Heavy rains in Indonesia yesterday triggered widespread flooding and landslides across the nation. It has emerged that last night a bridge was swept away by the swollen river it stretched across, leaving around 40 to 50 people missing in Madiun, East Java. Meanwhile, the total toll of those known or feared to be dead has reached 130.
According to local police chief Supardi in a telephone conversation with Xinhua the flood waters weakened a foundation, resulting in the collapse. At least twenty motorcyclists, car drivers and passengers are thought to be dead, but as of midnight, no bodies had been recovered. However, three bikes have been retrieved. 100 rescuers have been dispatched to the scene. Continuing heavy rain forced the search to be abandoned temporarily.
Java as a whole is the worst affected island; in addition to the bridge collapse most of the landslides occurred in two Central Java districts. Health ministry official Rustam Pakaya told reporters that at least 28,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes in central Java, although exact figures are not yet availible. The Red Cross commented that 45,000 East Javanese people have been similarly displaced. Thousands are seeking shelter in mosques and other public buildings.
Landslides buried houses and made roads impassable, while hundreds police officers, military personnel, local officials and volunteers have been digging with farm tools and even their hands to search for survivors. Heavy machinery is availible but the road conditions have prevented it arriving at the areas where it is required. Jakarta has dispatched aid in the form of five tonnes of biscuits and instant meals, ten tonnes of baby food and multiple boats.
Heru Aji Pratomo, head of the disaster management centre in the worst-hit district of Karanganyar has confirmed the recovery of twelve more bodies. This brings the total confirmed death toll in the area to 48. He said that most bodies were recovered from three metre deep mud and required heavy digging machinery to retrieve. 28 remain missing.
Local resident Siswo told AFP "Suddenly I felt my house shaking, and I thought it was an earthquake. When I got outside, I saw that the houses next to mine were already covered by earth," and that it struck twelve neighbouring houses.
In the next district, Wonogiri, disaster management centre head Sri Mubadi told reporters they had retrieved two more bodies, reaching a total of six, with eleven more missing. He also confirmed that they currently have no access to heavy equipment.
In Tawangmangu about 1,000 rescuers were also searching for bodies and survivors without the aid of heavy machinery. Three more bodies were retrieved today.
Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir toured a Karanganyar village, at which time he commented that he felt the disaster had been caused as a form of divine revenge, saying "This was likely caused by immoral acts going on here," and "This could be a lesson to be learned." The 69-year-old served two years after being linked to the 2002 Bali bombings, before having his conviction overturned last year.
Chalid Muhammad, director of Walhi, an Indonesian environmental group, had a different opinion. "For five consecutive years landslides and floods have occurred in Java, claiming many lives. The main trigger is ecological destruction caused by deforestation, forest conversions and chaotic spatial planning," Chalid told Reuters.
"There have been no adequate efforts by the government to protect the people from disasters. When the landslides happened officials were on holiday and there was no access of heavy equipment to the affected areas."
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Wall of Siberian tiger enclosure at San Francisco Zoo is too short
The San Francisco Zoo has admitted that the walls of the enclosure around their Siberian tiger exhibit are too short. On December 25, Tatiana, one of two Siberians at the Zoo, climbed the wall and attacked three people, killing one. Reports say that Tatiana used her front claws to grab on the observation ledge of the enclosure and pull herself up out of her habitat.
On Wednesday the Director of the Zoo, Manuel A. Mollinedo told the media that the enclosure's wall was 18 feet high, but today he came forward and admitted that the wall was only 12 feet 5 inches high. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) recommends the wall be at least 16 feet high. Mollinedo also said that he believes Tatiana escaped her enclosure by jumping or climbing it.
The Zoo is accredited with the Association through 2011. According to the Association's website, for a zoo or aquarium to become accredited with the AZA, they must fill out an application and "the [AZA] Accreditation Commission [must] evaluate every zoo or aquarium to make sure it meets AZA's standards for animal management and care, including living environments, social groupings, health, and nutrition. We also make sure that animals are provided with enrichment, which stimulates each animal's natural behavior and provides variety in their daily routine." The commission meets twice a year to evaluate applications.
"The San Francisco Zoo is a great zoo, it's an accredited AZA member in good standing, and it has our support during this difficult time. AZA mandatory accreditation standards require that the San Francisco Zoo provide a thorough report to its independent Accreditation Commission, which will review it and determine any actions that need to be taken. We will not speculate on what action might be taken until the facts are fully reviewed," said a statement on the AZA's website posted on Wednesday.
Tatiana at the Zoo before she was killed. Image: Matt Knoth.
Tatiana at the Zoo before she was killed.
Image: Matt Knoth.
"AZA-accredited zoos are safe. Until this incident, there had not been a visitor fatality resulting from an animal escape at an AZA-accredited zoo. AZA mandatory accreditation standards require safety and emergency protocols that go beyond federal, state or local requirements. Regular safety training and annual emergency drills are required by these mandatory accreditation standards," added the statement.
According to Mollinedo the Association inspected the Zoo in 2004, but never pointed out that the wall was too short. The enclosure is also surrounded by a dry moat that is 12 feet deep at the corners and 13 feet deep at the center.
Police are still investigating the incident and deny reports that the injured brothers Kulbir Dhaliwal, 23, and Paul Dhaliwal, 19 along with their friend Carlos Sousa Jr., who was killed, were taunting Tatiana by dangling a leg into her enclosure. Police do say that a footprint was found at the scene, but no further details are known. The brothers both received severe upper body and arm lacerations, but are expected to be released from the hospital on Saturday.
"We have no information at this point that they did or did not go over the railing," said Chief of the San Francisco Police Department, Heather Fong.
On Wednesday, Fong stated that "[The incident is being treated as a crime] because we're not certain why the incident occurred - as result of human action or whether this was an incident where the animal was able to get out of the grotto."
The Zoo remains closed for business and it is not known when it will reopen.
On Wednesday the Director of the Zoo, Manuel A. Mollinedo told the media that the enclosure's wall was 18 feet high, but today he came forward and admitted that the wall was only 12 feet 5 inches high. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) recommends the wall be at least 16 feet high. Mollinedo also said that he believes Tatiana escaped her enclosure by jumping or climbing it.
The Zoo is accredited with the Association through 2011. According to the Association's website, for a zoo or aquarium to become accredited with the AZA, they must fill out an application and "the [AZA] Accreditation Commission [must] evaluate every zoo or aquarium to make sure it meets AZA's standards for animal management and care, including living environments, social groupings, health, and nutrition. We also make sure that animals are provided with enrichment, which stimulates each animal's natural behavior and provides variety in their daily routine." The commission meets twice a year to evaluate applications.
"The San Francisco Zoo is a great zoo, it's an accredited AZA member in good standing, and it has our support during this difficult time. AZA mandatory accreditation standards require that the San Francisco Zoo provide a thorough report to its independent Accreditation Commission, which will review it and determine any actions that need to be taken. We will not speculate on what action might be taken until the facts are fully reviewed," said a statement on the AZA's website posted on Wednesday.
Tatiana at the Zoo before she was killed. Image: Matt Knoth.
Tatiana at the Zoo before she was killed.
Image: Matt Knoth.
"AZA-accredited zoos are safe. Until this incident, there had not been a visitor fatality resulting from an animal escape at an AZA-accredited zoo. AZA mandatory accreditation standards require safety and emergency protocols that go beyond federal, state or local requirements. Regular safety training and annual emergency drills are required by these mandatory accreditation standards," added the statement.
According to Mollinedo the Association inspected the Zoo in 2004, but never pointed out that the wall was too short. The enclosure is also surrounded by a dry moat that is 12 feet deep at the corners and 13 feet deep at the center.
Police are still investigating the incident and deny reports that the injured brothers Kulbir Dhaliwal, 23, and Paul Dhaliwal, 19 along with their friend Carlos Sousa Jr., who was killed, were taunting Tatiana by dangling a leg into her enclosure. Police do say that a footprint was found at the scene, but no further details are known. The brothers both received severe upper body and arm lacerations, but are expected to be released from the hospital on Saturday.
"We have no information at this point that they did or did not go over the railing," said Chief of the San Francisco Police Department, Heather Fong.
On Wednesday, Fong stated that "[The incident is being treated as a crime] because we're not certain why the incident occurred - as result of human action or whether this was an incident where the animal was able to get out of the grotto."
The Zoo remains closed for business and it is not known when it will reopen.
Bilawal Bhutto, son of Benazir, to assume leadership of PPP
It has been announced that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, 19, the son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto will take her place as the head of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and lead the party alongside his father Asif Ali Zardari. It is also announced and confirmed that the PPP along with the Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), will contest the upcoming elections for a new Prime Minister on January 8.
"I stand committed to the stability of the federation. The long and historic struggle for democracy will continue with renewed vigor. My mother always said democracy is the best revenge," said Bhutto in a statement during a press conference today.
It is reported that Benazir wanted her son to take her place if anything happened to her, according to her will which was written just two days before she returned to Pakistan from exile in October.
It has also been announced that the PPP has voted in favor of a resolution that calls for an investigation into Benazir's assassination which will be given to the United Nations. The resolution says that they would like the United Kingdom to help with the investigation, and that the PPP does not trust any investigations performed by the government of Pakistan.
Despite Bhutto being the new head of the PPP, Zardari says that Mukhdoom Amin Fahim, a loyal party member, will run in any elections for a new Pakistani Prime minister. But his bid for the seat may have to wait.
The current ruling party in Pakistan the PML-Q party states that because of continuing violence and riots in Pakistan that were set off by Benazir's assassination, elections may not be held for another three months or more. So far, elections are scheduled to take place on January 8, 2008.
Asif Ali Zardari is expected to handle the Party's affairs until Bhutto returns from England, where he is currently in school studying in Christ Church, at the University of Oxford. When he returns, control of the Party will be handed over to him. Despite that, Zardari states that he will be answering questions from the media and politicians because Bhutto is still "of a tender age."
"I stand committed to the stability of the federation. The long and historic struggle for democracy will continue with renewed vigor. My mother always said democracy is the best revenge," said Bhutto in a statement during a press conference today.
It is reported that Benazir wanted her son to take her place if anything happened to her, according to her will which was written just two days before she returned to Pakistan from exile in October.
It has also been announced that the PPP has voted in favor of a resolution that calls for an investigation into Benazir's assassination which will be given to the United Nations. The resolution says that they would like the United Kingdom to help with the investigation, and that the PPP does not trust any investigations performed by the government of Pakistan.
Despite Bhutto being the new head of the PPP, Zardari says that Mukhdoom Amin Fahim, a loyal party member, will run in any elections for a new Pakistani Prime minister. But his bid for the seat may have to wait.
The current ruling party in Pakistan the PML-Q party states that because of continuing violence and riots in Pakistan that were set off by Benazir's assassination, elections may not be held for another three months or more. So far, elections are scheduled to take place on January 8, 2008.
Asif Ali Zardari is expected to handle the Party's affairs until Bhutto returns from England, where he is currently in school studying in Christ Church, at the University of Oxford. When he returns, control of the Party will be handed over to him. Despite that, Zardari states that he will be answering questions from the media and politicians because Bhutto is still "of a tender age."
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Religious debates over Harry Potter
Religious debates over Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling stem largely from assertions that the Harry Potter novels contain occult or Satanic subtexts. This opposition crosses many religious lines, with some members of Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox Christians, in addition to Shia and Sunni Muslim faiths, arguing against the series.
In the United States calls for the books to be banned from schools have led occasionally to widely publicised legal challenges, usually on the grounds that witchcraft is a government-recognised religion and that to allow the books to be held in public schools violates the separation of church and state.[1][2][3] Religious opposition has also surfaced in other nations. The Orthodox churches of Greece and Bulgaria have campaigned against the series, and members of the Vatican hierarchy have voiced opposition. The books have been banned from private schools in the United Arab Emirates and criticised in the Iranian state-run press.
Responses to these claims have come from many corners. Supporters of the series have asserted that the magic in Harry Potter bears little resemblance to the magic of real life witchcraft or occultism, and more to the mechanical magic of Cinderella, Snow White and other fairy tales, and also to the works of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, both authors frequently endorsed by Christians.[4] Far from promoting a particular religion, some argue,[4] the Harry Potter novels go out of their way to avoid discussing religion at all. The books' author, J. K. Rowling, describes herself as a practising Christian, and many have noted the overtly Christian references she includes in the final Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Religious responses to Harry Potter have not been exclusively negative. "At least as much as they've been attacked from a theological point of view," notes Rowling, "[the books] have been lauded and taken into pulpit, and most interesting and satisfying for me, it's been by several different faiths."[5]
In the United States calls for the books to be banned from schools have led occasionally to widely publicised legal challenges, usually on the grounds that witchcraft is a government-recognised religion and that to allow the books to be held in public schools violates the separation of church and state.[1][2][3] Religious opposition has also surfaced in other nations. The Orthodox churches of Greece and Bulgaria have campaigned against the series, and members of the Vatican hierarchy have voiced opposition. The books have been banned from private schools in the United Arab Emirates and criticised in the Iranian state-run press.
Responses to these claims have come from many corners. Supporters of the series have asserted that the magic in Harry Potter bears little resemblance to the magic of real life witchcraft or occultism, and more to the mechanical magic of Cinderella, Snow White and other fairy tales, and also to the works of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, both authors frequently endorsed by Christians.[4] Far from promoting a particular religion, some argue,[4] the Harry Potter novels go out of their way to avoid discussing religion at all. The books' author, J. K. Rowling, describes herself as a practising Christian, and many have noted the overtly Christian references she includes in the final Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Religious responses to Harry Potter have not been exclusively negative. "At least as much as they've been attacked from a theological point of view," notes Rowling, "[the books] have been lauded and taken into pulpit, and most interesting and satisfying for me, it's been by several different faiths."[5]
Friday, December 28, 2007
South African prosecutors charge ANC leader Jacob Zuma with corruption
Corruption-related charges have been brought against Jacob Zuma, newly-elected leader of the African National Congress (ANC), according to his lawyer. A trial is scheduled to begin on August 14, 2008.
The charges stem from an arms deal with a French company, which is alleged to have involved bribes and fraud. Zuma's financial adviser at the time, Schabir Shaik, was convicted in 2005 of attempting to solicit a bribe of US$72,500 per year from the arms company on Zuma's behalf and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Zuma was fired as deputy president in 2005 by South African President Thabo Mbeki due to the scandal.
Two-term ANC leader Mbeki recently lost an ANC leadership contest to Jacob Zuma, who garnered about 60 percent of delegate votes in his win.
Zuma had been charged with corruption in 2005, but the case was dismissed on procedural grounds. Michael Hulley, Zuma's defence lawyer, indicated that they will strongly contest the new charges in court. Hulley also suggested that the South African government's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and its anti-organised crime division known as The Scorpions, have carried out a smear campaign against Zuma.
"These charges will be vigorously defended, in the context of the belief that the Scorpions (NPA) have acted wrongly and with improper motive calculated to discredit Mr. Zuma and ensure that he play no leadership role in the political future of our country," said Michael Hulley in a statement.
Given that the ANC has been the governing party in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, it is likely that Jacob Zuma could become the next president after general elections in 2009. Zuma has said, however, that he would resign if he was found guilty by the courts.
The charges stem from an arms deal with a French company, which is alleged to have involved bribes and fraud. Zuma's financial adviser at the time, Schabir Shaik, was convicted in 2005 of attempting to solicit a bribe of US$72,500 per year from the arms company on Zuma's behalf and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Zuma was fired as deputy president in 2005 by South African President Thabo Mbeki due to the scandal.
Two-term ANC leader Mbeki recently lost an ANC leadership contest to Jacob Zuma, who garnered about 60 percent of delegate votes in his win.
Zuma had been charged with corruption in 2005, but the case was dismissed on procedural grounds. Michael Hulley, Zuma's defence lawyer, indicated that they will strongly contest the new charges in court. Hulley also suggested that the South African government's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and its anti-organised crime division known as The Scorpions, have carried out a smear campaign against Zuma.
"These charges will be vigorously defended, in the context of the belief that the Scorpions (NPA) have acted wrongly and with improper motive calculated to discredit Mr. Zuma and ensure that he play no leadership role in the political future of our country," said Michael Hulley in a statement.
Given that the ANC has been the governing party in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, it is likely that Jacob Zuma could become the next president after general elections in 2009. Zuma has said, however, that he would resign if he was found guilty by the courts.
Man dies on ride at Disney World in Florida; possibly had prior conditions
A man has died after riding the Expedition Everest roller coaster at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.
The man, identified as Jeffery Reed, 44 from Navarre, was given CPR after being pulled off the ride unconscious, and was taken in an ambulance to Celebration Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Reed had no external signs of injuries, and police are investigating to determine whether or not Reed may have had any pre-existing medical conditions. An autopsy is to be performed on the body, but details have not yet been released.
Reed was believed to have been conscious at least 50 seconds before the ride ended, when a camera took a picture of him. Cameras are sometimes placed on roller coasters so that riders can buy a photo of themselves as they go down a hill.
It is reported that the ride, which opened in 2006, was functioning properly at the time of the incident, but has been closed until further notice.
The Walt Disney World website for the ride says "WARNING! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride."
Since 1989, 15 people have died while riding on rides at the park; many who have died on park rides have had prior aliments.
A four-year-old who died on the Body Wars ride in 1995 had a cardiac conduction defect, which is a congenital heart condition; the mother insisted the girl had no history of health problems, but relatives told officials that the girl was being treated at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for undisclosed reasons.
Autopsy of a boy who died on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster in 2006 found he too had a congenital heart problem. In 2006, a 49-year-old German tourist died in a hospital after she fell ill on the Mission: Space ride, from bleeding brain caused by high blood pressure, not provoked by the ride.
The man, identified as Jeffery Reed, 44 from Navarre, was given CPR after being pulled off the ride unconscious, and was taken in an ambulance to Celebration Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Reed had no external signs of injuries, and police are investigating to determine whether or not Reed may have had any pre-existing medical conditions. An autopsy is to be performed on the body, but details have not yet been released.
Reed was believed to have been conscious at least 50 seconds before the ride ended, when a camera took a picture of him. Cameras are sometimes placed on roller coasters so that riders can buy a photo of themselves as they go down a hill.
It is reported that the ride, which opened in 2006, was functioning properly at the time of the incident, but has been closed until further notice.
The Walt Disney World website for the ride says "WARNING! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride."
Since 1989, 15 people have died while riding on rides at the park; many who have died on park rides have had prior aliments.
A four-year-old who died on the Body Wars ride in 1995 had a cardiac conduction defect, which is a congenital heart condition; the mother insisted the girl had no history of health problems, but relatives told officials that the girl was being treated at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for undisclosed reasons.
Autopsy of a boy who died on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster in 2006 found he too had a congenital heart problem. In 2006, a 49-year-old German tourist died in a hospital after she fell ill on the Mission: Space ride, from bleeding brain caused by high blood pressure, not provoked by the ride.
Former 'American Idol' finalist Jessica Sierra pregnant
is pregnant, according to the Falkenburg Road Jail in Tampa, Florida, where she is imprisoned awaiting trial for charges of disorderly intoxication, violating parole and resisting arrest. Sierra became famous after once reaching the finals of American Idol.
Reports have been made by the prison infirmary that Sierra has been moved to a pregnancy diet and is confirmed to be pregnant. The father is said to be an unidentified rap musician.
Sierra had originally been due to go before a judge on the 20th, but her pregnancy has caused this to be postponed indefinitely.
Sierra was arrested on December 2 outside a local bar, and is being held without bond. Police claim that after they arrived, she first assaulted an officer then attempted to bribe him by offering to perform a sex act on him. Only two weeks earlier she had pleaded no contest to charges of battery and possessing cocaine. If she is convicted of all the new charges, she could be imprisoned for up to 11 years, which would mean she would have the baby whilst still in prison.
Sierra earlier pled not guilty to all charges.
Reports have been made by the prison infirmary that Sierra has been moved to a pregnancy diet and is confirmed to be pregnant. The father is said to be an unidentified rap musician.
Sierra had originally been due to go before a judge on the 20th, but her pregnancy has caused this to be postponed indefinitely.
Sierra was arrested on December 2 outside a local bar, and is being held without bond. Police claim that after they arrived, she first assaulted an officer then attempted to bribe him by offering to perform a sex act on him. Only two weeks earlier she had pleaded no contest to charges of battery and possessing cocaine. If she is convicted of all the new charges, she could be imprisoned for up to 11 years, which would mean she would have the baby whilst still in prison.
Sierra earlier pled not guilty to all charges.
Chad court sentences six French aid workers to eight years of hard labour
A Chadian court today sentenced six French aid workers to eight years of hard labour for their role in a plot to kidnap 103 African children and fly them to France. The four men and two women have been in custody since October 25. They were also ordered to pay damages for each of the 103 children totaling the equivalent of US$9 million.
Two others, a Chadian and a Sudenese national, were each sentenced to four years, while two other Chadians were found not guilty.
The six French aid workers just sentenced belong to Zoe's Ark, a French charity, which had arranged for 103 children to be flown out of Chad, in what the charity described as an attempt to rescue them from the humanitarian crisis created as a result of the neighbouring Darfur conflict. However, on Wednesday a Chadian court found the six aid workers guilty of attempting to kidnap the children. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had earlier revealed that many of the children involved were not orphans.
On November 4, seven associates of the aid workers were set free, having been exonerated of any wrongdoing in the affair.
Due to a 1976 agreement between France and Chad regarding judicial affairs, France has indicated it will press for the transfer of its nationals back to France to serve out their time in a French prison. "France, after obtaining the agreement of the members of Zoe's Ark, and examining the implementation of the judicial co-operation accord between France and Chad, in particular article 29, will ask the Chadian authorities for the transfer of the prisoners to France," said Pascale Andreani, spokesperson for the French foreign ministry.
Two others, a Chadian and a Sudenese national, were each sentenced to four years, while two other Chadians were found not guilty.
The six French aid workers just sentenced belong to Zoe's Ark, a French charity, which had arranged for 103 children to be flown out of Chad, in what the charity described as an attempt to rescue them from the humanitarian crisis created as a result of the neighbouring Darfur conflict. However, on Wednesday a Chadian court found the six aid workers guilty of attempting to kidnap the children. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had earlier revealed that many of the children involved were not orphans.
On November 4, seven associates of the aid workers were set free, having been exonerated of any wrongdoing in the affair.
Due to a 1976 agreement between France and Chad regarding judicial affairs, France has indicated it will press for the transfer of its nationals back to France to serve out their time in a French prison. "France, after obtaining the agreement of the members of Zoe's Ark, and examining the implementation of the judicial co-operation accord between France and Chad, in particular article 29, will ask the Chadian authorities for the transfer of the prisoners to France," said Pascale Andreani, spokesperson for the French foreign ministry.
Feared toll of Indonesian floods, landslides up to 130; dozens missing as bridge swept away
Heavy rains in Indonesia yesterday triggered widespread flooding and landslides across the nation. It has emerged that last night a bridge was swept away by the swollen river it stretched across, leaving around 40 to 50 people missing in Madiun, East Java. Meanwhile, the total toll of those known or feared to be dead has reached 130.
According to local police chief Supardi in a telephone conversation with Xinhua the flood waters weakened a foundation, resulting in the collapse. At least twenty motorcyclists, car drivers and passengers are thought to be dead, but as of midnight, no bodies had been recovered. However, three bikes have been retrieved. 100 rescuers have been dispatched to the scene. Continuing heavy rain forced the search to be abandoned temporarily.
Java as a whole is the worst affected island; in addition to the bridge collapse most of the landslides occurred in two Central Java districts. Health ministry official Rustam Pakaya told reporters that at least 28,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes in central Java, although exact figures are not yet availible. The Red Cross commented that 45,000 East Javanese people have been similarly displaced. Thousands are seeking shelter in mosques and other public buildings.
Landslides buried houses and made roads impassable, while hundreds police officers, military personnel, local officials and volunteers have been digging with farm tools and even their hands to search for survivors. Heavy machinery is availible but the road conditions have prevented it arriving at the areas where it is required. Jakarta has dispatched aid in the form of five tonnes of biscuits and instant meals, ten tonnes of baby food and multiple boats.
Heru Aji Pratomo, head of the disaster management centre in the worst-hit district of Karanganyar has confirmed the recovery of twelve more bodies. This brings the total confirmed death toll in the area to 48. He said that most bodies were recovered from three metre deep mud and required heavy digging machinery to retrieve. 28 remain missing.
Local resident Siswo told AFP "Suddenly I felt my house shaking, and I thought it was an earthquake. When I got outside, I saw that the houses next to mine were already covered by earth," and that it struck twelve neighbouring houses.
In the next district, Wonogiri, disaster management centre head Sri Mubadi told reporters they had retrieved two more bodies, reaching a total of six, with eleven more missing. He also confirmed that they currently have no access to heavy equipment.
In Tawangmangu about 1,000 rescuers were also searching for bodies and survivors without the aid of heavy machinery. Three more bodies were retrieved today.
Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir toured a Karanganyar village, at which time he commented that he felt the disaster had been caused as a form of divine revenge, saying "This was likely caused by immoral acts going on here," and "This could be a lesson to be learned." The 69-year-old served two years after being linked to the 2002 Bali bombings, before having his conviction overturned last year.
Chalid Muhammad, director of Walhi, an Indonesian environmental group, had a different opinion. "For five consecutive years landslides and floods have occurred in Java, claiming many lives. The main trigger is ecological destruction caused by deforestation, forest conversions and chaotic spatial planning," Chalid told Reuters.
"There have been no adequate efforts by the government to protect the people from disasters. When the landslides happened officials were on holiday and there was no access of heavy equipment to the affected areas."
According to local police chief Supardi in a telephone conversation with Xinhua the flood waters weakened a foundation, resulting in the collapse. At least twenty motorcyclists, car drivers and passengers are thought to be dead, but as of midnight, no bodies had been recovered. However, three bikes have been retrieved. 100 rescuers have been dispatched to the scene. Continuing heavy rain forced the search to be abandoned temporarily.
Java as a whole is the worst affected island; in addition to the bridge collapse most of the landslides occurred in two Central Java districts. Health ministry official Rustam Pakaya told reporters that at least 28,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes in central Java, although exact figures are not yet availible. The Red Cross commented that 45,000 East Javanese people have been similarly displaced. Thousands are seeking shelter in mosques and other public buildings.
Landslides buried houses and made roads impassable, while hundreds police officers, military personnel, local officials and volunteers have been digging with farm tools and even their hands to search for survivors. Heavy machinery is availible but the road conditions have prevented it arriving at the areas where it is required. Jakarta has dispatched aid in the form of five tonnes of biscuits and instant meals, ten tonnes of baby food and multiple boats.
Heru Aji Pratomo, head of the disaster management centre in the worst-hit district of Karanganyar has confirmed the recovery of twelve more bodies. This brings the total confirmed death toll in the area to 48. He said that most bodies were recovered from three metre deep mud and required heavy digging machinery to retrieve. 28 remain missing.
Local resident Siswo told AFP "Suddenly I felt my house shaking, and I thought it was an earthquake. When I got outside, I saw that the houses next to mine were already covered by earth," and that it struck twelve neighbouring houses.
In the next district, Wonogiri, disaster management centre head Sri Mubadi told reporters they had retrieved two more bodies, reaching a total of six, with eleven more missing. He also confirmed that they currently have no access to heavy equipment.
In Tawangmangu about 1,000 rescuers were also searching for bodies and survivors without the aid of heavy machinery. Three more bodies were retrieved today.
Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir toured a Karanganyar village, at which time he commented that he felt the disaster had been caused as a form of divine revenge, saying "This was likely caused by immoral acts going on here," and "This could be a lesson to be learned." The 69-year-old served two years after being linked to the 2002 Bali bombings, before having his conviction overturned last year.
Chalid Muhammad, director of Walhi, an Indonesian environmental group, had a different opinion. "For five consecutive years landslides and floods have occurred in Java, claiming many lives. The main trigger is ecological destruction caused by deforestation, forest conversions and chaotic spatial planning," Chalid told Reuters.
"There have been no adequate efforts by the government to protect the people from disasters. When the landslides happened officials were on holiday and there was no access of heavy equipment to the affected areas."
US Presidential candidates offer condolences to family of Benazir Bhutto
The United States Presidential candidates offered condolences to Benazir Bhutto's family and to the country of Pakistan today. Multiple candidates offered up messages about this former foreign leader.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Bhutto was killed in a suicide attack as she was leaving a political rally in the city of Rawalpindi. At least 20 people died in the attack, local reports say. The attack has been condemned internationally.
Slate columnist John Dickerson commented that "Moments after former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's death was announced, I was getting e-mails from campaign aides, political obsessives, and the campaigns themselves. The candidates are quick to express their sadness, of course, but everyone is moving so fast because they're trying to muscle into the news cycle more than ever. There's only a week to go before the Iowa caucuses, and this murder lands right in the middle of a key issue in both parties. The ability to react to unpredictable news in a crazy world is at the heart of both primary debates."
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Bhutto was killed in a suicide attack as she was leaving a political rally in the city of Rawalpindi. At least 20 people died in the attack, local reports say. The attack has been condemned internationally.
Slate columnist John Dickerson commented that "Moments after former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's death was announced, I was getting e-mails from campaign aides, political obsessives, and the campaigns themselves. The candidates are quick to express their sadness, of course, but everyone is moving so fast because they're trying to muscle into the news cycle more than ever. There's only a week to go before the Iowa caucuses, and this murder lands right in the middle of a key issue in both parties. The ability to react to unpredictable news in a crazy world is at the heart of both primary debates."
2007-08 Aztec Cup Winter Cyber Games in Taiwan starts charity and competitive
"Aztec Cup", named and famous in Taiwan on cyber-gaming industry, started in Taipei today and will run until January 6, 2008 at Taipei New World Shopping Center. Companies like iKala, Bandai-Namco, International Games System, Kingston Technology, and Seednet all supported this competition to help donations with Child Welfare League Foundation of the Republic Of China on public welfares.
According to the main organizer, Aztec Master Plan, the Aztec Cup would be scheduled with different gaming natures and populations by seasonal or friendship competitions. Several games might be chosen as the official games frequently in different kind competitions.
By the way for the sponsors, they identically agreed the combination with charity, cyber-gaming, and entertainment by the organizer in winter because it (the competition) can help the disadvantage organizations and developments of the cyber-gaming industry.
Also in the press conference, Taipei New World Shopping Center, the venue owner, mentioned to media: "We [the owner] definitively supported the gaming industry as some good examples like X06 Taiwan, 2006 World Cyber Games Taiwan Qualifier, and NBA 2K8 Asia Championship Taiwan Qualifier successively held in this venue. We hope the public can participate this competition to support the gaming industry in Taiwan."
According to the main organizer, Aztec Master Plan, the Aztec Cup would be scheduled with different gaming natures and populations by seasonal or friendship competitions. Several games might be chosen as the official games frequently in different kind competitions.
By the way for the sponsors, they identically agreed the combination with charity, cyber-gaming, and entertainment by the organizer in winter because it (the competition) can help the disadvantage organizations and developments of the cyber-gaming industry.
Also in the press conference, Taipei New World Shopping Center, the venue owner, mentioned to media: "We [the owner] definitively supported the gaming industry as some good examples like X06 Taiwan, 2006 World Cyber Games Taiwan Qualifier, and NBA 2K8 Asia Championship Taiwan Qualifier successively held in this venue. We hope the public can participate this competition to support the gaming industry in Taiwan."
Six dead in shooting Seattle, United States
Six people were found shot to death inside a home in Carnation, a city near Seattle, Washington in the United States.
According to the information officer for the King County sheriff's department, John Urquhart, they were victims of "homicidal violence." Investigators have ruled out murder-suicide.
The deaths are said to have occurred on Christmas Eve, and were discovered by a co-worker of the man living there at 8 a.m. PST (UTC-8), Wednesday.
"We have an investigation of suspicious deaths," said Detective Bob Conner. There are "no threats to any neighbors in the area," he added.
So far two people, a man and a woman who are only described as being in their twenties, have been arrested in connection with the shooting. CNN says that neither of the two individuals have "access to lawyers" and neither of them have confessed to any wrongdoing.
"This couple was among the people that showed up at the [crime] scene. And as we got to talking to them, we developed probable cause and made the arrests," said Sergeant John Urquhart.
The dead were described as a couple in their 50s, a couple in their 30s, and two children — a 6-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy.
Authorities describe it as a "complex and large" investigation with over 15 people gathering evidence.
According to the information officer for the King County sheriff's department, John Urquhart, they were victims of "homicidal violence." Investigators have ruled out murder-suicide.
The deaths are said to have occurred on Christmas Eve, and were discovered by a co-worker of the man living there at 8 a.m. PST (UTC-8), Wednesday.
"We have an investigation of suspicious deaths," said Detective Bob Conner. There are "no threats to any neighbors in the area," he added.
So far two people, a man and a woman who are only described as being in their twenties, have been arrested in connection with the shooting. CNN says that neither of the two individuals have "access to lawyers" and neither of them have confessed to any wrongdoing.
"This couple was among the people that showed up at the [crime] scene. And as we got to talking to them, we developed probable cause and made the arrests," said Sergeant John Urquhart.
The dead were described as a couple in their 50s, a couple in their 30s, and two children — a 6-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy.
Authorities describe it as a "complex and large" investigation with over 15 people gathering evidence.
President Bush signs Consolidated Appropriations Act 2008 makes history
On Wednesday, United States President George W. Bush signed into law a US$555 billion appropriation bill, called the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (aka H.R. 2764).
The bill will keep government agencies running through September 2008. It also includes US$70 billion, which will fund the military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan well into 2008.
The signing of the bill concluded a battle between Bush and the United States Congress, during which he threatened to use his Presidential veto. Even so, Bush complained about the final outcome of the bill:
"I am disappointed in the way the Congress compiled this legislation, including abandoning the goal I set early this year to reduce the number and cost of earmarks by half. Instead, the Congress dropped into the bill nearly 9,800 earmarks that total more than $10 billion. These projects are not funded through a merit-based process and provide a vehicle for wasteful Government spending," Bush said in a press release from the White House.
The bill will keep government agencies running through September 2008. It also includes US$70 billion, which will fund the military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan well into 2008.
The signing of the bill concluded a battle between Bush and the United States Congress, during which he threatened to use his Presidential veto. Even so, Bush complained about the final outcome of the bill:
"I am disappointed in the way the Congress compiled this legislation, including abandoning the goal I set early this year to reduce the number and cost of earmarks by half. Instead, the Congress dropped into the bill nearly 9,800 earmarks that total more than $10 billion. These projects are not funded through a merit-based process and provide a vehicle for wasteful Government spending," Bush said in a press release from the White House.
Tiger that escaped and killed 2
Zoo officials are now saying that a Siberian tiger that escaped her enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo in San Francisco, California on December 25, killing one and severely injuring two humans in the Terrace cafe, may have climbed or jumped over the walls that kept the tiger inside her habitat.
"The animal appears to have climbed or otherwise leaped out of the enclosure. There was no way out through the door," said Robert Jenkins, the zoo's director of animal care and conservation. The tiger has been identified as Tatiana, one of two Siberian tigers at the zoo. The other Siberian, Tony, was not involved in the attacks.
Police, who shot and killed Tatiana, are considering the incident a "crime scene" until they can determine if foul play may have been involved.
"[The incident is being treated as a crime] because we're not certain why the incident occurred - as result of human action or whether this was an incident where the animal was able to get out of the grotto," said Chief of the San Francisco Police Department Heather Fong.
The tigers at the zoo are held captive by the combination of a 20ft (6m) tall wall and a 15ft (4.5m) wide moat. Zoo officials say that there are no cameras around the enclosure, and the incident was not caught on any security cameras.
After the incident, all captive animals were counted and accounted for after the zoo was locked down, including the three other tigers that were in the cage. Earlier reports suggested that all of the tigers had escaped, which later turned out to be false.
Reports say that Carlos Sousa, 17, was killed by Tatiana, but the names of those injured have not yet been released. The human victims were all male, aged from their late teens to mid twenties. Both of the injured, aged 19 and 23, suffered severe upper body and arm lacerations, but their conditions have been upgraded from critical to stable condition at San Francisco General Hospital. It was earlier reported that one of the victims might have been a zoo worker, but later reports state all three were visitors.
"Our two victims, I'm happy to report, are doing very well right now. They are in very stable condition; they're in good spirits," said Dr. Rochelle Dicker to reporters at the hospital during a press conference.
Animal experts don't believe that the tiger attacked for food. Jack Hanna, animal expert and Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo in Powell, Ohio states that its possible someone may have "taunted" or "teased Tatiana."
"Were they taunting the animal? I don't know that right now. Were they throwing things that were making it angry? This is a first in this country. I've never heard of an individual (zoo visitor) being killed by an animal. It's much safer going to a zoo than getting in your car and going down the driveway," stated Hanna.
In 2006, another zoo worker was seriously injured by Tatiana while attempting to feed her, but survived the attack.
The zoo's two surviving tigers remain unexhibited while the investigation continues. The zoo currently has two species of tigers, one Siberian and one Sumatran tiger.
"The animal appears to have climbed or otherwise leaped out of the enclosure. There was no way out through the door," said Robert Jenkins, the zoo's director of animal care and conservation. The tiger has been identified as Tatiana, one of two Siberian tigers at the zoo. The other Siberian, Tony, was not involved in the attacks.
Police, who shot and killed Tatiana, are considering the incident a "crime scene" until they can determine if foul play may have been involved.
"[The incident is being treated as a crime] because we're not certain why the incident occurred - as result of human action or whether this was an incident where the animal was able to get out of the grotto," said Chief of the San Francisco Police Department Heather Fong.
The tigers at the zoo are held captive by the combination of a 20ft (6m) tall wall and a 15ft (4.5m) wide moat. Zoo officials say that there are no cameras around the enclosure, and the incident was not caught on any security cameras.
After the incident, all captive animals were counted and accounted for after the zoo was locked down, including the three other tigers that were in the cage. Earlier reports suggested that all of the tigers had escaped, which later turned out to be false.
Reports say that Carlos Sousa, 17, was killed by Tatiana, but the names of those injured have not yet been released. The human victims were all male, aged from their late teens to mid twenties. Both of the injured, aged 19 and 23, suffered severe upper body and arm lacerations, but their conditions have been upgraded from critical to stable condition at San Francisco General Hospital. It was earlier reported that one of the victims might have been a zoo worker, but later reports state all three were visitors.
"Our two victims, I'm happy to report, are doing very well right now. They are in very stable condition; they're in good spirits," said Dr. Rochelle Dicker to reporters at the hospital during a press conference.
Animal experts don't believe that the tiger attacked for food. Jack Hanna, animal expert and Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo in Powell, Ohio states that its possible someone may have "taunted" or "teased Tatiana."
"Were they taunting the animal? I don't know that right now. Were they throwing things that were making it angry? This is a first in this country. I've never heard of an individual (zoo visitor) being killed by an animal. It's much safer going to a zoo than getting in your car and going down the driveway," stated Hanna.
In 2006, another zoo worker was seriously injured by Tatiana while attempting to feed her, but survived the attack.
The zoo's two surviving tigers remain unexhibited while the investigation continues. The zoo currently has two species of tigers, one Siberian and one Sumatran tiger.
Benazir Bhutto has been killed
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been killed in a suicide attack as she was leaving a political rally in the city of Rawalpindi. At least 21 people died in the attack, local reports say. The attack has been condemned internationally. Earlier in October, a suicide bomber in Karachi killed 136 and injured over 450 Benazir Bhutto supporters.
Map of Pakistan with Rawalpindi underlined
Map of Pakistan with Rawalpindi underlined
Several reports from witnesses say Bhutto was shot once in the neck and once in the chest before the bomber blew himself up as Bhutto was leaving a rally of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP), for which she was party leader for life, held before elections scheduled for January 8th, after years of military rule.
According to Wasif Ali Khan, a member of Benazir Bhutto's PPP, she died at 18:16 (13:16 UTC), after 35 minutes of attempted resuscitation. The doctors said she had shrapnel injuries.
Her supporters, once informed of the death started chanting, "Dog Musharraf, dog," referring to President Pervez Musharraf. Many blamed Musharraf and the security services for the deaths. In their anger and confusion, PPP supporters destroyed the doors of Rawalpindi General Hospital. Others took to the streets in several cities, including Karachi, where tires were set on fire on the roads, a gas station was burned, and two police officers were wounded by gunmen. In Peshewar, about 100 PPP's supporters blocked the main trunk road, torching billboards and posters of the Musharraf-supporting Pakistan Muslim League-Q, opening fire in the air and screaming. Some buildings, including the main court and banks, were set on fire in Jacobabad as well.
...
Benazir Bhutto killed in suicide attack
The man first fired at Bhutto's vehicle. She ducked and then he blew himself up.
...
Benazir Bhutto killed in suicide attack
—Mohammad Shahid, Pakistani police officer
Bhutto was born on June 21, 1953 in Karachi, Pakistan. She served two times as Prime Minister of Pakistan. Bhutto had returned to Pakistan from exile to stand in the upcoming elections. In 2007, she was named the second most influential woman in the world in a list at the American Internet portal MSN.
Benazir Bhutto is survived by her husband Asif Ali Zardari and three children: Bilawal, Bakhtwar, and Aseefa.
[edit] Responses to the assassination
...
Benazir Bhutto killed in suicide attack
We are traumatised. People all over are crying. Everyone is saying that this Army has killed Benazir. There is going to be more bloodshed. Will the world now finally wake up?
...
Benazir Bhutto killed in suicide attack
—Asma Jehangir, Chairperson, Pak Human Rights Commission
A spokesman for the Interior Ministry of Pakistan said that "Terrorists are trying to derail the election process". He also said he couldn't say "whether Bhutto was the target of this attack or whether the attacker was trying to create chaos and bloodshed."
The minister for Pakistani external affairs said that he was "shocked," and that his "sympathy goes to [Bhutto's] husband and children". He also said "we were looking forward to democracy in Pakistan. The attack shows terror is on the march in Pakistan."
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that "In her death the subcontinent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country." He also said that "the manner of her going is a reminder of the common dangers that our region faces from cowardly acts of terrorism and of the need to eradicate this dangerous threat."
President Musharraf called for citizens of Pakistan to stay calm and said that terrorists can be defeated, providing people do not panic. He also said there was "a serious lapse of security."
United States President George W. Bush said the act that took place was a "cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy".
In a statement today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the killing of Bhutto. "I am shocked and outraged by the assassination of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto, the leader of the Pakistan People's Party and former Prime Minister. This represents an assault on stability in Pakistan and its democratic processes," said Ban. "I strongly condemn this heinous crime and call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice as soon as possible."
The Secretary-General also expressed condolences to Bhutto's family and the people of Pakistan. "While strongly urging for calm and restraint to be maintained at this difficult time, I call on all Pakistanis to work together for peace and national unity," said Ban.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called it "the saddest day" in Pakistan's history. "Something unthinkable has happened," he said. Sharif said his party will boycott Pakistan's January 8 elections in the wake of Bhutto's death.
Map of Pakistan with Rawalpindi underlined
Map of Pakistan with Rawalpindi underlined
Several reports from witnesses say Bhutto was shot once in the neck and once in the chest before the bomber blew himself up as Bhutto was leaving a rally of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP), for which she was party leader for life, held before elections scheduled for January 8th, after years of military rule.
According to Wasif Ali Khan, a member of Benazir Bhutto's PPP, she died at 18:16 (13:16 UTC), after 35 minutes of attempted resuscitation. The doctors said she had shrapnel injuries.
Her supporters, once informed of the death started chanting, "Dog Musharraf, dog," referring to President Pervez Musharraf. Many blamed Musharraf and the security services for the deaths. In their anger and confusion, PPP supporters destroyed the doors of Rawalpindi General Hospital. Others took to the streets in several cities, including Karachi, where tires were set on fire on the roads, a gas station was burned, and two police officers were wounded by gunmen. In Peshewar, about 100 PPP's supporters blocked the main trunk road, torching billboards and posters of the Musharraf-supporting Pakistan Muslim League-Q, opening fire in the air and screaming. Some buildings, including the main court and banks, were set on fire in Jacobabad as well.
...
Benazir Bhutto killed in suicide attack
The man first fired at Bhutto's vehicle. She ducked and then he blew himself up.
...
Benazir Bhutto killed in suicide attack
—Mohammad Shahid, Pakistani police officer
Bhutto was born on June 21, 1953 in Karachi, Pakistan. She served two times as Prime Minister of Pakistan. Bhutto had returned to Pakistan from exile to stand in the upcoming elections. In 2007, she was named the second most influential woman in the world in a list at the American Internet portal MSN.
Benazir Bhutto is survived by her husband Asif Ali Zardari and three children: Bilawal, Bakhtwar, and Aseefa.
[edit] Responses to the assassination
...
Benazir Bhutto killed in suicide attack
We are traumatised. People all over are crying. Everyone is saying that this Army has killed Benazir. There is going to be more bloodshed. Will the world now finally wake up?
...
Benazir Bhutto killed in suicide attack
—Asma Jehangir, Chairperson, Pak Human Rights Commission
A spokesman for the Interior Ministry of Pakistan said that "Terrorists are trying to derail the election process". He also said he couldn't say "whether Bhutto was the target of this attack or whether the attacker was trying to create chaos and bloodshed."
The minister for Pakistani external affairs said that he was "shocked," and that his "sympathy goes to [Bhutto's] husband and children". He also said "we were looking forward to democracy in Pakistan. The attack shows terror is on the march in Pakistan."
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that "In her death the subcontinent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country." He also said that "the manner of her going is a reminder of the common dangers that our region faces from cowardly acts of terrorism and of the need to eradicate this dangerous threat."
President Musharraf called for citizens of Pakistan to stay calm and said that terrorists can be defeated, providing people do not panic. He also said there was "a serious lapse of security."
United States President George W. Bush said the act that took place was a "cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy".
In a statement today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the killing of Bhutto. "I am shocked and outraged by the assassination of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto, the leader of the Pakistan People's Party and former Prime Minister. This represents an assault on stability in Pakistan and its democratic processes," said Ban. "I strongly condemn this heinous crime and call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice as soon as possible."
The Secretary-General also expressed condolences to Bhutto's family and the people of Pakistan. "While strongly urging for calm and restraint to be maintained at this difficult time, I call on all Pakistanis to work together for peace and national unity," said Ban.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called it "the saddest day" in Pakistan's history. "Something unthinkable has happened," he said. Sharif said his party will boycott Pakistan's January 8 elections in the wake of Bhutto's death.
Monday, December 10, 2007
A second human case of H5N1 bird flu is confirmed in eastern China
China confirmed on Friday that the father of a Chinese man who died of bird flu has also been infected with the H5N1 virus that causes the disease.
The 52-year-old man, surnamed Lu, was the father of the 24-year-old victim who died on Sunday, and a native of Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu. He developed symptoms of fever and was hospitalized for lower lobe pneumonia on Monday, according to the Ministry of Health.
Respiratory tract sample examinations by the provincial and national Disease Control and Prevention Center on Wednesday and Thursday confirmed he was H5N1 positive. The term refers to the virus's genetic make-up.
The Ministry of Health had also reported the case to the World Health Organization, authorities in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and some foreign governments.
The local government had taken prevention and control measures. All the people who had close contact with Lu have been put under strict medical observation. So far, they have shown no signs of the disease.
Lu's son was said to have no contact with dead poultry and the Jiangsu Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau had said earlier this week no bird flu epidemic had been discovered in the province.
China has reported 27 human cases of bird flu since 2003. Lu's son was the 17th Chinese to die of the disease since 2003.
Scientists fear the virus could mutate into a form that could pass easily from person to person, sparking a global pandemic.
The 52-year-old man, surnamed Lu, was the father of the 24-year-old victim who died on Sunday, and a native of Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu. He developed symptoms of fever and was hospitalized for lower lobe pneumonia on Monday, according to the Ministry of Health.
Respiratory tract sample examinations by the provincial and national Disease Control and Prevention Center on Wednesday and Thursday confirmed he was H5N1 positive. The term refers to the virus's genetic make-up.
The Ministry of Health had also reported the case to the World Health Organization, authorities in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and some foreign governments.
The local government had taken prevention and control measures. All the people who had close contact with Lu have been put under strict medical observation. So far, they have shown no signs of the disease.
Lu's son was said to have no contact with dead poultry and the Jiangsu Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau had said earlier this week no bird flu epidemic had been discovered in the province.
China has reported 27 human cases of bird flu since 2003. Lu's son was the 17th Chinese to die of the disease since 2003.
Scientists fear the virus could mutate into a form that could pass easily from person to person, sparking a global pandemic.
A state of disaster is declared in South Korea's Taean
At about 7:30 am local time on 7 December 2007 (2230 UTC on 6 December 2007), a crane barge owned by Samsung Heavy Industries being towed by a tug collided with the anchored Hong Kong registered very large crude carrier Hebei Spirit, carrying 260,000 tonnes (290,000 ST) of crude oil. The incident occurred near the Port of Daesan, off the coast of Taean in the Yellow Sea. The barge was floating free after the cable linking it to the tug snapped in the rough seas. Although no casualties were reported, the collision holed three of the five containers aboard Hebei Spirit and resulted in the leaking of some 10,800 tonnes (11,900 ST) of oil.[2][3]
The remaining oil from the damaged containers was successfully pumped out into the undamaged containers and the holes were successfully sealed.[4][5]
The spill occurred near Mallipo Beach, considered one of South Korea's most beautiful and popular beaches.[6] The region affected by the spill is also home to one of Asia's largest wetland areas, used by migratory bird and also contains a national maritime park. It is also home to 445 sea farms.[3]
[edit] Effects
It was initially believed the oil spill would not spread due to the cold winter temperatures. However, unseasonably warm weather, combined with strong waves and unexpected wind directions, resulted in the spill expanding beyond initial expectations.[7]
On 9 December it was reported that the oil slick was already 33 km (21 mi) long and 10 m (33 ft) wide and 10 cm (4 in) thick in some areas.[3][5][7] It was also reported that at least 30 beaches have been affected and over half of the regions sea farms are believed to have lost their stocks due to the spill. Shinduri Dune, a South Korean national treasure is reported to have been saturated by the spill.[7]
Although most migratory birds have not yet arrived in the region, sea gulls, mallard ducks and other sea life have been found tarred by the oil.[6][7]
[edit] Response
The South Korean government declared a state of disaster in the region. The cost of cleanup has been estimated at 300 billion South Korean won (US$330 million) which may fall on Lloyd's of London, the insurance company for the barge, and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. As of 13 December the clean up involved 15 helicopters, 178 boats and over 8,600 workers. It has also been estimated the cleanup will take at least two months.[1][7]
[edit] Responsibility
It has been reported that the regional office of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries had twice tried to warn the barge captain that the barge was too close to the tanker two hours before the incident but was unable to do so.[1] The barge captain is also under investigation for sailing through the area in rough weather.[6] The tanker is reported to have been at anchor when it was hit by the barge, which had broken free from its towing lines.[5]
The South Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and police admitted to having not provided sufficient amount of oil absorbent material to fishermen and residents as well as not having paid enough attention to the wind direction.[7]
The remaining oil from the damaged containers was successfully pumped out into the undamaged containers and the holes were successfully sealed.[4][5]
The spill occurred near Mallipo Beach, considered one of South Korea's most beautiful and popular beaches.[6] The region affected by the spill is also home to one of Asia's largest wetland areas, used by migratory bird and also contains a national maritime park. It is also home to 445 sea farms.[3]
[edit] Effects
It was initially believed the oil spill would not spread due to the cold winter temperatures. However, unseasonably warm weather, combined with strong waves and unexpected wind directions, resulted in the spill expanding beyond initial expectations.[7]
On 9 December it was reported that the oil slick was already 33 km (21 mi) long and 10 m (33 ft) wide and 10 cm (4 in) thick in some areas.[3][5][7] It was also reported that at least 30 beaches have been affected and over half of the regions sea farms are believed to have lost their stocks due to the spill. Shinduri Dune, a South Korean national treasure is reported to have been saturated by the spill.[7]
Although most migratory birds have not yet arrived in the region, sea gulls, mallard ducks and other sea life have been found tarred by the oil.[6][7]
[edit] Response
The South Korean government declared a state of disaster in the region. The cost of cleanup has been estimated at 300 billion South Korean won (US$330 million) which may fall on Lloyd's of London, the insurance company for the barge, and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. As of 13 December the clean up involved 15 helicopters, 178 boats and over 8,600 workers. It has also been estimated the cleanup will take at least two months.[1][7]
[edit] Responsibility
It has been reported that the regional office of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries had twice tried to warn the barge captain that the barge was too close to the tanker two hours before the incident but was unable to do so.[1] The barge captain is also under investigation for sailing through the area in rough weather.[6] The tanker is reported to have been at anchor when it was hit by the barge, which had broken free from its towing lines.[5]
The South Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and police admitted to having not provided sufficient amount of oil absorbent material to fishermen and residents as well as not having paid enough attention to the wind direction.[7]
The Westroads Mall shooting was a murder-suicide
Prior to the shooting
At first, Hawkins entered the Von Maur department store at about 1:36 p.m. CST (19:36 UTC). Almost immediately, he left, returning six minutes later through the same entrance, this time with a weapon concealed in a sweatshirt. He proceeded to the elevator, taking it to the top floor.[5]
Mall shooting victims[6]
1. Gary Scharf, age 48, customer.
2. John McDonald, age 65, customer.
3. Angie Shuster, age 36, employee.
4. Maggie Webb, age 24, employee.
5. Janet Jorgensen, age 66, employee.
6. Diane Trent, age 53, employee.
7. Gary Joy, age 56, employee.
8. Beverly Flynn, age 47, employee.
The shooting
At approximately 1:42 p.m. CST (19:42 UTC), Robert Hawkins stepped out of the elevator on the third floor and opened fire, mostly in three-round bursts, killing eight people and wounding three others—two critically—before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound near the customer service desk.[7][8][1] He fired more than 30 rounds, striking 11 people. Six died on the spot, one died before reaching the hospital, and another died 45 minutes after reaching the ER of another hospital.[1] The Omaha Police found a suicide note stating, "I'm gonna be fuckin famous."[9][10] According to an Omaha Police Department spokesperson, nine people, including the gunman, are confirmed dead.[11]
The injured
Three of the victims shot by Hawkins survived, with the two critically injured ones being store employees.[12] Fred Wilson, 61, was a manager for the customer service department. He was sent to the University of Nebraska Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the upper chest. By the time he reached the ER, he had lost three-quarters of his blood and had no pulse.[13] Wilson has since been upgraded to stable, and has made some attempts to communicate. The other critically wounded was customer service employee Micheale "Mickey" Oldham, 65, who was sent to Creighton University Medical Center. She sustained heavy injuries to the abdomen and back, and of the surviving victims, her condition remains the most critical.[13][14] The third person directly wounded by Hawkins was customer Jeff Schaffart, 34, who was treated and released at UNMC for a gunshot wound to the left arm and the pinky finger of his left hand.
Other hospital visits
Two others, who were not shot by Hawkins, were sent to local hospitals, treated and released: customer Brad Stafford, 55, who hit his head on a clothing rack while bolting for a hiding place, and an unidentified individual who was treated for an unrelated medical condition.[15]
Dismissed coincidences
On the day of the shooting, a man dressed in camouflage and "hiding under a bus-stop bench outside the mall" was taken into custody by the police.[14] On Friday night of the week before the shooting, authorities removed a live grenade from the parking lot of the same mall.[16]
Wikinews has related news:
9 killed in Omaha, Nebraska mall shooting
Von Maur and Westroads Mall reaction
The Von Maur corporate headquarters in Davenport, Iowa issued a statement saying, "We are deeply saddened by the horrific shooting at our Omaha store this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragic event, as well as their families."[7] A similar statement was shown on its web site's home page.[17] Westroads Mall also stated on its web site, "Our thoughts and prayers remain with all affected by this tragedy."[18] Its home page also indicated that the mall would remain closed until the following Saturday, December 8; however, the Von Maur, where the incident took place, will remain closed indefinitely.
At first, Hawkins entered the Von Maur department store at about 1:36 p.m. CST (19:36 UTC). Almost immediately, he left, returning six minutes later through the same entrance, this time with a weapon concealed in a sweatshirt. He proceeded to the elevator, taking it to the top floor.[5]
Mall shooting victims[6]
1. Gary Scharf, age 48, customer.
2. John McDonald, age 65, customer.
3. Angie Shuster, age 36, employee.
4. Maggie Webb, age 24, employee.
5. Janet Jorgensen, age 66, employee.
6. Diane Trent, age 53, employee.
7. Gary Joy, age 56, employee.
8. Beverly Flynn, age 47, employee.
The shooting
At approximately 1:42 p.m. CST (19:42 UTC), Robert Hawkins stepped out of the elevator on the third floor and opened fire, mostly in three-round bursts, killing eight people and wounding three others—two critically—before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound near the customer service desk.[7][8][1] He fired more than 30 rounds, striking 11 people. Six died on the spot, one died before reaching the hospital, and another died 45 minutes after reaching the ER of another hospital.[1] The Omaha Police found a suicide note stating, "I'm gonna be fuckin famous."[9][10] According to an Omaha Police Department spokesperson, nine people, including the gunman, are confirmed dead.[11]
The injured
Three of the victims shot by Hawkins survived, with the two critically injured ones being store employees.[12] Fred Wilson, 61, was a manager for the customer service department. He was sent to the University of Nebraska Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the upper chest. By the time he reached the ER, he had lost three-quarters of his blood and had no pulse.[13] Wilson has since been upgraded to stable, and has made some attempts to communicate. The other critically wounded was customer service employee Micheale "Mickey" Oldham, 65, who was sent to Creighton University Medical Center. She sustained heavy injuries to the abdomen and back, and of the surviving victims, her condition remains the most critical.[13][14] The third person directly wounded by Hawkins was customer Jeff Schaffart, 34, who was treated and released at UNMC for a gunshot wound to the left arm and the pinky finger of his left hand.
Other hospital visits
Two others, who were not shot by Hawkins, were sent to local hospitals, treated and released: customer Brad Stafford, 55, who hit his head on a clothing rack while bolting for a hiding place, and an unidentified individual who was treated for an unrelated medical condition.[15]
Dismissed coincidences
On the day of the shooting, a man dressed in camouflage and "hiding under a bus-stop bench outside the mall" was taken into custody by the police.[14] On Friday night of the week before the shooting, authorities removed a live grenade from the parking lot of the same mall.[16]
Wikinews has related news:
9 killed in Omaha, Nebraska mall shooting
Von Maur and Westroads Mall reaction
The Von Maur corporate headquarters in Davenport, Iowa issued a statement saying, "We are deeply saddened by the horrific shooting at our Omaha store this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragic event, as well as their families."[7] A similar statement was shown on its web site's home page.[17] Westroads Mall also stated on its web site, "Our thoughts and prayers remain with all affected by this tragedy."[18] Its home page also indicated that the mall would remain closed until the following Saturday, December 8; however, the Von Maur, where the incident took place, will remain closed indefinitely.
Conrad Black receives a 78-month jail sentence
Personal relationships and family
Conrad Black was born in Montreal to a wealthy family originally from Winnipeg. His father, George Montegu Black, Jr., was the president of Canadian Breweries, an international brewing conglomerate which earlier had absorbed Winnipeg Breweries, which was founded by George Black Sr. Conrad Black's mother was the former Jean Elizabeth Riley, a daughter of Conrad Stephenson Riley (whose father founded the Great-West Life Assurance Company), and a great-granddaughter of an early co-owner of the Daily Telegraph.
Black's first marriage was to Joanna (born Shirley) Hishon of Montreal, who worked as a secretary in his brother Montegu's brokerage office. The couple had two sons, Jonathan-David Conrad and James Patrick Leonard Black, and a daughter, Alana Whitney Elizabeth Black.[3] The couple separated in 1991. The Black divorce was finalized in 1992; the same year Black married Watford-born journalist Barbara Amiel. It was said that marriage to Amiel affirmed Black's position in the British glamour set. Black flattered Amiel, describing her variously as "beautiful, brilliant, ideologically a robust spirit" and "chic, humorous and preternaturally sexy." Courtroom evidence revealed that the couple exchanged over 11,000 emails.[4]
[edit] Early life and career
Black, described as "a bookish, clumsy youth,"[citation needed] was first educated at Upper Canada College (UCC), during which time, at age 8, he purchased shares in General Motors.[4] Six years later, according to Tom Bower's biography Conrad and Lady Black: Dancing on the Edge, he was expelled from UCC for selling stolen exam papers. He then attended Trinity College School where he lasted less than a year, being expelled for insubordinate behavior. Black eventually graduated from a small, now defunct private school in Toronto called Thornton Hall, continuing on to post-secondary education at Carleton University (History, 1965). For a time, he attended Toronto's Osgoode Hall Law School of York University; however, he dropped out during his first year of study. He eventually completed his law degree at Université Laval (Law, 1970), later completing a Master of Arts degree in history at McGill University in 1973.[5] Black's thesis, later published as a biography, was on Quebec premier Maurice Duplessis. Biographer George Toombs said of Black's motivations: "he was born into a very large family of athletic, handsome people. He wasn't particularly athletic or handsome like they were, so he developed a different skill - wordplay, which he practised a lot with his father."[4]
Black became involved in a number of businesses, mainly publishing newspapers, but briefly in mining. In 1966 Black bought his first newspaper, the Eastern Townships Advertiser in Quebec. Following the foundation, as an investment vehicle, of the Ravelston Corporation by the Black family in 1969, Black, together with friends David Radler and Peter G. White, purchased and operated the Sherbrooke Record, the small English language daily in Sherbrooke, Quebec. In 1971, the three formed Sterling Newspapers Limited, a holding company that would acquire several other small Canadian regional newspapers.
[edit] Corporate ownership through holding companies
George Black died in June 1976, leaving Conrad and his older brother, Montegu, a stake in a mining company called Hollinger, and a 22.4% stake in Ravelston Corp., which by then owned 61% voting control of Argus Corporation, an influential holding company in Canada. Early in his business career Conrad Black was taken under the wing of two prominent Canadian businessmen: John Angus "Bud" McDougald and E. P. Taylor, and following McDougald's death in 1978, Black acquired a controlling interest in the shareholdings of Argus.
On July 4 of the same year, Black paid $30-million to take control of Ravelston and voting control of Argus and its headquarters at 10 Toronto Street in Toronto. This controversial arrangement resulted in the widows of Argus Corp.'s McDougald and Eric Phillips (a daughter of Samuel McLaughlin, a founder of General Motors Canada) claiming that he had defrauded them. At the time, Argus owned some of Canada's most prominent blue-chip companies, including Dominion Stores, Massey Ferguson, Hollinger Mines. Black resigned as Chairman of the struggling Massey Ferguson company in 1979, after which Argus divested its shares to the employee union.[6] Hollinger Mines was then turned into a holding company.
In 1981 Norcen Energy, one of his companies, acquired a minority position in Ohio-based Hanna Mining Co. A filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stated that Norcen took "an investment position" in Hanna. However, the filing failed to disclose that Norcen's board planned to seek majority control. Black subsequently was charged by the SEC with filing misleading public statements, charges that were later withdrawn by "consent decree" after Black and Norcen agreed not to break securities laws in the future.
Black was ranked 235th in the Sunday Times Rich List 2004, with an estimated wealth of £175m. Despite his success, it was reported in Vanity Fair magazine that Black always carried a vomit bag with him due to the possible onset of frequent anxiety attacks.[4]
[edit] Dominion pension dispute
In 1984, Dominion Stores Ltd. withdrew over $56 million from the Dominion workers' pension plan surplus without consulting plan members. The firm said it considered the surplus the rightful property of the employer (Dominion Stores Ltd.). The Dominion Union complained, a public outcry ensued, and the case went to court. The Supreme Court of Ontario eventually ruled against the company on this case, and ordered the company to return the money to the pension fund, claiming that though the most recent language in the plan suggested the employer had ownership of the surplus, the original intention was to keep the surplus in the plan to increase members' benefits.[7] The company appealed the case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which upheld the lower court's decision.[8]
[edit] Black's allegations of libel
In 1983, Black sued U.S. society magazine Town & Country over an allegedly defamatory article by Canadian journalist and Black biographer Peter C. Newman. However, the case was not tested in a courtroom.
In 1990, the Canadian division of Penguin Books agreed to destroy 6,200 copies of Whose Money Is It Anyway?, after Black started a libel suit over passages about the Dominion pensions dispute.
Conrad Black was born in Montreal to a wealthy family originally from Winnipeg. His father, George Montegu Black, Jr., was the president of Canadian Breweries, an international brewing conglomerate which earlier had absorbed Winnipeg Breweries, which was founded by George Black Sr. Conrad Black's mother was the former Jean Elizabeth Riley, a daughter of Conrad Stephenson Riley (whose father founded the Great-West Life Assurance Company), and a great-granddaughter of an early co-owner of the Daily Telegraph.
Black's first marriage was to Joanna (born Shirley) Hishon of Montreal, who worked as a secretary in his brother Montegu's brokerage office. The couple had two sons, Jonathan-David Conrad and James Patrick Leonard Black, and a daughter, Alana Whitney Elizabeth Black.[3] The couple separated in 1991. The Black divorce was finalized in 1992; the same year Black married Watford-born journalist Barbara Amiel. It was said that marriage to Amiel affirmed Black's position in the British glamour set. Black flattered Amiel, describing her variously as "beautiful, brilliant, ideologically a robust spirit" and "chic, humorous and preternaturally sexy." Courtroom evidence revealed that the couple exchanged over 11,000 emails.[4]
[edit] Early life and career
Black, described as "a bookish, clumsy youth,"[citation needed] was first educated at Upper Canada College (UCC), during which time, at age 8, he purchased shares in General Motors.[4] Six years later, according to Tom Bower's biography Conrad and Lady Black: Dancing on the Edge, he was expelled from UCC for selling stolen exam papers. He then attended Trinity College School where he lasted less than a year, being expelled for insubordinate behavior. Black eventually graduated from a small, now defunct private school in Toronto called Thornton Hall, continuing on to post-secondary education at Carleton University (History, 1965). For a time, he attended Toronto's Osgoode Hall Law School of York University; however, he dropped out during his first year of study. He eventually completed his law degree at Université Laval (Law, 1970), later completing a Master of Arts degree in history at McGill University in 1973.[5] Black's thesis, later published as a biography, was on Quebec premier Maurice Duplessis. Biographer George Toombs said of Black's motivations: "he was born into a very large family of athletic, handsome people. He wasn't particularly athletic or handsome like they were, so he developed a different skill - wordplay, which he practised a lot with his father."[4]
Black became involved in a number of businesses, mainly publishing newspapers, but briefly in mining. In 1966 Black bought his first newspaper, the Eastern Townships Advertiser in Quebec. Following the foundation, as an investment vehicle, of the Ravelston Corporation by the Black family in 1969, Black, together with friends David Radler and Peter G. White, purchased and operated the Sherbrooke Record, the small English language daily in Sherbrooke, Quebec. In 1971, the three formed Sterling Newspapers Limited, a holding company that would acquire several other small Canadian regional newspapers.
[edit] Corporate ownership through holding companies
George Black died in June 1976, leaving Conrad and his older brother, Montegu, a stake in a mining company called Hollinger, and a 22.4% stake in Ravelston Corp., which by then owned 61% voting control of Argus Corporation, an influential holding company in Canada. Early in his business career Conrad Black was taken under the wing of two prominent Canadian businessmen: John Angus "Bud" McDougald and E. P. Taylor, and following McDougald's death in 1978, Black acquired a controlling interest in the shareholdings of Argus.
On July 4 of the same year, Black paid $30-million to take control of Ravelston and voting control of Argus and its headquarters at 10 Toronto Street in Toronto. This controversial arrangement resulted in the widows of Argus Corp.'s McDougald and Eric Phillips (a daughter of Samuel McLaughlin, a founder of General Motors Canada) claiming that he had defrauded them. At the time, Argus owned some of Canada's most prominent blue-chip companies, including Dominion Stores, Massey Ferguson, Hollinger Mines. Black resigned as Chairman of the struggling Massey Ferguson company in 1979, after which Argus divested its shares to the employee union.[6] Hollinger Mines was then turned into a holding company.
In 1981 Norcen Energy, one of his companies, acquired a minority position in Ohio-based Hanna Mining Co. A filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stated that Norcen took "an investment position" in Hanna. However, the filing failed to disclose that Norcen's board planned to seek majority control. Black subsequently was charged by the SEC with filing misleading public statements, charges that were later withdrawn by "consent decree" after Black and Norcen agreed not to break securities laws in the future.
Black was ranked 235th in the Sunday Times Rich List 2004, with an estimated wealth of £175m. Despite his success, it was reported in Vanity Fair magazine that Black always carried a vomit bag with him due to the possible onset of frequent anxiety attacks.[4]
[edit] Dominion pension dispute
In 1984, Dominion Stores Ltd. withdrew over $56 million from the Dominion workers' pension plan surplus without consulting plan members. The firm said it considered the surplus the rightful property of the employer (Dominion Stores Ltd.). The Dominion Union complained, a public outcry ensued, and the case went to court. The Supreme Court of Ontario eventually ruled against the company on this case, and ordered the company to return the money to the pension fund, claiming that though the most recent language in the plan suggested the employer had ownership of the surplus, the original intention was to keep the surplus in the plan to increase members' benefits.[7] The company appealed the case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which upheld the lower court's decision.[8]
[edit] Black's allegations of libel
In 1983, Black sued U.S. society magazine Town & Country over an allegedly defamatory article by Canadian journalist and Black biographer Peter C. Newman. However, the case was not tested in a courtroom.
In 1990, the Canadian division of Penguin Books agreed to destroy 6,200 copies of Whose Money Is It Anyway?, after Black started a libel suit over passages about the Dominion pensions dispute.
Deadly ice storm knocks out power to 500,000
Meteorological synopsis
Extratropical cyclone pumping subtropical moisture into the Southwestern United States December 1, 2007
Extratropical cyclone pumping subtropical moisture into the Southwestern United States December 1, 2007
A low-pressure system developed across the southwestern United States on November 30 and brought significant rainfall for portions of the Desert southwest as well as portions of southern California from Los Angeles to the Mexico border, where destructive fires took place in October 2007 near San Diego and Los Angeles.
The rain band then moved across the Rockies and formed a Colorado Low just southeast of Denver on the early hours of December 1. Most of the northern half of the country was under a dome of very cold air which was triggered by a weak Alberta Clipper and associated front that crossed continent prior to the storm and which brought significant lake-effect snows across the Great Lakes on November 29 and 30.
The newly formed storm then moved across the central parts of North America from Colorado to the Great Lakes bringing significant snows from the Dakotas to northern Ontario as well as in the mountain regions of New Mexico and Colorado. The storm is expected to strengthen as it approaches the Atlantic Coast on December 3 and will affect New England, Quebec, eastern Ontario and the Canadian Maritimes with a major winter storm with primarily snow with some mixing in the southern most areas. On December 5, the storm departed Newfoundland and Labrador, an area that was previously hit with a powerful storm which caused extensive power outages.
After the passage of the storm, more cold air was funneled across most of the eastern half of the country where additional lake-effect snows occurred for portions of Upper Michigan, New York States and south-central Ontario.
[edit] Impact
[edit] Intermountain west
On November 29 and November 30, as the storm moved out of the Pacific region, it dumped up to four feet (1.2 m) of snow in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado.[2] There was widespread rain at lower elevations throughout Colorado. The storm forced a men's World Cup Super-G skiing event at Beaver Creek, where the total was 15 inches, to be canceled. 44 inches was reported at Wolf Creek Pass and 36 inches at Gunnison, Colorado.[3][4] One person also died in an automobile accident in Colorado.[5] As the storm skirted by Utah on November 30 and December 1, it dropped up to 2 feet of snow in the mountains and widespread amounts of 4-10 inches (10-25cm) in the valleys as far north and west as the Wasatch Front. It also killed 1 person in a traffic accident between Santaquin and Payson.[6]
[edit] Midwest
The storm moved into the Corn Belt, in the morning of December 1, affecting the states of Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri. The storm produced a wintry mix across much of the region, including significant icing due to freezing rain of up to three-quarters of an inch (near 20 mm) thick locally in Iowa and Nebraska. [7] Icing on the runways shut down Des Moines International Airport for several hours, after an American Airlines flight with 44 passengers skidded off a taxiway. [8] Several events were also canceled throughout the day across much of the area. In Iowa, several presidential campaigns were forced to cancel events, including a rally near Des Moines by Bill Clinton for his wife, presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, as well as three campaign stops planned by presidential hopeful Mitt Romney in southern Iowa.[5] Most areas of Iowa saw about a half an inch of ice, with isolated reports as high as 2 inches.[9] The storm knocked out power to as much as 65, 000 customers in Iowa according to MidAmerican.[10]
The storm moved into Illinois and Wisconsin in the afternoon of December 1. An inch or two of snow fell in many areas, before a wintry mix of icy precipitation (up to a half-inch of ice accumulation) [11] made things even more treacherous. Numerous highway accidents were reported, resulting in three deaths in Wisconsin and one in Illinois, as well as numerous injuries.[5] [12] In addition, a Mesa Airlines plane with 25 passengers slid off the runway at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison but no injuries were reported. [13] 400 flights were canceled at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, 28 at Midway International Airport and dozens more at Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport [12].[14] At the height of the storm, 140,000 customers were without power in Illinois, due to the storm [15].
In Madison, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences department postponed its annual Solstice Party. [16]
The storm also affected parts of Michigan, where three traffic deaths were reported [17] [18], and Indiana, where one member of the Purdue University ice hockey team was killed and seven others were injured when the team van overturned 20 miles southwest of Lafayette.[19] Nearly 8 inches fell over parts of Lower Michigan (with higher amount towards the Upper Peninsula) along with one-quarter of an inch of ice. [20]
Farther north, portions of North Dakota, Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and northern Michigan received between 6-12 inches of snow. 20 inches (50 cm) of snow fell in Grand Marais on the north shore of Lake Superior, and a December 1st record of 10.3 inches was reported at Duluth. In the Twin Cities metropolitan area, 4 to 8 inches of snow were reported across the area. Snow emergencies were declared for both Minneapolis and St. Paul. [21] The Minnesota State Patrol reported 338 accidents, but no fatalities. [22] In North Dakota, numerous traffic accidents were reported[23], including one fatality.[24]
[edit] Northeast
As the storm moved into the Northeastern United States and portions of Ontario and Quebec on December 2, six inches of snow fell in portions of central New York, while three inches of snow fell across New Jersey [25] with a dusting in several other areas. A second band of precipitations during the late hours produced areas of rain and freezing rain (of up to four-tenths of an inch of ice) across several valley areas from New York to Pennsylvania [26] with rain further to the east and south while locally over a foot of snow fells across parts of Upstate New York, Vermont and New Hampshire causing severals accidents which forced the shutdown of northbound Interstate 89. [27]
With the re-intensification of the system of the Atlantic Coast, it produced a significant winter storm for northern New England and Maine where as much as 18 inches (45 cm) fell. [28] Most schools were closed while Governor John Baldacci sent all Maine Public Workers home during the afternoon of December 3. [29] The storm system caused two traffic related fatalities including one Saco, Maine and another in Saranac, New York [30] [31]
[edit] Canada
During the overnight of December 1 to December 2, several areas received between 4 and 8 inches (10-20 cm) across southern Ontario including London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Barrie and Toronto before the changeover to mixed precipitation and rain for most areas. Over northern Ontario, the town of Marathon received as much as 50 cm (20 inches) while Thunder Bay received over 1 foot (30 cm) [32] [33] Ontario Provincial Police had reported over 200 accidents before Sunday Afternoon alone across Southern Ontario and a total of nearly 500 province wide. Greyhound, GO and Via Rail service experienced significant delays of near one hour [34] while several flights from Toronto's Pearson International Airport were canceled. During the overnight of December 2 to December 3, a large zone of precipitations across the Ohio Valley moved across the Great Lakes and into eastern Ontario and southern Quebec where 12 to 14 inches (30-35 cm) over the cities of Montreal and Ottawa [35] [36] in 12 hours with freezing rain along the north shores of Lake Ontario. The snow amounts broke records for most snow for a December 3, the old one was set back in 1991 when about 6 inches fell over both regions. It was also the third biggest fall snowstorm in Montreal behind December 16, 2005 and November 30, 1944. [37] For Ottawa, it was the biggest 24-hour snowfall since nearly 14 inches (35 cm) fell on February 23, 2003 but fell well short of its all-time snowfall record of 29 inches (73 cm) set on March 2, 1947 [33] [38] In Quebec City, the 16 inches (40 cm) received in 24 hours were 4 centimeters short of its worst in such a period, the record being the same date as Montreal's worst 24-hour snowfall, March 4, 1971. [39]
General accumulations in Quebec and northeastern Ontario were between 8 to 16 inches (20-40 cm) from the Timmins region to east of Quebec City. Numerous schools were closed across western Quebec including all schools in the Gatineau area while all school transportation were cancelled across Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. OC Transpo's articulated experienced similar problems then during the Winter Storm of December 2005 when some buses jackknifed or stucked on the snow in many areas across the city although the problem was less severe then in 2005 even though with similar accumulations of about one foot. [33] Numerous flights from Macdonald-Cartier International Airport and Pierre-Elliott Trudeau International Airport (133 flights) were canceled. [40] [41] [42]
The storm was blamed for three deaths in Quebec including two in car accidents on Quebec Route 153 near Yamachiche and Quebec Autoroute 955 near Victoriaville [43] One day later, in the aftermath of the storm, a third person died in Val-des-Monts when a temporary garage structure collapsed and trapped the victim under a heavy load of snow that was in process of being removed. [44] [45]
As the storm redeveloped of the Atlantic Coast on December 3 and 4, it gave another round of heavy and mixed precipitation for New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia with areas of northern and eastern New Brunswick receiving over a foot of snow causing the city of Moncton to shut down all services while several flights from airports in Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton and Halifax were cancelled. In Fredericton, a unique phenomenon consisting of the blowing and heavy snow along with the winds produced several giant snowballs called snowrollers across several front lawns. [46] About 24 000 homes in New Brunswick, 8 000 in Nova Scotia and 14 500 in Prince Edward Island were without power due to the snow, mixing and strong winds.
Extratropical cyclone pumping subtropical moisture into the Southwestern United States December 1, 2007
Extratropical cyclone pumping subtropical moisture into the Southwestern United States December 1, 2007
A low-pressure system developed across the southwestern United States on November 30 and brought significant rainfall for portions of the Desert southwest as well as portions of southern California from Los Angeles to the Mexico border, where destructive fires took place in October 2007 near San Diego and Los Angeles.
The rain band then moved across the Rockies and formed a Colorado Low just southeast of Denver on the early hours of December 1. Most of the northern half of the country was under a dome of very cold air which was triggered by a weak Alberta Clipper and associated front that crossed continent prior to the storm and which brought significant lake-effect snows across the Great Lakes on November 29 and 30.
The newly formed storm then moved across the central parts of North America from Colorado to the Great Lakes bringing significant snows from the Dakotas to northern Ontario as well as in the mountain regions of New Mexico and Colorado. The storm is expected to strengthen as it approaches the Atlantic Coast on December 3 and will affect New England, Quebec, eastern Ontario and the Canadian Maritimes with a major winter storm with primarily snow with some mixing in the southern most areas. On December 5, the storm departed Newfoundland and Labrador, an area that was previously hit with a powerful storm which caused extensive power outages.
After the passage of the storm, more cold air was funneled across most of the eastern half of the country where additional lake-effect snows occurred for portions of Upper Michigan, New York States and south-central Ontario.
[edit] Impact
[edit] Intermountain west
On November 29 and November 30, as the storm moved out of the Pacific region, it dumped up to four feet (1.2 m) of snow in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado.[2] There was widespread rain at lower elevations throughout Colorado. The storm forced a men's World Cup Super-G skiing event at Beaver Creek, where the total was 15 inches, to be canceled. 44 inches was reported at Wolf Creek Pass and 36 inches at Gunnison, Colorado.[3][4] One person also died in an automobile accident in Colorado.[5] As the storm skirted by Utah on November 30 and December 1, it dropped up to 2 feet of snow in the mountains and widespread amounts of 4-10 inches (10-25cm) in the valleys as far north and west as the Wasatch Front. It also killed 1 person in a traffic accident between Santaquin and Payson.[6]
[edit] Midwest
The storm moved into the Corn Belt, in the morning of December 1, affecting the states of Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri. The storm produced a wintry mix across much of the region, including significant icing due to freezing rain of up to three-quarters of an inch (near 20 mm) thick locally in Iowa and Nebraska. [7] Icing on the runways shut down Des Moines International Airport for several hours, after an American Airlines flight with 44 passengers skidded off a taxiway. [8] Several events were also canceled throughout the day across much of the area. In Iowa, several presidential campaigns were forced to cancel events, including a rally near Des Moines by Bill Clinton for his wife, presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, as well as three campaign stops planned by presidential hopeful Mitt Romney in southern Iowa.[5] Most areas of Iowa saw about a half an inch of ice, with isolated reports as high as 2 inches.[9] The storm knocked out power to as much as 65, 000 customers in Iowa according to MidAmerican.[10]
The storm moved into Illinois and Wisconsin in the afternoon of December 1. An inch or two of snow fell in many areas, before a wintry mix of icy precipitation (up to a half-inch of ice accumulation) [11] made things even more treacherous. Numerous highway accidents were reported, resulting in three deaths in Wisconsin and one in Illinois, as well as numerous injuries.[5] [12] In addition, a Mesa Airlines plane with 25 passengers slid off the runway at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison but no injuries were reported. [13] 400 flights were canceled at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, 28 at Midway International Airport and dozens more at Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport [12].[14] At the height of the storm, 140,000 customers were without power in Illinois, due to the storm [15].
In Madison, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences department postponed its annual Solstice Party. [16]
The storm also affected parts of Michigan, where three traffic deaths were reported [17] [18], and Indiana, where one member of the Purdue University ice hockey team was killed and seven others were injured when the team van overturned 20 miles southwest of Lafayette.[19] Nearly 8 inches fell over parts of Lower Michigan (with higher amount towards the Upper Peninsula) along with one-quarter of an inch of ice. [20]
Farther north, portions of North Dakota, Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and northern Michigan received between 6-12 inches of snow. 20 inches (50 cm) of snow fell in Grand Marais on the north shore of Lake Superior, and a December 1st record of 10.3 inches was reported at Duluth. In the Twin Cities metropolitan area, 4 to 8 inches of snow were reported across the area. Snow emergencies were declared for both Minneapolis and St. Paul. [21] The Minnesota State Patrol reported 338 accidents, but no fatalities. [22] In North Dakota, numerous traffic accidents were reported[23], including one fatality.[24]
[edit] Northeast
As the storm moved into the Northeastern United States and portions of Ontario and Quebec on December 2, six inches of snow fell in portions of central New York, while three inches of snow fell across New Jersey [25] with a dusting in several other areas. A second band of precipitations during the late hours produced areas of rain and freezing rain (of up to four-tenths of an inch of ice) across several valley areas from New York to Pennsylvania [26] with rain further to the east and south while locally over a foot of snow fells across parts of Upstate New York, Vermont and New Hampshire causing severals accidents which forced the shutdown of northbound Interstate 89. [27]
With the re-intensification of the system of the Atlantic Coast, it produced a significant winter storm for northern New England and Maine where as much as 18 inches (45 cm) fell. [28] Most schools were closed while Governor John Baldacci sent all Maine Public Workers home during the afternoon of December 3. [29] The storm system caused two traffic related fatalities including one Saco, Maine and another in Saranac, New York [30] [31]
[edit] Canada
During the overnight of December 1 to December 2, several areas received between 4 and 8 inches (10-20 cm) across southern Ontario including London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Barrie and Toronto before the changeover to mixed precipitation and rain for most areas. Over northern Ontario, the town of Marathon received as much as 50 cm (20 inches) while Thunder Bay received over 1 foot (30 cm) [32] [33] Ontario Provincial Police had reported over 200 accidents before Sunday Afternoon alone across Southern Ontario and a total of nearly 500 province wide. Greyhound, GO and Via Rail service experienced significant delays of near one hour [34] while several flights from Toronto's Pearson International Airport were canceled. During the overnight of December 2 to December 3, a large zone of precipitations across the Ohio Valley moved across the Great Lakes and into eastern Ontario and southern Quebec where 12 to 14 inches (30-35 cm) over the cities of Montreal and Ottawa [35] [36] in 12 hours with freezing rain along the north shores of Lake Ontario. The snow amounts broke records for most snow for a December 3, the old one was set back in 1991 when about 6 inches fell over both regions. It was also the third biggest fall snowstorm in Montreal behind December 16, 2005 and November 30, 1944. [37] For Ottawa, it was the biggest 24-hour snowfall since nearly 14 inches (35 cm) fell on February 23, 2003 but fell well short of its all-time snowfall record of 29 inches (73 cm) set on March 2, 1947 [33] [38] In Quebec City, the 16 inches (40 cm) received in 24 hours were 4 centimeters short of its worst in such a period, the record being the same date as Montreal's worst 24-hour snowfall, March 4, 1971. [39]
General accumulations in Quebec and northeastern Ontario were between 8 to 16 inches (20-40 cm) from the Timmins region to east of Quebec City. Numerous schools were closed across western Quebec including all schools in the Gatineau area while all school transportation were cancelled across Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. OC Transpo's articulated experienced similar problems then during the Winter Storm of December 2005 when some buses jackknifed or stucked on the snow in many areas across the city although the problem was less severe then in 2005 even though with similar accumulations of about one foot. [33] Numerous flights from Macdonald-Cartier International Airport and Pierre-Elliott Trudeau International Airport (133 flights) were canceled. [40] [41] [42]
The storm was blamed for three deaths in Quebec including two in car accidents on Quebec Route 153 near Yamachiche and Quebec Autoroute 955 near Victoriaville [43] One day later, in the aftermath of the storm, a third person died in Val-des-Monts when a temporary garage structure collapsed and trapped the victim under a heavy load of snow that was in process of being removed. [44] [45]
As the storm redeveloped of the Atlantic Coast on December 3 and 4, it gave another round of heavy and mixed precipitation for New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia with areas of northern and eastern New Brunswick receiving over a foot of snow causing the city of Moncton to shut down all services while several flights from airports in Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton and Halifax were cancelled. In Fredericton, a unique phenomenon consisting of the blowing and heavy snow along with the winds produced several giant snowballs called snowrollers across several front lawns. [46] About 24 000 homes in New Brunswick, 8 000 in Nova Scotia and 14 500 in Prince Edward Island were without power due to the snow, mixing and strong winds.
New Life Church shooting
The shooting
At about 1 p.m. MST (20:00 UTC) after the 11 a.m. service had ended at New Life Church, a man entered with a rifle and opened fire in the building's main foyer.[1] One person was killed from the gunshots and four were injured before a church security guard shot and killed the perpertator.[4]
Following the shooting spree, officers combed the church campus looking for suspicious devices. Colorado governor Bill Ritter ordered state authorities to help investigate, and the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also came to the site to assist.[3]
[edit] The church
Main article: New Life Church (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
New Life Church was founded in 1984 and the congregation is estimated at 14,000 as of 2006.[5] Ted Haggard, the founder and former pastor, was accused of homosexual sex and drug abuse by a former prostitute, and stepped down in late 2006.[6]
[edit] Connections
It is not immediately known whether the shootings were related to an earlier Arvada missionary shooting, 70 miles (113 km) away. There, two people died and two were wounded at 12:30 a.m. after a gunman opened fire in a dormitory at a missionary training center on the campus of Faith Bible Chapel.[1]
Police said the description of the gunman in the second shooting was similar to the first: a white male wearing a dark hat and dark jacket [7].
On December 10, the gunman was identified as Matthew Murray age 23.
At about 1 p.m. MST (20:00 UTC) after the 11 a.m. service had ended at New Life Church, a man entered with a rifle and opened fire in the building's main foyer.[1] One person was killed from the gunshots and four were injured before a church security guard shot and killed the perpertator.[4]
Following the shooting spree, officers combed the church campus looking for suspicious devices. Colorado governor Bill Ritter ordered state authorities to help investigate, and the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also came to the site to assist.[3]
[edit] The church
Main article: New Life Church (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
New Life Church was founded in 1984 and the congregation is estimated at 14,000 as of 2006.[5] Ted Haggard, the founder and former pastor, was accused of homosexual sex and drug abuse by a former prostitute, and stepped down in late 2006.[6]
[edit] Connections
It is not immediately known whether the shootings were related to an earlier Arvada missionary shooting, 70 miles (113 km) away. There, two people died and two were wounded at 12:30 a.m. after a gunman opened fire in a dormitory at a missionary training center on the campus of Faith Bible Chapel.[1]
Police said the description of the gunman in the second shooting was similar to the first: a white male wearing a dark hat and dark jacket [7].
On December 10, the gunman was identified as Matthew Murray age 23.
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