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Man shot and kill 26 at a Connecticut elementary school

NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — A man opened fire Friday inside two classrooms at the Connecticut elementary school where his mother was a teacher, killing 26 people, including 20 children, as youngsters cowered in corners and closets and trembled helplessly to gunshots reverberating through the building.

The 20-year-old killer, carrying two handguns, committed suicide at the school, and another person was found dead at a second scene, bringing the toll to 28, authorities said.

Police shed no light on the motive for the attack. The gunman was believed to suffer from a personality disorder and lived with his mother in Connecticut, said a law enforcement official who was briefed on the investigation but was not authorized to publicly discuss it.

rampage, coming less than two weeks before Christmas, was the nation's second-deadliest school shooting, exceeded only by the Virginia Tech massacre that left 33 people dead in 2007.

Panicked parents looking for their children raced to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, a prosperous community of about 27,000 people 60 miles northeast of New York City. Youngsters at the kindergarten-through-fourth-grade school were told to close their eyes by police as they were led from the building.

Schoolchildren — some crying, others looking frightened — were escorted through a parking lot in a line, hands on each other's shoulders.

"Our hearts are broken today," a tearful President Barack Obama, struggling to maintain composure, said at the White House. He called for "meaningful action" to prevent such shootings.
Youngsters and their parents described teachers locking doors and ordering the children to huddle in the corner or hide in closets when shots echoed through the building. Authorities didn't say exactly how the shootings unfolded.



They also gave no details on the victim discovered at another scene, except to say that the person was an adult found dead by police while they were investigating the gunman.
A law enforcement official identified the gunman as 20-year-old Adam Lanza, the son of a teacher. A second law enforcement official said his mother, Nancy Lanza, was presumed dead.
Adam Lanza's older brother, 24-year-old Ryan, of Hoboken, N.J., was being questioned.

The law enforcement official who said Adam Lanza had a possible personality disorder said Ryan Lanza had been extremely cooperative, was not believed to have any involvement in the rampage and was not under arrest or in custody, but investigators were still searching his computers and phone records. Ryan Lanza told law enforcement he had not been in touch with his brother since about 2010.

All three law enforcement officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record about the unfolding investigation.
The gunman drove to the school in his mother's car, the second official said. Three guns were found — a Glock and a Sig Sauer, both pistols, inside the school, and a .223-caliber rifle in the back of a car.
State police Lt. Paul Vance said 28 people in all were killed, including the gunman, and one person was injured.

Robert Licata said his 6-year-old son was in class when the gunman burst in and shot the teacher.
"That's when my son grabbed a bunch of his friends and ran out the door," he said. "He was very brave. He waited for his friends."
He said the shooter didn't utter a word.
Stephen Delgiadice said his 8-year-old daughter was in the school and heard two big bangs. Teachers told her to get in a corner, he said.


"It's alarming, especially in Newtown, Connecticut, which we always thought was the safest place in America," he said. His daughter was fine.
Mergim Bajraliu, 17, heard the gunshots echo from his home and ran to check on his 9-year-old sister at the school. He said his sister, who was fine, heard a scream come over the intercom at one point. He said teachers were shaking and crying as they came out of the building.
"Everyone was just traumatized," he said.

Mary Pendergast, who lives close to the school, said her 9-year-old nephew was in the school at the time of the shooting, but wasn't hurt after his music teacher helped him take cover in a closet.
Richard Wilford's 7-year-old son, Richie, is in the second grade at the school. His son told him that he heard a noise that "sounded like what he described as cans falling."
The boy told him a teacher went out to check on the noise, came back in, locked the door and had the kids huddle up in the corner until police arrived.

"There's no words," Wilford said. "It's sheer terror, a sense of imminent danger, to get to your child and be there to protect him."
On Friday afternoon, family members were led away from a firehouse that was being used as a staging area, some of them weeping. One man, wearing only a T-shirt without a jacket, put his arms around a woman as they walked down the middle of the street, oblivious to everything around them.
Another woman with tears rolling down her face walked by carrying a car seat with a young infant inside and a bag that appeared to have toys and stuffed animals.

"Evil visited this community today and it's too early to speak of recovery, but each parent, each sibling, each member of the family has to understand that Connecticut — we're all in this together. We'll do whatever we can to overcome this event," Gov. Dannel Malloy said.
Adam Lanza and his mother lived in a well-to-do part of Newtown where neighbors are doctors or hold white-collar positions at companies such as General Electric, Pepsi and IBM.
The shootings instantly brought to mind episodes such as the Columbine High School massacre that killed 15 in 1999 and the July shootings at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., that left 12 dead.

"You go to a movie theater in Aurora and all of a sudden your life is taken," Columbine principal Frank DeAngelis said. "You're at a shopping mall in Portland, Ore., and your life is taken. This morning, when parents kissed their kids goodbye knowing that they are going to be home to celebrate the holiday season coming up, you don't expect this to happen. I think as a society, we need to come together. It has to stop, these senseless deaths."

Obama's comments on the tragedy amounted to one of the most outwardly emotional moments of his presidency.
"The majority of those who died were children — beautiful, little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old," Obama said.
He paused for several seconds to keep his composure as he teared up and wiped an eye. Nearby, two aides cried and held hands as they listened to Obama.
"They had their entire lives ahead of them — birthdays, graduations, wedding, kids of their own," Obama continued about the victims. "Among the fallen were also teachers, men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children."
___

Associated Press writers Jim Fitzgerald and Pat Eaton-Robb in Newtown, Samantha Henry in Newark, N.J., Pete Yost in Washington and Michael Melia in Hartford contributed to this report

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Prisoner plotted to kill Justin Bieber

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (AP) — An imprisoned man whose infatuation with Justin Bieber included a tattoo of the pop star on his leg has told investigators in New Mexico he hatched a plot to kill the singer, according to documents recently filed in a New Mexico court.

An affidavit filed in Las Cruces said Dana Martin told investigators he persuaded a man he met in prison and the man's nephew to kill Bieber, along with Bieber's personal bodyguard and two others not connected to the pop star.

The plot contained several gruesome details. Investigators say the plotters wanted to castrate two of the victims with hedge clippers before traveling to New York City to find Bieber. The targets of the castration plot were not connected to Bieber, authorities say, and it doesn't appear that the pop singer was ever in immediate danger of falling victim to the plot.

Martin, a Vermont man who is serving two life sentences for the 2000 killing of a 15-year-old girl, said he was angry at Bieber because he didn't respond to any of his letters. "This perceived slight made Mr Martin upset and that, coupled with Mr Martin's perception of being a `nobody' in prison, led him to begin plotting the kidnap and murder of Victim 3," court documents said.

Martin told investigators that Mark Staake,41, and Tanner D. Ruane,23, headed from New Mexico to the East Coast, planning to be near a Bieber concert scheduled in New York City after killing and castrating two others. But authorities say they missed a turn and crossed into Canada from Vermont. Staake was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Ruane was arrested later.

Court documents say Martin told investigators that Bieber was the "ultimate target." No one was killed in the alleged elaborate plot.

Clinton Norris, of the New Mexico State Police investigations bureau in Las Cruces, said in an affidavit that Martin instructed the suspects to strangle the two first intended targets with paisley neckties, the same kind used in his 2000 murder case.

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Whitney, PSY, Sandy most Googled in 2012

LOS ANGELES,USA (AP) - The world's attention wavered between the tragic and the silly in 2012, and along the way, millions of people searched the Web to find out about a royal princess, the latest iPad, and a record-breaking skydiver.

Whitney Houston was the "top trending" search of the year, according to Google Inc.'s year-end "zeitgeist" report. Google's 12th annual roundup is "an in-depth look at the spirit of the times as seen through the billions of searches on Google over the past year," the company said in a blog post Wednesday.

People around the globe searched en masse for news about Houston's accidental drowning in a bathtub just before she was to perform at a pre-Grammy Awards party in February.

Google defines topics as "trending" when they garner a high amount of traffic over a sustained period of time.

Korean rapper PSY's "Gangnam Style" music video trotted into second spot, a testament to his self-deprecating giddy-up dance move. The video is approaching a billion views on YouTube.

Superstorm Sandy, the damaging storm that knocked out power and flooded parts of the East Coast in the midst of a US presidential campaign, was third.

The next biggest trending searches globally were a pair of threes: the iPad 3 tablet from Apple Inc. and Diablo 3, a popular video game.

Rounding out the Top 10 were Kate Middleton, who made news with scandalous photos and a royal pregnancy; the 2012 Olympics in London; Amanda Todd, a Canadian teen who was found dead of an apparent suicide in October after being bullied online; Michael Clarke Duncan, the "Green Mile" actor who died of a heart attack in September at age 54; and "BBB12," the 12th edition of "Big Brother Brasil," a reality show.

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One Day Regional Seminar

KORAMBAYIL AHAMED HAJI MEMORIAL

UNITY WOMEN’S COLLEGE, MANJERI

P.O. Narukara, Malappuram Dist. Kerala- 676122

Web: www.unitywomenscollege.in, Email: info@unitywomenscollege.in

Ph: 0483- 2767142, Fax: 0483- 2768030

One Day Regional Seminar

On

Political Crisis in West Asia: Issues and Implications

Friday, 14^th December 2012

Venue: College Auditorium

Organised by:

Department of History

in Collaboration with Chair for Islamic Studies and Research, University of Calicut

Dear Sir/ Madam,

There is no consensus on what to call the revolutionary movements that have spread across the West Asian region since the end of 2010. Though the movement started with the name ‘Jasmine Revolution’,many in the West refer to the ongoing demonstrations in the region as ‘Arab Spring’ and people in the Arab world prefer to speak of an ’Arab Awakening’. Whatever we call the development in the Arab World, it has emerged as one of the significant issues in international political arena today and a historic turning point of the region in particular.

So far the current uprising in the West Asian region has toppled some rulers (Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen) and many others are attempting to address their people by introducing some economic and political reforms (Jordan, Oman, Kuwait etc.). While some governments are actively engaged in violence against their own people (Syria), others are anxiously watching the demonstrations in their cities. Taking all these developments together,the potential topic would be concerned with all of these stages of demographic turbulence and democratic transition in the region.

In this context, the Department of History, KAHM Unity Women’s College, Manjeri is conducting a one day Regional Seminar on the topic entitled “Political Crisis in West Asia: Issues and Implications” in the college auditorium 0n 14^th December 2012 to explore dynamics of  the unending unrest in the Arab world. The students and staff of the Department cordially invite you to attend the seminar and make it a success.

Thanking you

With warm regards

Dr. C. Saidalavi                              Mr. Shabeermon. M                                Mr. Faizal T.K

Principal                                             HoD of History                                  Co-ordinator

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

Registration                                                          : 9.30 am to 10 am

Inauguration Session                                        : 10.00 am to 10.45 am

Prayer

Welcome Address                                                : Mr. Shabeermon. M

                                                                                 Head, Department of History

Presidential Address                                            : Dr. C. Saidalavi

                                                                                 Principal, KAHM Unity Women’s College, Manjeri

Inaugural Speech                                                  : Mr. C.P. Saidalavi

: Chief Editor, Chandrika Daily, Malappuram

Felicitations                                                          : Dr. Annie Ninan

                                                                                 Staff Secretary, KAHM Unity Women’s College, Manjeri

Vote of Thanks                                                    : Mrs. Jaseena. C

 Assistant Professor, Department of History

 Tea Break                                                            : 10.45 am to 11.00 am

Technical Session I                                            : 11.00 am to 12.30 pm

Topic                                                                     : Arab Spring and Arab States: An Analysis

Chair                                                                      : Mr. O. Abdul Ali

                                                                                 Manager, KAHM Unity Women’s College, Manjeri

Resource Person                                                  : Prof. K.K. Mahmood

                                                                                 Visiting Professor, Chair for Islamic Studies and Research,

                                                                                 Calicut University

Lunch Break                                                        : 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm

Technical Session II                                          : 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm

Topic                                                                     : Continuity and Changes of Post Cold War Politics in West Asia 

Chair                                                                      : Mr. Lirar Pulikkalakath

                                                                                : Guest faculty, Department of History

Resource Person                                                  : Mr. Navaz Nizar

                                                                                : Head, Department of Political Science,

                                                                                 Dayal Singh College, Delhi University

Valedictory Session                            : 3.30 pm to 4.00 pm

Welcome Address                                : Mr. Shabeermon. M

                                                             Head, Department of History

Presidential Address                            : Dr. C. Saidalavi

                                                             Principal, KAHM Unity Women’s College, Manjeri

Valedictory Speech                              : Dr. Babu.P.K

Head, Department of English, KAHM Unity Women’s College, Manjeri

Vote of Thanks                                                : Mr. Faizal T.K

                                                             Seminar Co- ordinator

About us

KAHM Unity Women’s College was established in 1991 and is run by Muslim Educational and Cultural Association (MECA), Manjeri. It is at Narukara, 1.6 km off Manjeri- Calicut road surrounded by the panoramic and enhancing scenery of hillocks and greenery.

The Department

Department of History started off initially as a single faculty department offering subsidiary support for the BA English Programme in 1991. With the introduction of BA History Degree programme in 2001, the Department became a full fledged Degree department. Currently it has four faculty members.  Department has been conducting several programmes useful to the students and faculty members such as Seminars on various events, Weekly meetings, Workshops etc.

For details:

Mr. Faizal. T.K,

Seminar Co- ordianator

9446192150, faizalpyl@gmail.com

Mr. Lirar Pulikkalakath

9947308305, lirarkondotty@gmail.com

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Jamaica Debt increase by J$12.5 million a hour or J$299 Million a day

Data gathered from diGJamaica.com has revealed that the nation has, up to September, incurred billions of dollars in new debt, the value of which could, theoretically, go a far way in addressing many of the island's greatest concerns.

According to the data, for the period January to September 2012, Jamaica had incurred an estimated J$81.9 billion of additional debt.

Put more simply, Jamaica has added debt at the rate of J$299 million per day or J$12.5 million per hour, or J$207,000 per minute or, finally, almost J$3,461 per second.

In context, Jamaica added debt at a rate per day that could have paid the annual salaries of 167 new primary and secondary level teachers. The nation added enough debt per hour that could buy three state-of-the-art ventilators and leave change for machine maintenance.

The Government of Jamaica has agreed to new debt, which, per minute could have almost paid for a University of the West Indies' student's education and finally, new debt has been incurred each second that could alternately have comfortably bought a patty, coco bread and box drink for a dozen homeless persons.

The nation ended 2011 with debt in excess of J$1.63 trillion according to the Debt Management Unit of the Ministry of Finance. At the end of September 2012, calculations estimate the nation's debt has grown this year by about five per cent to J$1.71 trillion.

Domestic debt has grown by 10.5 per cent, mostly through the issuance of US$ denominated debt. This debt is counted towards domestic debt but its value changes in line with the foreign exchange rate.

External debt has actually fallen in US$ terms by 5.1 per cent. However, because the J$ has depreciated by 3.8 per cent (up to September 30) relative to the US$, external debt has only fallen by 1.4 per cent in J$ terms.

Given that the dollar has devalued further since September, the value of the total debt stands to increase. What is heartening, however, is that domestic debt was actually stable in September versus August.

Further, external debt continued its decrease in US$ terms.

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How To Prevent Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a killer among men. Statistics show that as many as one in six men will be diagnosed with the disease during his lifetime. Recent research on the subject gives tips on how to combat and prevent the cancer.

Increase Intake of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

A study undertaken by John S. Witte at the University of California has proven that men who ate fish such as salmon regularly (more than once a week), lowered their risk of developing an aggressive form of prostate cancer by 63% over those who seldom ate this type of fish. Ocean derived omega 3 fats are said to be the best supplements for prostate health.

Superfoods – Walnuts and Pomegranates

Ongoing research into superfoods and prostate health suggests that men should eat pomegranates and walnuts regularly as a preventative measure against prostate cancer. Phenylpropanoids and flavones that are found in pomegranates, for example, prevent cancer cells from interacting with testosterone and spreading in the body. Compounds present in walnuts were linked to a 30% slower growth rate of tumors and 50% smaller tumors in mice tested for cancerous tumors.

Vitamin D and Prostate Cancer

According to Professor Johanthan Waxman, Imperial College in London, “Vitamin D is a treatment which is unlikely to have significant toxicity and is a welcome addition to the therapeutic options for patients with prostate cancer”. Vitamin D not only increases calcium absorption, it has shown promise in helping to prevent certain cancers, notably prostate cancer. Vitamin D, can be obtained by simply spending time in the sun but it also can be obtained in supplement form.

Lower Cholesterol to Lower Prostate Cancer Risk

“Men with lower cholesterol levels have an almost 60% lower chance of suffering from an aggressive type of prostate cancer”, according to John Hopkins science studies. Losing weight, getting plenty of exercise and consuming a healthy diet will all help to reduce cholesterol levels.

Green Tea can Prevent Prostate Cancer

Antioxidants found in green tea are believed to prevent and treat prostrate cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, green tea contains polyphenol compounds, which are antioxidants and may prevent cancer. More research is underway.

Prostate cancer treatment can be successfully treated with natural remedies, provided the cancer has not progressed too far. Depending on the stage of the disease, professionals will help you to decide the best approach in treating prostate cancer.

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