Declaration signers are getting plaques

Declaration signers are getting plaques

CONCORD, N.H.

It’s William Whipple’s turn to be recognized.

The New Hampshire merchant is one of the lesser-known signers of the Declaration of Independence. This year, there are plans for Whipple and 11 others to be honored for their place in history with a small bronze plaque at their grave sites or homes, thanks to a group of descendants of the Founding Fathers.

Some of the 56 signers, such as Whipple, have no direct descendants. For others, it’s not clear where they’re buried. Some cemeteries don’t allow the plaques. In addition to the 45 who eventually will end up with plaques, there are 11 signers who won’t be getting them; they will be honored at the historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington.

Thousands protest across Morocco

RABAT, Morocco

Thousands of pro- democracy activists in Morocco protested across the country Sunday to demand more reforms two days after voters overwhelmingly approved a new constitution the king said will expand freedoms.

The demonstrations were a show of strength for the February 20 movement, whose rallies over the past few months prompted King Mohammed VI to amend the constitution as part of his own democratic reform.

The North African country of 32 million has been swept by pro-democracy protests, like in other countries across the Arab world. But protesters have not called for the ouster of the 47-year-old king, who remains popular.

Warming oceans speeding ice melt

WASHINGTON

Warming air from climate change isn’t the only thing that will speed ice melting near the poles — so will the warming water beneath the ice, a new study points out.

Increased melting of ice in Greenland and parts of Antarctica has been reported as a consequence of global warming, potentially raising sea levels. But little attention has been paid to the impact of warmer water beneath the ice.

Now, Jianjun Yin of the University of Arizona and colleagues report the warming water could mean polar ice melting faster than had been expected. Their report was published Sunday in the journal Nature Geoscience.

Though melting floating ice won’t raise sea level, ice flowing into the sea from glaciers often reaches the bottom, and grounded ice melted by warm water around it can produce added water to the sea.

Cyclist dies on ride protesting helmets

ONONDAGA, N.Y.

Police say a motorcyclist participating in a protest ride against helmet laws in upstate New York died after he flipped over the bike’s handlebars and hit his head on the pavement.

The accident happened Saturday afternoon in the town of Onondaga, in central New York near Syracuse.

State troopers tell The Post-Standard of Syracuse that 55-year-old Philip A. Contos of Parish, N.Y., was driving a 1983 Harley-Davidson with a group of bikers who were protesting helmet laws by not wearing helmets.

Troopers say Contos hit his brakes and the motorcycle fishtailed. The bike spun out of control, and Contos toppled over the handlebars.

Troopers say Contos likely would have survived if he had been wearing a helmet.

Schuller voted off ministry board

GARDEN GROVE, Calif.

A report says the Rev. Robert H. Schuller has been voted off the board of Crystal Cathedral Ministries, a church he founded more than 50 years ago.

Schuller’s son, Robert A. Schuller, told the Orange County Register on Sunday that his 84-year-old father wanted to enlarge the ministry’s board of directors, but members voted him off instead.

Associated Press