of the World Population Report, the Philippines is the 12th most populous country in the world with 94.9 million people.

China continues to have the biggest share of the population at 1.35 billion, followed by India at 1.24 billion.

According to the report, in many parts of the developing world, where population growth outpaces economic growth, reproductive health care remains a crucial issue.

Ugochi Daniels, UNFPA representative said that while the Philippines population remains young, with people under 25 making up 54% of the total, they needed to be taught proper “life skills” and about sexual issues.

Ugochi Daniels said that while women were having fewer children globally, the overall population continued to go up.

“While our world of seven billion represents a complex picture of trends and paradoxes, there are some essential global truths we observe,” Ugochi Daniels said.

“Conversely, there is no one global population outlook.”

The UNFPA said 10% of Filipino girls aged 15 to 19 have started child bearing, with many of the young also increasingly vulnerable to HIV.

There is skepticism over the accuracy of the UN’s Seven Billion Day estimation, with critics saying there is no way of truly telling when the population of the human race hits the landmark.

In the past century, the world’s population has increased fourfold. And it has only been 12 years since the planet marked six billion people.

According to independent demographers, the United Nations has jumped the gun. Early 2013 is their best guess, but it could be as late as 2019 that the landmark is reached.

 

 [youtube MWllmVlmuqA]

New Jersey: list of school closings by county on Halloween due to snowstorm.

Diane A. Wade
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New Jersey: list of school closings by county on Halloween due to snowstorm.

Due to Saturday snowstorm, which dumped over a foot of snow onto parts of New Jersey and left more than 500,000 residents without power and the streets littered with trees and debris, many schools have decided to close or delay opening on Monday.

Here is the list of schools in New Jersey, by county, that are currently reporting closings or delayed openings on Halloween:

Essex County:

Belleville — Closed

Bloomfield — Closed

Caldwell-West Caldwell — Closed

Caldwell College — Closed

Essex Fells — Closed

Ivy Hill — Newark — Closed

Lincoln — Newark — Closed

Livingston — Closed

Millburn — Closed

North Caldwell — Closed

Nutley — Closed

Park — Newark — Closed

Ridge — Newark — Closed

Seton Hall Prep — closed

Verona — Closed

West Orange — Closed

Wilson Avenue Grades 1-3 — Newark — closed

Due to Saturday snowstorm, which dumped over a foot of snow onto parts of New Jersey and left more than 500,000 residents without power and the streets littered with trees and debris, many schools have decided to close or delay opening on Monday
Due to Saturday snowstorm, which dumped over a foot of snow onto parts of New Jersey and left more than 500,000 residents without power and the streets littered with trees and debris, many schools have decided to close or delay opening on Monday

 

Somerset County:

Branchburg — Closed

Bridgewater-Raritan — 2-hour Delayed Opening

Union:

Berkley Heights — Closed

Clark — Closed

Cranford — Closed

Mount St. Mary — Watchung — Closed

New Providence — Closed

Scotch Plains-Fanwood — 90-Minute Delayed Opening

Summit — Closed

Morris:

Morris School District — Closed

Chester School District — Closed

Denville Township Schools District — Closed

Harding Township School District — Closed

Mendham Borough Schools District — Closed

Canfield Avenue School District — Closed

Morris Hills Regional District — Closed

Morris Plains District — 90 minute delay

Mountain Lakes School District — Closed

Parsippany — Troy Hills Township School District — Closed

Pequannock Township School District — Closed

Randolph Township School District — Closed

Roxbury School District — Closed

School District of the Chathams — Closed

Washington Township Schools District — Closed

West Morris Regional High Schools District — Closed

County College of Morris — Closed

Drew University — Closed

Hunterdon:

Bethlehem Township School District — Closed

Clinton Township School District — Closed

Delaware Valley Regional High School District — Closed

Flemington-Raritan School District — Closed

High Bridge School District — Closed

Holland Township School District — Closed

Kingwood Township School District — Closed

North Hunterdon — Voorhees Regional High School District — Closed

Union Township School District — Closed

Passaic:

Clifton — Closed

Lakeland Regional High School — Closed

Passaic Valley High School — Delayed opening

Wayne — Closed

West Milford — Closed

Sussex:

Byram — Closed

Warren:

Belvidere — Closed

Hope — Closed

North Warren Regional — Open, but if buses can’t access certain roads, students won’t be marked absent

Bergen:

Allendale — Closed

Bergenfield — Closed

Dumont — Closed

Fair Lawn:

Edison and Radburn schools closed, all others delayed opening

Glen Rock — Closed

Harrington Park — Closed

Hillsdale — Closed

Leonia — Closed

Mahway — Closed

Montvale — Closed

Northern Highlands — Closed

Northvale — Closed

Paramus — Closed

Pascack Regional — Closed

Ramapo Indian Hills High School — Closed

Ridgefield — Closed

Ridgewood — Closed

Teaneck — Closed

Teaneck Community Charter School — Closed

Westwood Regional — Closed

Wyckoff — Closed

Middlesex County:

South Brunswick — Closed

 

Black Friday 2011: shopping websites already launched Christmas offers.

Nancy Clayson
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Black Friday 2011: shopping websites already launched Christmas offers.

In 2011 consumers are starting their Christmas shopping earlier than ever, as Black Friday websites already launched their offers.

According to a new report, nearly 40% of holiday shoppers are already buying gifts, and some consumers have even finished their Christmas shopping.

Experts say frugal shoppers are cashing in at fall clearance sales and pre-holiday events.

However, anyone holding out for Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals still stands to save.

In 2011 consumers are starting their Christmas shopping earlier than ever, as Black Friday websites already launched their offers
In 2011 consumers are starting their Christmas shopping earlier than ever, as Black Friday websites already launched their offers

 

In 2010 the average consumer saved nearly 25% on Black Friday purchases.

Experts also said that it is easier than ever to find the retailer with the best deal. That’s because many Black Friday websites are already posting holiday hours and sale products.

“In 2009, we didn’t even launch what was then BlackFriday2009.com until November 2,” Brad Wilson, editor and chief of BlackFriday2011.com, told 9NEWS.

“So this year, we were two or three weeks ahead of that and it was primarily because retailers are getting so much farther ahead of it putting out ads and early Black Friday and early Cyber Monday sales. And then consumers, we have people on our Facebook page in September and October saying, <<Hey, when is this going to start? When is this going to start?>>”

TV and laptop deals under $200 are going to be hot on Black Friday 2011.

Brad Wilson predicts there are several items that are going to be hot this Black Friday.

The editor expects to see TV and laptop deals under $200. Brad Wilson also says tablet prices will fall this holiday season, due in large part to the release of the new, lower priced Amazon Kindle. And he says Digital SLR cameras will also come down in price as digital point and shoot cameras, a popular gift in years past, are made obsolete by smartphones.

Brad Wilson also expects a repeat of one of last year’s most popular promotions, $3 kitchen electrics.

If you need more information or tips on how to prepare for a Black Friday shopping trip, you can visit BlackFriday2011.com.

200 JetBlue passengers forced to wait 7 hours on a grounded plane at Bradley airport.

Diane A. Wade
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200 JetBlue passengers forced to wait 7 hours on a grounded plane at Bradley airport.

200 passengers aboard a JetBlue flight diverted because of the unusual October snowstorm were forced to wait on the grounded plane for more than 7 hours with no food, water or working bathrooms.

At this moment, federal authorities are investigating why passengers aboard JetBlue flight 504 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Newark, New Jersey, were kept on the tarmac in “disgusting” conditions for so long after being diverted to Bradley International Airport in Connecticut.

Many passengers called 911 after receiving little explanation and the ordeal was only ended when police and firefighters came on board to help a paraplegic man who had difficulty with the circulation in his legs.

People wanting to leave were then told they could do so at their own risk, as the unseasonally early snow continued to fall. Loud cheers greeted the announcement.

200 passengers aboard a JetBlue flight diverted because of the unusual October snowstorm were forced to wait on the grounded plane for more than 7 hours with no food, water or working bathrooms
200 passengers aboard a JetBlue flight diverted because of the unusual October snowstorm were forced to wait on the grounded plane for more than 7 hours with no food, water or working bathrooms

The JetBlue flight had left Florida at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, and sat motionless on the Bradley runway from 01:30 p.m. to 09:00 p.m.

Andrew Carter, a football writer for the Sun Sentinel newspaper in Florida who was intending to cover today’s Miami Dolphins game against the New York Giants at the Meadowlands, was one of those left stranded, the Hartford Courant reported.

“Still on the plane. We haven’t moved. Now EWR closed. Getting ugly in here. People yelling wanting to get off,” Andrew Carter posted on Twitter just before 06:00 p.m.

“This is awful customer service,” Andrew Carter added to his followers.

“Still on the runway. Still blizzarding outside. Aren’t there rules about how long they can make people sit here?

“To answer questions we’re on Tarmac. No water. Bathrooms don’t work. Don’t know the reason why we’re stuck. It changes.

“Lady on board just broke down. Like that guy who cried in his cell at the beginning of Shawshank. Can someone sneak me in Rita Hayworth?”

While on the plane, Andrew Carter told the Hartford Courant via cell phone: “It’s been a long day. There’s been no real explanation as to why we’ve been sitting here for seven hours.

“We ran out of water. The bathrooms are all clogged up and disgusting. The power would go off every 45 minutes for five minutes or so, and that would freak people out. I’ve heard about these kind of stories.

“We’re close to the terminal. We can look out the window and see other planes.”

Andrew Carter said that while a few arguments popped up, passengers had mostly been well behaved.

Victoria Lucia, JetBlue spokeswoman said last night: “JetBlue is doing everything possible to ensure our customers affected by today’s unusual combination of weather and infrastructure issues are being well cared for.

“We apologize for the experience.”

The JetBlue flight was one of 23 aeroplanes diverted to Bradley Airport yesterday, according to Governor Dannel Malloy.

Connecticut was trying to move 1,000 cots to the airport late last night to help make stranded passengers comfortable, Governor Dannel Malloy said.

Bradley International Airport refused to comment.

 

Diann Ford was hit by car and gave birth to a baby girl before she died.

Diane A. Wade
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Diann Ford was hit by car and gave birth to a baby girl before she died.

Diann Ford, a 22-year-old pregnant woman from San Marcos, Texas, was struck by a hit-and-run driver while walking home from work and gave birth to a healthy baby girl before she died.

According to San Marcos police, Diann Ford was returning from her job at Long John Silver’s late on Tuesday when she was hit by the car.

Diann Ford, who was 37 weeks pregnant, was taken to an Austin hospital that night, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

Diann Ford, 22, was struck by a hit-and-run driver while walking home from work and gave birth to a healthy baby girl before she died
Diann Ford, 22, was struck by a hit-and-run driver while walking home from work and gave birth to a healthy baby girl before she died

 

The woman gave birth by cesarean section on Wednesday, October 26, and the girl was taken to the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit. Diann Ford died the next day.

Diann Ford’s boss, Kris Jaccard said she was excited about her future as a mother. The 22-year-old woman knew she was having a girl and had picked out a name.

Kris Jaccard described Diann Ford as a model employee who always showed up for work on time.

Diann Ford had started at the restaurant about six months ago as a cashier.

“She was a very friendly, very nice, very caring person,” Kris Jaccard told the San Antonio Express-News.

San Marcos police are still trying to find the driver of the car.

The police report said that Diann Ford was crossing the road at night where there wasn’t a cross walk and she was wearing dark-coloured clothing.

After a car struck her and the driver fled, Diann Ford was found by a passing motorist and she was conscious when emergency responders arrived at the scene.

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Daylight Saving Time 2011: When is it and Why we need it?

James J. Williams
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Daylight Saving Time 2011: When is it and Why we need it?

Daylight Saving Time (DST), also summer time in several countries, is the practice of temporarily advancing clocks during the summertime so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less.

Typically clocks are adjusted forward one hour near the start of spring and are adjusted backward in autumn.

In 2011, Daylight Saving Time comes to an end in U.S. on the morning of Sunday, November 6, when you move the clocks back one hour.

In 2007, U.S. introduced the extended DST, after the Energy Policy Act of 2005 came into effect and the clocks were set back one hour on the first Sunday of November instead of the last Sunday of October.

The start of DST was also changed from the first Sunday of April to the second Sunday of March.

There’s been a number of conflicting reports about how much energy is saved from Daylight Saving Time.

In the 70’s, studies showed US saved 1% of energy nationally, which was a big motivation for adopting DST. On the other hand, states like California argue the energy savings are negligible, while another report published in 2008 by the U.S. Department of Energy concluded 4 weeks extra of daylight savings time could conserve 1.3 trillion watt-hours per day, enough to power 100,000 homes for a year, reports Scientific American.

Benjamin Franklin first came up with the idea in 1784, but DST wasn’t used until World War I to conserve energy.

In 2011, Daylight Saving Time comes to an end in US on the morning of Sunday, November 6, when you move the clocks back one hour
In 2011, Daylight Saving Time comes to an end in US on the morning of Sunday, November 6, when you move the clocks back one hour

 

The U.S. observed year-round DST during World War II and implemented it during the energy crisis in the 1970’s, notes the Scientific American.

Modern DST was first proposed by the New Zealand entomologist George Vernon Hudson in 1895, whose shift-work job gave him leisure time to collect insects, and led him to value after-hours daylight. George Vernon Hudson presented a paper to the Wellington Philosophical Society proposing a two-hour daylight-saving shift, and after considerable interest was expressed in Christchurch, New Zealand he followed up in an 1898 paper.

Not everyone across the U.S. observes Daylight Saving Time, including Hawaii, most of Arizona, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas.

DST is generally not observed near the equator, where sunrise times do not vary enough to justify it. Some countries observe it only in some regions; for example, southern Brazil observes it while equatorial Brazil does not. Only a minority of the world’s population uses DST because Asia and Africa generally do not observe it.

A post by Chris Kline on ABC15.com discusses why most of Arizona doesn’t observe the time change: “According to an Arizona Republic editorial from 1969, the reason was the state’s extreme heat. If Arizona were to observe Daylight Saving Time, the sun would stay out until 9 p.m. in the summer (instead of 8 p.m., like it does currently).”

Massachusetts: National Grid reports nearly 400,000 customers without power.

Diane A. Wade
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Massachusetts: National Grid reports nearly 400,000 customers without power.

National Grid reported this morning that 393,800 customers are currently without power in Massachusetts due to the snowstorm. Out of them, 4,000 are in Westborough town.

The early winter weather caused wet snow to fall on trees still heavy with leaves – causing falling branches and downed power lines. National Grid emergency, restoration and tree trimming crews are in the field working to restore power.

Debbie Drew, spokesperson for National Grid said:

“We’re going through the process to assess what we have in damage.” She said the process involves starting with repairing the main transmission system.

“The bulk supply is always first.”

“After that is repaired, individual customer power can be restored,” Debbie Drew said.

“Our main concern is safety. The snow, as you know, is like wet concrete.”

National Grid reported this morning that 393,800 customers are currently without power in Massachusetts due to the snowstorm
National Grid reported this morning that 393,800 customers are currently without power in Massachusetts due to the snowstorm

National Grid spokesperson warned that the snapping trees and downed wires can be dangerous. People should stay away from any downed wire as it could be live.

Debbie Drew said downed wires should be reported by calling 800-465-1212.

Officer Chip Dapolite of the Westborough Police Department echoed that concern.

“Please get the word out that people should not be driving,” Chip Dapolite said.

“Power lines are down all over the place. It may be sunny and beautiful, but please don’t drive.”

Throughout the storm, fire, police and DPW employees responded to reports of downed limbs, fallen trees and wires in the roadways.

At this time, Westborough officials continue to report live wires to electric companys crews.

Because of the high volume of downed wires, attempts are being made to prioritize dangerous situations.

On its website, NSTAR reports that 114,000 customers remain without power.

“While many of our customers will have power restored within the next 24 hours; due to the difficult driving conditions, downed trees and severe damage experienced on our system, we’re anticipating our power restoration effort will last into the work week.”

CL&P saftey tips in case of storm

James J. Williams
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0
CL&P saftey tips in case of storm

As an unusual October snowstorm hit the North East of US, Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) offers the following safety tips in case of storm.

Everybody should be prepared before the storm hits with a “lights-out” kit that includes:

  • A flashlight and extra batteries
  • A battery-operated radio or TV and clock
  • A first-aid kit
  • Containers for water or bottled water
  • Canned food and a non-electric can opener
  • Sterno or similar fuel – but never burn charcoal indoors
  • A list of important phone numbers and some cash, as automatic teller machines may not work.
  • Plan ahead for the worst-case scenario.

 

As an unusual October snowstorm hit the North East of US, Connecticut Light & Power offers some safety tips in case of storm
As an unusual October snowstorm hit the North East of US, Connecticut Light & Power offers some safety tips in case of storm

Take steps to protect your major or electronically sensitive appliances. Now is the time to make sure your car’s gas tank is full. Electricity and water never mix. If you know your home is in an area prone to flooding, turn off devices like your furnace, water heater and electrical system before water can reach them.

Protect your food and water. Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. Food will stay frozen up to 24 hours, and even longer if the freezer is full. Open the refrigerator or freezer doors only when necessary. If you have a well and water pump, fill spare containers with water, and your washing machine with water for flushing, just in case.

Portable generators should be installed only by a licensed electrician. Check with your town regarding a permit and inspection. Generators must be connected with a special transfer switch that prevents power from feeding back into the electric lines. Feedback could endanger line workers who are nearby. Generators must be vented outside. And never refuel them while they are running.

Be alert to downed power lines. High winds and tree branches can sometimes combine to cause electric lines to fall.Never walk near or touch a downed power line. Stay away and keep others away. If you are driving and come across a fallen line, never get out of your vehicle. In all situations, always assume that a fallen line is “live.” If you see a downed line, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Beware, fallen branches. Never go near or remove tree branches that have come down until the area is thoroughly checked for fallen power lines. There may be a downed wire hidden beneath those branches and it may be energized.

Tree limbs can conduct electricity, causing injury or death. If you see a downed line, call 9-1-1 immediately. Only call 9-1-1 to report a dangerous situation.

Qualifying examples include a downed line or utility pole. CL&P customers can report an outage or get a “power-back” estimate by calling 800-286-2000.

Always let your utility know when you don’t have power. Don’t assume your neighbor will call in the problem.

Connecticut: 770,000 CL&P customers without power after snowstorm.

Diane A. Wade
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Connecticut: 770,000 CL&P customers without power after snowstorm.

The unusual October snowstorm in North East US sent trees and branches crashing down on electrical wires and equipment across the states.

In Connecticut, all of the 149 cities and towns served by Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) were affected by the snowstorm.

It was reported that about 770,000 CL&P customers were without power earlier this morning due to the snowstorm, surpassing the peak number of outages caused by Tropical Storm Irene two months ago.

Jeff Butler, president and COO at CL&P said:

“This will not be a <<quick fix>>…this may take more than a week to restore all of our customers. There are reports of trees down practically everywhere.”

“To help with damage assessments, we’re using two helicopters. Our other priorities today are handling emergency situations and working in partnership with the towns to clear the blocked roads.”

About 770,000 CL&P customers were without power due to the snowstorm, surpassing the peak number of outages caused by Tropical Storm Irene two months ago
About 770,000 CL&P customers were without power due to the snowstorm, surpassing the peak number of outages caused by Tropical Storm Irene two months ago

The snowstorm effects differ from Tropical Storm Irene’s in that the storm has caused significant damage to transmission lines, which are the lines that take power from electric generating plants and feeds it to the distribution grid that serves local homes and businesses.

CL&P is scheduling crews to work around the clock until restoration efforts are complete. During a multi-day restoration such as this, approximately 75% of crews will begin their shifts around 07:00 a.m. in order to maximize daylight hours and be most productive.

The remaining 25% of CL&P crews will begin their shifts around 03:00 p.m. and will work through the night.

“The safety of our employees, contractors and our customers is of our utmost concern and we want to make sure everyone working on this restoration has appropriate time to rest between shifts,” added Jeff Butler.

For their safety, CL&P also reminds customers to stay at least 10 feet away from all wires. Assume any downed, hanging or burning power lines are live and dangerous.

“If a power line falls on your vehicle while you’re inside, stay there. Don’t touch anything outside the vehicle and wait for emergency crews. Call 9-1-1 immediately with any emergency condition,” advised CL&P.

“To report outages or check the status of an outage, visit cl-p.com or call 800-286-2000. Our automated phone and online systems can rapidly process your report and help us speed restoration efforts. For helpful tips and news updates, go to our website at cl-p.com, follow us on Twitter @CTLightandPower and like us at Facebook.com/CTLightandPower. You can also get updates on outages in your town by texting “outage” and your zip code to 24612 (texting fees may apply),” CL&P also said.

CL&P has been part of everyday life in Connecticut for more than 100 years, providing safe and reliable electric service to homes, neighborhoods and businesses. With 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns, CL&P is improving the environments you live in, by offering programs in energy conservation, economic development and environmental stewardship. CL&P is a Northeast Utilities company (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.cl-p.com , like us on Facebook at facebook.com/CTLightandPower and follow us on Twitter @CTLightandPower.

Boy Scouts of America accused of covering up the paedophile leader Rick Turley.

Diane A. Wade
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Boy Scouts of America accused of covering up the paedophile leader Rick Turley.

The Boy Scouts of America has been accused of covering up the abuses of Rick Turley, a paedophile who was repeatedly allowed back as a leader despite admitting to abusing boys in his care.

Police has recently released documents showing that Boy Scouts of America officials didn’t call authorities after Rick Turley admitted molesting three boys and welcomed him back as a leader even after he kidnapped a boy in a stolen plane.

Rick Turley, now 58, said he is surprised at how many times he got away with it.

An investigation has found that Rick Turley molested at least 15 children in Southern California and British Columbia over 20 years, most of whom he met through American and Canadian Scouting.

“It was easy,” Rick Turley told CBC News.

Rick Turley said that he thinks if the police had been called in 1979 when he confessed to abusing three boys it “probably would have put a stop to me years and years ago”.

Instead, Rick Turley “went back to the Scouts again and again as a leader and offended against the boys,” he told CBC News.

Rick Turley is one of more than 5,000 suspected child molesters named in confidential files kept by the Boy Scouts of America.

An investigation has found that Rick Turley molested at least 15 children in Southern California and British Columbia over 20 years, most of whom he met through American and Canadian Scouting
An investigation has found that Rick Turley molested at least 15 children in Southern California and British Columbia over 20 years, most of whom he met through American and Canadian Scouting

Boy Scouts of America had long recommended that troops kept abuse allegations a secret.

In Rick Turley’s earlier known sexual abuse in 1971, he met Joey Day, a 10-year-old boy while working as a truck driver on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Rick Turley offered to take Joey Day to cubs, but instead took him to a nearby lake where he coerced him into skinny dipping and molested him.

Over the next two years, instead of taking the boy to cub meetings, Rick Turley took him to his apartment where he plied the boy alcohol, showed him pornography and abused him.

When Joey Day tried to tell his father about the abuse, he was beaten.

In January 1975, Rick Turley visited a Scout troop in Orange County and asked Eddy Iris, an 11-year-old boy, if he could show him around, saying he was one of Canada’s top Scout leaders.

Rick Turley shared a sleeping bag with Eddy Iris in the mountains, before taking him to the airport where he stole a plane and after taking off reportedly told the boy: “You do realize you’ve been kidnapped, don’t you?”

When the plane ran out of fuel and made an emergency landing, Rick Turley was arrested and pleaded guilty to child stealing.

Rick Turley was committed to Patton State Hospital as a “mentally disordered sex offender”.

He was released after 18 months on probation and ordered to return to Canada, but he instead got a job at a Boy Scout camp close to the hospital and worked at camps in San Bernardino and San Diego counties for the next three summer.

By 1978, Rick Turley had become a programme director at a Scout Camp in San Diego County. He persuaded the leader of a troop to let his son and two other boys stay at the camp for an extra night.

When they went home they reported that they had been arrested. Rick Turley admitted the offences but officials decided not to report them to police.

Buford Hill, a former Orange County Scouting official told the LA Times:

“We were following exactly the national recommendations of the Boy Scouts of America and its board who set up the rules.”

“You do not want to broadcast to the entire population that these things happen. You take care of it quietly and make sure it never happens again.”

Rick Turley returned to British Columbia where he became a Scout Master again.

At least two Canadian Scout leaders reported that Rick Turley had boys share his tent on trips.

In the mid 1980s, Boy Scouts officials decided rather than calling police or forcing Rick Turley to step down that he should be transferred to another troop.

In 1995, Rick Turley was arrested when his girlfriend told police that he was sexually attracted to children.

Rick Turley was sentenced to 7 years in prison, reduced to 5 on appeal, after he was convicted of five counts of molesting children.

In 2000, while out on parole Rick Turley was caught trying to coerce two boys into a relationship and was sent back to prison for two years.

Rick Turley now says that he is able to control his behaviour.

When questioned by CBC News at a motel in Alberta where Rick Turley now works he said that “it’s hard to put a number” on how many boys he abused.

Asked if he had a son, would he send him to Scouts, Turley said: “No, it’s still going on and will probably always go on.”

A Boy Scouts of America spokesman told the LA Times: “The BSA has continued to enhance its youth protection efforts as society has increased its understanding of the dangers children face.”

 

Cortland: Jackie Barden learned of her son’s death at a football match on Facebook.

Diane A. Wade
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Cortland: Jackie Barden learned of her son’s death at a football match on Facebook.

Jackie Barden, the mother of a high school student who collapsed and died after a football game was only notified of her son’s death via Facebook.

The mother wasn’t told of her 16-year-old son Ridge’s death at a high school football match because she was not listed as an emergency contact.

Jackie Barden‘s ex-husband, whom she is not on “speaking terms” with and was the boy’s emergency contact, also did not tell her.

“On Facebook, on the news, that’s how I had to learn of my son’s death,” Jackie Barden told WSYR-TV.

Once the news had finally reached her, Jackie Barden says she was told the last opportunity to view her son’s body had passed.

Jackie Barden learned about her son Ridge's death via Facebook
Jackie Barden learned about her son Ridge's death via Facebook

 

By the time police became involved in the Ridge’s death on October 14th, they had assumed all of boy’s family had been notified.

Being divorced and not listed as an emergency contact for her son, only Ridge’s father who was listed as a contact was notified and he never told her.

Cortland County Coroner Kevin Sharp told WSYR-TV:

“If the people that are there are not forthcoming that there is an estranged spouse or a parent who they are not speaking to, and it doesn’t need to be a spouse, it can be a parent, child, sister, brother, anyone.”

“We don’t know who to contact.”

Police Chief Dan Mack says he regrets the assumption made on the family notification and that future steps will be taken so it doesn’t happen again.

“I would really hope that people just take a look and start realizing that things have to change so that no other parent would have to suffer and go through what I went through,” Jackie Barden said.

Jackie Barden’s son, Ridge collapsed on the field and he later died at the hospital.  Autopsy results showed that the teenager died from blunt force trauma.

Speaking out to the other players on his varsity team and their opponent that night, Jackie Barden hopes any possible guilt or responsibility felt for his death will be dismissed.

“He just would not want those people to think that it was their fault,” Jackie Barden explained.
“It was just an accident. Everything that Ridge did, he did with full gust. I’d say just take that attitude with you,” she insists.

Ridge’s father released a statement on the loss of his son, WSYR he was too emotional for an interview.
“I have no words right now. My world has been devastated. But, I want to say thank-you to all of you who have written me and are sending your prayers to me. October 14th will go down as the worst day of my life. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you Ridge. I love you so much and cannot even grasp that you are not here,” he wrote.

Jackie Barden said: “It still is shocking. He’s with us and he’s gone.”

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