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Archive for August, 2011

Powerful 7.0 Earthquake Hits Near Vanuatu

08/20/2011 Leave a comment

“NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting a powerful undersea earthquake off the South Pacific island of Vanuatu.

The U.S.G.S. says a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck at 5:19 a.m. Sunday local time (1819 GMT) at a depth of 28.5 kilometers (17.7 miles). Its epicenter was 69 kilometers (42 miles) south-southwest of the Vanuatu capital of Port-Vila.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says no tsunami warning is in effect.” Read more.

Categories: Earthquakes

Iowa: Hailstones as Large as Baseballs Cause Extensive Damage in Southwest Iowa

08/20/2011 Leave a comment

“Insurance adjusters and auto body shops in southwest Iowa are busy today after last night’s hailstorm.

Hailstones as large as baseballs shattered windshields and dimpled hoods, trunks and roofs. Jim Champion runs a body shop in Omaha/Council Bluffs and says if your vehicle’s windows were blown out and the interior got drenched, you’d better get that moisture out quickly.

‘If it’s allowed to stay inside there and the soaked carpets, it’s going to get mildew and mold and it is going to stink to high heaven,’ he says. Customers were already lined up waiting for estimates this morning when he arrived at work. In addition to the broken windows and wet upholstery, Champion says there is a possibility electronic parts that run under the floorboards could be damaged, too.” Read more.


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Categories: Natural Disasters

Arab League to Hold ‘Emergency Meeting’, Egypt Recalls Ambassador, Hamas Calls Off 2-Year-Old ‘Ceasefire’, Egyptians Call for End of Peace Treaty …

08/20/2011 Leave a comment

Israel is attacked by terrorists.  Arabs say nothing.  Israel defends itself.  Arabs blow a gasket …

Arab League to hold emergency meeting over IDF strikes on Gaza – “The Arab League will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss Israel Defense Forces air strikes on the Gaza Strip over the past two days, state media said Saturday. ‘The Arab League received a request from the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the Israeli aggression on Gaza,’ state television reported… After coordinated terror attacks that killed eight in southern Israel on Thursday, 30 Grad and Qassam rockets were fired throughout southern Israel on Friday, with rocket attacks continuing Saturday in areas near Be’er Sheva and in the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip.” Read more.

Egypt withdraws ambassador to Israel over policemen deaths – “Egypt will withdraw its ambassador to Israel until it receives an apology and the results of an official investigation into the killing of five Egyptian policemen near the border, the cabinet said Saturday. An emergency committee said the ambassador would be recalled until ‘Israeli authorities apologize for the hasty and regrettable statements about Egypt.’ It said Egypt also held Israel responsible for political and legal implications of the incident, which it called a violation of the Camp David Treaty.” Read more.

Hamas Ends ‘Ceasefire’ with Israel – “Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, called off a ceasefire with Israel late Friday, Hamas’ Al-Aqsa radio reported. According to the report, which was quoted by the Bethlehem-based Ma’an news agency, Hamas will allow terror factions in Gaza to respond to Israeli attacks in the Strip. Those ‘attacks’ come in response to provocations by the same terror groups in Gaza, such as Thursday’s multiple attacks near Eilat or the barrage of rockets which were fired at Israel from Gaza on Friday. A representative of the militant group was quoted as having said, ‘There can be no truce with the Israeli occupation while it commits massacres against the Palestinian people without justification.'” Read more.

Egyptian demonstrators call for cancellation of peace treaty – “Egyptian demonstrators have held an angry protest outside the Israeli embassy in Cairo, over claims that up to five Egyptian security personnel were killed on Thursday. Protesters burnt the Israeli flag and chanted, ‘Close the embassy! Expel the ambassador’ and demanded on Friday the resignation of the Israeli ambassador and the cancellation of a peace treaty between the countries. The protest carried on throughout the night, with demonstrators bringing down the metal barriers surrounding the embassy and stomping on them, Al Jazeera correspondent Rawya Rageh reported from the scene. ‘People are still gathered outside the embassy and they are making quite a lot of noise. The protesters are insisting on making their voices heard and one of the protesters told me that they have no intention of leaving until the Israeli flag, perched on top of the 20th floor of the apartment building is brought down.’ our reporter said.” Read more.

Categories: Radical Islam, Wars and Rumors of War

Japan: Thyroid Radiation Exposure Found in Children Near Tepco Plant

08/19/2011 Leave a comment

By Chisaki Watanabe – “Medical tests on children living in three towns near the crippled Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant found 45 percent of those surveyed suffered low-level thyroid radiation exposure, Japan’s government said in a statement.

While the statement didn’t comment on the source of the contamination, the announcement follows reports of radioactive material found in food after radiation leaks from the meltdown of three reactors at the Tokyo Electric Power Co. plant.

The tests covered 1,080 children aged up to 15 in three towns, Iwaki, Kawamata and Iitate, between 38 to 47 kilometers from the reactors. The tests between March 24 and 30 showed none of the children’s thyroid glands exceeded the safety threshold of 0.2 microsievert per hour set by the Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan, according to the Aug. 17 statement.

At least one child had 0.1 microsievert per hour, the highest level observed, while more than half of those exposed absorbed 0.01 microsievert per hour, the statement said. Children are susceptible to poisoning from radioactive iodine, which can accumulate in the thyroid and cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization.” Read more.

Categories: Man-Made Disasters

Japan: ‘The China Syndrome’ Begins as Ground Under Facility Continues to Crack, ‘It Seems Like Nuclear Reaction is Happening Underground’

08/19/2011 2 comments

This tragic catastrophe continues to worsen. It is an epic global disaster of Biblical proportions, yet one that remains ‘blacked out’ from being adequately reported in the mainstream media.  One Fukushima employee wrote recently that “cracks came up in the ground, massive steam is coming up from there. It’s too smoggy here, can’t see a thing. It seems like nuclear reaction is happening underground. Now we are evacuating. Watch out for the direction of wind.”  This is a chilling admission …

Paul Gunter of Beyond Nuclear – “We know now that there have been three meltdowns at the reactors at this six-unit site and that the vessel has failed.  Now what seems to be the situation is that this Corium, this melted reactor core, has burned through the concrete core of the reactor building or buildings and has now burned into the earth and, reaching groundwater, is creating steam.  The readings we’re seeing now suggests that it’s off scale for the instrumentation that’s being used by workers … 500 rem is a lethal dose. This is 1000 rem coming out of these cracks … The permissible dose for the public is 100 millirem per year.  This is 1,000,000 millirem per hour …”


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Flashback:  Dr. Helen Caldicott Explains Why She Is Leaving British Columbia Forever

Categories: Man-Made Disasters Tags:

Pakistan: Dozens Killed After Suicide Bomber Attacks Mosque in Ghundi

08/19/2011 2 comments

“PESHAWAR, Pakistan – A suicide bomber struck a mosque in a Pakistani tribal region during Friday prayers, officials said, killing at least 40 people and wounding 85 others in the deadliest attack in the country in recent weeks.

The attack came during the holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, sharing and heightened community spirit for Muslims.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the Taliban and other Islamist militants have previously targeted mosques, especially if they believe enemies — such as army soldiers or anti-militant tribesmen — are using the facilities.

The mosque hit Friday is in Ghundi, a village in the Khyber tribal region, a part of Pakistan’s tribal belt. Khyber has long been a base for Islamist militants, and the Pakistani army has waged multiple operations aimed at pacifying the region but with limited success.

Khyber also is a key region for the U.S. and NATO, because a large portion of non-lethal supplies heading to U.S. forces in Afghanistan passes through it.

Some 300 people had gathered for prayers Friday afternoon in the Sunni mosque, and many were on their way out when the explosion occurred, local administrator Iqbal Khan said.

‘All the evidence we have gathered confirms that it is a suicide attack,’ said Fazal Khan, another local official who also confirmed the casualty figures. He said witnesses alleged the bomber was a young man.” Read more.

Obama: Islam ‘Known for its Diversity and a Commitment to Justice and the Dignity of All Human Beings’ – “‘No matter who we are or how we pray, we’re all children of a loving God,’ he said… ‘To the millions of Muslim Americans across the United States and more – the more than one billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a time of reflection and a time of devotion,’ Obama said in his brief remarks. ’It’s an occasion to join with family and friends in celebration of a faith known for its diversity and a commitment to justice and the dignity of all human beings. So to you and your families, Ramadan Kareem,’ he said.” Read more.

Categories: Radical Islam, Wars and Rumors of War

Tennessee: Officials Investgate Cause of Massive Fish Kill in Gateway Island Reception Center Pond

08/19/2011 Leave a comment

“MURFREESBORO — City officials aren’t sure what caused a massive fish kill at the Gateway Island Reception Center pond Thursday morning.

‘Early Thursday morning,’ Murfreesboro Environmental Engineer Sam Huddleston said, city staff was notified of a fish kill at the Gateway Island Reception Center pond.

Parks and Recreation, Murfreesboro Water and Sewer and Engineering staff were sent to investigate.

‘When we arrived, an estimated 2,000 pounds of dead fish were discovered on the lower or western pond,’ Huddleston said.

Since then, some living fish have been discovered in the lower pond and no dead fish were found in the upper pond, he said.

‘As with most fish kills in closed pond systems,’ he said, ‘we suspected the culprit was an overnight transient water quality episode involving dissolved oxygen.’

‘Other contributing factors considered included temperature, chlorine content, and possible failure of pond water circulation equipment,’ he continued. ‘City staff and contractors checked and reset these systems on Thursday.'” Read more.

Categories: Mass Animal Deaths

Strong 6.8 Earthquake Strikes East Coast of Japan Near Fukushima, USGS Says 6.3

08/19/2011 Leave a comment

“TOKYO — A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 struck off Japan’s northeastern coast Friday, triggering a tsunami advisory that was later lifted. [USGS says it was a 6.3].

Japan’s Meteorological Agency said the quake hit at 2:36 p.m. (0536 GMT) and was centred slightly south of where a massive magnitude-9.0 temblor struck in March.

The agency issued a tsunami advisory, predicting waves of 50 centimetres along the coast of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, where a nuclear plant crippled in the March 11 quake is located. But about a half-hour later, the advisory was lifted.

There were no abnormalities in key equipment at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, said Chie Hosoda, an official with the Tokyo Electric Power Co., the plant’s operator. She said some of the plant’s workers assigned to the coastal side of the facility temporarily retreated inside the building.” Read more.

Categories: Earthquakes

Tropics About to Explode: Weather Specialist Reviews Recent Data, Says ‘Hurricane Season is About to Turn Quite Active’

08/18/2011 Leave a comment

By Weather Specialist Josh Ketchen – “On many outlet sources and social media outlets on the internet some general agreement is surfacing that the Atlantic Tropical Season is about to unleash its rage. Although seven storms have formed already this season, they all have been relatively short-lived and rather weak in intensity. This; however, is about to change. As discussed in a few posts on MyWeatherTech.com, twitter, and facebook over the last two to three weeks I have been strongly suggesting this scenario. My hot spot has been the East Coast of the United States so over the next month it could be a very active and interesting time for those particular areas.

Above is an image of the Madden-Julian Oscillation Wheeler Plot forecast over the next two weeks. I know it is not that easy to read but the green and yellow line mixed with a gray spread that it depicts is right in the heart of Grid 1 and 2. This is a forecasting tool I look to forecast tropical development. When the oscillation index is in Grid 1 and 2 it signals two things to me. First, it signals a trough in the eastern United States. As you have noticed over the last week the high heat and the oppressive humidity has waned significantly. If you look at the Wheeler Plot it has been in Grids 1 and 2 for the majority of the time. Secondly, the likely enhancement of upward motion in the Tropical Atlantic also occurs in these grid areas. With the fact that we are approaching the peak of the hurricane season as we head toward late August and into September and the MJO oscillation moving right into the prime areas for development, suggestions can be made that the hurricane season is about to turn quite active.” Read more.

Categories: Natural Disasters

Of Earth and Sky: Strange Rumblings and Unexplainable Noises Mystify Residents

08/18/2011 4 comments

‘For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now’, but what is this from?


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Canada: Windsor, Ontario Mystified by Whole Lotta Shakin’ Underground – “For months, residents of south and west Windsor have been wondering and worrying about vibrations of unknown origin. And now, those mysterious rumblings under the city have found a new believer — the city’s Ward 10 Coun. Al Maghnieh, who says it’s time to start taking the phenomenon seriously. ‘It’s very present and real,’ he said. Maghnieh added that those who think the phenomenon is a joke or that its proponents are ‘crazy’ need to grasp the implications in terms of health and the environment. ‘I mean, it’s actually scary to think that this is going on and we still can’t pinpoint what it is,’ he said. ‘This is potentially very dangerous.’” Read more.

Categories: Anything Else

How Does Comet Elenin Defy 2012 Doomsday Prophecy?

08/18/2011 2 comments

“NASA has clarified in a statement that comet Elenin, expected to come closest to Earth on October 16, 2011, will not collide with Earth.

As typical with most comets, Elenin will also not come closer to Earth than 22 million miles (35 million kilometers). That’s more than 90 times the distance to the moon, NASA said.

Comets are one of the most overrated subjects, often linked to destruction on Earth. The December 21, 2012 Doomsday prediction is also linked to comets that could hit the earth. However, NASA debunked any such theories of end of the world could have connections with astronomical events.

Claims that Nibiru, a supposed planet discovered by the Sumerians, is headed toward Earth, stirred a Dec. 21 doomsday ‘Internet hoax’.’This catastrophe was initially predicted for May 2003, but when nothing happened the doomsday date was moved forward to December 2012,’ NASA explained.

The faux was further aggravated as some predictors likened it to the ancient Mayan Calendar that ends on December 21, 2012, giving rise to speculations of the end of the world on the same date.” Read more.

Elenin ‘Observed’ an ‘Astronomical’ Number of Times by NASA; Why Such Interest for a ‘Normal’ Comet? – “According to NASA, Comet Elenin is just an ‘ordinary’ comet. Then why, according to their own data, have they ‘observed’ Comet Elenin 2,181 times in less than 7 months while similar data for Comet Levy shows a mere 324 observations in more than 4 and a half years? In fact, no other Near Earth Object covered by NASA has been observed any where near the number of observations given to Elenin without an object size given. What is it that NASA is so interested in, if Elenin is only a ‘normal’ Comet? Additionally, why is it that NASA is still not giving us an exact size of Ele??? NASA’s watching Elenin like a fox!” Source.

‘Armageddon’? Scientists Plan to Deflect Earth-Bound Asteroids – “It’s not ‘Armageddon,’ but it’s close. The European Space Agency (ESA), NASA, the Secure World Foundation and others have been intently studying the skies lately — worrying about how to deflect a potential planet-shattering asteroid… ‘Anything more than 300 to 400 meters (983-1,312 feet) in diameter can cause continental-scale damage,’ Stephen Wolters, a research fellow at Caltech who studies near-Earth asteroids at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, told Space.com. That’s why the ESA program exists, as well as similar programs from NASA and other space agencies.” Read more.

Categories: Cosmic Craziness

US: Record for Billion-Dollar Weather Disasters Tied, National Weather Service Chief Laments ‘New Reality’

08/18/2011 Leave a comment

“With four months still to go in 2011, the United States has already tied its yearly record for the number of weather disasters with an economic loss of $1 billion or more, the U.S. government reported Wednesday.

With the bulk of the hurricane season ahead and winter storms after that, National Weather Service Director Jack Hayes said 2011 could surpass the record, first set in 2008.

‘I don’t think it takes a wizard to predict 2011 is likely to go down as one of the more extreme years for weather in history,’ he told journalists on a conference call.

The ‘new reality’ is that both the frequency and the cost of extreme weather are rising, making the nation more economically vulnerable and putting more lives and livelihoods at risk, Hayes said.” Read more.

US Sees Growing Losses From Extreme Weather – “The United States has already tied its yearly record for billion-dollar weather disasters and the cumulative tab from floods, tornadoes and heat waves has hit $35 billion, the National Weather Service said Wednesday. And it’s only August, with the bulk of the hurricane season still ahead. ‘I don’t think it takes a wizard to predict 2011 is likely to go down as one of the more extreme years for weather in history,’ National Weather Service Director Jack Hayes told journalists on a conference call. The agency’s parent organization, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, launched a campaign Wednesday to better prepare Americans for violent weather.” Read more.

Categories: Natural Disasters