KKK, NAACP Leaders In Wyoming Have Historic Meeting (VIDEO)

KkkLeaders from branches of the Ku Klux Klan and the NAACP had a historic meeting in Casper, Wyoming on Saturday to discuss recent acts of violence against black men and the distribution of KKK pamphlets in the area.
Jimmy Simmons, president of the Casper branch of the NAACP, had reached out to John Abarr of the United Klans of America about meeting in June, according to the Casper Star-Tribune. The two didn't meet until several ground rules were established, including an agreement to meet under heavy security.
The two discussed the KKK's desire to secede from the union, segregation and violence against black men. Abarr revealed that he saw an uptick in new members after the election of President Barack Obama and shared why he likes being in the Klan. Read More...

Sarah Harnish, Florida Mom, Shoots Baby, Josephine Boice, Then Self: Cops (VIDEO)

FOX 13 News
Sarah Harnish
SARASOTA, Fla. — Police in coastal Florida are investigating after they say a mother shot her 17-month-old daughter and then turned the gun on herself.
A Sarasota police officer reported going to the family's home Sunday morning and hearing the father repeat, "She shot our baby."
A police report released Tuesday says authorities found 35-year-old Sarah Harnish lying face down in the doorway in a pool of blood, still holding a gun.
The 17-month-old baby, Josephine Boice, was lying in bed shot in the temple, but was still breathing. She later died at the hospital.
A police statement says the child's father returned home from a scooter ride before 10 a.m. and heard shots fired and called 911.
No one else was inside the home when it happened. No other details were released and it's unclear what prompted the shooting. Read More...

BREAKING NEWS: Ariel Castro Dead: Cleveland Kidnapper Found Hanging In Prison Cell

Ariel Castro
Ariel Castro makes a statement in the courtroom during the sentencing phase Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Convicted kidnapper and rapist Ariel Castro was found dead on Tuesday evening, 19 Action News reported. He was 52.
On Aug. 1, Castro was sentenced to life plus 1,000 years in prison for kidnapping and raping Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus, and holding them captive in his Cleveland home for more than a decade.
He pleaded guilty to 937 counts, including murder and kidnapping, in exchange for the death penalty being taken off the table, CNN reported.
During the sentencing, Castro denied being abusive and insisted that most of the sex was consensual.
'I'm not a violent person," Castro said. "I simply kept them there without them being able to leave." Read More...

IN JAMAICA: Scholarship winner wants to make a difference

Scholarship winner wants to make difference

Sunday, August 25, 2013
SHAVEL Scarlett believes pursuing a university degree is the only thing that will rescue her from poverty. As much as she wanted to attend university, however, the chances were slim, for though she graduated from Rusea's High School with eight Carib ...more

Is it time for a career change?

Sunday, August 25, 2013
LIFE is filled with decisions, one of which is whether or not to switch one's career. With recent statistics showing Jamaica's unemployment rate at an all-time high of more than 16 per cent, this decision becomes a bit more complicated. "In ... Read more:

'Jamaica out of recession'

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) estimates that Jamaica has exited the recession.
The State agency is projecting economic growth in the range of 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent for the current quarter, which ends September 30.

"There is an expected return to positive performance for most industries reflecting a resurgence in output following the impact of Hurricane Sandy," said Colin Bullock, director general of the PIOJ, at the organisation's quarterly press briefing held yesterday.
He figures that the continued roll out of growth inducing capital projects approved for the current fiscal year, which runs to next March, and restoration of investor confidence with the passing of the first International Monetary Fund (IMF) test, will also aid in boosting the economy.
Continued recovery in the global economy also factors in, and with expectation that Jamaica will end the year with growth coming from several fronts, including the Bank of Jamaica, the recovery in the domestic economy is expected to be sustained. Read more:

Bill De Blasio Surges Ahead In New York City Mayoral Race: Poll

New York City public advocate Bill de Blasio has pulled further ahead in the New York City mayoral race, coming close to the 40 percent threshold he'd need to avoid a runoff in the Democratic primary, according to a poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University.
bill de blasio pollDe Blasio took 36 percent among likely Democratic primary voters, by far the largest share of the vote any candidate has garnered in polling so far. New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and former city comptroller Bill Thompson trailed at 21 and 20 percent, respectively. Three other candidates, former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), city comptroller John Liu and former city councilmember Sal Albanese, each polled in the single digits.
If there is a runoff, de Blasio would lead Quinn, 59 percent to 30 percent, and Thompson, 52 percent to 36 percent. Read More...

G. Todd Baugh Petition: Judge Who Gave Stacey Rambold 30 Days For Rape Of Student Urged To Resign

A petition calling for the resignation of Judge G. Todd Baugh has been circulated on MoveOn.org
A district court judge who handed down a controversial sentence in the case of an ex-teacher who raped a student is being petitioned to resign.
G Todd BaughThe MoveOn.org petition accuses Judge G. Todd Baugh of "victim shaming... [and] increasing the possibility that more child predators, relying on the laxity of a judge who more readily sympathizes with the abuser than the abused, will prey on other children in the future." Read More...

Obama: Syrian Government Behind Chemical Weapons Attack, No Decision On Action (VIDEO): 'I Have Not Made A Decision'... REPORT: Strikes 'Within Days'... 116 Members Of Congress 'Strongly Urge' Obama To Receive Congressional Approval... Intel Committees: We Haven't Been Properly Consulted... Brits Will Wait For UN Investigation... UK Labour Party Plans Pushback... Arab League Doesn't Back U.S. Strike... POLL: Just 25% Support Strikes... 3 Lingering Questions

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama on Wednesday declared unequivocally that the United States has "concluded" that the Syrian government carried out a deadly chemical weapons attack on civilians. But new hurdles emerged that appeared to slow the formation of an international coalition that could use military force to punish Syria.
Obama did not present any direct evidence to back up his assertion that the Syrian government bears responsibility for the attack. While he said he is still evaluating possible military retaliation, the president vowed that any American response would send a "strong signal" to Syrian President Bashar Assad.
"We have concluded that the Syrian government in fact carried these out," Obama said during an interview with PBS' NewsHour. "And if that's so, then there need to be international consequences." Read More...