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Archive for September, 2012

Study: Hezbollah Branching Out Drug Trade To Fund Terrorism, Now Selling Fake Medicine In The Middle East

09/10/2012 Leave a comment

Revelation 9:21, “And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”

The word for “sorceries” in Revelation 9:21 is the Greek work “pharmakeia”, which is where we get the word “pharmacy” from.  Although I generally understand this word in its metaphorical sense in reference to the blatant idolatry noted in the preceding verse, we should not discount the possibility that it may also be referring to the billions raised each year to fund Islamic terror through illegal drug trafficking …

By Roi Kais, ynet – “A new study reveals that Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah has discovered a new and original way of funding its terror activity – counterfeit medicine.

According to the study, over the past year Hezbollah terrorists have increased the manufacturing of fake Captagon, a drug used for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Although banned in most countries in the 1980s, illegally produced and smuggled Captagon – sometimes containing amphetamine instead of fenethylline – is a common drug of abuse in the Middle East.

Over the past year, several drug labs were uncovered in various mosques in Baalbeck and the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon.

The study suggests that Hezbollah has branched out from manufacturing and distributing drugs, and has begun producing fake medicine as a source of funding.

According to Dr. Boaz Ganor and Miri Halperin, who conducted the study, the change in Hezbollah’s financial focus mainly derives from the fundamentalist aspect of the organization.’As an Islamic organization, drug trafficking is problematic,’ Ganor said.

‘Firstly, the issue of drugs contradicts Islam’s religious commands. Throughout the years, Hezbollah has solved this problem by claiming that the drugs were not intended for internal use but rather for exporting purposes. Thus, the drugs would only hurt the ‘infidels.’ However, the fact that Islamic believers are still involved in the operation is problematic,’ he added.

‘For Hezbollah, counterfeit medicine solves this religious issue,’ Ganor said.

‘An additional explanation for the Lebanese organization’s change of focus is completely financial. The profit to be made from distributing medication is higher than the one made in the drug business,’ Ganor said.

He estimated that ‘the profit was anywhere between 10 million to hundreds of millions of dollars a year.'” Read more.

Flashback: Muslim Drug Mafia Conquering Europe – “Turkish criminal gangs are ruling over the streets in the UK, controlling much of the drug market in Germany, as well as providing political influence in the Netherlands… Turkish mafia is influential especially in Germany and the Netherlands. According to annual report of the German police, Turks as well as migrants from Nigeria and Sierra Leone are playing major role in coordination of crime among the immigrants… Back in 2010 Militant Islam Monitor website wrote that Turkish criminal gangs are controlling the streets of Berlin… Turks are controlling major part of the black drug market in Europe – about 93%… Muslims from African countries are also joining… ” Read more.

Flashback: ‘Worrisome’: The Role of Drug Trafficking in Promoting and Financing Today’s Global Terrorism – “Speaking at a recent conference in Istanbul, ‘The Role of Drug Trafficking in Promoting and Financing Today’s Global Terrorism,’ jointly organized by Turkey, the United States and Colombia, UNODC Senior Terrorism Prevention Officer Irka Kuleshnyk said that ‘While it is difficult to establish how widely terrorist groups are involved in the illicit drug trade, or the breadth and nature of cooperation between these two criminal groups, the magnitude of the numbers involved make the relationship worrisome.’ According to the UNODC’s World Drug Report 2007, the total potential value of Afghanistan’s 2006 opium harvest accruiing to farmers, laboratory owners and Afghan traffickers reached about $US3.1 billion.” Read more.

UK: Muslim Charity Accused Of Funding Al-Qaida Affiliated Terror Organization Boko Haram In Nigeria

09/09/2012 1 comment

By Jamie Doward, The Observer -“A British charity is under scrutiny amid claims some of its funds have ended up in the hands of African terrorists blamed for killing hundreds of people.

Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group in Nigeria with close links to al-Qaida, has targeted churches and Christians as it seeks to spread terror across the country.

The Nigerian media has reported that the country’s state security service, working with local and international agencies, believes money raised by the Al Muntada Trust found its way to Boko Haram.

A charity of that name, which has its headquarters in London, raises money for disaster projects in Africa. It has attracted controversy in the past for giving a platform to radical clerics.

Lord Alton of Liverpool told parliament in July there was evidence Boko Haram carried out 600 murders this year and called for it to be proscribed in the UK as a terror group. Its rise has alarmed Africa experts and prompted concerns of ‘blowback’ for the UK as its supporters return from Nigeria.

Alton raised concerns about Boko Haram’s alleged UK links with the Foreign Office minister, Lord Howell, in July. ‘I can confirm that this has been shared with the Charity Commission and the Metropolitan police,’ Howell told Alton in a recent letter.” Read more.

Flashback: US-based Muslim Charity Guilty Of Funding Hamas Terror Organization – “Holy Land [Foundation] was one of several Muslim organisations the Bush administration closed in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks for allegedly raising money for overseas Islamic extremists… Hamas – a multifaceted Islamist political, social and armed movement which now controls the Gaza Strip – was designated a terrorist organisation by the United States in 1995 …” Read more.

Flashback: Seeking ‘To Communicate The Message Of Islam’: Another Islamic ‘Charity’ Caught Promoting Extremism And Terror – “The charitable wing of a major American Muslim organization is promoting donations to extremist causes, undercutting a nationwide campaign to improve its image. The website link from the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Relief division hints at deeper connections to extremism and terror, both by the charitable branch and by its parent organization.” Read more.

Flashback: Muslim Charities Play Integral Role in Islamic Terror Funding Structure – “Zakat is a form of tithing in Islam in which Muslims who are able to do so donate 2.5% of their wealth (5% for Shia). Zakat is very important in Islam and is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. Modern administration of zakat often involves Islamic charities and governments. Zakat is a concern because, as the bipartisan 9-11 Commission Report detailed, it has in fact been used to fund Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups… Furthermore, the system of zakat has laid the foundation for violent jihad through the promotion of Wahhabi (Salafi) Islam, the religion of Al Qaeda.” Read more.

German Muslims Offended In Wake Of Muslim Violence

09/09/2012 Leave a comment

By Daniel Greenfield – “Muslims are offended a lot. Statistics say that 40 percent of Muslims are offended at any given time, but 80 percent of Muslims found that statistic offensive, conclusively proving it wrong. Talking about how offended Muslims are is also offensive which creates a cycle of offensiveness that leads to riots and bombings by people who are not at all Muslim or offended, let alone offended Muslims.

After several Muslim attacks on German Jews, the Muslims are offended because German authorities want to put up posters for family members who want to report a family member who may be going Jihad.

“Muslims are always regarded as a potential threat,” said Aydan Oezoguz, a Turkish-German member of parliament and integration commissioner for the opposition Social Democrats. “This is a very important issue, but it risks alienating an entire religious community.”

And if you alienate the community they become a threat. So the only way to end the threat is by pretending they’re not a threat, even when they’re a threat or they might become a threat. That’s how the Cycle of Appeasement works.

However, four of the six interest groups involved in the confidence-building initiative have since withdrawn their support. “Constantly associating Islam with issues of violence and security policy can only lead to false perceptions,” the groups said in a joint statement.

Yes, best to have the suicide bombers associate Islam inconsistently with issues of violence and security policy.

Erol Puerlue from the Association of Muslim Cultural Centres, one of the groups involved in the initiative, said too much focus was placed on extremism among Muslims rather than in German society as a whole.

“Addressing extremism only among Muslims risks putting them under a general suspicion,” he said, adding that more classes on religion in schools would be a more effective way of combating radicalization among young people.

Yes, if there’s one thing that can solve this it’s Islamic studies in school. Also shop classes on how to build bombs.” Source – FrontPageMag.com.

Mass Mob Of Palestinians Attack Jewish Village, Children Terrified As Muslims Scream ‘Slaughter The Jews!’

09/08/2012 2 comments

Maybe the Obama Administration isn’t giving the Palestinians enough financial aid …

Hadith, Sahih Muslim, 41:6985, “The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews, when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Muslims, O Abdullah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him …”

By Maayana Miskin, INN – “Hundreds of Palestinian Authority Arabs have been assaulting a Jewish village in the Binyamin region since Saturday afternoon, Tatzpit reports.

Residents of the Jewish village of Esh Kodesh reported that the assault began when three men from the community were walking in one of the town’s vineyards on Saturday afternoon, during the Jewish Sabbath.

The men were attacked by a large Arab mob armed with clubs and sticks, residents said. The attackers apparently came from the nearby PA town of Kotzra.

A security team from Esh Kodesh was called to the scene, as were nearby IDF units. The responders encountered hundreds of PA men armed with rocks and other makeshift weapons, and were unable to stop the assault.

‘Children in the village are crying,’ community spokesman Aharon Katzuf told Tatzpit. ‘They can’t sleep because of the screams of ‘Yitbach al Yahud’ [Slaughter the Jews – ed.] and ‘Allahu Akbar.’’

As of Saturday night clashes continued. An IDF spokesperson said, ‘Security forces are at the scene, and the circumstances are being investigated.'” Source – INN.

Flashback: 92-Year-Old Arab Gloats Over 1929 Rape-Massacre of Jews, Wants Encore – “In the video, a 92-year-old Arab woman, originally from Hevron, glowingly recalls on Hamas-Gaza TV how the Arabs of Hevron, including her father, without provocation, massacred the peaceful Jewish neighbors they had lived beside for years in 1929 – almost 20 years before the 1948 War of Independence. Needless to say, there was no State of Israel then, no IDF, no ‘occupation’ etc. In an orgy of sadistic violence on August 24, 1929, 67 of Hevron’s Jews were murdered. The Arabs murdered children in front of their parents, severed limbs, raped and burned people alive.” Read more.

Flashback: Hamas MP and Cleric: The Caliphate is Coming and in a Few Years a ‘Great Massacre of Jews’ – “The (Jews) are brought in droves to Palestine so that the Palestinians – and the Islamic nation behind them – will have the honor of annihilating the evil of this gang… All the predators, all the birds of prey, all the dangerous reptiles and insects, and all the lethal bacteria are far less dangerous than the Jews… In Just a few years, all the Zionists and the settlers will realize that their arrival in Palestine was for the purpose of the great massacre, by means of which Allah wants to relieve humanity of their evil.” Read more.

University Professor Under Criminal Investigation For ‘Insulting Mohammed’ … In Germany

09/08/2012 5 comments

By Cheradenine Zakalwe – “According to the German website Politically Incorrect, Dr. Armin Geus, emeritus professor of medical history at the University of Marburg, who wrote a book exploring the possibility that Mohammed, the supposed founder of Islam, had been suffering from a mental illness, is now under investigation for ‘Incitement to hatred against peoples’ and ‘Insulting faiths, religious communities and philosophical associations’. The investigation was prompted by a complaint filed by the Saudi-controlled Wahhabist centre, the King Fahd Academy.

The professor’s book ‘Die Krankheit des Propheten’ [The Illness of the Prophet] (ISBN 978-3-941365-15-5) came to the conclusion that Mohammed suffered from paranoid-hallucinatory schizophrenia. I haven’t read the book, but Geus is a serious academic, recognised in his field. The question of whether Mohammed suffered from a mental illness should be a legitimate subject for scientific inquiry. But not where Muslims, and their apologists, hold sway. Where Islam spreads, freedom dies.” Source – Islam verses Europe.

Flashback: Downfall Part 2: German Politicians Welcome Introduction Of Sharia Law In Germany, ‘Good For Integration’ – “Most politicians in Germany have gotten the message: The quickest way to spark a career-damaging controversy is to make a facile comment about Nazis or the Holocaust. Media critics and political opponents are quick to pounce. But that isn’t the only way to attract unwanted attention, as Jochen Hartloff, the interior minister of the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, found out this week. In an interview with the Berlin tabloid BZ, Hartloff said that Sharia law, in a ‘modern form,’ would be acceptable in Germany.” Read more.

Flashback: Islamist Groups Seeking To Overthrow Democratic Order In Europe, ‘Muslims Will Confront This Cancer Of Man-Made Laws’ – “Sharia4Holland — and its Siamese twin Sharia4Belgium — is a radical Muslim movement that wants to impose Islamic Sharia law in the Netherlands, Belgium and the rest of Europe. Over the past several months, Sharia4Holland and Sharia4Belgium have become increasingly belligerent in their appeals to fellow Muslims to overthrow the democratic order in Europe… According to Abu Qasim, the spokesman for Sharia4Holland: ‘Better times will come as promised. The Muslims will [confront] this cancer of man-made laws called democracy and eradicate it. Destroy it root and branch, as far as Islam allows us, or Islam orders us to. Sharia is by far the only solution, it is the only rival left to topple democracy…’” Read more.

Tennessee: Nashville Muslim Woman Makes Terrorist Threats Against Co-Workers, ‘All Unbelievers Should Die’

09/08/2012 9 comments

Killing all non-Muslims and longing to die for Allah is simply nothing more than friendly banter amongst the most pious, devout Muslims. It’s all for peaceful purposes. Unfortunately for her, her co-workers were not pious, devout Muslims and had and much more perspicacious definition of “peace” …

By Nicole Young, The Tennessean – “A Nashville woman was charged with attempted terrorism Friday after investigators said she threatened to hurt co-workers at the South Nashville Dell facility last weekend.

The trouble began when a CEVA Logistics employee said his co-worker Amal Ahmed Abdullahi, 29, of Zermatt Avenue, approached him during his shift last Saturday.

According to a release from Metro police, Abdullahi told the employee that ‘her people were dying for Allah every day; that she was ready to die for Allah; that this whole country will be Muslim soon; that this country is full of non-believers and that this place (her work place) is full of non-believers; that all unbelievers should die; that her life starts after death; that her life is not here, nobody pays attention to her and she should pick up a gun and shoot all these people.’

CEVA Logistics signed the arrest warrant as the prosecutor against Abdullahi, accusing her of intimidating/coercing a civilian population.

Metro police spokesman Don Aaron said Friday that he was not immediately aware of anyone previously being charged with attempted terrorism in Nashville.

‘In the times in which we live, statements such as the ones alleged to have been made in this case are not ignored,’ he said.” Read more.

Iranian Gov’t Threatens Canada After Canadian PM Closes Iranian Embassy, Expels All Diplomats, Cuts All Ties

09/08/2012 6 comments

It is often said that there is a calm before the storm. But there is also a storm before the destruction …

Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird

Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird

“DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran accused Canada on Saturday of ‘hostile behavior’ under Israeli and British influence after Ottawa cut diplomatic relations, and it raised the prospect of swift retaliation.

Canada said on Friday that it was closing its embassy in Tehran and gave Iranian diplomats five days to leave the country, branding the Islamic Republic as the “most significant threat to global peace and security”.

Ottawa cited Iran’s disputed nuclear work, which Western states see as a disguised effort to develop atomic bombs, its hostility toward Israel and alleged military aid to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is battling a popular uprising.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the Canadian move was a ‘continuation of anti-Iranian policies’ by Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government, which has long had poor relations with Tehran.

‘The current government of Canada under the leadership of Mr Stephen Harper is known for extreme policies in the domain of foreign policy,’ Mehr news agency quoted Mehmanparast as saying.

‘The hostile behaviour of the current racist government in Canada in reality follows the policies dictated by the Zionists (Israel) and the British.’

The Jewish state is Iran’s arch-enemy, while Britain expelled Iranian diplomats late last year after radical Iranian protesters sacked its embassy in Tehran.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, who heads Iran’s influential parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, said there could be an “immediate and decisive” response to Canada’s action, Fars news agency reported.

‘It is essential that the foreign ministry respond to this action by Canada on the basis of national interests.’

CANADIAN DIPLOMATS ALREADY GONE

Canada’s 10 diplomats in Iran have already left Tehran, the Canadian foreign ministry said on Friday.” Read more.

Canada Issues Official Travel Warning: Stay Out Of Iran – “On September 7, 2012, Canada closed its embassy in Iran. Because of heightened regional tensions, Canadians travellers in Iran will be closely watched by Iranian authorities. Iranian irritation at the recent Embassy closure may heighten this scrutiny of Canadians. Seemingly innocuous behaviours, such as the use of cameras in public places, travel beyond well-established tourist attractions, or casual interactions with Iranian friends, may be misinterpreted and may lead to investigation and harassment. Canadian travellers may be arbitrarily questioned, arrested and detained for a long period.” Read more.

Canada Severs All Diplomatic Ties With Iran, ‘The Most Significant Threat To Global Peace And Security Today’ – “‘Canada views the government of Iran as the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world today,’ the Canadian government said in a statement… The possibility of an Israeli or U.S. military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities raised concerns that Canadian diplomats could be targeted for reprisals after an attack because of Ottawa’s staunch support of Israel and tough stand on Iran.” Read more.

God Of Wonders: Imprisoned Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Released, Acquitted Of Apostasy

09/08/2012 11 comments

At one point it seemed that his imminent death was all but certain, but the Lord our God has other plans. All praise and honor and glory and power we give to our King forever! …

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani walks out of jail in Iran and greets his family

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani walks out of jail in Iran and greets his family

Christianity Today – “An Iranian pastor sentenced to death for apostasy has been acquitted and released, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

CSW, which supports the persecuted church, has been informed that Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been freed from prison and is now at home with his family.

Pastor Nadarkhani made an appearance in court today during which the apostasy charges against him were dropped.

However, he was found guilty of evangelising Muslims and sentenced to three years in prison.

He was released immediately because he had already served this time in prison, after being held behind bars since the apostasy charges were first levelled against him in 2009.

Pastor Nadarkhani was arrested in his home city of Rasht after he questioned the Muslim monopoly of religious instruction for children, which he felt was unconstitutional.

He was sentenced to death for apostasy the following year. Then in 2011, the Supreme Court said the charges would be dropped if he converted to Islam, something Pastor Nadarkhani refused to do.

CSW had expected the pastor to face new charges in court today for unspecified crimes, but he was instead released.

CSW’s Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas said he was delighted over Pastor Nadarkhani’s release.

‘We commend the Iranian judiciary for this step, which is a triumph for justice and the rule of law,’ he said.

‘While we rejoice at this wonderful news, we do not forget hundreds of others who are harassed or unjustly detained on account of their faith, and CSW is committed to continue campaigning until all of Iran’s religious minorities are able to enjoy religious freedom as guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is party.'” Source – Christianity Today.

Categories: Good News

The World’s Most Dangerous Terrorist After Bin Laden Is Openly Developing Nuclear Weapons

09/07/2012 Leave a comment

By Ron Prosor, The Telegraph -“Now that Osama bin Laden is at the bottom of the ocean, a new man has emerged as the world’s most dangerous terrorist: Qassem Suleimani. Although unfamiliar to most in the West, he is responsible for killing many thousands in cold blood – and masterminding the murder of more Americans than any other person on earth.

Suleimani heads the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard – the nerve centre of its global terrorist network. Working with Hizbollah in Lebanon, he has plotted, attempted and executed mass murder in dozens of countries.

The centrifuges spinning in Iran are dangerously close to providing these ruthless global terrorists with a nuclear arsenal and protective umbrella. Yet instead of pulling out all the stops to prevent this, Europe is opening its own backyard as a playground. In particular, the European Union continues to define Hizbollah as a charitable and political group, not a terrorist organisation. This is no less ridiculous than describing the Mafia as a chamber of commerce or the Ku Klux Klan as a gentleman’s social club.

While Hizbollah continues to promote extremism and strike targets in the heart of Europe, it has free rein to raise millions from supporters as if it were the Red Cross. Its European rallies attract thousands. Its operatives have ample space to inspire, recruit and train future terrorists. Last month, Hizbollah and Iran carried out the deadliest terrorist act in Europe since 2005, blowing up a bus of Israeli families on holiday in Bulgaria. When asked if this might prompt a change in policy, one EU foreign minister said: ‘Should there be tangible evidence of Hizbollah engaging in acts of terrorism, the EU would consider listing the organisation [as a terrorist group].’

Tangible evidence? Iran and Hizbollah have slaughtered scores of men, women and children in bombings from Argentina to Saudi Arabia to Bulgaria. They have ruthlessly targeted US servicemen, killing hundreds in direct attacks – such as the bombing of a marine barracks in Lebanon in 1983 – and many more through proxies in Iraq and Afghanistan.” Read more.

Flashback: Over 10,000 Hezbollah Fighters Participate In Drill To Overtake Upper Galilee – “A reportedly large Hezbollah military drill held in southern Lebanon is part of an Iranian-orchestrated preparation for a confrontation with Israel, a senior Israeli security analyst said. Over 10,000 Hezbollah fighters participated in the terror organization’s largest military exercise to date last week, which included defensive tactics and ‘preparations to conquer the Upper Galilee,’ Lebanese newspaper Al- Joumhouria reported Thursday morning. ‘This is happening in full coordination with Iran … In his last two speeches, [Hezbollah chief Hassan] Nasrallah indicated that he would join an Iranian counter-strike if Israel struck Iran’s nuclear program.'” Read more.

Islamist Organization CAIR Boasts Of Muslim Democratic Vote

09/07/2012 Leave a comment

By Mark D. Tooley, FrontPage – “The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) boasted this week that over 100 delegates at the Democratic National Convention are Muslim, more than double from 2008. Interesting, though still less than 2 percent of the total delegates in Charlotte.

Groups like CAIR like to boast there are 8 million Muslims in America. And one new report circulating at the convention claimed 3 million Muslim voters. In fact, surveys put Muslims at just under 1 percent of the U.S. population, so less than 3 million. A study called ‘Engaging American Muslims’ asserted there are 1.2 million Muslim voters. With nearly 150 million registered voters, the Muslim vote is less than 1 percent, though arguably concentrated in urban areas of a few swing states.

‘The more than doubling of Muslim delegates at this year’s Democratic National Convention is a direct result of their hard work and grassroots organizing within the Democratic Party,’ a CAIR official boasted in a news release. ‘It is also a sign of the American Muslim community’s growing civic engagement and acceptance in the Democratic Party.’

CAIR noted that Muslim voters overwhelmingly backed Obama in 2008, although the small poll it cited claims nearly 90 percent, surely an exaggeration. Muslim voters are believed to have been mostly Republican before 9-11 and supported George W. Bush in 2000. Socially conservative on issues like abortion and homosexuality, Muslims also often tended to own small businesses and were leery of Democratic policies on taxes and regulation. A 2008 Newsweek story to which the CAIR news release links explains: ‘The shift began in 2004—in part because of the GOP’s mishandling of civil liberties, from wiretapping American citizens to detaining Muslims in the United States and Guantanamo without trial, and because of the war in Iraq.’

Groups like CAIR and the Islamic Society of North America have almost entirely aligned with America’s Religious Left, ignoring differences over marriage and abortion, while touting Big Government and opposition to U.S. national security policies.” Read more.

Flashback: Michigan: CAIR Teaches Muslims How To Evade Law Enforcement Questioning – “Working to ‘encourage dialogue’ and ‘promote justice and mutual understanding’, one would think that a group like the Council on American-Islamic Relations would be emphasizing the need to fully support the efforts of law enforcement, not hinder it …” Read more.

Flashback: House Report Urges Justice Department To Cut Ties With CAIR – “Unfortunately, CAIR is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood has members working in the pro-Islam Obama Administration. The pro-Islam Obama Administration apparently wields heavy influence in the decision making process at the ‘Justice Department.’ And when it comes to Islamist influence in America, the ‘Justice Department’ has decided to do absolutely nothing …” Read more.

China: Series Of Earthquakes Strike South-Western China, Thousands Of Homes Destroyed, Dozens Killed

09/07/2012 Leave a comment

Associated Press – “BEIJING — Twin earthquakes and a spate of aftershocks struck southwestern China on Friday, toppling thousands of houses and sending boulders cascading across roads. At least 64 people were killed and hundreds injured in the remote mountainous area, and more than 100,000 residents were evacuated.

Damage was preventing rescuers from reaching outlying towns, and communications were disrupted after the midday quakes hit along the borders of Guizhou and Yunnan provinces, a rural region where some of China’s poorest people live.

The first 5.6-magnitude quake struck just before 11:30 a.m. and was followed by an equally strong quake shortly after noon, joined by dozens of aftershocks. Though of moderate strength, the quakes were shallow, which often causes more damage.

Hardest hit was Yiliang County, where all but one of the deaths occurred, according to the Yunnan provincial government’s official website. Another 715 people in the area were injured. Yiliang’s high population density, shoddy building construction and propensity for landslides were blamed for the relatively high death toll.

China Central Television showed roads littered with rocks and boulders and pillars of dust rising over hilltops from the landslides. One image taken just as one quake struck showed people running out of a supermarket as the ground shook.

Other footage showed several hundred people crowding into a school athletic field in Yiliang’s county seat, a sizable city spread along a river in a valley, as well as soldiers carrying injured people and rescue materials.” Read more.

Categories: Earthquakes

China: Residents Of South-Western City Baffled After Yangtze River Turns Scarlet Red

09/07/2012 6 comments

Daily Mail – “It is the last thing the residents of Chongqing would have expected to see.

But the Yangtze river, which runs through the city in south-western China, turned a bright shade of orange-red yesterday.

The waterway where the Yangtze met the Jialin River provided a fascinating contrast as the red started to filter into the other river.

While officials investigate the cause of the colouring, one fisherman went about his daily business as if nothing had happened.

Others were so amazed that they collected samples in water bottles.” See more photos here.

Categories: Anything Else