Nation & World

<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Recording artist Taylor Swift at the 43rd Annual Country Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Thursday, November 12, 2009 Nation, World Briefs: Virginia’s governor declares storm emergency RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia’s governor declared a state of emergency Wednesday as unrelenting rain from the remnants of a tropical storm soaked the state, while officials in North Carolina braced for another day of heavy rain. Gov. Tim Kaine’s declaration mobilizes state agencies to prepare for the threat of flooding over a wide swath of Virginia. The National Weather Service forecasts 3 to 8 inches through Friday morning for parts of Virginia as the remains of Tropical Storm Ida, which was once a hurricane, crawl across the state. Old Dominion University in Norfolk canceled classes today. D.C.: Biden limo kills walker Two armored Secret Service vehicles, including a limousine sometimes used by Vice President Joe Biden, struck and killed a man before dawn Wednesday as he was crossing rain-slicked Suitland Parkway near the Washington D.C.-Maryland border, authorities said. The pedestrian was struck by the limousine and a Chevrolet Suburban at 2:27 a.m. A Secret Service spokesman said the vehicles were not carrying any “protectees.” Biden had used the limousine Tuesday during a visit to Fort Lewis. Tennessee: Swift wins big It’s been Taylor Swift’s year, and Wednesday was her night as she became the youngest person and the first solo female act in a decade to win the Country Music Association’s entertainer of the year award. Swift won all four awards for which she was nominated, making history on a historic night that included Darius Rucker’s win as new artist. “I’ll never forget this moment because in this moment everything that I have ever wanted has just happened to me,” Swift said through tears as she accepted the association’s highest honor during ceremonies at Sommet Center. Arkansas: Anchor slaying A man was convicted of capital murder Wednesday for beating an Arkansas TV anchorwoman so brutally that her face was shattered and she never regained consciousness before dying five days later. Curtis Lavelle Vance could face the death penalty for the assault on Anne Pressly at her Little Rock bungalow. The same jury that convicted him reconvened to hear testimony about whether he should be put to death or imprisoned without the possibility of parole. After the verdict, Pressly’s mother, Patti Cannady, raised a hand and said, “Praise God. Praise God.” Connecticut: Rockefeller tree The star attraction at New York’s Rockefeller Center this Christmas will be a 76-foot Norway spruce. Crews cut down the 10-ton tree Wednesday morning at the Easton home of schoolteacher Maria Corti. The spruce will be hoisted by a crane onto a trailer and transported about 50 miles to New York City. The tree will be put into place at the center today. After Christmas, the tree will be milled into lumber and donated to Habitat For Humanity. N. Jersey: Quadriplegic hunt A New Jersey judge said a quadriplegic blocked from buying a gun to go hunting has the right to bear arms even though he will have to use a wheelchair mount to use the firearm. Manville’s police chief had rejected James Cap’s application last year, citing safety concerns. A judge ruled Tuesday that the 46-year-old is eligible for a firearms ID, which is required to buy a gun. The judge addressed the safety issues by requiring Cap to have qualified people assist him with weapons. Ireland: Priest is released A 79-year-old Irish Roman Catholic priest abducted in the Philippines a month ago was freed early Thursday and neither country paid any of the kidnappers’ $2 million ransom demand, Irish and Filipino authorities said. The Rev. Michael Sinnott said he was not harmed but complained of arduous journeys as kidnappers took him by sea and through jungles to evade government troops. Prime Minister Brian Cowen said the government would help the priest enjoy “a speedy reunion with his family and friends.” China: Damage to Great Wall A Chinese gold mining company is being investigated for causing serious damage to one of the oldest sections of the Great Wall of China. Hohhot Kekao Mining Co. is suspected of destroying about 330 feet of the wall while prospecting in Inner Mongolia to the northwest of Beijing, the head of the regional cultural relics bureau said Wednesday. If found guilty, company officials could face up to 10 years in prison depending on the degree of damage, he said. From Herald news services READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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