Monday, December 31, 2012
Society's Collapse: "Teddy" the porcupine has WAY TOO MUCH corn on New Year's
Me (and Lynsey) wish all of our readers an industrious 2013, and hope that you reach your goals. Ours is to acquire 1000 new subscribers to increase the strength of our community, and to continue broadcasting freedom across the world in real-time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
We race towards success, together. May God guide and guard us all.
-- Matt
Kenya hospital imprisons new mothers with no money (Coming to an America near you)
The director of the Pumwani Maternity Hospital, located in a hardscrabble neighborhood of downtown Nairobi, freely acknowledges that he detains mothers who can't pay their bills.
Lazarus Omondi says it's the only way he can keep his medical center running. Now, a New York-based group filed a lawsuit this month in hopes of forcing Pumwani to stop the practice.
Two mothers who live in a mud-wall and tin-roof slum near the maternity hospital said Pumwani wouldn't let them leave after delivering their babies. The bills the mothers couldn't afford were $60 and $160. Guards with sticks would beat mothers who tried to leave without paying, one of the women said.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/20432143/kenya-hospital-imprisons-new-mothers-with-no-money
Lazarus Omondi says it's the only way he can keep his medical center running. Now, a New York-based group filed a lawsuit this month in hopes of forcing Pumwani to stop the practice.
Two mothers who live in a mud-wall and tin-roof slum near the maternity hospital said Pumwani wouldn't let them leave after delivering their babies. The bills the mothers couldn't afford were $60 and $160. Guards with sticks would beat mothers who tried to leave without paying, one of the women said.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/20432143/kenya-hospital-imprisons-new-mothers-with-no-money
Iran test-fires missiles near Strait of Hormuz
Iran's navy says it has test-fired a range of weapons during ongoing maneuvers near the Strait of Hormuz, the passageway for one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
The Monday report by the official IRNA news agency quotes exercise spokesman Adm. Amir Rastgari as saying the Iranian-made air defense system Raad, or Thunder, was among the weapons tested.
Iran says the system fires missiles with a range of 50 kilometers (30 miles), capable of hitting targets at 22,000 meters (75,000 feet).
He said torpedoes and underwater and surface-to-surface rockets were also successfully tested.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/20472047/iran-test-fires-missiles-near-strait-of-hormuz
Belfast Car Bomb: Two Men Arrested Two men are arreste
The men, aged 25 and 34, were detained in Belfast after the constable discovered a bomb under his car at his home in the city on Sunday.
Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton revealed the officer was with his wife and two young children when he checked the car as a matter of routine.
http://news.sky.com/story/1032007/belfast-car-bomb-two-men-arrested
Reports: Russia sends another naval ship to Syria
Reports: Russia sends another naval ship to Syria
Russian news agencies say the navy is sending another ship to the Syrian port of Tartus, where Russia has a naval base.
The reports Sunday by the ITAR-Tass and Interfax news agency cited an unidentified official in the military general staff as saying the Novocherkassk, a large landing ship, has set sail from the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk. The ship is expected to arrive in the Tartus area in early January.
The reports gave no information on the ship's intent. But Russian diplomats have said that Moscow is preparing a plan to evacuate thousands of Russians from Syria if necessary. The Defense Ministry announced two weeks ago that several ships were being dispatched to the Mediterranean.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/20468561/reports-russia-sends-another-naval-ship-to-syria
Russian news agencies say the navy is sending another ship to the Syrian port of Tartus, where Russia has a naval base.
The reports Sunday by the ITAR-Tass and Interfax news agency cited an unidentified official in the military general staff as saying the Novocherkassk, a large landing ship, has set sail from the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk. The ship is expected to arrive in the Tartus area in early January.
The reports gave no information on the ship's intent. But Russian diplomats have said that Moscow is preparing a plan to evacuate thousands of Russians from Syria if necessary. The Defense Ministry announced two weeks ago that several ships were being dispatched to the Mediterranean.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/20468561/reports-russia-sends-another-naval-ship-to-syria
Hillary Clinton 'Should Make Full Recovery'
Doctors treating US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for a blood clot in a vein between her brain and skull have said she should make a fully recovery.
She was admitted to the New York Presbyterian Hospital on Sunday after the discovery of the clot stemming from an accident earlier this month.
Mrs Clinton, 65, initially fell ill with a stomach bug that led to her fainting and sustaining a concussion.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031720/hillary-clinton-should-make-full-recovery
She was admitted to the New York Presbyterian Hospital on Sunday after the discovery of the clot stemming from an accident earlier this month.
Mrs Clinton, 65, initially fell ill with a stomach bug that led to her fainting and sustaining a concussion.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031720/hillary-clinton-should-make-full-recovery
4.6 Magnitude Earthquake BOUGAINVILLE REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA - 31st December 2012
4.6
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 21:37:35 UTC
Tuesday, January 01, 2013 at 07:37:35 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
6.949°S, 154.656°E
Depth
51 km (31.7 miles)
Region
BOUGAINVILLE REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Distances
115 km (71 miles) SW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea
5.2 Magnitude Earthquake BALLENY ISLANDS REGION - 31st December 2012
5.2
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 20:02:04 UTC
Tuesday, January 01, 2013 at 06:02:04 AM at epicenter
Location
61.596°S, 154.288°E
Depth
10 km (6.2 miles)
Region
BALLENY ISLANDS REGION
Distances
666 km (413 miles) NW of Young Island,
Squatters storm Pope's Embassy in Paris: Riot police called in as activists stage protest over homeless immigrant row
Riot police were called to the Vatican Embassy in Paris today after it was occupied by campaigners for homeless immigrants.
The invasion of a sacred diplomatic space was being viewed with ‘extreme seriousness’, said an officer at the scene, who added that ‘around fifty people had got inside’.
However, by lunchtime there had been no arrests, and the protesters had pledged to leave peacefully after making their point, said the police officer.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255281/Squatters-storm-Vatican-Embassy-Paris-Riot-police-called-activists-stage-protest-homeless-immigrant-row.html
The invasion of a sacred diplomatic space was being viewed with ‘extreme seriousness’, said an officer at the scene, who added that ‘around fifty people had got inside’.
However, by lunchtime there had been no arrests, and the protesters had pledged to leave peacefully after making their point, said the police officer.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255281/Squatters-storm-Vatican-Embassy-Paris-Riot-police-called-activists-stage-protest-homeless-immigrant-row.html
Morgan Gliedman arrested with her Occupy Wall Street boyfriend after cops find 'a bomb and weapons' in their NYC apartment
The daughter of a prominent New York doctor and her Occupy Wall Street-organizer boyfriend were arrested after police discovered an explosive used for making bombs and a cache of weapons in their upscale New York City apartment, it was claimed.
Morgan Gliedman, 27, and Aaron Greene, 31, were taken away from their home in Manhattan's pricey Greenwich Village on Saturday.
Gliedman, who is nine months pregnant, remains in jail, where she is likely to stay until at least New Year's Day, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office told MailOnline.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255313/Daughter-doctor-Occupy-Wall-Street-organizer-boyfriend-arrested-police-bomb-weapons-New-York-apartment.html
Morgan Gliedman, 27, and Aaron Greene, 31, were taken away from their home in Manhattan's pricey Greenwich Village on Saturday.
Gliedman, who is nine months pregnant, remains in jail, where she is likely to stay until at least New Year's Day, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office told MailOnline.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255313/Daughter-doctor-Occupy-Wall-Street-organizer-boyfriend-arrested-police-bomb-weapons-New-York-apartment.html
Second terrorist bomb found near Northern Ireland police station as officers investigating first foiled attack reveal policeman target was about to take family for a drive
A second viable pipe bomb-type device has been discovered near a police station in Northern Ireland.
Elderly residents were evacuated from their homes in Tandragee, Co Armagh, but have been allowed to return as the security alert has ended.
Army technical officers examined the object close to the gates of the town's Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) station, a short distance south of Portadown.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2254940/Second-terrorist-bomb-near-Northern-Ireland-police-station-officers-investigating-foiled-attack-reveal-policeman-target-family-drive.html
Elderly residents were evacuated from their homes in Tandragee, Co Armagh, but have been allowed to return as the security alert has ended.
Army technical officers examined the object close to the gates of the town's Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) station, a short distance south of Portadown.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2254940/Second-terrorist-bomb-near-Northern-Ireland-police-station-officers-investigating-foiled-attack-reveal-policeman-target-family-drive.html
Police launch manhunt for 'terror suspect' Ibrahim Magag who went missing on Boxing Day... while under close surveillance
Counter terrorism detectives today appealed to the public for help in tracing 28-year-old Ibrahim Magag who was last seen on Boxing Day.
He is believed to have absconded from a terror control order known as a Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures notice (TPIM).
Counter terrorism detectives urged anyone who sees Magag to ring 999 immediately. He was last seen in north London.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255394/Ibrahim-Magag-Police-launch-manhunt-terror-suspect-went-missing-Boxing-Day--close-surveillance.html
'Oompa Loompa' Attack: Police Hunt Pair
The 28-year-old victim suffered cuts to his face, nose and lip, as well as two black eyes, after being confronted by the pair, posing as the fictional chocolate factory workers, as he left a kebab house in Norwich.
The 'Oompa Loompas', accompanied by a man and a woman not wearing fancy dress, attacked the man in the early hours of Thursday on Prince of Wales Road, officers said.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031937/oompa-loompa-attack-police-hunt-pair
Malcolm Levesconte's Body found in the sea near Dover
Police have confirmed that a body found in the sea near Dover is the body of Malcolm Levesconte, a pub landlord from Shrewton.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031910/pub-landlord-found-dead-after-theft
4.4 Magnitude Earthquake OFFSHORE GUATEMALA - 31st December 2012
4.4
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 15:33:53 UTC
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 09:33:53 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
14.083°N, 92.184°W
Depth
62.4 km (38.8 miles)
Region
OFFSHORE GUATEMALA
Distances
37 km (22 miles) SW of Champerico, Guatemala
Oliver Stone to RT: ‘US has become an Orwellian state’
Americans are living in an Orwellian state argue Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick, as they sit down with RT to discuss US foreign policy and the Obama administration’s disregard for the rule of law.
Both argue that Obama is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and that people have forgiven him a lot because of the “nightmare of the Bush presidency that preceded him.”
“He has taken all the Bush changes he basically put them into the establishment, he has codified them,” Stone told RT. “It is an Orwellian state. It might not be oppressive on the surface, but there is no place to hide. Some part of you is going to end up in the database somewhere.”
http://rt.com/news/oliver-stone-us-orwellian-022/
Ukraine rescuers fish man out of 18 meter well
Rescuers help a man to safety after his fall into a 18-metre (59 feet) well in Ukraine.
Norovirus: World health systems battle superbug
Poor Larry isn't looking too good. He's pale and clammy and he's been projectile vomiting over and over again while his carers just stand by and watch.
Yet their lack of concern for Larry is made up for by their intense interest in how far splashes of his vomit can fly, and how effectively they evade attempts to clean them up.
Larry is a "humanoid simulated vomiting system" designed to help scientists analyze contagion. And like millions around the world right now, he's struggling with norovirus - a disease one British expert describes as "the Ferrari of the virus world".
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/31/us-norovirus-idUSBRE8BU05N20121231
Yet their lack of concern for Larry is made up for by their intense interest in how far splashes of his vomit can fly, and how effectively they evade attempts to clean them up.
Larry is a "humanoid simulated vomiting system" designed to help scientists analyze contagion. And like millions around the world right now, he's struggling with norovirus - a disease one British expert describes as "the Ferrari of the virus world".
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/31/us-norovirus-idUSBRE8BU05N20121231
Teresa Cowley Missing From North Sea Ferry from Hull to Rotterdam
Teresa Cowley, from Mickleover, Derby, was last seen heading towards the deck of the Pride of Rotterdam ferry in the early hours of Friday.
The 43-year-old's disappearance is being investigated by Harbour Police in the Dutch port of Rotterdam, who are liaising with Derbyshire police.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031884/fears-for-woman-missing-from-north-sea-ferry
4.5 Magnitude Earthquake NEAR ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA - 31st December 2012
4.5
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 15:11:59 UTC
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 05:11:59 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
52.788°N, 171.431°E
Depth
48.4 km (30.1 miles)
Region
NEAR ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
Distances
118 km (73 miles) W of Attu Station, Alaska
4.0 Magnitude Earthquake GUERRERO, MEXICO - 31st December 2012
4.0
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 15:00:16 UTC
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 09:00:16 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
16.625°N, 98.755°W
Depth
35 km (21.7 miles) set by location program
Region
GUERRERO, MEXICO
Distances
7 km (4 miles) NE of Marquelia, Mexico
4.5 Magnitude Earthquake OFFSHORE GUATEMALA - 31st December 2012
4.5
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 14:21:28 UTC
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 08:21:28 AM at epicenter
Location
14.306°N, 92.027°W
Depth
62.7 km (39.0 miles)
Region
OFFSHORE GUATEMALA
Distances
12 km (7 miles) W of Champerico, Guatemala
4.7 Magnitude Earthquake KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA, INDONESIA - 31st December 2012
4.7
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 14:15:23 UTC
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 11:15:23 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
7.683°S, 128.402°E
Depth
82.2 km (51.1 miles)
Region
KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA, INDONESIA
Distances
323 km (200 miles) W of Saumlaki, Indonesia
North Korean New Year: First ever Fireworks Display
North Korea welcomes 2013 with reportedly the first ever New Year's fireworks display the country has held.
It follows one of the most impressive New Year fireworks displays which took place in Sydney, Australia, as it became the second major city to welcome 2013.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031731/fireworks-first-for-north-korean-new-year
It follows one of the most impressive New Year fireworks displays which took place in Sydney, Australia, as it became the second major city to welcome 2013.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031731/fireworks-first-for-north-korean-new-year
22 killed in three attacks in Nigeria
At least 22 people have been killed in three separate attacks in northeastern Nigeria since Friday, including 15 Christians shot Sunday inside a church, according to officials.
The violence began early Friday when unidentified gunmen raided a village in Musari, in Borno state, killing five people, said Joint Task Force Lt. Col. Sagir Musa. JTF troops responded, and a gun battle ensued. Three of the attackers were killed, and troops recovered weapons and ammunition. Musa declined to provide further details of the attack.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/30/world/africa/nigeria-violence/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
The violence began early Friday when unidentified gunmen raided a village in Musari, in Borno state, killing five people, said Joint Task Force Lt. Col. Sagir Musa. JTF troops responded, and a gun battle ensued. Three of the attackers were killed, and troops recovered weapons and ammunition. Musa declined to provide further details of the attack.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/30/world/africa/nigeria-violence/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
Map shows a dot for everyone of the 308,450,225 people logged in the U.S. Census...and it even shows people living in New York's Central Park
The visualization of the huge numbers involved allows the user to zoom in to see some pretty unusual quirks of the once-in-a decade survey, which includes a number of individuals designated as living in New York's Central Park.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255002/Stunning-map-shows-dot-308-450-225-people-logged-U-S-Census--shows-people-living-New-Yorks-Central-Park.html
Police tighten New Year's Eve security as Times Square emerges as potential terrorist target
Each year, the New York Police Department assigns thousands of extra patrols to festivities - in ways seen and unseen - to control the crowd and watch for any signs of trouble.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2254936/Times-Square-Police-tighten-New-Years-Eve-security-spot-emerges-potential-terrorist-target.html
Lostprophets Singer Ian Watkins In Court On Abuse Charges
The 35-year-old, whose band has sold more than 3.5m records worldwide, was arrested with two women earlier this month.
As well as being charged with conspiring to rape a child under the age of 13, Watkins faces five other sex abuse charges.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031842/lostprophets-singer-in-court-on-abuse-charges
Warren Jeffs followers 'prepare for end of the world' TONIGHT
The only supermarket and major meeting point of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints community across the movement's key sites - Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah - has been closed, and an expert in the sect has warned CNN the preparations could be a dangerous signal.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255093/Warren-Jeffs-followers-prepare-end-world-close-2012-experts-warn-proclamation-mean-sinister-sect-loyal-convicted-sex-offender.html
4.1 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN ALASKA - 31st December 2012
4.1
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 11:38:28 UTC
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 02:38:28 AM at epicenter
Location
61.650°N, 141.085°W
Depth
22.2 km (13.8 miles)
Region
SOUTHERN ALASKA
Distances
67 km (42 miles) SE (134°) from Chisana, AK
Charlie Jackson and Jason Cobb feared dead in alligator-infested lake after being 'ejected' from boat on bachelor party trip
Charlie Jackson, 26, and Jason Cobb, 30, both of Osteen, disappeared in the early hours of Saturday after going fishing in a 15ft boat on a lake best known for the giant beasts.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255169/Lake-Jesup-Fears-Charlie-Jackson-Jason-Cobb.html
Syria rebels 'beheaded a Christian and fed him to the dogs' as fears grow over Islamist atrocities....These are the people our government want in Charge
Syrian rebels beheaded a Christian man and fed his body to dogs, according to a nun who says the West is ignoring atrocities committed by Islamic extremists.
The nun said taxi driver Andrei Arbashe, 38, was kidnapped after his brother was heard complaining that fighters against the ruling regime behaved like bandits.
She said his headless corpse was found by the side of the road, surrounded by hungry dogs. He had recently married and was soon to be a father.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255103/Syria-rebels-beheaded-Christian-fed-dogs-fears-grow-Islamist-atrocities.html
The nun said taxi driver Andrei Arbashe, 38, was kidnapped after his brother was heard complaining that fighters against the ruling regime behaved like bandits.
She said his headless corpse was found by the side of the road, surrounded by hungry dogs. He had recently married and was soon to be a father.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255103/Syria-rebels-beheaded-Christian-fed-dogs-fears-grow-Islamist-atrocities.html
Train season tickets have risen by 40% in five years... and ministers STILL want us to pay more
Train travellers have reacted angrily as they face fare rises of up to 10 per cent from this week - but rather than having sympathy for them, the transport minister has claimed the increase is ‘only right’.
Norman Baker countered the damning evidence from pressure groups of overcrowding and poor punctuality by insisting the Government is carrying out its biggest rail investment in two centuries.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255110/Train-fares-Transport-crowded-late-prices-rising.html
Norman Baker countered the damning evidence from pressure groups of overcrowding and poor punctuality by insisting the Government is carrying out its biggest rail investment in two centuries.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255110/Train-fares-Transport-crowded-late-prices-rising.html
Paedophiles to be tagged with GPS alarms which are triggered if they go near a school or playground
New GPS tags set to be introduced in April will mean paedophiles can be banned from areas where children gather.
The system, which will monitor the most dangerous criminals via satellites orbiting the earth, will set off an alarm if the sex offenders go too near a school.
Satellite tagging, which has already been tested on a number of high profile criminals and immigrations cases including Muslim hate preacher Abu Qatada, will allow officials to track offenders around the clock for the first time.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255202/Paedophiles-tagged-GPS-alarms-triggered-near-school-playground.html
The system, which will monitor the most dangerous criminals via satellites orbiting the earth, will set off an alarm if the sex offenders go too near a school.
Satellite tagging, which has already been tested on a number of high profile criminals and immigrations cases including Muslim hate preacher Abu Qatada, will allow officials to track offenders around the clock for the first time.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255202/Paedophiles-tagged-GPS-alarms-triggered-near-school-playground.html
4.8 Magnitude Earthquake OFF THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN - 31st December 2012
4.8
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 09:36:01 UTC
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 07:36:01 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
37.475°N, 143.679°E
Depth
34.3 km (21.3 miles)
Region
OFF THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
Distances
234 km (145 miles) ESE of Ishinomaki, Japan
Japan: Four more patients die in viral outbreak
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121231a5.html
Sydney surfer tells of being 'knocked off board by shark'
Long Reef and Dee Why beaches have been closed after a 2.5-metre shark reportedly knocked into an off-duty lifeguard’s long board while he was in the water this afternoon.
There are no reports of injuries.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2012/12/30/14/15/sydney-beaches-closed-after-reports-of-shark-attack
5.0 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN - 31st December 2012
5.0
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 08:50:07 UTC
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 02:50:07 PM at epicenter
Location
3.237°S, 86.454°E
Depth
9.8 km (6.1 miles)
Region
SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN
Distances
1334 km (829 miles) SSE (151°) from Kandy, Sri Lanka
4.9 Magnitude Earthquake NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU - 31st December 2012
4.9
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 08:46:20 UTC
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 03:46:20 AM at epicenter
Location
11.193°S, 77.489°W
Depth
69.8 km (43.4 miles)
Region
NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU
Distances
17 km (11 miles) SE (127°) from Huacho, Peru
Euro shares dip as fiscal cliff deadline nears
World stocks were set to end the year up 15 percent but dipped on Monday as U.S. politicians prepared for last-minute talks to avoid a fiscal crunch of spending cuts and tax hikes that could drag down the world economy.In Washington, the two political parties are set to hold further talks to try and find a way to avoid the $600 billion "fiscal cliff" due to kick in from the start of January.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/31/us-markets-global-idUSBRE88901C20121231
Explosions across Iraq kill at least 10, wound 46:
Explosions across Iraq killed at least 10 people and wounded 46 on Monday, police said.
Seven people from the same family were killed by bomb blasts near their home in the town of Mussayab, south of Baghdad. Bombs also went off in the cities of Hilla and Kirkuk in the north.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/31/us-iraq-violence-idUSBRE8BU03320121231
Seven people from the same family were killed by bomb blasts near their home in the town of Mussayab, south of Baghdad. Bombs also went off in the cities of Hilla and Kirkuk in the north.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/31/us-iraq-violence-idUSBRE8BU03320121231
4.6 Magnitude Earthquake FLORES SEA - 31st December 2012
4.6
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 06:01:25 UTC
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 02:01:25 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
7.024°S, 120.279°E
Depth
594.4 km (369.4 miles)
Region
FLORES SEA
Distances
140 km (86 miles) N of Lanos, Indonesia
3.9 Magnitude Earthquake OFF THE COAST OF WASHINGTON - 31st December 2012
3.9
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 02:07:22 UTC
Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 05:07:22 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
47.722°N, 128.749°W
Depth
10 km (6.2 miles)
Region
OFF THE COAST OF WASHINGTON
Distances
264 km (164 miles) SW of Tofino, Canada
4.7 Magnitude Earthquake NORTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE - 31st December 2012
4.7
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 01:45:00 UTC
Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 11:45:00 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
35.271°N, 36.277°W
Depth
10.1 km (6.3 miles)
Region
NORTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE
Distances
651 km (404 miles) SW of Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal
5.0 Magnitude Earthquake CHIAPAS, MEXICO - 31st December 2012
5.0
Date-Time
Monday, December 31, 2012 at 01:15:18 UTC
Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 07:15:18 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
15.058°N, 92.140°W
Depth
113.9 km (70.8 miles)
Region
CHIAPAS, MEXICO
Distances
8 km (4 miles) NNE of Cacahoatan, Mexico
Yemen: Al Qaeda Offers Bounty For US Ambassador
In an audiotape produced by the local affiliate's media arm, al Malahem Foundation, and posted on militant websites, it said it would give 3kg of gold to whoever assassinated Gerald M. Feierstein and £14,000 ($23,000) if an American soldier was killed.
The bounties were set to "inspire and encourage our Muslim nation for jihad" and were valid for six months, the statement said.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031690/yemen-al-qaeda-offers-bounty-for-us-ambassador
Caitlan Coleman Appeal: Couple Vanished In Afghanistan since October
The family of a pregnant woman who vanished in Afghanistan with her husband have appealed for the couple's safe return.
Caitlan Coleman, 27, is due to give birth in January and needs urgent medical attention for a liver condition, according to her father James.
He and his wife Lyn last heard from their son-in-law Josh on October 8 when he made contact from an internet cafe in Afghanistan.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031787/appeal-for-couple-who-vanished-in-afghanistan
Caitlan Coleman, 27, is due to give birth in January and needs urgent medical attention for a liver condition, according to her father James.
He and his wife Lyn last heard from their son-in-law Josh on October 8 when he made contact from an internet cafe in Afghanistan.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031787/appeal-for-couple-who-vanished-in-afghanistan
Brazil: Most Wanted Man Killed In Gem Heist
In a daring raid, the gang detonated dynamite to storm into the plant in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul and then ran into police on their way out.
"There was an intense firefight. Three assailants died and two police were injured," a military police official said.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031701/brazil-most-wanted-man-killed-in-gem-heist
Oregon: Bus Veers Off Icy Road: Nine Killed Nine people
The driver apparently lost control on a snow and ice covered section of Interstate 84 that winds down a hill.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031736/bus-veers-off-icy-oregon-road-nine-killed
Fiscal Cliff: Markets Fall As Deadline Looms
A series of costly tax rises and spending cuts worth more than $500bn kick come into force as 2013 begins in America, unless Congress and the White House can agree measures to stop them being implemented.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031794/fiscal-cliff-markets-fall-as-deadline-looms
Hillary Clinton In Hospital With Blood Clot
Mrs Clinton, 65, initially fell ill with a stomach bug that led to her fainting and sustaining a concussion. Officials had insisted she was recovering.
But her spokesman Philippe Reines said in a statement: "In the course of a follow-up exam today (Sunday), Secretary Clinton's doctors discovered a blood clot had formed, stemming from the concussion she sustained several weeks ago.
http://news.sky.com/story/1031720/hillary-clinton-in-hospital-with-blood-clot
What are we losing in the Web’s images of suffering and schadenfreude? Is our humanity eroding?
The picture arrived on the front page of the New York Post, ignited a firestorm of controversy and then faded within the usual two to three news cycles. It showed a dark-haired man in a light-green jacket, standing on the New York City subway tracks as a Q train approached. “Pushed on the subway track, this man is about to die,” read the headline, making it dreadfully clear that this was an image of death in action.
Like Robert Capa’s 1936 photograph that purportedly shows a Spanish Republic militiaman struck by a bullet and collapsing on a hillside. Or Eddie Adams’s agonizing 1968 image of a Viet Cong soldier executed on the streets of Saigon. Or grainy screen grabs of Saddam Hussein on the gallows. Debates about the image twisted and turned the usual poles: Is it ethical to take and exhibit this kind of image? And why is it so compelling?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/what-are-we-losing-in-the-webs-images-of-suffering-and-schadenfreude/2012/12/27/6e61aa20-4df2-11e2-950a-7863a013264b_story.html
Like Robert Capa’s 1936 photograph that purportedly shows a Spanish Republic militiaman struck by a bullet and collapsing on a hillside. Or Eddie Adams’s agonizing 1968 image of a Viet Cong soldier executed on the streets of Saigon. Or grainy screen grabs of Saddam Hussein on the gallows. Debates about the image twisted and turned the usual poles: Is it ethical to take and exhibit this kind of image? And why is it so compelling?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/what-are-we-losing-in-the-webs-images-of-suffering-and-schadenfreude/2012/12/27/6e61aa20-4df2-11e2-950a-7863a013264b_story.html
Failed Syria envoy Brahimi’s mission brings chemical war closer
The Syrian crisis unbelievably took another turn for the worse Saturday, Dec. 29: After making no headway with Bashar Assad in Damascus, the UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi was told in no uncertain terms by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow: “There is no possibility of persuading Syrian ruler Bashar Assad to leave Syria.” As they spoke, a record 400 people died in hostilities in the country. The burnt remains of hundreds of people slaughtered by the army were discovered in a Homs district. And Syrian opposition leaders have repeatedly preconditioned their acceptance of the Russian invitation to talks on Assad’s prior exit.
This stalemate is compounded by escalation in the use of two extreme weapons of war. Since Dec. 12, the Syrian army has been firing home-made Scud missiles at rebel centers. The US and NATO have responded by stationing six Patriot batteries manned by 1,000 American, German and Dutch servicemen, on the Turkish-Syrian border to protect Turkey from Syrian attack. The inference here is that so long as the Scuds are confined to targets inside Syria, Western intervention will stop at the border.
http://www.debka.com/article/22642/Failed-Syria-envoy-Brahimi%E2%80%99s-mission-brings-chemical-war-closer
This stalemate is compounded by escalation in the use of two extreme weapons of war. Since Dec. 12, the Syrian army has been firing home-made Scud missiles at rebel centers. The US and NATO have responded by stationing six Patriot batteries manned by 1,000 American, German and Dutch servicemen, on the Turkish-Syrian border to protect Turkey from Syrian attack. The inference here is that so long as the Scuds are confined to targets inside Syria, Western intervention will stop at the border.
http://www.debka.com/article/22642/Failed-Syria-envoy-Brahimi%E2%80%99s-mission-brings-chemical-war-closer
