Latest posts
Powerful Quake Hits Chile, Kills 47
2/27/2010 4:15:20 AM
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 8.8 struck central region of Chile during the early hours of Saturday, killing around 47 people. The quake near Conception took place at 3.34 a.m., when most of the citizens were asleep. Conception, second largest city of Chile, is 221 miles from Santiago, capital of Chile and has a population of over 200,000 people.
Death toll may rise, says Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who urges people to stay calm. However, according to the US weather department, Chile, along with Ecuador and Peru, faces immediate threat of Tsunami. The department later added few areas of Colombia, Central America, and Antarctica to the list. Japan too warned major regions of Pacific about the impending tsunami to Costa Rica and Panama.
The increased sea level indicates that a minor tsunami was generated during the quake. The event could have been more disparaging and coast could have witnessed major destruction; however, the level did not rise further.
Few buildings collapsed in Santiago and there was no power in some portion of the city. Phone likes were down as well, which created more chaos and confusion among people. A new channels confirmed tremors in Argentina as well.
None of the weather department around the world is expecting a tsunami on the eastern coast of US and Canada.
However, they are constantly monitoring the situation.
Trade Deal With Russia And China
10/19/2009 1:00:35 AM
China and Russia have signed trade agreements worth $3.5bn during the second day visit to Beijing by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Russian deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov said near about 40 contracts were signed by Russian and Chinese businessmen and officials however no deal had yet struck on energy and still talks are been continued.
Russia is keen to bolster its economy President said economy has decline 7.5 percent in 2009. Russia is hoping to sell more oil and gas in China. China is considered to the world's second biggest energy user. Mr. Zhukov mentioned to the reporters that the deals included two $500m loans from Chinese banks to Russian financial institutions. One was from the China Development bank to its Russian counterpart Vnesheconombank while other was from Agricultural Bank of China to Russia's state-run VTB bank. He added saying others deals included investments by Chinese firms in Russian construction facilities however, no further details was provided. Trade between Russia and China has risen from $10bn to $50bn over the past six years. Moscow had signed a $25bn agreement to help fund a pipeline to supply oil from Siberia to China earlier this year in exchange china was guaranteed 20-year supply of crude oil. Moscow is interested to exports machinery, aviation equipment, and nuclear power plants. Countries are seeking to expand business in own currencies rather than US dollar.
Hillary Clinton In Meeting With Russian Leaders
10/18/2009 1:00:20 AM
Hillary Clinton US Secretary of State is meeting Russian leaders to seek support for a tougher standpoint on Iran's controversial nuclear programme. Hillary Clinton during her visit in Moscow a five-day European tour said in discussion with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that she has warned the world not to wait indefinitely for proof that Iran is not making nuclear weapons.
Mrs. Clinton has been invited to meet and discuss Mr. Medvedev at his private residence in the suburbs of capital city that can provide a more relaxed setting for discussions. Secretary of state comes at the crucial moment in relations between United States and Russia. Russia has traditionally opposed tougher sanctions on Iran however; Mr. Medvedev has appeared to shift his attitude after the revelation that Tehran had a second convert uranium facility. Barack Obama has pledged to reset relations with Russia during their visit held in the month of July. Since then Mr Obama has met a key Russian demand to scrap plan to deploy interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar station in Czech Republic as part of US missile system in Europe. US officials wants Russia to support or at least not oppose the idea of UN Security Council imposing tougher sanction on Iran if they fails to live up to its international obligations. Hillary Clinton is supposed to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. She also visited Switzerland, UK, and Ireland as a part of European Tour.
Conservationists Using Various Tactics To Safeguard Elephants
10/17/2009 1:00:17 AM
Conservationists in Cambodia have made an agreement, which should see elephants living more peacefully along with human neighbors. Villagers living near elephant's territory have promised they will not harm animals or disturb their surroundings. In return, local farmers are receiving help from officials to keep the elephants away from their crop and farm.
Whenever animals live close to human environment there are human-elephant conflict as villagers develop and expand their land elephants lose their surroundings. So it becomes more likely for animals to wander into fields destroying crops and rarely attacking humans and livestock. This situation held to danger for many wild elephants in few countries. Conservationists are keen to prevent elephant and they are experimenting in Cambodia. Elephant's number is to arise after decades of war and deforestation. Organization Fauna and Flora International is trying to maintain peace between people and pachyderms. This will help villagers to develop their funding through small business like chicken farming as an alterative of clearing forests. Organizations also advice villagers various tactics to keep elephant away from field. Matt Maltby FFI's elephant protection scheme has advised to grow different types of crops one line of defense such as chili fences around the boundaries of fields. Elephant does not like chilies so naturally they will turn other way. If that does not work then to deploy solar- powered electric fences however, the shock will not harm elephant.
Fresh Militant Attack In Pakistan
10/16/2009 1:00:32 AM
More than 40 people were killed in a suicide car bombing in Pakistan's Swat valley including civilians, women, and child. It was aimed at militants and explosion hit a security group in Shangla district. Fourth militant attack in eight days occurred in the town of Alpuri earlier military claimed area has secured. Taliban's latest attempt to engage the army on several fronts ahead of Army planned ground nearby South Waziristan.
Alpurai was not under Taliban control at the time of a major anti- Taliban offensive by the military in Swat Valley. Security officials said they saw a car blew up near a hospital in the market as a group of troops was passing by. Dozens of people counting security officials are injured in the explosion. Khan Bahadur Khan a police official quoted the attack as a suicide attack. He added saying bomber hit one of three military vehicles that was passing through the busiest market in district. Several trucks were destroyed in the blast. Fourth attack within a week brings over 100 death tolls in four days across Pakistan. Pakistan security forces used aircraft and artillery to bombard militants in Bajaur tribal district near Afghan border. More than 15 militants are killed and over 25 injured. Arrest of several high profile Taliban leaders including Muslim Khan in Swat can be the main cause of attack although group leader Maulana Fazlullah remains secured. Offensive fight spilled into Shangla district.