Friday, November 30, 2012
Assange to RT: Entire nations intercepted online, key turned to totalitarian rule
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says all the necessary physical infrastructure for absolute totalitarianism through the internet is ready. He told RT that the question now is whether the turnkey process that already started will go all the way.
http://rt.com/news/assange-internet-control-totalitarian-943/
http://rt.com/news/assange-internet-control-totalitarian-943/
Cairo's Tahrir Square fills with anti-Morsi protesters
Tens of thousands of protesters opposed to Egypt's president and the sweeping new powers he assumed last week are in Cairo's Tahrir Square, hours after a new constitution was hastily approved.
The Islamist-dominated constituent assembly finished voting on the draft in the early hours on Friday.
The draft will now be sent to Mr Morsi, who is expected to call a referendum.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20558185
The Islamist-dominated constituent assembly finished voting on the draft in the early hours on Friday.
The draft will now be sent to Mr Morsi, who is expected to call a referendum.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20558185
Israel approves building of 3000 units in J'lem, W. Bank
Inner cabinet approves building of housing units in W. Bank, J'lem and advances plans to build in area E1, connecting J'lem and Ma’aleh Adumim, in response to Palestinian UN move; PA: Israel destroying 2-state solution.
Israel approved the construction of 3,000 new housing units in Jerusalem and in the West Bank on Friday in response to the UN approving the Palestinian UN bid for non-member observer state status, government officials stated.
http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=294118
Israel approved the construction of 3,000 new housing units in Jerusalem and in the West Bank on Friday in response to the UN approving the Palestinian UN bid for non-member observer state status, government officials stated.
http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=294118
Farage: Ukip is now Britain's third party
The leader of Ukip, Nigel Farage, has claimed that his party has now displaced the Liberal Democrats as the "third force" in British politics after it performed strongly in three byelections.In the party's strongest showing in a Westminster byelection, Ukip secured 21.79% of the vote in Rotherham, claiming second place behind Labour, which won with 46.25%. The Lib Dems trailed in eighth place on 2.11%.
Labour scored a hat-trick of comfortable victories in the three byelections held in its safe seats of Rotherham, Middlesbrough and Croydon North.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/nov/30/nigel-farage-ukip-third-party
Leveson: Where does it leave the internet?
Amid Lord Justice Leveson's 2,000 page report into the culture, practice and ethics of the press were around a dozen pages dealing with the internet.
After describing the internet as an "ethical vacuum", some have questioned the wisdom of bringing more regulation to the press and not the wider internet, although any publisher could sign up to the new legislation-backed self regulator that he envisages.
Lord Justice Leveson has also been criticised for his attitude towards new media.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20553416
Russian 'Supergrass' Death: Toxicology Tests
Police are carrying out toxicology tests on the body of a Russian businessman who was providing evidence about alleged money laundering after he was found dead outside his home in Surrey.
Alexander Perepilichny, 44, was helping Swiss authorities investigate a $230m (£144m) money laundering scheme in Russia when he suddenly collapsed in Weybridge, on November 10.
More than two weeks later, the cause of his death has still not been established and it is still being treated as "unexplained".
http://news.sky.com/story/1018961/russian-supergrass-death-toxicology-tests
Alexander Perepilichny, 44, was helping Swiss authorities investigate a $230m (£144m) money laundering scheme in Russia when he suddenly collapsed in Weybridge, on November 10.
More than two weeks later, the cause of his death has still not been established and it is still being treated as "unexplained".
http://news.sky.com/story/1018961/russian-supergrass-death-toxicology-tests
German foreign minister tells Berlin to boost embassy security
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle urged the mayor of Berlin on Friday to tighten security at foreign embassies in the city, a day after 30 protesters stormed the grounds of the Iranian mission and pelted the building with stones.
Westerwelle asked mayor Klaus Wowereit in a letter to act swiftly to remedy security shortcomings, citing 13 occasions over the past two years when embassies, including those of Libya and Nigeria, were attacked or occupied.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-germany-embassies-security-idUSBRE8AT0UP20121130
Westerwelle asked mayor Klaus Wowereit in a letter to act swiftly to remedy security shortcomings, citing 13 occasions over the past two years when embassies, including those of Libya and Nigeria, were attacked or occupied.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-germany-embassies-security-idUSBRE8AT0UP20121130
Anonymous declares Internet war on Syria
Syria was plunged into communication darkness on Thursday when Internet connectivity stopped at midday. Land lines and mobile phones networks were also seriously disrupted.
The Syrian government said "terrorists" had attacked Internet lines but the opposition and human rights groups suspect it to be the work of the authorities.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-syria-crisis-internet-idUSBRE8AT0PN20121130
Egyptians fume over constitution
Thousands of Egyptians protested against President Mohamed Mursi on Friday after an Islamist-led assembly raced through approval of a new constitution in a bid to end a crisis over the Islamist leader's newly expanded powers.
"The people want to bring down the regime," they chanted in Tahrir Square, echoing the chants that rang out in the same place less than two years ago and brought down Hosni Mubarak.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-egypt-president-idUSBRE8AM0DO20121130
"The people want to bring down the regime," they chanted in Tahrir Square, echoing the chants that rang out in the same place less than two years ago and brought down Hosni Mubarak.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-egypt-president-idUSBRE8AM0DO20121130
EBay's double tax base prompts calls for investigation
Britain and Germany may have missed out on a combined $1 billion in sales tax since online marketplace eBay picked a tiny Luxembourg office as its base for EU sales, a shift that lawmakers say should now be investigated.
EBay's nomination of Luxembourg unit eBay Europe Sarl - with a staff of nine - as its provider of services to EU clients allows it to charge customers in Europe a low rate of sales tax, often known as Value Added Tax, helping it to compete against rivals.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/net-us-ebay-tax-europe-idUSBRE8AT0S720121130
EBay's nomination of Luxembourg unit eBay Europe Sarl - with a staff of nine - as its provider of services to EU clients allows it to charge customers in Europe a low rate of sales tax, often known as Value Added Tax, helping it to compete against rivals.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/net-us-ebay-tax-europe-idUSBRE8AT0S720121130
Obama takes "fiscal cliff" on the road; Republicans stew
President Barack Obama, reapplying his re-election campaign theme of protecting the middle class, heads to Pennsylvania on Friday suggesting that Republicans could spoil Christmas by driving the country over the "fiscal cliff."
The president's road trip, visiting a factory that makes Tinkertoys, is infuriating Republicans, with House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner calling it a "victory lap" Thursday as he rejected Obama's proposals to avoid the cliff, which is a combination of tax increases and spending cuts set to start taking effect in January.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-usa-fiscal-obama-idUSBRE8AT0LH20121130
The president's road trip, visiting a factory that makes Tinkertoys, is infuriating Republicans, with House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner calling it a "victory lap" Thursday as he rejected Obama's proposals to avoid the cliff, which is a combination of tax increases and spending cuts set to start taking effect in January.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-usa-fiscal-obama-idUSBRE8AT0LH20121130
Exorcism Hotline: Demand Swamps Milan Priests
Mons Angelo Mascheroni, the Milan diocese's auxiliary bishop and chief exorcist, says the number of requests has doubled.
"We receive a lot of requests for names, addresses and phone numbers," he told the Milan church's website. "That's why we have set up a switchboard in our (offices)."
The hotline, which is open for a few hours in the afternoon from Monday to Friday, refers callers to priests in their area, he said.
The number of exorcists in Milan has gone from six to 12.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018888/exorcism-hotline-demand-swamps-milan-priests
Toxic Spill As Train Plunges Off Bridge in Southern New Jersey
A rail bridge has collapsed over a creek in New Jersey causing a freight train to derail and spill hazardous chemicals.Police said vinyl chloride, a highly toxic and flammable industrial chemical, was spilling from at least one of the Conrail cars that derailed in Paulsboro at a crossing near the Delaware River.
Four tank cars were reportedly dumped into Mantua Creek. At least 18 contractors working in the area have complained of breathing problems.
Residents in the area were advised to remain indoors, with their windows shut.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018939/toxic-spill-as-train-plunges-off-bridge
Wayne Houchin: Magician's Head Set On Fire In TV Prank
Wayne Houchin was appearing on a show in the Dominican Republic when, in an apparently unscripted prank, its host dropped flammable liquid on his head, setting him alight.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018893/magicians-head-set-on-fire-in-tv-prank
Johnny Lewis Was Not On Drugs Before Death
A Sons of Anarchy television star who reportedly murdered his landlady before falling to his death, had no drugs in his system, according to an autopsy.Toxicology results on Johnny Lewis found no traces of cocaine, alcohol, marijuana or any other types of drugs in his system. Officials checked for anti-psychotic drugs as well as psychedelic drugs.
The 29-year-old was found dead in September in the driveway of a Los Angeles home. Police later found his landlady's body inside the property.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018808/johnny-lewis-was-not-on-drugs-before-death
Belgium 'Spies' Reveal Themselves On Website.....Anyone surprised they are Belgium?
Belgian newspaper De Standaard says it has found an entry on LinkedIn which appears to belong to a senior analyst employed by Belgium's Co-ordinating Body for Threat Analysis (OCAM).
The agency operates under the country's Interior Ministry and facilitates terrorist intelligence exchange between government departments.
Another entry on the same website appears to belong to an employee of Belgium's state security agency, Surete de l'Etat (SE).
http://news.sky.com/story/1018759/belgian-spies-reveal-themselves-on-website
UK To Withhold £21m Aid Due For Rwanda
Announcing the decision, International Development Secretary Justine Greening said the money, which was due to be handed over next month, would not be released because President Paul Kagame's regime had breached agreements.
"The Government has already set out its concerns over credible and compelling reports of Rwandan involvement with M23 in DRC," she said.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018762/uk-to-withhold-21m-aid-due-for-rwanda
U.S. gives Iran until March to cooperate with IAEA
The United States set a March deadline on Thursday for Iran to start cooperating in substance with a U.N. nuclear agency investigation, warning Tehran the issue may otherwise be referred to the U.N. Security Council.
The comments by U.S. diplomat Robert Wood to the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency signaled Washington's growing frustration at a lack of progress in the IAEA's inquiry into possible military dimensions to Tehran's nuclear program.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-nuclear-iran-usa-idUSBRE8AS0VS20121130
The comments by U.S. diplomat Robert Wood to the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency signaled Washington's growing frustration at a lack of progress in the IAEA's inquiry into possible military dimensions to Tehran's nuclear program.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-nuclear-iran-usa-idUSBRE8AS0VS20121130
German lawmakers to green-light Greek bailout
Germany's parliament will approve a fresh bailout for Greece on Friday in a vote seen as a test of Chancellor Angela Merkel's authority over her center-right coalition less than a year before federal elections.
The outcome of Friday's vote in the Bundestag lower house is not in doubt but Germans are deeply uneasy over the costs of the euro zone debt crisis and the number of coalition lawmakers voting against will be keenly watched.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-eurozone-germany-greece-idUSBRE8AS1KI20121129
The outcome of Friday's vote in the Bundestag lower house is not in doubt but Germans are deeply uneasy over the costs of the euro zone debt crisis and the number of coalition lawmakers voting against will be keenly watched.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-eurozone-germany-greece-idUSBRE8AS1KI20121129
Fighting cuts access to Damascus airport, flights suspended
Syrian rebels battled forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad just outside Damascus on Thursday, cutting access to its international airport, and Dubai-based Emirates airline and EgyptAir stopped flights to the Syrian capital.
The Internet and some telephone lines went down across Syria. Rebels and the government traded blame for the blackout, the worst communications outage in 20 months of conflict.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE8AJ1FK20121129
The Internet and some telephone lines went down across Syria. Rebels and the government traded blame for the blackout, the worst communications outage in 20 months of conflict.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE8AJ1FK20121129
Greeks rage against pension calamity
In the heat of a June night, Eleni Spanopoulou found her audience at an Athens hotel turning ugly. Mutiny and violence hung in the air.
For hours the leader of the Greek journalists' social security fund had been chairing a meeting about disastrous losses on retirement savings caused by the country's economic collapse. "She tried to present herself as the fund's savior and asked (members) to double contributions to 6 percent of salaries," said one of those present that night at the Titania hotel. Spanopoulou, 58, did not succeed.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-greece-crisis-pensions-idUSBRE8AT0CV20121130
For hours the leader of the Greek journalists' social security fund had been chairing a meeting about disastrous losses on retirement savings caused by the country's economic collapse. "She tried to present herself as the fund's savior and asked (members) to double contributions to 6 percent of salaries," said one of those present that night at the Titania hotel. Spanopoulou, 58, did not succeed.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-greece-crisis-pensions-idUSBRE8AT0CV20121130
5.5 Magnitude Earthquake TONGA - 30th November 2012
5.5
Date-Time
Friday, November 30, 2012 at 11:20:36 UTC
Saturday, December 01, 2012 at 01:20:36 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
18.793°S, 175.588°W
Depth
181.8 km (113.0 miles)
Region
TONGA
Distances
170 km (105 miles) W of Neiafu, Tonga
NAURU 'IN MELTDOWN' AS HUNGER STRIKER EVACUATED, AUSTRALIA
An Iranian asylum seeker who has been on a hunger strike for 50 days in detention on Nauru has been evacuated to an undisclosed hospital on the Australian mainland.
Supporters say the man, known as Omid, began the hunger strike as a protest against the lack of information on how long his processing would take.
Refugee advocate Pamela Curr says she fears Omid is at risk of organ failure.
A statement from the Department of Immigration says he "will be returned to the Nauru Regional Processing Centre as soon as he is deemed medically fit to travel".
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/15526713/nauru-in-meltdown-as-hunger-striker-evacuated/
Supporters say the man, known as Omid, began the hunger strike as a protest against the lack of information on how long his processing would take.
Refugee advocate Pamela Curr says she fears Omid is at risk of organ failure.
A statement from the Department of Immigration says he "will be returned to the Nauru Regional Processing Centre as soon as he is deemed medically fit to travel".
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/15526713/nauru-in-meltdown-as-hunger-striker-evacuated/
U.N. implicitly recognizes Palestinian sovereign state
The 193-nation U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution on Thursday to upgrade the Palestinian Authority's observer status at the United Nations from "entity" to "non-member state," implicitly recognizing a Palestinian state.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-palestinians-statehood-idUSBRE8AR0EG20121130
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-palestinians-statehood-idUSBRE8AR0EG20121130
Polar Ice Sheets Melting Faster Than Before
The most accurate analysis of satellite measurements to date showed that the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets have lost four trillion tons of ice since 1992.
The melt water has added 11.1mm to global sea levels.
But the scientists warned that the rate of ice loss is accelerating. Figures published in the journal Science show that melting ice now adds 0.95mm a year to sea levels, compared to 0.27mm in the 1990s.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018521/ice-sheet-melting-triples-in-20-years
Mercury: Nasa 'Discovers Ice' On Planet
The small planet orbits closest to the sun but rotates nearly upright, meaning some areas on its poles never see sunlight.
Nasa researchers suspect the ice and other organic material accumulated in the shadowed areas of craters at the poles after comets and asteroids delivered the material to Mercury's surface.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018622/mercury-nasa-discovers-ice-on-planet
Weapons Stolen In Raid On Australia Navy Base
The Australian Department of Defence said the infiltrator "overwhelmed a duty member onboard a patrol boat" which was moored at HMAS Coonawarra, a naval base in the northern city of Darwin.
In a statement, it said: "The intruder overpowered the duty member, accessed the vessel's armoury and removed a number of weapons.
"The person then departed the vessel with the weapons."
http://news.sky.com/story/1018701/weapons-stolen-in-raid-on-australia-navy-base
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Greenland glacier melting 5 times faster than in 1990s
Scientists have definitive new evidence that shows all but one of the world's major ice sheets are shrinking.
The study, which will be published in the magazine Science on Friday, marks the first time scientists have come up with a way to measure the changing size of the ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica that they can all agree on.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/11/29/pol-ice-sheets-melting-greenland.html
The study, which will be published in the magazine Science on Friday, marks the first time scientists have come up with a way to measure the changing size of the ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica that they can all agree on.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/11/29/pol-ice-sheets-melting-greenland.html
Officer Lawrence DePrimo Buys Boots For Homeless New Yorker
The moment of kindness would have gone quietly unnoticed had it not been snapped by a passing tourist who then posted the photograph to the NYPD's Facebook page.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018373/new-york-good-cops-boots-gift-is-web-hit
Syria's Internet Cut Off Amid Airport Clashes
Syria has been cut off from the internet amid fierce fighting in the capital which saw rebels claiming they have blocked access to the capital city's airport.
The unprecedented nationwide blackout was reported by two US-based internet-monitoring companies and confirmed by activists in the country.
Renesys, a network security firm that studies web disruptions, said Syria effectively disappeared from the internet at 12.26pm local time while Akamai Technologies, which distributes content on the internet, confirmed the development.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018466/syria-internet-cut-off-amid-airport-clashes
Nightingale Freed: Jailed SAS Sniper Walks Free
http://news.sky.com/story/1018457/nightingale-jailed-sas-sniper-walks-free
Syria shuts off internet access across the country
US company which tracks internet traffic, said that at 12.26pm, Syria's international internet connectivity shut down completely.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/29/syria-blocks-internet
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/29/syria-blocks-internet
Minimum price for alcohol is illegal: Europe's warning to Cameron as he pushes ahead with price hike
The nine-page letter from Brussels to the Prime Minister says the scheme would break laws governing the free movement of goods.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2240257/Alcohol-price-rules-illegal-European-Commission-warns-David-Cameron.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2240257/Alcohol-price-rules-illegal-European-Commission-warns-David-Cameron.html
Ryanair finally scrap unlawful £6 debit card fee... and introduce a blanket £6 'website admin fee' PLUS 2% credit card charge on the same day
From tomorrow customers who pay by credit card face the double-whammy of having to pay a new 2 per cent processing fee and a £6 admin fee, Ryanair has confirmed.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2240390/Anger-Ryanair-finally-scrap-unlawful-6-debit-card-fee--introduce-6-website-admin-fee-day.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2240390/Anger-Ryanair-finally-scrap-unlawful-6-debit-card-fee--introduce-6-website-admin-fee-day.html
Saturn Storm Clouds Captured By Probe
The pictures were obtained while the spacecraft was "travelling the Saturnian system in a set of inclined, or tilted, orbits that give mission scientists a vertigo-inducing view of Saturn's polar regions," Nasa said.
The results show storm clouds and a swirling vortex at the centre of Saturn's north polar hexagon.
Nasa said Cassini has seen storms circling Saturn's north pole in the past, but only in infrared wavelengths because the north pole was in darkness.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018357/saturn-storm-clouds-captured-by-cassini
North Korea pushing ahead with new nuclear reactor: IAEA
North Korea has made further progress in the construction of a new atomic reactor, the U.N. nuclear chief reported on Thursday, a facility that may extend the country's capacity to produce material for nuclear bombs.
Pyongyang "has continued construction of the light water reactor and largely completed work on the exterior of the main buildings," Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-korea-north-nuclear-idUSBRE8AS0OT20121129
Pyongyang "has continued construction of the light water reactor and largely completed work on the exterior of the main buildings," Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-korea-north-nuclear-idUSBRE8AS0OT20121129
Bodies found inside drifting ship near Japan
A small wooden boat found off the western island of Sado in Japan contained decomposing bodies, according to local police.
The ship was badly damaged and contained faint markings on the side that appeared to be Korean characters, according to the Sado West Police. But the characters were so faint that they could not read it clearly, said Toshiyuki Kojima, deputy chief of Sado Nishi Police Station.
The ship was discovered early morning Wednesday, drifting into a rocky part of the coast at Mano Bay in Sado City. Authorities did not know how long the boat had been there.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/29/world/asia/japan-boat-bodies/index.html?hpt=hp_c4
U.N. set to implicitly recognize Palestinian state
The U.N. General Assembly is set to implicitly recognize a sovereign state of Palestine despite threats by the United States and Israel to punish the Palestinian Authority by withholding much-needed funds for the West Bank government
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-palestinians-statehood-idUSBRE8AR0EG20121129
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-palestinians-statehood-idUSBRE8AR0EG20121129
Cumbria Earthquake Centred On Lake District
Several Cumbrian residents took to Twitter to discuss the episode.
One tweeted: "So just a small earthquake - 2.1 - though thought my mum was jump through the roof. Totally freaked her out."
http://news.sky.com/story/1018257/cumbria-earthquake-centred-on-lake-district
Afghan Girl's Throat Slit Over Refusal To Wed
A 15-year-old girl in Afghanistan has been murdered after her family refused a marriage proposal.
The teenager had her throat slit as she was carrying water from a river to her village home in the northern Kunduz province on Wednesday.
Two men have now been arrested over the attack.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018196/afghan-girls-throat-slit-over-refusal-to-wed
The teenager had her throat slit as she was carrying water from a river to her village home in the northern Kunduz province on Wednesday.
Two men have now been arrested over the attack.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018196/afghan-girls-throat-slit-over-refusal-to-wed
Lindsay Lohan Arrested Over Nightclub Assault
The actress is charged after allegedly punching a woman in the face during an argument at a popular New York club.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018303/lindsay-lohan-arrested-over-nightclub-assault
http://news.sky.com/story/1018303/lindsay-lohan-arrested-over-nightclub-assault
6.0 Magnitude Earthquake NEAR N COAST OF NEW GUINEA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA - 29th November 2012
Region NEAR N COAST OF NEW GUINEA, PNG.
Date time 2012-11-29 11:10:28.0 UTC
Location 3.88 S ; 145.47 E
Depth 10 km
Distances 154 km NW Madang
5.4 Magnitude Earthquake FIJI REGION - 29th November 2012
5.4
Date-Time
Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 10:37:38 UTC
Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 10:37:38 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
20.624°S, 177.048°W
Depth
247.5 km (153.8 miles)
Region
FIJI REGION
Distances
171 km (106 miles) E of Ndoi Island, Fiji
Tornado Slams Into Europe's Biggest Steel Plant in Italy
Video footage shows the storm rolling in off the sea and tearing through the port city before hitting the huge IVLA site.
It brought down a chimney stack and caused significant damage to buildings at the factory's docks.
A total of 38 people - including 20 staff at the plant - are reported to be injured and divers have been searching for a worker who is unaccounted for after a dockside crane collapsed.
http://news.sky.com/story/1018054/tornado-hits-huge-steel-factory-in-italy
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Chinese man Lu Zhengai blows life savings on ark to escape Apocalypse
The barely sea worthy boat, which he claims will save him and his family when flood waters destroy his house, was designed by Lu himself, measures 65 feet and will weigh 80 tons when finished, according to Chinese media.
Land lubber Lu, who lives in the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region of China – thousands of miles from the sea, began building the boat out of fear for the “doomsday” floods, predicted by the Maya calendar for December 21, 2012.
http://rt.com/news/chinese-noah-arc-apocalypse-809/
Added thoughts:
I don't think "blow" is an appropriate word when describing preparation. I imagine Noah faced the same criticism once upon a time.
Chinese mogul Wu Jialiang sues Obama
President Obama this year ruled against allowing a Chinese man to build a wind farm in Oregon, calling him a ‘national security threat’. Convinced that the president was biased against the Chinese, the man is taking Obama to court.
Wu Jialiang, CEO of Ralls Corp. and one of China’s richest men, is challenging Obama in a federal court today on his refusal to let him build a wind farm on US ground he had purchased – even though other foreigners had built businesses in the same area, the Christian Science Monitor reports.
“We are suing the president because we do not accept his finding that we are a national security threat. It is not true,” Jialiang said.
http://rt.com/usa/news/chinese-obama-us-president-818/
Added thoughts:
Perhaps China should build in its own backyard.
Wu Jialiang, CEO of Ralls Corp. and one of China’s richest men, is challenging Obama in a federal court today on his refusal to let him build a wind farm on US ground he had purchased – even though other foreigners had built businesses in the same area, the Christian Science Monitor reports.
“We are suing the president because we do not accept his finding that we are a national security threat. It is not true,” Jialiang said.
http://rt.com/usa/news/chinese-obama-us-president-818/
Added thoughts:
Perhaps China should build in its own backyard.
Uganda: Nodding Disease Continues to Mystify
http://thinkafricapress.com/uganda/nodding-disease-continues-mystify
Video shows first direct hit of a Surface to Air Missile on a Syrian helicopter
Added thoughts:
I'm not sure what the cheering is for, since a) it merely struck the HIND and didn't shoot it down, and b) it's a Soviet HIND, which basically laughs at most American missile technology thrown at it. More disturbing is that the "rebels" (most likely Western / Israeli mercenaries combined with real terrorist elements) now have these kinds of weapons at their disposal. A hit on an airliner would definitely not result in a similar bounce-off.
The Gaza Operation: Less a War than an Anti-Iran Coup
http://www.debka.com/article/22568/The-Gaza-Operation-Less-a-War-than-an-Anti-Iran-Coup
Added thoughts:
If this was indeed the mission, it undoubtedly failed. Gaza is nearly fully rearmed, the tunnels are being rebuilt, Iran now actively sends its people to the strip, and other countries, such as Egypt and Turkey, are more glad than ever to invest there. Hamas even learned how to overwhelm the Iron Dome defense system, something that now puts many Israelis in peril. Any show of force will likely never cow Iran, either, since Iran, unlike Israel, has actually gone through a real decade-long war, not just a series of Western-backed skirmishes with opponents overwhelmed from the very start. However, perhaps this engagement did provide a valuable lesson: now that the Gazan embargo is lifted a tad, more investment will pour in. More investment will lead to better lives. Better lives eschew war. One day Israel will hopefully realize that freedom, and not bombs, is what puts an end to conflict. As was learned with the USSR, the best way to kill a vicious idea is with sunshine.
Fitch downgrades Argentina and predicts default
Credit rating agency Fitch has downgraded Argentina, which is locked in a court battle in New York over its debt, and said the country would probably default.
Read more here
Read more here
Heating Bills 'Rise 63% In Five Years'
The average cost of heating a home has soared by 63% over the past five years, according to research.
The price comparison website, uSwitch, calculates that the bill is up £227 over the period - hitting a new annual average total of £587.
http://news.sky.com/story/1017576/heating-bills-rise-63-percent-in-five-years
The price comparison website, uSwitch, calculates that the bill is up £227 over the period - hitting a new annual average total of £587.
http://news.sky.com/story/1017576/heating-bills-rise-63-percent-in-five-years
Egypt: Major Protest Against President Morsi
They accused the Islamist leader of seeking to impose a new era of autocracy after he issued a decree that expanded his powers and barred court challenges to his decisions.
The demonstration in the iconic plaza was as large as some of the protests during last year's uprising that drove ex-president Hosni Mubarak from power.
http://news.sky.com/story/1017162/egypt-major-protest-against-president-morsi
Syria Rebels Car Bomb Blasts Rock Damascus kills at least 34 People
Addounia television said the blasts occurred early in the morning in the eastern district of Jaramana.
It broadcast footage of firefighters hosing down two vehicles. Debris from damaged buildings had crushed other cars in the area.
http://news.sky.com/story/1017564/syria-deadly-car-bomb-blasts-rock-damascus
5.5 Magnitude Earthquake BANDA SEA - 28th November 2012
5.5
Date-Time
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 08:56:16 UTC
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 05:56:16 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
5.404°S, 131.112°E
Depth
56 km (34.8 miles)
Region
BANDA SEA
Distances
184 km (114 miles) W of Tual, Indonesia
5.6 Magnitude Earthquake NORTHERN PERU - 28th November 2012
5.6
Date-Time
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 03:09:49 UTC
Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 10:09:49 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
4.508°S, 76.051°W
Depth
120 km (74.6 miles)
Region
NORTHERN PERU
Distances
80 km (49 miles) ENE of Barranca, Peru
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Bond-style weapons carried by North Korean assassin unveiled, prepared for use against Human Rights activitist Park Sang-Hak
Read more here
Monday, November 26, 2012
VAT May Have To Rise To 25% and Austerity till 2018, Warns IFS
Chancellor George Osborne may have to hike VAT to 25% as he continues his battle to restore Britain's economic health, analysts have suggested.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned struggling Britons could face yet more spending cuts and tax rises because of weaker economic growth and lower tax revenues.
If these problems are permanent, the Chancellor will need to plug a £23bn black hole if he is to meet his financial targets by 2018, according to the respected think tank.
Achieving this from tax hikes alone would be "roughly equivalent to increasing the main rate of VAT from 20% to 25%", the IFS said.
http://news.sky.com/story/1016241/vat-may-have-to-rise-to-25-percent-warns-ifs
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned struggling Britons could face yet more spending cuts and tax rises because of weaker economic growth and lower tax revenues.
If these problems are permanent, the Chancellor will need to plug a £23bn black hole if he is to meet his financial targets by 2018, according to the respected think tank.
Achieving this from tax hikes alone would be "roughly equivalent to increasing the main rate of VAT from 20% to 25%", the IFS said.
http://news.sky.com/story/1016241/vat-may-have-to-rise-to-25-percent-warns-ifs
2.6 Magnitude Earthquake SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA - 26th November 2012
2.6
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 18:25:15 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 10:25:15 AM at epicenter
Location
37.583°N, 121.980°W
Depth
8 km (5.0 miles)
Region
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
Distances
4 km (3 miles) N (4°) from Fremont, CA
Deluged homeowners' fury at failure of £1.7m state-of-the-art defences which they celebrated with an 'end of flooding party'
Families in Kempsey, Worcestershire, had not taken action to protect their homes because they believed they were protected by the state of the art pumps - and had even staged a party to celebrate the installation.
In fact, the devastation was worse than it had ever been in floods before the system was installed.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2238532/UK-floods-wreak-havoc-houses-thought-protected-state-art-1-7million-flood-defences.html
Maria Santos Gorrostieta Murder: Mexico's fearless woman mayor who survived two drug gang assassination attempts is beaten to death and dumped by the roadside
Maria Santos Gorrostieta, who had already survived two assassination attempts, was driving the child to school at around 8.30am when she was ambushed by a car in the city of Morelia.
The 36-year-old was hauled from her vehicle and physically assaulted as horrified witnesses watched, according to newspaper El Universal.
They described how she begged for her child to be left alone and then appeared to get into her abductors’ car willingly.
The little girl was left wailing as her mother was driven away on Monday November 12.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2238577/Maria-Santos-Gorrostieta-executed-surviving-assassination-attempts.html
5.0 Magnitude Earthquake DODECANESE ISLANDS, GREECE - 26th November 2012
5.0
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 17:35:41 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 07:35:41 PM at epicenter
Location
36.581°N, 27.939°E
Depth
10.4 km (6.5 miles)
Region
DODECANESE ISLANDS, GREECE
Distances
31 km (19 miles) WNW (303°) from Rodhos, Dodecanese Islands, Greece
4.0 Magnitude Earthquake WESTERN XIZANG - 26th November 2012
4.0
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 16:36:53 UTC
Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 12:36:53 AM at epicenter
Location
32.656°N, 88.298°E
Depth
35 km (21.7 miles) set by location program
Region
WESTERN XIZANG
Distances
176 km (109 miles) NW of Pubu, China
Supreme court revives challenge to Obama health law
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday revived a challenge to President Barack Obama's healthcare reforms, allowing a Christian college to pursue litigation raising First Amendment objections to a law that the court mostly upheld in June.
Liberty University, based in Lynchburg, Virginia, had challenged both the individual mandate, which required all people to obtain insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty, and a separate mandate requiring large employers to provide coverage for workers.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/us-usa-court-healthcare-idUSBRE8AP0NX20121126
Liberty University, based in Lynchburg, Virginia, had challenged both the individual mandate, which required all people to obtain insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty, and a separate mandate requiring large employers to provide coverage for workers.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/us-usa-court-healthcare-idUSBRE8AP0NX20121126
4.7 Magnitude Earthquake VANUATU - 26th November 2012
4.7
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 15:52:53 UTC
Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 02:52:53 AM at epicenter
Location
19.133°S, 169.729°E
Depth
10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program
Region
VANUATU
Distances
66 km (41 miles) NE (48°) from Isangel, Vanuatu
Outrage over 'tagged' Saudi women
When word started spreading last week that Saudi women -- already some of the most oppressed and restricted in the world -- were being monitored electronically as they left the country, activists were quick to express their outrage.
"It's very shameful," said Manal Al-Sharif, who became an icon of female empowerment in 2011 after defying the conservative kingdom's driving ban and encouraging other Saudi women to do the same.
Al-Sharif was one of the first prominent Saudis to start tweeting about the electronic monitoring issue -- describing the shock experienced by a couple she knew after the husband received a text message alerting him his wife had left Saudi Arabia, even though they were traveling out of the country together.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/25/world/meast/saudi-arabia-women/index.html?hpt=hp_c4
"It's very shameful," said Manal Al-Sharif, who became an icon of female empowerment in 2011 after defying the conservative kingdom's driving ban and encouraging other Saudi women to do the same.
Al-Sharif was one of the first prominent Saudis to start tweeting about the electronic monitoring issue -- describing the shock experienced by a couple she knew after the husband received a text message alerting him his wife had left Saudi Arabia, even though they were traveling out of the country together.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/25/world/meast/saudi-arabia-women/index.html?hpt=hp_c4
4.4 Magnitude Earthquake ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA - 26th November 2012
4.4
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 15:31:07 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 05:31:07 AM at epicenter
Location
51.555°N, 179.464°W
Depth
80.3 km (49.9 miles)
Region
ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
Distances
198 km (123 miles) W (260°) from Adak, AK
Euro zone to seek Greek aid deal without write-off
Euro zone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund began their third attempt in as many weeks to release emergency aid for Greece on Monday, with policymakers saying a write-down of Greek debt is off the table for now.
Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras voiced confidence the ministers would finally reach a deal after Greece had fulfilled it's part of the deal by enacting tough austerity measures and economic reforms.
"I'm certain we will find a mutually beneficial solution today," he said on arrival for what was set to be another marathon meeting.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/us-eurogroup-greece-idUSBRE8AP05820121126
Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras voiced confidence the ministers would finally reach a deal after Greece had fulfilled it's part of the deal by enacting tough austerity measures and economic reforms.
"I'm certain we will find a mutually beneficial solution today," he said on arrival for what was set to be another marathon meeting.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/us-eurogroup-greece-idUSBRE8AP05820121126
Second Fire At Bangladeshi Clothing Factory
The fire at the 11-storey building, housing three garment factories, in the suburb of Uttara sparked fresh scenes of panic as workers rushed to safety.
It caused widespread damage but there were no reports of deaths, with employees managing to escape to an adjacent building.
http://news.sky.com/story/1016614/second-fire-at-bangladeshi-clothing-factory
Torrential Rain Hits Northern England
There are just over 200 flood warnings in place across the country and nearly 300 less serious flood alerts, following a weekend of almost non-stop pouring rain left at least 800 homes swamped with water.
Parts of South West England were particularly badly hit, now people in the North East and North Wales are preparing for possible flooding.
http://news.sky.com/story/1016416/weather-northern-england-hit-by-flooding
4.6 Magnitude Earthquake IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION - 26th November 2012
4.6
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 12:38:10 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 10:38:10 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
29.898°N, 142.968°E
Depth
20.6 km (12.8 miles)
Region
IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
Distances
320 km (198 miles) NNE of Chichi-shima, Japan
4.5 Magnitude Earthquake NEAR THE COAST OF NICARAGUA - 26th November 2012
4.5
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 12:27:52 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 06:27:52 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
12.041°N, 88.276°W
Depth
28.6 km (17.8 miles)
Region
NEAR THE COAST OF NICARAGUA
Distances
119 km (73 miles) SW of Jiquilillo, Nicaragua
