Famed author Gore Vidal Dies at age 86 of complications from pneumonia (1925–2012).

The playwright, politician and commentator made his career by always challenging power. His writings were exceptional. Here are some of City Island Images' favorite quotes.

"The United States was founded by the brightest people in the country — and we haven't seen them since."

"Think of the earth as a living organism that is being attacked by billions of bacteria whose numbers double every forty years. Either the host dies, or the virus dies, or both die."

LIGHTS BACK ON IN INDIA. Nearly 10% Of The World's Population Lost Power.
Now that power has been restored to 620 million Indians, work is resuming as that government investigates what went wrong when those power grids failed.

COMPARING ROMNEY with OBAMA. Overseas Tours 2012 vs 2008.
Romney's UK, Israel and Poland visits were not exciting, but comparisons between these two tours do not appear as favorable to the GOP candidate.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE FED? Will It Boost The Economy?

With armed violence continuing unabated in parts of Syria, thousands of people are fleeing their homes on a daily basis and seeking refuge in schools, mosques and public buildings, as well as in neighboring countries, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported today.

Violence continues to rage in Syria’s most populous city, Aleppo, with local organizations registering each day about 300 displaced families in need of urgent assistance, a UNHCR spokesperson, Melissa Fleming, told reporters in Geneva.

INCREASED CLASHES THROUGHOUT SYRIA. Including Country's Largest City.
Fierce fighting is in its 11th day. This is now longer than the rebel assault on the capital Damascus that government forces crushed in July.

HIGHLY PUBLICIZED MURDER CASE. Drew Peterson's Trial Begins.
Opening statements set to get underway in the case against the ex-police officer, who is accused of killing his third wife.

MITT ROMNEY IN POLAND. Political Speech Praises Allies.
Following questionable comments in Israel and England, much interest surrounded what GOP's presidential contender would say in Warsaw.