Mid Day International News |
- 13 deaths, 1.7 million without power in US after snowstorm
- Man jailed for stabbing mother over an argument
- Pregnant man: No more kids for me
- World welcomes '7 billionth baby'
- Kim Kardashian to file for divorce
- Liz-Shane in Halloween spirit
- Steve Jobs' last words: Oh wow
- BBC prepares for the Queen's death
- Palestine becomes Unesco member; US upset
- South African lesbians becoming victims of barbaric 'corrective rape'
- Boss chased me naked, forced tongue into my mouth, claims woman
| 13 deaths, 1.7 million without power in US after snowstorm Posted: A freak October snowstorm that dropped more than two feet of snow in some places has left close to 1.7 million people in five states in northeastern United States without power for two days Utilities throughout the region reported significant progress in restoring power, but officials Monday warned it could be Friday before power is back on everywhere with cold, snowy conditions and house-by-house nature of the damage slowing work. President Barack Obama signed an emergency declaration for Connecticut Monday, ordering federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts. About a dozen Massachusetts cities have postponed Halloween celebrations, according to CNN. At least 20 Connecticut cities and towns, including the capital city of Hartford, cancelled events or asked parents to wait until later to take their kids trick-or-treating. Some of the heaviest snow fell in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, but snowfall amounts of at least a foot were recorded from West Virginia to Maine. The Berkshire County community of Peru, Massachusetts, received 32 inches of snow during the storm. In Massachusetts, state officials said utility crews had come from as far as Louisiana and Texas to help. Patrick said utility crews had made a 23 percent dent in the number of buildings without power as of Monday morning. But 478,000 people remained without power in Massachusetts Monday evening, according to officials. Elsewhere, about 202,000 customers were without power in Pennsylvania; 116,000 in New Jersey and 127,000 in New York.
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| Man jailed for stabbing mother over an argument Posted: A man in China has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for stabbing his mother nine times following an argument over money in Shanghai, Xinhua reported. But the mother has sought mercy for him The 24-year-old man, surnamed Wang, stabbed his mother March 31 while reuniting with her at the Shanghai's Pudong International Airport after having spent five years in Japan for studies, Xinhua reported. But having survived despite being stabbed so many times, the 52-year-old mother Gu, sought court's mercy for her son. "My son became a victim when our family's financial situation deteriorated," she stated. Gu and her son quarrelled after she expressed her inability to financially support him anymore. As per Gu's brother-in-law, she earned about 80,000 yuan ($12,587) a year by selling clothes. But her son's tuition and living expenses in Japan were at least three times of that. She borrowed from friends and relatives for him. Meanwhile, Wang has been convicted of intentionally injuring another person. The sentence was handed down by the Pudong New Area People's Court after it rejected his plea of insanity.
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| Pregnant man: No more kids for me Posted: 'Pregnant Man' Thomas Beatie has revealed he is calling it quits -- after having three children following a partial sex swap. Beatie -- born Tracy Lagondino -- legally became male in 2002 but did not have his female reproductive organs removed.  Unusual family: Even though Thomas Beatie gave birth to daughter Susan Juliette, Nancy, his wife breastfed her. file pic/getty images He and wife Nancy stunned the world when Thomas became pregnant in 2007. They have since had two more children but have now decided three is enough -- and Thomas (37) is planning on having a hysterectomy. Nancy (48) already has two grown up children. She could not conceive after having a hysterectomy herself when she was younger. But it was she who breastfed Austin, Susan and one-year-old Jensen because Thomas had his breasts removed. He said shortly before Susan was born, "It's been excellent. I feel fantastic. I've been so lucky. I can't believe she's inside me. She's our little miracle. I'm just looking forward to holding her for the first time, to finally get to touch her and see her face." He added, "It was a dream that Nancy and I've had for a long time, to start a family together." During pregnancy, Thomas -- now living in Arizona -- had to stop taking male hormones but now says he never wants to go through it again. He started having testosterone injections in his 20s which gave him facial hair and lowered his voice.
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| World welcomes '7 billionth baby' Posted: United Nations recognises Danica May Camacho from Philippines as one of the world's symbolic seven billionth babies, present her with a special cake Weighing 2.5 kg, Danica May Camacho was delivered just before midnight on Sunday amid an explosion of media flash bulbs in the delivery room at Manila's Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital. "She looks so lovely," the mother, Camille Dalura, whispered softly as she cradled her tiny baby. "I can't believe she is the world's seventh billion."  Tiny Danica Camacho -- the world's 7 billionth resident -- is cuddled by her mother The baby is the second child for Dalura and her partner, Florante Camacho, who quietly stood in a corner wearing a white hospital gown as television crews and photographers crowded to get a shot of his daughter. The parents and the baby were met by top United Nations officials in the Philippines, who presented the child with a small cake.  Doctors tend to tiny Nargis, India's 7 billionth baby, born in Uttar Pradesh There were also gifts from local benefactors including a scholarship grant for the child's study, and a livelihood package to enable the parents to start a general store. Also on hand to witness the landmark event was 12-year-old Lorrize Mae Guevarra, who was declared the world's symbolic six billionth baby in 1999 and is now in the sixth grade. "I am very happy to see this cute baby. I hope like me she will grow up to become healthy and well loved by everyone," Guevarra said.  A Cambodian mother smiles at her new-born baby girl in the city of Sihanoukville. pics/afp Overpopulated The child is one of several in countries around the world being declared a symbolic seven billionth human. It was hoped she would arrive at exactly midnight, but she was delivered two minutes early. Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the arrival of the world's seven billionth baby also presented the Philippines with an opportunity to assess population related issues. According to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) State of the World Population Report, the Philippines is the 12th most populous country in the world with 94.9 million people. China continues to have the biggest share of the population at 1.35 billion, followed by India at 1.24 billion. The report noted that in many parts of the developing world, where population growth outpaces economic growth, reproductive health care remains a crucial issue. UNFPA representative Ugochi Daniels said that while the Philippine population remains young, with people under 25 making up 54 per cent of the total, they needed to be taught proper "life skills" and about sexual issues. She said that while women were having fewer children globally, the overall population continued to go up. "While our world of seven billion represents a complex picture of trends and paradoxes, there are some essential global truths we observe," she said. "Conversely, there is no one global population outlook." Nargis, India's 7 billionth baby A baby girl named Nargis who was born early yesterday in a village in Uttar Pradesh has been declared one of the world's symbolic seven billionth babies. Nargis was born in the village Malliahabad in UP to proud parents Ajay Kumar and Vinita. October 12, 1999 The day the United Nations designated as six billion day. Adnan Mevic in Sarajevo, Bosnia was symbolically called the sixth billion baby
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| Kim Kardashian to file for divorce Posted: After 72 days of marriage, Kim Kardashian reportedly filed for divorce yesterday. The soon-to-be former-Mrs Kris Humphries plans to cite "irreconcilable differences," and has retained a lawyer who has represented Britney Spears, Maria Shriver, and Ryan Reynolds, among other no-longer-coupled celebs.  Headed for splitsville: Kim Kardashian will file for divorce from Kris Humphries citing irreconcilable differences, 72 days after tying the knot. File pic/afp Ryan Seacrest confirmed the news on Twitter saying, "Yes @kimkardashian is filing for divorce this morning. I touched base with her, getting a statement in just a few mins." Rumors have been buzzing for weeks that all is not perfect in the Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries' marriage, and now it seems like it's all over and the next step is divorce. Kim Kardashian has already admitted in print that her freshly minted marriage to Kris is far from "ideal". Kim wed the currently unemployed and partying NBA star in August. While she is working like a dog to get ahead with her lucrative Kardashian branding game Kris just seems to party while the NBA season remains suspended.
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| Posted: Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne didn't bowl anyone over with their choice of Halloween outfits this weekend. The newly-engaged couple dressed as ninjas for the spooky celebration Down Under.  Frightful attempt: Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne were dressed head-to-toe in black. pic/twitter But instead of hiring elaborate costumes, the pair sported every day black clothes with scarves pulled over their faces. The lovers wore the effortless garb to go trick or treating around the Melbourne suburb of Brighton with their kids. Shane seemed pretty excited by his efforts, tweeting his lady before they headed out. He said, "@ElizabethHurley found some swords - let the battle begin. No tears please !"
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| Steve Jobs' last words: Oh wow Posted: Late Apple founder's sister's eulogy reveals how the tech genius spent his final hours telling family he was sorry, describes his last moments Steve Jobs' sister has revealed her brother's last moments and the enigmatic words he uttered before he died. In a touching eulogy at his memorial service on October 16, Mona Simpson described how the Apple founder passed away surrounded by his loved ones.  She told the group of mourners at the Memorial Church of Stanford University that Steve Jobs looked at his wife and children, then beyond them, before uttering, "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow." Describing his death in the eulogy, she said, "Steve's final words were monosyllables, repeated three times. Before embarking, he'd looked at his sister Patty, then for a long time at his children, then at his wife Laurene, and then over their shoulders past them, before saying his final words." His sister recalled that, as he was dying, he seemed to be climbing. "His breath indicated an arduous journey, some steep path, altitude," she said. "Laurene [his wife] next to him on the bed sometimes jerked up when there was a longer pauses between his breaths," she said.  He treasured happiness: Mona Simpson (above) said her brother Steve Jobs loved life and was 'girl-like' when it came to matters of the heart. File pic/getty images She told how he had called her the day before and told her 'hurry up to Palo Alto' and that he was 'sorry, truly deeply sorry, to be leaving us'. Mona, a novelist and a professor of English at the University of California, first met her brother when she was a struggling writer in New York aged 25. Speaking about his work ethic, she said, "He was never embarrassed about working hard, even if the results were failures." The father-of-four was a man who lived for his family and lived for love, she said, describing him as 'girl-like' when it came to matters of the heart. She said, "Love was his supreme virtue, his god of gods. He tracked and worried about the romantic lives of the people working with him. Gates unfazed by Jobs' criticism Microsoft founder Bill Gates has coolly responded to some harsh criticism by Steve Jobs, saying that 'none of it bothers him at all'. According to his biography, Jobs accused Gates of being "unimaginative." But Gates dismissed the rebukes
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| BBC prepares for the Queen's death Posted: BBC journalists are being imparted special training about reporting the Queen's death -- when it happens -- so that any possibility of committing an embarrassing gaffe can be avoided. BBC faced huge criticism in the wake of the Queen Mother's death in 2002 after veteran Peter Sissons went on air in a grey suit and burgundy tie. Staff at the organisation's College Of Journalism have been shown mock videos featuring Huw Edwards announcing that the Queen has passed away.  A BBC source said, "Like all news organisations, the BBC has plans in place. We provide training to ensure staff understand what would be expected." Staff were informed of the change in BBC schedule that will coincide with the Queen's death. Following the announcement about her death, the national anthem will be screened in the backdrop whilst television screens display a picture of the royal. The BBC has instructed reporters to wear dark coloured suits, with the male broadcasters in white shirts and black ties as a mark or respect. The BBC will also suspend all comedy shows across its channels until after the burial. Prince Charles never dressed himself A new expose about the British royal family written by one of its servants reveals that Prince Charles has not once in his 62 years taken out that day's outfit by himself. Instead, he has a team of three guys who do all of that for him. They also iron his shoelaces.
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| Palestine becomes Unesco member; US upset Posted: Palestine Monday became the 195th full-time member of the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). The White House has termed the admission "premature" and threatened to withdraw funds from the UN agency. In a vote at the 193-member UN agency's general conference in Paris, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) got 107 votes for its membership bid, with 14 countries against. A total of 52 countries abstained, Xinhua reported citing a Unesco statement. "Today's (Monday's) vote brings the number of Unesco member states to 195," the UN cultural agency said. South Sudan last week became the 194th member. The voting made Unesco the first UN agency to accept the PNA as a full member since Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas applied for formal UN membership at the UN General Assembly Sep 23. The Security Council will discuss the matter in November. Israel and the US have opposed the Palestinian bid both in the UN General Assembly and the Unesco. The US delegation threatened to withdraw America's share of funds to the Unesco if the Palestinian admission is accepted. The Israeli envoy made the same remarks ahead of the voting. According to the New York Times, Unesco gets 22 percent of its annual budget, about $70 million a year, from the US. Israel's contribution accounts for around three percent of the UN agency's annual budget. Meanwhile, the White House has termed the formal admission of the Palestinian Authority to the Unesco "premature", claiming that the move will undermine the Middle East peace process. "Today's vote at the Unesco to admit the Palestinian Authority as a member is premature and undermines the international community's shared goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East," said White House spokesman Jay Carney. "Today's vote distracts us from our shared goal of direct negotiations that results in a secure Israel and an independent Palestine living side by side in peace and security," Carney was quoted as saying by Xinhua. He reiterated that the US will only support measures that bring the Palestinians and the Israelis closer to direct negotiations, asserting that this is the only way to resolve the differences between the two sides. The Unesco 36th general conference that opened in Paris Oct 25 will end Nov 10.
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| South African lesbians becoming victims of barbaric 'corrective rape' Posted: Life for lesbians in South Africa is increasingly becoming daunting, as they live in fear of barbaric sex attacks dubbed "corrective" rape
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| Boss chased me naked, forced tongue into my mouth, claims woman Posted: A Manhattan woman has claimed that her boss 'chased her around his house naked' and once 'forced his tongue into her mouth'
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