Showing posts with label News From Around the World. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News From Around the World. Show all posts

Friday, May 1, 2015

News from Around the World - May 1st, 2015

[caption id="attachment_2693" align="aligncenter" width="300"]News from Around the World News from Around the World[/caption]

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Welcome back My Dear Shoevians to The Other Shoe. IT is Friday, May 1st, 2015 and this is the very first edition of ‘News From Around the World’ in a very long time. I always enjoyed writing and publishing this article series. It took my mind off of the political works I was engaged, and the acrimonious tone of ‘Conservative’ rhetoric. As well, it helped me keep in touch with the happenings outside the borders of our great nation. Sometimes, it is difficult for us Americans to admit, or to realize, that we are but one nation among many. But one voice in the symphony of human thought and action that is the human experience.

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This is not by coincidence, for you see some media outlets would have Americans believe that we are the definitive voice of the planet. Fortunately, for the species, that is not anywhere near the truth. Now, before I delve into this article I would like to take a moment to “Thank” a Shoevian for a generous and much needed and appreciated gift. No, nobody has come forward to assist me… with my ‘problem’ arising out of my two falls last month. Nope, a $3,000.00 tab stands between me and my ability to smile without shame.

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However, that does not keep me from appreciating gifts when they do come, regardless. Today another Shoevian (who has requested his… ooops, identity remain unknown) has ordered a year’s subscription to Time Magazine! From summer 1998 until October 2004 I had a running subscription to this magazine. Not only did it give me hours upon hours of reading pleasure? It, also, gave me innumerable writing ideas for all you, My Dear Shoevians. So, starting in about three weeks look for more editions of ‘News from Around the World’ and other more broad based articles here at The Other Shoe. Oh, and “THANK YOU!” to you-know-who-you-are!

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I do not think that any journalist, worth his snuff, could begin an article about news around the world without starting with the terrible human tragedy in Nepal. First I would like to take a moment and try to put the human suffering into perspective. Saturday, April 23rd 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Katmandu valley of the tiny nation of Nepal. The earthquake’s epicenter was a mere 9.3 miles beneath the surface of the Katmandu valley. In the following 23 hours there were 31 aftershocks that shook the valley. A 328-yard layer of black clay lays beneath the Katmandu Valley (the remnants of a prehistoric lake). This layer of thick black clay amplified damage and increased the incidence of soil liquefaction[1]. This, relatively, shallow 7.8 magnitude earthquake amplified by the black clay beneath the valley was a ‘Prefect Storm’ of factors that equaled the single worst earthquake in the region since the 8.6 magnitude earthquake that struck August 15th, 1950 and killed 8,000 people.

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[caption id="attachment_3985" align="aligncenter" width="630"]Broken Building Searched for Trapped People and Bodies Broken Building Searched for Trapped People and Bodies[/caption]

[2]


(Broken Building Searched for Trapped People and Bodies)


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Even more staggering is the human cost of this terrible natural disaster. As of the most recent number I could research (May 1st, 2015 1900 hrs) they are as follows; 6,250 confirmed read (it is estimated that by the end of all searches that number will equal or be greater than 10,000), 14,350 have been injured, and an estimated 2.5 million have been displaced from their homes in the Katmandu Valley. The city of Katmandu lies in ruins, as the images below will show. From what I have been reading it could be well into the month of May (the 10th – 14th) before any of the totals are finalized. Tens of thousands of residents of Katmandu are living in tents, and under tarps, without four walls.

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[youtube=https://youtu.be/heSOBf-sOm8]


(Real Time CCTV Video of The Nepal Earthquake)


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The video, above, is a compilation of Close Circuit Television footage taken around the city at the exact time of the earthquake. I cannot convey the deep sense of shock and horror that came over me, as I watched this footage. Having lived here in Southern California for the past thirty years, I thought I had (somehow) become desensitized. Desensitized about the effects, and results, of earthquakes. That feeling ended, today. Below is yet another still image of the aftermath. This image is a wide screen image that cover several blocks of the damage, done by the earthquake, in Katmandu city.

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[caption id="attachment_3986" align="aligncenter" width="630"]Wide Area Image of Katmandu After the Earthquake Wide Area Image of Katmandu After the Earthquake[/caption]

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(Wide Area Image of Katmandu After the Earthquake)


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I was driving into San Francisco October 17th, 1989. I was headed up to coast for a much-needed R&R, and San Francisco was my destination. I had only visited San Francisco once prior to this scheduled vacation. As I drove up PCH I heard the news on the radio. It was 5:20 PM on October 17th, 1989 and my view of the coastal highway was upstaged by the voice on the radio. A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck Loma Prieta just after 5:00PM. .

I was well up the coast, having left the L.A. basin before traffic started.

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It was less than an hour before night, and I was hesitant to turn around and head back to Long Beach, so I continued driving through the night. I arrived in San Francisco late in the day October 18th, 1989. I barely made it into the city limits, when I was greated by two things. One, I was shocked at the devastation a 6.9 earthquake had done to this great city, it stretched as far south as the ‘Cuban District’. Second, I was stopped by a National Guardsman and told that if I was not here as part of the relief effort, or there to locate a missing family member, I was to turn around and head home. I did just that, stopping to spend the night a little further south in Santa Cruz. My Dear Shoevians, I have seen the damage a 6.9 earthquake can do to a modern American city. I shiver deep into my bones at the thought of the death and devastation a 7.8 magnitude earthquake could do to an area like Nepal. Below is another real time video of the earthquake that shook Nepal.

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[youtube=https://youtu.be/XvcrXqwFnfs]


(Nepal Tower Collapsed)


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Just watching these videos makes my heart weep at the horrible human tragedy, the grave personal losses, and the still untold number of deceased family members. It will take, the Katmandu Valley, decades to put this tragedy behind them. I just cannot fathom the; fear, grief, terror and heartache surviving families and people must be enduring as I write this article… and as you My Dear Shoevians read. This is the very first tragedy, of this magnitude; I have covered on the pages of this blog. Having said, I do not know if I am intellectually equipped, or possessed of the writing ability to convey what our eyes see and what our hearts must feel.

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Therefore, in honor of the all the people affected by this horrific tragedy I have decided to make this edition of “News From Around the World’ a single subject edition. I do not want to dwell on the many heart-wrenching images coming out of the Katmandu Valley. I have shared, what I believe, enough to tell the story as a journalist. I fear posting too many images, or videos, will be ghoulish.

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One final factoid that I came across as I researched this human tragedy that I will share with you in this parting paragraph. Starting April 29th 2015 satellite data, from the earthquake, became available. Most importantly data from Europe's Sentinel-1A radar satellite garnered the most attention by scientists. Even today this data is still being reviewed and studied. However, preliminary results show that a region 75 miles (120 kilometers) long by 30 miles (50 km) wide lifted upward by as much as 3 feet during the earthquake. This information was made available from Tim Wright, a geophysicist at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.[4]

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As we all understand, when tectonic plates shift (move) one plate moves on top of the other plate. This has resulted in many of the world’s tallest peaks to have dropped by as much as an inch. In one day. Further, the Nepal Earthquake sparked a deadly avalanche on Mount Everest, killing at least 17 people and leaving even more missing and feared dead.[5]

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In conclusion, My Dear Shoevians, I just could NOT write about this tragedy… share images and videos from this tragedy… without trying to do something. Something to help the survivors and the families of the lost. Therefore, below I am going to share links to aid organizations that I am aware are helping out with; search and rescue, aid to the survivors and aid to the families of the dead. I am not a man of means. That fact brings me no end of embarrassment… on a near daily basis. However, I am willing to bet that many of you, My Dear Shoevians, if you haven’t already, can and will do what you can to help. Here they are:

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That, My Dear Shoevians, brings us to the end and close of this singular edition of ‘News from Around the World’. I hope that I have been informative. As well, I really hope that I have not appeared to try and take advantage of this terrible tragedy. I appreciate your visit, and would very much appreciate your ‘Like’ at the end of this article… and if you see fit, please ‘Share’ this article on any/all social media that you desire.

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Thank you!

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Adieu!

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[caption id="attachment_3856" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Author/Editor Danny Hanning in Rolling Hills Estates February 2015 Author/Editor Danny Hanning in Rolling Hills Estates February 2015[/caption]

© 2010 – 2015 Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe










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Thursday, September 25, 2014

News From Around the World - September 25th, 2014

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"]News From Around the World News From Around the World[/caption]

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Welcome to a revival of ‘News From Around the World’. I haven’t wrote or published any editions of this series for some time. However, I was looking at some news stories, earlier today, and I decided that now was the time for me to revive this series. Now, there are not going to be a lot of stories, in this first edition, but I am hoping to have more with each following edition.

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This is the story that caught my eye, and persuaded me to write and publish this series, again. With all the troubles in our world, from ISIS… ISIL or whatever they call themselves this week, to the growing discontent of America’s minimum wage workers, to the ever advancing effects of ‘Climate Change’. Our world appears to be a planet stuck in some kind of galactic quicksand. Here is the symptom that has me the most concerned, this week. The DJIA lost over 200 points today! As I am writing this article I see that the DJIA has lost 233.77 points equal to about 1.34% of DJIA total volume.

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“"To us that would signal a threat from the Kremlin that the Russian-U.S.-Europe conflict economically might take a turn for the worse, should it be enacted. They are signaling that unless concessions or negotiations take place, we're prepared to do this," said Jim Russell, senior equity strategist for US Bank Wealth Management. "It's a turn for the worse, it's an unwelcome signaling from the Kremlin that this, a limitation on capital flows to Russia, is a possibility. Maybe the markets are reacting to it," Russell said.””[1].

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This drop comes right on the heals of the S&P 500 jumping the most it has in the past month. Aye, there’s the rub! It might just be me, but when we get “largest drop since___” right after (24 hours earlier) “single one month increase in years…”? Well, that is what I call ‘instability’. Instability in the financial markets. Now where have I heard that before? Oh, yes! I remember now… 2008 – 2011! And, you want to know what doesn’t help? All the nay Sayers and portents of doom coming from a particular network and its affiliates. As I learned when I was a young boy, ‘perception dictates reality’. So, let’s keep track of the pulse of the markets and I will get back to you about this tid-bit of news in October.

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Jumping over to the tech news, we can see that Apple is just not having a good month. YES they did sell something on the order of ten million new iPhones. Then, they (Apple) released a new OS update (iOS 8.0.1) and all the sudden everybody to:

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“The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users who downloaded the iOS update found themselves unable to access cell service or use the TouchID fingerprint sensor,”[2]

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Apple immediately pulled the 8.0.1 update. Here’s the real BITE Apple emailed its users that “"Affected users can reinstall iOS 8 through iTunes,"[3]Which, I mean I don’t know because I do not have any Apple products, but if you just signed a new two year agreement and/or plopped down a big stack o’cash? That is not what I would want to hear from the company I just married my cellular service to for the next two years! Great thing? It ONLY effected the ten million users that just bought iPhone 6!

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Now, as if that is not enough ‘Bad News’ for Apple, seems they have a bug (“Worse than “Hartbleed”) pointed right at its customers. It is called “Bash” and it messed with; Linux, Unix, and MciOS! Here’s the scoop on “Bash”:

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“A major security flaw that could affect Apple's Mac and Linux operating systems has been discovered, with security experts claiming it to be more dangerous than the recent Heartbleed bug. The Shellshock bug creates a vulnerability in "Bash" — software that controls the command prompt on many computers running the Unix operating system. The Shellshock vulnerability could allow hackers to insert malicious pieces of code from a remote location and potentially take control of a machine. "The difference in significance is that with Heartbleed, what somebody could grab credentials of a user and do what they wanted, but in this case, if somebody is vulnerable, it potentially allows someone to get full system control of a victim's system,…”[4]

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That was a quote from David Emm senior security research at Kaspersky lab. Kaspersky has been outing Apple for its security faults and holes for the past three years. Just last year, at a computer security conference in Japan Kaspershy founder Eugene Kaspersky blasted Apple for being “A decade behind Windows OS when it comes to system security…”[5]

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So, in just a matter of a week Apple has ten million brand new iPhone 6 users unable to make phone calls, a brand new bug “Bash” knocking a hole in the Apple iOS, and there lack of focus on system security plaguing them in the tech world. I just cannot be thankful enough that I do not have an iPhone, and iPad, or any other ‘i’ device. However, My Dear Readers, if you do have and use Apple? All I can tell you is that I think there is a Kaspersky product for use on Apple iOS. If there is? BUY IT… INSTALL IT… USE IT! I would hate for any of My Dear Readers have the identity stolen, the bank account drained, or their iPhone high jacked by some high schooler in Russia! I have nothing against ‘i’ products, I just learned and have worked on PC hardware and software since the late 80’s and I just love using a OS I know.

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Now from ‘i’ stuff and Apple to… light bulbs! Well ‘Smart Light Bulbs’. I just caught an article on this all new ‘Smart’ light bulb being developed by “Ex-Tesla and NASA Engineers…”[6] This is not just some gimmick to sell more compact fluorescent bulbs. This is an actual ‘Smart’ device that:

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“work autonomously, both by adjusting light output based on sunlight and by learning and adapting to its owners’ household habits.”[7]

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As device creator, Neil Joesph, see it this is the next step up from Philips Hue and the LIFX. The product is named Alba (alba is Italian for sunrise). Alba uses embedded diodes that work as sensors for; movement, ambient light, occupancy and can even (over time) adapt to the usage patterns of the user. Remembering things like, when a person gets up each day, when they are out of the home for work, and when they arrive back home from work. They speculate that these ‘Smart’ bulbs could cut energy usage by 60% to 80%! Now, that translates to paying for 80% less electricity for lighting you home! That could be tremendous savings in larger homes and businesses. This could be the wave of the future of light sources.

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Finally, we go to Japan for the… well the worst of all the stories I have shared with you, My Dear Readers, today. In the Japanese prefecture of Wakayama… the yearly… dolphin hunting has begun. This is just (for me) a fancy… and culturally allowed yearly slaughter of dolphins!

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“Local fishermen are permitted by the Wakayama prefectural government to hunt an annual quota of nearly 2,000 dolphins and porpoises from seven different species, in accordance with what the government says is traditional practice.”[8]

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Now, My Dear Readers, I cannot even put into words just how much this sickens me. That, each and every year, these people have “a quota of 2,000 dolphins, and porpoises from several different species…”[9] I understand that this is part of a historic ritual, and rite of season that has gone on for hundreds of years prior to understanding what we now do about dolphins and porpoises. However, isn’t it the duty of man to apply knowledge to ancient and barbaric practices… and be learning, end them? Is not that they way mankind grows and develops? Are we not, by allowing and even condoning this activity, hampering the social growth of this community?

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By allowing this to happen, by looking the other way… are we not damning these people to being backward and barbaric? Is it not the responsibility of the larger international community to temper behavior with knowledge? It seems to me, that by allowing this sick and barbaric practice to continue we are relegating these communities to a ‘social Dark Ages’. That it is our responsibility as international neighbors to make sure that sick and barbaric practices, like this one, are ended? Not only for the benefit of the animals, but for the social growth and responsibility of the people.

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Honestly, there is just no ‘Good Reason’ to do this. There is nothing that they ‘get’ from porpoises and dolphins (nutritional wise) that they cannot get from other foods or nutritional supplements. Let me put it another way. Let’s say suddenly we find out that turkeys are highly evolved animals. That they have the potential for language and interspecies communication. I would be The First Son-of-a-gun to STOP eating turkeys! Now, My Dear Readers, I just LOVE turkey meat. Especially the dark meat, right? However, if I were to find out that these turkeys were just as smart as dolphins. Had the capability of language just like dolphins… and started looking as cute as dolphins… (OK, drop the last one there). I seriously would be the first in line to STOP EATING TURKEYS!

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So, again, WHY are we giving the Japanese communities a pass on killing these sentient creatures? If I had the money… the ability to travel… and someone to help me. I would go there and throw myself between these barbarians and the dolphins! Period!

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Well now, My Dear Readers, that brings us to the end of this revival of ‘News From around the World’ here at The Other Shoe. As most of you are aware, I am running a running campaign at Indiegogo to help me with the mounting costs of battling my cancer. Danny’s Cancer Treatment Fund at Indiegogo is now in its FINAL WEEK! That’s right only seven more days for me to raise as much money as I can! I hate to be so brutally honest, but I am a ‘man on a mission’. A mission to raise money to help me with; transportation costs, pharmacy costs, treatment costs, and home care costs.

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I only hope that you, My Dear Readers, take a moment to two and look at the campaign web site. Read some of the materials. Look at some of the images and scans pics. The give so that I might live cancer free, someday. I am working as hard as I can. Often writing and publishing TWO ARTICLES A DAY! I would not ask if this were not a life-or-death situation. Please understand that I do need your help.

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!
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Danny's Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo


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Danny in Rolling Hills Estates August 12, 2014
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© 2010 – 2014 Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe

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Wednesday, June 25, 2014

News from Around the World - June 25th, 2014

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[caption id="attachment_2693" align="aligncenter" width="400"]News from Around the World News from Around the World[/caption]

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  Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. First, I would like to take a moment and say ‘Thank You!” to everyone that enjoyed yesterday’s gargantuan article ‘Lost in Space – Tour of Our Solar System #3’ which, at last count, had nearly 20 ‘Likes’ already! I really poured my best into that article, hoped for the best and you My Dear Readers appreciated my efforts. For next week’s edition I will be writing about the ‘Dwarf Planets’ that exist at the very edge of the Kuiper Belt. Now back to today’s article and some startling news out of Iraq!

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[caption id="attachment_3125" align="aligncenter" width="630"]ISIS Control Areas in Iraq ISIS Control Areas in Iraq[/caption]

(ISIS Control Areas in Iraq)


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In an unexpected escalation of the conflict in Iraq, Syrian warplanes have attacked targets within Iraq![1] Now, I have confirmed this news from three news sources; CNN[2], ABC News[3], and The Wall Street Journal[4]. All three are reporting the, in essence, same tory that on Tuesday June 24, 2014 several Syrian Warplanes did carry out attacks in western Al Anbar. The target of the Syrian warplanes was ISIS forces that, just recently, moved into the area bordering with Syrian. This is no only an escalation of hostilities; this action puts Syrian President Assad backing “Baghdad's Shiite-dominated government fight*(against) Sunni insurgents”[5]. The attacks have, reportedly, killed 50 or more people and injured up to 132. At first Iraqi news agencies reported that “U.S. air strikes had hit ISIS forces at the Iraqi Syrian border.”[6] Rather rapidly the Pentagon denounced these reports as “false”.

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In other news from Iraq, Tuesday saw the arrival of the first 130 members of American Military Advisors to Baghdad. That is 130 out of a potential 300 America military advisors headed for Iraq and Baghdad. Tuesday also saw the arrival of Iranian troops. Iranian ‘Special Forces’ were deployed to help protect the capital (Baghdad) as well as the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, which Shiites revere[7].

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[caption id="attachment_3124" align="aligncenter" width="630"]Map of Iraq’s Ethnic Divisions Map of Iraq’s Ethnic Divisions[/caption]

(Map of Iraq’s Ethnic Divisions)


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My Dear Readers, looks like everybody now has their fingers in the Iraqi pie. To many Conservative; writers, anchors, and pundits this is a “terrible development” and Rush Limbaugh has said that “the Obama administration is giving out engraved invitations for Iran to take over Iraq…”[8] It is my humble opinion that, with all the different forces currently in Baghdad, it would be pretty darn difficult for that scenario to take place. The proof is in the pudding… meaning nobody is going to know how this is all going to turn out… well, until it does. ‘Reading Tea Leaves’, at this point in the game, would be difficult at best and disingenuous at worst.

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My two cents? This just might be an opportunity for; Syria, Iran, Iraq and America to find some… solidarity. Seems we all have the same goals in mind:

1) Repel the forces of ISIS

2) Keep the current (elected) government in power in Iraq.

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Shared misfortune makes for strange bedfellows. I reserve my judgment on just how this situation plays out, however, My Dear Readers, I will do my best to keep you informed.

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[caption id="attachment_3126" align="aligncenter" width="620"]Spain’s Princess Cristian de Borbon Spain’s Princess Cristian de Borbon[/caption]

(Spain’s Princess Cristian de Borbon)


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Last week I wrote about Spain’s former King, Juan Carlos, abdicating so that his son, King Felipe VI, could take over the Monarchy. These actions were meant to ‘shore up’ Spain’s faltering economy and overall approval of the Monarchy. Well, the paint on King Felipe VI’s ‘royal portrait’ is not even dry, and there is trouble in the court. Seems that Princess Cristian de Borbon, sister to King Felipe VI, is now facing corruption charges in Spain![10]

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[caption id="attachment_3127" align="aligncenter" width="630"]Princess Cristian de Borbon Leaving Court Saturday Princess Cristian de Borbon Leaving Court Saturday[/caption]

(Princess Cristian de Borbon Leaving Court Saturday)


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The image, above, is of the Princess leaving the court in Palma de Mallorca, capital of the Balearic Islands on Saturday morning after answering questions. The charges are that she, and her husband Urdangarin (a former Olympic handball player), used their ‘royal influence’ for graft and theft. These accusations, and some of the ways the two are responding to the charges, have caused the new King’s national approval ratings to plummet. Nearly two-thirds of Spaniards want the new King to abdicate and hand the crown over to his son. I’ll keep you posted on this palace intrigue.

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It seems that the U.S. Supreme Court has given a ‘death Blow’ to Aereo's ‘Streaming TV Service’ in several major American city’s outlets[9]. Started just about a year ago, Aereo offered a service whereby a (paid @ ~ $8 a month) subscriber could stream broadcast programs on their mobile device(s). Immediately the nation’s major broadcast networks filed suit claiming that Aereo infringed on their copyright protections by illegally retransmitting their cotnent without paying. BINGO! IN a 6/3 ruling the court sided with the nation’s broadcasters and Aereo is (now) a thing of the past. My Two Cents – You can’t get something for nothing, Aereo!

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Now, yesterday’s gargantuan seventeen page edition of ‘Lost in Space’ really ‘put the hurt’ on yours truly. I really wanted to get out this edition of ‘News from Around the World’. Having done, I will be cutting things a little short, here today. Again a BIG “Thank YOU!” to everyone that came by and ‘Like(d)’ my gargantuan edition of ‘Lost In Space’ (click there < to see!). It made my heart beat pitter-patter to see all of those many ‘Like(s)’! I was very moved by your show of appreciation for my efforts. I worked rather hard, on that edition, I tried something new… and I am glad I made the gargantuan effort, and took the chance. “Thank YOU!”

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That will wrap it up for this edition of ‘New from Around the World’. If anything… more happens? I will work to bring it to you, My Dear Readers, right here at ‘The Other Shoe’!

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"]The Other Shoe eBay Store The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

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http://www.ebay.com/usr/enzomatrixlt


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[caption id="attachment_2866" align="aligncenter" width="630"]Danny Hanning of The Other Shoe - May 6th, 2014 Danny Hanning of The Other Shoe - May 6th, 2014[/caption]














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Thursday, June 19, 2014

News From Around the World - June 19th, 2014

[caption id="attachment_2693" align="aligncenter" width="400"]News from Around the World News from Around the World[/caption]

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. As well, welcome to the June 19th, 2014 edition of ‘News from Around the World’. Just moments ago I published a review of the first Eleven episodes of ‘The Horror in Smithville’. Just click on that link, just behind us at the end of the last sentence, and you can get caught-up on all the action and thrills! Then, come back right here tomorrow (Friday June 20th, 2014) and read the twelfth episode!

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Now, let us proceed with this edition of “News from Around the World’. Today were are going to drop by L.A., Spain, Washington state, and Washington D.C. for a jaunty romp through the headlines. Every week I rummage through headlines to find some of the stories not covered by the network news, and a new take on some that were. Honestly, there were more stories to cover this week, than I had time to properly prepare the article. So, let’s jump right in and get our feet wet!

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Our first story for the day, takes us to L.A. and a law that found its way on to the books, back in 1983. For more than two decades it has been illegal for residents from using their vehicles as; ‘living quarters, both day-to-day, overnight and otherwise’[1]. I know, from personal experience, that in the city of Los Angeles this law is; rigorously, dutifully and sometimes zealously enforced. Today, June 19th 2014, a Federal Appeals Court ruled that this law is “unconstitutional” as it targets the homeless and the poor.

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[caption id="attachment_3073" align="aligncenter" width="466"]Car Sleeper Palo Alto CA Car Sleeper Palo Alto CA[/caption]

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In the decision the judge made this observation;

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"Is it impermissible to eat food in a vehicle? Is it illegal to keep a sleeping bag? Canned food? Books? What about speaking on a cellphone? Or staying in the car to get out of the rain?" Judge Harry Pregerson wrote for the panel. "These are all actions plaintiffs were taking when arrested for violation of the ordinance, all of which are otherwise perfectly legal."[2]

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This decision helps to highlight a divide happening all across Los Angeles. On one hand the city council of L.A. is working to pass a new ordinance that would make it illegal to ‘feed the homeless, while in the city limits of Los Angeles…’ and on the other hand courts are striking down old discriminatory ordinances and laws. What we have here is a genuine conflict between the will of the wealthy, and the needs of the poor and underserved. Whereas a good many of the wealthy citizens of Los Angeles are going weary of ‘seeing’ the least advantaged and feel that they detract from the natural beauty of Los Angeles’, the courts are actively protecting the rights of the poor and homeless.

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[caption id="attachment_3074" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Living in the Car Living in the Car[/caption]

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For the past thirty years Los Angeles has had a growing homeless population. With the growing inequality, and a recovery that is helping only those that already ‘have’. The L.A. elite (some, in the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills) have grown too weary from having to actually see the results of overt greed and avarice. They have, in turn, turned to the local municipalities (Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills) and become involved in local politics for one reason, to have the poor and homeless ‘removed from site’.

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While the city councils and Mayors are, at times, all too happy to serve this minority (the wealthy) and help pass discriminatory laws against the rights of the least among us; the poor, the homeless, transients and the rest. At the same time the local courts have been awaken by local civil rights organizations. These organizations want to work with local governments, yet there exists a conflict of interests. The local governments figure if they just ‘make life for the poor unbearable in our city, they will leave’, they are (in fact) violating the civil rights of American citizens. This battle is long from being done, and I fear that things for the least among us will only get worse, before it gets better. I will follow in future editions, this battle between rights and wealth.

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Now we will take a journey of several thousand miles to the country of Spain. I am very happy to share this news item, from today’s news. Spain has just gained its newest King! Seventy-six year old King Juan Carlos abdicated his crown, so that the Spanish Monocracy could gain younger blood. Today King Felipe VI was sworn in, in front of the entire nation, in the royal palace in Madrid.

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[caption id="attachment_3076" align="aligncenter" width="630"]Spain's new King Felipe VI, his wife Queen Letizia, Princess Sofia and Princess Leonor attend the swearing-in ceremony at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, June 19, 2014. Spain's new King Felipe VI, his wife Queen Letizia, Princess Sofia and Princess Leonor attend the swearing-in ceremony at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, June 19, 2014.[/caption]

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It is the hopes of the Crown, and elected officials, that this ‘new blood’ will (somehow) help with the terrible financial problems. Spain is beset with crippling financial problems, and very few solutions. On the up-side the country, and the people, are gaining a very handsome ‘Royal Family’. Ending the long rein of the 76 year old sovereign, just may not have the desired results on their economy. I have shared a couple of the images I have picked up on line, of the searing in ceremony, and the new King. I just thought it was a nice turn from the opening article, and a little light on an otherwise gloomy day.

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[caption id="attachment_3077" align="aligncenter" width="630"]Spain's King Juan Carlos (R) places the Sash of Captain-General on new King Felipe VI Spain's King Juan Carlos (R) places the Sash of Captain-General on new King Felipe VI[/caption]

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Next, well if you are anything like me (a news junky) you know that President Obama has addressed the nation, and taken many questions, on the current situation in Iraq. Now, My Dear Readers, if you have read my article from last Thursday (News From Around the World – Iraq Update) then you are fully aware of my position on this Iraqi situation. If not, here it is in a ‘nutshell’. What we are witnessing, in Iraq, is the results of a blood feud between the (in power) Shiite population and the (not in any power positions) Sunni population. This is exactly what many American foreign affairs experts feared, when we stormed into Iraq under President Bush and Dick Cheney.

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At this point in time most American people realize that the ‘War in Iraq’ was a war of choice. Meaning, Iraq had nothing to do with the attacks on 9/11, there are no credible evidence of ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ in Iraq (at the time we attacked). There really was no logistic or ‘National Security’ reason for America to go into Iraq, at that time. Many foreign affairs experts, most notably among them Henry Kissinger, to go into Iraq would be to ‘destabilize the whole region for generations to come…’. We were not “Greeted as liberators’ in 2005 the insurgency was not “in the last throes”[3]as Dick Cheney stated.

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Now, Iraq is being torn in twain and there is blood running in the streets. The war hawks that pushed us into the original conflict, are doing double-time on television and the air waves pushing for us to throw more American lives into this meat grinder. For a growing number of Americans, this is not a reasonable solution. We have, already, lost trillions in national treasure, and thousands of American lives. This brings me to the national televised decision of President Obama that we America will not put boots on the ground in Iraq, again.

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That he is sending over military advisors, to help the Iraqi Generals regain control over their forces (in their first clashes with ISIS troops the Iraqi Army threw down their arms… and ran). I am not overjoyed that President Obama said “the United States is prepared to take “targeted and precise” military action against Islamist militants in Iraq”[4] Even though he did say that American forces “will not be returning to combat.”[5]

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Again, My Dear Readers, I will be tracking and writing about this topic as the story unfolds. It is just that this is NEWS and it is so rarely that I have the opportunity to share real news in a timely fashion, and today I have that opportunity. I stand behind Presindet Obama’s choice to not spill more American blood in the sands of Iraq. This is just a ‘family thing’ between Sunnis and Shiites and the best thing America can do, at this point in time, is to just keep our boots out of that sand!

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While strolling through the news, one day, in the very merry month of… June. I came across a very disturbing news story. I am not of the time, or the knowledge, to ding into this story the way I usually do. Yet, I just could not turn away so I am going to share this news story in the hopes that I can help bring the story of this tragedy to more Americans. There is a very perplexing cluster of birth defects in Washington state. I just read about this today, and I am sharing this news as I am learning about it. Please be aware that I am on a bit of a learning curve on this story, that I usually do not find myself.

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It just called out to me… cried out for attention… and ink. Since 2010 forty-two (42) babies have been born with “so-called neural tube defects … … … including 32 with a fatal condition in which they’re born missing parts of the brain and skull”[6]

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Now, comes (what I find) to be the most disturbing aspect of this cluster of illness. More than half of these babies were born to Mexican-American mothers. Now, from my experience working in pharmacology, I can tell you that birth defects, of this nature, generally point to low levels of folic acid in the mother’s diet during gestation. My Dear Readers, this was a known problem among mother’s of European decent, in the early part of the 20th century.

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[caption id="attachment_3075" align="aligncenter" width="460"]Newborn baby Newborn baby[/caption]

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The FDA came in and we added Iron supplements to all breads, as a part of an international effort, in the 1940’s. This was labeled ‘Enriched Flour’[7] and we see this all over our markets, today. It is in nearly all of our breads and most of our flours. However, the Hispanic population does not eat much of our enriched flour breads and enriched flour products. As a part of their normal (regional based) diet they eat corn mesa (corn flour), which is not enriched with; folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine and calcium.[8]

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Now there is a petition, calling for the fortification of corn mesa, that has been sitting with the Food And Drug Administration for the past two years. It is my humble opinion that more Americans need to get behind this effort to have corn mesa fortified, just the way our flours have been for the past seventy years. It is not fair to these families, to these mothers, and to these babies to not have fortified Corn Mesa available for them to purchase and use in the diet.

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[caption id="attachment_3072" align="aligncenter" width="275"]Nursing Baby Nursing Baby[/caption]

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These neural tube birth defects can be quite costly, to the family and in poor families this cost is passed on to the community as a whole. It really is in the best interest of our society that we make sure that these foods get the proper fortificationof the vitamins and minerals that we, Americans of European decent, get every single day. That’s My Two Cents for this week.

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That, My Dear Readers, brings us to the end of ‘News from Around the World’ for this week. I hope that every one of my readers is in good health, and fine spirits. If you read my ‘Notes from Behind the Keyboard’ (This week) and/or watched the video… well, then you know my current health condition, and the complications that lay ahead for me. Moving on… I hope that everyone has enjoyed the news articles I have brought here, today. Each week I look and look for news and articles that I think might be of interest, and that many (of not most) news media outlets have missed.

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As always, I have enjoyed our time together and look forward to seeing you here tomorrow for… … … “The Horror in Smithville – Part Twelve’! Matter of fact, as soon as I rest my neck and back… get a handle on the pain, I will be right back behind this keyboard taking Timmy, Archer, David (Mr. Champion) and US for another adventure in Smithville. Until then…

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"]The Other Shoe eBay Store The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_2866" align="aligncenter" width="630"]Danny Hanning of The Other Shoe - May 6th, 2014 Danny Hanning of The Other Shoe - May 6th, 2014[/caption]


 











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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

News From Around The World - June 11th, 2014

[caption id="attachment_2693" align="aligncenter" width="400"]News from Around the World News from Around the World[/caption]

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 Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. As well, welcome to one of the most far-flung editions of ‘News From Around the World’ ever published! So far-flung that I start today as far as one can get, in outer space! That’s right; one of the biggest stories I have to share on this Wednesday is a story about out Sun. Yesterday NASA monitored two ‘X-Class Solar Flares’[1] erupting on the surface of our Sun. Only to be followed today, at 5:06AM EDT, with a third X-Class solar flare.         

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[caption id="attachment_3011" align="aligncenter" width="630"]Solar Surface Image 6-10-2014 Solar Surface Image 6-10-2014[/caption]

(Solar Surface Image 6-10-2014)


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Now for a little science, and some explanation of the classification of solar flares, and the ‘X-Class’ of flares. Solar flares are categorized as A, B, C, M, or X. X being the strongest in output in ångströms. Then the X class is broken down further as; 1 to 9. So, you can have sun flares with designations like; A-1 (the lowest of the lows), B 1-9, C 1-9, and like yesterday and today’s flares X 1-10. These designations are made by determinations of data from the GOES Satellite[2] (Geostationary Satellite Server). Below are the three images of the ‘X-Class’ solar flares of June 10th and 11th.

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[caption id="attachment_3013" align="aligncenter" width="630"]`Three ‘X-Class’ Solar Flares in 24 hours Three ‘X-Class’ Solar Flares in 24 hours[/caption]

(Three ‘X-Class’ Solar Flares in 24 hours)


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All three of the monitored sun flares, yesterday and today, have all been of the ‘X’ class. Now, there are even higher classifications of sun flares, the “super X-class solar flares”. This classification ranges from X-10 Up! Therefore, when a solar flare goes higher than X-10 it does not get a new letter designation. It just goes higher in the number value, like ‘X-13’. Below is a moving image of an ‘X-13’ solar flare capture4d by NASA and GOES from 2003.

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[caption id="attachment_3012" align="aligncenter" width="256"]Super X17 Solar Flare 2003 Super X17 Solar Flare 2003[/caption]

(Super X17 Solar Flare 2003)


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Now, My Dear Readers, I do not want to instill panic among my readers. Therefore, let me explain the most important fact of all (of us on earth) is the direction the solar flare goes. You see even an ‘X-13 solar flare’ is only dangerous to us if the solar flare erupts, from the surface of the sun, in a trajectory (flight path) that will cross our orbital path. In other words, this is really only a major problem if the X-13 solar flare erupts from the sun and ends up striking the earth’s surface. In 2003 NASA’s GOES measured the ‘X-13’ solar flare I have pictured above, and life went on without taking much notice. Because the solar emission did not cross earth’s orbital path and/or strike the earth’s surface.

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[caption id="attachment_3010" align="aligncenter" width="630"]June 10th 2014 X2-Part2 Solar Flare Crop June 10th 2014 X2-Part2 Solar Flare Crop[/caption]

(June 10th 2014 X2-Part2 Solar Flare Crop)


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Of course these gigantic solar flares always effect our radio wave transmissions, regardless of their trajectory. They are such a huge release of energetic energy, and radio waves, that these solar flares always effect the radio transmissions on the side of the earth that happens to be facing the sun, when they happen. You, My Dear , can always get information on the past and upcoming disturbances, and how/where they will disrupt radio transmissions, at NASA’s Space Weather Prediction Center[3]. Here is this morning’s notification:

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“2014-06-11 10:56 UTC Region 2087 picks back up

After producing a pair of R3 (Strong) Radio Blackouts in quick succession yesterday morning (10/1142 and 10/1252 UTC), active Region 2087 produced yet another R3 event today at 11/0906 UTC. Impacts from this activity were short lived and affected HF communications for the daylit side of Earth at the time of the flare. Continuing chances for more events R3 or greater events exists. Unlike yesterday, a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is not believed to be associated with this latest impulsive event. A CME associated with the activity yesterday morning has been observed moving at a flank from Earth and a glancing blow to Earth from this event is expected on June 13. An outside chance of at most G1 (Minor) Geomagnetic storms remains in the forecast.

Stay tuned here for information on these events or additional space weather as it happens.”

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The web site is regularly updated with the most recent information from the GOES and NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory[4]. As well, on the site linked in the previous sentence, you can see an image of our sun at any given moment. This site is also a great resource in tracking solar flares, and predictions of interruptions to radio transmissions. Between all the sites I have listed, in this article, you My Dear Readers can accurately track (in real time) any and all solar flares. I am sharing all this information to help dispel any fear and anxiety, that some might experience, hearing of these larger solar flare events. Knowledge is power, the power to understand and the power to control your reaction to news of this kind. Below is a video of the two ‘X-Class’ solar flares by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/rRpxs39zn20]


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As far as any of the information I have read, to the time of publication, none of these ‘X Class’ solar flares are set to do any harm to earth, or us. Now, understand that these energy pulses come in two waveforms. The first is radio waves and these happen (nearly) in real time. The disruptions to radio signals happens directly after the solar flare occurs on the sun’s surface. Then, there is the slower moving energy pulse, which moves at the speed of light. These energy pulses are set to arrive on June 13th, 14th and 15th. They are not anticipated to do any harm to our planet or its atmosphere.

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[caption id="attachment_3009" align="aligncenter" width="630"]GOES X-Ray Flux Chart GOES X-Ray Flux Chart[/caption]

(GOES X-Ray Flux Chart)


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This is all the information on these solar events that I have at this time (10:30AM PDT 6-11-2014). As they merit, I will update you My Dear Readers as needed. Now, on with ‘New From Around the World’!

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We are all aware that Brazil is hosting the ‘World Cup 2014’ . If you have been following the daily games, then you have heard about the traffic jams. One such traffic jam, yesterday, resulted in Ross Barkley missing the first day of training with the English team.[5] However, today just might take the title as ‘Largest Traffic Jam in History’. That’s right in San Palo Brazil NBC is reporting a ‘214 MILE LONG traffic jam’! The image, below, is of the 214 traffic jam. You can read more on the NBC web site    .

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[caption id="attachment_3008" align="aligncenter" width="508"]214 Mile Traffic Jam in San Palo 214 Mile Traffic Jam in San Palo[/caption]

(214 Mile Traffic Jam in San Palo)


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Now, for the final story of today’s edition of ‘News From Around the World’ the upset loss of ® Rep. Eric Cantor at the polls in the Virginia primary, last night. Republican House of Representatives Majority Leader, Eric Cantor, has lost the Republican primary in Virginia last night. This has to be the single most unanticipated turn of events of the 2014 election cycle. Rep. Cantor lost his bid for the Republican nomination for his Congressional seat to a ‘Tea Party’ primary contender.

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David Brat was that ‘Tea Party’ primary contender and lead Rep. Cantor to the very first time a ‘House Majority Leader’ has ever lost a primary. FYI My Dear Readers, if you know me on Facebook, then you have read me post on threads about candidates being ‘primaried’ (yes, that IS verbing a noun). What happened to Rep. Eric Cantor is being ‘primaried’. This is a huge loss for the Republican establishment, as Rep. Cantor was the #2 man (in the House) for the Republican Party. There is no one in the news media or up ‘On The Hill’ saw this coming.

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The only answer anyone has, at this point, it that ® Rep. Eric Cantor was way too busy courting Wall Street and spending $140,000.00 on steak(s), and the night of the election he wasn’t even in his own district! To me, this has to be the best explanation and the simplest. No matter how high you may climb, if you forget the people (like you, My Dear Readers) that lifted you… you will loose. Let this be a lesson to us all, and one that I will not soon forget.

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With that, My Dear Readers, we come to the end of the journey that was this weeks’ ‘News From Around the World’. We started in outer space with news from the sun. The news of the three ‘X-Class’ solar flares, that have erupted on the surface of the sun. Next, to San Palo, Brazil for the longest traffic jam in the history of man. Finally, to land back here in America for the single most surprising upset in the 2014 elections cycle. We have come a long way, in a short time, My Dear Readers.

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I hope that you have enjoyed this week’s edition of ‘News From Around the World’ and I hope to see you right here, next week, for another edition!

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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http://www.ebay.com/usr/enzomatrixlt


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