New York - The US has always been proud of the fact that for decades its museums, theatres and concert halls have lived almost exclusively off private donations.

But the financial crisis has caused the winds to shift, which means some money sources could run dry.

Small cultural facilities now fear for their survival and the traditional establishments face an uncertain future.

New York prosecutors are investigating allegations made by Michael Mineo, 24, of Brooklyn that last week, he was beaten and sodomised by police officers in a Brooklyn subway station. 
  
According to Kevin Mosley, his lawyer, on the afternoon of 15th October 2008, several uniformed police officers approached Mineo near Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, who they suspected was smoking marijuana. Forcing him to the ground and handcuffing him, they pulled his pants down and shoved something forcibly into his rectum. Issuing him a summons for disorderly conduct, the police left him writhing in pain. 
  

New York, Oct 24 : After nearly two years of a grueling and ugly campaign, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has proved that he is the right choice to be the 44th president of the United States, The New York Times has said.

Obama has met challenge after challenge, growing as a leader and putting real flesh on his early promises of hope and change. He has shown a cool head and sound judgment.

At the same time, Obama’s rival Senator John McCain of Arizona has retreated farther and farther to the fringe of American politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and even hints of racism.