gabomulsy: December 2014

Friday, December 26, 2014

Latest breaking news from Hilton Head & Beaufort, SC | The Island Packet

Key developments in case of NYPD officers Wenjian Liu, Rafael Ramos, slain in their cruiser | Fox News

U.S. Home Crime Terrorism Economy Immigration Disasters Military Education Environment Personal Freedoms Regions Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Email Print Two New York police officers were ambushed Saturday by Ismaaiyl Brinsley after he had made threatening posts online, including a vow to put "wings on pigs" and references to high-profile cases of white police officers killing unarmed black men. After shooting the officers, Brinsley ran into a subway station and committed suicide. The killings of officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos have raised concerns in the already tense nationwide debate surrounding police conduct. Some key developments since the weekend shooting in New York: AMID CALLS FOR RESTRAINT, PROTESTS GO ON Despite calls from New York's governor, the city's mayor and others calling for restraint, hundreds of protesters marched through midtown Manhattan on Tuesday night, with some holding signs saying "Jail Killer Cops." The protesters were mostly peaceful as they wound through the city's bustling shopping district. Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday called for a pause in protests over police conduct. He faces a widening rift with those in a grieving police force who accuse him of creating a climate of mistrust that contributed to the slayings. Security was increased at some police stationhouses in New York as authorities investigated threats made since the shootings, and at least four people were arrested over threats. An 18-year-old who posted a threatening message on his Facebook profile was facing charges of terroristic threats and man who walked into a police precinct and suggested he would punch officers was arrested, authorities said. Two Staten Island residents also were arrested in cases related to threats. Officials said they had assessed hundreds of online postings and calls to emergency lines, initiating about 40 threat probes, with about half of those being closed or referred to other agencies. Police did not detail the threats that prompted Emergency Services Unit officers to provide additional protection at two precincts in Brooklyn, where Liu and Ramos were slain. Landmarks including the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree dimmed their lights from 9 p.m. to 9:05 p.m. Tuesday to honor the slain officers. The mayor and his wife quietly visited the site of the shooting on Tuesday morning, spending several minutes there. De Blasio folded his hands before him and stood with his head bowed. His wife placed flowers among dozens of tributes. Later, de Blasio observed a moment of silence at 2:47 p.m., the time the officers were shot. A wake for Ramos will be held Friday at Christ Tabernacle Church in Glendale, Bratton said. Ramos' family said he was deeply religious and heavily involved in the church. The funeral will be held there Saturday. Vice President Joe Biden said he plans to attend Ramos' funeral. Liu's family is traveling to the U.S. from China and will decide on arrangements after it arrives, Bratton said. Emerging details on Brinsley are clarifying a portrait of him as a mentally disturbed loner. His mother told the Daily News he'd had psychological problems all his life but his family never had any indication he would attack police. Shakuwra Dabre said her 28-year-old son had made suicide attempts starting when he was 13, had been institutionalized and had been on and off antidepressants for years. She says he rebuffed his family's pleas to get help and she last spoke to him in July. She told the newspaper she was "deeply sorry" for what he had done. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. �2014 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. All market data delayed 20 minutes. Privacy - Terms - FAQ

Christmas surprise: Woman gives birth on Philadelphia subway train - CSMonitor.com

Passcode DC Decoder Security Watch Recommended: Are you a Helicopter Parent? Take our quiz Take our quiz Are you a Helicopter Parent? Take our quiz Passcode This is Lizard Squad, the nebulous hacker group now tied to the Sony hack Why one mom of superheroes supports Brad and Angelina's embrace of 'John' Protesters ignore New York mayor, but he could be their best hope Baby Jesus stolen from nativity scene: Harmless prank or hate crime? 'Tis the season for mangling Christmas phrases (+video) Inspired? Here are some ways to make a difference on this issue. Get the Monitor stories you care about delivered to your inbox. Surprise births in 2013 include no less than five babies born at Walmarts, along with first appearances on crowded trains and at least one on a stalled elevator. Parents named her 'Ella,' after elevator. There are few better Christmas gifts than a holiday baby. The parents of one bundle of joy were caught off-guard when their baby boy decided to make his first appearance in the world on an subway train in Philadelphia . By the time two Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority officers arrived at the scene shortly after 6 p.m., the baby was well on his way. So Sgt. Daniel Caban and Officer Darrell James coached the woman through the delivery, unwrapped the umbilical cord from the baby�s neck, and placed the boy in his mothers� arms. "I had already opened all my presents," Sargent Caban told WPVI-TV. "I didn't know I had another one waiting for me around 5:53 this afternoon." In 2013, there were 3.9 million births in the United States , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . For most families, of course, birth is a private affair. However, newborns have been known to surprise their mothers in some unsuspecting places. When that happens, the whole world takes note. Perhaps the most common-told story of unexpected birth is birth by the roadside. This happens enough that one Boston -area mother published the book � En Route Baby : What to Do When Baby Arrives Before Help Does� after she gave birth to her second child in the backseat of her car. The book offers tips to help expecting parents prepare for the unexpected. (Hint: Keep lots of blankets on hand.) In May 2013, a British woman gave birth to a baby girl in the middle of a crowded, rush-hour train. "When we were taken off to go to the ambulance, there were people on the platform who gave us a rapturous round of applause and cheered. Passengers were lining the platform. It was a fantastic reception,� the baby�s father told The Telegraph . Two months later, another British woman gave birth to a baby girl in a stalled elevator, according to The Independent . The paramedics had arrived shortly after the woman went into labor. Mother, father, and three paramedics were trapped in the elevator for 45 minutes before firefighters managed to open the doors of the lift. By that time, little Ella � short for elevator � has pushed her way into the world. In 2013, at least five babies were born in and around Walmart stores in the United States, according to Time.com . Two mothers gave birth in Walmart parking lots, one in the pharmacy, and two others in store bathrooms. In perhaps the most bizarre public birth in recent years, an Indian woman gave birth in the bathroom of a moving passenger train, The Times of India reported in Oct. 2013. The baby somehow slipped through the toilet down onto the tracks. Passengers helped retrieve the baby from the tracks after alerting the conductor to stop the train. Miraculously, the baby was unharmed. This report includes material from The Associated Press.

Devils fire coach Peter DeBoer

Jimmy Hascup , USA TODAY Sports 2:48 p.m. EST December 26, 2014 17 CONNECT 32 TWEET LINKEDIN COMMENT EMAIL MORE USA TODAY Sports' NHL power rankings panel was asked to rank the top 15 NHL stories of 2014. The top stories, plus others that received votes:� Sidney Crosby/Teemu Selanne by USA TODAY Sports; Jean Beliveau mourners by Reuters 17 CONNECT 32 TWEET LINKEDIN COMMENT EMAIL MORE Peter DeBoer went 114-93-41 as the head coach of the New Jersey Devils. (Photo: Bruce Fedyck, USA TODAY Sports) When the New Jersey Devils return from the holiday break, they will be doing so with a new coach. Peter DeBoer has been fired after three-plus seasons behind the bench, general manager Lou Lamoriello confirmed to reporters . A replacement will likely be announced Saturday. TSN was the first to report the firing. New Jersey sits 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 12-17-7 record. DeBoer led the Devils a Stanley Cup appearance in 2012, his first season, but the team has not made the playoffs since. Lamoriello: "I will confirm a coaching change. No comment until tomorrow." http://t.co/7Jrs9Fafzz Overall, the Devils were 114-93-41 during his tenure. In the offseason, Lamoriello attempted to boost an anemic offense by signing Mike Cammalleri and Martin Havlat, but that has hardly helped. The Devils scored just 2.4 goals per game last season and have struggled even more this season, with just 2.11 goals per game. Cammalleri's 11 goals lead the team. The Devils signed goalie Cory Schneider to a long-term extension in July as well. With an 11-16-4 record, 2.51 goals-against average and .917 save percentage, Schneider hasn't lived up to expectations, but he's been the least of the team's issues. Three more mumps cases: Penguins' Steve Downie, Thomas Greiss, Devils' Patrik Elias New Jersey is an old, plodding team that lacks game breakers. It is the oldest team in hockey, averaging over 30, according to stats.nhlnumbers.com . That 42-year-old Jaromir Jagr is tied for the Devils' lead with 20 points underscores the roster's flaws. Four defensemen are 23 or younger, so that group has promise. In recent seasons, the Devils have been hit with the departures of forwards Ilya Kovalchuk (Kontinental Hockey League) and Zach Parise (Minnesota Wild). But Lamoriello hasn't drafted forwards well recently, either. Since the 2004-05 lockout, just one player he drafted has scored at least 20 goals and tallied at least 50 points in a season at the NHL level: Adam Henrique (drafted in 2005). DeBoer is the third coach fired this season. The Ottawa Senators fired Paul MacLean earlier in the month and the Edmonton Oilers fired Dallas Eakins on Dec. 15.

US, Partners Conduct 31 Airstrikes Against ISIS in Iraq, Syria | MyCentralOregon.com

Posted December 26, 2014 | Feature Slider , Local News | No Comments | | �2014 MyCentralOregon.com | Powered by WPB�. Served by InterTech Media LLC Stocktrek Images/Thinkstock (TAMPA, Fla.) � The U.S. military, with help from partner nations, continued its attack against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targets in Iraq and Syria on Friday, launching 31 more airstrikes. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), 13 of the strikes were in Syria, near Kobani. They destroyed three buildings, two staging areas, a vehicle and 19 fighting positions, and hit two large units and four tactical units. Three other airstrikes in Syria destroyed two vehicles and struck a drilling tower near Al Hasakah, and hit a staging area near Ar Raqqah. In Iraq, the remaining 15 airstrikes were spread out between Al Asad, Sinjar, Mosul, Al Qaim, Bayji, Kirkuk and Tal Afar, and destroyed various targets in those areas. CENTCOM said all the airstrike assessments are based on initial reports. mjbs/iStock/Thinkstock(PESHAWAR, Pakistan) � One of the main facilitators of the Peshawar school attack was killed in a gun fight with paramilitary forces on Thursday. According to a Pakistani government official, the man and four other associates were Continue Reading � Stocktrek Images/Thinkstock(TAMPA, Fla.) � The U.S. military, with help from partner nations, continued its attack against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targets in Iraq and Syria on Friday, launching 31 more airstrikes. According to U.S. Continue Reading � iStock/Thinkstock(ROME) � The Vatican announced Friday it has arrested a topless feminist protester who tried to snatch Baby Jesus from the nativity scene in St. Peter�s Square Christmas afternoon. The woman, from the Ukrainian feminist activist group Continue Reading � Fuse/Thinkstock(SYDNEY) � Australia�s Nine News went all out with its Santa Claus coverage on Christmas, saying in a �Breaking News� report that his sleigh and reindeer had been spotted over the city of Darwin. At one point, Continue Reading � Gurinder Osan/Hindustan Times via Getty Images(BANGKOK,Thailand) � It�s been 10 years since an earthquake and tsunami struck multiple countries in Southeast Asia, causing one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. On December 26, 2004, a 9.1 Continue Reading � Bend, Ore. � The Bend Police Department has added extra patrol efforts during the holiday season. These patrols will be primarily focused on impaired drivers. The Bend Police Department has observed an increase in alcohol and drug Continue Reading �

Irish Court Rules Brain-Dead Pregnant Woman May Be Taken Off Life Support - NYTimes.com

Sections Home Search Skip to content Skip to navigation View mobile version News World U.S. Politics New York Business Technology Science Health Sports Education Obituaries Today's Paper Corrections Opinion Today's Opinion Op-Ed Columnists Editorials Contributing Writers Op-Ed Contributors Opinionator Letters Sunday Review Taking Note Room for Debate Public Editor Video: Opinion Arts Today's Arts Art & Design ArtsBeat Books Dance Movies Music N.Y.C. Events Guide Television Theater Video Games Video: Arts Living Automobiles Crosswords Food Education Fashion & Style Health Home & Garden Jobs Magazine N.Y.C. Events Guide Real Estate T Magazine Travel Weddings & Celebrations Listings & More Classifieds Tools & Services Times Topics Public Editor N.Y.C. Events Guide TV Listings Blogs Cartoons Multimedia Photography Video NYT Store Times Journeys Subscribe Manage My Account Subscribe Subscribe Times Premier Home Delivery Digital Subscriptions NYT Opinion Crossword Email Newsletters Alerts Gift Subscriptions Corporate Subscriptions Education Rate Mobile Applications Replica Edition International New York Times DUBLIN � A three-judge panel of the Irish High Court ruled Friday that doctors can turn off life support to a clinically dead pregnant woman, after hearing from legal representatives of the woman�s medical team that her fetus had little chance of surviving. The woman, a mother of two in her 20s, was 15 weeks� pregnant when she was declared dead on Dec. 3 at a hospital in Dublin following what was described as a major brain trauma on Nov. 29. She has been on life support � against her family�s wishes � since then because doctors were uncertain about the legal rights of her fetus. The woman�s name was not released for legal reasons. Describing the case, which has gripped Ireland in recent weeks , as tragic and unfortunate, the panel said that withdrawing life support was in the best interests of the fetus as well as the mother. To continue support, the judges said, would put the fetus in a situation of �a perfect storm from which it has no realistic prospect of emerging alive.� The much-debated Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution provides equal protection for both the mother and the fetus. However, the president of the High Court, Justice Nicholas Kearns, said in an earlier hearing that it was debatable whether it was applicable in this instance because it did not appear to be �an abortion case at all.� �The entire medical evidence in this case goes one way only," Justice Kearns said in a written ruling on Friday, �and that is to establish that the prospects for a successful delivery of a live baby in this case are virtually nonexistent.� Dr. Peter McKenna, the clinical director at the Rotunda maternity hospital in Dublin, which is treating the woman, told the court this week that he understood the reasons for adjudicating the case but that he did not believe there was justification for continuing life support, saying it would be �going from the extreme to the grotesque.� Speaking on behalf of the woman�s family, Dr. Peter Boylan, a leading Irish obstetrician, told the court on the same day that in any other country the woman would be allowed to die with dignity. The Irish health minister, Leo Varadkar, said he would have to study the ruling before commenting on it. Last week, however, Mr. Varadkar told the Irish Parliament that the existing laws giving equal protection to women and fetuses were �too restrictive� and had a �chilling effect� on doctors. He said later that he had the Dublin case in mind when he made the remarks, though it had not been made public. The Irish national health service, known as the Health Service Executive, brought the case on behalf of the doctors who were treating the woman. In a statement after the ruling, the agency said that changes to the Eighth Amendment might be necessary to address similar situations in future. �The particular amendment was not to designed to deal with those types of cases, and certainly at this point, while there is a degree of clarity brought to the matter, guidelines will have to be seriously considered,� said Paul Connors, the national director of communications for the health service, said in the statement.

Mourners gather to remember slain NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos

By Jessica Plautz 2014-12-26 18:00:12 UTC Mashable is a leading source for news, information and resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's record 40 million unique visitors worldwide and 20 million social media followers are one of the most influential and engaged online communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco. Mourners gathered Friday at a church in Queens for the wake of Officer Rafael Ramos of the New York Police Department, who was killed along with his partner in an ambush shooting last week. Ramos, who turned 40 this month, had long been a committed member at the Christ Tabernacle Church, those who knew him said. His funeral is also scheduled there, on Saturday. He joined the NYPD in 2012, after previously working as a school security officer. He was married and left behind two sons, a 13-year-old in middle school and one who attends Bowdoin College in Maine. Several dozen mourners lined up ahead of the wake, as NYPD officers barricaded the area to prepare for the many people who are expected to come pay their respects. Dozens already lining up for this afternoons wake for Officer #Ramos pic.twitter.com/ZYwS0NMXTL � ilana gold (@ilanagoldTV) December 26, 2014 Line starting for Ramos wake. @NYPDnews not allowing friends to speak to media. pic.twitter.com/1LQVurlzDu � John Asbury (@johnasbury) December 26, 2014 #NYPD Officer Ramos's hearse arriving at Christ Tabernacle for his wake. pic.twitter.com/uuZMvktiuj � Adam Janos (@AdamTJanos) December 26, 2014 @NYRogerStern Body of slain NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos arrives for wake. #1010WINS pic.twitter.com/TsPWumZTS0 � NYRogerStern (@NYRogerStern) December 26, 2014 Just after noon, NYPD officers carried Ramos' casket to the church amid complete silence. A video posted by Stacey Sager (@staceysager7) on Dec 12, 2014 at 9:23am PST Officers streaming into wake for fallen #NYPD officer Rafael Ramos pic.twitter.com/vhcSDkzE1C � Dan Linden (@DanLinden) December 26, 2014 NYPD commissioner William Bratton arriving at Ramos' wake. pic.twitter.com/uDu7CSgdVk � John Asbury (@johnasbury) December 26, 2014 Ramos and Officer Wenjian Liu were in their patrol car in Brooklyn last Saturday when they were ambushed and killed. The shooter, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, later killed himself. Investigators say Brinsley was an emotionally disturbed loner, who started off his rampage by shooting an ex-girlfriend in Baltimore. He also posted online threats to police and made references to high-profile cases of unarmed black men killed by white police officers. The Silver Shield Foundation, a charity founded by the late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, has set aside $40,000 for the education of Ramos' sons. Bowdoin College said it would cover the older son's education costs as long as he remains a student there. The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a charity created after 9/11, says it will pay off the home mortgages of the two slain officers. JetBlue offered free flights to police officers around the country who wanted to attend the two New York officers' funerals. Liu's funeral arrangements have yet to be announced. Additional reporting by the Associated Press Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.