February 27, 2010
The earthquake struck 56 miles northeast of Concepcion at a depth of 34 miles at 3:34 a.m./1:34 EST. It's magnitude was reported at 8.3 and 8.5, then fixed by the USGS at 8.3.
People streamed onto the streets of the Chilean capital, more than 200 miles north of the epicenter, hugging each other and crying, a Reuters witness reported. Buildings shook and there were blackouts in parts of the city.
The Reuters witness reported very strong shaking lasting for 10 to 30 seconds.
A national emergency official told local radio the government was evaluating damage in and around Concepcion.
In 1960, Chile was hit by the world's biggest earthquake since records dating back to 1900, USGS data shows. The 9.5 magnitude quake devastated the south-central city of Valdivia, killing 1,655 people and sending a tsunami which battered Easter Island 2,300 miles off Chile's Pacific seaboard and continued as far as Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines.
Quake measuring 8.3 hits Chile - USGS
SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) - A massive magnitude-8.3 earthquake struck near Concepcion, Chile, early on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, shaking buildings and causing…
SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) - A massive magnitude-8.3 earthquake struck near Concepcion, Chile, early on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, shaking buildings and causing blackouts in parts of the capital of Santiago.A tsunami warning was issued for Chile and Peru by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and a tsunami watch was issued for Ecuador.
The earthquake struck 56 miles northeast of Concepcion at a depth of 34 miles at 3:34 a.m./1:34 EST. It's magnitude was reported at 8.3 and 8.5, then fixed by the USGS at 8.3.
People streamed onto the streets of the Chilean capital, more than 200 miles north of the epicenter, hugging each other and crying, a Reuters witness reported. Buildings shook and there were blackouts in parts of the city.The Reuters witness reported very strong shaking lasting for 10 to 30 seconds.
A national emergency official told local radio the government was evaluating damage in and around Concepcion.
In 1960, Chile was hit by the world's biggest earthquake since records dating back to 1900, USGS data shows. The 9.5 magnitude quake devastated the south-central city of Valdivia, killing 1,655 people and sending a tsunami which battered Easter Island 2,300 miles off Chile's Pacific seaboard and continued as far as Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines.
Chile
disaster
earthquake
February 27, 2010
The 2,500 sq km (965 sq mile) iceberg broke off earlier this month from the Mertz Glacier's 160 km (100 miles) floating tongue of ice that sticks out into the Southern Ocean.
The collision has since halved the size of the tongue that drains ice from the vast East Antarctic ice sheet.
"The calving itself hasn't been directly linked to climate change but it is related to the natural processes occurring on the ice sheet," said Rob Massom, a senior scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division and the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Center in Hobart, Tasmania.
Both organizations, along with French scientists, have been studying existing giant cracks in the ice tongue and monitored the bumper-car-like collision by the second iceberg, B-9B.
This 97 km long slab of ice is a remnant of an iceberg of more than 5,000 sq km that broke off, or calved, in 1987, making it one of the largest icebergs ever recorded in Antarctica.
The Mertz glacier iceberg is among the largest recorded for several years. In 2002, a iceberg about 200 km long broke off from Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf. In 2007, a iceberg roughly the size of Singapore broke off from the Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica.
Massom said the shearing off of the ice tongue and the presence of the Mertz and B-9B icebergs could affect global ocean circulation.
The area is an important zone for the creation of dense, salty water that is a key driver of global ocean circulation. This is produced in part through the rapid production of sea ice that is continually blown to the west.
"Removal of this tongue of floating ice would reduce the size of that area of open water, which would slow down the rate of salinity input into the ocean and it could slow down this rate of Antarctic bottom water formation," he said.
He said there was a risk both icebergs would become grounded on banks or shoals in the area, disrupting the creation of the dense, salty water and the amount that sinks to the bottom of the ocean, he said.
Oceans act like a giant flywheel for the planet's climate by shifting heat around the globe via myriad currents above and below the surface.
Giant iceberg breaks off from Antarctic glacier
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - An iceberg the size of Luxembourg has broken off from a glacier in Antarctica after being rammed by another giant iceberg, scientists said on Friday, in an e…
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - An iceberg the size of Luxembourg has broken off from a glacier in Antarctica after being rammed by another giant iceberg, scientists said on Friday, in an event that could affect ocean circulation patterns.
The 2,500 sq km (965 sq mile) iceberg broke off earlier this month from the Mertz Glacier's 160 km (100 miles) floating tongue of ice that sticks out into the Southern Ocean.
The collision has since halved the size of the tongue that drains ice from the vast East Antarctic ice sheet.
"The calving itself hasn't been directly linked to climate change but it is related to the natural processes occurring on the ice sheet," said Rob Massom, a senior scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division and the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Center in Hobart, Tasmania.
Both organizations, along with French scientists, have been studying existing giant cracks in the ice tongue and monitored the bumper-car-like collision by the second iceberg, B-9B.
This 97 km long slab of ice is a remnant of an iceberg of more than 5,000 sq km that broke off, or calved, in 1987, making it one of the largest icebergs ever recorded in Antarctica.
The Mertz glacier iceberg is among the largest recorded for several years. In 2002, a iceberg about 200 km long broke off from Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf. In 2007, a iceberg roughly the size of Singapore broke off from the Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica.
Massom said the shearing off of the ice tongue and the presence of the Mertz and B-9B icebergs could affect global ocean circulation.
The area is an important zone for the creation of dense, salty water that is a key driver of global ocean circulation. This is produced in part through the rapid production of sea ice that is continually blown to the west.
"Removal of this tongue of floating ice would reduce the size of that area of open water, which would slow down the rate of salinity input into the ocean and it could slow down this rate of Antarctic bottom water formation," he said.
He said there was a risk both icebergs would become grounded on banks or shoals in the area, disrupting the creation of the dense, salty water and the amount that sinks to the bottom of the ocean, he said.
Oceans act like a giant flywheel for the planet's climate by shifting heat around the globe via myriad currents above and below the surface.
global warming
iceberg
pollution
February 25, 2010
Although this band is relatively new to the music scene, it has been nominated and awarded several recognitions, some of which are prestigious. They were nominated for four Grammy Awards over the span of two years, while taking home the award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "I Run to You." Also, they were awarded Single of the Year and the Vocal Group of the Year for the same song by the Country Music Association (CMA).
This band stands out from others, especially due to their uniqueness in the country genre which in found in very few musical groups. They are also unique since they do not have one lead singer like most bands, but rather two males and a single female singer. The band’s debut hit “Love Don’t Live Here” shows off their ability to harmonize and work together quite well in their performance. It shows off Kelley’s vocal talent, mostly, but Scott blends quite well. It’s far from the best track on their debut album, however, that is not a bad thing. In fact, this song is a great start because it immediately shows off who the band is and acts as a great introduction to their unique and enjoyable sound.
The most interesting aspect of "Need You Now," their second album, is the tone of melancholy throughout. It directly shows how cheery the band’s countenance generally is, on stage for example, but more so because of how often they put sadness into songs that, on the surface, should not be sad. “Perfect Day,” the perky live-in-the-moment song, is mostly about trying and failing to carry that feeling beyond one passing moment, about the knowledge that the moment always passes. On the rest of the album, melancholy piano lurks at every corner, coloring the mood. When the vocalists proclaim their happiness, the mood evokes doubts. The saddest-sounding happy song on the album is the duet “When You Got a Good Thing.” As the title indicates, it’s a song of satisfaction and comfort, a declaration a couple has found a great love. The tone, though, is completely downcast. Everything about the song musically states dissatisfaction.
This band is definitely recommended for country music lovers but also for fans of alternative rock music, as Lady Antebellum's songs tend to have an alternative feel too.
Band Review: Lady Antebellum
So I am back writing for Outlook, AUB's official student newspaper, after "freezing my contributions" for a while due to some technical issues. Anyway, here's my…
So I am back writing for Outlook, AUB's official student newspaper, after "freezing my contributions" for a while due to some technical issues. Anyway, here's my band review for this week. Hope you like it :)
Lady Antebellum is an American country band that originated in Nashville, Tennessee in 2006. It consists of three singers: Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, and Hillary Scott who share the lead and the background vocals.They released their first song "Love Don't Live Here" in 2007, and which served as a single in their debut self-titled album in 2008.This album was certified platinum in the United States. In July 2009, their song "I Run to You," from this album, became Lady Antebellum's first Number One. Soon after, they released the single "Need You Now," which became their second Number One and the lead song off their second album that holds the same name.
Although this band is relatively new to the music scene, it has been nominated and awarded several recognitions, some of which are prestigious. They were nominated for four Grammy Awards over the span of two years, while taking home the award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "I Run to You." Also, they were awarded Single of the Year and the Vocal Group of the Year for the same song by the Country Music Association (CMA).
This band stands out from others, especially due to their uniqueness in the country genre which in found in very few musical groups. They are also unique since they do not have one lead singer like most bands, but rather two males and a single female singer. The band’s debut hit “Love Don’t Live Here” shows off their ability to harmonize and work together quite well in their performance. It shows off Kelley’s vocal talent, mostly, but Scott blends quite well. It’s far from the best track on their debut album, however, that is not a bad thing. In fact, this song is a great start because it immediately shows off who the band is and acts as a great introduction to their unique and enjoyable sound.
The most interesting aspect of "Need You Now," their second album, is the tone of melancholy throughout. It directly shows how cheery the band’s countenance generally is, on stage for example, but more so because of how often they put sadness into songs that, on the surface, should not be sad. “Perfect Day,” the perky live-in-the-moment song, is mostly about trying and failing to carry that feeling beyond one passing moment, about the knowledge that the moment always passes. On the rest of the album, melancholy piano lurks at every corner, coloring the mood. When the vocalists proclaim their happiness, the mood evokes doubts. The saddest-sounding happy song on the album is the duet “When You Got a Good Thing.” As the title indicates, it’s a song of satisfaction and comfort, a declaration a couple has found a great love. The tone, though, is completely downcast. Everything about the song musically states dissatisfaction.
This band is definitely recommended for country music lovers but also for fans of alternative rock music, as Lady Antebellum's songs tend to have an alternative feel too.
country
Lady Antebellum
music
February 15, 2010
Recorded on February 1st, 2010, in the same studio as the original 25 years earlier (Henson Recording Studios, formerly A&M Recording Studios) "We Are The World 25 For Haiti", in which Jones and Richie serve as executive producers and producers, was created in collaboration with executive producers Wyclef Jean, Randy Phillips and Peter Tortorici; producers Humberto Gattica and RedOne; and co-producers Rickey Minor, Mervyn Warren and Patti Austin to benefit the Haitian earthquake relief efforts and the rebuilding of Haiti.
Academy Award-winning writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash, Million Dollar Baby), whose own personal efforts as well as those of Artists for Peace and Justice have already saved countless lives in Haiti, filmed the private recording session to create the accompanying video and behind-the-scenes production, and serves as Film Director and as an Executive Producer with Jones, Richie, Jean, Phillips and Tortorici.
The 25th Anniversary recording features over 80 artists and performers. The recording of We Are The World 25 For Haiti embodied the same enthusiasm, sense of purpose and generosity as the original recording 25 years ago. Every one of the artists who participated, regardless of genre or generation, walked into the room with their hearts and souls completely open to coming together to help the people of Haiti.
We Are The World 25 For Haiti [HD]
Recorded on February 1st, 2010, in the same studio as the original 25 years earlier (Henson Recording Studios, formerly A&M Recording Studios) "We Are The World 25 For Ha…
Recorded on February 1st, 2010, in the same studio as the original 25 years earlier (Henson Recording Studios, formerly A&M Recording Studios) "We Are The World 25 For Haiti", in which Jones and Richie serve as executive producers and producers, was created in collaboration with executive producers Wyclef Jean, Randy Phillips and Peter Tortorici; producers Humberto Gattica and RedOne; and co-producers Rickey Minor, Mervyn Warren and Patti Austin to benefit the Haitian earthquake relief efforts and the rebuilding of Haiti.
Academy Award-winning writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash, Million Dollar Baby), whose own personal efforts as well as those of Artists for Peace and Justice have already saved countless lives in Haiti, filmed the private recording session to create the accompanying video and behind-the-scenes production, and serves as Film Director and as an Executive Producer with Jones, Richie, Jean, Phillips and Tortorici.
The 25th Anniversary recording features over 80 artists and performers. The recording of We Are The World 25 For Haiti embodied the same enthusiasm, sense of purpose and generosity as the original recording 25 years ago. Every one of the artists who participated, regardless of genre or generation, walked into the room with their hearts and souls completely open to coming together to help the people of Haiti.
awards
charity
children
February 14, 2010
Jennifer Daugherty may have been 30, but she was mentally disabled with the mind of a young teen. Still, she seemed to be doing well enough and was involved with a community center in Greensburg, Pennsylvania...
So her stepdad, Bobby Murphy, put her on a bus to Greensburg on Monday. She'd mentioned meeting a number of friends there, so dad wasn't alarmed when she called later that day to say she was spending the night with someone named "Peggy." She would be back the next day.
That didn't happen. She apparently went to an apartment with six people she knew, but for reasons unknown they decided to turn on Jennifer. Perhaps just because they could.
They forced her to drink vegetable oil, detergent and urine. She ate spices and medications. They shaved her head and beat her with a towel rack, a vacuum cleaner hose and a crutch. Then they forced her to write a suicide note before stabbing her to death.
She was wrapped up in Christmas decorations and clothes before she was stuffed in a garbage can and dumped her in the parking lot of Greensburg Salem Middle School, which is about a half-hour outside Pittsburgh.
After all, nothing says degenerate quite like leaving a dead body for middle schoolers to find. Her body was discovered yesterday.
It's unclear how police so quickly found her killers, but they've already arrested six people. They are Robert Loren Masters Jr., 36, Ricky Smyrnes, 23, Melvin Knight, 20, Amber Meidinger, 20, Peggy Darlene Miller, 27, and Angela Marinucci, 17.
Knight has already admitted to stabbing Jennifer in the chest and neck. He also said he and Smyrnes dumped her body in the parking lot. All six have apparently admitted their involvement and ratted out the others.
They're all charged with homicide and kidnapping, though you can bet the charges will number in the hundreds by the time the investigation is concluded.
Stepdad Murphy says the defendants' first names match the names of friends Jennifer spoke of meeting. "I don't know them personally, but Jennifer mentioned some of their names as being her friends -- but evidently not," he told the Associated Press.
"One thing I can tell you is there is no reason for them to do what they did to Jennifer," "Jennifer was just a gentle, laid-back person... There wasn't a mean bone in her body." [via]
Mentally disabled woman tortured to death by her 6 "friends"
Jennifer Daugherty may have been 30, but she was mentally disabled with the mind of a young teen. Still, she seemed to be doing well enough and was involved with a community cent…
 |
So her stepdad, Bobby Murphy, put her on a bus to Greensburg on Monday. She'd mentioned meeting a number of friends there, so dad wasn't alarmed when she called later that day to say she was spending the night with someone named "Peggy." She would be back the next day.
That didn't happen. She apparently went to an apartment with six people she knew, but for reasons unknown they decided to turn on Jennifer. Perhaps just because they could.
They forced her to drink vegetable oil, detergent and urine. She ate spices and medications. They shaved her head and beat her with a towel rack, a vacuum cleaner hose and a crutch. Then they forced her to write a suicide note before stabbing her to death.
She was wrapped up in Christmas decorations and clothes before she was stuffed in a garbage can and dumped her in the parking lot of Greensburg Salem Middle School, which is about a half-hour outside Pittsburgh.
After all, nothing says degenerate quite like leaving a dead body for middle schoolers to find. Her body was discovered yesterday.
 |
It's unclear how police so quickly found her killers, but they've already arrested six people. They are Robert Loren Masters Jr., 36, Ricky Smyrnes, 23, Melvin Knight, 20, Amber Meidinger, 20, Peggy Darlene Miller, 27, and Angela Marinucci, 17.
Knight has already admitted to stabbing Jennifer in the chest and neck. He also said he and Smyrnes dumped her body in the parking lot. All six have apparently admitted their involvement and ratted out the others.
They're all charged with homicide and kidnapping, though you can bet the charges will number in the hundreds by the time the investigation is concluded.
Stepdad Murphy says the defendants' first names match the names of friends Jennifer spoke of meeting. "I don't know them personally, but Jennifer mentioned some of their names as being her friends -- but evidently not," he told the Associated Press.
"One thing I can tell you is there is no reason for them to do what they did to Jennifer," "Jennifer was just a gentle, laid-back person... There wasn't a mean bone in her body." [via]
abuse
crime
death
February 13, 2010
Tea-houses in Japan fuelled by poop
A Japanese architecture firm has come up with a neat idea for eco-friendly teahouses — it has little compartments in the surrounding wall that can generate heat via compost, so yo…
A Japanese architecture firm has come up with a neat idea for eco-friendly teahouses — it has little compartments in the surrounding wall that can generate heat via compost, so you don't get cold when you're sitting inside. The best thing about it might be its name: Comploo. From Inhabitat:
To feed the composter, garden waste, food scraps or other compost materials can be dropped in through a door at the top of each bin. A system of sealed ducts runs through each of the bins, and as the air circulates within the walls, the decaying compost warms it. This heated air is in turn emitted through a central vent that releases into the structure's interior. Occupants can comfortably sit along a circular bench surrounding the heat source, and enjoy the ambient natural light permeating through the transparent dome roof above.
[via]
energy
Environment
Japan
February 09, 2010
The Wedding
Please take a moment to have a good look at this picture.... And keep it in your mind for the rest of your life. As much as it hurts, you will be glad you saw it today, because on…
Please take a moment to have a good look at this picture.... And keep it in your mind for the rest of your life. As much as it hurts, you will be glad you saw it today, because one day it might save your life and the life of the ones you love... I'm sure that none of us would like to stand in that man's shoes Or even worse, in her shoes ... actually both are the same.
So the next time you're driving and your loved ones are with you Just remember this picture, drive carefully and MAKE THEM WEAR THE SEAT BELTS .
You may be perfect and you never make mistakes, but unfortunately others are not!!!... So stay safe.
accidents
blood
boys
February 05, 2010
TEHRAN, Iran - Iran announced Wednesday it has successfully launched a 10-foot-long research rocket carrying a mouse, two turtles and worms into space — a feat President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said showed Iran could defeat the West in the battle of technology.
The launch of the Kavoshgar-3, which means Explorer-3 in Farsi, was announced by Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as part of Iran's ambitious space program.
It comes a year after Iran sent its first domestically made telecommunications satellite into orbit.
The program has worried Western powers who fear the same technology used to launch satellites and research capsules could also deliver warheads.
Iranian state television broadcast images Wednesday of officials putting a mouse, two turtles and about a dozen creatures that looked like worms inside a capsule in the rocket before it blasted off.
Vahidi gave no details on the research and the report did not disclose when or where the launch took place.
The rocket is the third in a series bearing the same name. Iran reported launching Kavoshgar-1, or Explorer-1, in Feb. 2008.
The first section of the rocket detached after 90 seconds and returned to earth with the help of a parachute. A second segment entered space for about five minutes, while the final section was sent toward orbit to collect data.
Later in 2008, a rocket entitled Kavoshgar-2, or Explorer-2, made it to the lower reaches of space and returned to earth 40 minutes later on a parachute. No details about that launch were reported.
Iran sends mouse, worms and turtles into outer space
TEHRAN, Iran - Iran announced Wednesday it has successfully launched a 10-foot-long research rocket carrying a mouse, two turtles and worms into space — a feat President Mahmoud …
TEHRAN, Iran - Iran announced Wednesday it has successfully launched a 10-foot-long research rocket carrying a mouse, two turtles and worms into space — a feat President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said showed Iran could defeat the West in the battle of technology.
The launch of the Kavoshgar-3, which means Explorer-3 in Farsi, was announced by Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as part of Iran's ambitious space program.
It comes a year after Iran sent its first domestically made telecommunications satellite into orbit.
The program has worried Western powers who fear the same technology used to launch satellites and research capsules could also deliver warheads.
Iranian state television broadcast images Wednesday of officials putting a mouse, two turtles and about a dozen creatures that looked like worms inside a capsule in the rocket before it blasted off.
Vahidi gave no details on the research and the report did not disclose when or where the launch took place.
The rocket is the third in a series bearing the same name. Iran reported launching Kavoshgar-1, or Explorer-1, in Feb. 2008.
The first section of the rocket detached after 90 seconds and returned to earth with the help of a parachute. A second segment entered space for about five minutes, while the final section was sent toward orbit to collect data.
Later in 2008, a rocket entitled Kavoshgar-2, or Explorer-2, made it to the lower reaches of space and returned to earth 40 minutes later on a parachute. No details about that launch were reported.
animal
Iran
Islam
February 04, 2010
A Googlewhack is a kind of a contest for finding a Google search query consisting of exactly two words without citation marks, that return exactly one hit, no less no more. A Googlewhack must consist of two actual words found in a dictionary. A Googlewhack is considered legitimate if both of the searched-for words appear as live links in Answers.com in the blue bar above the Google results.
Published googlewhacks are shortlived, since when published to a web site, the new number of hits will become at least two, one to the original hit found, and one to the publishing site.
Mind Soup is a googlewhack
I have recieved an interesting email recently from Anne Lee, who has informed me that Mind Soup is a googlewhack. A Googlewhack is a kind of a contest for finding a Google search …
I have recieved an interesting email recently from Anne Lee, who has informed me that Mind Soup is a googlewhack.Published googlewhacks are shortlived, since when published to a web site, the new number of hits will become at least two, one to the original hit found, and one to the publishing site.
For that reason, I will not publish what exactly the two words, to preserve this googlewhack as long as possible. Can you find them on your own? If you do, please click here to inform me.
Here are the official rules of googlewhack.
Thank you Anne Lee for informing me.
blog features
google
googlewhack
February 01, 2010
This is an actual notice one of the political science professors posted at my university right after the beginning of the finals period. Which reminds me, I have an exam in 7 hours, better go sleep. Wish me luck :)
Go buy a carpet
This is an actual notice one of the political science professors posted at my university right after the beginning of the finals period. Which reminds me, I have an exam in 7 hour…
AUB
Beirut
carpet
