Many residents have already left the area as a precaution.
An orange volcano alert, the second highest, has been issued in both countries.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20828832
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Copahue volcano eruption puts Argentina and Chile on alert
Many residents have already left the area as a precaution.
An orange volcano alert, the second highest, has been issued in both countries.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20828832
Mount Rokatenda erupts, thousands evacuate, Indonesia
Residents were evacuated to Maumere, Sikka, Ropa and Ende as the volcano sent debris and volcanic material cascading down its slopes.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/12/22/mt-rokatenda-erupts-thousands-evacuate.html
Egypt constitution approved in vote, say rival camps
Egypt's new constitution, which was drafted by an Islamist-dominated assembly, was approved by 64 percent of voters in a two-round referendum, an official in the Muslim Brotherhood said on Sunday citing the group's unofficial tally.
An official from Egypt's main opposition group, which campaigned against the constitution saying it would deepen divisions in Egypt, also said that its unofficial count indicated the document was approved.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/23/us-egypt-politics-idUSBRE8BL03X20121223
An official from Egypt's main opposition group, which campaigned against the constitution saying it would deepen divisions in Egypt, also said that its unofficial count indicated the document was approved.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/23/us-egypt-politics-idUSBRE8BL03X20121223
5.2 Magnitude Earthquake VANUATU - 23rd December 2012
5.2
Date-Time
Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 00:29:55 UTC
Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 11:29:55 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
13.080°S, 167.113°E
Depth
211 km (131.1 miles)
Region
VANUATU
Distances
100 km (62 miles) NNW of Sola, Vanuatu
4.3 Magnitude Earthquake MOLUCCA SEA - 22nd December 2012
4.3
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 22:32:42 UTC
Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 06:32:42 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
1.576°N, 126.612°E
Depth
37.5 km (23.3 miles)
Region
MOLUCCA SEA
Distances
121 km (75 miles) NW of Kota Ternate, Indonesia
4.3 Magnitude Earthquake OFFSHORE OAXACA, MEXICO - 22nd December 2012
4.3
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 22:04:35 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 04:04:35 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
15.830°N, 98.318°W
Depth
5.4 km (3.4 miles) (poorly constrained)
Region
OFFSHORE OAXACA, MEXICO
Distances
62 km (38 miles) SSW of Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, Mexico
4.0 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - 22nd December 2012
4.0
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 21:37:44 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 01:37:44 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
32.997°N, 116.249°W
Depth
1.1 km (~0.7 mile)
Region
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Distances
20 km (12 miles) SW (214°) from Ocotillo Wells, CA
Merkel rival attacks Germany's soaring arms exports
Peer Steinbrueck, set to challenge Angela Merkel as German leader next year, criticized her centre-right government on Saturday for letting arms exports surge and vowed to end that if his centre-left opposition wins power.
The former finance minister, nominated to lead the Social Democrats (SPD) into September's election against Merkel, said it was a scandal that Germany has become the world's third largest arms exporter on her watch.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-germany-politics-arms-idUSBRE8BL07N20121222
The former finance minister, nominated to lead the Social Democrats (SPD) into September's election against Merkel, said it was a scandal that Germany has become the world's third largest arms exporter on her watch.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-germany-politics-arms-idUSBRE8BL07N20121222
5.1 Magnitude Earthquake BABUYAN ISLANDS REGION, PHILIPPINES - 22nd December 2012
5.1
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 18:07:17 UTC
Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 02:07:17 AM at epicenter
Location
19.172°N, 121.088°E
Depth
29 km (18.0 miles)
Region
BABUYAN ISLANDS REGION, PHILIPPINES
Distances
116 km (72 miles) NNE (26°) from Laoag, Luzon, Philippines
Vice president quits as Egypt votes on constitution
Egypt's vice-president resigned on Saturday as Egyptians voted in a referendum that is expected to approve a new constitution that lays the foundations for the country's transition to democracy but will strip him of his role.
Authorities extended voting by four hours in the second and decisive round of the plebiscite on an Islamist-drafted constitution that the opposition has criticized as divisive and likely to cause more unrest.
Just hours before polls closed, Vice President Mahmoud Mekky announced his resignation
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-egypt-politics-idUSBRE8BL03X20121222
Authorities extended voting by four hours in the second and decisive round of the plebiscite on an Islamist-drafted constitution that the opposition has criticized as divisive and likely to cause more unrest.
Just hours before polls closed, Vice President Mahmoud Mekky announced his resignation
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-egypt-politics-idUSBRE8BL03X20121222
Asteroid Fears Over: Space Rock To Miss Earth...in 28 years time
Experts previously said there was up to a one in 500 chance of the space rock, which is as wide as two football pitches, crashing into Earth in February 2040.
However, when astronomers made further observations to better predict the asteroid's course, they found it would pass no closer than 550,000 miles to the planet - a distance equivalent to more than two trips to the moon.
http://news.sky.com/story/1029118/asteroid-fears-over-space-rock-to-miss-earth
'Doctors must learn care and compassion': Prince Charles claims modern medicine is putting the 'human touch' at risk
The Health Service must learn to listen to its patients and be more caring, Prince Charles said yesterday.
Modern medicine and technology are putting the ‘human touch’ at risk, according to the heir to the throne.
In a heartfelt plea, he said medical schools should try to foster a climate of care and compassion among doctors.
Charles’s intervention follows a series of reports of appalling treatment by NHS staff, including dying patients left screaming for water.
He called on doctors and nurses to heed what patients say so they can develop the ‘healing empathy’ so badly needed.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251896/Doctors-learn-care-compassion-Prince-Charles-claims-modern-medicine-putting-human-touch-risk.html
Modern medicine and technology are putting the ‘human touch’ at risk, according to the heir to the throne.
In a heartfelt plea, he said medical schools should try to foster a climate of care and compassion among doctors.
Charles’s intervention follows a series of reports of appalling treatment by NHS staff, including dying patients left screaming for water.
He called on doctors and nurses to heed what patients say so they can develop the ‘healing empathy’ so badly needed.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251896/Doctors-learn-care-compassion-Prince-Charles-claims-modern-medicine-putting-human-touch-risk.html
Japan's next leader wants freer rein for military
Imagine that North Korea launched a missile at Japan. Tokyo could - and would certainly try to - shoot it down. But if the missile were flying overhead toward Hawaii or the continental United States, Japan would have to sit idly by.
Japan's military is kept on a very short leash under a war-renouncing constitution written by U.S. officials whose main concern was keeping Japan from rearming soon after World War II. But if Japan's soon-to-be prime minister Shinzo Abe has his way, the status quo may be in for some change.
Abe, set to take office for a second time after leading his conservative party to victory in elections last Sunday, has vowed a fundamental review of Japan's taboo-ridden postwar security policies and proposed ideas that range from changing the name of the military - now called the Japan Self-Defense Forces - to revising the constitution itself.
Most of all, he wants to open the door to what the Japanese call "collective defense," which would allow Japan's troops to fight alongside their allies - especially the U.S. troops who are obliged to defend Japan - if either comes under direct attack. The United States has about 50,000 troops in Japan, including its largest air base in Asia.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/20399473/japans-next-leader-wants-freer-rein-for-military#axzz2FnRDFMuy
Japan's military is kept on a very short leash under a war-renouncing constitution written by U.S. officials whose main concern was keeping Japan from rearming soon after World War II. But if Japan's soon-to-be prime minister Shinzo Abe has his way, the status quo may be in for some change.
Abe, set to take office for a second time after leading his conservative party to victory in elections last Sunday, has vowed a fundamental review of Japan's taboo-ridden postwar security policies and proposed ideas that range from changing the name of the military - now called the Japan Self-Defense Forces - to revising the constitution itself.
Most of all, he wants to open the door to what the Japanese call "collective defense," which would allow Japan's troops to fight alongside their allies - especially the U.S. troops who are obliged to defend Japan - if either comes under direct attack. The United States has about 50,000 troops in Japan, including its largest air base in Asia.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/20399473/japans-next-leader-wants-freer-rein-for-military#axzz2FnRDFMuy
5.5 Magnitude Earthquake MYANMAR - 22nd December 2012
5.5
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 16:41:44 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 11:11:44 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
22.430°N, 94.753°E
Depth
126.6 km (78.7 miles)
Region
MYANMAR
Distances
52 km (32 miles) NW of Monywa, Myanmar
Mysterious animal terrorizes farmers as it mutilates livestock in the middle of the night
In a ghoulish mystery, an unknown beast is terrorizing Kentucky farmers as it attacks their livestock, tearing parts from the animals but not eating them.
The residents of rural Shelby County have no idea what is stalking their livestock in the night.
'I heard the goat, the dogs going off and I ran out there and looked and saw the goat laying on the ground,' said Kevin Cox, an area farmer who's had one animal fall victim to an attack.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251877/It-indescribable-Mysterious-animal-terrorizes-farmers-mutilates-livestock-middle-night.html
The residents of rural Shelby County have no idea what is stalking their livestock in the night.
'I heard the goat, the dogs going off and I ran out there and looked and saw the goat laying on the ground,' said Kevin Cox, an area farmer who's had one animal fall victim to an attack.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251877/It-indescribable-Mysterious-animal-terrorizes-farmers-mutilates-livestock-middle-night.html
Forget the Mayan Apocalypse, the new date for doomsday is January 1 2017, claim Sword of God cult
The world may have escaped Armageddon yesterday but the actual Apocalypse is nigh on four years away, Doomsdayers have claimed.
The new date for annihilation is January 1, 2017, according to followers of The Sword of God Brotherhood.
They believe the 'Prophet Gabriel' told the Brotherhood that the 'dying time' will come on this date and only members of the cult will survive, while everyone else perishes in 'hellfire.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252051/Forget-Mayan-Apocalypse-new-date-doomsday-January-1-2017-claim-Sword-God-cult.html
The new date for annihilation is January 1, 2017, according to followers of The Sword of God Brotherhood.
They believe the 'Prophet Gabriel' told the Brotherhood that the 'dying time' will come on this date and only members of the cult will survive, while everyone else perishes in 'hellfire.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252051/Forget-Mayan-Apocalypse-new-date-doomsday-January-1-2017-claim-Sword-God-cult.html
Shirley Monserrate among Three charged with murder after 'setting off deadly Indiana house explosion that killed young couple and destroyed five homes so they could collect $300,000 insurance money'
The house's owner, Monserrate Shirley; her boyfriend, Mark Leonard; and his brother, Bob Leonard, were arrested Friday and charged with murder, arson, and several other counts for their role in the Nov. 10 blast that killed two people.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252115/Three-charged-murder-setting-deadly-Indiana-house-explosion-killed-young-couple-destroyed-homes-they.html
Winter Storm Kills Eight And Disrupts Travel
The powerful weather system, which dumped more than half a metre of snow in parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois and Missouri earlier this week, has been moving steadily eastwards towards New England, where it is expected to arrive on Saturday.
More than 30cm of rain are likely in northeastern states, with several feet of snow set to fall over higher ground.
http://news.sky.com/story/1029058/winter-storm-kills-eight-and-disrupts-travel
4.9 Magnitude Earthquake NORTHERN PERU - 22nd December 2012
4.9
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 16:02:44 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 11:02:44 AM at epicenter
Location
6.045°S, 76.521°W
Depth
42.5 km (26.4 miles)
Region
NORTHERN PERU
Distances
46 km (28 miles) E (87°) from Moyobamba, Peru
Train bosses tell people not to travel as UK is hit by MORE rain and 388 flood alerts are issued
Christmas travel plans for millions are in chaos today as widespread flood warnings across the UK are crippling roads and rail networks and putting lives at risk.
With much of the country battered by heavy rain overnight, the Environment Agency has issued 338 flood alerts and 126 flood warnings.
The south west of England is most severely affected - with four severe flood warnings in place. They have been issued for Helston and Lostwithiel in Cornwall, and two for Braunton, Devon.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252030/Christmas-travel-plans-millions-chaos-heavy-rain-cripples-UKs-roads-rail-networks.html
With much of the country battered by heavy rain overnight, the Environment Agency has issued 338 flood alerts and 126 flood warnings.
The south west of England is most severely affected - with four severe flood warnings in place. They have been issued for Helston and Lostwithiel in Cornwall, and two for Braunton, Devon.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252030/Christmas-travel-plans-millions-chaos-heavy-rain-cripples-UKs-roads-rail-networks.html
Syria acting to safeguard chemical weapons, says Russia
Syria has acted to consolidate its chemical weapons into "one or two" places to prevent rebels capturing them, Russia's foreign minister says.
Sergei Lavrov said the weapons had previously been "scattered" across the country and they were "under control" for the time being.
Mr Lavrov also said President Bashar al-Assad had no plans to leave Syria.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20825820
Sergei Lavrov said the weapons had previously been "scattered" across the country and they were "under control" for the time being.
Mr Lavrov also said President Bashar al-Assad had no plans to leave Syria.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20825820
Pope Pardons Butler Jailed In Vatican Leaks
The Pope visited Paolo Gabriele in the Vatican police barracks to tell him personally of the pardon, the Vatican said.
Gabriele, a 46-year-old father of three, was subsequently freed and has returned to his family.
http://news.sky.com/story/1029075/pope-pardons-butler-jailed-in-vatican-leaks
Pakistan mob burns man Alive after he was accused of desecrating Koran
A mob broke into a Pakistani police station and burnt a man accused of desecrating the Koran alive, police said Saturday, in the latest violence focusing attention on the country's blasphemy laws.
The man was a traveler and had spent Thursday night at the mosque, said Maulvi Memon, the imam in the southern village of Seeta in Sindh province. The charred remains of the Koran were found the next morning.
"He was alone in the mosque during the night," Memon said. "There was no one else there to do this terrible thing."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-pakistan-blasphemy-idUSBRE8BL03R20121222
The man was a traveler and had spent Thursday night at the mosque, said Maulvi Memon, the imam in the southern village of Seeta in Sindh province. The charred remains of the Koran were found the next morning.
"He was alone in the mosque during the night," Memon said. "There was no one else there to do this terrible thing."
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-pakistan-blasphemy-idUSBRE8BL03R20121222
Car bomb kills five in Damascus: Syrian Observatory
A car bomb killed five people and wounded dozens in the eastern Damascus district of Qaboun on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Another activist group in Damascus gave no figures for the number of people killed in the blast but said bodies were still being recovered from wreckage caused by the explosion.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-syria-crisis-bomb-idUSBRE8BL06W20121222
Another activist group in Damascus gave no figures for the number of people killed in the blast but said bodies were still being recovered from wreckage caused by the explosion.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-syria-crisis-bomb-idUSBRE8BL06W20121222
Turmoil in Slovenia after corruption charges
The walls of the picturesque Slovenian city of Maribor on the banks of the Drava river are covered with graffiti reading "Gotof je!" - "He's finished!".
They are a vivid illustration of the startling crisis that has hit a small country hailed until recently as the star of post-communist transition in eastern Europe and a promising new member of the euro zone.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/20/us-slovenia-protests-idUSBRE8BJ0UU20121220
They are a vivid illustration of the startling crisis that has hit a small country hailed until recently as the star of post-communist transition in eastern Europe and a promising new member of the euro zone.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/20/us-slovenia-protests-idUSBRE8BJ0UU20121220
Tougher EU sanctions against Iran come into force
Rigorous new sanctions against Iran's banking, shipping and industrial sectors took effect on Saturday, as part of the European Union's effort to force Tehran to scale back its nuclear program.
The sanctions, agreed in October, entered EU law with their publication in the European Union's Official Journal on Saturday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-eu-iran-sanctions-idUSBRE8BL04L20121222
The sanctions, agreed in October, entered EU law with their publication in the European Union's Official Journal on Saturday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-eu-iran-sanctions-idUSBRE8BL04L20121222
Professor Gavin Mooney and Dr Delys Weston Found Murdered in their Tasmania home
Professor Gavin Mooney, 69, and Dr Delys Weston, 62, were found at the property in Tasmania on Wednesday and are thought to have been bludgeoned to death.
The retired Briton was previously the director of the Social and Public Health Economics Research Group in Australia and held a number of senior positions at universities in the country.
http://news.sky.com/story/1028938/gavin-mooney-british-economist-beaten-to-death
India: Tear Gas Fired At Gang Rape Protesters
Thousands of demonstrators in New Delhi surged towards the president’s palace chanting "we want justice" and carrying banners reading "hang them now".
Clashes between the protesters and riot police erupted when a group tried to break through barricades and some started throwing stones.
http://news.sky.com/story/1029032/india-tear-gas-fired-at-gang-rape-protesters
4.5 Magnitude Earthquake BANDA SEA - 22nd December 2012
4.5
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 11:07:18 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 08:07:18 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
4.500°S, 125.201°E
Depth
453.7 km (281.9 miles)
Region
BANDA SEA
Distances
166 km (103 miles) WSW of Leksula, Indonesia
4.7 Magnitude Earthquake KEPULAUAN BABAR, INDONESIA - 22nd December 2012
4.7
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 10:58:28 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 07:58:28 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
7.134°S, 129.050°E
Depth
178.2 km (110.7 miles)
Region
KEPULAUAN BABAR, INDONESIA
Distances
266 km (165 miles) WNW of Saumlaki, Indonesia
4.9 Magnitude Earthquake VANUATU - 22nd December 2012
4.9
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 07:53:01 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 06:53:01 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
20.304°S, 169.535°E
Depth
133 km (82.6 miles)
Region
VANUATU
Distances
87 km (54 miles) SSE of Isangel, Vanuatu
4.4 Magnitude Earthquake CHIAPAS, MEXICO - 22nd December 2012
4.4
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 07:00:41 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 01:00:41 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
16.756°N, 93.630°W
Depth
168.9 km (105.0 miles)
Region
CHIAPAS, MEXICO
Distances
9 km (5 miles) ENE of Cintalapa de Figueroa, Mexico
4.2 Magnitude Earthquake NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU - 22nd December 2012
4.2
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 06:43:39 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 01:43:39 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
12.560°S, 76.820°W
Depth
51 km (31.7 miles)
Region
NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU
Distances
9 km (5 miles) WSW of Chilca, Peru
4.7 Magnitude Earthquake HOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION - 22nd December 2012
4.7
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 06:20:23 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 03:20:23 PM at epicenter
Location
41.369°N, 142.620°E
Depth
34.9 km (21.7 miles)
Region
HOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION
Distances
109 km (67 miles) S of Shizunai, Japan
4.6 Magnitude Earthquake SHIKOKU, JAPAN - 22nd December 2012
4.6
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 06:15:32 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 03:15:32 PM at epicenter
Location
33.554°N, 132.116°E
Depth
65.6 km (40.8 miles)
Region
SHIKOKU, JAPAN
Distances
36 km (22 miles) E of Kunisaki-shi, Japan
4.4 Magnitude Earthquake CATAMARCA, ARGENTINA - 22nd December 2012
Region CATAMARCA, ARGENTINA
Date time 2012-12-22 05:30:14.0 UTC
Location 27.02 S ; 66.52 W
Depth 165 km
Distances 131 km W Tucumán, Argentina
Gold bar you can break up (and could be the future of money if there's economic meltdown)
The size of a credit card, the 50g gold CombiBars are easily be broken into one gram pieces to be used as money in times of crisis.
Now the company wants to bring them to market in the U.S. and build up sales in India - the world's largest consumer of gold, where it has long served as a parallel currency.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2251757/Fancy-chunk-No-chocolate--Its-future-money-euro-goes-under.html
Corrine Danielle Motley arrested 24 hours after U.S. investigators appealed to find woman seen in horrific Child abuse internet film
Corrine Danielle Motley of Okaloosa County, Florida was arrested late Wednesday and faces federal charges for the production and distribution of child pornography.
The 25-year-old was apprehended by Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force members and Homeland Security Investigations special agents.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251793/Corine-Danielle-Motley-FBI-bust-Jane-Doe-child-sex-abuser-just-24-hours-nationwide-appeal.html
Britain spending more on benefits than Scandinavians with 7 out of 10 children living in a home receiving handouts
Britain pays out more on welfare than high spending social democratic nations in Scandinavia, according to a think-tank.
Nearly seven out of ten children now live in a home that receives at least one cash handout other than child benefit, says the hard-hitting study by the Institute for Economic Affairs.
And some 17 per cent of children – around 2.1 million – live in a home where no adult is working ‘easily the highest rate in Europe’.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251875/Britain-spending-benefits-Scandinavians-7-10-children-living-home-receiving-handouts.html
Nearly seven out of ten children now live in a home that receives at least one cash handout other than child benefit, says the hard-hitting study by the Institute for Economic Affairs.
And some 17 per cent of children – around 2.1 million – live in a home where no adult is working ‘easily the highest rate in Europe’.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251875/Britain-spending-benefits-Scandinavians-7-10-children-living-home-receiving-handouts.html
Mass shootings lift gun sales, data shows
The coming weeks may well be banner ones for gun sales in America - and the massacre at a Connecticut elementary school will likely be a reason.
The appetite for guns tends to increase following a mass shooting, according to a Reuters analysis of U.S. government data on background checks run on prospective gun buyers in the past 13 years - generally regarded as a reliable indicator of whether gun sales are increasing.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-usa-shooting-connecticut-guns-idUSBRE8BK14820121222
The appetite for guns tends to increase following a mass shooting, according to a Reuters analysis of U.S. government data on background checks run on prospective gun buyers in the past 13 years - generally regarded as a reliable indicator of whether gun sales are increasing.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-usa-shooting-connecticut-guns-idUSBRE8BK14820121222
The sinking of "Plan B"; the U.S. "fiscal cliff" disaster of John Boehner
Had there been a vote on Republican House Speaker John Boehner's "Plan B" to avert the so-called U.S. fiscal cliff on Thursday night, it would not have been close. He was probably 40 to 50 votes short of the number he needed to avoid a humiliating defeat at the hands of his own party, according to rough estimates from Republican members of Congress and staff members.
It was not for lack of effort. Boehner and his two top deputies, Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy, along with other House Republican leaders, tried for three days to muster support for the measure, which would have cut government spending and raised taxes on millionaires to head off across-the-board tax hikes and spending cuts set for January.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-usa-fiscal-planb-idUSBRE8BL03820121222
It was not for lack of effort. Boehner and his two top deputies, Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy, along with other House Republican leaders, tried for three days to muster support for the measure, which would have cut government spending and raised taxes on millionaires to head off across-the-board tax hikes and spending cuts set for January.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-usa-fiscal-planb-idUSBRE8BL03820121222
Iran defense minister says NATO missiles harm Turkey security
The installation of Patriot anti-missile batteries sent by NATO members to bolster Turkey's defenses against a possible missile attack from Syria will only harm Turkey's security, Iran's defense minister was quoted as saying on Saturday.
NATO approved Turkey's request for the air defense system earlier this month, in a move meant to calm Ankara's fears of being hit by Syrian missiles.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-syria-crisis-iran-idUSBRE8BL03I20121222
NATO approved Turkey's request for the air defense system earlier this month, in a move meant to calm Ankara's fears of being hit by Syrian missiles.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-syria-crisis-iran-idUSBRE8BL03I20121222
Egypt's constitution seen passing in referendum
The opposition have already cried foul, saying a litany of abuses means last Saturday's ballot, involving about half the electorate, should be re-run. But the committee overseeing the two-stage vote said their investigations showed no major irregularities that would invalidate the process.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/21/us-egypt-politics-idUSBRE8BJ0JB20121221
Scientists discover multiple avian influenza strains in Chinese Pigs
The analyzed viruses do not include the H5N1 strain. The researchers believe their study could have major public health implications in efforts to limit the potential damage caused by a pandemic in humans, according to ScienceDaily.com.
Swine can be infected by both human and avian influenza viruses, and are therefore believed to be important sources of the kind of genetic reassortment that can result in a pandemic. Pigs have been infected by all of the avian influenza subtypes, H1-H13, but the natural transmission of avian influenza into pigs has only been observed in rare instances.
http://vaccinenewsdaily.com/medical_countermeasures/321300-scientists-discover-multiple-avian-influenza-strains-in-chinese-swine/
Seawater leak shuts down Swedish nuclear reactor
Swedish authorities have ordered the shutdown of a reactor at its largest nuclear power plant near Gothenburg following a seawater leak. The leak is the latest in a string of similar incidents that have plagued the Swedish nuclear industry.
http://rt.com/news/swedish-nuclear-reactor-gothenburg-589/comments/
http://rt.com/news/swedish-nuclear-reactor-gothenburg-589/comments/
Sadia Mohamed Missing: Appeal Over Missing 10 year old Chiswick Schoolgirl
Sadia Mohamed was last seen leaving Southfield Primary School in Southfield Road, Chiswick, west London, at around 4pm.
She is described as black, 5ft 6ins tall and of slim build.
http://news.sky.com/story/1028929/appeal-over-missing-chiswick-schoolgirl
Pennsylvania Shootings: Woman Shot While Hanging Xmas Decorations, 3 more Dead
The shootings began in Frankstown Township, 100 miles east of Pittsburgh, at around 9am local time.
Investigators have been dealing with five crime scenes within around 1.5 miles of the town, authorities said.
http://news.sky.com/story/1028825/pennsylvania-shootings-four-dead
Gun Lobby Calls For Armed Guards At Schools
Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president of the National Rifle Association (NRA), called on the US Congress to immediately pass legislation to place guards with guns in schools by the time classes resume from winter breaks in January.
He said the proposal was aimed at stopping the next killer "waiting in the wings", claiming that "the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun".
http://news.sky.com/story/1028772/school-shootings-protests-as-nra-speaks-out
5.1 Magnitude Earthquake KURIL ISLANDS - 22nd December 2012
5.1
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 04:42:37 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 03:42:37 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
49.863°N, 155.145°E
Depth
117.2 km (72.8 miles)
Region
KURIL ISLANDS
Distances
115 km (71 miles) SW of Severo-Kuril'sk, Russia
5.2 Magnitude Earthquake NORTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA - 22nd December 2012
5.2
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 03:50:03 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 10:50:03 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
5.234°N, 94.266°E
Depth
10 km (6.2 miles)
Region
NORTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA
Distances
122 km (75 miles) WSW of Banda Aceh, Indonesia
4.4 Magnitude Earthquake TAIWAN REGION - 22nd December 2012
4.4
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 03:24:33 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 11:24:33 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
21.980°N, 121.603°E
Depth
9.7 km (6.0 miles)
Region
TAIWAN REGION
Distances
88 km (54 miles) E of Hengchun, Taiwan
4.9 Magnitude Earthquake SULAWESI, INDONESIA - 22nd December 2012
4.9
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 02:04:22 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 10:04:22 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
2.654°S, 119.979°E
Depth
35 km (21.7 miles)
Region
SULAWESI, INDONESIA
Distances
26 km (16 miles) NW of Walenrang, Indonesia
