2011

Nagoya, over 1 million ordered to evacuate

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(CNN) — Two people in Japan have been killed amid heavy rain from a powerful typhoon that is expected to make landfall Wednesday afternoon, authorities there said.

The center of Typhoon Roke, which had sustained winds of up to 167 kph (103 mph) Wednesday morning, could hit Japan’s Tokai region, which includes Nagoya city — or the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo — in the afternoon, Japan Meteorological Agency chief forecaster Yutaka Kanda said at a news conference.

At of 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, Roke’s center was 280 kilometers southwest of Nagoya, where about 1 million people had been urged to evacuate.

An evacuation order for about 80,000 residents of Nagoya was lifted, according to local media reports.

Heavy rain fell in central and western Japan from the typhoon’s outer bands on Tuesday and Wednesday. Some downpours came at up to 50 millimeters (2 inches) an hour, and some parts received more than 450 millimeters (17 inches) over a day, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK.

Two people have died in Nagoya, including a 66-year-old man who fell from a roof Tuesday while trying to fix a stuck duct, city authorities said. Two other people — a fourth-grade boy and an 84-year-old man — were missing in Gifu prefecture, authorities said.

People in the Tokai and Kanto regions should be prepared for heavy rain Wednesday, Kanda said, adding that the Kanto region may be most affected Wednesday evening.

No airports were closed Wednesday, but several flights toward the Kyushu and Shikoku areas were canceled, transportation officials said. Several passenger trains were not running Wednesday in central and southern Japan, railway officials said.

 

Wizard World Comic Con: Spring con 2011 NYC

Rob

James Marsters, Tom Felton, Morena Baccarin, Kristanna Loken Among Headliners At Wizard World Big Apple Comic Con ‘Spring Edition,’ May 21-22 At Manhattan’s Penn Plaza Pavilion Mike Grell, Arthur Suydam, Jerry Robinson, Greg Horn, Jim Cheung, Kaare Andrews, Christos Gage, Phil Ortiz, Ryan Ottley Among Leading Comics Creators To Attend

NEW YORK, May 2011 – Wizard World Big Apple Comic Con ‘Spring Edition,’ part of North

America’s largest pop-culture tour, is set for Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22, at the Penn Plaza Pavilion in Manhattan. The event, the largest and longest-running Comic Con in New York, will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and plenty of celebrities and industry professionals to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, comics, toys, video gaming, television, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

James Marsters, who played “Spike” on “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” Tom Felton, best known for playing the role of “Draco Malfoy” in the HARRY POTTER film series, Morena Baccarin, who starred as “Inara Serra” in the sci-fi television series “Firefly,” “Adria” in “Stargate SG-1,” and as “Anna” in “V,” and Kristanna Loken, whose credits include TERMINATOR 3, “Painkiller Jane,” and “The L Word,” are the headline celebrities scheduled to attend. “Response to the Big Apple Comic Con shows the past two years was so strong that we had to add the Spring event,” said Gareb Shamus, CEO, Wizard World. “Everyone – the celebrities, the fans, the dealers, manufacturers, artists, and the entire community we deal with was begging us to bring a huge Spring Comic Con to New York.” Fans can also meet their favorite comic creators and artists, including Arthur Suydam (“Marvel Zombies,” “Batman”), Greg Horn (“Blackest Night,” “Elektra,” “Ms. Marvel”), Mike Grell (“GreenArrow,” “Green Lantern”), Jerry Robinson (“The Joker,” “Robin”), Matt Kindt (“Revolver,”“Pistolwhip”), Jim Cheung (“Avengers,” “Uncanny X-Men”), Kaare Andrews (Astonishing X-Men,” “Iron Man”), Christos Gage (“X-Men,” “Spider-Man”), Phil Ortiz (“The Simpsons,” “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe”), Ryan Ottley (“Invincible,” “The Walking Dead”) and many other national and local creators. There will also be a special appearance all the way from Brazil, making a rare U.S. appearance, by Luke Ross (“Captain America,” “Amazing Spider-Man”). Other celebrities setto be on hand include Tony Award winner Dan Fogler (“Balls of Fury,” “Good Luck Chuck”), Bonnie Piesse (STAR WARS: EPISODE III – REVENGE OF THE SITH, STAR WARS: EPISODE II – ATTACK OF THE CLONES) and Chandler Riggs (“The Walking Dead”).Children and adult attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite villain, superhero or pop culture personality for the chance to win special prizes in costume contests.Event-goers may also try their hand interactive product exhibits and shop for collectible comics,movie and television memorabilia, toys and games at more than 200 dealer booths.

Special events at Big Apple Comic Con include the TCG Gaming tournament, professional photo opportunities (Photo Ops) with celebrities and others to be announced.The Penn Plaza Pavilion is located at 401 Seventh Avenue at 33rd St., in the historic Hotel Pennsylvania. Big Apple Comic Con Spring Edition is the fifth stop on Wizard World’s 13-city 2011 North American tour. Hours are Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 22,

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets are available in advance or by calling 1-866-882-5860 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-866-882-5860 end_of_the_skype_highlighting and online at

http://www.wizardworld.com/newyorkcity.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $20; two-day weekend tickets are $35, and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available. About Wizard World:Wizard World is a producer of pop culture and multimedia conventions across North America that markets movies, TV shows, video games, technology, toys, social networking/gaming platforms, comic books and graphic novels. It has the rights to the names, marks, domains, customer lists and production rights for a portfolio of pop culture and multimedia conventions.For the most recent event information please visit www.wizardworld.com and become Big Apple Comic Con Fan on Facebook.