Aurora homicide detectives want to speak to a man who hasn't been seen since Dec. 26, the night another man was killed in an apartment on Archer Place.
Reported by Denver Post 4 hours ago.
Aurora police want to talk to house painter about December homicide
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New Orleans music 'Hot Picks' for Monday, Jan. 6, 2014: Luke Winslow-King, Gal Holiday
Other options include George Porter Jr., Aurora Nealand, Davis Rogan with Al Johnson
Reported by nola.com 2 hours ago.
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Metabolon Closes $15 Million Series E Financing
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Metabolon, Inc., a world leader in metabolomics-based diagnostic tests and research services, announced today that it has raised $15 million in a Series E financing through the issuance of preferred stock. New investor Camden Partners led the round, with participation from Sumitomo Corporation along with existing investors Aurora Funds, Harris & Harris Group, Syngenta Ventures, Fletcher Spaght and Fulcrum Financial Partners. In connection with
Reported by Business Wire 1 hour ago.
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Alaska Celebrates 55 Years Of Statehood
In honor of The Last Frontier and its 55 years in these United States, here's an ode to the wintry wonderlands, the awesome wildlife, the unbelievable aurora borealis, and the hardy way of life. North to the future!
Reported by Huffington Post 44 minutes ago.
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Ship Sent To Rescue Global Warming Researchers Trapped In Antarctic, Gets Trapped In Antarctic
From ironic to ironic-er... the Chinese icebreaker ship that helped rescue the 52 Australian global warming researchers from being trapped in Antarctic ice has found itself stuck in heavy ice. As Reuters reports, *The Snow Dragon had ferried the passengers from the stranded Russian ship to an Australian icebreaker late on Thursday. It now had concerns about its own ability to move through heavy ice*, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said.
Via Chicago Tribune,
...
"*It will attempt to maneuver through the ice when tidal conditions are most suitable during the early hours of 4 January 2014*," AMSA said.
The *Australian icebreaker carrying the rescued passengers, the Aurora Australis, will remain on standby in open water in the area "as a precautionary measure"*, the rescue agency said. Reported by Zero Hedge 47 minutes ago.
Via Chicago Tribune,
...
"*It will attempt to maneuver through the ice when tidal conditions are most suitable during the early hours of 4 January 2014*," AMSA said.
The *Australian icebreaker carrying the rescued passengers, the Aurora Australis, will remain on standby in open water in the area "as a precautionary measure"*, the rescue agency said. Reported by Zero Hedge 47 minutes ago.
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Colorado: Gun Companies Move Out, Marijuana Stores Expand
Firearms accessory manufacturer Magpul Industries is pulling out all of its operations from Colorado due to the state’s new restrictive gun control laws.The company announced Thursday that its new headquarters will be in Texas while its manufacturing, shipping, and distribution will be based in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
In 2013, the Colorado state legislature passed a measure that limits the sale of firearm accessories which are the dominant thrust of Magpul’s business. Legislators attribute the passing of the new law as a reaction to the mass-murder shooting that took place in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater in July 2012.
The Magpul Industries relocation will affect about 200 jobs according to sources. Two other companies are also planning on leaving the state which will result in further job losses for Colorado. Alfred Manufacturing and HiViz Shooting Systems have announced that they will be uprooting themselves as well. HiViz manufactures parts for guns and other weapons. Formerly located in Fort Collins, Colorado, it will also be moving to Wyoming. Many of its products are outlawed under the new gun laws.
Wyoming and Texas are thrilled to become the new homes for the displaced companies. Bob Jensen, CEO of the Wyoming Business Council, said, “This will raise our visibility for the shooting, hunting, and outdoor technology industry as well.” Jensen added, “There are going to be significant hiring opportunities at the Wyoming facility; those will start to be posted as soon as we can finish up the improvements and remodeling at the initial location, the temporary facility.”
Jensen also said that Magpul’s decision to move to Wyoming could attract other manufacturers to follow. “There’s been at least two other companies that are associated with Magpul that have indicated an expansion of their facilities to be able to continue in their supply relationship with Magpul,” he explained.
Texas Governor Rick Perry said in a statement, "In Texas, we understand that freedom breeds prosperity, which is why we've built our economy around principles that allow employers to innovate, keep more of what they earn, and create jobs."
As the gun industry departs, Colorado is setting its sights on creating jobs through the distribution and retailing of marijuana. Colorado passed a legalized recreational marijuana law in November.
As a result, officials in Colorado have issued 348 retail marijuana licenses that allow the sale of up to 28 grams of marijuana to buyers 21 and older. Colorado anticipates that marijuana sales will generate some $67 million in annual tax revenue.
Colorado’s branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) claims that everyone will gain because of the new law. “It will mean jobs, tax revenue for the state and local jurisdictions, increased tourism, and a developing progressive new industry in Colorado,” NORML attorney Rachel Gillette remarked.
Reported by Breitbart 23 hours ago.
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The Chinese Icebreaker That Rescued Passengers From The Ship Trapped In Antarctica Is Now Stuck In Ice
A Chinese icebreaker that went to the aid of a Russian ship stuck in heavy floes in Antarctica has now itself become trapped by ice, Australian officials said on Saturday.The Xue Long, which on Thursday used its helicopter to ferry dozens of passengers on the stranded Russian ship Akademik Shokalskiy to the safety of an Australian vessel, has been unable to free itself, authorities said.
"Xue Long's attempt to manoeuvre through the ice early this morning was unsuccessful," the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said in a statement.
"Xue Long has confirmed to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority it is beset by ice. "
Speculation about whether the Xue Long was stuck had mounted for several days given the ship had hardly moved after its failed attempt to cut through the ice to reach the Shokalskiy.
By late Friday, officials said the Xue Long, or Snow Dragon, had reported that it had concerns about the heavy ice that surrounded it and would attempt to free itself early Saturday.
AMSA said while this attempt had failed, the master of the Chinese ship had confirmed that the vessel was safe, was not in immediate distress and did not require assistance.
"There is no immediate danger to personnel on board the Xue Long," AMSA said, adding that the vessel had food supplies for several weeks.
The Shokalskiy remains stuck in ice 100 nautical miles east of the French Antarctic base of Dumont d'Urville with 22 crew on board.
Several attempts by icebreakers to reach the Russian ship failed, including by the Xue Long and the Australian Antarctic supply ship the Aurora Australis, while poor weather initially delayed helicopter rescue plans.
The 52 scientists, passengers and journalists on board the Shokalskiy who were helicoptered off the ship are now on the Aurora Australis, which had been asked to remain on standby in the area to help the Xue Long.
However, AMSA said Saturday the Aurora Australis was now free to continue its journey to Australia's Antarctic base Casey, where it is due to deliver supplies before heading to the Australian city of Hobart.
"The masters of both Akademik Shokalskiy and Xue Long agree that further assistance from Aurora Australis is no longer required and they will be able to provide mutual support to each other," AMSA said.
Australian authorities have said that any inquiry into how the Shokalskiy came to be stranded would have to be conducted by Russian authorities but have acknowledged that the incident could impact guidelines for polar expeditions.
The rescue mission, which also involved the French ship the Astrolabe, which was initially diverted to help the Shokalskiy before it was released, has also cut short some Antarctic research programmes, angering scientists.
Yves Frenot, director of the French Polar Institute, said he had no issue with rescuing those aboard the stricken vessel but said this had drained resources from the French, Chinese and Australian scientific missions in Antarctica.
The rescue mission forced French scientists to scrap a two-week oceanographic campaign this month using the Astrolabe.
"But we are relatively lucky," he said.
"The Chinese have had to cancel all their scientific programme, and my counterpart in Australia is spitting tacks with anger, because their entire summer has been wiped out."
The trip on the Akademik Shokalskiy was aimed at emulating a 1911-1914 expedition by the Australian explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson and Frenot said "this kind of commemorative expedition has no interest from a scientific point of view".
Copyright (2014) AFP. All rights reserved.
Join the conversation about this story »
Reported by Business Insider 19 hours ago.
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Eat pancakes, benefit Habitat for Humanity Jan. 18
Patch Montgomery, IL -- A 21st annual pancake breakfast to benefit Montgomery-based Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit housing ministry, will be held Saturday, Jan. 18, from 8 to 11 a.m. at at the Aurora Advent Christian Church, 905 N. Edgelawn Drive.The publi
Reported by Patch 16 hours ago.
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Australian Icebreaker Heads for Home with Rescued Passengers
An Australian icebreaker carrying the 52 passengers rescued from an icebound Russian research vessel is heading to port, after being told that its assistance was not needed by another stranded ship, the Chinese icebreaker Snow Dragon.The Aurora Australis turned for home on Saturday, after the crew of the Snow Dragon said they were not in danger and had several week's worth of supplies.A helicopter from the Chinese ship on Thursday airlifted to the Aurora Australis all the passengers from...
Reported by VOA News 16 hours ago.
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It's Time for Us to Stand Strong
On December 13 we watched with tears in our eyes and heavy hearts as news broke of yet another school shooting in Colorado, this time at Arapahoe High School. Just minutes from Columbine, on the day before the one-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, a gunman walked into his high school, reportedly with every intention of causing maximum harm. What immediately went through my mind, and undoubtedly the minds of most Coloradans, was, "Not again."
How many more times will we have to endure this senseless violence that violates the safety of our children and our communities before we say enough is enough? As students and faculty at Arapahoe High School and their families and neighbors try to process what happened, we all come together to remember another student who has become the latest victim of gun violence, simply because she was doing exactly what she should have been doing that day -- going to school. We need to put an end to gun violence and we need to stand strong together to do so.
On April 20, 1999, my world was changed forever when my son Daniel was killed at Columbine High School. But the violence that took 15 lives and injured 24 others that day didn't just change my world, it changed everything. At least that's what it felt like because in the weeks and months following that horrific event, we worked together as a community and country to support each other and our kids and to take a serious look at how lax guns laws allow people who shouldn't be allowed to get guns to purchase them through loopholes. Even the National Rifle Association supported efforts to enact instant background checks.
Here in Colorado, we took action after Columbine to close what was known as the "gun show loophole," which allowed anybody to purchase a gun from a private seller at a gun show without a background check. We closed it by a vote of the people, with 70 percent voting in support of Amendment 22. Since then, Colorado has exported significantly fewer guns used in crimes to other states. In 2000, we were the 17th largest exporter of guns later found at crime scenes in other states. A year after we closed the gun show loophole we ranked 27th, and by 2009 we ranked 32nd.
I was incredibly proud to be a part of the team that passed that law. But as time went on, interest waned in passing additional reasonable laws to save lives, and we failed to finish the work we started. Now, over 14 years later, our country continues to be plagued by senseless gun violence. After the Aurora Theater shooting, some passionate legislators and community members started talking about how to prevent another massacre of that magnitude from happening again. The tragedy at Newtown that took place just a few months later only confirmed what we already knew -- that enough is enough; it was time for us to stand strong and keep fighting for common sense laws that would protect our communities.
As a result, earlier this year the Colorado Legislature passed a sensible law to require background checks on private gun sales, and closed a gaping loophole in our gun laws. Private sales make up as much as 40 percent of all gun purchases and now criminals can't avoid a background check just by going online or to a private seller. We also passed common sense measures to limit high-capacity magazines like the ones used in Aurora and Tucson, to 15 rounds or fewer, and to protect domestic violence victims by taking guns out of the hands of their attackers. These new laws mark a crucial step forward for our state and have demonstrated to the rest of the country that common sense can prevail over the din and money of the gun lobby, including the NRA, who now oppose even basic policies like background checks.
Each of these laws continues to have the support of a majority of Coloradans, according to public opinion polls. As recently as this November, a Quinnipiac survey found 85 percent of Coloradans support background checks for all gun sales. But a vocal minority is attempting to bring our democracy to its knees. We cannot let our public safety be hijacked by a tyranny of the minority. We cannot afford to let the new laws that are already preventing criminals and domestic abusers from buying guns to be weakened or gutted by these extremists. Laws won't stop all gun violence, but they're an important part of the solution -- and far better than doing nothing or promoting weakened laws, as extremists propose.
We need our elected officials to stand strong during the next legislative session and fight the gun lobby and other extremists' efforts to roll back the progress we've made. We need our communities to stand strong too. I don't want to see more people wait to be personally affected by gun violence before deciding it's time to do something about it. Reported by Huffington Post 15 hours ago.
How many more times will we have to endure this senseless violence that violates the safety of our children and our communities before we say enough is enough? As students and faculty at Arapahoe High School and their families and neighbors try to process what happened, we all come together to remember another student who has become the latest victim of gun violence, simply because she was doing exactly what she should have been doing that day -- going to school. We need to put an end to gun violence and we need to stand strong together to do so.
On April 20, 1999, my world was changed forever when my son Daniel was killed at Columbine High School. But the violence that took 15 lives and injured 24 others that day didn't just change my world, it changed everything. At least that's what it felt like because in the weeks and months following that horrific event, we worked together as a community and country to support each other and our kids and to take a serious look at how lax guns laws allow people who shouldn't be allowed to get guns to purchase them through loopholes. Even the National Rifle Association supported efforts to enact instant background checks.
Here in Colorado, we took action after Columbine to close what was known as the "gun show loophole," which allowed anybody to purchase a gun from a private seller at a gun show without a background check. We closed it by a vote of the people, with 70 percent voting in support of Amendment 22. Since then, Colorado has exported significantly fewer guns used in crimes to other states. In 2000, we were the 17th largest exporter of guns later found at crime scenes in other states. A year after we closed the gun show loophole we ranked 27th, and by 2009 we ranked 32nd.
I was incredibly proud to be a part of the team that passed that law. But as time went on, interest waned in passing additional reasonable laws to save lives, and we failed to finish the work we started. Now, over 14 years later, our country continues to be plagued by senseless gun violence. After the Aurora Theater shooting, some passionate legislators and community members started talking about how to prevent another massacre of that magnitude from happening again. The tragedy at Newtown that took place just a few months later only confirmed what we already knew -- that enough is enough; it was time for us to stand strong and keep fighting for common sense laws that would protect our communities.
As a result, earlier this year the Colorado Legislature passed a sensible law to require background checks on private gun sales, and closed a gaping loophole in our gun laws. Private sales make up as much as 40 percent of all gun purchases and now criminals can't avoid a background check just by going online or to a private seller. We also passed common sense measures to limit high-capacity magazines like the ones used in Aurora and Tucson, to 15 rounds or fewer, and to protect domestic violence victims by taking guns out of the hands of their attackers. These new laws mark a crucial step forward for our state and have demonstrated to the rest of the country that common sense can prevail over the din and money of the gun lobby, including the NRA, who now oppose even basic policies like background checks.
Each of these laws continues to have the support of a majority of Coloradans, according to public opinion polls. As recently as this November, a Quinnipiac survey found 85 percent of Coloradans support background checks for all gun sales. But a vocal minority is attempting to bring our democracy to its knees. We cannot let our public safety be hijacked by a tyranny of the minority. We cannot afford to let the new laws that are already preventing criminals and domestic abusers from buying guns to be weakened or gutted by these extremists. Laws won't stop all gun violence, but they're an important part of the solution -- and far better than doing nothing or promoting weakened laws, as extremists propose.
We need our elected officials to stand strong during the next legislative session and fight the gun lobby and other extremists' efforts to roll back the progress we've made. We need our communities to stand strong too. I don't want to see more people wait to be personally affected by gun violence before deciding it's time to do something about it. Reported by Huffington Post 15 hours ago.
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Antarctic rescue drama: Chinese icebreaker also trapped in ice
by Stephanie Boyd - The Chinese icebreaker which played a central role in the rescue of dozens of passengers from a Russian vessel stricken in the Antarctic has itself become trapped by ice
Xue Long, the Chinese icebreaker vessel that helped rescue 52 passengers trapped on a Russian ship in the Antarctic, has itself become stuck and unable to move in thick floes of ice. It is carrying 111 people on board.
"Xue Long's attempt to manoeuvre through the ice early this morning was unsuccessful," the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed on Saturday, adding that the vessel's Master has confirmed the ship is safe and does not require any assistance.
The incident is the latest twist in an unexpectedly complicated rescue operation initiated when the Russian research ship Akademik Shkalskiy became trapped by thick floes of Antarctic ice driven by strong winds on December 24.
After several attempts by the Xue Long and an Australian vessel Aurora Australis to break through the ice to reach the stranded Russian ship failed, the trapped passengers were transferred to the Australian vessel Thursday by a helicopter deployed from the Xue Long.
The Aurora Australis has been authorized to continue its resupply mission to Australia's Antarctic base Casey, and then make its way to the Australian port of Hobart - meaning that the 52 rescued passenger won't reach Australia for another few weeks.
Reported by One News Page Staff 9 hours ago.↧
Oswego Man Breaks Into Home, Attacks Man: Report
Patch Oswego, IL --Blake Russell, 25, was charged with felony home invasion according to Aurora Police. Reported by Patch 8 hours ago.
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Rescued Antarctic passengers resume journey home
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — An Australian icebreaker carrying 52 passengers who were retrieved from an icebound ship in the Antarctic resumed its journey home on Saturday, leaving behind another two icebreakers trapped in pack ice. The Aurora Australis will continue its interrupted resupply mission to Australia's Antarctic base Casey Station before returning to the Australian island state of Tasmania in mid-January with the rescued scientists, journalists and tourists. Andrew Peacock, an Australian doctor and photographer who was rescued from the Russian ship, said his fellow passengers had been frustrated by the news Friday that their journey home had been delayed by another potential rescue operation. A reporter for China's official Xinhua News Agency who is aboard the Snow Dragon, Zhang Jiansong, said an iceberg appeared overnight and blocked the ship's return route.
Reported by SeattlePI.com 7 hours ago.
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Natasha Leggero's Stunning 'Not Sorry' Response Over Controversial Pearl Harbor Joke
Comedian Natasha Leggero took some heat for a joke she made on national television a few days ago, but on Friday, she took to her Tumblr to explain to her critics exactly why they are wrong.
On New Year's Eve, Leggero, a stand-up comic who judged a season of "Last Comic Standing," appeared on NBC with Carson Daly to talk about some of the funniest stories of 2013. One topic of discussion was the infamous SpaghettiO's tweet, in which the canned pasta's cartoon mascot asked followers to “take a moment to remember #PearlHarbor with us."
"It sucks that the only survivors of Pearl Harbor are being mocked by the only food they can still chew," Leggero quipped.
Several people started tweeting offense to Leggero's joke, which they took to be disrespectful to World War II veterans.
@CarsonDaly @natashaleggero Making fun of Pearl Harbor Vets? I've got family on the Arizona. There are lots of things to mock - not them.
— Prepper Illinois (@Prepper_IL) January 1, 2014
#NBCNYE Making fun of Pearl Harbor vets? Changing channel. Disgusting. Really NBC?
— Lee Harwig (@MissLee708) January 1, 2014
@natashaleggero @CarsonDaly @janemarielynch @AndersonAnthony Making fun of Pearl Harbor vets? You are a VILE human being!
— Jennifer Palumbo (@Jenn10001) January 1, 2014
Natasha Leggero just made a joke about the SpaghettiOs Pearl Harbor tweet that was probably more offensive than the tweet itself.
— Craig Lloyd (@craig_lloyd) January 1, 2014
After the reaction received some press, Leggero took to her own website to respond to the critics. And she was not about to apologize. *(Read her full response here.)*
I'm not sorry. I don’t think the amazing courage of American veterans and specifically those who survived Pearl Harbor is in any way diminished by a comedian making a joke about dentures on television. Do we really believe that the people who fought and defended our freedom against Nazis and the Axis powers will find a joke about Spaghetti O's too much to bear? Sorry, I have more respect for Veterans than to think their honor can be impugned by a glamorous, charming comedian in a fur hat.
She went on to question the motives of those who would express outrage over a joke, but not at the conditions that veterans face when returning from their service.
On the other hand you have Veterans who receive inadequate care upon their return from active duty, rampant sexual assault against female soldiers, staggering rates of suicide, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, substance abuse and depression among soldiers and political gridlock that prevents these problems from getting solved quickly.
The letter ended with a link to the Disabled American Veterans foundation with a call to donate money.
Leggero instantly received accolades from fellow comedians for standing her ground.
I loved @natashaleggero 's Joke on New Years Eve. #itwasajoke #sheisacomic #selectiveoutrage
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) January 3, 2014
#FF @natashaleggero because she's funny as fuck.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 3, 2014
The episode gained attention largely due to the fact that comedians are increasingly faced with public and outsized reactions for their jokes, public and nonpublic, on social media. But apologies for jokes are rare, and non-apologies are even rarer. Last year, The Onion issued a rare apology for a joke at the expense of actress Quvenzhane Wallis. And in 2012, Dane Cook apologized for a joke about the Aurora mass shooting that he told at a comedy club soon after the tragedy.
But Leggero's approach is more in line with that of Joan Rivers, who refused to apologize for a joke about the Holocaust she made on a red carpet last February. “My husband lost the majority of his family at Auschwitz, and I can assure you that I have always made it a point to remind people of the Holocaust through humor,” she said at the time. Reported by Huffington Post 6 hours ago.
On New Year's Eve, Leggero, a stand-up comic who judged a season of "Last Comic Standing," appeared on NBC with Carson Daly to talk about some of the funniest stories of 2013. One topic of discussion was the infamous SpaghettiO's tweet, in which the canned pasta's cartoon mascot asked followers to “take a moment to remember #PearlHarbor with us."
"It sucks that the only survivors of Pearl Harbor are being mocked by the only food they can still chew," Leggero quipped.
Several people started tweeting offense to Leggero's joke, which they took to be disrespectful to World War II veterans.
@CarsonDaly @natashaleggero Making fun of Pearl Harbor Vets? I've got family on the Arizona. There are lots of things to mock - not them.
— Prepper Illinois (@Prepper_IL) January 1, 2014
#NBCNYE Making fun of Pearl Harbor vets? Changing channel. Disgusting. Really NBC?
— Lee Harwig (@MissLee708) January 1, 2014
@natashaleggero @CarsonDaly @janemarielynch @AndersonAnthony Making fun of Pearl Harbor vets? You are a VILE human being!
— Jennifer Palumbo (@Jenn10001) January 1, 2014
Natasha Leggero just made a joke about the SpaghettiOs Pearl Harbor tweet that was probably more offensive than the tweet itself.
— Craig Lloyd (@craig_lloyd) January 1, 2014
After the reaction received some press, Leggero took to her own website to respond to the critics. And she was not about to apologize. *(Read her full response here.)*
I'm not sorry. I don’t think the amazing courage of American veterans and specifically those who survived Pearl Harbor is in any way diminished by a comedian making a joke about dentures on television. Do we really believe that the people who fought and defended our freedom against Nazis and the Axis powers will find a joke about Spaghetti O's too much to bear? Sorry, I have more respect for Veterans than to think their honor can be impugned by a glamorous, charming comedian in a fur hat.
She went on to question the motives of those who would express outrage over a joke, but not at the conditions that veterans face when returning from their service.
On the other hand you have Veterans who receive inadequate care upon their return from active duty, rampant sexual assault against female soldiers, staggering rates of suicide, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, substance abuse and depression among soldiers and political gridlock that prevents these problems from getting solved quickly.
The letter ended with a link to the Disabled American Veterans foundation with a call to donate money.
Leggero instantly received accolades from fellow comedians for standing her ground.
I loved @natashaleggero 's Joke on New Years Eve. #itwasajoke #sheisacomic #selectiveoutrage
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) January 3, 2014
#FF @natashaleggero because she's funny as fuck.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 3, 2014
The episode gained attention largely due to the fact that comedians are increasingly faced with public and outsized reactions for their jokes, public and nonpublic, on social media. But apologies for jokes are rare, and non-apologies are even rarer. Last year, The Onion issued a rare apology for a joke at the expense of actress Quvenzhane Wallis. And in 2012, Dane Cook apologized for a joke about the Aurora mass shooting that he told at a comedy club soon after the tragedy.
But Leggero's approach is more in line with that of Joan Rivers, who refused to apologize for a joke about the Holocaust she made on a red carpet last February. “My husband lost the majority of his family at Auschwitz, and I can assure you that I have always made it a point to remind people of the Holocaust through humor,” she said at the time. Reported by Huffington Post 6 hours ago.
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Man crossing an Aurora street seriously injured in crash
A pedestrian was hospitalized late Friday night with life-threatening injuries after a woman driving a minivan ran a red light, collided with an SUV and than slammed into the pedestrian in
Reported by Denver Post 4 hours ago.
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World View: U.S. Sends Polar Star Icebreaker to Free Russian Ship, Chinese Icebreaker
This morning's key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com· U.S. sends Polar Star icebreaker to free Russian ship and Chinese icebreaker
· Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in control of Fallujah
**U.S. sends Polar Star icebreaker to free Russian ship and Chinese icebreaker**Chinese helicopter ferries the Shokalskiy passengers to safety
The United States Coast Guard is sending the Oregon-based icebreaker Polar Star south to the Antarctic to free a Russian research ship that got trapped in the ice, and also to free a Chinese icebreaker that got trapped in the ice while trying to free the Russian ship. An Australian icebreaker also was unable to help. The 399-feet long Polar Star can break ice that's six feet deep, at a continuous rate of three knots.
The Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy with 52 passengers was on a four-week expedition to follow the path taken a century ago by Australian explorer Sir Douglas Mawson.
One aim of the expedition was to track how quickly the Antarctic's sea ice was disappearing because of global warming, but a blizzard and thick ice caused the expedition to be abandoned on Christmas eve, despite the fact that it's the height of Summer in the Antarctic.
A Chinese icebreaker, the Xue Long (Snow Dragon), tried to free the Shokalskiy, but got trapped in the ice before it reached the Shokalskiy. An Australian icebreaker, the Aurora Australis, also made an attempt, but turned back before getting trapped. The passengers and crew of the Shokalskiy have never been in danger, with plentiful supplies of food and water. Last week a Chinese helicopter ferried the passengers to the Australian ship, though the Russian crew will remain where they are, hoping that the Polar Star can free them. Seattle Times and Telegraph (London)
**Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in control of Fallujah**
More than 100 people were killed on Friday in Fallujah and Ramadi as Iraq's army battled fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL), leaving ISIS in control of Fallujah and parts of Ramadi on Saturday.
Fallujah and Ramadi were two of the main battlegrounds in the Iraq war in 2005-2008. In 2007, President Bush's surge, in conjunction with the "Anbar Awakening," defeated al-Qaeda in Iraq, ISIS's predecessor, but since the withdrawal of American forces in December, 2011, al-Qaeda has been surging in strength. ISIS Iraq, has taken control of large sections of eastern Syria and of Anbar province in western Iraq. There is no longer any effective border between the two countries. However, ISIS is not monolithic, as there are al-Qaeda linked militias fighting one another for power within the region. France 24 and Al-Jazeera
*KEYS: *Generational Dynamics, Oregon, Polar Star, Russia, MV Akademik Shokalskiy, Sir Douglas Mawson, China, Xue Long, Snow Dragon, Aurora Australis, Iraq, Fallujah, Ramadi, Anbar Awakening Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL, Al-Qaeda in Iraq
Permanent web link to this article
Receive daily World View columns by e-mail
Reported by Breitbart 13 hours ago.
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China's Ice-Stuck Ship Inspiring Construction of Stronger Icebreaker
China, noting that its ship Xuelong (Snow Dragon) is now stuck in the Antarctic ice as it was rescuing the Russian vessel MV Akademik Shokalskiy, has decided it will build a new icebreaker for polar expeditions.Qu Tanzhou, director of the State Oceanic Administration's Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, told the press that the idea for the new vessel had been approved by the government. He stated, "The new icebreaker will be shorter and be equipped with blades both at the bow and the stern, which will be able to open ice 1.5 meters thick." The Xuelong is capable of breaking ice 1.2 meters thick.
Even the new vessel, which would be utilized for field research rather than supplying the science stations in the Antarctic, would be hard-pressed to break the ice surrounding the Russian ship, which is up to four meters thick. But Qu said that the ship, boasting a stronger power system as well as more decks and laboratories, will be a "mobile research station."
The Ukraine-built Xuelong, built in 1994, was not designed as a field research vessel, but instead was envisioned as a supply transporter for China's research stations in the Antarctic. The Xueying 12, the ship’s helicopter, rescued 52 passengers aboard the Akademik Shokalskiy on Thursday and flew them to the Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis, which was sent to aid the Russian ship.
But after the rescue, the Xuelong became stuck in the ice, 21 kilometers away from water it could maneuver in. The ship has adequate supplies and fuel, so there is no danger for its personnel, but a blizzard on Sunday made the decks icy and movement atop them extremely difficult.
Now that the Chinese ship is stuck, the U.S. Coast Guard is sending its icebreaker Polar Star to help the Xuelong and the Akademik Shokalskiy break out of the ice.
Reported by Breitbart 1 hour ago.
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Head of France's Polar Science Institute: Akademik Shokalskiy on 'Pseudo-Scientific Expedition'
Yves Frenot, the director of the French Polar Institute, waxed apoplectic over the Russian ship Akademik Shokalskiy’s “commemorative expedition” that was trapped in the ice of Antarctica on December 24 for the damage it did to the plans of other scientists in their study of Antarctica.
Frenot was not condemning the rescue of those stuck on the ship, but the issue of the ship’s expedition itself, calling the ship’s voyage a "pseudo-scientific expedition" that ruined the plans of French, Chinese and Australian scientific missions.
Frenot said bitingly, "There's no reason to place Antarctica off-limits and to keep it just for scientists, but this tourism has to be monitored and regulated so that operators can be sure of getting help if need be." The 52 passengers were rescued by a helicopter from the Chinese icebreaker, the Xue Long, but now the Chinese ship is trapped in the ice, too. On Thursday, the passengers were airlifted to the Australian government supply vessel, the Aurora Australis, and now the Australian ship may be held there to rescue the Chinese ship.
Frenot is also furious because a French Antarctic vessel, the Astrolabe, was sidelined from its usual mission of resupplying Dumont d'Urville, a French scientific station, so that it could help in the rescue. Such resupply missions can only take place between October and March. There are roughly 80 scientific bases in Antarctica; Frenot said, "If we want these bases to operate all year round, it is essential to resupply [them] with food and fuel during the brief window of opportunity." He added that to divert supply ships in order to help the Russian vessel "imperiled" that task.
In addition, the French scientists aboard sacrificed a two-week oceanographic campaign in order to help the beleaguered Russian vessel. Frenot said, "But we are relatively lucky. The Chinese have had to cancel all their scientific programme, and my counterpart in Australia is spitting tacks with anger, because their entire summer has been wiped out."
The Akademik Shokalskiy’s stated purpose was to recreate the 1911-1914 expedition led by the Australian Sir Douglas Mawson. Frenot ripped this idea, saying, "This kind of commemorative expedition has no interest from a scientific point of view."
Reported by Breitbart 22 hours ago.
Frenot was not condemning the rescue of those stuck on the ship, but the issue of the ship’s expedition itself, calling the ship’s voyage a "pseudo-scientific expedition" that ruined the plans of French, Chinese and Australian scientific missions.
Frenot said bitingly, "There's no reason to place Antarctica off-limits and to keep it just for scientists, but this tourism has to be monitored and regulated so that operators can be sure of getting help if need be." The 52 passengers were rescued by a helicopter from the Chinese icebreaker, the Xue Long, but now the Chinese ship is trapped in the ice, too. On Thursday, the passengers were airlifted to the Australian government supply vessel, the Aurora Australis, and now the Australian ship may be held there to rescue the Chinese ship.
Frenot is also furious because a French Antarctic vessel, the Astrolabe, was sidelined from its usual mission of resupplying Dumont d'Urville, a French scientific station, so that it could help in the rescue. Such resupply missions can only take place between October and March. There are roughly 80 scientific bases in Antarctica; Frenot said, "If we want these bases to operate all year round, it is essential to resupply [them] with food and fuel during the brief window of opportunity." He added that to divert supply ships in order to help the Russian vessel "imperiled" that task.
In addition, the French scientists aboard sacrificed a two-week oceanographic campaign in order to help the beleaguered Russian vessel. Frenot said, "But we are relatively lucky. The Chinese have had to cancel all their scientific programme, and my counterpart in Australia is spitting tacks with anger, because their entire summer has been wiped out."
The Akademik Shokalskiy’s stated purpose was to recreate the 1911-1914 expedition led by the Australian Sir Douglas Mawson. Frenot ripped this idea, saying, "This kind of commemorative expedition has no interest from a scientific point of view."
Reported by Breitbart 22 hours ago.
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Aurora council may change discipline process for cops, firefighters
Aurora may change the way police officers and firefighters appeal disciplinary punishments and may also try to limit the role of the Civil Service Commission.
Reported by Denver Post 15 hours ago.
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HR.com's Inaugural Interactive HR Strategy and Planning Excellence Essentials ePublication is Online
This issue, the newest themed epublication in the Excellence Essentials collection, is online now and provides content on the latest trends, tools, tips and best practices in the field of workforce planning analytics.
Aurora, Ontario, Canada (PRWEB) January 06, 2014
The largest global human resources (HR) network of shared resources, HR.com has developed the newest online publication, HR Strategy and Planning Excellence Essentials, from thirty years of articles collected by top thought leaders and human resources experts.
The inaugural issue is now online and interactive. HR Strategy and Planning Excellence Essentials includes the latest content in the area of workforce planning analytics. READ NOW
This month's issue features the following articles:
"Human Capital Analytics" by Frank DiBernardino
"Knowledge Transfer" by Steve Trautman
"Planning and Analytics Are Not the Same" by Gene Pease
"Finding In-Demand Talent" by Hope Gurion
"Analyze, Reduce, Profit" by Brad Hilbert
"Meet the M&A Challenge" by John Kranz
"Employee Engagement" by Jack Morehouse
"Big Data for HR Professionals" by Dave Weisbeck
"Hottest Skills in the Job Market" by Bruce Murray
"Metrics That Matter" by Brian Kelly and Amy Tilles
"Vision, Brand and Culture" by Jac Fitz-enz
"Build an Analytics Culture" by Brad Pearce
"What's in Your Tool Kit?" by Jim Burkett
"Got Leaders?" by Nicole Dessain
All Excellence Essentials Publications provide an interactive online experience with access to options such as surveys and benchmark data, learning modules, online archives, custom content for a company, and a mobile excellence app to launch soon. Companies interested in using these stories in internal newsletters should contact HR.com. Archive access is also available for a nominal fee.
To complement HR Strategy and Planning Essentials' resources, executives can currently also subscribe for free to:· Leadership Excellence Essentials,
· Personal Excellence Essentials,
· Sales and Service Excellence Essentials,
· Talent Management Excellence Essentials,
· Talent Acquisition Excellence Essentials, and
· Benefits and Wellness Excellence Essentials.
More information available on HR.com: Excellence Essentials Publications
Other targeted series launching in coming months include Rewards and Recognition/Employee Engagement, Workforce Management (Time and Attendance), Technology Enabled Learning, Legal and Compliance, as well as Core HR (HRIS and Payroll).
About HR.com
HR.com, the largest global social networking and resource site for HR Professionals, is THE ONLY place to earn IHR (Institute for Human Resources), HRCI and WorldatWork credits all at the same time for NO COST. HR.com is committed to providing a deeper understanding of the HR function for 240,000 members by offering guaranteed pass re-certification prep courses, certification and re-certification credits, interactive Excellence Essentials monthly e-publications, 23 Expert Certification Programs, 19 Certificate Programs, 3,500+ webcasts, 230+ virtual conferences, blogs, community networks, industry news and advisory boards. http://www.hr.com
HR.com Contact:
Debbie McGrath, Chief Instigator and CEO
dmcgrath(at)hr(dot)com
877-472-6648 Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
Aurora, Ontario, Canada (PRWEB) January 06, 2014
The largest global human resources (HR) network of shared resources, HR.com has developed the newest online publication, HR Strategy and Planning Excellence Essentials, from thirty years of articles collected by top thought leaders and human resources experts.
The inaugural issue is now online and interactive. HR Strategy and Planning Excellence Essentials includes the latest content in the area of workforce planning analytics. READ NOW
This month's issue features the following articles:
"Human Capital Analytics" by Frank DiBernardino
"Knowledge Transfer" by Steve Trautman
"Planning and Analytics Are Not the Same" by Gene Pease
"Finding In-Demand Talent" by Hope Gurion
"Analyze, Reduce, Profit" by Brad Hilbert
"Meet the M&A Challenge" by John Kranz
"Employee Engagement" by Jack Morehouse
"Big Data for HR Professionals" by Dave Weisbeck
"Hottest Skills in the Job Market" by Bruce Murray
"Metrics That Matter" by Brian Kelly and Amy Tilles
"Vision, Brand and Culture" by Jac Fitz-enz
"Build an Analytics Culture" by Brad Pearce
"What's in Your Tool Kit?" by Jim Burkett
"Got Leaders?" by Nicole Dessain
All Excellence Essentials Publications provide an interactive online experience with access to options such as surveys and benchmark data, learning modules, online archives, custom content for a company, and a mobile excellence app to launch soon. Companies interested in using these stories in internal newsletters should contact HR.com. Archive access is also available for a nominal fee.
To complement HR Strategy and Planning Essentials' resources, executives can currently also subscribe for free to:· Leadership Excellence Essentials,
· Personal Excellence Essentials,
· Sales and Service Excellence Essentials,
· Talent Management Excellence Essentials,
· Talent Acquisition Excellence Essentials, and
· Benefits and Wellness Excellence Essentials.
More information available on HR.com: Excellence Essentials Publications
Other targeted series launching in coming months include Rewards and Recognition/Employee Engagement, Workforce Management (Time and Attendance), Technology Enabled Learning, Legal and Compliance, as well as Core HR (HRIS and Payroll).
About HR.com
HR.com, the largest global social networking and resource site for HR Professionals, is THE ONLY place to earn IHR (Institute for Human Resources), HRCI and WorldatWork credits all at the same time for NO COST. HR.com is committed to providing a deeper understanding of the HR function for 240,000 members by offering guaranteed pass re-certification prep courses, certification and re-certification credits, interactive Excellence Essentials monthly e-publications, 23 Expert Certification Programs, 19 Certificate Programs, 3,500+ webcasts, 230+ virtual conferences, blogs, community networks, industry news and advisory boards. http://www.hr.com
HR.com Contact:
Debbie McGrath, Chief Instigator and CEO
dmcgrath(at)hr(dot)com
877-472-6648 Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.
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