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Adam Lanza had an obsession with Columbine, says Sandy Hook report

Nancy Clayson
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Adam Lanza had an obsession with Columbine, says Sandy Hook report

Adam Lanza, who killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last year, had “an obsession” with the 1999 Columbine massacre, an official report has found.

Police said there was evidence Adam Lanza, 20, had planned the shooting, which took fewer than 11 minutes.

However, they could not establish why he opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on December 14, 2012, before turning the gun on himself.

The case is now closed, and no charges will be brought, state police said.

While investigators noted Adam Lanza’s obsession with mass shootings, they said there was not enough evidence to understand a motive.

The report also noted Adam Lanza’s “significant mental health issues” – he was diagnosed in 2005 with Asperger syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder not linked to violence – but said “what contribution this made to the shootings, if any, is unknown”.

Adam Lanza killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last year
Adam Lanza killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last year

Stephen Sedensky, the prosecutor who drafted the report, also noted of Adam Lanza: “Despite a fascination with mass shootings and firearms, he displayed no aggressive or threatening tendencies.”

Before gunning down 20 children and six adults with a semi-automatic rifle at Sandy Hook, Adam Lanza shot dead his own mother at the family home.

“The obvious question that remains is: <<Why did the shooter murder twenty-seven people, including twenty children?>> Unfortunately, that question may never be answered conclusively,” Monday’s report said.

It represents just a part of the evidence collected by Connecticut State Police.

A state law passed earlier in the year said some evidence, including certain images or video of the victims, would never be made available to the public.

Police said “a review of electronic evidence or digital media” belonging to Adam Lanza “revealed that the shooter had a preoccupation with mass shootings, in particular the Columbine shootings and a strong interest in firearms”.

Twelve students and a teacher were killed in April 1999 when two teenagers opened fire in a planned attack at Columbine High School in Colorado.

Other documents at Adam Lanza’s home included a spreadsheet with mass murders listing information about each shooting, two videos showing suicide by gunshot and photocopied newspaper articles from 1891 relating to the shooting of schoolchildren.

The report also outlined the timeline of events as state police understands them.

The shooting began shortly after 09:30 when Adam Lanza forced his way into the locked school by shooting through a glass window near the front doors.

The first call to emergency services came at 09:35 and the last shot, believed to be Adam Lanza firing a handgun at himself, came at 09:40. Most of the deceased were killed in two classrooms.

“In fewer than 11 minutes twenty first-grade pupils and six adults had lost their lives,” the report said.

Donna Soto, the mother of Victoria Soto, one of the teachers killed by Adam Lanza, said in a statement that it was still not clear why her daughter and the others died.

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Wayne Mills shot dead in Nashville bar

Lisa.Felice
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Wayne Mills shot dead in Nashville bar

Country singer Wayne Mills has been fatally shot by a Nashville bar owner after the two got into an argument over the musician smoking a cigarette in a no-smoking area, authorities said.

Pit and Barrel owner Chris Ferrell shot Wayne Mills in self-defense around 5 a.m. on Saturday, after the bar had closed, The Tennessean reported.

Wayne Mills, 44, died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Wayne Mills has been fatally shot by a Nashville bar owner after the two got into an argument over the musician smoking a cigarette in a no-smoking area
Wayne Mills has been fatally shot by a Nashville bar owner after the two got into an argument over the musician smoking a cigarette in a no-smoking area

Police spokeswoman Kris Mumford said investigators are looking into Chris Ferrell’s claim of self-defense. She said no arrests have been made. Ferrell had a valid handgun permit.

Wayne Mills, a native of Arab, Alabama, toured with the Wayne Mills Band, which played college towns for more than 15 years. Country music stars Jamey Johnson and Blake Shelton, as well as American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, all opened for the band in their early careers, according to the group’s website.

Wayne Mills graduated from the University of Alabama with an education degree, and also played football for the school, according to the band’s website.

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Baby dinosaur skeleton discovered in Canada

James J. Williams
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Baby dinosaur skeleton discovered in Canada

An intact skeleton of a baby rhinoceros like dinosaur has been unearthed in Canada.

The baby dinosaur was just 3 years old and 5 feet long when it wandered into a river near Alberta and drowned about 70 million years ago. The beast was so well-preserved that some of its skin left impressions in the nearby rock.

The fossil is the smallest intact skeleton ever found from a group of horned, plant-eating dinosaurs known as ceratopsids, a group that includes the iconic Triceratops.

Finding intact baby dinosaurs is incredibly rare.

“The big ones just preserve better: They don’t get eaten, they don’t get destroyed by animals,” said study co-author Philip Currie, a paleobiologist at the University of Alberta. “You always hope you’re going to find something small and that it will turn out to be a dinosaur.”

Paleontologists had unearthed a few individual bones from smaller ceratopsids in the past. But without intact juvenile skeletons, such bones aren’t very useful, as scientists don’t really know how each bone changes during each stage of the animals’ lives, Philip Currie said.

The team was bone-hunting in Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta when Currie came upon what looked like a turtle shell sticking out from a hillside. Upon closer inspection, the fossil turned out to be a frill, the bony decorative headgear that surrounds the back of the head in ceratopsids.

The baby dinosaur was just 3 years old and 5 feet long when it wandered into a river near Alberta and drowned about 70 million years ago
The baby dinosaur was just 3 years old and 5 feet long when it wandered into a river near Alberta and drowned about 70 million years ago

When the team excavated, they found the fossilized skeleton of a tiny dinosaur they identified as a Chasmosaurus belli, a species commonly found in the area.

Amazingly, almost the entire skeleton was intact, although sometime in the past, a sinkhole had opened up below the beast and the forelimbs had fallen away into an abyss. The fossil was so well-preserved that the tiny, rosette like pattern on its skin was imprinted in the rock below the dinosaur.

Based on its size, the team estimates the dinosaur was about 3 years old – just out of infancy – when it perished.

Like humans, these dinosaurs typically take about 20 years to reach maturity, at which point they have 6.5-foot-long skulls and weigh 3 to 4 tons.

The fossil was found in sediments associated with watery environments and didn’t have any bite marks or trace of injury, so it’s likely the dino toddler likely drowned.

“I think it may have just gotten trapped out of its league in terms of water current,” Philip Currie told LiveScience.

Soon after, the baby dinosaur was buried by sediments and left untouched for millions of years.

Aside from being cute, the new fossil helps paleontologists understand how these plant-eating dinosaurs grew. Paleontologists can then better identify and age the myriad individual bones from juveniles discovered over the years.

Already, the team has learned that Chasmosaur juvenile frills look different from those on adults, and that limb proportions don’t change much as they grow. Predatory theropods such as Tyrannosaurus rex have disproportionately long limbs as juveniles, presumably to keep up with the adults in the pack.

By contrast, “in Chasmosaurians, the proportions are essentially the same, which probably means the adults were probably never moving that fast,” Philip Currie said.

“There was never priority for these animals to run to keep up with the adults.”

Tyler “Flip” Priddy from Street Outlaws committed suicide?

Lisa.Felice
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Tyler “Flip” Priddy from Street Outlaws committed suicide?

Six months after his death, there is no news regarding the death of Tyler “Flip” Priddy of the Discovery Channel’s Street Outlaws.

According to talks in social media sites, Tyler Flip Priddy committed suicide.

However, there is no strong evidence to support this claim.

Six months after his death, there is no news regarding the death of Tyler “Flip” Priddy of the Discovery Channel’s Street Outlaws
Six months after his death, there is no news regarding the death of Tyler “Flip” Priddy of the Discovery Channel’s Street Outlaws

Tyler “Flip” Priddy died on May 28, 2013, at his home in Yukon, Oklahoma at the age of 31.

He is survived by his wife Morgan Amber and children Tovey Gene, Remey J, Dresdyn Rinot and Bennett William Edward.

Tyler “Flip” Priddy was the parts warehouse manager at Warren Caterpillar, where he worked for 10 years. He was a drag racing enthusiast who turned his passion towards reality show Street Outlaws, where he beat out several others to be selected for the show. Street Outlaws, which centers around the underground world of illegal street racing, debuted on Discovery Channel on June 10, 2013.

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Xbox One console has disc drive issues, Microsoft admits

Nancy Clayson
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Xbox One console has disc drive issues, Microsoft admits

Owners of its new Xbox One console are experiencing problems with the disc drive, Microsoft has admitted.

Some users say the drive is making very loud noises when they try to insert a disc and in some cases is not reading discs at all.

Microsoft says only a very small number of users are affected.

The Xbox One was launched on November 22 and sold more than one million units in the first 24 hours.

More than 150 people contacted Kotaku, a gaming news website, claiming their new consoles were faulty. Other users uploaded videos apparently showing the problem to the gaming forum NeoGAF.

Owners of its new Xbox One console are experiencing problems with the disc drive
Owners of its new Xbox One console are experiencing problems with the disc drive

“The issue is affecting a very small number of Xbox One customers,” said Microsoft in a statement.

“We’re working directly with those affected to get a replacement console to them as soon as possible through our advance exchange programme.”

The Xbox One is the first new console from Microsoft in eight years and it broke all previous Xbox first-day sales records when it went on sale last week.

Microsoft said it had now sold out at most retailers and it was working to replenish stock as fast as possible.

This is not the first time Microsoft has experienced problems with the launch of an Xbox console. When the Xbox 360 was launched in 2005 some users reported faults with the hardware which led to three red lights flashing on the front of the device and the console becoming unusable. The problem became known as the “red ring of death”.

The launch of the Xbox One came a week after the US launch of Sony’s PlayStation 4. The two consoles are set to go head-to-head in the crucial Christmas season.

The PS4 also experienced technical issues after its launch with users complaining that a blue light continually flashed on the console affecting its operation and others reporting that sometimes the unit suddenly turned itself off.

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Iran deal: Global oil prices drop and European shares rise

Clyde K. Valle
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Iran deal: Global oil prices drop and European shares rise

Global oil prices dropped and European shares rose in early trading Monday morning after Iran agreed a deal to curb some of its nuclear activities in return for an easing of international sanctions.

Iran holds the world’s fourth-largest oil reserves, but its exports have been hurt by the tough sanctions against it.

Though Iran will not be allowed to increase its oil sales for six months, the deal has eased tensions in the Middle East – a key oil-producing area.

Brent crude fell more than 2% in early Asian trade on Monday.

Global oil prices dropped after Iran agreed the nuclear deal
Global oil prices dropped after Iran agreed the nuclear deal

It dropped by $2.42 to $108.63 per barrel, while US light sweet crude fell 84 cents to $93.64 per barrel.

Fuel-intensive companies, such as airlines and travel firms, received a boost on the stock markets as a result.

International Airlines Group, the owner of British Airways and Iberia, was up 2.87% in lunchtime trading, while Air France KLM rose 3.11%. Travel operator Thomas Cook lifted 3.68%.

World powers suspect Iran’s nuclear programme is secretly aimed at developing a nuclear bomb – a charge Iran has consistently denied.

In an attempt to force Tehran to curb its programme, the US and other leading economies have imposed a series of tough sanctions aimed at Iran’s oil exports – a key driver of its economy.

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Rhodes Scholars 2014: Full list of students

James J. Williams
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Rhodes Scholars 2014: Full list of students

The Rhodes Trust has announced that 32 American students have been named Rhodes Scholars and will enter Oxford University in October 2014.

The winners were selected from 857 applicants endorsed by 327 different colleges and universities. The scholarships, announced early Sunday, provide all expenses for two or three years of study at the prestigious university in England.

Rhodes Scholarships were created in 1902 by the will of British philanthropist Cecil Rhodes. Winners are selected on the basis of high academic achievement, personal integrity, leadership potential and physical vigor, among other attributes.

The value of the scholarships averages about $50,000 per year.

The American students will join an international group of scholars selected from 14 other jurisdictions around the world. Approximately 80 scholars are selected annually.

The 32 American students chosen as Rhodes Scholars for 2014, listed by geographical region:

District 1:

  1. Jessica Wamala, Milford, New Hampshire, Villanova University
  2. Alexander Joel Diaz, North Bergen, New Jersey, Harvard University

District 2:

  1. Elizabeth Hockfield Byrne, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University
  2. Katherine Elida Warren, Bainbridge Island, Washington, Harvard University

District 3:

  1. Isabel Emma Eggleston Beshar, Rye, New York, Yale University

    The Rhodes Trust has announced that 32 American students have been named Rhodes Scholars and will enter Oxford University in October 2014
    The Rhodes Trust has announced that 32 American students have been named Rhodes Scholars and will enter Oxford University in October 2014
  2. Paolo Poggioni Singer, Bronx, New York, Harvard University

District 4:

  1. Evan Barrett Behrle, Oxford, Pennsylvania, University of Virginia
  2. Alexander Gerard Wang, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, New York University, Abu Dhabi

District 5:

  1. Timothy Michael McGinnis, Charlotte, North Carolina, Princeton University
  2. Charles Samuel Tyson, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University of Virginia

District 6:

  1. Brian Westfall McGrail, Arlington, Virginia, Williams College
  2. Emma Pierson, Arlington, Virginia, Stanford University

District 7:

  1. James O’Connell, Tampa, Florida, Wake Forest University
  2. Lindsay Evans Lee, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

District 8:

  1. Melissa Loreice McCoy, Dallas, Texas, Georgia Institute of Technology
  2. John Mikhael, Dallas, Texas, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

District 9:

  1. Adam Mastroianni, Monroeville, Ohio, Princeton University
  2. Courtney Wittekind, Mason, Ohio, Carnegie Mellon University

District 10:

  1. Vinay Nayak, Oak Brook, Illinois, Yale University
  2. Calla Glavin, Birmingham, Michigan, US Military Academy

District 11:

  1. Drew Alan Birrenkott, McFarland, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin
  2. Samuel Martin Greene, Spring Green, Wisconsin, University of Chicago

District 12:

  1. Donald Mayfield Brown, Vicksburg, Mississippi, Mississippi State University
  2. Joshua Allen Aiken, Eugene, Oregon, Washington University, St. Louis

District 13:

  1. Meredith Lukens Wheeler, Fort Collins, Colorado, Stanford University
  2. Erin Alexandra Tanith Mauldin, Albuquerque, New Mexico, US Military Academy

District 14:

  1. Suzanna Marie Fritzberg, Lake Forest Park, Washington, Yale University
  2. Andrew Scott Lea, Richland, Washington, Harvard University

District 15:

  1. Miles William Unterreiner, Santa Barbara, California, Stanford University
  2. Clarke Knight, Henderson, Nevada, Smith College

District 16:

  1. Aurora Catherine Griffin, Westlake Village, California, Harvard University
  2. Zarko Perovic, San Diego, California, University of California, Berkeley

Sandy Hook shooting report to be released

Nancy Clayson
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Sandy Hook shooting report to be released

Connecticut prosecutors said they are about to release the long-awaited report on their investigation over the Sandy Hook mass shooting.

However, the public will have to keep waiting for the full police report on the Newtown elementary school massacre.

The report on the December 14, 2012, shooting, in which 20-year-old Adam Lanza took the lives of 20 first graders, six school staffers and his mother before turning the gun on himself, was supposed to be released in June, then was pushed back to the fall.

The Office of the State’s Attorney for Danbury now says it will publish the summary report Monday afternoon on the state’s Division of Criminal Justice website, www.ct.gov/csao.

Connecticut prosecutors said they are about to release the long-awaited report on their investigation over the Sandy Hook mass shooting
Connecticut prosecutors said they are about to release the long-awaited report on their investigation over the Sandy Hook mass shooting

Mark Dupuis, a spokesman for Danbury State’s Attorney Stephen Sedensky III, declined to say whether the report has been shared with the families of those who died in the shooting, but he said his office is aware of families’ concerns and has taken steps to address those concerns.

The summary report to be released Monday will not include the full state police report on the shooting, which is expected to run thousands of pages. No date has yet been set for the release of the full police report, and some evidence from the state’s investigation will never be made available to the public.

A state law passed after the massacre exempts certain records of a homicide, including photos and film, from freedom-of-information requests from the press and the public if the records are believed to invade the privacy of survivors.

In advance of the summary report being issued, the interim superintendent of schools in Newtown has reached out to parents and sent a letter to ensure they’re prepared.

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Black Friday 2013: 5 tips for scoring great bargains

Nancy Clayson
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Black Friday 2013: 5 tips for scoring great bargains

1. Start tracking store sales in advance. Follow your favorite retailers on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest before Black Friday. Not only will they reveal details about sales before they happen, many stores will also offer exclusive discounts on those sites. In the past, stores like RadioShack have offered savings to shoppers who “checked in” with the brand on Foursquare, a common smartphone app.

2. Shop online in the wee hours of Thanksgiving. Many sellers activate their online deals the day before -typically between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. ET on Thursday morning. So if you have your eye on a particular product or store, look early that morning to see if the savings are live yet. Any sale will usually hold through Friday. True, prices may go lower on Cyber Monday. But the odds of finding a good price are in your favor.

Focus on only Black Friday’s best bargains so you're not tempted to buy in the heat of the moment
Focus on only Black Friday’s best bargains so you’re not tempted to buy in the heat of the moment

3. On Black Friday, start online. The prices on Friday can be awesome, but about 70% of Black Friday deals are also available online, and 78% of them come with a free shipping offer, according to research from DealNews.com. Check just after midnight on Friday morning for new deals that didn’t go live on Thursday. Bonus: If an online retailer doesn’t have a physical store in your state, you may not have to pay sales tax.

4. Go for electronics. If you have a Blu-ray player or smartphone in mind, Black Friday is the day to shop, both online and in-store, according to experts. In past years, Apple has discounted iPads, iPods and other tech by 10% to 15% on Black Friday. Television prices will be at their lowest, too. In general, the best deal will be on an off-brand flat-screen, which is often discounted more deeply than a brand like Samsung.

5. Wait for Cyber Monday to purchase clothing. If you want a new outfit, hold off until Cyber Monday. Soft goods like cosmetics, shoes and apparel carry bigger discounts that day because retailers don’t want to compete with Friday’s giant tech bargains (a $5 shirt may not impress you when it’s next to a $200 TV). Last year Eddie Bauer gave 40% off on Cyber Monday, versus 30% on Black Friday. Also look for great travel deals on Monday.

American Music Awards 2013: Lady Gaga arrives on top of white horse on red carpet

Lisa.Felice
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American Music Awards 2013: Lady Gaga arrives on top of white horse on red carpet

Lady Gaga arrived on the red carpet at the 2013 American Music Awards on top of a fake white horse, which was operated by two people.

The singer was dressed in a lavender Versace gown after she was named the face of the fashion house.

Lady Gaga arrived on the red carpet at the 2013 American Music Awards on top of a fake white horse
Lady Gaga arrived on the red carpet at the 2013 American Music Awards on top of a fake white horse

Speaking of her dramatic entrance at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, 27-year-old Lady Gaga told E!’s Giuliana Rancic: “So much of ARTPOP is an infusion of disco.”

“It’s very Bianca Jagger arriving at Studio 54 on her white horse.”

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American Music Awards 2013: Taylor Swift wins four prizes

Sonia Pantiss
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American Music Awards 2013: Taylor Swift wins four prizes

Taylor Swift was the biggest winner at the American Music Awards 2013 in Los Angeles last night, winning four prizes.

Taylor Swift, 23, has been awarded with artist of the year, favorite pop/rock female artist, favorite country album and favorite female country artist.

Justin Timberlake picked up three awards including favorite soul and R&B male, while One Direction collected two prizes including best pop/rock group.

Katy Perry, Jenifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga were among the performers at the show in Los Angeles.

Taylor Swift was the biggest winner at the American Music Awards 2013 in Los Angeles
Taylor Swift was the biggest winner at the American Music Awards 2013 in Los Angeles

Taylor Swift beat Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Bruno Mars and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis to win artist of the year for the third time, the most times an artist has won the category.

After picking up her fourth and final award for best country album for Red, the singer said: “This validates that if you voted for this, that we are heartbroken in the same way and we fall in love the same way and we’re happy in the same way, and if you listen to this, we’re on the same page … we’re pretty much in it together.”

Taylor Swift was also on hand to give out an award.

Rapper 2 Chainz, Kelly Osbourne and Fall Out Boy were among the other presenters at the 41st edition of the event.

Hip-hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, who led the nominations with six nods, came away with two wins for favorite rap/hip-hop artist and favorite rap/hip-hop album for The Heist.

Rihanna appeared on stage with her mother to pick up the icon award.

The Bajan singer also performed on the night.

Ariana Grande was given the best new artist award and Avicii beat off Calvin Harris, Daft Punk and Zedd to win the favorite electronic dance music artist award.

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American Music Awards 2013: Winners full list

Sonia Pantiss
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American Music Awards 2013: Winners full list

2013 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS: Full List Of  Winners

Favorite Male Artist, Pop/Rock – Justin Timberlake

Favorite Female Artist, Soul/R&B – Rihanna

Favorite Album, Country – Taylor Swift/Red

Favorite Album, Rap/Hip-Hop – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis/The Heist

Favorite Artist, Alternative Rock– Imagine Dragons

Favorite Artist, Latin – Marc Anthony

Favorite Album, Pop/Rock – One Direction/Take Me Home

One Direction’s red carpet appearance at the American Music Awards 2013 in Los Angeles
One Direction’s red carpet appearance at the American Music Awards 2013 in Los Angeles

New Artist of the Year – Ariana Grande

Favorite Male Artist, Soul/R&B – Justin Timberlake

Favorite Female Artist, Country -Taylor Swift

Single of the Year –Cruise by Florida Georgia Line, featuring Nelly

Favorite Album, Soul/R&B – Justin Timberlake/The 20/20 Experience

Favorite Artist, Electronic Dance Music – Avicii

Favorite Male Artist, Country -Luke Bryan

Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Pop/Rock– One Direction

Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift

Favorite Female Artist, Pop or Rock – Taylor Swift

Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Country – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Favorite Artist, Adult Contemporary – Maroon 5

Favorite Artist, Contemporary Inspirational – Matthew West

Top Soundtrack – Pitch Perfect

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Thanksgiving travel 2013: Deadly storm heading toward East Coast

Nancy Clayson
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Thanksgiving travel 2013: Deadly storm heading toward East Coast

A deadly wintry storm heading toward East Coast threatens Thanksgiving travel plans for millions of Americans.

The storm threatens to dump snow on inland regions of several Northeast states on the eve of the holiday, a meteorologist said Monday.

The weather system has already heaped up to a foot of snow in the mountain regions of Utah and Colorado, and claimed 13 lives including a 4-year-old girl killed in a rollover smash on icy roads in New Mexico.

A deadly wintry storm heading toward East Coast threatens Thanksgiving travel plans for millions of Americans
A deadly wintry storm heading toward East Coast threatens Thanksgiving travel plans for millions of Americans

With the storm gathering pace and moving northeast, the 43 million people who are expected to travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving were warned to avoid driving during the worst conditions slated for Tuesday and Wednesday, said Kevin Roth, lead meteorologist at The Weather Channel.

Three million of these travelers expected to fly, and there is also a good chance flights could be delayed leaving from airports in New York, Boston, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.

Kevin Roth said this was due to forecast low cloud and high wind, however, rather than ice or snow.

Some 300 flights were canceled at DFW International Airport across Saturday and Sunday, with officials there anticipating icy conditions.

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EU sanctions against Iran could be lifted in December

Roy Siemens
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EU sanctions against Iran could be lifted in December

Some of the EU sanctions on Iran could be lifted as early as next month, as part of a nuclear deal with world powers, France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says.

Laurent Fabius was speaking after crowds in Tehran cheered negotiators who had agreed to curb some of Iran’s nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief.

The six-month interim deal agreed in Geneva prompted a fall in oil prices on markets on Monday.

Meanwhile, Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu has warned the agreement is a “historic mistake”.

President Barack Obama phoned Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the deal on Sunday. He told the Israeli leader he understood Israel “has good reason to be skeptical about Iran’s intentions” and promised to consult its ally closely, the White House said.

Some of the EU sanctions on Iran could be lifted as early as next month, as part of a nuclear deal with world powers
Some of the EU sanctions on Iran could be lifted as early as next month, as part of a nuclear deal with world powers

Laurent Fabius told French radio on Monday that “Iran is committed to giving up the prospect of nuclear weapons. It’s perfectly clear”.

However, the French foreign minister insisted that the temporary deal could be reversed if its terms were not adhered to: “As long as some things remained to be settled, nothing is settled.”

EU foreign ministers would meet “in a few weeks” to put forward a proposal partially to lift some sanctions on Iran, which the 28-member bloc would then have to approve. The limited lifting of sanctions would take place “in December”, he added.

France, the UK and Germany, the US, Russia and China took part in the talks with Iran, hosted by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

Under the deal which will last six months, Iran would receive some $7 billion in “limited, temporary, targeted, and reversible [sanctions] relief” while a permanent agreement is sought.

In return, Tehran has agreed to a series of measures surrounding its nuclear programme.

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Disputed islands: Japan describes China’s air defense identification zone as dangerous

Diane A. Wade
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Disputed islands: Japan describes China’s air defense identification zone as dangerous

Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe has described China’s move to create a new “air defense identification zone” over disputed waters as “dangerous”.

China’s action had “no validity whatsoever on Japan”, Shinzo Abe added.

China has voiced anger at Japanese and US objections to the new air zone, and lodged complaints with their embassies.

The zone covers disputed islands that are claimed and controlled by Japan. China says aircraft entering the zone must obey its rules.

Shinzo Abe told parliament on Monday that the zone “can invite an unexpected occurrence and it is a very dangerous thing as well”.

“We demand China revoke any measures that could infringe upon the freedom of flight in international airspace,” he added.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has called the move a “destabilizing attempt to alter the status quo in the region”.

“This unilateral action increases the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculations,” Chuck Hagel said in a statement.

“This announcement by the People’s Republic of China will not in any way change how the United States conducts military operations in the region,” he added.

Japan described China’s move as an “escalation” on Saturday, after China announced the new zone.

On Sunday, Yang Yujun, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defense, said Japan’s reaction was “absolutely groundless and unacceptable”.

The disputed islands in the East China Sea have been a source of tension between China and Japan for decades
The disputed islands in the East China Sea have been a source of tension between China and Japan for decades

“We strongly require the Japanese side to stop all moves that undermine China’s territorial sovereignty as well as irresponsible remarks that misguide international opinions and create regional tensions,” Yang Yujun said.

He also demanded that the US “earnestly respect China’s national security [and] stop making irresponsible remarks for China’s setup of the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone”.

Meanwhile, South Korea said it found it “regretful” that China’s new zone partly overlapped with its own military air zone, and covered Ieodo, a submerged rock claimed by Seoul.

“I’d like to say once again that we have unchanging territorial control over Ieodo,” Kim Min-seok, a South Korean defense ministry spokesman, said on Monday.

Taiwan also claims the Japan-controlled disputed islands known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Taiwan said that it would “defend its sovereignty over the archipelago.”

China said the air defense zone came into effect from 10:00 local time on Saturday.

Aircraft in the zone must report a flight plan, “maintain two-way radio communications” and “respond in a timely and accurate manner” to identification inquiries, China’s Defense Ministry said.

Aircraft that did not follow such rules would be subject to “defensive emergency measures”, the ministry added.

The disputed islands in the East China Sea have been a source of tension between China and Japan for decades.

In 2012, the Japanese government bought three of the islands from their private Japanese owner, sparking mass protests in Chinese cities.

Since then, Chinese ships have repeatedly sailed in and out of what Japan says are its territorial waters.

China said that any attempt by Japan to shoot down Chinese aircraft would constitute “an act of war”.

China is also engaged in territorial disputes with several South East Asian countries, including Vietnam and the Philippines. The disputes centre around ocean areas and two island chains in the South China Sea.

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Hunger Games: Catching Fire tops US box office with $161 million

Sonia Pantiss
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Hunger Games: Catching Fire tops US box office with $161 million

Hunger Games: Catching Fire has topped the US box office chart this weekend with takings of $161 million.

The Hunger Games sequel narrowly failed to become the biggest opener of the year, falling short of Iron Man 3‘s debut of $174 million.

However, Hunger Games: Catching Fire, starring Jennifer Lawrence, did achieve the most successful November opening of all time.

Its performance dominated cinema-going in North America, with nearest rival Thor taking in a mere $14.1 million.

The only other new entry, Disney comedy Delivery Man, starring Vince Vaughn, had to settled for fourth place and box office returns of $8.2 million.

Catching Fire managed the fourth biggest US opening of all time, behind The Avengers, Iron Man 3 and Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part II.

More complicated box office marketing in recent years has boosted box office returns, with higher-priced Imax and 3D tickets and early Thursday night screenings being taken into account.

Catching Fire earned 8% of its first weekend takings from higher priced Imax tickets.

Hunger Games: Catching Fire has topped the US box office chart this weekend with takings of $161 million
Hunger Games: Catching Fire has topped the US box office chart this weekend with takings of $161 million

The second outing of the Hunger Games franchise had a more lavish budget, outperforming the first film in its first week at cinemas, and appealing to a wider audience.

The first film, released last year, took $152 million in its opening weekend.

The latest film is based on Suzanne Collins’ trilogy of dystopian novels where young people fight one another to the death on live television.

North American box office Top 5:

1. Hunger Games: Catching Fire – $161 million

2. Thor: The Dark World – $14.1 million

3. The Best Man Holiday – $12.5 million

4. Delivery Man – $8.2 million

5. Free Birds – $5.3 million

Source: Hollywood.com

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Mount Sinabung volcano alert raised to highest level in Indonesia

James J. Williams
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Mount Sinabung volcano alert raised to highest level in Indonesia

Indonesia has raised the alert for the Mount Sinabung volcano in North Sumatra to the highest level.

The status was raised from “stand-by” to “caution” – the highest alert for volcanic activity – on Sunday.

People have also been warned to stay at least 3 miles from the crater.

Mount Sinabung has been showing signs of life since September, after being dormant for three years. Over the weekend, it shot ash and rocks far into the air, prompting the alert move.

More than 15,000 villagers in the area had already been moved to temporary shelters, disaster management officials said in a statement.

Indonesia has raised the alert for the Mount Sinabung volcano in North Sumatra to the highest level
Indonesia has raised the alert for the Mount Sinabung volcano in North Sumatra to the highest level

Airlines have also been advised not to fly near the area.

The disaster management agency said they had changed the alert level because they anticipated there would “more eruptions and because the intensity of eruptions has been increasing”.

A local official told Agence-France Presse agency that “loud thunderous sound and vibrations” accompanied the eruptions.

No casualties have been reported so far.

When the volcano last erupted in 2010, at least two people were killed and 30,000 others were displaced.

Before 2010, Mount Sinabung had not erupted in 400 years. It is one of around 130 active volcanoes in the country.

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Bangkok protests: Tens of thousands of Thai demonstrators ask PM Yingluck Shinawatra to step down

Diane A. Wade
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Bangkok protests: Tens of thousands of Thai demonstrators ask PM Yingluck Shinawatra to step down

Tens of thousands of protesters marched on Bangkok streets for a second day of anti-government demonstrations in Thailand, forcing their way into the finance ministry.

The protesters, who began their action over the weekend, want the government of PM Yingluck Shinawatra to step down.

After a huge rally on Sunday, crowds marched on Monday to several different locations in the city.

The protests have been triggered by a controversial political amnesty bill.

The legislation, which the opposition say would have allowed ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra – the current prime minister’s brother – to return to Thailand without serving a jail sentence for corruption, failed to pass in the Senate earlier this month.

But the proposed legislation led to a fresh outbreak of street protests, reigniting simmering political divisions and raising the specter of renewed political turmoil in the South East Asian nation.

On Monday the anti-government protesters, who are led by a former opposition Democratic Party lawmaker, marched to state offices, military headquarters and television stations.

Campaign leader Suthep Thaugsuban had said the protest would be peaceful, with crowds “blowing whistles and handing out flowers”.

But at the finance ministry, a group of around 40 people swarmed into the compound.

Tens of thousands of protesters marched on Bangkok streets for a second day of anti-government demonstrations in Thailand
Tens of thousands of protesters marched on Bangkok streets for a second day of anti-government demonstrations in Thailand

“Tomorrow [Tuesday] we will seize all ministries to show to the Thaksin system that they have no legitimacy to run the country,” AFP news agency quoted Suthep Thaugsuban as saying.

Sunday’s demonstration drew an estimated 100,000 people, who called on the government to step down.

“We have stood by silently while her [PM Yingluck Shinawatra’s] brother calls the shots and she runs the country into the ground with loss-making policies,” Reuters news agency quoted protester Suwang Ruangchai, 54, as saying.

About 40,000 government supporters held a separate rally in another part of the capital on Sunday.

Thailand has been bitterly divided since Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup in 2006.

Groups opposed to him occupied Bangkok’s main airport in 2008, shutting it down. Then in 2010, those who backed him and his allies held two months of street protests that paralyzed Bangkok.

Those demonstrations ended in a military crackdown. More than 90 people – mostly civilian protesters – died over the course of the two-month sit-in.

A government led by Thaksin Shinawatra’s sister was subsequently elected and since then Thailand has remained relatively politically stable.

But the opposition accuses Thaksin Shinawatra of running the government from self-imposed exile overseas, and the now-shelved amnesty bill has served as a spark for renewed protests.

The bill applied to offences committed during the upheaval after Thaksin Shinawatra was removed from office. Yingluck Shinawatra’s government had argued that the legislation was a necessary step towards reconciliation.

But critics said it would allow human rights abuses – such as the killing of civilian protesters – to go unpunished.

And the opposition viewed it as a way of overturning the jail sentence given to Thaksin Shinawatra, paving the way for his return.

Thaksin Shinawatra is a deeply polarizing figure in Thai politics. He drew huge support from Thailand’s rural poor but strong opposition from other sectors in society, and the divisions dating from the 2006 coup continue to dominate the political landscape.

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Honduras presidential election 2013: Xiomara Castro and Juan Orlando Hernandez both claim victory

Diane A. Wade
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Honduras presidential election 2013: Xiomara Castro and Juan Orlando Hernandez both claim victory

Both main candidates in the presidential election in Honduras are claiming victory.

With 42% of votes declared, the conservative Juan Orlando Hernandez leads with 34.15%, while Xiomara Castro has 28.45%, say election officials.

However, Xiomara Castro, wife of ousted ex-president Manuel Zelaya, has announced to reporters that she has won.

Turn-out was high in Honduras, with millions voting for a new president, members of parliament and local mayors.

Voting took place amid tight security, but no serious incidents were reported in Honduras, which has the highest murder rate in the world.

Polling was extended for one hour due to a big turn-out.

“Thank God and thank you to the Honduran people for this triumph,” posted Juan Orlando Hernandez on his Twitter page, at that stage with 24% of votes declared.

Xiomara Castro also used her Twitter account to announce that she had won: “Based on the exit poll results that I have received from the whole country, I can tell you: I am the president of Honduras.”

Both main candidates in the presidential election in Honduras are claiming victory
Both main candidates in the presidential election in Honduras are claiming victory

She is bidding to become the first female president of Honduras

“Today, we can say that we have won,” Xiomara Castro told reporters.

David Matamoros, president of the electoral court, said final results were not expected until early Monday.

“The preliminary results we have given so far do not show any tendency or declare any winner,” he said.

Opinions polls had pointed to a close race between Xiomara Castro and Juan Orlando Hernandez, the two leading candidates in the presidential race.

Juan Orlando Hernandez, whose National Party backed the military coup in 2009 against Manuel Zelaya, has vowed to restore order with more soldiers and police on the streets.

Xiomara Castro has proposed a community police force to tackle local crime, with more soldiers deployed to the borders to combat drug trafficking.

Around 5.4 million Hondurans were registered to vote and authorities say there was a “massive turn-out”.

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. It also has the world’s highest murder rate, averaging 20 a day.

Much of the violence is blamed on gang violence and drug traffickers.

A margin of just one vote is needed for a win – there is no run-off election.

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Christmas lights world record set by Richards family in Canberra

Nancy Clayson
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Christmas lights world record set by Richards family in Canberra

David Richards and his family have put up 502,165 Christmas lights around their home in Canberra, setting a new world record.

The Australian family set the record for the most Christmas lights on a residential property, Guinness World Records confirmed.

David Richards told reporters he had started working on the display in October.

The family first held the world record in 2011, before losing the title to a family in New York.

David Richards and his family have put up 502,165 Christmas lights around their home in Canberra, setting a new world record
David Richards and his family have put up 502,165 Christmas lights around their home in Canberra, setting a new world record

The Richards family had put up 331,038 Christmas lights in 2011.

“I took a week off in [the] October school holidays and then have worked every weekend since,” David Richards said.

“I have always loved Christmas. Having the Christmas lights with the community coming in and sharing it is a time when you get to know people you probably should know better,” he added.

David Richards did not rule out doing this again in the future, but said he would need a generator to get any more electricity for his home, AP news agency reported.

The Richards family will open the display to visitors in the coming weeks, to raise money for a children’s charity.

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St. Peter’s bones on public display at Vatican

Diane A. Wade
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St. Peter’s bones on public display at Vatican

Pope Francis has decided to put on public display nine tiny fragments of bone which may belong to St Peter, the world’s first Pope.

The fragments were placed in a case on the altar during an open air mass in St Peter’s Square.

The bones reputed to be of St Peter were held aloft by Pope Francis at mass on Sunday – the first time the relics have ever been shown to the public.

Discovered during the excavation of tombs under St Peter’s Basilica in the 1940s, the alleged bones of the saint and apostle who lived 2,000 years ago – and who is considered the first pope – have always been stored in the chapel of the papal apartment.

But to mark the end of the Vatican’s Year of Faith, during which 8.5 million people have visited St Peter’s tomb, the bronze box containing the fragments was brought into St Peter’s Square for an open air mass on Sunday.

Placed on the altar, the box was opened, revealing the fragments – each measuring about an inch long – laid on an ivory base and held down with wire. Pope Francis first wafted incense towards the bones, then held the box aloft during the mass, although he did not refer to them.

The Catholic Church has long been undecided on whether the bones are truly those of St Peter, even though, in 1968 archeologist Margherita Guarducci persuaded Pope Paul VI to say the bones had been “identified in a way we can hold to be convincing”.

Pope Francis has decided to put on public display nine tiny fragments of bone which may belong to St Peter, the world's first Pope
Pope Francis has decided to put on public display nine tiny fragments of bone which may belong to St Peter, the world’s first Pope

Prof. Margherita Guarducci had noticed Greek graffiti near the excavated tomb graffiti that she translated as “Peter is here”, while tests on the bones showed they came from a man in his 60s. But her conclusion was rejected by fellow experts involved in the dig.

A Latin inscription on the outside of the bronze box in which the bones are contained states they are “considered” to be St Peter’s.

Ahead of the unveiling, archbishop Rino Fisichella, the head of the pontifical council for the promotion of new evangelization, said the relics were merely “traditionally recognized” as belonging to Saint Peter.

“It has finally been decided to produce the bones for the public, but these relics have a low profile at the Vatican,” said Marco Ansaldo, a Vatican expert at Italy’s La Repubblica.

“It seems clear the Vatican is not yet sure about the relics and is therefore rather embarrassed” he added.

The Vatican also has an ambivalent view of the Turin Shroud, the length of cloth bearing the image of a man, which was reputedly used to wrap the corpse of Christ. Without confirming if they believe the shroud is genuine, Vatican officials say it has earned its role as an object of veneration.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said that producing the bones on Sunday was “a way to feel spiritually close to the story of the tomb and of the apostle. There is a serious possibility they are St Peter’s bones, but we don’t go beyond that”.

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Thanksgiving travel 2013: Weather forecast

Nancy Clayson
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Thanksgiving travel 2013: Weather forecast

A wintry storm, which started in the Southwest on Thursday, could affect a good chunk of the country by the time its westward march comes to an end.

The storm making its way through New Mexico and Texas, with the possibility of advancing to the Northeast and hindering holiday travel plans along the way.

The inconveniently-timed storm will especially be a concern for the 43 million people who are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA.

Three million of those are slated to fly to their destinations, AAA predicted.

The “Nordic outbreak” will “produce a mixed bag of wily weather that will end up impacting much of the nation,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Harris.

More than a foot of snow was reported on Sunday in many mountain regions of Utah and Colorado, but the greatest accumulation reached almost four feet in Abajo Peak in southeast Utah, according to the Weather Channel. Even Flagstaff, Ariz. has seen 6 inches of snow since the storm started Thursday night, according to AZ Central.

On Sunday, most of New Mexico and Texas and parts of Oklahoma were placed under National Weather Service winter storm warnings until Monday.

In New Mexico, forecasters predicted 5 inches of snow and temperatures as low as 20. The snow that began late Saturday, paired with the freezing temperatures, created dangerous driving conditions, and many roads were closed.

The icy roads there led to a rollover accident that killed a 4-year-old girl, State Police Sergeant Emmanuel Gutierrez said.

The inconveniently-timed storm will especially be a concern for the 43 million people who are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the Thanksgiving holiday
The inconveniently-timed storm will especially be a concern for the 43 million people who are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the Thanksgiving holiday

New Mexico NBC affiliate KOB reported strong winds and near white-out conditions late Saturday night along a stretch of I-40, about 80 miles west of Albuquerque.

On Saturday, a storm-related crash involving nearly a dozen vehicles left three dead in the Texas Panhandle.

Three more were killed due to the storm in California, where the storm first hit. A man was killed when he crashed his car into a tree and a woman was killed when a tree collapsed onto her parked car. A third person in California was found dead near power lines that were down due to heavy winds and flooding.

Additional flooding in Arizona swept a man into the Santa Cruz River. Firefighters recovered his body on Friday.

The wild weather system will spread east to Arkansas and northern Louisiana Sunday night into early Monday, according to the Weather Channel.

From there, it will most likely bring heavy rain to the Southeast through Tuesday, according to Weather Channel meteorologist Dr. Tom Niziol.

The storm is expected to dump rain on areas from Atlanta to the Carolinas on Monday and Tuesday then turn to snowfall over Tennessee through West Virginia as it continues to progress Northeast on Wednesday, Tom Niziol said.

Conditions in the Northeast were largely dry Sunday, but the region experienced a cold blast that bought temperatures down to 10 degrees overnight – conditions “considered cold by January standards,” according to the National Weather Service.

The region might see the second waves of the winter storm system on Wednesday, as many last minute travelers attempt to fly or drive long distances.

A blast of cold air from the north could merge with the storm system from the south and lead to snow accumulation in western and northern New England, Pennsylvania and New York, according to the Weather Channel.

In a second possibility, the two systems would not meet, but low pressure could produce snow in main northeast coastal cities.

Whether or not travelers make it to their destinations, the storm will have moved out to sea by Thanksgiving Day, allowing for dry conditions across most of the country, according to the Weather Channel.

Still, the Weather Channel predicts temperatures in the eastern part of the country will be 10 to 20 degrees below average on the holiday.

Thursday morning wind gusts between 20 and 30 mph in the Northeast could have the potential to damper the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, according to AccuWeather.com.

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America’s Thanksgiving Parade 2013

Sonia Pantiss
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America’s Thanksgiving Parade 2013

The 87th annual America’s Thanksgiving Parade in downtown Detroit, Michigan, begins at 8:45 a.m. on November 28.

The parade route runs along Woodward Avenue from Kirby to Congress at Campus Martius. Grandstand seats are available from between $35 to $55 (depending on location and whether breakfast is included). The parade will be broadcast on WDIV-TV and WJR 760 AM from 9 to 10 a.m.

The 87th annual America's Thanksgiving Parade route runs along Woodward Avenue from Kirby to Congress at Campus Martius
The 87th annual America’s Thanksgiving Parade route runs along Woodward Avenue from Kirby to Congress at Campus Martius

This year’s America’s Thanksgiving Parade is made possible through the efforts of over 4500 volunteers.

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McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade 2013: Route and highlights

Sonia Pantiss
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McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade 2013: Route and highlights

The 80th Annual McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade kicks off the season with a fun-filled morning in the heart of Chicago downtown.

From 8 am – 11 am on November 28, watch the colorful procession makes its way up State Street from Congress Parkway to Randolph Street at this free, all-ages event.

Only at the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago you can catch a 50-foot helium turkey balloon float down iconic State Street and Ronald McDonald working the crowd.

Originally called the Christmas Caravan in the 1930s, the parade was created to help lift the spirits of residents suffering though the Great Depression. What started out as an attempt to boost Chicago’s economy has evolved into a full-scale holiday spectacle and cherished tradition for Chicagoans and Americans alike.

The 80th Annual McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade kicks off the season with a fun-filled morning in the heart of Chicago downtown
The 80th Annual McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade kicks off the season with a fun-filled morning in the heart of Chicago downtown

Join the crowd of 400,000 spectators as they line up in the Loop along State Street. At the front, Mr. Ronald McDonald is your honorary grand marshal and he leads a parade of over 100 units, a lively mix of everything from equestrian performers and fire twirlers to ballerinas and soul steppers.

Gaze upward as the skyline fills up with giant inflatable helium balloons. You’ll see a cast of familiar faces from Garfield the Cat outfitted as a pilgrim to Bullwinkle J. Moose looking sharp in his suit.

Wave at the entertainers atop decorative floats. Don’t miss fan favorite Santa Claus as he ushers in the holidays with his trademark red suit, white beard and jolly smile.

On the ground, talented equestrian groups, high school marching bands and specialty units keep the crowd entertained for hours. Catch miniature horses, cowgirls and beautiful Arabians. Marvel at the Samoan Fire Dancers and Jesse White Tumblers. Move to the music with Bolivian dancers, Irish steppers, Taiwanese puppets – even a dancing Chinese dragon.

Topping it all off are incredible staged performances throughout the day within the main stage area between Washington and Randolph Street.

Join Teddy the Turkey, the parade’s official mascot, for Chicago’s annual holiday tradition.

For additional details on the 80th McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade, including the full lineup of performer groups and information on VIP Experience tickets, visit chicagofestivals.org.

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6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade 2013: Star-studded lineup

Sonia Pantiss
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0
6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade 2013: Star-studded lineup

The 94th Annual 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off on Thursday, November 28, at 8:30 a.m. with a half hour preview show followed by three hours of parade action.

Action News’ Rick Williams and Cecily Tynan will co-host the broadcast, with Karen Rogers and Adam Joseph LIVE along the parade route.

Philadelphia Phillies’ first baseman, Ryan Howard, is making his second 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade appearance this year.

Returning for his 6th Philly parade appearance is Good Morning America’s Sam Champion. New this year, Actor/Comedian Cedric The Entertainer of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

Chad Duell and Kristen Alderson of ABC’s General Hospital, join the parade team again this year for the 2013 star-studded lineup.

The 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade is known for having “something for everyone” with 14 balloons, 15 floats 17 marching bands from across our nation, and fan favorites from stage and screen.

The 94th Annual 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off on November 28 with a half hour preview show followed by three hours of parade action
The 94th Annual 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off on November 28 with a half hour preview show followed by three hours of parade action

Music performances include, Radio Disney’s Coco Jones with Holidays Unwrapped’, the cast of Jersey Boys, Debbie Gibson, Jay Sean, Regina Belle, Danielle Bradbery from The Voice, American Idol runner up, Elliott Yamin and Pretty Poison’s Jade Starling.

Additional entertainment will include, Jerry Blavat, Irish Tenor Anthony Kearns, and the cast of Elf.

In attendance especially for young parade-goers will be Walt Disney World’s Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse. Also included will be a special performance from the Sesame Place characters including Elmo, Zoe, Ernie, Bert, Count, Cookie Monster, Grover, Murray, Rosita and Abby. Plus, a parade tradition continues as we feature a special appearance by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

Additional appearances include the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders, Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2014 – Leah Sykes, Miss New Jersey, Miss Delaware, Miss Pennsylvania, Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen, Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen, Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen and The Pennsbury High School Marching Band.

This year’s telecast will feature behind-the-scenes videos and interactive opportunities for viewers. Viewers both in and out of the Philadelphia television market can get a unique viewing experience on 6abc.com, with two live camera options. The first camera will offer a birds-eye view of the entire parade. The second camera will follow Meteorologist Adam Joseph as he traverses the Parkway with the Dunkin’ Donuts Fan Cam. The “Parade Fan Cam” can be seen starting at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving morning on 6abc.com. There, Adam Joseph will be LIVE, giving viewers a unique view of the parade, while uploading photos and chatting with viewers via Twitter and Facebook.

Philadelphia’s most time-honored event is the longest running Thanksgiving Day parade in America.

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