In a blow to the already beleaguered Eurozone economy, France has been downgraded in its credit status by Moody’s.
The country’s debt downgraded one position from AAA to AA1 and has kept a negative outlook. The negative outlook means that it’s very likely France could see another downgrade to their rating. The lower rating results in higher interest rates for borrowing costs hampering international investment. Continue reading
A top commander of the al-Qaeda affiliated Islamic terror group Boko Haram has been killed in a battle with the Nigerian military.
Ibn Saleh Ibrahim was killed along with six lieutenants died when military troops staged a siege after receiving a tip regarding Ibrahim’s location. A number of civilians were reportedly killed in the crossfire according to the BBC. Continue reading
Warnings that solar flares could cause massive disruptions to communications and power grids became a lot more credible this weekend as the sun showed signs of increased flare activity.
The sun followed up a November 13th M6 solar flare emission with a pair of flares in a four hour period on November 16th. The double emission was pointed away from Earth minimizing any effect on the planet. Continue reading
Superstorm Sandy struck October 29th and since that day billions of gallons of untreated human waste has flowed into New York Harbor.
A 12-foot storm surge overcame the Newark sewage plant that serves over three million people. It’s the fifth largest sewage treatment facility in the United States. The damage from the surge has resulted in untreated and partially treated human waste flooding into the Harbor close to the Statue of Liberty. Continue reading
Atheists are coming after one of Riverside, California’s longest standing monuments.
Americans United for the Separation of Church and State is threatening to sue the city unless they destroy a 35 foot tall cross that has towered over the city from the Mount Rubidoux peak since 1907.
The atheists are claiming that the cross’s existence means the city is telling non-Christian residents they’re not welcome in the town. Continue reading
A major earthquake has struck along the Chilean coastline sending people running into the streets and knocking out communications throughout the region.
The US Geological survey reports a preliminary 6.1 magnitude quake struck about 55 miles north of Coquimbo, Chile just after 4 p.m. local time. Despite the epicenter’s proximity to the coastline, the Chilean Oceanographic Service dismissed the possibility of a tsunami from the quake. Continue reading
In the wake of 54 people being killed from Hurricane Sandy, Haiti is now looking at almost 1.5 million people going hungry in 2013 because of the storm’s damage.
The United Nations is reporting that a drought in the spring and summer coupled with the extensive damage to property and equipment caused by successive natural disasters have essentially wiped out farming in large parts of the nation. Continue reading
Toronto police are searching for a group of Islamists after what they are calling a “hate crime” attack on a veteran’s memorial.
A sculpture dedicated to Canada’s war veterans was defaced with the phrase “Canada will burn; Praise Allah.” Continue reading
This is not the kind of nostalgia people are hoping to find in the wake of super storm Sandy.
Long lines at gas stations for limited supplies are being coupled with Jimmy Carter era gas rationing techniques by government officials.
It’s also not limited to New Jersey; New York City reportedly is joining in the rationing. Continue reading
The disease is called Crimean-Congo Viral Hemorrhagic Fever.
In 30 percent of cases, it’s fatal.
You have likely never heard of the disease, but this tick-borne illness has jumped from animals in Asia and Africa to humans…and has claimed it’s first victim in the UK when a 38-year-old man who contracted the disease in Afghanistan while attending his brother’s wedding. Continue reading