The Pacific coast of South America is experiencing massive flooding after torrential rain deluged the region. At least six people are confirmed dead in Peru.
Arequipa in the southern part of the country has thousands left without electricity and clean drinking water due to the massive flooding. Peruvian authorities have declared a state of emergency for Arquipa and the surrounding regions. The country’s national meteorological service told the Andina news agency that the total rainfall in seven hours matched the average rainfall for three months. Continue reading →
Venezuelan Vice-President Nicolas Maduro returned from visiting cancer-stricken President Hugo Chavez in Cuba and announced the nation would be devaluing it’s currency against the U.S. dollar by 32 percent.
The move raises the official exchange rate of their currency, the bolivar, from 4.3 to 6.3 for every U.S. dollar. Continue reading →
A 29-year-old woman died as a result of complications from a late-term abortion in Germantown, Maryland Thursday.
The woman was under the medical care of Dr. LeRoy Carhart who has been connected to previous deaths including the 2005 death of Christin Gilbert in Wichita, Kansas. Continue reading →
In data released Thursday afternoon, the Federal Reserve revealed that its holdings of U.S. government debt had increased to an all-time record of $1,696,691,000,000 as of the close of business on Wednesday. Continue reading →
China surpassed the U.S. to become the world’s biggest trading nation last year as measured by the sum of exports and imports of goods, official figures from both countries show. Continue reading →
In a sudden announcement that caught Catholics around the world off guard, Pope Benedict XVI said he will resign at the end of February, becoming the first pontiff to step down in nearly 600 years. Continue reading →
Scientists have dismissed fears an asteroid due to whiz past the Earth on Friday will ‘destroy London’ – but it could take out vital telecommunications satellites.
Scientists say they are sure there is no chance of the 150ft (45.7m) wide space rock hitting the planet. Continue reading →
A homicide bomber blew himself up in the northern Mali town of Gao, marking the first time the Islamic terrorists attempting to overthrow the government have used traditional terrorist-style tactics. The terrorist rushed soldiers riding a motorcycle before blowing himself up with an explosive belt. One soldier was moderately injured.
Gao is the most populated city in northern Mali. Islamists had control of the city and region until French forces drove them into the surrounding mountains. Continue reading →
Government officials throughout the northeast U.S. are telling residents to “stock up” on supplies and to prepare for extended power outages as a massive winter storm moves into the region.
The National Weather Service says two separate weather systems are combining over New England and says the storm could be “historic.” The storm will start Friday and is not expected to peak until Saturday morning somewhere over Massachusetts. Continue reading →
Nine women who had been giving vaccinations for polio to the poor in Nigeria have been gunned down by terrorists.
A gunman on a motor tricycle rushed toward vaccinators in the northern city of Kano and killed the women while they were doing their job. A half hour later, gunmen hit a clinic just outside Kano as the vaccinators were preparing to start their day. Continue reading →