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Burkina Faso declares state of emergency

Diane A. Wade
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Burkina Faso declares state of emergency

Burkina Faso army has announced emergency measures – including the formation of a transitional government – after a day of violent protests.

Protesters angered by President Blaise Compaore’s bid to extend his 27-year rule earlier set fire to parliament and government buildings.

Protesters in the capital, Ouagadougou, are calling for Blaise Campaore to resign.

The emergency moves announced by army chief General Honore Traore did not say who would lead the interim administration.

At a press conference, General Honore Traore declared the imposition of an overnight curfew, as well as the dissolution of parliament.

He announced that a “transitional body [would] be put in place in consultation with all parties”.

“A return to the constitutional order is expected in no more than 12 months,” he said.

Earlier, President Blaise Compaore issued a statement, declaring the emergency and saying that the head of the armed forces was in charge of implementing the decision.

Burkina Faso army has announced emergency measures after a day of violent protests
Burkina Faso army has announced emergency measures after a day of violent protests

The protests in the capital – the most serious yet against Blaise Compaore’s rule – forced lawmakers to abandon a vote aimed at allowing the president to seek re-election in 2015.

The main opposition leader, Zephirin Diabre, told a local radio station the state of emergency was unacceptable.

“We are calling on the people to show that they are against it,” he was quoted as saying.

“The resignation of President Blaise Compaore is the only thing that can bring peace to the country.”

Zephirin Diabre said dozens of protesters had been killed across the country by the security forces.

Protesters also surged towards the presidential palace, and a government helicopter flying overhead fired tear gas at them, Reuters news agency reports.

Witnesses say dozens of soldiers have joined the protest in Ouagadougou’s main square, including a former defense minister, General Kouame Lougue.

The city hall, the homes of MPs, and an upmarket hotel in Ouagadougou were also set ablaze.

Similar protests hit the south-western city of Bobo Dioulasso, and other towns in the poor West African state.

State television went off air after protesters stormed the building housing it and ransacked it.

“A state of emergency is declared across the national territory,” the president’s statement said, as quoted by Reuters.

“The chief of the armed forces is in charge of implementing this decision which enters into effect today.

“I dissolve the government from today so as to create conditions for change. I’m calling on the leaders of the political opposition to put an end to the protests. I’m pledging from today to open talks with all the actors to end the crisis.”

UN chief Ban Ki-moon’s special envoy for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, will fly to Burkina Faso on October 31 in an attempt to ease the crisis, the UN said in a statement.

Blaise Compaore first took power in a coup in 1987, and has won four disputed elections since then.

The protests forced the government to suspend Thursday’s parliamentary vote on a constitutional amendment that would have lifted the limit on presidential terms so that Blaise Compaore could run for office again in 2015.

Blaise Compaore is a staunch ally of the US and France, which uses Burkina Faso as a base for military operations against militant Islamists in the Sahel region.

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Galway Kinnell dies from leukemia aged 87

Sonia Pantiss
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Galway Kinnell dies from leukemia aged 87

Poet Galway Kinnell has died at his home in Vermont after suffering from leukemia, his wife Brabara announced. He was 87.

Galway Kinnell, who died on October 28, was among the most celebrated poets of his time and wrote more than a dozen books spanning five decades.

He won the Pulitzer for his 1982 book Selected Poems.

The collection also won the National Book Award for Poetry, sharing the honor with contemporary Charles Wright.

Galway Kinnell’s other best-known works include The Book of Nightmares, inspired by the horror of the Vietnam war, When One Has Lived a Long Time Alone and Mortal Acts, Mortal Words.

One his most famous poems is The Bear, telling of a hunter who, after consuming animal blood and excrement, comes to identify with his prey.

Galway Kinnell was among the most celebrated poets of his time and wrote more than a dozen books spanning five decades
Galway Kinnell was among the most celebrated poets of his time and wrote more than a dozen books spanning five decades

Other notable poems include After Making Love We Hear Footsteps and When the Towers Fell, about the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, on February 1, 1927, Galway Kinnell was the son of immigrants from Scotland and Ireland.

He attended Princeton University, where he was roommates with future poet laureate W.S. Merwin, who introduced him to the works of W.B. Yeats.

W. S. Merwin told Associated Press he and Galway Kinnell had been “like brothers” and remembered his friend as a “very generous soul”.

Galway Kinnell’s breakthrough poem came in 1960, with The Avenue Bearing the Initial of Christ Into the New World – a 14-part work about Avenue C in Manhattan and the people that walked the street.

He served as poet laureate for Vermont from 1989 to 1993, and moved there in 2005.

The Academy of American Poets later gave him the Wallace Stevens Award for lifetime achievement in 2010.

Galway Kinnell married his first wife, Spanish translator Ines Delgado de Torres, in 1965 and had two children, Fergus and Maud, but divorced 20 years later. He married second wife Barbara in 1997.

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Roman Polanski released in Poland

Sonia Pantiss
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Roman Polanski released in Poland

Roman Polanski has been freed in Poland after being questioned by prosecutors.

The film director has been wanted by US police since 1977 after fleeing the country before he could be sentenced for assaulting a 13-year-old girl.

US authorities contacted Polish officials as Roman Polanski attended the opening of a Jewish museum in Warsaw.

Roman Polanski was questioned in Krakow.

“Roman Polanski said he would comply with all requests made by prosecutors in this case and provided his address,” Police justice ministry spokesman Mateusz Martyniuk told AFP.

“Prosecutors therefore decided not to arrest him in connection with a possible US extradition request.”

The Polish government confirmed that the US had contacted authorities asking them to arrest Polanski after he travelled to Warsaw for the opening of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

Mateusz Martyniuk said Roman Polanski’s extradition was still possible, but as the US had not yet forwarded an extradition request, Polanski “is a free citizen and is free to travel”.

Roman Polanski has been freed in Poland after being questioned by prosecutors
Roman Polanski has been freed in Poland after being questioned by prosecutors

He was held in Switzerland in 2009 after travelling to Zurich to pick up a prize at a film festival.

However, the extradition bid failed and he was eventually allowed to return to France.

He has been to Poland several times in recent years and was pictured on television at the opening of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

In 2010, the Polish prosecutor general said Roman Polanski could not be extradited because under Polish law too much time had passed since the offences.

Police in Los Angeles charged the director with s** offences including rape in 1977 before he accepted a plea deal, but he fled the country on the eve of his sentencing.

Last year his victim, Samantha Geimer, now 51, published her account of what happened in a book called The Girl: A Life Lived in the Shadow of Roman Polanski.

Roman Polanski is currently directing a stage show in Paris called The Vampires’ Ball, but has said he wants to shoot a film on location in Poland on the condition he will not face extradition.

US economy grows at 3.5% annual pace in Q3 2014

Clyde K. Valle
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US economy grows at 3.5% annual pace in Q3 2014

The US economy grew at an annual rate of 3.5% in Q3 2014, the Commerce Department has announced.

That was better than the 3% pace that economists had been expecting and follows the 4.6% growth rate recorded in Q2 2014.

Strong export growth and higher government spending helped to boost growth in Q3.

In a sign of confidence in the US recovery, on October 29 the Federal Reserve ended its stimulus scheme.

The fall in the unemployment rate to a six-year low has helped to boost that confidence.

“Today’s number represents a return to a healthy-looking trend. The most recent IMF forecasts suggest the US economy will grow 3.1% next year and 3.0% in 2016, and these could be revised further upwards in the coming months,” said Ben Brettell, senior economist at Hargreaves Lansdown stockbrokers.

The US economy grew at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in Q3 2014
The US economy grew at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in Q3 2014

The report was the first of three estimates of gross domestic product, so the figure could be revised up or down, over the coming months.

Growth was lifted in the third quarter by a sharp increase in government spending, which itself was boosted by a surge in defense expenditure.

Exports were another area of strength, they rose at an annual rate of 7.8%.

There will be a question over whether that pace can be maintained as important export markets for the US are struggling.

Growth in many European countries is stagnant and the Chinese economy is slowing down.

Consumption growth was relatively weak in the third quarter, running at an annual rate of 1.8%, but economists expect that to improve.

Overall it has been a volatile year for US growth data.

In Q1 2014 the economy contracted at an annual rate of 2.1% after severe weather hampered economic activity.

But Q2 2014 saw a rebound, growing at an annual pace of 4.6%.

Taken together the latest two quarters are the strongest consecutive quarters of growth since the second half of 2003.

On October 29 the Fed announced the end of its quantitative easing (QE) stimulus program.

QE started in November 2008 amid the financial crisis and fears that the US, and the rest of the world, might be facing another great depression.

Since then the Fed has bought $3.5 trillion of US government debt and bonds created out of home loans or mortgages.

It began to phase out the scheme last year and a fall in unemployment to 5.9% has encouraged the Fed to end it altogether.

However, interest rates will remain at a record low for a “considerable time” according to the US central bank.

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Ebola nurse Kaci Hickox defies quarantine order by leaving her house in Maine

Kathryn R. Bown
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Ebola nurse Kaci Hickox defies quarantine order by leaving her house in Maine

Nurse Kaci Hickox has defied the Ebola quarantine order, leaving her house in Maine for a brief bike ride.

She returned from treating Ebola patients in Sierra Leone on October 24.

Kaci Hickox maintains isolation is unnecessary, as she has no symptoms and has tested negative for Ebola.

Maine officials have vowed to go to court to try to enforce the quarantine.

About 5,000 people have died of the disease in West Africa, but only nine patients have been treated for the virus on US soil.

More than 13,700 people have been sickened in the Ebola outbreak, the vast majority in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Ebola, which is only spread through close contact with the bodily fluids of a sick patient, has a 21-day incubation period.

Kaci Hickox returned to the US from Liberia on October 24, landing at Newark International Airport
Kaci Hickox returned to the US from Liberia on October 24, landing at Newark International Airport

US officials are at odds over whether American healthcare workers who return from treating Ebola patients in West Africa should be forced into quarantine until that period has expired.

New Jersey and other states had put quarantine rules into place after a New York doctor who treated Ebola patients in West Africa came down with the disease.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) merely recommends daily monitoring of returned health workers, rather than enforced isolation.

President Barack Obama has warned that overly restrictive measures imposed upon returning healthcare workers could discourage them from volunteering in Africa.

“We know that the best way to protect Americans ultimately is going to stop this outbreak at the source,” he said on October 29 .

Kaci Hickox returned to the US on October 24, landing at Newark International Airport.

Officials say she had a minor fever, necessitating a quarantine at a Newark, New Jersey, hospital.

Kaci Hickox contested the quarantine regimen, ultimately threatening legal action.

After showing no fever or other symptoms for a 24-hour period, Kaci Hickox was discharged and brought to her home state of Maine.

“I’m not willing to stand here and let my civil rights be violated when it’s not science-based,” she told reporters on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday morning, Kaci Hickox left her home on a bicycle, followed by police officers who monitoring her movements and public interactions. She returned home shortly after.

Without a court order, the police were barred from detaining her.

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Burkina Faso protests: Parliament building and ruling party HQ in flames

Diane A. Wade
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Burkina Faso protests: Parliament building and ruling party HQ in flames

Burkina Faso protesters angry at plans to allow President Blaise Compaore to extend his 27-year-rule have set fire to parliament.

Correspondents say the city hall and ruling party headquarters are also in flames.

A huge crowd is surging towards the presidential palace and the main airport has been shut.

Lawmakers have suspended a vote on changing the constitution to allow Balise Compaore to stand for re-election next year.

Five people has been killed in the protests.

The military had earlier fired live bullets at protesters who had stormed parliament.

Dozens of soldiers have reportedly joined the protests, including a former defense minister, General Kouame Lougue.

The main opposition leader, Zephirin Diabre, has called on the military to side with “the people”.

Blaise Compaore’s whereabouts are unknown, but he has appealed for calm via Twitter.

Angry protesters in Burkina Faso have set fire to parliament
Angry protesters in Burkina Faso have set fire to parliament

He first took power in a coup in 1987, and has won four disputed elections since then.

The opposition has called for a campaign of civil disobedience to demand that Blaise Compaore steps down in elections next year.

“October 30 is Burkina Faso’s Black Spring, like the Arab Spring,” opposition activist Emile Pargui Pare told AFP news agency.

State television has gone off air after protesters stormed the building housing it and ransacked it, Reuters quotes a witness as saying.

About 1,500 people breached the security cordon at parliament, AFP reports.

Protesters were setting fire to documents and stealing computer equipment and cars outside the building were also set on fire, it reports.

A massive crowd has also converged on the main square in Ouagadougou, and are marching towards the presidential palace, which is about 3 miles away.

A government helicopter flying overhead was firing tear gas at them, Reuters reports.

There are also reports of protests in the south-western city of Bobo Dioulasso.

The government has been forced to suspend Thursday’s parliamentary vote on a constitutional amendment that would have lifted the limit on presidential terms so that Blaise Compaore could run for office again in 2015.

It is not clear whether the government intends to hold the vote at a later stage, correspondents say.

Blaise Compaore is a staunch ally of the US and France, which uses Burkina Faso as a base for military operations against militant Islamists in the Sahel region.

Both France and the EU have called on Blaise Compaore to scrap the proposed constitutional amendment.

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Rabbi Yehuda Glick shot at Temple Mount in Jerusalem

Diane A. Wade
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Rabbi Yehuda Glick shot at Temple Mount in Jerusalem

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has described the closure of the disputed Jerusalem holy site Temple Mount as a “declaration of war”, his spokesman has said.

The move came amid tension after the shooting of Jewish activist Rabbi Yehuda Glick.

Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu called for calm, saying Mahmoud Abbas was responsible for escalating tensions.

Rabbi Yehuda Glick, a campaigner for greater Jewish prayer rights at the Temple Mount/al-Haram al-Sharif, was wounded.

Israeli police later killed a Palestinian suspected of shooting him.

The man, named as 32-year-old Moataz Hejazi, was shot after opening fire when police surrounded his home.

Rabbi Yehuda Glick is a well-known US-born campaigner for the right of Jews to pray at the site, which they are currently prohibited from doing. The compound is known to Jews as the Temple Mount, and to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif.

It is the holiest site in Judaism, and also contains the al-Aqsa Mosque – the third holiest site in Islam.

Palestinians hold the Israeli government responsible for a “dangerous act”, Mahmoud Abbas was quoted as saying by Nabil Abu Rudeina, in remarks carried by AFP news agency.

“This dangerous Israeli escalation is a declaration of war on the Palestinian people and its sacred places and on the Arab and Islamic nation,” Nabil Abu Rudeina added.

“The state of Palestine will take all legal measures to hold Israel accountable and to stop these ongoing attacks.”

Rabbi Yehuda Glick is a campaigner for greater Jewish prayer rights at the Temple Mount
Rabbi Yehuda Glick is a campaigner for greater Jewish prayer rights at the Temple Mount

However, PM Benjamin Netanyahu called for calm and suggested Mahmoud Abbas was responsible for the increasing tension.

“We’re facing a wave of incitement by radical Islamic elements as well as by the Palestinian Authority chairman… who said that Jews must absolutely be prevented from going on to the Temple Mount,” he said, quoted by Haaretz newspaper.

Benjamin Netanyahu added that reinforcements for the security forces would be brought into Jerusalem to keep order.

The shooting of Rabbi Yehuda Glick is the latest in a series of incidents which have led to an escalation of tensions in Jerusalem.

Some districts of East Jerusalem have seen nightly clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces since the conflict in Gaza.

Last week a Jewish baby and Ecuadorian woman were killed when a Palestinian attacker drove his car into a group of pedestrians at a tram stop in Jerusalem.

Police said Rabbi Yehuda Glick’s suspected attacker, Moataz Hejazi, had served time in jail in Israel and was released in 2012, adding that he belonged to the Islamic Jihad militant group.

The police anti-terrorist unit along with the Israeli internal security service Shin Bet had received information that Yehuda Glick’s attacker was located in the Abu Tor neighborhood, Israeli officials said.

Police say they were fired at after surrounding the house and shot back, hitting the suspect.

Rabbi Yehuda Glick has had surgery for gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen.

He had just attended a conference where delegates discussed Jewish claims to the compound, one of the most contentious areas of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Israel argues that it protects freedom of worship at the site but Palestinians claim it is unilaterally taking steps to allow larger numbers of Jewish visitors.

The site is administered by an Islamic body called the Waqf, while Israeli police are in charge of security.

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Tim Cook admits he is gay

Nancy Clayson
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Tim Cook admits he is gay

Tim Cook has publicly admitted he is gay.

Apple’s CEO says that he is “proud to be gay”.

Tim Cook, 53, made his announcement to try to help people struggling with their identity, he wrote in a Bloomberg article.

This week he challenged his home state of Alabama to ensure the rights of gay and transgender people.

Tim Cook says that he is proud to be gay
Tim Cook says that he is proud to be gay (photo Twitter)

“I don’t consider myself an activist, but I realize how much I’ve benefited from the sacrifice of others,” Tim Cook wrote.

“So if hearing that the CEO of Apple is gay can help someone struggling to come to terms with who he or she is, or bring comfort to anyone who feels alone, or inspire people to insist on their equality, then it’s worth the trade-off with my own privacy,” he added.

Tim Cook said that he had been open about his s**uality with many people, including colleagues at Apple, but that it still “wasn’t an easy choice” to publicly announce his orientation.

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Trumenba: Meningitis vaccine approved in US

Kathryn R. Bown
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Trumenba: Meningitis vaccine approved in US

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a vaccine for the first time for the deadly type of meningitis that affected the students at Princeton and at the University of California in 2013.

Pfizer’s vaccine Trumenba protects against serogroup B, one of five forms of bacterial meningitis.

The FDA accelerated the approval of Trumenba, completing the approval process in “well under six months,” the typical time frame for completing even a priority review of a new drug, FDA’s Dr. Karen Midthun said in a conference call with reporters on October 30.

Karen Midthun, the director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said that the 2013 outbreaks “underscored the urgent public health need” for a vaccine for serogroup B meningcoccal disease in the US.

Two existing vaccines, Menactra and Menveo, prevent the other four types of bacterial meningitis and are currently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for all preteens and adolescents. Many schools and colleges require students to receive a meningitis vaccine before enrolling.

Serogroup B meningitis caused 160 of the 500 cases of meningococcal disease in the US in 2012, according to the CDC. The agency said that 10 to 15% of these cases are fatal. Among those who survive, 11 to 19% suffer permanent disabilities, including limb loss, hearing loss and brain damage.

Pfizer’s vaccine Trumenba protects against serogroup B, one of five forms of bacterial meningitis
Pfizer’s vaccine Trumenba protects against serogroup B, one of five forms of bacterial meningitis

The outbreaks on the two university campuses in 2013 killed one student at Drexel University, who had come into contact with Princeton students, and caused a student in California to lose both of his feet. In September, a Georgetown University sophomore died of serogroup B, in what the university said was an isolated case.

Viral meningitis, though less serious than the bacterial form of the disease, also causes inflammation of the tissue around the brain and spinal cord. There is no vaccine for the illness, which is rarely fatal. Viral meningitis has been reported this month in up to 19 students at the University of Maryland at College Park and a teacher at a District preschool.

Bexsero, the Novartis vaccine administered at the universities last year with special FDA permission, had been approved for use in Europe and Australia, while the U.S. had no serogroup B vaccine.

As part of getting speedy approval, Pfizer has agreed to keep testing the vaccine. Three studies in the U.S. and Europe, involving about 2,800 adolescents, demonstrated that the vaccine generated antibodies in the blood of 82% of participants. The antibodies can kill four strains of serogroup B, according to the FDA.

The further testing will evaluate whether the vaccine is effective at creating antibodies that kill additional strains.

Pfizer said in a press release that the new vaccine must be administered in three doses over the course of six months. It is approved for use in people ages 10 to 25, a key group for meningitis cases, which can easily spread among students living in close quarters in dormitories.

Karen Midthun said that manufacturers might eventually develop one shot containing the vaccines for all five types of bacterial meningitis.

Right now, full protection would require three doses of Trumenba in addition to an existing meningitis vaccine, for which the CDC recommends an initial shot and a later booster.

Top Incentives for Starting Your Own Business

Ricky Robinson
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Top Incentives for Starting Your Own Business

Starting your own business is something that many people dream of doing, but not many people actually achieve. Starting a business takes a great deal of hard work, time, and often money, and these are the reasons that many people opt out of entrepreneurship.

Starting a business also comes with many risks, such as the risk of failing and losing all the time and money you just put into it.

If you are considering starting a business, buying an existing business, or if you already have done either one, it’s important to know what rewards come from the risks. The following are the top incentives for starting your own business, and they may just outweigh the risks.

You get to be your own boss.

One of the biggest incentives in starting a business is that you get to be your own boss. You don’t have to do your job the way someone else wants you to, and you don’t have to listen to someone who is less skilled than you are. Instead, you get to be in charge, and you get to make all the decisions, and you have nobody to answer to but yourself. You get to decide the hours you work. You get to decide what marketing collateral you use. You even get to determine the dress code for the company. For some people, not having to answer to anybody else is the biggest reward or entrepreneurship.

You get to (possibly) work from home.

As long as your business doesn’t require the need for a warehouse or manufacturing plant, you can likely do your job from home in a virtual office. You don’t have to worry about sitting through an awful commute, you don’t have to get out of your pajamas if you don’t want to (as long as you’re not seeing clients), and you don’t have to worry about paying for a storefront or utilities, which can decrease the cost of the business. As long as you have a professional workspace to do your job, and the technology solutions to help you do the job successfully, you’ll enjoy not having an office to go to every day.

You get the recognition and reward.

As a business owner, it’s a major accomplishment to take a business from scratch and turn it into something successful. Doing this can earn you respect in your industry, especially if your company becomes extremely successful and expands.

You also get to enjoy the rewards of owning a business. For example, if you’re the sole employee of the company, you get to keep the profits (aside from what you need for taxes and to put back into the business). This could be significantly more than what you’d make being someone’s employee. You also get to enjoy the rewards of expansion if it happens for your business. Who knows? In a few years, your in-home company may turn into a franchise, and you’ll certainly enjoy all those perks.

Starting a business can be a major accomplishment, so if it’s something you really want to do, weigh the risks and rewards and determine if the rewards outweigh the risks.

Jep Robertson released from hospital after spending four days on life support

Sonia Pantiss
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Jep Robertson released from hospital after spending four days on life support

Duck Dynasty’s Jep Robertson has been released from hospital and is now at home with family and doing a lot better.

Jep Robertson, 36, was put on a ventilator for four days after collapsing during a deer hunting trip.

He was on a deer hunting trip on October 19 when he suffered a seizure unexpectedly.

Jep Robertson, now safe and healthy, has revealed in a new interview with GMA his harrowing experience and how he nearly lost his life.

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Ebola outbreak: Liberia sees decline in spread of infections

Kathryn R. Bown
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Ebola outbreak: Liberia sees decline in spread of infections

Liberia, the country hardest hit in the Ebola outbreak, is seeing a decline in the spread of infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced.

WHO Assistant Director-General – Polio and Emergencies Bruce Aylward said it was confident the response to the virus was now gaining the upper hand.

Dr. Bruce Aylward warned against any suggestion that the crisis was over.

The WHO later said the number of cases globally had risen more than 3,000 to 13,703 since its last report, but that this was due to reporting reasons.

The number of deaths was put at 4,920, roughly the same as the last report four days ago. All but 10 of the deaths have been in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

The latest WHO figure of 13,703 cases is a significant leap on its previous situation report on Saturday, which showed cases rising above 10,000 for the first time – to 10,141.

Dr. Bruce Aylward said that this increase was due to data being updated with old cases, rather than new cases being reported.

Saturday’s situation report put the death toll at 4,922.

Liberia is the country hardest hit in the Ebola outbreak
Liberia is the country hardest hit in the Ebola outbreak

The similar death toll in the latest report was mainly a result of a revision of the Liberian statistics.

Cases there rose from 4,655 to 6,535 but reported deaths dropped from 2,705 to 2,413.

Deaths in Guinea rose from 926 to 997 and in Sierra Leone from 1,281 to 1,500.

Liberia’s Red Cross said its teams collected 117 bodies last week, down from a high of 315 in September. Treatment centers also have empty beds available for patients.

Bruce Aylward said: “It appears that the trend is real in Liberia and there may indeed be a slowing.

“Do we feel confident that the response is now getting an upper hand on the virus? Yes, we are seeing a slowing rate of new cases, very definitely.”

He said there had been “a huge effort to inform the population about the disease, to change the behaviors that put them at risk”.

However, Dr. Bruce Aylward said the data was still being examined and cautioned against thinking the crisis was over.

He said: “A slight decline in cases in a few days versus getting this thing closed out is a completely different ball game.

“It’s like saying your pet tiger is under control.”

President Barack Obama praised the progress made in Liberia, but also warned: “This is still a severe, significant outbreak… We’ve got a long way to go.”

He said again that the disease had to be tackled at its source in West Africa, adding: “If we don’t deal with the problem there, it will come here.”

Until Ebola was contained, Barack Obama said, there could be more individual cases in the US.

South Africa’s first black billionaire, Patrice Motsepe, donated $1 million to Guinea to help the country fight Ebola.

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Fed ends quantitative easing stimulus program

Clyde K. Valle
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Fed ends quantitative easing stimulus program

The Fed is ending its quantitative easing (QE) stimulus program begun in 2008.

The central bank said it was confident the US economic recovery would continue, despite a global economic slowdown.

The targets for inflation and reduction in unemployment were on track, the Fed said in a statement.

The Fed, which also said it would not raise interest rates for a “considerable time”, has gradually cut back QE since last year.

The statement suggested that although the jobs market is strengthening, it is still not back to normal, which is why interest rates are being held.

“The Committee continues to see sufficient underlying strength in the broader economy to support ongoing progress toward maximum employment in a context of price stability,” the Fed said.

Analysts said the news was in line with expectations.

Several others seized on the Fed’s comments about slack in the labor market. Previous policy statements have referred to “significant underutilization of labor resources”.

Wednesday’s statement left out the word “significant”.

US shares were down ahead of the statement and continued to drift lower after the news was announced.

QE started in November 2008 amid the financial crisis and fears that the US, and the rest of the world, might be facing another great depression.

The Fed’s traditional ammunition, cutting interest rates, was running low – there was one more cut the following month, taking the main interest rate target down to practically zero.

The central bank began buying financial assets and creating new money to pay for them.

In total, the Fed has added $3.7 trillion worth of assets to its holdings, about an eightfold increase.

Recent data has pointed to increase spending by consumers and businesses. However, the housing market is still struggling and pay is stagnant.

There is concern about the long-term impact of the US’s persistent low inflation, which risks undermining consumer spending as people delay purchases in the hope that prices will fall further.

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Call of Duty: Manuel Noriega case against Activision dismissed

Nancy Clayson
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Call of Duty: Manuel Noriega case against Activision dismissed

Panama ex-military ruler Manuel Noriega failed in his attempt to sue Activision, the publisher of the Call of Duty video games.

Manuel Noriega had tried to sue Activision after a character based on him featured in the title Black Ops II.

The former dictator of Panama had sought damages.

The judge at Los Angeles Superior Court ruled that the inclusion of the character was protected under free speech laws.

Manuel Noriega had tried to sue Activision after a character based on him featured in the title Black Ops II
Manuel Noriega had tried to sue Activision after a character based on him featured in the title Black Ops II

“This was an absurd lawsuit from the very beginning and we’re gratified that in the end, a notorious criminal didn’t win,” said Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, who had defended Activision in the case.

“This is not just a win for the makers of Call of Duty, but is a victory for works of art across the entertainment and publishing industries throughout the world.”

Manuel Noriega is currently serving a jail sentence in Panama for crimes committed during his time in power, including the murder of critics.

In the video game, the character based on Manuel Noriega initially helps the CIA capture a Nicaraguan terrorist, but later turns on the Americans and is hunted himself in fictional scenes.

In reality, Manuel Noriega did work as a CIA informant before the agency broke ties with him. After the US became concerned about his violent rule, President George Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989, which resulted in his capture.

Call of Duty games have featured other real-life characters including Fidel Castro, ex-CIA director David Petraeus and President John F. Kennedy, among others.

Activision had warned that had the legal action been permitted to proceed, it could have encouraged other political figures to object to the use of their appearance in films, television programs and books in addition to video games.

“Today’s ruling is a victory for… global audiences who enjoy historical fiction across all works of art,” said Bobby Kotick, chief executive of Activision’s parent company, Activision Blizzard.

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Big Brother China to launch in early 2015 on Youku Tudou

Sonia Pantiss
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Big Brother China to launch in early 2015 on Youku Tudou

China is launching its own version of Big Brother, with the housemates’ exploits to be broadcast on popular video site Youku Tudou.

The reality show, in which contestants are monitored 24 hours a day, has been seen in dozens of countries since launching 15 years ago.

Big Brother‘s creators Endemol have signed a deal with Youku Tudou, the biggest online video site in China.

The site has 500 million active users, according to a statement.

Big Brother China will launch in early 2015 and will last for 10 weeks.

China is launching its own version of Big Brother, with the housemates' exploits to be broadcast on popular video site Youku Tudou
China is launching its own version of Big Brother, with the housemates’ exploits to be broadcast on popular video site Youku Tudou

Endemol Asia chief executive Arjen van Mierlo said: “We’re thrilled to announce this landmark deal with Youku Tudou Inc, bringing a format that has changed the face of television to China for the first time.

“In a market that annually generates hundreds of billions of video views, partnering with the number one digital video platform will allow us to bring Big Brother to a young audience and deliver the most immersive, interactive and unique experience to fans across the nation.”

The Endemol and Youku Tudou partnership comes three years after the Chinese government ordered satellite TV channels to cut the number of reality TV, dating and talk shows because of their “vulgar tendencies”.

Online streaming sites have fewer restrictions than traditional TV channels, but regulators have recently signaled a tightening of control over online video, according to the Associated Press.

White House computer network attacked by hackers

Nancy Clayson
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White House computer network attacked by hackers

The White House unclassified Executive Office of the President network was attacked, according to the Washington Post.

Authorities are reported to be investigating the breach, which was reported to officials by an ally of the US, sources said.

White House officials believe the attack was state-sponsored but are not saying what – if any – data was taken.

In a statement to the AFP news agency, the White House said “some elements of the unclassified network” had been affected.

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Washington Post: “In the course of assessing recent threats, we identified activity of concern on the unclassified EOP network.

“Any such activity is something we take very seriously. In this case, we took immediate measures to evaluate and mitigate the activity.

“Certainly, a variety of actors find our networks to be attractive targets and seek access to sensitive information. We are still assessing the activity of concern.”

The source said the attack was consistent with a state-sponsored effort and Russia is thought by the US government to be one of the most likely threats.

The White House unclassified Executive Office of the President network was attacked
The White House unclassified Executive Office of the President network was attacked

“On a regular basis, there are bad actors out there who are attempting to achieve intrusions into our system,” a second White House official told the Washington Post.

“This is a constant battle for the government and our sensitive government computer systems, so it’s always a concern for us that individuals are trying to compromise systems and get access to our networks.”

The Washington Post quoted its sources as saying that the attack was discovered two-to-three weeks ago. Some White House staff were reportedly told to change their passwords and there was some disruption to network services.

In a statement given to AFP, a White House official said the Executive Office of the President received daily alerts concerning numerous possible cyber threats.

In the course of addressing the breach, some White House users were temporarily disconnected from the network.

“Our computers and systems have not been damaged, though some elements of the unclassified network have been affected. The temporary outages and loss of connectivity for our users is solely the result of measures we have taken to defend our networks,” the official said.

The NSA, FBI and Security Service were reportedly investigating.

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The Hidden Tourist Attractions of Florence, Italy

Nancy Clayson
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The Hidden Tourist Attractions of Florence, Italy

The vibrant city of Florence is famous for its impressive architecture and has long been one of Italy’s most popular attractions. City breaks to Florence are popular among travellers who want
to soak up on different cultures and at the same time enjoy captivating attractions. Here are some of the sights that you should not miss while exploring the city of Florence.

Santa Maria del Fiore

The Hidden Tourist Attractions of Florence, Italy
The Hidden Tourist Attractions of Florence, Italynanc

This stunning cathedral is also known as the Duomo di Firenze and should not be missed. The Santa Maria del Fiore features an impressive statue of Brunelleschi in its piazza and the figure
looks up towards the mighty dome. Visitors who have a strong sense of adventure can also climb the 464 steps that lead up to the top of the cathedral to enjoy breathtaking city views.

Palazzo Vecchio

Head over to the old city to explore this city hall, which is adorned with fine art including a replica of David by Michelangelo. Art lovers will really be in their element here as they explore
some of the most stunning works of art and murals from the Renaissance period.

Boboli Gardens

Beat the crowds and unwind for a while by exploring this enchanting green zone, which can be found behind Pitti Palace. The Boboli Gardens are elaborately landscaped and scattered
with a large number of sculptures. One of the great things about the Boboli Gardens is that this attraction is often overlooked by visitors to Florence, while the gardens offer stunning views of
the mighty Duomo.

Giotto’s Tower

Climb 414 steps to soak up unforgettable panoramic views of Florence and the surrounding area. Giotto’s Tower can be found next to the Duomo and climbing it can be quite a challenge, which is all part of the fun.

Of course, this is just a small selection of Florence’s impressive attractions. Other attractions that are just waiting to be discovered include the Ponche Vecchio, Santa Maria del Carmine and
the Baptistery. Food lovers will also want to sample some of the city’s signature dishes such as pizza, enormous t-bone steaks and locally produced ice cream known as gelato.

Is Vladimir Putin suffering from pancreatic cancer?

Nancy Clayson
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Is Vladimir Putin suffering from pancreatic cancer?

Recent reports claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin might be suffering from either spine or pancreas cancer.

Rumors regarding Vladimir Putin’s health have continued to swirl in various groups of media abroad over the past years.

The most recent rumor has spawned in New York Post’s Page Six which suggests that Vladimir Putin eagerness to invade Ukraine is reasoned by his sickness.

It also took note of Vladimir Putin’s changes in his physical appearance.

A week ago, Vladimir Putin, 62, aimed some criticism at US foreign policies that, from his point of view, place the whole world at risk and in global security alert.

Recent reports claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin might be suffering from either spine or pancreas cancer
Recent reports claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin might be suffering from either spine or pancreas cancer

However, President Barack Obama’s wimpy reactions as defined by experts on national security to Russia’s aggressive moves give Vladimir Putin the confidence to do what he wishes to do.

Richard Johnson wrote on Page Six: “Others say Putin has three years to live and wants to leave a legacy of expanding the Russian borders just like Peter the Great or Stalin,” in reference to Vladimir Putin’s conqueror’s ambitions.

On the rumors that Vladimir Putin has cancer, Richard Johnson also wrote that: “News outlets from Belarus to Poland have reported for months that the Russian strongman has cancer of the spinal cord. But my sources say it’s pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal forms of the disease. Putin is allegedly being treated by an elderly doctor from the old East Germany whom Putin met decades ago while serving in Dresden for the KGB. The doctor has been trying various treatments including steroid shots, which would explain Putin’s puffy appearance….”

Melissa Rivers hires law firm to investigate Joan Rivers’ death

Lisa.Felice
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Melissa Rivers hires law firm to investigate Joan Rivers’ death

Melissa Rivers has hired a law firm to investigate the circumstances around her mother’s death.

Joan Rivers died on September 4 at the age of 81 following a cardiac arrest during a medical procedure on her throat.

The New York medical examiner’s office said the death was due to brain damage from low blood oxygen.

The investigation could pave the way for a civil claim against the clinic where the comic was treated.

“In order to fully determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Joan Rivers, we confirm that our firm has been engaged by Melissa Rivers and her family,” Ben Rubinowitz, a partner at Gair, Gair, Conason, Steigman, Mackauf, Bloom and Rubinowitz, said.

Melissa Rivers has hired a law firm to investigate the circumstances around her mother's death
Melissa Rivers has hired a law firm to investigate the circumstances around her mother’s death

However, he declined to comment on whether Joan Rivers’ family intended to file a legal claim.

Joan Rivers died after spending a week on life support at Mount Sinai Hospital following the cardiac arrest.

The official cause of death was listed as anoxic encephalopathy – a condition caused when brain tissue is deprived of oxygen leading to brain damage.

It was also classified as a “therapeutic complication”, meaning it was a known risk of the procedure.

Negligence is not suspected and was not listed as a contributing cause.

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Kim Jong-un had leg surgery

Diane A. Wade
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Kim Jong-un had leg surgery

Kim Jong-un has had surgery to remove a cyst from his ankle, according to South Korean intelligence.

A spy agency briefing to lawmakers on October 28 said that a foreign doctor operated on the North Korean leader in September or October.

Kim Jong-un recently dropped out of public view for nearly six weeks leading to speculation that he was seriously ill.

He has been seen walking with a stick in recent official photographs.

One such photo, used by North Korean media, showed him using a stick on October 14 as he inspected a new residential district.

Kim Jong-un had not been seen since September. South Korean intelligence says the cyst could recur because the North Korean leader is a smoker and leads a busy lifestyle.

South Korean politicians were told that foreign medical experts had been flown to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, to remove the cyst from Kim Jong-un’s left ankle.

The growth which materialized in May was caused by what is known as “tarsal tunnel syndrome” whereby a nerve is pinched, causing the ankle to swell.

Kim Jong-un has had surgery to remove a cyst from his ankle
Kim Jong-un has had surgery to remove a cyst from his ankle

An intelligence official said the medical team was from Europe but did not specify which country.

This is not the first time that a North Korean leader has been treated by foreign experts.

Kim Jong-un’s father and grandfather were reported to have been treated by French doctors during their leaderships.

It was reported that a pace-maker was flown out from Switzerland in a diplomatic bag for Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea.

On October 28, North Korean officials also attended talks with Japan for the first time in a decade to discuss the abduction of Japanese citizens.

North Korea has admitted it kidnapped 13 Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 80s to train spies in Japanese customs.

Five of them were returned to Japan in 2002. Pyongyang says the other eight died but Japan has said it does not believe this.

Japan lifted some sanctions on Pyongyang in July in return for North Korea’s agreement to reopen an investigation into the fates of Japanese abductees.

Sri Lanka landslide: Ten dead and 200 missing after heavy monsoon rains in Badulla

Diane A. Wade
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Sri Lanka landslide: Ten dead and 200 missing after heavy monsoon rains in Badulla

At least 200 people are missing and 10 people are reported dead following a landslide in central Sri Lanka, disaster officials say.

The landslide, which came after heavy monsoon rains, engulfed about 140 houses in Badulla district, officials said.

Security forces have been mobilized in search and rescue operations.

Mudslide warnings were issued after much of Sri Lanka was lashed by heavy rain in the past few weeks.

“Rescue operations have recovered 10 bodies so far,” Pradeep Kodippili, spokesman for the Disaster Management Centre, said.

At least 200 people are missing and 10 people are reported dead following a landslide in central Sri Lanka
At least 200 people are missing and 10 people are reported dead following a landslide in central Sri Lanka

“Over 250 people are still missing and 140 houses are buried.”

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera told local media that 10 shops and three official residences had also been hit by the landslide.

Sections of several national highways have been washed away by the rains, AFP news agency reported.

The landslide hit the Meeriyabedda tea plantation near the town of Haldummulla, about 120 miles east of the capital Colombo, on Wednesday morning, October 29.

In June, monsoon rains triggered landslides in Sri Lanka that killed at least 22 people and forced thousands from their homes.

Monsoon rains are caused by winds in the Indian Ocean and south Asia. They bring about wet and dry seasons in much of the region, and have a large impact on local ecosystems.

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Michael Sata dead: Zambian president dies in London aged 77

Diane A. Wade
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0
Michael Sata dead: Zambian president dies in London aged 77

Zambia’s President Michael Sata has passed away at the age of 77 after receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness, the government says.

Michael Sata, who was being treated in the UK, died in London’s King Edward VII hospital on Tuesday night.

Media said that he died after “a sudden onset [of] heightened heart rate”.

It is not immediately clear who will succeed the president. The issue may be decided by the Zambian cabinet which meets on Wednesday morning.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing on of our beloved president,” cabinet secretary Roland Msiska said in a statement read out on national TV.

He said that Michael Sata’s wife and son were at his bedside.

“I urge all of you to remain calm, united and peaceful during this very difficult period,” Roland Msiska added.

Known as King Cobra for his venomous tongue, Michael Sata was elected Zambia's president in 2011
Known as King Cobra for his venomous tongue, Michael Sata was elected Zambia’s president in 2011

The president’s death comes just days after Zambia celebrated the 50th anniversary of independence from the UK.

Earlier this month reports in Zambia said that President Micael Sata had gone abroad for a medical check-up amid persistent speculation that he was seriously ill.

After he left the country, Defense Minister Edgar Lungu was named as acting president.

Vice-President Guy Scott has regularly stood in for the president at official events. But he is of Scottish descent and his parents were not born in Zambia, so he may fall foul of a constitutional clause on parentage which would nullify his candidacy.

Known as “King Cobra” for his venomous tongue, Michael Sata was elected Zambia’s president in 2011.

He has rarely been seen in public since returning from the UN General Assembly in Spetember, where he failed to make a scheduled speech.

Michael Sata became president in September 2011, defeating the then incumbent Rupiah Banda whose party had been in power for 20 years.

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Antares explosion: ISS supply rocket explodes seconds after launch

James J. Williams
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Antares explosion: ISS supply rocket explodes seconds after launch

ISS supply rocket Antares has exploded during its launch from NASA base in Virginia.

Antares, a 14-storey rocket built by Orbital Sciences Corp, combusted seconds after leaving the seaside launch pad at Wallops Flight Facility.

The cause of the cargo ship malfunction has yet to be determined.

The initial planned launch of the spacecraft on October 27 was delayed due to a yacht in the surrounding danger zone.

The flight was expected to be the third contracted mission with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ISS supply rocket Antares has exploded during its launch from NASA base in Virginia
ISS supply rocket Antares has exploded during its launch from NASA base in Virginia (photo NASA)

Antares was due to carry nearly 5,000 pounds of supplies to six astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

“We will understand what happened, hopefully soon, and we’ll get things back on track,” said Frank Culbertson, executive vice-president of Orbital Sciences.

“We’ve all seen this happen in our business before, and we’ve all seen the teams recover from this, and we will do the same.”

No-one was injured, said Frank Culbertson, and an investigation team was already going through the data to try to establish the cause.

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Halloween 2014: Ebola-themed costumes cause stir on social media

Nancy Clayson
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0
Halloween 2014: Ebola-themed costumes cause stir on social media

While both real companies and internet hoaxers alike have created tasteless Ebola-themed Halloween costumes this year, it doesn’t seem anyone actually wants to buy them.

Tim Callan, chief marketing officer at SLI Systems, has an answer that suggests the zeitgeist-driven, often downright appalling costumes that make their way into the annals of internet infamy each year are a distinct minority.

E-commerce site search specialists SLI Systems tracked more than 80 million searches across 17 websites selling Halloween costumes between September 1 and October 26. They looked at holiday-specific stores, party purveyors and larger retail chains getting in on the annual action.

The Brands On Sale’s Ebola worker costumes have caused a stir on social media
The Brands On Sale’s Ebola worker costumes have caused a stir on social media (photo Brands On Sale)

Data shows that costume shoppers are seeking far more wholesome options in 2014, with characters from Disney’s mega-hit Frozen the most-searched by a wide margin despite the film being almost a year old.

Online costume retailer Brands On Sale has put on sale its newest Halloween costume, the “Ebola containment suit”.

The $59.99 getup comes with a white, nurse-inspired dress, an “Ebola face shield,” a breathing mask, safety goggles and blue latex gloves. The faux leather yellow boots are sold separately.

“As the deadly Ebola virus trickles its way through the United States, fighting its disease is no reason to compromise style,” the description reads.

“The short dress and chic gas mask will be the talk of Milan, London, Paris, and New York as the world’s fashionistas seek global solutions to hazmat couture.”

The Brands On Sale’s Ebola worker costumes have caused a stir on social media.

Halloween 2014: Top 15 most-searched costumes

Nancy Clayson
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0
Halloween 2014: Top 15 most-searched costumes

E-commerce site search specialists SLI Systems tracked more than 80 million searches across 17 websites selling Halloween costumes between September 1 and October 26.

They looked at holiday-specific stores, party purveyors and larger retail chains getting in on the annual action.

Data shows that costume shoppers are seeking far more wholesome options in 2014, with characters from Disney’s mega-hit Frozen the most-searched by a wide margin despite the film being almost a year old.

Halloween costume shoppers are seeking far more wholesome options in 2014, with characters from Disney’s mega-hit Frozen the most-searched by a wide margin
Halloween costume shoppers are seeking far more wholesome options in 2014, with characters from Disney’s mega-hit Frozen the most-searched by a wide margin

Top 15 most-searched Halloween costumes for 2014:

1. Frozen – 1,192,000 (includes searches Elsa, Olaf & other characters)
2. Zombie – 863,000
3. Ninja – 863,000
4. Pirate – 796,000
5. Clown – 659,000
6. Witch – 588,000
7. Vampire – 565,000
8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles  – 536,000
9. Book of Life – 308,000
10. Flapper – 277,000
11. Batman – 251,000
12. Despicable Me – 233,000
13. Maleficent – 227,000
14. Monster High – 206,000
15. Star Wars – 148,000

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