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Hostages were being held inside a central Sydney cafe where a black flag with white Arabic writing could be seen in the window, local television showed on Monday, raising fears of an attack linked to Islamic militants. View the full article

There's Christmas music playing in the background. From the kitchen comes the smell of fresh-baked chocolate-chip cookies. The aroma flows through the open doorway and fills Emma's Sweets with the fragrance of a mother's love. View the full article

Brek Shea is coming back to MLS, and this time he’ll be wearing Orlando City purple. View the full article

Comedian Bill Cosby, besieged by a wave of sexual misconduct allegations, has praised his wife for supporting him and criticized the media for its coverage of a scandal that has already compromised his career. View the full article

It's no longer enough to entertain theme-park guests. You've got to make them part of the action. View the full article

The holidays at Walt Disney World fill our spirits with extra magic. From showstopping decor to heartwarming seasonal treats and beverages, the parks and resorts are at their very best. Winter Berry Margarita And we always enjoy seeing the adult drinks that Disney’s Hollywood Studios has available before we tour the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. And we have a sneak peek at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto coming to Disney’s Polynesian Resort!! Craving more news? Dig in below — just click on the links! Disney Food NewsCheck out the specialty festive beverages available at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios!We also reviewed the Frozen Holiday Premium Package and Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!A holiday dining picnic package is now available for Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.Check out the Add-On Princess experiences that will be available at Cinderella’s Dining Experience at Citricos in the Grand Floridian during the refurbishment of Cinderella’s Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom.We have an exclusive recipe for Sweet Corn Cheesecake served at the Mexico Pavilion at this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival!!We returned to the newly refurbished Intermission Food Court at All-Star Music. Check out our food review!New details revealed about Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto coming to the Polynesian Village Resort!Read our latest What’s New in Walt Disney World article! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including restaurant closures, Field to Feast, Starbucks West Side Holiday Menu, Frozen Yogurt at Storybook Treats, and more! We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go. DFB Reader FindsIf you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday! We always love to see the seasonal treats that the Disney chefs dream up. This week, our fabulous readers show us their holiday finds. Let’s start with this gorgeous seasonal cupcake featured at the Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest Restaurant. We have this photo to share with you courtesy of reader Claire. She told us via email “This was from about 3 weeks ago. It was a seasonal offering at Be our Guest in addition to the other regular cupcakes for dessert. It was very cutely designed to look like a cup of egg nog, with chocolate handle on the cup and everything. It had a nice soft, moist texture to the cupcake which was a spice cake. But holy nutmeg Batman!!! I love spice as much as the next person, but the nutmeg seemed really pronounced. If you really like the Christsmas-y flavours, then this is for you.” Egg Nog Cupcake DFB Reader Rick tweeted “Cupcake, Gingerbread & Mickey. Who could ask for more!?!” We love this one, too, Rick! Gingerbread Cupcake What’s your favorite find? Share your Disney food photos! DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2014Tis the season to eat, drink, and go to Walt Disney World! And that means it’s time to pick up your copy of the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2014 e-Book! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2014 e-Book is Fully Updated!The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2014 e-Book features 310 pages of all the info you need to know before you head to Walt Disney World for the holiday season, including NEW events and holiday happenings, over 250 photos, and an informative FAQ section. It includes: Detailed descriptions and photos of every holiday event and activity happening at the parks and resorts this year — including tips on how to make the best use of your time and money when visiting!A fully comprehensive holiday dining section with listings of holiday snacks, treats, meals, and menu items offered this year — from popcorn kiosks all the way to Signature Restaurants.New chapter on where to dine with no advance dining reservations.New chapter on 10 must-eat snacks this holiday season.A clickable 3-Month Schedule of Holiday Events so you can see at-a-glance what looks interesting to you.Comprehensive listings — with color photos! — of Disney Resort holiday decor and gingerbread displaysOur recommendations on ways to SAVE while you’re in Disney World this holiday season.A full chapter dedicated to all “New for 2014″ events, dining options, and activities, including what’s new at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, The Celebrate the Magic Castle Show, and the Epcot Candlelight Processional.Updated Scavenger Hunts Disney Cruise Line ChapterA Preview of the 2015 Holidays in Disney WorldAnd more!Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Holiday Fun!You’re probably paying a lot of money for your Disney holiday vacation…and we’re here to make sure you get the biggest bang for your buck! And with the holiday season already here, the time is now! Holiday Guide Sample Pages Booking early for holiday events and dining is critical, and our exclusive holiday dining and event information is the most efficient way to plan your holiday strategy. On a budget? Find out how to make those dollars stretch all around Disney World. As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience. It’s easily installed on your mobile devices. And this guide is guaranteed to help you better plan a memorable holiday trip, or your money back — we all know that your vacation time (and budget) are limited and we want you to get the most out of your visit! DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays Bonus ItemsOf course, the guide includes customized bonus items that go above and beyond any other holiday season coverage currently available. These include: Themed holiday crawls (there’s even one for seasonal beverages!)Customized Holiday Touring Strategies for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, gingerbread displays, and moreOur suggestions for the best restaurants to visit when you don’t have a reservation…on the busiest days of the yearA full section on great holiday activities and events for kidsAnd more! We even have an updated and expanded FAQ section that answers questions you didn’t even know you had!Don’t forget — for easy access in the parks, put the guide on your smartphone or ipad! Once again, celebrate the holidays with us by getting $3 off the purchase price for the e-Book!Order your copy now for only $11.95 (regularly $14.95). To secure the discount, use code JINGLE at the check-out. For more detailed information and sample pages from The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2014, head over to the DFB Store! BUNDLE FOR SAVINGS! And if you want an even BETTER deal, snap up our DFB Holiday Bundle! This includes the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays AND our original DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2014! With a 100% 30-day, money-back guarantee on all of our guides, you have nothing to lose! Thanks for your support of the DFB!R2D2 Nutcracker On to the Round-Up!Mickey Fix showcases our favorite droid — in nutcracker form. Always useful, R2D2 will bring holiday cheer to your home this season! Walt Disney World for Grown Ups names the top quick service restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. What’s your favorite?!! Disney Parks Blog highlights the backstory to the NEW Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk resort. Opening December 18th! Disney Hipsters stop by High Octane Refreshments at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Cheers! Orlando Business Journal speculates about a possible NEW restaurant being opened by Raglan Road at Downtown Disney Orlando. We’ll keep our eyes and ears tuned for more information! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook FanRelated posts: Disney Food Post Round-Up: December 7, 2014Disney Food Post Round-Up: December 8, 2013Disney Food Post Round-Up: December 2, 2012View the full article

This week, we were excited to share a new rendering of the amazing Disney Vacation Club Bungalows coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The 20 Bungalows will sleep up to eight guests each in a home-like setting reminiscent of the South Pacific. The re-imagining of the resort includes a plunge pool overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon, and the view of the fireworks over Magic Kingdom Park. The first phase of Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is scheduled to open in 2015. You can learn more by visiting Rebecca’s original story. And we continued our “Building the Dream: The Making of Disneyland Park” series this week with a few very rare photos of Main Street Station, the popular starting point of your “grand circle tour” aboard the vintage trains of the Disneyland Railroad. The image above was taken as the framing of the building was far enough along to recognize the train station we know today. Check George’s original post for another rare photo of Main Street Station. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Announcing the Top Disneyland Resort Memory from the Past Sixty Years – Click through for a video recap of all our photo finalists from each Disneyland Decade and at the end you will see which photo won! Gingerbread House Wows at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland Resort – Take a look at some photos to see what went into this gargantuan gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Five Amazing Sights You’ll See at Disney ¡Viva Navidad! at Disney California Adventure Park – Find out what captivates guests during Disney ¡Viva Navidad!, now in its second year at Disney California Adventure Park. Special Edition Wildlife Friday: Cold Sea Turtles Cared for By Disney Animal Programs Cast Members – Eight cold-stressed Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were treated in recent weeks by Disney Animal Programs cast members. Click through to learn more about the rescue effort. Learn to Draw Hiro from ‘Big Hero 6′ – Brian James Fichtner from Animation Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers a step-by-step tutorial on how to draw Hiro from the new Disney film, ‘Big Hero 6′. ‘Tis the Season at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa – Plan your vacation to this Hawaiian winter wonderland, with temperatures averaging 78 degrees. Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Auburn Tigers tight end Jakell Mitchell was shot and killed early Sunday, according to multiple media reports. View the full article

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Janet Pandrea died on April 2, 2002, from complications due to the chemotherapy she received for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. View the full article

Few powerhouse programs have relied on true freshmen this season as much as FSU and Oregon. View the full article

Creed singer Scott Stapp's life is even more complicated than it seemed two weeks ago when he posted a video declaring he was homeless, broke and under "attack." View the full article

Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, says whites do not understand the protests about the deaths of young black men. View the full article

This week on the Disney Parks Blog, we shared many great photos of the different holiday celebrations that are taking place now at our parks around the globe. For example, “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season” is underway during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties at Magic Kingdom Park. Disney Parks Blog author Jonathan Frontado gave us a look at the holiday fun guests are having aboard Disney Cruise Line this month during their Very Merrytime Cruises. Erin Glover also shared a look at the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! celebration that’s taking place at Disney California Adventure park, which features live music, appearances by the Three Caballeros, the “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party,” folk dancing, food and fun. And who can take their eyes off of this gingerbread masterpiece at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa? Read all the details about this 7 ½ feet-tall sweet structure in Erin’s original post. Which holiday celebration interests you the most? Tell us in the “Comments” section below. This Week in Disney Parks Photos: Holiday Scenes from Our Parks by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

The newly refurbished Citrus Bowl is holding an open house for the community Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. There will be self-guided tours, entertainment, interactive games, commemorative keepsake giveaways and Monster Trucks on display. Free popcorn and soda are available too. View the full article

Is there someone on your holiday gift list who loves Dole Whip more than life? (Wait… is there anyone on your list who doesn’t?). Well, what could be better than giving them a way to enjoy their favorite Disney snack all year long? It may not be exactly the same as a personal delivery of the real deal, but these t-shirts, mugs, totes, and phone cases might just be be the next best thing! This Peace, Love, and Dole Whip t-shirt pretty much sums up all the best things in life, doesn’t it? Peace, Love, & Dole Whip tee Those who don this Please Stand Clear of My Dole Whip Tee can pay homage to the monorail and their beloved Dole Whip at the same time. Please Stand Clear of My Dole Whip tee Simple and classic, here’s a Dole Whip Mug. Dole Whip Mug Okay, here’s one you don’t see every day… I am loving this Lapu-Lapu tote bag for fans of this Tambu Lounge beverage! Lapu-Lapu tote Do you heart School Bread? Well, so do we! Help someone proclaim their love of this Kringla Bakeri og Kafe treat with the I Love School Bread t-shirt. I Love School Bread tee For fans of the Jumbo Turkey Leg, this Turkey Leg iPhone case might be just the thing. Turkey Leg iPhone case Mickey Waffle: Breakfast of Champions? I’m all for it, and for this Mickey Waffle t-shirt. Mickey Waffle tee As always, happy shopping, everyone! But in the meantime, would you please stand clear of my Dole Whip ? Which item would you choose to share the love of your favorite Disney snack? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook FanRelated posts: Favorite Ice Cold Snacks at Disney ParksIntroducing: Disney Food iPhone and iPod Cases!2014 Disney Gift Guide: More Disney Gift Ideas!View the full article

Muschamp was the Tigers defensive coordinator in 2006-07 Muschamp was the Tigers defensive coordinator in 2006-07 View the full article

On a visit to Kissimmee, you can skim the surface of Lake Toho in an airboat, taking in the area's natural beauty. View the full article

Central Florida's last frontier, a vast expanse of ranchland from near Orlando to central Brevard County, could be crisscrossed with superhighways leading to the creation of a new metropolis if blueprints for the region's future get traction. View the full article

What started as a childish prank Wednesday night has ended in a possibly paralyzing gunshot wound for a 15-year-old boy and attempted-murder charges for four young adults. View the full article

Earlier this year, we asked you to help us get ready for the upcoming Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration by sharing your favorite Disneyland memory from the past 60 years through Twitter and Instagram. The top entries were presented here on the Disney Parks Blog and you – the fans – chose the top photo from each decade. Then, you stepped in once again to select the top photo overall and today I am excited to announce our winner! Take a look at the video below for a recap of all our finalists from each Disneyland Decade and at the end you will see which photo won! Congratulations to our Grand Prize winner! They have won a trip to the start of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration in spring 2015. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog, @Disneyland on Twitter and Facebook.com/Disneyland as we draw even closer to our 60th anniversary celebration next year. Announcing the Top Disneyland Resort Memory from the Past Sixty Years by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

We asked you to help us get ready for the upcoming Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration by sharing your favorite Disneyland memory from the past 60 years. Come visit the park during this magical ...From:Disney ParksViews:44667ratingsTime:02:40More inTravel & Events

Eight cold-stressed Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were treated in recent weeks by Disney Animal Programs cast members. These were among hundreds of cold-stunned turtles that washed ashore at Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts, following a sudden cold spell. The turtles were collected by volunteers from Massachusetts Audubon, and then taken to the New England Aquarium’s Rehabilitation Center in Quincy, Massachusetts, to be stabilized and warmed. When the turtles were ready for travel, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, with support from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF), transported and loaded 193 critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles into a US Coast Guard plane for the trip south! Kemp’s ridleys are the rarest sea turtles in the world. The turtles being treated and warmed at Disney each weigh about five pounds and are two to three years old. This is an age at which little Kemp’s ridleys have just moved into coastal waters from the open sea. Most Kemp’s ridleys grow up in the Gulf of Mexico, but some are carried out of the Gulf and up the Atlantic coast by strong currents. These little turtles move into bays and estuaries from Massachusetts to Florida. During warmer months, there are lots of blue crabs and other crustaceans for ridleys to eat in these waters. When winter arrives, the turtles typically swim south to avoid cold water. However, if there is a sudden cold snap, the turtles can become trapped in the bays. Sea turtles enjoy warm water and have a body temperature about the same as the water that surrounds them. When the water temperature dips below 45 degrees, turtles get chilled, lose their ability to swim, and immobile turtles begin to wash ashore. Normally, ridleys and other sea turtles anticipate cold weather and move south in the fall. But the sandy spit of Cape Cod makes this seasonal migration a special challenge. The cape hooks out into the Atlantic and catches southbound turtles, which collect within Cape Cod Bay. Turtles caught in the bay can find their way back out, except when the onset of frigid weather is rapid, like it was in recent weeks. Under these conditions, turtles in the bay are literally caught out in the cold, and a sea turtle cold-stunning event occurs. Emergencies such as this cold-stunning event often require a fast response. Through the DWCF Rapid Response Fund, we are able to provide emergency support to help animals when they need it most, like we did for these young endangered turtles. The young Kemp’s ridleys taken in by Disney are now swimming in a backstage location at The Seas with Nemo & Friends to regain their strength. Plans are to release these rare turtles into warm Florida waters as soon as they are well. Here at Disney, we hope to make an impact that will ensure that future generations will continue to be inspired and delighted by sea turtles. To that end, we have worked to protect endangered sea turtles by providing grants to conservation nonprofits through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. Disney has helped support 115 projects protecting sea turtles and their habitat, with more than $1.8 million in funds since 1998. Check out this for behind-the-scenes footage of this rescue effort! Special Edition Wildlife Friday: Cold Sea Turtles Cared for By Disney Animal Programs Cast Members by Blair Witherington: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Three weeks ago, I wrote about the latest fringe idea to hit Florida -- a proposal that would force schools to show an Obama-bashing movie to all students. Twice actually. Once in 8th-grade and again in 11th to make sure it sank in. ("Mandatory movies: Florida's newest nutty idea".) View the full article

Last month, Thomas Smith kicked off a new series on the Disney Parks Blog we’re calling “Room with A View.” It’s a fun way to take a peek inside some Disney resorts that offer amazing views of Walt Disney World Resort. Today, I want to take you into another favorite view – the savannah room on the second floor of the Jambo House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. From the savannah room, you can see African animals and tropical birds on the nearby savannah. There’s actually 30 species of African wildlife including giraffe, zebra and greater kudu that roam right before your eyes. GalleryRoom with a View: ‘Safari View’ Suite at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge view allIt’s so serene and exotic – unlike any other resort in Orlando. And the view inside this room is pretty amazing too. It feels authentic and captures the artistry of African craftsmanship with hand-carved woodwork and rich colors woven in textured fabrics. You can book this room now at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. To find prices and availability, visit our Disneyworld.com page. There are so many views to share with you so stay tuned to the next resort we showcase in our Disney Parks Blog Room with a View series. Room with a View: ‘Safari View’ Suite at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge by Michelle Baumann: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article