Tempers flare over 6 days of outages

Tempers flare over 6 days of outages

HARTFORD, Conn.

Tempers are snapping as fast as the snow-laden branches that brought down power wires across the Northeast last weekend, with close to 300,000 Connecticut customers still in the dark and the state’s biggest utility warning them not to threaten or harass repair crews.

Angry residents left without heat as temperatures drop to near freezing overnight have been lashing out at Connecticut Light & Power — accosting repair crews, making profane criticisms online and suing. In Simsbury, a hard-hit suburban town of about 25,000 residents, National Guard troops deployed to clear debris have been providing security outside a utility office building.

The October nor’easter knocked out power to more than 3 million homes and businesses across the Northeast, including 830,000 in Connecticut, where outages now exceed those of all other states combined.

Clock ticking on Iran, Peres says

JERUSALEM

Israel’s president says the international community is closer to pursuing a military solution to the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program than a diplomatic one.

The remarks by Shimon Peres to Israel’s channel 2 TV on Friday were unusual because he is known as a dove and optimist.

Peres said world leaders need to “fulfill their promises” to stop Iran “whatever it takes.” He said, “There is a long menu as to what can be done.” He did not elaborate.

The interview comes days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reported to be seeking ministers’ support for a strike against Iran.

Israel, the U.S. and other nations suspect Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says its atomic program has only peaceful aims. Negotiations and sanctions have failed to resolve the standoff.

Asteroid coming close to Earth

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

An asteroid bigger than an aircraft carrier will dart between the Earth and moon Tuesday — the closest encounter by such a huge rock in 35 years.

But scientists say not to worry. It won’t hit.

“We’re extremely confident, 100 percent confident, that this is not a threat,” said the manager of NASA’s Near Earth Object Program, Don Yeomans. “But it is an opportunity.”

The asteroid named, 2005 YU55, is being watched by ground antennas as it approaches from the direction of the sun. The last time it came within so-called shouting distance was 200 years ago.

Closest approach will occur at 6:28 p.m. Tuesday when the asteroid passes within 202,000 miles of Earth. That’s closer than the roughly 240,000 miles between the Earth and the moon.

No verdict yet in Conrad Murray trial

LOS ANGELES

Jurors considering the case against Michael Jackson’s doctor ended their first day of deliberations Friday without reaching a verdict or asking any questions indicating how far along they have gotten in their discussions.

The seven-man, five-woman panel was given highlighters and blank forms to request evidence after starting deliberations around 8:30 a.m.

They recessed around 4 p.m. and were set to resume discussions Monday.

The jury must reach a unanimous verdict to either convict or acquit Dr. Conrad Murray of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s June 2009 death.

Associated Press