Sunday, July 31, 2011

Estimated 6.8-magnitude quake strikes off coast of Papua New Guinea

Estimated 6.8-magnitude quake strikes off coast of Papua New Guinea - CNN.com

(CNN) -- A preliminary 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Monday morning off the coast of Papua New Guinea, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The quake struck around 9:39 a.m. and was centered 131 kilometers (81 miles) east of Wewak, which is on the northern coast of the Pacific nation, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. Its depth was reported at 16 kilometers (9 miles).

The Japan Meteorological Agency -- which had an identical measure for the quake's strength -- noted on its website that "there is a very small possibility of a destructive local tsunami" as a result. It said any tsunami likely would not be over half a meter (20 inches) high.

"However at some coasts, particularly near the epicenter, high tsunamis may arrive (larger) than our estimation," the agency said on its website.

But within about two hours after the quake struck, the Japanese agency reported there were no such warnings or advisories still in effect.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue any threats or warning, noting on its website that there was no danger of a tsunami striking Hawaii. Similarly, the Australia tsunami warning center said there was no threat to that nation.

Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi tries to hire NYC public relations firm to improve image

Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi tries to hire NYC public relations firm to improve image | Mail Online

It might be the most difficult PR job in New York.

As his country is ripped apart by a bloody civil war and rebels fight to topple him, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi is trying to hire a public relations firm to improve his image.

In a bizarre email scouting for candidates, the country's Ministry of Information also claims the NATO strikes were caused by a 'P.R. attack' - rather than the slaughter of innocent protesters.

To fight back, Gaddafi is looking for a spin doctor to issue daily press briefings on his 'moral' and 'legal' claims to power, as hundreds die trying to end his 42-year regime.

Ali Darwish, of the Libyan Ministry of Information, sent the pitch to agencies in New York City and London earlier this month, asking for representatives to 'present our just and fair case to the world'.

He wrote: 'We have good moral, political and legal logic supporting our position as the legitimate, sovereign and popular government of Libya.

'We also have proofs in written, audio and video forms to take our case forward.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2020805/Libyan-dictator-Muammar-Gaddafi-tries-hire-NYC-public-relations-firm-improve-image.html#ixzz1Tk48HFaf

Obama, U.S. lawmakers strike deal to raise debt ceiling

Obama, U.S. lawmakers strike deal to raise debt ceiling - The Globe and Mail

A deal worked out among top congressional leaders and the White House would enable the U.S. government to keep borrowing money but may cost President Barack Obama critical support among liberal Democrats.

The agreement to immediately raise the government’s debt ceiling, and enact already agreed-on spending cuts of about $1-trillion, would avert the financial turmoil that had been feared if Congress failed to raise the $14.3-trillion (U.S.) borrowing limit by Tuesday’s deadline. The threat of a U.S. default has effectively been lifted.

The Soft Kill Weapon LIVE NOW

The Soft Kill Weapon 07/31 by FreedomizerRadio | Blog Talk Radio

Hot weather persists in central United States

Hot weather persists in central United States | Reuters

SAN ANTONIO, July 31 | Sun Jul 31, 2011 12:03pm EDT

(Reuters) - Sticky heat was expected to smother much of the country's midsection in coming days as hotter-than-usual temperatures continued to roast parts of the Midwest and South, forecasters said on Sunday.

Areas of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma were under excessive heat warnings with heat advisories issued for a large swath of the Central United States, according to the National Weather Service.

Heat and humidity were forecast to continue with air temperatures and heat index readings climbing well into the triple digits for parts of the region at least through midweek.

FALTERING U.S. ECONOMY: Largest Municipal Bankruptcy In American History

Iceland’s loud No

The Intercept: Iceland’s loud No
Le Monde Diplomatique
by Silla Sigurgeirsdóttir and Robert H Wade

The people of Iceland have now twice voted not to repay international debts incurred by banks, and bankers, for which the whole island is being held responsible. With the present turmoil in European capitals, could this be the way forward for other economies?


The small island of Iceland has lessons for the world. It held a referendum in April to decide, more or less, whether ordinary people should pay for the folly of the bankers (and by extension, could governments control the corporate sector if they depended on it for finance). Sixty per cent of the population rejected an agreement negotiated between Iceland, the Netherlands and the UK to pay back the British and Dutch governments for the money they spent to recompense savers with the failed bank Icesave. That was less resistance than the first referendum last spring, when 93% voted no.

The referendum was significant since European governments, pressured by speculators, the IMF and the European Commission, are imposing austerity policies on which their citizens have not voted. Even devotees of deregulation are worried by the degree of the western world’s servitude to unconstrained financial institutions. After the Icelandic referendum, even the liberal Financial Times noted with approval on 13 April that it had been possible to “put citizens before banks”, an idea which does not resonate among European political leaders.

Iceland is an unusually pure example of the dynamics that blocked regulation and caused financial fragility across the developed world for 20 years. In 2007, just before the financial crisis, Iceland’s average income was the fifth highest in the world, 60% above US levels; Reykjavik’s shops were stuffed with luxury goods, its restaurants made London seem cheap, and SUVs choked the narrow streets. Icelanders were the happiest people in the world according to an international study in 2006 (1). Much of this rested on the super-fast growth of three Icelandic banks that rose from small utility institutions in 1998 to being among world’s top 300 banks eight years later, increasing their assets from 100% of GDP in 2000 to almost 800% by 2007, a ratio second only to Switzerland.

Cancer-stricken WTC worker gets $0 settlement check

Activist Post: Cancer-stricken WTC worker gets $0 settlement check
Susan Edleman and Cynthia R. Fagan
New York Post

Cancer-stricken Ground Zero worker Edgar Galvis has finally received a compensation check -- for zero dollars.

The 51-year-old Queens man, who suffered sinus problems and then throat cancer after months of removing toxic debris from the World Financial Center, was relieved to get a check in the mail for his court settlement with Merrill Lynch, whose offices he had cleaned.

But he was stunned when he saw the amount: $0.00.

His award had been $10,005, but his lawyers at the firm Worby, Groner, Edelman & Napoli Bern lopped off $2,579 for unitemized legal expenses. Then they took a 33.3 percent fee of $2,124. They also subtracted $352, a fee to the lawyer who referred him. The remaining $4,950 was withheld for unspecified "liens," the letter says. Galvis thinks this was repayment of workers' compensation for aid.

Read Full Article

Amateur videos of powerful tornado that kills 1, injures dozens in Russia

The Ancient Science of Culture Creation and Mind Control

The Fake Green Movement Is Killing The Planet!

7/31/2011 -- 6.0's every day now ! today 6.1 magnitude quake North of N...

27 rifles stolen from Southern California military base.. but ATF didn't tell public for two weeks

27 rifles stolen from Southern California military base.. but ATF didn't tell public for two weeks | Mail Online

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Last updated at 8:45 PM on 30th July 2011


More than two dozen assault rifles have been stolen from a Southern California military base, it was today reported.

But the incident, in which 26 AK-74 assault rifles and one Dragunov sniper rifle were stolen from a supply warehouse at Fort Irwin in San Bernardino County, happened two weeks ago.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives couldn't say why the public hadn't been told about the theft earlier, but decided to issue a news release because of the potential danger the loose weapons posed.

They have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to more arrests.

Theft: 27 rifles have been stolen from a supply warehouse at Fort Irwin in San Bernardino County

Theft: 27 rifles have been stolen from a supply warehouse at Fort Irwin in San Bernardino County



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2020523/27-rifles-stolen-Southern-California-military-base--ATF-didnt-tell-public-weeks.html#ixzz1ThMKmUZS

Organic Food Is Pushing Out The Poison

Are you kidding me

Second Video Emerges Of Hot-Tempered Canton Police Officer

Second Video Emerges Of Hot-Tempered Canton Police Officer | Pixiq

A second dash cam video has emerged showing Canton police officer Daniel Harless overreacting to finding a gun in a man's car.

The video is from July 29, 2010, exactly one year ago today.

'US dragged Italy into Libya war'

PressTV - 'US dragged Italy into Libya war'
"What choice did I have considering America's pressure… President Georgio Napolitano's stance, and the Parliament's decision?" the July 30 edition of the Italian daily Corriere Della Sera quoted Berlusconi as saying.

NATO launched a major air campaign against the forces of the Libyan regime in mid-March under a UN mandate to “protect the Libyan population.”

States negotiating immunity for banks over foreclosures | Reuters

States negotiating immunity for banks over foreclosures | Reuters
A realtor and bank-owned sign is displayed near a house for sale in Phoenix, Arizona, January 4, 2011. REUTERS/Joshua Lott

NEW YORK | Wed Jul 20, 2011 6:24pm EDT

(Reuters) - State attorneys general are negotiating to give major banks wide immunity over irregularities in handling foreclosures, even as evidence has emerged that banks are continuing to file questionable documents.