الأحد، 20 نوفمبر 2011

Lincoln Tribune

Lincoln Tribune

Link to The Lincoln Tribune

Wildfire destroys dozens of homes in Reno, Nevada

Posted: 20 Nov 2011 02:36 AM PST

RENO, NEVADA (BNO NEWS) -- A wildfire which broke out near Reno in Nevada this week has destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands of people to evacuate, officials said. The fire was more than 80 percent contained as of Sunday.

The fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday and quickly spread, becoming a three-alarm fire within hours and threatening thousands of homes in the city of Reno. The fire had burned some 2,000 acres (810 hectares) as of late Saturday, and officials said the blaze is now 80 percent contained.

Reno Fire Chief Hernandez said at least 32 homes have been destroyed in the fire, while at least five others have been damaged. "It is important to remember that this is nothing short of a miracle," said Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval. "Four thousand homes were saved by 400 firefighters."

Nearly 10,000 people were evacuated on early Friday morning, but most were allowed to return home on Saturday. Sierra Fire Chief Mike Brown said firefighters expect the blaze, which has been named the Caughlin Fire, should be fully controlled by mid-week.

On Friday, officials said one person had died as a result of a heart attack while evacuating the area. Additionally, one firefighter was also taken to a local hospital with first- and second-degree burns.

Governor Sandoval previously made a state declaration of emergency which qualifies local governments for federal assistance associated with the Caughlin Ranch fire. "Declaring a state of emergency ensures that every resource from the local, state and federal level is available to assist," he said on Friday.

(Copyright 2011 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


N.C. Shakespeare Festival’s “A Christmas Carol” Returns Dec. 2

Posted: 20 Nov 2011 02:00 AM PST

Actor Michael Huie as Ebenezer Scrooge. Photo by Tom Terrell.

HIGH POINT, N.C.– The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival offers a wholesome and powerful family theatre experience this December with its professional production of "A Christmas Carol," the Charles Dickens classic that brings legendary Scrooge face to face with a series of ghosts and, ultimately, a profound revelation that captures the heart of the season.

The festival's production, a perennial favorite of Piedmont Triad and North Carolina audiences, runs Dec. 2-20 at High Point Theatre, 220 E. Commerce Ave., in downtown High Point.

Tickets are available at the theatre's box office from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and one hour before curtain time for that performance only. Tickets may be ordered by phone at 336-887-3001 and online at www.highpointtheatre.com. For group and SchoolFest tickets, call the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival's administrative offices at 336-841-2273 during business hours. Home school and church groups are welcome.

For the performance on Friday, Dec. 9, at 8 p.m., audience members who each bring one new toy will receive one free seat in the theatre balcony. Toys will be donated to the Salvation Army Family Shelter in High Point. It is not necessary to wrap the toys.

Beyond Dickens' moving tale and cast of unforgettable characters, the production features rousing music, beautiful costumes and a stunning set – all designed to transport theatergoers into a 19th century London full of fog, ghosts and an overwhelming spirit of Christmas and love.

The cast of the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival's "A Christmas Carol". Photo by Tom Terrell.

Pedro Silva, the festival's managing director and artistic director, who played Scrooge for many seasons, will direct the play for the ninth time. Silva will also appear as Scrooge for the first time since 2002 in a special encore performance on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m.

This production of "A Christmas Carol" is made possible through a presenting sponsorship from New Breed Logistics, Inc., and co-sponsorships from the High Point Convention & Visitors Bureau, WGHP Fox 8, WMAG 99.5 Continuous Christmas, WFDD 88.5 and the High Point Enterprise. Additional sponsorships are provided by the News & Record in support of SchoolFest performances, and North State Communications in support of sign-interpreted performances. Designated by the N.C. General Assembly as the state's official Shakespeare company, the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival is also supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

The play is suitable for children 8 and older. Babes in arms and toddlers are kindly discouraged. For more information about the play or the professional theater company, visit www.ncshakes.org.

About the Cast:

The cast is made up of a total of 29 Equity and professional actors, regional and community theatre actors, and local children and youth appearing in their first professional production. Michael Huie of Winston-Salem returns for a third year in the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Other returning actors in lead roles are Duke Ernsberger as Bob Cratchit, Rebecca Koon as Anne Cratchit and Stephen T. Ware as both Mr. Fezziwig and Ghost of Jacob Marley – all from Charlotte; Jeanmarie Collins from Trussville, Ala., as the Ghost of Christmas Past and First Philanthropist; Chris White as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Second Philanthropist, and Sarah Jenkins as Sarah and other roles – both from New York; J. Hernandez of Charlottesville, Va., as Scrooge as a Younger Man; Mark Allen Woodard of Hickory as Scrooge's nephew Fred; and Rob Taylor of Lexington, as a Beggar and Old Joe. Mark Armstrong of Greensboro returns as Lead Caroler and Chief Mourner and serves as music director.

First-time cast members in leading roles include Meghan Hoffman, from New York, as Belle and Jenna Tamisiea of Greenville, S.C., as Mrs. Fezziwig.

Returning in multiple roles are Joe Collins of Kernersville; Gracey Falk of Greensboro; Ivey Harris of High Point, and her three children Caleb, Elizabeth and Peytra; Michael Howell of High Point; Nick Ryan of Charleston, W.Va.; and Meredith Stephens of Thomasville, and her two children Laura and Sarah Stephens. Sarah Stephens appears for the first time as Tiny Tim Cratchit.

Joining the company for the first time are Christopher Berry of New York; Nathan Matias of Kernersville; and Maddie Mullins and Joshua Ridge, both from High Point.

For further information about the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, call 336-841-2273 or visit www.NCShakes.org . For further information about Festival Stage of Winston-Salem call 336-841-2273 or visit www.FestivalStage.org .

UN member states re-admit Libya to the UN Human Rights Council

Posted: 19 Nov 2011 03:30 PM PST

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- United Nations (UN) member states on Friday voted to re-admit Libya as a member of the UN Human Rights Council after the country's civil was has come to an end.

The decision to re-admit Libya comes eight months after the North African country was suspended for its violent bloody crackdown on anti-government protests. The regime, led by Muammar Gaddafi, was eventually toppled and a transitional government led by former rebels has now assumed power.

The UN General Assembly gathered in New York on Friday and approved Libya's re-admission to the UN Human Rights Council. A total of 123 countries voted in favor of the restoration of Libyan membership to the Council while four countries voted against and six abstained.

A resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly welcomed the recent commitments made by the new Libyan government to promote and protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law and to cooperate with relevant international human rights mechanisms.

The 47 members of the Council, which was set up in 2006 and is based in Geneva, are divided according to a geographical formula. Libya's membership to the Council is set to end in 2013 after it was elected last year.

(Copyright 2011 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


Lincolnton Wolves Advance to 2A West Finals

Posted: 19 Nov 2011 12:47 PM PST

By Ron McCann

Lincolnton: The weather was chilly at Von Ray Harris Field in Lincolnton on Friday night but there was plenty of action on the field to help keep the fans’ attention off the cold. Lincolnton had a 21-7 lead at the end of the first half. Maiden then came back on the field to even the score by reaching the end zone on their first two drives of the third quarter. Late in the third quarter, the Wolve’s Dee Littlejohn was given a more active role in carrying the ball and was a major contributor in Lincolnton putting up two more TDs and winning the third round of the 2A West playoffs 34-21.

Lincolnton QB Patrick Rendleman played an outstanding game after missing last week’s game due to a quadriceps injury. The Wolves will have home field advantage when they face Thomasville (10-4) next Friday for the West 2A title.

More photos from the game can be viewed at www.SportPixNC.com

 

Dee Littlejohn (33) and QB Patrick Rendleman head downfield

 

 

IAEA board adopts resolution voicing ‘increasing concern’ about Iran’s nuclear work

Posted: 19 Nov 2011 09:51 AM PST

VIENNA, AUSTRIA (BNO NEWS) -- The UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday announced that its Board of Governors has adopted a new resolution to voice its concern about Iran's nuclear work and to urge the country to cooperate with the international community.

"The resolution expresses deep and increasing concern about the unresolved issues regarding the Iranian nuclear program, including those which need to be clarified to exclude the existence of possible military dimensions," the IAEA said after adopting the resolution by a majority vote.

On Thursday, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said that throughout the past three years, the agency has obtained additional information regarding Iran's nuclear program, increasing their concerns about possible military dimensions. He said the agency finds the information to be "overall, credible" and consistent in terms of technical content, individuals, time frames and organizations involved.

"The information indicates that Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device," Amano said during a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors. "It also indicates that, prior to the end of 2003, these activities took place under a structured program, and that some activities may still be ongoing."

Friday's resolution urges Iran once again to comply fully and without delay with its obligations under relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and to meet the requirements of the IAEA Board of Governors.

Furthermore, in support of a diplomatic solution, the resolution calls on Iran to engage seriously and without preconditions in talks aimed at restoring international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.

At the scheduled March 2012 Board of Governors meeting, the Director General is expected to include an assessment of the implementation of this resolution in his progress report.

The international community welcomed the resolution. "The P5+1 countries have affirmed Iran's right to a peaceful nuclear program but make clear that with that right comes responsibilities - responsibilities Iran has yet to fulfill," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. "The P5+1 remains ready to engage with Iran if Iran is genuinely prepared to engage in serious negotiations, where Iran can choose to rebuild international confidence in the nature of its nuclear program."

In the coming weeks, the U.S. government will work with its international partners in order to increase the pressure on Iran's government until it decides to meet its international obligations, Clinton added.

In the United Kingdom, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the IAEA resolution sends an 'unambiguous message' to Iran that it must address the 'grave concerns' about its nuclear program. "The IAEA's report provides credible and detailed evidence about possible military dimensions of the Iranian program," he said. "The IAEA Board's resolution - supported by the UK, U.S., France, Germany, Russia and China - should leave Iran in no doubt about the unity and determination of the international community."

Hague added: "As today's resolution makes clear, the IAEA cannot provide credible assurances about Iran's nuclear program. Until Iran acknowledges this, co-operates fully with the Agency and complies with all its international obligations, we and our partners will work together to tighten the pressure on Iran. Iran is already isolated in the world but it does not need to be. Its response to this report must be to chose a different path."

Last year, the UN Security Council imposed a fourth round of sanctions against Iran, citing the proliferation risks of its nuclear program and its continued failure to cooperate with the IAEA.

This month, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano wrote to the President of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran proposing to send a high-level team to the country to clarify the issues outlined in the IAEA's latest report. "I hope a suitable date can be agreed soon," he said about the letter. "It is essential that any such mission should be well planned and that it should address the issues contained in my report."

(Copyright 2011 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


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