Squatters who take up residence in property that does not belong to them now face prison or a fine following the scrapping of squatters' rights.
A new law comes in on Saturday for England and Wales making it an offence for squatters to enter or occupy an abandoned or empty property without the owner's permission.
The introduction of the offence - which will carry a maximum sentence of up to six months in jail for persistent offenders, a £5,000 fine or both - follows a Government consultation on the issue last summer.
Ministers said the move would shut the door on squatters once and for all and help protect homeowners.
"For too long, squatters have had the justice system on the run and have caused homeowners untold misery in eviction, repair and clean-up costs," Justice minister Crispin Blunt said. Read More

Thursday, August 30, 2012
4.1 Magnitude Earthquake SALTA, ARGENTINA - 31st August 2012
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake has struck SALTA, ARGENTINA at a depth of 168.8 km (104.9 miles), the quake hit at 02:14:42 UTC Friday 31st August 2012
The epicenter was 78 km (48 miles) West of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 78 km (48 miles) West of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
4.4 Magnitude Earthquake CENTRAL MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE - 31st August 2012
A magnitude 4.4 earthquake has struck ANTOFAGASTA, CHILE at a depth of 95.1 km (59.1 miles), the quake hit at 01:12:15 UTC Friday 31st August 2012
The epicenter was 106 km (65 miles) NNE of Calama, Chile
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 106 km (65 miles) NNE of Calama, Chile
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
4.9 Magnitude Earthquake CENTRAL MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE - 31st August 2012
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake has struck the CENTRAL MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the quake hit at 00:35:35 UTC Friday 31st August 2012
The epicenter was 845 km (525 miles) North of Fernando de Noronha (Distrito Estadual), Brazil
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 845 km (525 miles) North of Fernando de Noronha (Distrito Estadual), Brazil
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
4.6 Magnitude Earthquake NEAR THE COAST OF ECUADOR - 30th August 2012
A magnitude 4.6 earthquake has struck NEAR THE COAST OF ECUADOR at a depth of 829.8 km (51.5 miles), the quake hit at 23:00:39 UTC Thursday 30th August 2012
The epicenter was 48 km (30 miles) West from Cuenca, Ecuador
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 48 km (30 miles) West from Cuenca, Ecuador
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
4.0 Magnitude Earthquake GULF OF CALIFORNIA - 30th August 2012
A magnitude 4.0 earthquake has struck the GULF OF CALIFORNIA at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the quake hit at 22:51:45 UTC Thursday 30th August 2012
The epicenter was 71 km (44 miles) SSE of Puerto Penasco, Mexico
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 71 km (44 miles) SSE of Puerto Penasco, Mexico
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
4.5 Magnitude Earthquake ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA - 30th August 2012
A magnitude 4.5 earthquake has struck the ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA at a depth of 17.2 km (10.7 miles), the quake hit at 19:47:19 UTC Thursday 30th August 2012
The epicenter was 86 km (53 miles) SSW of Adak, Alaska
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 86 km (53 miles) SSW of Adak, Alaska
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
4.9 Magnitude Earthquake NEW ZEALAND - 30th August 2012
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake has struck NEW ZEALAND at a depth of 8 km (5 miles), the quake hit at 19:38:36 UTC Thursday 30th August 2012
The epicenter was 69 km (42 miles) NNW of Wanaka, New Zealand
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 69 km (42 miles) NNW of Wanaka, New Zealand
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
5.0 Magnitude Earthquake KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA, INDONESIA - 30th August 2012
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake has struck KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA, INDONESIA at a depth of 85 km (52.7 miles), the quake hit at 19:00:12 UTC Thursday 30th August 2012
The epicenter was 183 km (113.4 miles) East of Los Palos, Indonesia
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 183 km (113.4 miles) East of Los Palos, Indonesia
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
Brutal LAPD arrest caught on video; Department investigating cops seen bodyslamming nurse twice during cell phone traffic stop (then shares an Obama-fist-bump with fellow officer)
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating two officers who were allegedly caught on surveillance camera slamming a nurse on the ground twice — and then fist bumping afterward — during a recent traffic stop.
The two officers pulled over Michelle Jordan, 34, of Sunland, Aug. 21, for allegedly talking on her cell phone while driving in Tujunga, in northeast Los Angeles, the department said.
Jordan pulled into the parking lot of a Del Taco restaurant and got out of her car to confront the officers, cops said.
The taco joint's surveillance video appears to show the officers, both men, yanking the 5-foot-4 inch registered nurse from the open driver's seat and then slamming her on the ground to cuff her. more
Categories:
POLICE STATE
China to deploy drones to conduct maritime surveillance
Amid increasing maritime disputes with a host of its neighbours, China today said it plans to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) along its coast line to conduct "remote-sensing marine surveillance."
"The plan also includes the construction of 11 UAV bases run by provincial maritime authorities," Yu Qingsong, a division chief of the State Oceanic Administration, said.
No further details on the scale or the schedule of the project were provided, but Yu noted that at least one drone would be stationed at each base, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.
The announcement came in the midst of maritime tensions between China and host of its neighbours over the disputed islands in the South and North China Sea.
The Xinhua report said China had earlier launched trial program last year in Liaoning Province where rented Drones were successfully used to take aerial photos of a 980 square kilometer sea area. more
"The plan also includes the construction of 11 UAV bases run by provincial maritime authorities," Yu Qingsong, a division chief of the State Oceanic Administration, said.
No further details on the scale or the schedule of the project were provided, but Yu noted that at least one drone would be stationed at each base, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.
The announcement came in the midst of maritime tensions between China and host of its neighbours over the disputed islands in the South and North China Sea.
The Xinhua report said China had earlier launched trial program last year in Liaoning Province where rented Drones were successfully used to take aerial photos of a 980 square kilometer sea area. more
Categories:
WARS AND RUMOURS
Half of Americans die with almost no money
Almost half of U.S. retirees die with savings of $10,000 or less, but that grim finding doesn’t fully describe the variability and uncertainty that characterize retirement in America, according to a recent study.
While some retirees struggle profoundly, living at or below the poverty line, others enjoy wealth and health—in fact, the two are strongly linked—while still others have little in savings but enjoy a decent income, according to the report, based on a survey that tracked retirees from 1993 through 2008.
While 46% of retirees have just $10,000 in savings when they die, “That doesn’t mean their standard of living is very low—they might have a relatively generous pension plan, most of them will have Social Security,” said James Poterba, professor of economics at M.I.T., president of the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a co-author of the study.
But the findings “suggest something about the financial resiliency of these households,” Poterba added. “They may not have much capacity to absorb a shock, such as an out-of-pocket medical expenditure. They don’t have very much in the way of liquid assets they can access.” more
While some retirees struggle profoundly, living at or below the poverty line, others enjoy wealth and health—in fact, the two are strongly linked—while still others have little in savings but enjoy a decent income, according to the report, based on a survey that tracked retirees from 1993 through 2008.
While 46% of retirees have just $10,000 in savings when they die, “That doesn’t mean their standard of living is very low—they might have a relatively generous pension plan, most of them will have Social Security,” said James Poterba, professor of economics at M.I.T., president of the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a co-author of the study.
But the findings “suggest something about the financial resiliency of these households,” Poterba added. “They may not have much capacity to absorb a shock, such as an out-of-pocket medical expenditure. They don’t have very much in the way of liquid assets they can access.” more
Categories:
FINANCIAL EVENTS
Iran expanding underground nuclear capacity, says IAEA
Iran is preparing for a possible major expansion of uranium enrichment in a fortified underground facility, a UN nuclear watchdog report showed, underlining Tehran's defiance in the face of western pressure and the threat of an Israeli attack.
The UN International Atomic Energy Agency report also said "extensive activities" – a reference to suspected sanitisation efforts – at Iran's Parchin military complex would hamper its investigation of possible past nuclear weapons development work there, if inspectors were granted access.
The number of enrichment centrifuges at Fordow, buried deep inside a mountain to better protect it against any enemy strikes, had more than doubled to 2,140 from 1,064 in May, showed the quarterly report released on Thursday. But new machines were not yet operating, it said.
The report showed that Iran had produced nearly 190kg (418 pounds) of higher-grade enriched uranium since 2010, up from 145kg in May.
Iran, which denies developing nuclear weapons technology, says it needs this material to fuel a medical research reactor, but it also takes it significantly closer to making potential bomb material. Read More
The UN International Atomic Energy Agency report also said "extensive activities" – a reference to suspected sanitisation efforts – at Iran's Parchin military complex would hamper its investigation of possible past nuclear weapons development work there, if inspectors were granted access.
The number of enrichment centrifuges at Fordow, buried deep inside a mountain to better protect it against any enemy strikes, had more than doubled to 2,140 from 1,064 in May, showed the quarterly report released on Thursday. But new machines were not yet operating, it said.
The report showed that Iran had produced nearly 190kg (418 pounds) of higher-grade enriched uranium since 2010, up from 145kg in May.
Iran, which denies developing nuclear weapons technology, says it needs this material to fuel a medical research reactor, but it also takes it significantly closer to making potential bomb material. Read More
Categories:
NUCLEAR DISASTERS,
WARS AND RUMOURS
Syrian fighters 'take over part of airbase and shoot down bomber jet'
Video footage showed the burning wreckage of a Syrian air force jet in Idlib province where there has been an upsurge in attacks by the opposition targeting the regime's helicopters and aircraft.
Rebel cameramen chanted "God is Great" as the plane, reportedly shot down by heavy machine gunfire, fell near the Abu Zuhour military base on the Turkish border.
"The two pilots who parachuted from the plane were captured," said Colonel Afif Mahmoud Suleiman, head of the rebel Military Council in Idlib.
The Liwa al-Ummah brigade based in the same province said they had taken advantage of the regime's concentration of attacks on nearby Aleppo to mount a massed attack on the Taftanaz airbase further east.
The brigade, which has links to fundamentalist Libyan groups, distributed pictures of at least five helicopters burning on Wednesday night and the rebels were in control of at least one section of the airbase yesterday. The conquest of an airbase would amount to a significant breakthrough for the Syrian rebels. Read More
Rebel cameramen chanted "God is Great" as the plane, reportedly shot down by heavy machine gunfire, fell near the Abu Zuhour military base on the Turkish border.
"The two pilots who parachuted from the plane were captured," said Colonel Afif Mahmoud Suleiman, head of the rebel Military Council in Idlib.
The Liwa al-Ummah brigade based in the same province said they had taken advantage of the regime's concentration of attacks on nearby Aleppo to mount a massed attack on the Taftanaz airbase further east.
The brigade, which has links to fundamentalist Libyan groups, distributed pictures of at least five helicopters burning on Wednesday night and the rebels were in control of at least one section of the airbase yesterday. The conquest of an airbase would amount to a significant breakthrough for the Syrian rebels. Read More
Categories:
WARS AND RUMOURS
Syrian fighters 'take over part of airbase and shoot down bomber jet'
Video footage showed the burning wreckage of a Syrian air force jet in Idlib province where there has been an upsurge in attacks by the opposition targeting the regime's helicopters and aircraft.
Rebel cameramen chanted "God is Great" as the plane, reportedly shot down by heavy machine gunfire, fell near the Abu Zuhour military base on the Turkish border.
"The two pilots who parachuted from the plane were captured," said Colonel Afif Mahmoud Suleiman, head of the rebel Military Council in Idlib.
The Liwa al-Ummah brigade based in the same province said they had taken advantage of the regime's concentration of attacks on nearby Aleppo to mount a massed attack on the Taftanaz airbase further east.
The brigade, which has links to fundamentalist Libyan groups, distributed pictures of at least five helicopters burning on Wednesday night and the rebels were in control of at least one section of the airbase yesterday. The conquest of an airbase would amount to a significant breakthrough for the Syrian rebels. Read More
Rebel cameramen chanted "God is Great" as the plane, reportedly shot down by heavy machine gunfire, fell near the Abu Zuhour military base on the Turkish border.
"The two pilots who parachuted from the plane were captured," said Colonel Afif Mahmoud Suleiman, head of the rebel Military Council in Idlib.
The Liwa al-Ummah brigade based in the same province said they had taken advantage of the regime's concentration of attacks on nearby Aleppo to mount a massed attack on the Taftanaz airbase further east.
The brigade, which has links to fundamentalist Libyan groups, distributed pictures of at least five helicopters burning on Wednesday night and the rebels were in control of at least one section of the airbase yesterday. The conquest of an airbase would amount to a significant breakthrough for the Syrian rebels. Read More
Categories:
WARS AND RUMOURS
U.S. readying for Syria after Assad...I bet they are!
U.S. training opposition how to administer 'liberated' Syrian towns
As more areas in Syria slip from control of the Syrian military, the United States is training local opposition members how to run a local government free from the grip of the Assad regime.
The State Department says it is running "training programs" for the members of opposition local coordinating councils in "liberated" areas who are beginning to re-establish civilian authority. The programs help them on issues of civil administration, human-rights training and other services.
The council members are learning "the kinds of things that they might need from the international community as they begin to rebuild their towns," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in her Wednesday briefing.
"They're asking for help in how to budget. They're asking for help in how to keep utilities running. How to ensure that the institutions of the state that, you know, provide services to the population, come back up and running. So we are open to supporting all of those kinds of needs," she explained.
Nuland called it a "first round" of training, tailored to help form a nascent democratic society, even before President Bashar al-Assad is gone. Read More
Categories:
WARS AND RUMOURS
Yellowstone: Does supervolcano threaten Earth?
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (CNN) -- It's hard not to stand in complete awe of everything the Earth has to offer when you're in the middle of Yellowstone National Park.
Its most famous geyser, Old Faithful, shoots up into the sky as crowds tilt their heads just to see how high it really can go. The saturated blues and greens of geothermal pools appear to be otherworldly.
Towering mountains wrap themselves around the park, providing shelter for wild animals to roam. But below the beauty of Yellowstone, is a volcano powerful enough devastate most of the United States and change the entire world.
"Yellowstone and other volcanoes around the world are called supervolcanoes and the reason is they're like a super sized drink. It means it's just big," says Hank Hessler, a geologist at Yellowstone in the U.S. state of Wyoming.
Supervolcano describes a geological phenomenon never witnessed by man. Supervolcanoes are off the charts big when comparing them to a normal volcanic eruption.
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens in the northwest corner of the United States erupted. It killed 57 people and expelled one cubic kilometer of ash. Read More
Its most famous geyser, Old Faithful, shoots up into the sky as crowds tilt their heads just to see how high it really can go. The saturated blues and greens of geothermal pools appear to be otherworldly.
Towering mountains wrap themselves around the park, providing shelter for wild animals to roam. But below the beauty of Yellowstone, is a volcano powerful enough devastate most of the United States and change the entire world.
"Yellowstone and other volcanoes around the world are called supervolcanoes and the reason is they're like a super sized drink. It means it's just big," says Hank Hessler, a geologist at Yellowstone in the U.S. state of Wyoming.
Supervolcano describes a geological phenomenon never witnessed by man. Supervolcanoes are off the charts big when comparing them to a normal volcanic eruption.
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens in the northwest corner of the United States erupted. It killed 57 people and expelled one cubic kilometer of ash. Read More
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
"Rat Crossing" signs being hung in New York
Joseph Bolanos, president of the West 76th Street Block Association, installed rat-crossing signs in his neighborhood on the Upper West Side.
The move may be a bit tongue-in-cheek, but Bolanos thinks the signs may carry some weight and bring some attention to the problem plaguing his streets.
"Now it's gotten to the point where people walk at night, and you'll hear screams and shrieks because they get startled by the amount of rats that are running across the sidewalk," he said. more
Categories:
ANIMAL ATTACKS,
SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE
Rebels attack Syrian troops in Homs
Aug. 30 - Amateur video purports to show the aftermath of government shelling in Aleppo and rebels attacking government troops and tanks in Homs, as the Assad government stands firm. Sarah Sheffer reports.
Categories:
WARS AND RUMOURS
Louisiana officials order evacuation due to dam failure
(Reuters) - Louisiana officials on Thursday ordered a widespread evacuation along the Tangipahoa River between the towns of Kentwood and Robert due to the imminent failure of a dam in Mississippi caused by rising water from Tropical Storm Isaac.
Due to the imminent failure of the Lake Tangipahoa Dam in Percy Quinn State Park in Mississippi, near the town of McComb, up to 60,000 people downstream in Louisiana need to immediately evacuate, Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess told local television station WWLTV.
The dam is about 100 miles north of New Orleans, which is not in imminent danger.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has ordered buses to the area to help evacuate residents due to rising waters on the river, Burgess said. Source
Due to the imminent failure of the Lake Tangipahoa Dam in Percy Quinn State Park in Mississippi, near the town of McComb, up to 60,000 people downstream in Louisiana need to immediately evacuate, Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess told local television station WWLTV.
The dam is about 100 miles north of New Orleans, which is not in imminent danger.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has ordered buses to the area to help evacuate residents due to rising waters on the river, Burgess said. Source
Categories:
MAN-MADE DISASTERS,
NATURAL DISASTERS
5.2 Magnitude Earthquake JAN MAYEN ISLAND REGION - 30th August 2012
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake has struck the JAN MAYEN ISLAND REGION at a depth of 12.3 km (7.6 miles), the quake hit at 13:51:06 UTC Thursday 30th August 2012
The epicenter was 24 km (15 miles) East of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 24 km (15 miles) East of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
6.8 Magnitude Earthquake JAN MAYEN ISLAND REGION - 30th August 2012
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake has struck the JAN MAYEN ISLAND REGION at a depth of 9.9 km (6.2 miles), the quake hit at 13:43:24 UTC Thursday 30th August 2012
The epicenter was 415 km (258 miles) ENE rom Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund), Greenland
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 415 km (258 miles) ENE rom Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund), Greenland
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
Typhoons stoke fears of humanitarian crisis in North Korea
Twin typhoons are renewing fears of a humanitarian crisis in North Korea, where poor drainage, widespread deforestation and crumbling infrastructure can turn even a routine rainstorm into a catastrophic flood.
Typhoon Bolaven struck the North on Tuesday and Wednesday, submerging houses and roads, ruining thousands of acres of crops and triggering landslides that buried train tracks. A second major storm, Typhoon Tembin, pounded the Korean Peninsula with more rains on Thursday.
The storms come as North Korea is still recovering from earlier floods that killed more than 170 people and destroyed thousands of homes. That in turn followed a springtime drought that was the worst in a century in some areas.
Foreign aid groups contacted on Thursday said they are standing by in Pyongyang, but had not received new requests for help from the North Korean government. They had little information on the extent of damage and were relying on reports from state media. The country's wariness toward the outside world, as well as a primitive rural road system, means aid may be slow arriving, if it is allowed to come at all. more
Typhoon Bolaven struck the North on Tuesday and Wednesday, submerging houses and roads, ruining thousands of acres of crops and triggering landslides that buried train tracks. A second major storm, Typhoon Tembin, pounded the Korean Peninsula with more rains on Thursday.
The storms come as North Korea is still recovering from earlier floods that killed more than 170 people and destroyed thousands of homes. That in turn followed a springtime drought that was the worst in a century in some areas.
Foreign aid groups contacted on Thursday said they are standing by in Pyongyang, but had not received new requests for help from the North Korean government. They had little information on the extent of damage and were relying on reports from state media. The country's wariness toward the outside world, as well as a primitive rural road system, means aid may be slow arriving, if it is allowed to come at all. more
Categories:
NATURAL DISASTERS
5.4 Magnitude Earthquake WESTERN INDIAN-ANTARCTIC RIDGE - 30th August 2012
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake has struck the WESTERN INDIAN-ANTARCTIC RIDGE at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the quake hit at 12:18:43 UTC Thursday 30th August 2012
The epicenter was 1717 km (1066 miles) South of Albany, Australia
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 1717 km (1066 miles) South of Albany, Australia
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
Zach Tennen Attack: Police dispute Jewish college student's claim that his mouth was stapled or that he was victim of anti-Semitic 'hate crime'
Religion does not seem to have been a factor in the vicious assault on a Jewish college student, police said.
East Lansing police Captain Jeff Murphy said there was no dispute that Zach Tennen, 19, was seriously assaulted in the early hours of Sunday and suffered a broken jaw.
However the police chief said witnesses have not confirmed Tennen's account that he attacked after being asked if he was Jewish at a party close to Michigan State University campus.
Detectives also have no evidence that Tennen's mouth was stapled during the attack as he claimed.
The journalism student, from Franklin in Oakland County, is recovering from jaw surgery. Tennen's father Bruce says the conclusions by East Lansing police 'sicken us'.
An 18-year-old man from Farmington Hills is a suspect, although no arrest has been made. Read More
East Lansing police Captain Jeff Murphy said there was no dispute that Zach Tennen, 19, was seriously assaulted in the early hours of Sunday and suffered a broken jaw.
However the police chief said witnesses have not confirmed Tennen's account that he attacked after being asked if he was Jewish at a party close to Michigan State University campus.
Detectives also have no evidence that Tennen's mouth was stapled during the attack as he claimed.
The journalism student, from Franklin in Oakland County, is recovering from jaw surgery. Tennen's father Bruce says the conclusions by East Lansing police 'sicken us'.
An 18-year-old man from Farmington Hills is a suspect, although no arrest has been made. Read More
Categories:
SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE
William Bohkle KILLED by his own donkey after 500lb beast turns on him in rare attack
A South Texas mayor was kicked and trampled to death by an enraged 500-pound donkey on his ranch.
The male ass, called a jack, jumped on top of Hollywood Park Mayor William 'Bill' Bohlke and chased him for several minutes before he died, investigators believe.
Investigators with the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office still aren't certain what prompted the attack -- and they never will be.
'There were no witnesses, except the donkey,' Chief Deputy David Soward told Mail Online.
Mr Bolhke, 69, was an experienced cattle rancher who raised prize-winning heifers.
Sheriff's deputies found his body Monday night after his family reported him missing.
A female donkey in the pasture that was in heat and ready to breed -- which may have agitated the beast.
The donkey already had a history of aggression, family members told investigators. Read More
The male ass, called a jack, jumped on top of Hollywood Park Mayor William 'Bill' Bohlke and chased him for several minutes before he died, investigators believe.
Investigators with the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office still aren't certain what prompted the attack -- and they never will be.
'There were no witnesses, except the donkey,' Chief Deputy David Soward told Mail Online.
Mr Bolhke, 69, was an experienced cattle rancher who raised prize-winning heifers.
Sheriff's deputies found his body Monday night after his family reported him missing.
A female donkey in the pasture that was in heat and ready to breed -- which may have agitated the beast.
The donkey already had a history of aggression, family members told investigators. Read More
Categories:
ANIMAL ATTACKS
Waterspout Pictured rising out of Chinese lake
An enormous waterspout rises majestically out of a Chinese lake, displaying the awesome power of mother nature. The dramatic images were captured by photographer Yue Mingyou at Hongze Lake in China's Jiangsu Province.
Mingyou said: 'It started from 17:30 and lasted around 25 minutes, during which a gray water pipe connected between the lake surface and the sky. It was phenomenal.'
Waterspouts are created when tornadoes develop over the sea. They are much weaker than regular tornadoes, and are usually only dangerous if they stray over the land. Read More
Mingyou said: 'It started from 17:30 and lasted around 25 minutes, during which a gray water pipe connected between the lake surface and the sky. It was phenomenal.'
Waterspouts are created when tornadoes develop over the sea. They are much weaker than regular tornadoes, and are usually only dangerous if they stray over the land. Read More
Categories:
NATURAL DISASTERS
Mark David Chapman said he wouldn't budge if granted parole...(but had a minister in upstate New York willing to take him in)
A minister in a small town in upstate New York had offered to put up John Lennon’s killer if Mark David Chapman got parole, but Chapman said he may not have gone.
According to the hearing transcript released today, Chapman, 57, a former security guard from Hawaii, said during an August 22 parole hearing that he's been offered lodging and a farm job by Stanley Thurber in Medina, a village between Rochester and Buffalo.
He also said that if he was granted parole, he would ‘probably stay right where I’m at’ – in prison.
The convicted killer added: ‘I’m so bonded that I could probably assure you that, if released, I’d probably stay right where I’m at.
‘You know, once you stand on a rock for 20 years and feel the waves on you and you don’t go anywhere because you’re on a rock, you don’t want to move.’
Chapman, who was again denied parole last week, shot Lennon in December 1980 outside the Manhattan apartment building where the former Beatle lived.
He was sentenced in 1981 to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. Read More
According to the hearing transcript released today, Chapman, 57, a former security guard from Hawaii, said during an August 22 parole hearing that he's been offered lodging and a farm job by Stanley Thurber in Medina, a village between Rochester and Buffalo.
He also said that if he was granted parole, he would ‘probably stay right where I’m at’ – in prison.
The convicted killer added: ‘I’m so bonded that I could probably assure you that, if released, I’d probably stay right where I’m at.
‘You know, once you stand on a rock for 20 years and feel the waves on you and you don’t go anywhere because you’re on a rock, you don’t want to move.’
Chapman, who was again denied parole last week, shot Lennon in December 1980 outside the Manhattan apartment building where the former Beatle lived.
He was sentenced in 1981 to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. Read More
Categories:
SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE,
UNEXPLAINED/WEIRD
4.5 Magnitude Earthquake ICELAND - 30th August 2012
A magnitude 4.5 earthquake has struck ICELAND at a depth of 6 km (3.7 miles), the quake hit at 11:59:02 UTC Thursday 30th August 2012
The epicenter was 17 km (10.5 miles) South of Mosfellsbær, Iceland
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 17 km (10.5 miles) South of Mosfellsbær, Iceland
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
'Suicide websites' blamed for rise in drug-related deaths
An increase in 'how to' suicide websites have been linked to a rise in deaths connected with helium and barbiturates.
The two drugs have increasingly been used in suicide and contributed to more deaths last year than ecstasy, cannabis and GHB.
The rise could be attributed, in part, to websites that incite people to take their own lives using barbiturates or helium, campaigners warned as they called for tighter internet regulation.
According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) deaths where barbiturates, a type of depressant, were implicated rose from six in 2007 to 37 last year.
The drugs, on which it is possible to overdose, have been available on prescription. However, the number of prescriptions made out for barbiturates have fallen by half, it was reported. Read More
The two drugs have increasingly been used in suicide and contributed to more deaths last year than ecstasy, cannabis and GHB.
The rise could be attributed, in part, to websites that incite people to take their own lives using barbiturates or helium, campaigners warned as they called for tighter internet regulation.
According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) deaths where barbiturates, a type of depressant, were implicated rose from six in 2007 to 37 last year.
The drugs, on which it is possible to overdose, have been available on prescription. However, the number of prescriptions made out for barbiturates have fallen by half, it was reported. Read More
Categories:
SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE
A quarter of babies born in hospitals in England and Wales have a foreign mother - and it's costing the NHS at least £30m a year
A record one in four of all babies born in England and Wales last year had foreign mothers, it was revealed today.
Most of these women came to Britain from Poland, Pakistan and India to give birth to a total of 184,000 children in NHS hospitals.
Almost half of all these births were in London, which has a foreign mother rate of 56.7 per cent, far above the national average of 25.5 per cent.
The figures raise fears that more women are travelling to the UK just to give birth at the British taxpayers' expense, before returning to their home countries to bring up their children. Read More
Most of these women came to Britain from Poland, Pakistan and India to give birth to a total of 184,000 children in NHS hospitals.
Almost half of all these births were in London, which has a foreign mother rate of 56.7 per cent, far above the national average of 25.5 per cent.
The figures raise fears that more women are travelling to the UK just to give birth at the British taxpayers' expense, before returning to their home countries to bring up their children. Read More
Categories:
FINANCIAL EVENTS,
SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE
Tom Crone Arrested: Ex-News International Lawyer Held
Former News International legal manager Tom Crone has been arrested by police investigating phone hacking, Sky sources have said.
More follows...
More follows...
Categories:
SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE
4.2 Magnitude Earthquake FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA - 30th August 2012
A magnitude 4.2 earthquake has struck the FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA at a depth of 46.3 km (28.8 miles), the quake hit at 11:16:01 UTC Thursday 30th August 2012
The epicenter was 48 km (30 miles) SSE from Unalaska, Alaska
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 48 km (30 miles) SSE from Unalaska, Alaska
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
5.0 Magnitude Earthquake WESTERN INDIAN-ANTARCTIC RIDGE - 30th August 2012
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake has struck the WESTERN INDIAN-ANTARCTIC RIDGE at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the quake hit at 10:53:58 UTC Thursday 30th August 2012
The epicenter was 1717 km (1066 miles) South of Grasmere, Australia
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
The epicenter was 1717 km (1066 miles) South of Grasmere, Australia
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time
Categories:
QUAKES/VOLCANOES
Report on Iran's nuclear capabilities to show increase in enrichment equipment
The latest International Atomic Energy Agency report on Iran's nuclear programme due out on Thursday is expected to say that Tehran has rapidly increased the quantity of equipment at an underground uranium enrichment plant but has not started using the new machinery to produce nuclear fuel.
The IAEA quarterly report will say that more than 300 centrifuges have been installed at the fortified cavern at Fordow, near the city of Qom, but are not yet spinning, and the rate of uranium production has not risen since the last report in May.
The IAEA inspectors will also complain about Tehran's lack of cooperation with their investigation into alleged past Iranian nuclear weapons work. Attention will be drawn in particular to its refusal to allow them into a suspect site at Parchin, where satellite images show buildings being bulldozed and covered with earth in what IAEA officials believe is an attempt to "sanitise" the area of incriminating trace elements.
In an effort to intensify the IAEA investigation, the agency is forming an Iran Task Force to focus on allegations of a secret weapons programme. The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, was reported to have raised international concerns about Tehran's nuclear aspirations at a meeting on Wednesday with the country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
During his visit to the Nonaligned Movement meeting in Tehran, Ban also registered "serious concerns" over Iran's human rights record. Read More
The IAEA quarterly report will say that more than 300 centrifuges have been installed at the fortified cavern at Fordow, near the city of Qom, but are not yet spinning, and the rate of uranium production has not risen since the last report in May.
The IAEA inspectors will also complain about Tehran's lack of cooperation with their investigation into alleged past Iranian nuclear weapons work. Attention will be drawn in particular to its refusal to allow them into a suspect site at Parchin, where satellite images show buildings being bulldozed and covered with earth in what IAEA officials believe is an attempt to "sanitise" the area of incriminating trace elements.
In an effort to intensify the IAEA investigation, the agency is forming an Iran Task Force to focus on allegations of a secret weapons programme. The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, was reported to have raised international concerns about Tehran's nuclear aspirations at a meeting on Wednesday with the country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
During his visit to the Nonaligned Movement meeting in Tehran, Ban also registered "serious concerns" over Iran's human rights record. Read More
Categories:
NUCLEAR DISASTERS,
WARS AND RUMOURS
Jordan warns Syrian refugees against rioting
AMMAN, Jordan—Jordan on Wednesday warned Syrian refugees in its tent camp near the Syrian border against further rioting after disturbances injured Jordanian guards.
About 200 refugees went on a rampage late Tuesday, complaining about conditions at the camp's services, injuring 26 Jordanian security officers, public security officials said.
Jordan's first tent city at Zaatari houses 21,000 refugees, according to the U.N. refugee agency. The refugees say the environment's constant dust fills their tents and makes staying healthy virtually impossible.
Set on a parched, treeless stretch of land affected by unrelenting dust-filled winds, scorpions and snakes, many of the refugees said they find the harsh environment a struggle.
The rioting followed a similar incident in the camp Saturday night, when 200 refugees threw stones at Jordanian security guards, wounding several. The refugees were protesting conditions at the camp then as well.
Information Minister Sameeh Maaytah said that Jordan "will not tolerate" further revolts. He did not say how Jordan would respond. Read More
About 200 refugees went on a rampage late Tuesday, complaining about conditions at the camp's services, injuring 26 Jordanian security officers, public security officials said.
Jordan's first tent city at Zaatari houses 21,000 refugees, according to the U.N. refugee agency. The refugees say the environment's constant dust fills their tents and makes staying healthy virtually impossible.
Set on a parched, treeless stretch of land affected by unrelenting dust-filled winds, scorpions and snakes, many of the refugees said they find the harsh environment a struggle.
The rioting followed a similar incident in the camp Saturday night, when 200 refugees threw stones at Jordanian security guards, wounding several. The refugees were protesting conditions at the camp then as well.
Information Minister Sameeh Maaytah said that Jordan "will not tolerate" further revolts. He did not say how Jordan would respond. Read More
Categories:
PETITIONS/PROTESTS,
WARS AND RUMOURS
Report: Iran's nuclear-arms genius gets back to work
Iran's supreme leader tells Non-Aligned Movement summit that Iran will never pursue nuclear weapons.
Iran will never try to obtain a nuclear bomb but will not give up the pursuit of peaceful nuclear energy, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a gathering of leaders of developing countries meeting in Tehran.
"Iran will never pursue nuclear weapons and will not give up its nation's right to peaceful nuclear energy," Khamenei told the Non-Aligned Movement summit. "Our motto is nuclear energy for all, and nuclear weapons for none"
Iran's nuclear program is suspected by the West of being aimed at developing an atomic bomb, an accusation Iran denies.
Late on Wednesday, visiting United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon - also present at Thursday's speech - told Khamenei to take concrete steps to prove the country's nuclear program was peaceful. Read More
Iran will never try to obtain a nuclear bomb but will not give up the pursuit of peaceful nuclear energy, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a gathering of leaders of developing countries meeting in Tehran.
"Iran will never pursue nuclear weapons and will not give up its nation's right to peaceful nuclear energy," Khamenei told the Non-Aligned Movement summit. "Our motto is nuclear energy for all, and nuclear weapons for none"
Iran's nuclear program is suspected by the West of being aimed at developing an atomic bomb, an accusation Iran denies.
Late on Wednesday, visiting United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon - also present at Thursday's speech - told Khamenei to take concrete steps to prove the country's nuclear program was peaceful. Read More
Categories:
NUCLEAR DISASTERS,
WARS AND RUMOURS
Indian Air Force choppers collide mid-air, 9 Killed
Nine defence personnel, including five officers, were on Thursday killed when two MI-17 choppers of Indian Air Force collided mid-air just after take off from an air base in Jamnagar.
“Nine IAF personnel — five officers and four other ranks — have been killed in the crash near Sarmat firing range, 15 km from Jamnagar city,” an IAF spokesperson said in New Delhi.
The Russian-made choppers were on a training sortie and the crash occurred about 5 minutes after they took off at 12 noon from the Jamnagar air base, he said.
The choppers were flying very close to each other when their upper rotors came in contact causing the collision. The tail rotor of one of the choppers also snapped, eyewitnesses said
Asked why were the choppers flying so close to each other, the spokesperson said that the training mission involved such flying. Read More
“Nine IAF personnel — five officers and four other ranks — have been killed in the crash near Sarmat firing range, 15 km from Jamnagar city,” an IAF spokesperson said in New Delhi.
The Russian-made choppers were on a training sortie and the crash occurred about 5 minutes after they took off at 12 noon from the Jamnagar air base, he said.
The choppers were flying very close to each other when their upper rotors came in contact causing the collision. The tail rotor of one of the choppers also snapped, eyewitnesses said
Asked why were the choppers flying so close to each other, the spokesperson said that the training mission involved such flying. Read More
Categories:
MAN-MADE DISASTERS
Killer Leaves a Note with Two Murdered Woman demanding for Pussy Riot to be freed
The bodies of two murdered women were found beneath a scrawled message demanding freedom for jailed members of Pussy Riot, Russian officials have said.
An investigator cautioned that the killer was possibly trying to mislead police by drawing attention to supporters of the punk provocateurs.
The Investigative Committee said in a statement that the women, aged 76 and 38, were killed late last week in their apartment in the central city of Kazan with the words "Free Pussy Riot" written on the wall, "presumably" with blood. The substance has not yet been confirmed, it said.
It did not provide the women's names and did not reveal details about their occupations or whether they had any connection to the band. Russian tabloid Lifenews quoted an unnamed investigator as saying that the bodies were disfigured by multiple stab wounds. Read More
An investigator cautioned that the killer was possibly trying to mislead police by drawing attention to supporters of the punk provocateurs.
The Investigative Committee said in a statement that the women, aged 76 and 38, were killed late last week in their apartment in the central city of Kazan with the words "Free Pussy Riot" written on the wall, "presumably" with blood. The substance has not yet been confirmed, it said.
It did not provide the women's names and did not reveal details about their occupations or whether they had any connection to the band. Russian tabloid Lifenews quoted an unnamed investigator as saying that the bodies were disfigured by multiple stab wounds. Read More
Egypt's Morsi Pushes for End of 'Oppressive Regime' in Syria
TEHRAN — World leaders convening at Iran’s first international conference since its 1979 revolution heard on Thursday two speeches that illustrate the deep divide between Iran and Egypt for finding a solution to the conflict in Syria.
In one of his first major addresses outside his country, Egypt’s new Islamist president, Mohammad Morsi, likened the uprising in Syria to the revolutions that swept away longtime leaders in North Africa.
“The Syrian people are fighting with courage, looking for freedom and human dignity,” Mr. Morsi said, suggesting that all parties at the gathering shared responsibility for the bloodshed. “We must all be fully aware that this will not stop unless we act.”
With the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, sitting beside him, Mr. Morsi spoke of an “oppressive regime” in Syria and said the opposition should unite in its effort to unseat President Bashar al-Assad. Read More
In one of his first major addresses outside his country, Egypt’s new Islamist president, Mohammad Morsi, likened the uprising in Syria to the revolutions that swept away longtime leaders in North Africa.
“The Syrian people are fighting with courage, looking for freedom and human dignity,” Mr. Morsi said, suggesting that all parties at the gathering shared responsibility for the bloodshed. “We must all be fully aware that this will not stop unless we act.”
With the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, sitting beside him, Mr. Morsi spoke of an “oppressive regime” in Syria and said the opposition should unite in its effort to unseat President Bashar al-Assad. Read More
Categories:
WARS AND RUMOURS
Influenza infection occurs before symptoms appear, study suggests
Researchers suggest that the influenza virus can be passed on before the appearance of any symptoms. A team from Imperial College London examined the virus transmission in ferrets and they stress that theirs was a small study and they may be other variables involved. But if the finding applies to humans they say that it means that people pass on the virus to others before they know they are infected making it difficult to contain the spread of the infection.
The flu strain used in the study was from the 2009 swine flu pandemic, which killed almost 300,000 people worldwide.
The researchers, writing in the open access journal PLoS ONE, today found that ferrets were able to pass on flu to others just 24 hours after becoming infected themselves.
But the animals did not suffer from fever until 45 hours after infection and began sneezing after 48 hours. The results are consistent with earlier studies which found that sneezing is not necessary to transmit flu - droplets of virus are expelled into the air during normal breathing.
Previous research using mathematical models estimated that most flu transmission occurs after the onset of symptoms, but some happens earlier. Read More
The flu strain used in the study was from the 2009 swine flu pandemic, which killed almost 300,000 people worldwide.
The researchers, writing in the open access journal PLoS ONE, today found that ferrets were able to pass on flu to others just 24 hours after becoming infected themselves.
But the animals did not suffer from fever until 45 hours after infection and began sneezing after 48 hours. The results are consistent with earlier studies which found that sneezing is not necessary to transmit flu - droplets of virus are expelled into the air during normal breathing.
Previous research using mathematical models estimated that most flu transmission occurs after the onset of symptoms, but some happens earlier. Read More
Categories:
GERMS AND PLAGUES
Supermassive black holes and hot galaxies in giant haul
A space telescope has added to its list of spectacular finds, spotting millions of supermassive black holes and blisteringly hot, "extreme" galaxies.
The finds, by US space agency Nasa's Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (Wise), once lay obscured behind dust.
But Wise can see in wavelengths correlated with heat, seeing for the first time some of the brightest objects in the Universe.
The haul will help astronomers work out how galaxies and black holes form.
It is known that most large galaxies host black holes at their centres, sometimes feeding on nearby gas, dust and stars and sometimes spraying out enough energy to halt star formation altogether.
How the two evolve together has remained a mystery, and the Wise data are already yielding some surprises.
Wise gives astronomers what is currently a unique view on the cosmos, looking at wavelengths of light far beyond those we can see but giving information that we cannot get from wavelengths we can. Read More
The finds, by US space agency Nasa's Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (Wise), once lay obscured behind dust.
But Wise can see in wavelengths correlated with heat, seeing for the first time some of the brightest objects in the Universe.
The haul will help astronomers work out how galaxies and black holes form.
It is known that most large galaxies host black holes at their centres, sometimes feeding on nearby gas, dust and stars and sometimes spraying out enough energy to halt star formation altogether.
How the two evolve together has remained a mystery, and the Wise data are already yielding some surprises.
Wise gives astronomers what is currently a unique view on the cosmos, looking at wavelengths of light far beyond those we can see but giving information that we cannot get from wavelengths we can. Read More
Categories:
COSMIC EVENTS
'Vast reservoir' of methane locked beneath Antarctic ice sheet
A vast reservoir of the potent greenhouse gas methane may be locked beneath the Antarctic ice sheet, a study suggests.
Scientists say the gas could be released into the atmosphere if enough of the ice melts away, adding to global warming.
Research indicates that ancient deposits of organic matter may have been converted to methane by microbes living in low-oxygen conditions.
The organic material dates back to a period 35m years ago when the Antarctic was much warmer than it is today and teeming with life.
Study co-author Prof Slawek Tulaczyk, from the University of California at Santa Barbara, said: "Some of the organic material produced by this life became trapped in sediments, which then were cut off from the rest of the world when the ice sheet grew. Our modelling shows that over millions of years, microbes may have turned this old organic carbon into methane."
Half the West Antarctic ice sheet and a quarter of the East Antarctic sheet lie on pre-glacial sedimentary basins containing around 21,000bn tonnes of carbon, said the scientists, writing in the journal Nature. Read More
Scientists say the gas could be released into the atmosphere if enough of the ice melts away, adding to global warming.
Research indicates that ancient deposits of organic matter may have been converted to methane by microbes living in low-oxygen conditions.
The organic material dates back to a period 35m years ago when the Antarctic was much warmer than it is today and teeming with life.
Study co-author Prof Slawek Tulaczyk, from the University of California at Santa Barbara, said: "Some of the organic material produced by this life became trapped in sediments, which then were cut off from the rest of the world when the ice sheet grew. Our modelling shows that over millions of years, microbes may have turned this old organic carbon into methane."
Half the West Antarctic ice sheet and a quarter of the East Antarctic sheet lie on pre-glacial sedimentary basins containing around 21,000bn tonnes of carbon, said the scientists, writing in the journal Nature. Read More
Categories:
NATURAL DISASTERS
Train derails in Cumbria after landslide
An early-morning train carrying about 100 passengers has derailed in west Cumbria after a landslide near St Bees.
Emergency services were continuing to deal with the two-carriage train, which was travelling towards Sellafield nuclear plant.
Passengers included employees on their way to work at Sellafield and officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary were at the scene.
No injuries were reported and, although the train left the tracks, it remained upright.
A recovery train was on its way to the scene to collect stranded passengers who would be taken to Sellafield where a reception centre was set up.
Cumbria police said the train struck the landslide near to Nethertown, south of Caulderton, at 6.45am on Thursday morning.
A spokesperson for Cumbria police said: "At this time, no injuries have been reported, and police, along with officers from the British Transport Police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and other emergency services are in attendance. Traffic is asked to avoid the area whilst emergency vehicles are travelling to the scene." Read More
Emergency services were continuing to deal with the two-carriage train, which was travelling towards Sellafield nuclear plant.
Passengers included employees on their way to work at Sellafield and officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary were at the scene.
No injuries were reported and, although the train left the tracks, it remained upright.
A recovery train was on its way to the scene to collect stranded passengers who would be taken to Sellafield where a reception centre was set up.
Cumbria police said the train struck the landslide near to Nethertown, south of Caulderton, at 6.45am on Thursday morning.
A spokesperson for Cumbria police said: "At this time, no injuries have been reported, and police, along with officers from the British Transport Police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and other emergency services are in attendance. Traffic is asked to avoid the area whilst emergency vehicles are travelling to the scene." Read More
Edinburgh explosion leaves two in hospital
Two men aged 39 and 60 have been taken to hospital following a fire at a bed and breakfast in Edinburgh.
Neighbours and passers-by reported a small explosion at the property, which is understood to provide homeless accommodation, in the city's Longstone Road at about 20:30 on Wednesday.
Fire crews arrived to find a window blown out.
The younger man was said to be suffering from serious burn injuries. The 60-year-old was not badly hurt.
The fire was contained within a single bedroom in the property.
Investigations are continuing into the cause of the incident. Source
Neighbours and passers-by reported a small explosion at the property, which is understood to provide homeless accommodation, in the city's Longstone Road at about 20:30 on Wednesday.
Fire crews arrived to find a window blown out.
The younger man was said to be suffering from serious burn injuries. The 60-year-old was not badly hurt.
The fire was contained within a single bedroom in the property.
Investigations are continuing into the cause of the incident. Source
Categories:
MAN-MADE DISASTERS
In Iran meet, UN chief denounces threats to destroy Israel, Holocaust denial
Without naming Iran, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon denounced his hosts in Tehran on Thursday for threatening to destroy Israel and for denying the Holocaust.
"I strongly reject threats by any member state to destroy another or outrageous attempts to deny historical facts such as the Holocaust," Ban said in his speech to a Non-Aligned Movement summit in the Iranian capital.
"Claiming that Israel does not have the right to exist or describing it in racist terms is not only wrong but undermines the very principle we all have pledged to uphold," he added.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly denied the Holocaust and this month described Israel as a "cancerous tumour". In 2005 he caused uproar by being quoted as saying that Israel should be "wiped off the map".
Persian language scholars say a more correct translation of his comment would read: "Israel must vanish from the page of time." Read More
"I strongly reject threats by any member state to destroy another or outrageous attempts to deny historical facts such as the Holocaust," Ban said in his speech to a Non-Aligned Movement summit in the Iranian capital.
"Claiming that Israel does not have the right to exist or describing it in racist terms is not only wrong but undermines the very principle we all have pledged to uphold," he added.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly denied the Holocaust and this month described Israel as a "cancerous tumour". In 2005 he caused uproar by being quoted as saying that Israel should be "wiped off the map".
Persian language scholars say a more correct translation of his comment would read: "Israel must vanish from the page of time." Read More
Categories:
NUCLEAR DISASTERS,
WARS AND RUMOURS
Deportation fears after university visa licence revoked
More than 2,000 students potentially face deportation after a London university had its licence to teach and recruit overseas students revoked.
London Metropolitan University has had its right to sponsor students from outside the EU revoked, and will no longer be allowed to authorise visas.
Ministers say the university is not tracking course attendance and that many students have no right to be here.
A task force has been set up to help students affected by the decision.
It means that some 2,000 overseas, non-EU, students have 60 days to find an alternative institution to sponsor them or face deportation.
Announcing the move on Wednesday night, the UK Border Agency said London Metropolitan University had "failed to address serious and systemic failings" identified six months ago. Read More
London Metropolitan University has had its right to sponsor students from outside the EU revoked, and will no longer be allowed to authorise visas.
Ministers say the university is not tracking course attendance and that many students have no right to be here.
A task force has been set up to help students affected by the decision.
It means that some 2,000 overseas, non-EU, students have 60 days to find an alternative institution to sponsor them or face deportation.
Announcing the move on Wednesday night, the UK Border Agency said London Metropolitan University had "failed to address serious and systemic failings" identified six months ago. Read More
Categories:
SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE,
WEAK JUSTICE
JJB Shares Collapse As It Loses Funding Fight
Shares in struggling sports retailer JJB have fallen more than 70% as it put itself up for sale.
Around 4,000 jobs across 180 stores hang in the balance after the Wigan-based company's directors admitted it would not be able to raise enough funds to stage a turnaround.
Shares in the retailer, which has debts of around £36.35m, are now worth less than 1p each.
Funding problems, falling sales and tough competition have rocked the company, leading to a string of profit warnings and a long-running battle for survival.
A formal sale process will now begin, the directors said, adding that sales had slipped 3.3% in the two months to August 26.
Investors - which include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as the fourth largest shareholder - were warned their shares could be worthless. Read More
Around 4,000 jobs across 180 stores hang in the balance after the Wigan-based company's directors admitted it would not be able to raise enough funds to stage a turnaround.
Shares in the retailer, which has debts of around £36.35m, are now worth less than 1p each.
Funding problems, falling sales and tough competition have rocked the company, leading to a string of profit warnings and a long-running battle for survival.
A formal sale process will now begin, the directors said, adding that sales had slipped 3.3% in the two months to August 26.
Investors - which include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as the fourth largest shareholder - were warned their shares could be worthless. Read More
Categories:
FINANCIAL EVENTS
JIM WILLIE: MORGAN STANLEY FACES IMMINENT FAILURE & RUIN, MAY SEE 1ST PRIVATE STOCK ACCOUNT THEFTS
Begin with a preface to a meaningful event that could change the entire US landscape, a redux of what happened four years ago. Consider the next Wall Street financial firm failure. It is in progress. It is not avoidable. It will have numerous ramifications. It will open the door to account thefts, the burial of documents, the ransack of undesired leveraged positions, the concealment of wrecked derivatives, and a path toward the merger of surviving (selected core) firms. It will urge an extreme defensive posture. Back in 2008, both Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers fell. The former because they had too much gold exposure with anti-US$ hedges. The latter because they led in mortgage exposure. Both failures were greatly exploited. My favorite item was the reload given to JPMorgan on a quiet Saturday morning (convened at 6am no less) at the Bankruptcy court of Manhattan. The shadowy syndicate titan was handed $138 billion to handle the private accounts from the fallen banks. Instead, the funds represented a reload for JPMorgan to continue their gold suppression game. Of course, they have been defending American freedom with vigor, preserving the integrity of the US banking system, and assuring the way of life in the nation, while leeching $billions from the public trough. Since their grant, the unassailable JPM has seen fit to gobble private accounts at both MFGlobal and PFG-Best, with regulatory blessing as the courts sprinkled fascist holy water.
In the background across the globe, numerous currency storm centers have arisen under the noses of every major central bank and their elaborate connected paper factories. The sovereign bond foundation is full of cracks and rotten planks, upon which the entire global currency system rests. The only people who could have imagined such a grand mess in 2006 and 2007 were the Sound Money crowd, the advocates of gold-backed money, the opponents to debt foundational systems. But then again, we are the nutballs, without a clue, who maintain a myopic view of the world, and see a conspiracy under every rock. Rather, we are the insightful, the alert, the rational clear thinking bunch, the guardians against hidden confiscation through inflation, the intrepid defenders of life savings. We identify the corruption and thus are discredited. Gold will return to its rightful place as the core of monetary systems and trade systems, all in time. The system is imploding at a more rapid pace with each passing month.
MORGAN STANLEY IMPLOSION
The insider conversation, often called chatter when it become deafening in tone, is that Morgan Stanley faces imminent failure and ruin. Almost two weeks ago, the Jackass provided a tip to Bill Murphy of GATA to post on his popular LeMetropole Cafe that Morgan Stanley fund managers and high ranking employees were preparing for the firm’s implosion. A subscriber to the Hat Trick Letter has a good friend whose father works as a fund manager and provided the story. It was not detailed, and bore no follow-up after my request. The older employees are selling all of their stock, some legacy stock from one or two decades ago. Many workers are making contingency plans for their next positions in another firm. When Lehman Brothers was killed, thousands of employees had to find new jobs, some without success. In the last week, the shock waves are being heard from internal Wall Street sources in an unequivocal manner. The implosion is in progress, like the collapse of several platforms and structural cables. The inside is caving in, and the ranking members recognize it, even talk about it openly. Much discussion swirls about a transition to antiquated software that is greatly disturbing the trading desks, causing tremendous problems at precisely the wrong time. A redux of the Knight disaster could be in progress. Read More
In the background across the globe, numerous currency storm centers have arisen under the noses of every major central bank and their elaborate connected paper factories. The sovereign bond foundation is full of cracks and rotten planks, upon which the entire global currency system rests. The only people who could have imagined such a grand mess in 2006 and 2007 were the Sound Money crowd, the advocates of gold-backed money, the opponents to debt foundational systems. But then again, we are the nutballs, without a clue, who maintain a myopic view of the world, and see a conspiracy under every rock. Rather, we are the insightful, the alert, the rational clear thinking bunch, the guardians against hidden confiscation through inflation, the intrepid defenders of life savings. We identify the corruption and thus are discredited. Gold will return to its rightful place as the core of monetary systems and trade systems, all in time. The system is imploding at a more rapid pace with each passing month.
MORGAN STANLEY IMPLOSION
The insider conversation, often called chatter when it become deafening in tone, is that Morgan Stanley faces imminent failure and ruin. Almost two weeks ago, the Jackass provided a tip to Bill Murphy of GATA to post on his popular LeMetropole Cafe that Morgan Stanley fund managers and high ranking employees were preparing for the firm’s implosion. A subscriber to the Hat Trick Letter has a good friend whose father works as a fund manager and provided the story. It was not detailed, and bore no follow-up after my request. The older employees are selling all of their stock, some legacy stock from one or two decades ago. Many workers are making contingency plans for their next positions in another firm. When Lehman Brothers was killed, thousands of employees had to find new jobs, some without success. In the last week, the shock waves are being heard from internal Wall Street sources in an unequivocal manner. The implosion is in progress, like the collapse of several platforms and structural cables. The inside is caving in, and the ranking members recognize it, even talk about it openly. Much discussion swirls about a transition to antiquated software that is greatly disturbing the trading desks, causing tremendous problems at precisely the wrong time. A redux of the Knight disaster could be in progress. Read More
Categories:
FINANCIAL EVENTS,
SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE,
WEAK JUSTICE
Rabbi warns Dutch populist Wilders over ritual slaughter ban
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Israel's leading rabbi has warned Dutch populist politician Geert Wilders that his party's support for a ban of ritual slaughter of animals in the Netherlands is "anti-Semitic" and could drive away the country's Jewish community.
Wilders rose to prominence in the Netherlands denouncing the growing influence of Islam in the West, calling for a ban against Muslim immigrants, a halt to the construction of mosques and a ban on Muslim face-veils.
Some of his most outspoken supporters are in the conservative, pro-Israeli movement in the United States. Wilders calls himself Israel's "greatest friend" and has also proposed creating a national Dutch holiday to commemorate the victims of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
In a letter to Wilders on Tuesday, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters on Wednesday, Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger called on Wilders' Freedom Party to stop backing a ban on ritual slaughter.
It is the strongest public condemnation yet of Wilders' position on the policy and comes two weeks before the Netherlands holds a general election September 12 in which he is expected to take a sizeable portion of the vote.
"It is obvious that one cannot be at the same time a friend of Israel and the Jewish people and on the other hand support an anti-Jewish law," Metzger wrote. Read More
Wilders rose to prominence in the Netherlands denouncing the growing influence of Islam in the West, calling for a ban against Muslim immigrants, a halt to the construction of mosques and a ban on Muslim face-veils.
Some of his most outspoken supporters are in the conservative, pro-Israeli movement in the United States. Wilders calls himself Israel's "greatest friend" and has also proposed creating a national Dutch holiday to commemorate the victims of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
In a letter to Wilders on Tuesday, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters on Wednesday, Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger called on Wilders' Freedom Party to stop backing a ban on ritual slaughter.
It is the strongest public condemnation yet of Wilders' position on the policy and comes two weeks before the Netherlands holds a general election September 12 in which he is expected to take a sizeable portion of the vote.
"It is obvious that one cannot be at the same time a friend of Israel and the Jewish people and on the other hand support an anti-Jewish law," Metzger wrote. Read More
Categories:
SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE
DRONE WARS: China to deploy drones to conduct maritime surveillance.
BEIJING: Amid increasing maritime disputes with a host of its neighbours, China today said it plans to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) along its coast line to conduct "remote-sensing marine surveillance."
"The plan also includes the construction of 11 UAV bases run by provincial maritime authorities," Yu Qingsong, a division chief of the State Oceanic Administration, said.
No further details on the scale or the schedule of the project were provided, but Yu noted that at least one drone would be stationed at each base, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.
The announcement came in the midst of maritime tensions between China and host of its neighbours over the disputed islands in the South and North China Sea.
The Xinhua report said China had earlier launched trial program last year in Liaoning Province where rented Drones were successfully used to take aerial photos of a 980 square kilometer sea area. Read More
"The plan also includes the construction of 11 UAV bases run by provincial maritime authorities," Yu Qingsong, a division chief of the State Oceanic Administration, said.
No further details on the scale or the schedule of the project were provided, but Yu noted that at least one drone would be stationed at each base, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.
The announcement came in the midst of maritime tensions between China and host of its neighbours over the disputed islands in the South and North China Sea.
The Xinhua report said China had earlier launched trial program last year in Liaoning Province where rented Drones were successfully used to take aerial photos of a 980 square kilometer sea area. Read More
Categories:
POLICE STATE,
SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE
Marvin McTeare Who Wore Barack Obama Mask During McDonald's Stickup is Arrested
An armed robber who wore a Barack Obama mask during a stickup earlier this year at a Florida McDonald’s has been arrested, police reported today.
Marvin McTeare, 22, is facing armed robbery and grand theft charges in connection with the late-January incident during which a masked gunman corralled employees into a rear office and had a McDonald’s manager turn over cash from a safe.
As seen above, one of the Riviera Beach eatery’s surveillance cameras captured the black-clad robber pointing a handgun while wearing a mask depicting a beaming Obama.
McTeare, pictured in the mug shot at left, was already sitting in the Palm Beach County jail when charged with the McDonald’s robbery. He has been in custody since early-April, when he was busted on a variety of felony charges stemming from another armed robbery.
McTeare has been jailed in lieu of $100,000 bond. Source
Marvin McTeare, 22, is facing armed robbery and grand theft charges in connection with the late-January incident during which a masked gunman corralled employees into a rear office and had a McDonald’s manager turn over cash from a safe.
As seen above, one of the Riviera Beach eatery’s surveillance cameras captured the black-clad robber pointing a handgun while wearing a mask depicting a beaming Obama.
McTeare, pictured in the mug shot at left, was already sitting in the Palm Beach County jail when charged with the McDonald’s robbery. He has been in custody since early-April, when he was busted on a variety of felony charges stemming from another armed robbery.
McTeare has been jailed in lieu of $100,000 bond. Source
Categories:
SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE
Secret Service gun inadvertently left in Romney plane lavatory
(CBS News) A gun belonging to a member of Mitt Romney's U.S. Secret Service detail was found unattended in the bathroom of the candidate's charter plane Wednesday afternoon. The Republican nominee was traveling from Tampa, Fla., site of his party's convention, to Indianapolis, Ind., for a speech.
The weapon, presumably left behind in the bathroom by accident, was discovered by a CBS News/National Journal reporter, who alerted a flight attendant about the gun. A member of the Secret Service on board the plane was informed and retrieved the gun.
Romney has traveled with Secret Service protection since early February and has an armed detail assigned to him at all times. His wife, Ann, was just assigned her own detail - albeit a smaller one - last Friday.
Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan told CBS News/National Journal in a statement: "We are aware of the incident. We take the care and custody of our equipment, especially firearms, very seriously. We will deal with this matter internally and in an appropriate manner." Source
The weapon, presumably left behind in the bathroom by accident, was discovered by a CBS News/National Journal reporter, who alerted a flight attendant about the gun. A member of the Secret Service on board the plane was informed and retrieved the gun.
Romney has traveled with Secret Service protection since early February and has an armed detail assigned to him at all times. His wife, Ann, was just assigned her own detail - albeit a smaller one - last Friday.
Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan told CBS News/National Journal in a statement: "We are aware of the incident. We take the care and custody of our equipment, especially firearms, very seriously. We will deal with this matter internally and in an appropriate manner." Source
Categories:
MAN-MADE DISASTERS,
SOCIETY'S COLLAPSE