South Korea, U.S. remain on missile watch as North lauds Kims

South Korea and the United States remained on high alert for any North Korean missile launch on Thursday as the hermit kingdom turned its attention to celebrating its ruling Kim dynasty and appeared to dial down rhetoric of impending war.

Despite North Korea's threats it will attack U.S. bases and the South in response to any hostile acts against it, Pyongyang started to welcome a stream of visitors for Monday's birthday celebrations of its founding father Kim Il-sung.

North Korea has stationed as many as five medium-range missiles on its east coast, according to defense assessments made by Washington and Seoul, possibly in readiness for a test launch that would demonstrate its ability to hit U.S. bases on Guam.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/11/us-korea-north-idUSBRE93408020130411

H7N9 found in more poultry samples in China

China's agriculture authority said on Wednesday that its tests have found 14 more H7N9-positive poultry samples in east China.

The avian flu virus, so far responsible for the deaths of nine people nationwide, was detected in 11 chicken samples from Jiangsu, two duck samples from Zhejiang and one duck sample from Anhui Province, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement.

All of the samples were collected from poultry markets in those regions.

The ministry has ordered the three provinces to shut down the marketplaces from which the samples were taken and cull all live poultry there.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-04/10/c_124564921.htm

Delay in Reporting China's (H7N9) Avian Flu Outbreak Questioned

Of all the mysteries surrounding the emergence of a new and deadly strain of avian influenza around Shanghai, one of the biggest is why China’s hundreds of medical and veterinary labs did not spot the problem sooner — or if they did, why it was not disclosed.

Even the censored Chinese news media has begun cautiously questioning why the authorities did not say anything sooner about a disease that resulted in the first known human case in eastern China on Feb. 19, but was not announced to the public until March 31. The announcement came two weeks after the closing of the National People’s Congress, a show event during which the Communist Party traditionally avoids acknowledging problems.

“People are still asking, why did it take the government so long to confirm the outbreak?” The Communist Youth Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Youth League, said in a column several days ago. “The transparency of information from the government is still being called into question by the public, and the actions the government has taken have not convinced the public.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/11/world/asia/delay-on-china-avian-flu-announcement-questioned.html?pagewanted=all

Fukushima Radiation Leaks: Stop using reservoirs at Fukushima: Motegi

Tokyo Electric Power Co. must stop using sunken reservoirs to store radioactive water accumulating at the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant once it has enough storage tanks, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Wednesday.

Three of the seven reservoirs, which are basically lined trenches with surface covers, have been found to be leaking radioactive water, including seawater, leading Tepco to consider transferring some of the contents to more reliable tanks above ground. The water was cycled through reactors 1, 2 and 3, which suffered core meltdowns in 2011, to keep the units cool to prevent further massive fallout.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/04/10/national/stop-using-reservoirs-at-fukushima-motegi/

Katharine Giles Death: Scientist Dies In Bike Crash

An expert in global warming killed while cycling to work has been described as a "talented scientist" who "had a bright future ahead of her".

Dr Katharine Giles, who worked at University College London (UCL), was involved in a collision with a lorry in central London on Monday.

Her death comes just three months after senior colleague, Professor Seymour Laxon, 49, died in a fall, hitting his head and suffering a brain haemorrhage.

http://news.sky.com/story/1076520/katharine-giles-scientist-dies-in-bike-crash

Hostage-Taker Shot Dead after he held four firefighters at gunpoint for hours as demanded his electricity and other utilities be switched back on

A man who held four firefighters hostage while demanding his power and cable were turned back on has been shot dead after police raided his house.

The firefighters suffered superficial cuts and bruises as police used grenade-type explosives to create distractions as they moved in on the house in the suburban Atlanta neighbourhood of Suwanee.

Police exchanged gunfire with the suspect and he was killed.

Gwinnett County Police Corporal Edwin Ritter said Swat officers made the decision to take the house to ensure the safety of the hostages.

http://news.sky.com/story/1076547/firefighters-rescued-as-hostage-taker-shot-dead

Syrian Civilians 'Targeted In Airstrikes'

The Syrian Air Force has been accused of repeatedly carrying out indiscriminate airstrikes against civilians.

A new report by the campaign group Human Rights Watch says in some cases government forces deliberately targeted civilians from the air.

HRW said the attacks were a serious violation of international human rights law and that those responsible were guilty of war crimes.

http://news.sky.com/story/1076538/syria-airstrikes-targeted-civilians

4.8 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN IRAN - 11th April 2013

Magnitude
4.8
Date-Time
Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 02:03:23 UTC
Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 05:33:23 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
28.507°N, 51.676°E
Depth
10.1 km (6.3 miles)
Region
SOUTHERN IRAN
Distances
94 km (58 miles) WSW of Firuzabad, Iran

4.0 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN IRAN - 10th April 2013

Magnitude
4.0
Date-Time
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 23:35:17 UTC
Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 03:05:17 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
28.282°N, 51.640°E
Depth
10 km (6.2 miles)
Region
SOUTHERN IRAN
Distances
109 km (67 miles) SE of Bandar Bushehr, Iran

4.3 Magnitude Earthquake BATAN ISLANDS REGION, PHILIPPINES - 10th April 2013

Magnitude
4.3
Date-Time
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 22:53:53 UTC
Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 06:53:53 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
20.847°N, 122.058°E
Depth
14.4 km (8.9 miles)
Region
BATAN ISLANDS REGION, PHILIPPINES
Distances
23 km (14 miles) ENE of Itbayat, Philippines

4.7 Magnitude Earthquake MYANMAR-THAILAND BORDER REGION - 10th April 2013

Magnitude
4.7
Date-Time
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 22:05:52 UTC
Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 04:35:52 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
18.854°N, 97.510°E
Depth
8.3 km (5.2 miles)
Region
MYANMAR-THAILAND BORDER REGION
Distances
44 km (27 miles) W of Khun Yuam, Thailand

5.8 Magnitude Earthquake BATAN ISLANDS REGION, PHILIPPINES - 10th April 2013

Magnitude
5.8
Date-Time
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 20:20:26 UTC
Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 04:20:26 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
20.819°N, 122.120°E
Depth
4.2 km (2.6 miles) (poorly constrained)
Region
BATAN ISLANDS REGION, PHILIPPINES
Distances
29 km (18 miles) ENE of Itbayat, Philippines

5.0 Magnitude Earthquake MOLUCCA SEA - 10th April 2013

Magnitude
5.0
Date-Time
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 19:59:29 UTC
Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 03:59:29 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
2.602°N, 127.217°E
Depth
66 km (41.0 miles)
Region
MOLUCCA SEA
Distances
130 km (80 miles) NW of Tobelo, Indonesia

5.5 Magnitude Earthquake HONDURAS - 10th April 2013

Magnitude
5.5
Date-Time
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 19:14:02 UTC
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 01:14:02 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
15.537°N, 87.228°W
Depth
10 km (6.2 miles)
Region
HONDURAS
Distances
7 km (4 miles) S of San Juan Pueblo, Honduras

Civil war approaching? 32 guns are being purchased every minute in United States

During Barack Obama's presidency there have been 32 background checks for gun purchases every minute.

Since February of 2009, the first full month of Obama's presidency, there have been 70,291,049 background checks for gun purchases, according to data released by the FBI.

Using February 1, 2009 as our starting date, and March 31, 2013 as our end date, (the latest data from the FBI) Obama has been president for 1,520 days.

That equates to 36,480 hours, or 2,188,800 minutes.

Divide the 70,291,049 background checks by 2,188,800 minutes and you get approximately 32 checks for gun purchases every minute!

http://cnsnews.com/blog/gregory-gwyn-williams-jr/fbi-conducting-32-gun-purchase-background-checks-minute-under-obama

Train narrowly avoids hitting puppy tied to tracks, now up for adoption

The 10-month-old poodle-terrier mix was tied to the tracks near Mecca, Calif., earlier this month by a 78-year-old man, officials there say. The engineer of the approaching train saw the man walking away from the tracks and used emergency brakes to stop the locomotive.

Union Pacific special agent Sal Pina arrived on the scene, untied the pooch and detained the man, who "said his family didn't want the dog and didn't know what to do," according to a statement from Riverside County Animal Services.

”It’s probably one of the worst things I’ve seen," Pina said. "I’ve never seen something like this."

Officials did not pursue animal-cruelty charges against the man because he "appeared to be confused or senile and didn't fully understand what he had done." The man was released to his family.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/puppy-tied-train-tracks-banjo-133048316.html

China detains 10 for spreading bird flu rumors on Internet as crisis deepens

Chinese police detained at least 10 people for spreading rumors about the H7N9 bird flu virus, state media said on Wednesday, as the death toll from the new strain rose to nine.

Authorities detained the people in six provinces - Shaanxi, Guizhou, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Fujian - some of whom had posted "fake information" online about new cases of the virus in their areas, the official Xinhua news agency said.

The death toll and number of infections in China from the strain of bird flu first found in humans last month has ticked up daily.

http://news.yahoo.com/china-bird-flu-toll-reaches-nine-013444927.html

The North Korean Situation: You ask, Matt answers!

Agent Brown, a regular reader at the Coming Crisis, wrote in a letter and asked the following questions about the North Korean situation:

"How will a nuclear war pan out on the Korean peninsula, if at all, and if it does, what will it look like? How do the false flag events surrounding North Korea contribute to all this?"

Matt tossed the napkin stuffed into his shirt onto the table, pounded his fist mightily, and answered as follows:

I also found the shifting of the poll to be incredibly interesting. [Agent brown had remarked that it was interesting that everyone saw our last month poll skewing towards North Korea simply bluffing, but as events began to unfold, the poll suddenly changed to reflect the prevailing opinion that North Korea indeed was a threat.]

No one seemed to take North Korea seriously until the news of a possible confrontation started pouring in, but such is the case with all situations really, in that people don't clue in despite being warned until the situation is upon them, which I suppose is very unfortunate.

I don't think that North Korea will launch an offensive nuclear strike on anyone, since doing so would mean their obliteration.

I do, however, think that North Korea would risk using such a weapon in defense if attacked.

In reality, I don't think America cares about North Korea at all, since they have no resources of worth to America, and their sole threatening capability lies in their proximity to South Korea, a highly important military staging ground and producer of computer components vital to American high tech industry.

Besides, they teeter on collapse on pretty much a monthly basis now, and who knows if they'll even last the year.

North Korea does, however, provide an inroad to China, which is vastly more important.

We're making a video at this very moment about this, which shows China surrounded by no less than 11 countries and island groups with US military bases on them.

America needs an excuse for endless war in order to feed its monstrous weapons industry, and it also owes quite a bit of money to China, not to mention China's asymmetric warfare capability through hacking, etc., to get at the US by circumventing the military.

Regarding false flags, I feel the US and gang have been staging them against North Korea for years now.

First, the sinking of the Cheonan.

Their sole evidence consists of wreckage with the words, "North Korean torpedo" on it, and they won't allow anyone else on the investigation team.

Additionally, the records from the ship show a distress call from the captain stating that the vessel had not been struck by a torpedo, or had even struck a mine, but had "run aground on rock".

This report is available for those wanting to search for it, but once again, few do, although some South Korean politicians have mentioned this uncomfortable fact, but the issue faded away now that it has been solidified in people's minds as "North Korean aggression".

North Korea also vehemently denied the attack, something they don't usually do, since successful operations are important for their propaganda machine.

Secondly, the shelling on Yeonpyeong island remains just as dubious.

Telex communications indicate that North Korea messaged South Korea and asked them to halt their artillery firing, which they say took place over the NLL demarcation line in the west.

South Korea denies this and says they were firing in the opposite direction, but it's impossible to go back and see where artillery shells fired in the ocean.

South Korea may be telling the truth, or South Korea may have been firing into North Korean waters, or even on North Korea directly to warrant such a massive response.

In another strange twist, North Korea expressed regret if any civilians had been killed during the bombardment, something North Korea probably wouldn't do as the aggressor.

So, here's the conclusion of what I'm saying:

1) America is most likely goading North Korea to get at China.

2) America needs a war somewhere, be it Iran, Syria, or North Korea.

3) North Korea will not offensively use a nuclear weapon, nor do they have the capability to against the US main land.

In the event of an actual war, North Korea's sole mission will be to take over the south and hold it, so I imagine a nuclear strike, or a massive artillery strike against Seoul will be launched to decapitate the government, and then during the confusion, the invasion will take place.

South Korea is incredibly weak politically compared to North Korea, and does not possess the fanaticism or the will to fight like North Koreans do, and that makes up a lot for the disparity in wealth and technology.

A US soldier stationed at the DMZ, when asked about if he feared North Korean soldiers due to their lack of food and smaller stature, wisely answered that, "The bullet is a great equalizer."

So, too, is ideology.

The United States would have to face off not only against North Korea, but China, who I guarantee would enter the war simply to prevent a united Korea from peeking at it from over the Yalu river, and my conclusion is that in the end, the US and South Korea would ultimately lose the war, or at most, be forced to retreat back to current borders.

China simply has too many soldiers too close to the peninsula for the US to win without using nuclear weapons, and that would take the conflict to an entirely new level, a level the defense of South Korea may ultimately not be worth.

America's primary military strength is air power, and I feel that air defenses in that region are of a level that the US would encounter massive losses and expensive replacements, since even during the 1999 Kosovo war, an American F-117 stealth craft was shot down, and China and North Korea use similar, if not upgraded weapon systems.

If the outcome is to unite Korea under South Korea, it's a losing proposition for America.

If the outcome is to defeat China in a world war, then that's an entirely different subject, one we should all tremble upon contemplating for the havoc it would ultimately cause.

If you have a question of your own, feel free to write in with a letter!

David Attenborough sized mob of black youths numbering 200 rampage through downtown Philadelphia, 14 arrested

It happened again. As soon as the warm weather hit, a large group of students in Center City caused a ruckus, endangered themselves, police and pedestrians.

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has charged 10 juveniles with Conspiracy, Obstructing Highways, Failure to Disperse and Disorderly Conduct.

All 10 defendants are scheduled for a detention hearing Wednesday at the Youth Studies Center in Philadelphia.

Four other teens were also arrested by Philadelphia Police on Tuesday evening, and they are currently being processed by police.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/04/09/large-disorderly-crowd-of-teens-gathered-in-center-city-philadelphia/

Matt's thoughts:
Please note the father in the video, disappointed at his daughter's behaviour.

Upstart Party in Italy ‘Occupies’ a Parliament That Is Already Paralyzed

Just when Italians thought their politics could not get any stranger, on Tuesday they did. That was when members of the Five Star Movement of Beppe Grillo decided to “occupy” Parliament, a step that would seem unnecessary since voters had already sent them there to occupy 163 of its 945 seats.

The stunt by Mr. Grillo’s followers, who, despite their electoral success, seem intent on acting as a protest movement, was the latest twist in Italy’s continuing political tragicomedy. The members of Parliament from the Five Star Movement called for the occupation to demand permanent parliamentary committees, even though no party has yet produced a governing majority.

For the moment, Italy’s parties remain entrenched in a surreal stalemate — three intractable blocs produced by February’s national election — and as a result, on April 18, Parliament is expected to begin debate to elect a new president of the republic, even before a government is formed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/10/world/europe/in-italy-an-occupation-of-parliament-amid-political-gridlock.html

Opemipo Jaji accused of raping girl, 11, in a park had attacked another schoolgirl the year before

A teenager accused of raping an 11-year-old girl in a park had attacked another schoolgirl a year before, a court has been told.

Opemipo Jaji, 18, admitted sexually assaulting and robbing the girl in 2011, the Old Bailey heard.

He is on trial accused of following a girl home from school on a bus last November before dragging her into a park in Enfield, north London, and raping her.

Mr Jaji, of Edmonton, denies rape.

The court heard the girl was subjected to a three-hour ordeal in Jubilee Park.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2307015/Teenager-accused-raping-girl-11-park-attacked-schoolgirl-year-before.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Pentagon looks to cut 40,000 to 50,000 civilians over five years

The Pentagon is looking to reduce the size of its nearly 800,000 civilian workforce by 40,000 to 50,000 employees over the next five years, mainly through attrition as it closes bases and consolidates healthcare facilities, the department's comptroller said on Wednesday.

"I would hope that given the time to prepare, we could do this through attrition, but we aren't far enough along to really know for sure as to how we do it," said Undersecretary of Defense Robert Hale, the Pentagon's comptroller.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/10/us-usa-fiscal-defense-jobs-idUSBRE93910920130410

North Korea close to "dangerous line" with nuclear rhetoric: Hagel

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Wednesday that North Korea has been skating close to a "dangerous line" with its near-daily threats against the United States and South Korea.

"North Korea has been, with its bellicose rhetoric, its action, ... skating very close to a dangerous line," Hagel said at a Pentagon news conference to discuss the department's 2014 budget. "Their actions and words have not helped defuse a combustible situation."

Asked whether U.S. citizens should be concerned about the threats, Hagel said the United States had the capacity to defend its citizens and those of its allies from any action North Korea might take.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/10/us-korea-north-usa-idUSBRE9390ZS20130410

Thatcher Funeral: Police Search Web For Threats

Police are braced for potential threats to the Thatcher funeral from far-Left groups, obsessive individuals and Irish dissident republicans.

Detectives are scouring internet chatrooms and social media networks for any hint of planned demonstrations and trying to identify individuals who may pose a threat.

In the past police have made pre-emptive arrests, but sources suggest that is unlikely unless there is strong evidence of crimes about to be committed.

http://news.sky.com/story/1076302/thatcher-funeral-police-search-web-for-threats

US tightening military nose around China: Mike Billington

Syrian fighters form batallion to protect USA from North Korea - Truthloader (Video Report has been removed)

A group of injured Syrian fighters have united to form the Washington Hawks Batallion, to defend the people of the USA against the threat of North Korea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-ZcP7Lv3hk

S. Korea raises alert before North's expected missile test

Pakistan test fires nuclear missile capable of striking India: New footage

Golden Cage: US blows $800k per Gitmo inmate each year

EU warns Spain, Slovenia pose biggest economic risks

5 ways to break Italy’s deadlock (but even God may struggle)

Louvre Closed: Pickpockets Spark Staff Walkout

Staff at France's most famous museum, the Louvre, have gone on strike - forcing it to close.

The staff are protesting at what they describe as the increasing problem of pickpockets at work in the Paris museum's vast galleries.

Louvre spokeswoman Sophie Grange said the museum, which normally attracts up to 30,000 visitors a day at this time of year, has been closed for the day.

http://news.sky.com/story/1076389/louvre-closed-pickpockets-spark-staff-walkout

4.2 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN IRAN - 10th April 2013

Magnitude ML 4.2
Region SOUTHERN IRAN
Date time 2013-04-10 16:54:23.0 UTC
Location 28.35 N ; 51.87 E
Depth 2 km
Distances 268 km NE of Manama, Bahrain / pop: 147,074 / local time: 19:54:23.0 2013-04-10
121 km SE of Bandar Būshehr, Iran / pop: 165,377 / local time: 21:24:23.0 2013-04-10
87 km SW of Fīrūzābād, Iran / pop: 66,558 / local time: 21:24:23.0 2013-04-10

4.0 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN IRAN - 10th April 2013

Magnitude ML 4.0
Region SOUTHERN IRAN
Date time 2013-04-10 16:35:31.4 UTC
Location 28.25 N ; 51.84 E
Depth 16 km
Distances
97 km SW of Fīrūzābād, Iran / pop: 66,558 / local time: 21:05:31.4 2013-04-10

5.1 Magnitude Earthquake CENTRAL PERU - 10th April 2013

Magnitude
5.1
Date-Time
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 16:20:19 UTC
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 11:20:19 AM at epicenter
Location
10.736°S, 75.138°W
Depth
77.7 km (48.3 miles)
Region
CENTRAL PERU
Distances
146 km (91 miles) SE (129°) from Huanuco, Peru

Jewish scrolls burned in potential hate crime

Police have identified a suspect in a string of potential hate crimes in New York in which 12 mezuzahs were set ablaze as they hung on door frames outside Jews' homes.

According to the NYPD, the suspect is wanted for setting fire to 11 mezuzahs inside an apartment complex in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn on Monday, which was also Holocaust Remembrance Day. An additional one was discovered burned inside the apartment building next door a day later.

Police are searching for a Hispanic male in his 30s last seen wearing a purple do-rag and a black jacket with a New York Yankees emblem, as well as other writings, on the back.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/10/justice/new-york-jewish-artifacts-burned/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

32 GUN PURCHASES EVERY MINUTE UNDER OBAMA

During Barack Obama's presidency there have been 32 background checks for gun purchases every minute.

Since February of 2009, the first full month of Obama's presidency, there have been 70,291,049 background checks for gun purchases, according to data released by the FBI.

Using February 1, 2009 as our starting date, and March 31, 2013 as our end date, (the latest data from the FBI) Obama has been president for 1,520 days.

http://cnsnews.com/blog/gregory-gwyn-williams-jr/fbi-conducting-32-gun-purchase-background-checks-minute-under-obama

3.3 Magnitude Earthquake OLYMPIC PENINSULA, WASHINGTON - 10th April 2013

Magnitude
3.3
Date-Time
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 15:32:29 UTC
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 08:32:29 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
48.001°N, 122.936°W
Depth
54.1 km (33.6 miles)
Region
OLYMPIC PENINSULA, WASHINGTON
Distances
6 km (3 miles) ESE (116°) from Blyn, WA

EU raises flag over French, Italian, Spanish economies

The European Commission warned of deepening economic problems in France, Italy and Spain on Wednesday, and said Slovenia must take urgent steps to offset the risk of a wider destabilization across the euro zone.

Unveiling its second review of economic imbalances in 13 European Union countries, the Commission flagged concerns about France and Italy, while including Spain and Slovenia among countries that could face fines if they do not correct course.

The early warning system was set up after problems in Greece, Ireland and Portugal triggered the euro zone sovereign debt crisis and forced the bailing out of four member states.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/10/us-eu-imbalnaces-idUSBRE9390HI20130410

Two more H7N9 infection cases reported in Shanghai

Two more human cases of H7N9 bird flu were reported on Wednesday in Shanghai Municipality, bringing the total number of infected people in the country to 33, health authorities said.

A local retired woman surnamed Ma, 76, developed a cough, sore throat and weakness on April 1. On April 2 she developed a high fever and went to the hospital on April 5. Doctors confirmed Tuesday night that she has H7N9 avian flu, according to a statement issued by the city's health and family planning committee.

The patient is now in stable condition, said the statement.

A woman surnamed Jin, 81, who is a farmer, went to the hospital with symptoms of diarrhea and fever of unknown origin, and was subsequently diagnosed with acute enteritis and pneumonia. On Tuesday night, the city's disease prevention and control center confirmed that she has H7N9 bird flu, it said.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-04/10/c_132298870.htm

H7N9 may mutate 8 times faster than regular flu, Study Finds

The new bird flu could be mutating up to eight times faster than an average flu virus around a protein that binds it to humans, a team of research scientists in Shenzhen says.

Dr He Jiankui, an associate professor at South University of Science and Technology of China, said yesterday that the authorities should be alarmed by the results of their research and step up monitoring and control efforts to prevent a possible pandemic.

With genetic code of the virus obtained from mainland authorities, the team scrutinised haemagglutinin, a protein that plays a crucial rule in the process of infection. The protein binds the virus to an animal cell, such as respiratory cells in humans, and bores a hole in the cell's membrane to allow entry by the virus.

The researchers found dramatic mutation of haemagglutinin in one of the four flu strains released for study by the central government. Nine of the protein's 560 amino acids had changed. In a typical flu virus, only one or two amino acids could change in such a short period of time, He said.

"It happened in just one or two weeks. The speed may not have caught up with the HIV, but it's quite unusual for a flu."

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1211077/h7n9-bird-flu-may-mutate-8-times-faster-regular-flu-study-finds

China: 70 dead pigs pulled from river in Hunan

Seventy dead pigs have been pulled out of Liuyang River in Hunan province, according to China Daily.

Public health authorities were quick to assuage fears that the dead pigs had anything to do with the new strain of avian flu, H7N9, which has killed 6 (now 9) people so far in China.

"No bird flu virus was detected on the dead pigs," Tan Jingming, deputy director of the Changsha animal disease prevention and control center, said.
After 15,000 dead pigs were pulled out of the Huangpu river in Shanghai, 70 in Hunan seems like a paltry figure. (remember they didn't find 15 - 20.000 pigs in one day either, reports started with a 100 dead pigs)

Explanations for the Hunan pigs seem to be the same as for the Shanghai swine: cold weather, porcine circovirus, and a crackdown on illegal pork traders, which led farmers to throw their dead pigs in the river.

http://shanghaiist.com/2013/04/10/70_dead_pigs_pulled_from_river_in_hunan_china.php

Poland: Mother Held Over Babies Found Dead In Freezer

Police in Poland are questioning a woman suspected of killing her three newborn sons.

The boys' bodies were found in the family's freezer.

Police have said the woman, 41-year-old Lucyna D from the northern town of Lubawa, has confessed to killing the infants.

If convicted of murder, the woman could face a life sentence in prison.

http://news.sky.com/story/1076247/mother-held-over-babies-found-dead-in-freezer

EU Horse Meat Scam: Around 500 companies across Europe are affected by the recall, and they have no Idea where the Meat came from!

Dutch authorities have recalled 50,000 tons of meat which has been sold as beef across Europe because it may contain horsemeat.

Around 370 different companies in Europe and a further 130 in the Netherlands are affected by the recall because they bought meat from two Dutch trading wholesalers.

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority has taken the decision to recall the meat because its exact source cannot be established.

As a result, "its safety cannot be guaranteed", it said, ordering the immediate withdrawal of the beef from sale on Wednesday.

http://news.sky.com/story/1076365/horsemeat-scare-50000-tons-of-beef-recall

Abolish every tax haven in the world, says French socialist president Francois Hollande

French President Francois Hollande has called for the 'eradication' of tax havens in a bid to fight fraud and corruption.

Mr Hollande told French banks that they must declare any foreign subsidiaries each year as he presented a draft law drawn up in response to the country's recent tax scandal.

The president said that a new specialised agency would be set up as part of the new law which is part of a drive to increase transparency.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2306843/Abolish-tax-haven-world-says-French-socialist-president-Francois-Hollande.html

Bird Flu Spreading spreading? Netizens Report Mysterious Bird Deaths in China as Animals Drop Dead from the Sky

China is currently dealing with an outbreak of deadly bird flu (H7N9 virus). As of April 10, there have been nine deaths and 28 confirmed infections, largely in the Shanghai area. Officials have been taking measures to prevent the spread of the disease, but they may have acted too slowly.

A rash of shocking photos from around China has been shocking Web users over the last couple of days. The images show sparrows and pigeons lying dead on the ground with no visible signs of injury. And not just one or two, but several and sometimes more than 10 mysteriously downed birds, leaving many to speculate whether bird flu is to blame.

Dead birds have been confirmed in Nanjing, Chengdu and Hubei Province, where witnesses to the mass die-offs have photographed the carcasses and put them online.

According to one person in Nanjing, “Under a magnolia tree, there were all these dead sparrows. I have no idea where they came from or what killed them.”

Another person in Hubei said, “This pigeon just like fell out of the sky dead. At school, too, we found all these bodies of little songbirds.”

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/04/10/bird-flu-spreading-netizens-report-mysterious-bird-deaths-in-china/

Russian Scientist Predicts “Massive Earthquake” to Hit Japan by End of 2014

During the European Geosciences Union (EGU) Convention in Vienna on 9 April, a Russian scientist declared that Japan would face a giant earthquake of magnitude 9.0 within the next year and a half.

Alexei Ryubushin of the Schmidt Institute of the Physics of the Earth presented his findings which were arrived at from collecting low frequency seismic noise data through F-net.

F-net is a “full range seismograph network of Japan” which promotes earthquake research by providing high sensitivity seismic data, crustal deformation observations and other information which could be useful in monitoring the behavior of earthquakes.

During the convention he pointed out that there is still stress remaining on the crust following the Great Tohoku Earthquake of 2011. However, he predicts the next quake to take place in another location.

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/04/10/russian-scientist-predicts-massive-earthquake-to-hit-japan-by-end-of-2014/

4.6 Magnitude Earthquake VANUATU - 10th April 2013

Magnitude
4.6
Date-Time
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 13:04:29 UTC
Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 12:04:29 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
17.757°S, 167.787°E
Depth
10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program
Region
VANUATU
Distances
56 km (34 miles) W of Port-Vila, Vanuatu

Soros: Germany's self-made recession

Germany is heading for a recession of its own making, warned billionaire George Soros.

In a speech in Frankfurt this week, the Hungarian-born investor said he expected Europe's largest economy to be contracting by the time Germans vote in national elections in September.

Pointing to the Cyprus bailout, he said the eurozone crisis was far from over and was likely to become more acute in the months ahead.

"Germany itself remains relatively unaffected by the deepening depression that is enveloping the eurozone," he said. "I expect, however, that by the time of the elections, Germany will also be in recession."

Eurozone gross domestic product shrank by 0.6% in 2012 and is forecast to contract by a further 0.5% this year, according to the European Central Bank.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/04/10/news/economy/germany-recession-soros/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

4.6 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN IRAN - 10th April 2013

Magnitude mb 4.6
Region SOUTHERN IRAN
Date time 2013-04-10 12:40:24.0 UTC
Location 28.49 N ; 51.64 E
Depth 60 km
Distances
94 km SE of Bandar Būshehr, Iran / pop: 165,377 / local time: 17:10:24.0 2013-04-10

Teens Killed 85-Year-Old In Handbag Mugging

Two 15-year-olds have admitted killing an 85-year-old partially sighted woman as they mugged her for her handbag.

Paula Castle, 85, who was registered blind, fell to the ground after she was robbed in an alleyway in Greenford, West London.

She died in hospital from head injuries the following day.

http://news.sky.com/story/1076289/teens-killed-85-year-old-in-handbag-mugging

CrossTalk: Rogue States

Conspiracy theories fly as Poles mark presidential jet crash

Poster of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un set on fire by South Korean protesters

Hakken Parents Booked After Cuba Return

The madness of the precautionary principle

Japan on full alert over North Korea

Syria crisis: Al-Nusra pledges allegiance to al-Qaeda

The leader of the al-Nusra Front, a jihadist group fighting in Syria, has pledged allegiance to the leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri.

The announcement by Abu Mohammed al-Jawalani comes a day after al-Qaeda in Iraq said it had merged with al-Nusra.

But Mr Jawalani said al-Nusra had not been consulted on the merger and insisted his group would not change its stance in Syria.

Al-Nusra is at the forefront of the rebellion against the Syrian president.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22095099

Luxembourg announces end of bank secrecy for European Citizens who have savings in the Country

Luxembourg plans to lift bank secrecy rules for European Union citizens who have savings based in the country, the prime minister announced on Wednesday, marking a sharp shift in policy that will take effect from 2015.

The move brings Luxembourg into line with all other EU countries bar Austria in sharing information within the European Union about bank depositors in its territory. The decision adds to pressure on Vienna to fall into line, after Austria's chancellor said on Tuesday it would join talks on the subject.

Luxembourg's decision follows lobbying by Germany and the European Commission, bolstered by the case of former French budget minister Jerome Cahuzac, who was placed under investigation for fraud after admitting lying about having a Swiss bank account.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/10/us-luxembourg-banks-idUSBRE93908V20130410

South Korea raises surveillance alert level

Lanzarote Kidnap Attempt: Face Of Wanted Man

Police have released photos of a man - believed to be British - who allegedly tried to abduct a three-year-old girl from her parents in the Canary Islands.

A family from Milton Keynes were on holiday in Costa Teguise in Lanzarote on January 30 last year when a man attempted to kidnap the girl in a shop.

The victim's father noticed she was missing, left a store and spotted the youngster being led around a corner into an alleyway by a man, who was holding her by the hand.

He shouted out and ran up to his daughter, pulling her away from the man who then left the scene.

http://news.sky.com/story/1076236/lanzarote-kidnap-attempt-face-of-wanted-man

US-born Jewish terrorist Jack Teitel sentenced to two life terms

Yaakov (Jack) Teitel, a U.S.-born Jewish terrorist, convicted of murdering two Palestinians, was sentenced to two life terms and 30 years in prison.

Teitel, 40, was sentenced Tuesday in Jerusalem District Court for the murders, as well as the attempted murder of two other people. He also was ordered to pay nearly $100,000 to the families of his murder victims and $88,000 to the others.

Before his sentencing, Teitel said he did not regret his actions, according to Ynet.

http://www.jta.org/news/article/2013/04/09/3123861/us-born-jewish-terrorist-jack-teitel-sentenced-to-two-life-terms

EU seeks new powers for trade probes

Europe’s top trade official is seeking new powers to compel companies to co-operate with trade investigations in a bid to strengthen Brussels’ hand in trade fights with China.

The proposed rules seek to address a growing concern in Brussels that European companies are shying away from filing complaints against Chinese competitors because they fear retribution from Beijing – be it in the form of lost market access or unfair regulatory treatment.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/241a3c2e-a131-11e2-bae1-00144feabdc0.html

'EU - empire destroying people's freedom' - Marine Le Pen to RT

Tourists to North Korean border unfazed by threats

Texas stabbing: suspect taken into custody

Just My Opinion: Monsanto Protection Act signed for fistful of dollars

Quicksand: France to stay longer in Mali despite pull-out

Joshua Hakken and his wife are being held in a Florida jail

A couple accused of kidnapping their two young sons and fleeing by boat to Cuba has been booked into a Florida jail after being handed over to US authorities.

On Tuesday US police said they had information that the family - Joshua Hakken, his wife Sharyn and their two young sons - had arrived on the island nation 90 miles off the coast of Florida.

Authorities said Hakken kidnapped four-year-old Cole and two-year-old Chase, from his mother-in-law's house north of Tampa. The boys' maternal grandparents had been granted permanent custody of the boys last week.
http://news.sky.com/story/1075570/kidnapped-boys-parents-held-in-florida-jail

Margaret Thatcher: Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead is riding high in the charts to Number One..... Why were they not protesting when she was alive?, and why are they not protesting the current Government?

Baroness Thatcher's death is propelling the song Dong The Witch Is Dead to the top of the charts.

Those who consider the former prime minister's demise a cause of celebration have launched a campaign to get the song to Number One.

The Judy Garland version of the song is already at the top of the Amazon download chart, with Ella Fitzgerald's take on it at number four.

Garland's is also currently number two in the iTunes chart.

http://news.sky.com/story/1076197/margaret-thatcher-ding-dong-climbs-charts

4.0 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN IRAN - 10th April 2013

Magnitude ML 4.0
Region SOUTHERN IRAN
Date time 2013-04-10 08:59:53.8 UTC
Location 28.52 N ; 51.76 E
Depth 34 km
Distances
86 km SW of Fīrūzābād, Iran / pop: 66,558 / local time: 13:29:53.8 2013-04-10

4.3 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN IRAN - 10th April 2013

Magnitude ML 4.3
Region SOUTHERN IRAN
Date time 2013-04-10 08:08:32.0 UTC
Location 28.32 N ; 51.55 E
Depth 2 km
Distances
100 km SE of Bandar Būshehr, Iran / pop: 165,377 / local time: 12:38:32.0 2013-04-10

Obama enjoys extravagant 'sequester soul concert' at the White House amid massive budget cuts and government worker furloughs

Even with the threat of furloughs and government cuts sparked by the sequester, President Obama took the time to enjoy a star-studded concert at the White House tonight. The White House celebration of Memphis Soul music in the East Room - which included special guest appearances by Queen Latifah and Justin Timberlake - is likely to rile Obama's Republican foes.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2306650/Sequester-President-Obama-enjoys-Memphis-soul-concert-White-House.html

Arizona passes law making gold and silver legal tender as it joins growing list of states turning to precious metals because they distrust the government's money

States are now rushing to push bills through allowing for gold and silver to be recognized as legal tender as politicians fear that the U.S. economy is going to collapse.

The push from states like Arizona, which passed through their House of Representatives on Monday allowing gold and silver to be considered legal tender, comes as conservatives fear that the Federal Reserve is running the country's economy into a deep hole.

Lawmakers say the global economy is on the precipice of financial ruin and the U.S. dollar could soon be worth less than the paper used to make it.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2306590/Arizona-passes-law-making-gold-silver-legal-tender-joins-growing-list-states-turning-precious-metals-distrust-governments-money.html

5.2 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN IRAN - 10th April 2013

Magnitude
5.2
Date-Time
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 07:59:59 UTC
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 11:29:59 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
28.438°N, 51.738°E
Depth
9.9 km (6.2 miles)
Region
SOUTHERN IRAN
Distances
92 km (57 miles) WSW of Firuzabad, Iran

Dylan Quick taken down by Students after he knifed FOURTEEN people in mass stabbing at Texas college

Three students bravely subdued a classmate who went on a stabbing frenzy at a Houston community college today - and then promptly posted pictured of their heroism online.

The knife-man now charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon is Dylan Quick, 20, a fellow student suspected of knifing 14 people this morning at Lone Star College's Cypress campus.

Steven Maida, Erik Bertrand, Ryan Ballard and another student named James managed to wrestle the armed man to the floor and waited for law enforcement to arrive, KHOU.com reported.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2306478/Houston-college-stabbing--I-I--Dramatic-moment-hero-students-took-crazed-man-knifed-FIFTEEN-people-mass-stabbing-Texas-college--posted-pictures-Instagram.html

Air Force fighter jets a casualty of budget cuts causing a third of their fleet to be Grounded.......I have a feeling They will soon get their funding back

The U.S. Air Force began grounding a third of its fighter jet fleet on Tuesday because of forced spending cuts, one of the most prominent consequences so far of government-wide austerity that began in March.

Dozens of units in the United States, Europe and the Pacific ultimately will stand down, according to a statement from Gen. Mike Hostage, the commander of the Air Force's Air Combat Command.

The move involving jets assigned to fighter, bomber, airborne warning and other squads aims to ensure that remaining units can maintain sufficient readiness through the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends September 30.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/09/politics/air-force-budget-grounding/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Rehtaeh Parson commits suicide after alleged rape, bullying

Obama gives new aid for Syrian rebels

President Barack Obama has signed off on a new package of nonlethal aid for Syrian rebels, U.S. officials tell CNN, signaling his administration is cautiously wading further into the conflict.

Officials said the White House approved the package at a meeting of the National Security Council last week.

The move reflects what officials describe as a ramped-up effort to change the military balance on the battlefield in Syria.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/09/world/us-syria-aid/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Nine dead in China bird flu outbreak, officials probe family 'clusters'.......first evidence of it spreading between humans? Remember the first case, a family member became infected, but the media and WHO chose to ignore this

Two more people have died from a rare strain of bird flu in China, as health officials investigate possible cases of transmission between family members.

The latest fatalities occurred in Anhui and Jiangsu provinces -- both in eastern China -- and brought the total number of deaths from H7N9 avian influenza to nine, from 28 reported cases, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

So far the virus has been limited to the east of the country, with infections reported in the Shanghai region, as well as in the provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Meanwhile, the WHO is investigating suspected "family clusters" of people who may be infected with H7N9, potentially the first evidence of its spread between humans.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/10/world/asia/china-bird-flu-death-toll/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

4.0 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN IRAN - 10th April 2013

Magnitude ML 4.0
Region SOUTHERN IRAN
Date time 2013-04-10 07:20:38.0 UTC
Location 28.40 N ; 51.87 E
Depth 2 km
Distances
84 km SW of Fīrūzābād, Iran / pop: 66,558 / local time: 11:50:38.0 2013-04-10

Cheney to GOP leaders: ‘We’re in deep doo doo’ on North Korea

Republican leaders in Congress received a dire warning on Tuesday from former Vice President Dick Cheney on the ongoing crisis in North Korea.

“We’re in deep doo doo,” Cheney told lawmakers, according to a GOP leadership aide.

Cheney added the current North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, is unpredictable and doesn't share the United States worldview.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/09/cheney-to-gop-leaders-were-in-deep-doo-doo-on-north-korea/?hpt=hp_t1

U.S, North Korea met secretly in March

U.S. and North Korean officials met secretly in New York in the days before North Korea's latest round of threats and provocations, although nothing came of the meeting, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The source described the meeting as part of regular back channel exchanges between the countries.

Clifford Hart, the U.S. envoy for six-party talks aimed at North Korean denuclearization, met with North Korea's deputy U.N. ambassador, Han Song-ryol, in mid March, according to the source.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/09/world/north-korea-us-meeting/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

World on North Korea missile watch

In bitter irony for China, Korea threats steel U.S.

Nobody but Kim Jong-un knows what he hopes to achieve with his saber-rattling campaign, but the young North Korean leader probably didn't set out to aid the United States, the sworn enemy of three generations of Kims, at the expense of his country's main ally, China.
In a boon for U.S. policy that can only add to China's frustration with Kim, North Korean bellicosity has helped reinforce an American strategy of rebalancing its security policies toward the Asia-Pacific region.

To a China that often sounds more wary of Washington than of Pyongyang, months of North Korean missile and nuclear tests followed by a daily stream of bloodthirsty war threats may be worrisome, but the U.S. reaction is even more troubling.

"We understand what kind of regime North Korea is, but we also understand that North Korea is playing games," said Sun Zhe, director of the Center for U.S-China Relations at Beijing's Tsinghua University.

"Most importantly, we are complaining that the United States is using military drills as an excuse to continue to do this (rebalancing), putting up B-2s and other advanced weapons systems," he said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/10/us-korea-usa-china-idUSBRE93903U20130410

Syria's Jihadists face test of governing

A month after they pulled down a statue of President Bashar al-Assad's once feared father, people in a city in eastern Syria are living under a Jihadist regime that could be a taste of what is in store for the country if Assad himself is overthrown.

Hardline Islamist brigades patrol streets abandoned by police. A religious court has replaced a collapsed judicial system, and minorities have fled, according to civic activists in Raqqa, the largest city to fall to the opposition since the uprising against four decades of Assad family rule broke out in March 2011.

The Jihadist show of force coupled with the absence of the Western-backed Syrian National Coalition, the main grouping of the political opposition, could consolidate an Islamist sweep in the north and east of the country. But the experience of Raqqa, where there have been demonstrations and strikes, shows that Islamist rule has got off to a difficult start.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/09/us-syria-crisis-east-idUSBRE9380EX20130409

Fear stalks Yangon's Muslims after Buddhist-led killings

An ultra-nationalist Buddhist creed is becoming more visible in Myanmar's commercial capital, Yangon, after monks from the apartheid-like movement helped stoke a wave of anti-Muslim violence in the central heartlands.

Many Muslims in the city say they are living in fear after dozens of members of their faith were killed in March by Buddhist mobs whipped up by monks from the "969" movement, a name that refers to attributes of the Buddha, his teachings and the monkhood.

Calm has been restored in Meikhtila and other volatile central areas after authorities imposed martial law and dispatched troops. A Reuters examination of the violence showed it was well-organized, abetted at times by police turning a blind eye.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/10/us-myanmar-violence-yangon-idUSBRE93905V20130410

Fracking Earthquake Fears Dismissed By Study.......Oklahoma residents would no doubt disagree

Most tremors caused by fracking are no more noticeable than those caused by "jumping off a ladder onto the floor", researchers have said.

Experts at Durham University looked at tens of thousands of fracking operations around the world but found they were "not significant" in causing earthquakes.

The process - which involves pumping a mixture of water and chemicals underground to deliberately crack sedimentary rock and extract oil and gas - is controversial, with a temporary ban only lifted by ministers in December last year.

Campaigners say it risks polluting water supplies and makes damaging seismic activity more likely.

http://news.sky.com/story/1076096/fracking-earthquake-fears-dismissed-by-study

Oklahoma 5.7 Magnitude earthquake linked to Fracking (27th March 2013)


Scientists have linked the underground injection of oil-drilling wastewater to a magnitude-5.7 earthquake in 2011 that struck the US state of Oklahoma.

Wastewater injection from drilling operations has been linked to seismic events in the past, but these have typically been much smaller quakes.

They also have tended to occur in the first weeks or months of injection.

The study in Geology suggests that "induced seismicity" can occur years after wastewater injection begins.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21952428

4.8 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN IRAN - 10th April 2013

Magnitude
4.8
Date-Time
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 07:10:41 UTC
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 10:40:41 AM at epicenter
Location
28.309°N, 51.751°E
Depth
10.1 km (6.3 miles)
Region
SOUTHERN IRAN
Distances
99 km (61 miles) SW of Firuzabad, Iran

4.3 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN IRAN - 10th April 2013

Magnitude
4.3
Date-Time
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 06:18:36 UTC
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 09:48:36 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
28.786°N, 51.673°E
Depth
10 km (6.2 miles)
Region
SOUTHERN IRAN
Distances
68 km (42 miles) SE of Borazjan, Iran