Review: Les Miserables (2012)

The latest musical movie masterpiece arrived last week. A brand new version of the classic French novel Les Miserables hit theaters on December 25.

This version was different from most musicals in that the performers sang on stage, instead of being rerecorded in studio, afterwards. Some have complained about it, but it brought a realism to it that now seems lacking in other musicals.

For those not familiar with the tale, it is set in 19th century France and while has several main characters it definitely focuses on Jean Valjean. He is released from prison, in 1815, but breaks his parole in order to create a new life for himself. Inspector Javert, who had released him, takes a personal vendetta against Valjean, which climaxes during the June Rebellion of 1832.

In this latest version, Hugh Jackman gives as great portrayal as Jean Valjean. Russel Crowe seemed a bit week in the rold of Javert. Anne Hathaway is already hearing Oscar talk for her brilliant playing of Fantine. But for me it was Samantha Barks who really stood out as Eponine.

The movie also starred Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Daniel Huttlestone, Colm Wilkinson, and Isabella Allen.

2012 Declared Most Expensive Year For Gasoline

AAA has confirmed that 2012 was the most expensive year, for gas, ever.

During 2012 the national average was $3.60 a gallon, beating out 2011 which had an average of $3.51.

Two hundred and forty-eight days of 2012 set new daily records, including one hundred and thirty-four consecutive days.

April 5 and 6 showed the highest average, with both of them at $3.94.

Hawaii had the highest average, at $4.31 a gallon, and South Carolina had the lowest with $3.35.

Deadly Explosions End 2012 in Iraq

Multiple bombs exploded throughout Iraq on Monday.

Twenty-three people were killed and eighty-seven were injured in the various explosions as well as shootings.

Attacks have only increased as tensions rise between the Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds.

No one claimed responsibility for any of the bombings.

The attacks were aimed at Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis, including government officials, police, and civilians.

Protests follow the attacks, raising fears that unrest could open the doors for Al Qaeda to make larger footholds in the country.

Nine Killed in Oregon Bus Crash

An Oregon bus crash has left nine people dead and twenty-six more injured, Sunday afternoon.

It happened on I-84 about ten miles out of Pendleton, Oregon.

The bus slipped on ice, went through a guard rail, and down an embankment.

Each of the passengers were having to be rescued by specially trained emergency workers trained in rope rescue.

They are then being airlifted to the nearest hospital, via three helicopters.

Investigators are working to confirm that weather was responsible.

Officials have not yet released any information about which company the bus belonged to, where it was from, or heading.

Secretary Clinton Hospitalized With Blod Clot

Secretary of State Hilary Clinton was sent to the hospital with a blood clot, on Sunday.

Doctors believe that the clot began when she suffered a concussion, a few weeks ago.

The clot was noticed during a follow up visit.

She is being treated at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, with anti-coagulants.

 Clinton will stay there for forty-eight hours as doctors observe how well the medication works.

2 Killed in Attack on Coptic Church in Misrata

Woman praying at the Misrata Coptic church earlier in 2012

An explosion hit the Misrata Coptic Church, in Libya, on Sunday.

Two people were killed and another two injured in the blast.

All four were Egyptian citizens, who were preparing the church for the New Years Eve mass.

After the explosion, Egypt's ambassador visited the church, and urged Libyan security forces to protect the building.

No one has claimed responsibility, for the explosion, which is under investigation.

Misrata is the third largest city in Libya.

Brazilian Robbers Take 9 Hostages After Failed Heist

Nine Brazilians have been taken as hostages, by a gang of bank robbers who are fleeing from police.

Around 02:00 local time, the gang hit a jewelry factory in Cotipora.

Quick reacting police arrived at the factory, and a shootout began.

Two officers were wounded and three robbers killed, during the shootout.

One of the dead robbers was Elisandro Falcao, the leader of the gang and most wanted man in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

The rest of the gang made off into the forest, with their hostages.

Over two hundred local and federal police are now searching for them, in the surrounding areas.

Governor Tarso Genro said that the, "top priority is to make sure we rescue the hostages alive".

Falcao's gang had become infamous for using explosives to rob banks, shops, and other businesses, in the region.

Comet ISON Could Put on Show For Earth

Comet McNaught in 2007 over Chile

Comet ISON is set to go right past the sun, in late 2013.

Scientists believe that it's trajectory should put it close enough to give Earth quite a show.

While they say it doesn't pose any threat to Earth, it could be very visible for us.

According to astronomers, if it gets close enough to the sun to "create a tail of ice particles" it will be "brighter than even the full moon".

In 2007, Comet McNaught was quite visible over Chile, and others have been throughout the years, with the most notable being a 1680 sighting which was visible even during the day.

19 Shiite Pilgrims Killed in Pakistan

At least nineteen Shiite pilgrims were killed, on Sunday, in the Mastung district of Baluchistan Province, of Pakistan.

Another twenty-five were injured when a bomb blew up next to one of their three buses, Sunday morning.

The explosion destroyed the one bus and damaged the other two.

Wounded pilgrims were taken to the hospital in Quetta, the provincial capital.

The pilgrims had been making their way to Zahedan, Iran, after gathering in Quetta.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Two Wounded in Attack on Iraq's Deputy PM

Two people were wounded after a mob attacked Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister, on Sunday.

Saleh al-Mutlak had been speaking at a rally, in Ramadi, when protesters appeared.

At first they just threw words, but that turned into water bottles, rocks, and shoes.

Mutlak's security then tried to get him out, but the protesters attacked, broke through the guards, and attacked the deputy.

Federal police then shot "into the air" to disperse the mob, wounding two people.

IDF Patrol Attacked South of Shechem

An IDF patrol south of Shechem was attacked, on Saturday evening.

Two men threw a firebomb at the patrol and then took off running.

None of the soldiers were injured in the attack.

Other soldiers later arrested two suspects.

They were caught with knives, a fire bomb, and an "improvised gun".

Both suspects will face charges of terrorism.

UK Judge Rules Christians Can't Say No to Working on Sundays

A judge in the United Kingdom ruled that Christians do not have the right to say no to working on Sunday.

The judge stated that not working on Sundays is not a "core component" of Christianity.

Justice Langstaff made the decision on an appeals case, in which a Christian woman was suing over being fired for refusing to work on Sundays.

Langstaff's decision was met with outcries that the decision is an attack against Christianity, that it is an attempt by the court to control the faith, and that it violates freedom of religion.

The Justice explained his decision by stating that since all Christians do not require the day off, it can not be a tenant of the faith.

Bodies of Kidnapped Pakistani Police Found

Twenty-one of the twenty-three kidnapped Pakistani police were found dead, early Sunday.

One of the others was wounded and survived, by playing dead, while another escaped completely.

The wounded officer has been hospitalized, and is expected to recover.

They were kidnapped, on Thursday, during attacks on their bases, by the Taliban, in the Khyber Paktunkhwa province, near Peshawar.

Their bodies were found in the Jabai area of the Frontier Region, not far from where the attacks occurred.

Pakistan's government had given the Darra Adam Khel tribe until Monday to find the police, or face financial punishment.

Under Pakistani law, tribes can be held responsible for attacks which happen in their territory.

Bush Moved Out of ICU

Former President George H. W. Bush was moved out of the ICU, on Saturday.

He will still be staying at the hospital until doctors feel he has recovered enough.

On November 7, the former President was admitted to Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, due to bronchitis.

He was released, on November 19, only to be readmitted, November 23, when his cough flared back up.

According to a spokesman, he had several setbacks, including a high fever, which required the move to the ICU, on December 23.

At eighty-eight he is the oldest living former President of the United States.

33 Die In Pakistan From Cough Syrup

Over the past four days at least thirty-three people have died in Pakistan, from what is suspected to be bad cough syrup.

Another fifty-four have become ill after using the medicine.

All of the deaths and illnesses have occurred in and around Gujranwala.

Doctors believe that either the medicine was bad, or the people may have also consumed too much of the cough syrup, in hopes of getting high off of it.

An investigation, of the medicine, is underway to determine which it is.

So far, the investigation has shown that multiple brands of cough syrup were used, including some home made varieties.

The home made ones increase the likelihood of bad medicine, but the multiple brands raise the chances of it being misuse of the syrup.

Ronorvirus Strikes Queen Mary 2

A struck the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship, this week.

Over two hundred of the passengers and crew fell ill to the sickness.

It is believed to be ronovirus, which is highly contagious, and deadly if not treated.

The cruise had left New York, last Saturday, for a twelve day cruise through the Caribbean.

Due to the illness, the ship was quarantined once it docked at Saint Maarten.

According to Cunard Line there are 2,613 passenger, and an unlisted number of crew, aboard the vessel.

United Airline Slides Off Albany Runway

A United Airlines plane slid off a runway, Saturday night.

It happened in Albany, New York, as the plane was taxiing, before heading to Chicago.

Light snow had been falling all day and the plane slipped right off the runway, into a snow bank.

None of the sixty-five passengers or crew were injured, in the incident.

They were, however, bused back to the terminal and had to wait for a new place.

No other delays took place at the airport.

The plane has been removed from the snow bank and will be investigated, before further use.

Earlier Saturday, a Russian airliner went off a Moscow runway, killing four.

Explosion in Karachi Kills 5

Five people were killed and fifty more injured when a bomb exploded on a bus.

The explosion happened in Karachi, Pakistan, on Saturday.

Nearby buildings, vehicles, and people were all hit by the bus, which had just left the Cantonment Railway Station.

Fires burned for some time, before all of them could be extinguished.

No one has claimed responsibility for the blast, and it is not clear if it was a suicide bomber, or not.

Russian Airline Crash Kills 4

A Russian airliner skidded off it's runway and crashed into a highway, on Saturday.

As it slid, it split into three separate pieces.

Luckily there were no passengers aboard, but sadly four of it's twelve crew members were killed in the crash.

Part of the Vnukovo airport, as well as the highway, were closed while the investigation and clean up took place.

The plane was a Tu-204, about the size of 757, and was operated by Red Wings, a Russian carrier.

This was the first major accident for the Tu-204s, which were produced in the 1990s.

French Tax on Rich Deemed Discrimination

Hollande

French President Francois Hollande's plans have run into a slight problem.

Much like US President Obama, he had proposed and strongly supported a higher tax rate on the rich.

Hollande's plan would have added a seventy-five percent tax rate for those who make more than one million euros a year.

Parliament had approved the tax, in September, and it had already been calculated into the 2013 budget.

However, on Saturday, the Constitutional Council decided that such a tax "failed to recognise equality before public burdens".

According to them, because the tax singled out individuals, it was a form of discrimination.

Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault stated that the government will still go ahead with the new tax rate, adding "the government will propose a new system that conforms with the principles laid down by the decision of the Constitutional Council".

China Requires People to Visit Elderly Parents

China passed new legislation, on Friday, that requires people visit their elderly parents, "often".

Under the new law, parents who feel neglected or abandoned can sue their children, for not visiting them enough.

The law does not say just how often "often" is.

It was made as an attempt to bring back the importance that family once had, for the Chinese.

Very few assisted living and retirement home options are available, in China, leaving the elderly dependent upon family or charity.

23 Pakistani Police Missing After Taliban Attack

Twenty-three Pakistani police are believed to have been kidnapped by the Taliban, on Thursday.

Militants attacked two police outposts in the Darra Adam Khel tribal region, killing two officers.

Twenty-five officers had been stationed, between the two outposts, but only the two dead were found.

On Friday, Pakistan announced that it might punish the tribe, if the police are not rescued.

The tribe was given until Monday to accomplish their mission, or financial aid from the government may be cut off.

Under Pakistani tribal law, tribes can be held responsible for attacks which happen in their territory.

3 Officers Wounded, Gunman Killed in New Jersey

Three police officers were wounded in their own station, early Friday morning.

An as of yet unidentified man had been brought into the Gloucester Township Police station for a domestic abuse case.

While undergoing processing he began to struggle with officers, and somehow managed to get hold of one of their guns.

Officers shot the man, killing him, but not before he had shot and wounded three of their number.

One of the officers required surgery for his wounds, at Cooper University Hospital , while the other two were treated and released for minor wounds.

Velayat 91 Underway in Iran

Velayat 91, Iran's latest war games, began on Friday, and will continue through Wednesday.

Taking place in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, and northern parts of the Indian Ocean the games will be Iran's largest ever, geographically.

Guardianship 91, as it would be in English, is set to involve almost all of Iran's navy, amphibious forces, and land to sea missile batteries, as well as some of their air power.

During the games, Iran will once again show the world how easy it would be for Iran to close off the Strait of Hormuz, through which forty percent of the world's oil travels.

Iran did so last December as well, prompting US and allied forces to hold their own war games there, in August, to test how they would fight to keep it open.

Infant Recliners Being Recalled

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission ordered a recall, on Thursday.

One hundred and fifty thousand Nap Nanny Generations One and Two and Chill infant recliners are being recalled.

Five infants have died and ninety-two been injured, while using the recliners, made by Baby Matters.

The commission noted that Baby Matters refused to participate in the recall.

Baby Matters says that as long as the recliners are properly used, no injures will occur.

President George H W Bush's Statement on The Death of General Schwarzkopf

Schwarzkopf, left, Bush, right

From his hospital bed at Methodist Hospital in Houston, former President George H. W. Bush released a statement regarding the death of retired General H. Norman Schwarzkopf.

"Barbara and I mourn the loss of a true American patriot and one of the great military leaders of his generation. A distinguished member of that Long Gray Line hailing from West Point, General Norm Schwarzkopf, to me, epitomized the 'duty, service, country' creed that has defended our freedom and seen this great Nation through our most trying international crises. More than that, he was a good and decent man, and a dear friend. Barbara and I send our condolences to his wife Brenda and his wonderful family."

General Norman Schwarzkopf, Dead at 78

Retired General Norman Schwarzkopf died on Thursday, at the age of seventy-eight, in Tampa, Florida.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, August 22, 1934, H. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. grew up to the army life. In 1956, he graduated from West Point and his first tour saw him in Berlin before the Wall was built. He then came back to the states and went to USC where he received his masters in mechanical engineering, graduating in 1964. Following that he taught at West Point, for one year, before applying to be sent to Vietnam, where he served, before coming back to teach two more years.

It was in Vietnam that his reputation to risk his own life for his soldiers came into place, it was also where he became known as Stormin Norman, due to his temper when other units refused to help his. Schwarzkopf rose through the ranks, serving in various locations and commands, until making full general in 1988.

As Commander in Chief of the US Central Command he designed a war game in which Iraq invaded Kuwait, and other nations, in order to take over oil fields, and how they should be defended. The games took place in July of 1990, less than a month before Iraq actually did invade Kuwait, for oil. He was put in charge of a coalition to removed Iraq from Kuwait. His plan was used and because of it, the US ground war only lasted four days.

Stormin Norman retired from the military in August of 1991, after which he became an analyst for NBC. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, in 1993, he began promoting awareness of it. He continued to work with various charities, after beating cancer, and sat on multiple boards for high profile corporations.

Greenwood Village Woman Shot to Death, Suspect Later Found Dead

Around 07:15, a woman was shot to death Thursday morning, in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

She was found on a ramp between the third and fourth floors of the Promenade Place Apartments' parking garage. According to police, she had been shot twice and there were clear signs of a struggle.

A few blocks away, at the I25 and Belleview light rail station, police found a green Jeep Cherokee that they believed was connected to the case. After talking to it's owner they later released it.

Police announced that they had two people of interest, in the case. They brought one of them in for questioning, the woman's current boyfriend.

The other is a former coworker, of the woman's, who had been fired for harassing her. SWAT had surrounded the man's apartment, and spent four hours negotiating to get him to come out peacefully. Eventually, they forced entry only to find that he had shot and killed himself.

Marcellus Scott, Dead at 22

Aurora, Colorado Police have identified the body found near Peoria and Iliff, on Wednesday.

He was twenty-two year old Marcellus Xavier Scott. 

On Thursday, the coroner announced that he died from Hypothermia.

Police had initially treated the discovery of his body as a crime scene, and called the death suspicious.

They have since back down from that statement, and now say they're waiting to see if tests show Scott was intoxicated.

Marcellus loved film, it had become his passion, and he was looking forward to making a career behind the camera.

"Chimp", as he was known to his friends, will be remembered as a good kid and great friend, who will greatly be missed.

Chinese Man Drives Car Into Crowd of Middle Schoolers

Forty-eight year old Yin Tiejun was arrested in Fengning, Hebei, China, on Monday after he drove his car into a group of children.

Twenty-three students were standing outside of Fengning Number 1 Middle School, thirteen of whom were injured.

Yin then attempted to light his car on fire.

Luckily police were able to stop him before he could so, as they found a tank full of gas and firecrackers in the trunk.

According to authorities, Yin has been angry for three years, ever since a court did not give the death penalty to four men found guilty of killing his daughter.

It is unclear why he attacked this group of children.

They, nor the school, had any connection to his daughter.

Russia's Upper House Passes US Adoption Ban

On Wednesday, Russia's upper house, the Federation Council, passed the Yakovlev Initiative, unanimously.

The initiative is a bill than bans Americans from adopting Russian children.

When it was proposed, law makers cited nineteen cases of Russian adoptees dying, in the US, including Dima Yakovlev.

President Putin is expected to sign it into law, as last week he spoke in support of the initiative.

It is the second part of Russia's strike back at the US for the Magnitsky Act.

Under the Magnitsky Act a visa ban was implaced on Russian officials, believed to be responsible for the death of Sergei Magnitsky, it also placed a freeze on their financial assets.

Last Friday, Russia's lower house, the Duma, passed the anti-Magnitsky Act, which blocked certain US citizens from entering Russia or adopting Russian children.

Over a hundred thousand Russians signed a petition against the passage of the anti-Magnitsky Act.

The passage of the Yakovleve Initiative has already, and will continue to, received backlash from the international community.

Wales and England Drenched Yet Again

Wales and England continue to be drenched by rain causing major flooding in some areas.

Flood warnings and alerts blanket much of the area from Wales to the West Central Plain.

After a couple of landslides, warnings are now in place for Wales and southeast England.

Power has been knocked out in some areas.

The rain is expected to continue, through at least Friday.

2012 will finish as one of the top ten wettest years, since record keeping began in 1910.

Further north, in Scotland and northern England, icy roads and snow have conquered much of the country side.

Firework Factory Explodes in Nigeria

At least one person was killed and thirty were injured when a firework factory exploded, on Wednesday.

The explosion happened in Lagos, Nigeria, and many feared it was another terrorist bombing.

Flames quickly spread to neighboring buildings, burning at least nine of them.

Hundreds came and watched the fire, causing firefighters to be delayed in reaching the scene.

Their efforts were then hampered further by a lack of water and further explosions.

5 People Killed in Oklahoma City Fire

Five people and three dogs were killed by an early morning fire in Oklahoma City, on Wednesday.

Fire fighters arrived at around 06:30 to find a home engulfed in flames.

The fire was too far advanced and hot for the fire fighters to enter the building.

Two of it's residents escaped, one unharmed, the other with third degree burns.

That man is at the hospital in critical condition.

Four of the five people killed were children under the age of ten, the other was their mother.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

According to Fire Department Major Tammy McKinney there were no working smoke detectors in the home.

Christmas Storms Lead to 6 Deaths in The US

Christmas came with storms for much of the United States.

From north central Texas to Ohio and the the Great Lakes blizzard warnings came with snow and slick roads.

Four deaths were recorded due to icy roads, two in Oklahoma and two in Arkansas.

Further south, from south central Texas to the Florida panhandle, tornado warnings and high winds swept through.

As many as thirty-four tornadoes were spotted, on Tuesday.

Winds were blamed for felling trees, which led to a death in Louisiana and another in Texas.

Nearly three hundred thousand people, across the south, were still without power, on Wednesday.

The storm continues it's path across the country as it heads north east, covering the Great Lakes and central east coast, making it's way towards New England.

George H W Bush in ICU

Eighty-eight year old George H. W. Bush's condition has worsened, and he was placed in an intensive care unit, on Sunday.

On November 7 the former President was admitted to Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, due to bronchitis.

He was released on November 19 only to be readmitted November 23, when his cough flared back up.

According to a spokesman, he had several setbacks, including a high fever, which required the move to the ICU.

The spokesman did say that he has greatly improved, since then, and is able to banter with his family and the hospital staff.

Bush will be kept in the ICU, until his condition has been upgraded above the current one of guarded.

MSNBC Under Investigation For Violating Gun Laws

Washington DC police are investigating MSNBC for violating gun laws, on Sunday.

While interviewing National Rifle Association chief Wayne LaPierre, on Meet the Press, host David Gregory used a prop to attempt a point in his argument.

His prop was a thirty round magazine, without a gun.

According to District of Columbia laws, that is still illegal.

NBC had asked for permission to show the "high capacity magazine", but they were denied permission by DC Police.

Despite the lack of permission, they went ahead and used it.

Police are now deciding whether or not charges will be pressed.

Here is the whole interview, the magazine was shown at 9:45 in it.

Aurora Police Investigating Body Found Wednesday Morning

Police in Aurora, Colorado are investigating a body that was found Wednesday morning.

A man's body was found near a dumpster at the intersection of East Iliff Avenua and South Peoria Street.

Despite there being no signs of foul play, police did say they found the death suspicious.

They are waiting for the coroner's report to determine the cause of death.

The man's identity has not yet been released, as police attempt to notify his family.

Kazakh Airplane Crash Kills 27

Twenty-seven people were killed when their airplane crashed in Kazakhstan, on Tuesday.

The Antonov An-72 went down near Shymkent, around 19:00 local time.

All of the passengers were security officials, including the head of the border service, Turganbek Stambekov.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, but have no leads at this time.

2 Nigerian Churches Attacked

The burnt foundation of Church of Christ in Nations

Two Nigerian churches were attacked during midnight Christmas services.

Gunmen killed  six people at the Church of Christ in Nations in Postikum, and then lit the building on fire.

Another six people were killed at the First Baptist Church in Maiduguri.

While Boko Haram has not claimed the attacks, they are being blamed on the terrorist group.

Boko Haram regularly attacks Christian churches as well as Muslims that it deems not Islamic enough.

The Islamist terrorist group seeks to establish a new government that would be based in sharia law.

Guatemalan Prosecutor Among 7 Killed by Cartels

Seven people were found dead, in two vehicles, along a highway near La Mesilla, Guatemala, on Sunday.

All seven had been killed, and then their vehicles had been lit on fire.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that one of the dead was federal prosecutor Irma Yolanda Olivares.

That confirmation only solidifies accusations that drug cartels were responsible.

Olivares had bee known for investigating and challenging the growing cartel influence, along the border with Mexico.

Two Killed in Airline Crash in Myanmar

Two people were killed an eleven injured when a plane went down near Rangoon, Myanmar.

The Air Bagan plane had been carrying at least sixty passengers.

It went down shortly before landing, after flying from Heho.

One of the dead was a person on the ground, who was hit when the plane made went down in a rice field.

When the plane hit the ground, it broke in half.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, but witnesses say that one of the engines caught on fire, just before the crash.

Japanese Fighters Scarmble After Chinese Plane Enters Airspace

Japan scrambled jets, on Tuesday, after a Chinese plane violated their airspace.

A Chinese Y12 surveillance plane flew into disputed territory, over the East China Sea.

As soon as it crossed into, international recognized, Japanese territory, Japan sent F15s to intercept it.

Once the F15s were in the air, the Y12 turned around and left.

China claims their plane never entered Japanese air space and has set it's armed forces on high alert, in response.

Firefighter Shooter Left Note

Chiapperini, left, Kaczowka, right

Police Lieutenant Michael Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka were the two volunteer fire fighters who lost their lives, Monday morning. Their crew responded to a house and car fire, in Webster, New York, only to be ambushed by a gunman.

Joseph Hofstetter and Theodore Scardino, two other members of the crew, are recovering from wounds they received. An unidentified police officer, was also wounded, but no further information was released on his condition, yet. 

The shooter, William Spangler, lit his own house and car on fire, to set the trap, and eventually shot himself when police were closing in on his location. A total of eight houses and one car were destroyed or damaged during the fire, which had to be left unfought while SWAT searched for the shooter. His sister is missing and investigators are searching for her.

Spengler had previously served seventeen years in prison, for murdering his grandmother, with a hammer. As a felon he could not legally posses firearms, and it is not yet clear how he obtained a pistol, shotgun, and an AR-15. Neighbors say that he had been one of the nicest people they had known, from the time he was released from prison, until his mother died, in October, when they stopped seeing him at all. With his body, police found a note in which he said he wanted to burn down the neighborhood and would, "do what I like doing best, killing people."

Egyptian Constitution Takes 63.8% of Votes

Egypt's election commission has finished tallying the votes.

With 63.8% of voters voting yes, the controversial Constitution has passed.

Only 32.9% of registered voters took part in the referendum.

The opposition is planning to challenge the results, challenging it on several factors.

Drawn up by the Muslim Brotherhood, the constitution is seen as trying to establish sharia law.

150 Rescued From Breaking Ski Lift

About one hundred and fifty people had to be rescued from the ski lift at Mary Jane Ski Resort, in Winter Park, Colorado.

One of the lift workers noticed part of the Sunnyside lift coming apart, and shut the whole thing down.

That employee is being called a hero for taking the initiative to shut it down, otherwise the whole lift could have fallen apart.

It took workers about two hours to get everyone off the lift, via ropes, but there were no injuries.

The resort is not sure how long the lift will be down for.

US Airways Jet Catches Fire

A US Airways jet caught fire while it was sitting at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Monday night.

The plane's auxiliary power unit, located under the tail, burst into flames.

It was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported.

An investigation is under way as to what caused the fire.

No passengers were on board at the time, but one hundred and one people had to be rebooked onto different flights.

 The plane had arrived from California and was supposed to head to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Winter Weather Hitting The US on Christmas

Winter is showing it's presence across the US for Christmas. Much of the country is in some sort of alert, with most being various forms of winter weather. From California to Maine snow is or has fallen, leaving freezing temperatures.

Parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio are under a blizzard warning. It was the first time that the National Weather Service had ever issued a blizzard warning for Little Rock.

In parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida tornado watches and warnings are taking place. The Houston area has had several sightings, and there are reports of buildings destroyed. One death has been reported due to a falling tree.

Queen Elizabeth II's Christmas Message

Queen Elizabeth II shared her annual Christmas message.

If you were lucky enough to have the equipment for it, she also filmed it in 3D.

This past year has been one of great celebration for many. The enthusiasm which greeted the Diamond Jubilee was, of course, especially memorable for me and my family. It was humbling that so many chose to mark the anniversary of a duty which passed to me sixty years ago. People of all ages took the trouble to take part in various ways and in many nations. But perhaps most striking of all was to witness the strength of fellowship and friendship among those who had gathered together on these occasions.

Prince Philip and I were joined by our family on the River Thames as we paid tribute to those who have shaped the United Kingdom's past and future as a maritime nation, and welcomed a wonderful array of craft, large and small, from across the Commonwealth. On the barges and the bridges and the banks of the river there were people who had taken their places to cheer through the mist, undaunted by the rain. That day there was a tremendous sense of common determination to celebrate, triumphing over the elements.

That same spirit was also in evidence from the moment the Olympic flame arrived on these shores. The flame itself drew hundreds and thousands of people on its journey around the British Isles, and was carried by every kind of deserving individual, many nominated for their own extraordinary service.

As London hosted a splendid summer of sport, all those who saw the achievement and courage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games were further inspired by the skill, dedication, training and teamwork of our athletes. In pursuing their own sporting goals, they gave the rest of us the opportunity to share something of the excitement and drama.

We were reminded, too, that the success of these great festivals depended to an enormous degree upon the dedication and effort of an army of volunteers. Those public-spirited people came forward in the great tradition of all those who devote themselves to keeping others safe, supported and comforted.

For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others, service will come first. Those serving in our Armed Forces, in our Emergency Services and in our hospitals, whose sense of duty takes them away from family and friends, will be missing those they love. And those who have lost loved ones may find this day especially full of memories. That's why it's important at this time of year to reach out beyond our familiar relationships to think of those who are on their own.

At Christmas I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child. From that day on he has inspired people to commit themselves to the best interests of others.

This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son 'to serve, not to be served'. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others.

The carol, 'In the Bleak Midwinter', ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God gave himself to us in humble service: 'What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part'. The carol gives the answer, 'Yet what I can I give him – give my heart'.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

Netanyahu's Christmas Message

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has released his Christmas message, to the world.

He started off by saying,

As Christians around the world and in Israel prepare to celebrate Christmas, I want to wish you all the merriest of holidays.

Today, Christian communities throughout the Middle East are shrinking, and many of them are endangered. This is, of course, not true in Israel. Here there is a strong and growing Christian community that participates fully in the life of our country.

Israel is proud of its record of religious tolerance and pluralism, and Israel will continue to protect freedom of religion for all. And we will continue to safeguard places of Christian worship throughout our country. We will not tolerate any acts of violence or discrimination against any place of worship. This is not our way, and this is something we cannot accept.

He then continued to talk about the locations, in Israel, that Christianity and Judaism share, and welcomed all to come see them.