The University of Texas was evacuated Friday morning after a man with a middle-eastern accent called the school claiming to be with Al-Qaeda and said he had planted bombs throughout the campus.
The call arrived around 8:35 a.m. with a warning the bombs would go off in 90 minutes. University officials posted a message on the campus’ emergency alert website at 9:53 a.m. telling people to “immediately evacuate ALL buildings and get as far away as possible.” Continue reading
Almost a quarter-million people are now being warned about exposure to the potentially deadly hantavirus.
The mouse-borne disease is known to have now infected nine people, killing three of them. Over 230,000 people have now been sent notices from the Yosemite Park Rangers warning them of exposure and encouraging them to seek tests from their doctors. Detecting the virus through blood tests early increases a victim’s chance of survival. Continue reading
Over 33,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as Guatemala’s Fuego volcano experienced a violent eruption Thursday night.
Volcanologists have reported that burning rocks are flying as high as half a mile above the volcano’s crater and that lava is rushing down the mountain’s slopes. The eruption is being called the biggest since 1999. Continue reading
An Ebola outbreak in Congo has killed 31 people and is threatening major towns, according to the World Health Organization.
An epidemic has been officially declared. The death toll has doubled in the last week. Continue reading
An American diplomat killed in Tuesday’s terror attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya told friends on an internet gaming site that it was possible he could “die tonight.”
Sean Smith, the father of two killed in the attack, was an active player on the gaming forum “EVE Online” where he went by the nickname “vilerat.” Smith was killed along with US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and two others. Continue reading
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is condemning Iran for the country’s refusal to suspend uranium enrichment despite repeated admonitions from the United Nations.
Thirty-one of the 35 members voted in favor of the resolution condemning Iran, who continues to claim their enrichment is peaceful in purpose. Continue reading
A study funded by Microsoft has discovered many new computers with malware that was installed at the factory allowing cybercriminals the opportunity to steal information from a computer from its first use.
The information comes in a release about the company’s investigation into the Nitol virus network. The virus allows criminals to steal personal information allowing them to access online bank accounts and transfer the available funds to untraceable accounts in offshore banks. Continue reading
The death toll from West Nile virus broke into the triple digits last week as another 30% increase in cases is being reported by health officials.
On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported at least 2,636 cases of the virus with a confirmed 118 fatalities. The totals are the highest recorded by the second week of September since 2003 when public health officials launched an aggressive random testing campaign. Continue reading
A mentally challenged Pakistani girl who had been released on bail after being accused of blasphemy for burning pages of the Koran is in fear for her life after neighbors threatened to burn her and her family alive inside their home. Continue reading
Human Rights Watch has released a report detailing atrocities committed by M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo including execution of children who refuse to serve in their ranks.
A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch told the BBC that the rebels have forced 137 young men and boys to join their army and have executed 33 young men and children who tried to escape from serving their troops. Continue reading