7.5 earthquake in the Indian Ocean

A powerful earthquake at 7.5 magnitude hit the Indian ocean.

For more of the news, go to

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gIAokUzzRrZDi7xM-zbeaypf6_ew

Pakistan flooding claimed 1,100 lives

I have been trying to get in touch with a friend in Pakistan. It has been days and I got no response. I hope nothing untoward happened to him.

Below is the latest news in Pakistan's flood where 1,100 died and thousands more injured, reminiscent of our flooding in the Philippines because of Ondoy where thousands also died and left people on their rooftops.

Below is the latest news on the flood in Pakistan:


http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/08/01/pakistan.flooding.deaths/index.html?hpt=T2#fbid=g8AzMxscDMy

Tehran and Moro Gulf, Phils. earthquakes

A 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit Tehran, Iran. 200 injured.

For more of the news, go to:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/07/30/iran.earthquake/index.html?hpt=T2#fbid=JtUk4r45LiP

Likewise, the Philippines, the Moro gulf, had four moderately strong earthquakes, three of which were registered at magnitudes of 5.3, 7.3, and 7.1 on Saturday a.m.
on on July 24, 2010
Read more, at:


http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/23/phillipines.earthquake/index.html?iref=obnetwork#fbid=JtUk4r45LiP




The second coming of our Lord Jesus is at he door, with the signs that we see, happening within a very short space of time: floods, earthquake, wildfire,airplane disasters, economic meltdown.

People experienced floods which according to them was the first that happened to them, areas that were never visited by floods before.


So, this is a call to unbelievers, and believers who have gone astray.
Acknowledge God, follow His precepts!

Central Russia wildfire

Central Russia wildfire raging, 1,000 homes burned, five people dead.

For more of the news,go to:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/07/30/russia.wildfires.heat/index.html?hpt=T1#fbid=JtUk4r45LiP

Their temperature reached 39 Celsius, one of their highest . During winter their freezing temperature is biting. Temperatures are at extremes.

We in the Philippines are complaining about the heat reaching 37 to 38 degrees Celsius during summer. I cannot imagine the heat we have to endure, the humid temperature of 39 degrees Celsius.

The best time in the Philippines is in November to February, the weather is cooler.

Southern California Wildfire

Southern California wildfire has already burned 15,000 acres, destroyed 25 homes.

For more of the news go to:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/07/28/california.wildfires.spread/index.html?hpt=T2#fbid=JtUk4r45LiP

Stampede in Western germany killed 15 and 100 injured

Fifteen people and 100 were injured in a stampede in Duisburg, Western Germany where 1.4 million people from around Europe attended the electronic music festival or Love Parade. Overcrowding to the tunnel going to the former rail station caused the stampede

This annual festival is usually attended by 18-25 year olds.

In the Philippines, the show “Wow Wowee” held outside the TV station, fans were also killed because of a stampede in a rush going through the gates of the venue.

Accidents do happen. For protection, ask for protection from God, to cover us with His precious blood.

For more of the news on the stampede in Germany, go to:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/europe/la-fgw-10dead-german-techno-20100724,0,2670636.story

7.3 magnitude earthquake at Moro Gulf

A fairly strong earthquake at 7.3 magnitude hit the Moro Gulf at 6:09 Saturday morning.

For more of the news, go:

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/23/7-3-magnitude-earthquake-strikes-off-philippines/?hpt=T2

Floodings in Pakistan leaving 30 dead, 50 missing

Is the water level of the sea rising, or are there less trees around us? what has caused the flooding? After China, Pakistan is hit by the floods after torrential rains. Reported 30 dead, and 50 missing.

For the Cnn News, go to:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/23/pakistan.floods/index.html?hpt=T2#fbid=JtUk4r45LiP

A tropical storm on the way to China from Hong Kong

China is still flooded and is still searching for missing persons, and there on the way from Hong Kong is a tropical storm expected to landfall late Thursday..

Learn to acknowledge God, and he will rescue you.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/21/china.tropical.cyclone/index.html?hpt=T2#fbid=JtUk4r45LiP

Lindsay Lohan Locked up

The first time I saw Lindsay Lohan in her movie, "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," I fell in love with her beauty and her role as a downtrodden character; such talent and beauty going to waste if she doesn't change.

In the said movie she looked so youthful, but only after a few years at a still young age of 24, she has aged a lot. That's the effect of drugs and alcohol.

It is painful for a parent seeing her own child incarcerated (for violating probation), but i believe this is a blessing in disguise. For 90 days, she will have all the time to reflect on her past life. Hopefully, she'd learn to abide by God's law, not only the human law.

Lindsay Lohan's attorney, Robert Shapiro, backed down as her lawyer.

For more of the news on Lindsay Lohan, go to:

http://edition.cnn.com/video/?/video/showbiz/2010/07/20/sbt.lindsay.lohan.jail.cnn

Samar's quake at 5.0 magnitude

Samar had an early Wednesday morning earthquake registered at 5.0 magnitude of tectonic origin.

For more of the news, go to

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20100721-282336/50-magnitude-quake-hits-Samar

Papua New Guinea Quakes

Papua New Guinea hit by two earthquakes: 6.9 and 7.3 in magnitudes.

For more of the story, go to

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/18/papau.new.guinea.quake/index.html?hpt=T2&fbid=g8AzMxscDMy

Boat of GMA 7 crew in Limay, Bataan capsized

From an interview by Shirley Escalante with Emil Sumangil, reporter and head of the crew of GMA 7 over the radio

The crew of GMA 7 covering the MV George and LPG tanker which were on the shore and being pulled away from the shore for fear of an explosion if the bottom of the ships are punctured because of rocks on the shore, the motorized boat they were on board capsized. Emil said that the water was calm, but the undercurrent was strong. The last one who was rescued was the cameraman because he tried to pull up the heavy camera.

Some members of Emil’s team could not swim. Although they wore a life vest, it got unfastened because of the scramble and the fear for safety.

When Emil realized that he was in very deep water, he made the sign of the cross, and said: “Panginoon, kayo na po ang bahala”. (God, take care of us.)

They were near the shore so the coastguards responded immediately. Some suffered minor injuries.

A member of the crew who had a cellphone in a bubble bag was able to capture the scene.

According to the coastguard who was interviewed by Shirley, the reason the boat capsized, as witnessed by people on MV George, was the movement by a member of the crew from one side to another.

Engineers from the Philippines, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka among killed in Iraq Hotel fire.

A Filipino, a Cambodian , and a Sri Lankan, all engineers and an American died in a hotel fire in Iraq.Twnety nine were killed and 22 injured.

Follow the news below.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/07/16/iraq.hotel.fire/index.html?hpt=T2&fbid=JtUk4r45LiP

Typhoon expected to hit the Philippines

The public is warned about the typhoon to hit land on late Tuesday. Lightning and floods expected. Be careful.

For more of the news, go to:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/12/philippines.typhoon.landfall/index.html?hpt=T2&fbid=JtUk4r45LiP

Levees break in China after torrential rain

Levees break in China after torrential rain
More than 4,200 were evacuated.

Rising floodwaters breached levees along the Bainian River, which flows across the cities of Anqing and Tongcheng,

For more of the story, go to:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/12/china.levees.break/index.html?hpt=T2&fbid=JtUk4r45LiP


In the Philippines, our experience with the typhoon Ondoy, where lives were lost and thousands left homeless, the question in our mind is could this calamity happen again.

My son and his family were stranded in the second floor of their house for 1 ½ days, with only biscuits for food, no electricity, no communication. At least they had the roof over their head. Pitiful were the families on their rooftop with small children for over two days, no protection from the elements.

with this calamity in China of the breaking of the levees, what if the dams in the Philippines break? This would turn out much worse than the Ondoy calamity.
The assigned agencies are getting ready for preparedness for emergencies for the rainy season, but have they looked into the dams?

Wednesday California Quake

A 5.4 quake hit California anew, for more of the story below:


A moderate earthquake jolted Southern California on Wednesday, rattling buildings in downtown Los Angeles, toppling wine bottles at desert resorts and briefly halting rides at Disneyland. There were no reports of immediate injuries or major damage, although residents across a wide swath of Southern California were spooked by the force of the magnitude-5.4 quake. It struck at 4:53 p.m. and was centered 28 miles south of Palm Springs.

National Briefing | West
California: Modest Quake Jolts Region
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: July 7, 2010

Japan earthquake

An earthquake of 6.3 magnitude hit Japan.

I hope there is no repeat of the 7.2 quake in 1995 that killed 6,400 people.

Repent, pray!

For more details, go to Yahoo news on Quake with magnitude of 6.3 rattles northern Japan

Another Bus accident in Cebu City

After only a few months of that accident in Cebu killing Iranian medical students,
another bus accident happened killing 15 and injuring 48. Reason? Same...brake failure.

Haven't the authorities inspected the brakes of the buses to avoid such accidents?

For details of the story, go to Yahoo news of July 4
on "48 injured in bus crash in Philippines"

Mexico's 6.5 magnitude earthquake

Another earthquake hit Mexico. 6.5 in magnitude.

Go to

6.5-Magnitude quake strikes Mexico - USGS
at abscbnnews.com
Google from this blog,

After the oil spill at the Gulf of Mexico, what's the message of God?

Train Disaster in Barcelona, Spain

Twelve died, 14 hurt and three in critical condition when an Express train hit the group who got off a local train and tried to cross the tracks.

For more of the news, search the blog for reports on the train accident in Barcelona, Spain

Brazil flooding: thousands homeless

Brazil flooding left 44 dead, 600 missing and 42,000 homeless in Penambuco state and 74,000 in Alagoas also.

for details of the news, search the web in this blog for:
Brazil flooding

France flash flood

Flash floods in Southern region of France killed 15 and 1,000 in shelter.

follow the news "15 dead in French flash flood"
search the web in this blog.

Bus Crash In Cebu, Philippines killing mostly Iranians

Some Iranian medical students were killed in a camp trip in Cebu.
Cause of the crash was said to be brake failure.

Search the web above.


Pray to God to protect us from any harm wherever we go.

Earthquakes in Japan and India

Japan and India hit by 6.1 and 7.5 magnitude earthquake

President of the Philippines: Noynoy Aquino

The newly proclaimed president of the Philippines, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, has given the Filipinos new hope. We are facing a new tomorrow with great anticipation for the coming of the "new" Philippines, under the guidance of God. Let's rally behind our president!

During the proclamation of Congress at Batasan, both Jejomar Binay and Noynoy Aquino, proclaimed vice-president and president respectively, were greatly applauded by the crowd... allies as well as the opposition.

Let's keep on praying for our country!

Taal Volcano's possible eruption

If you are planning on a visit to the scenic Taal volcano, better hold it temporarily
because you might get caught by a possible eruption.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised its warning level from 1 to 2 because of heard of hissing sounds, and temperature rising.

The beautiful Taal Volcano should not be missed by a tourist, but not at this time.

Its main crater is now off limits to the public because of a possible steam eruption and toxic build up.

Cyclone Phet, Tornado destruction

The destruction in Oman by cyclone Phet, (watch the video) is now heading to Karachi.

Tornado destroyed homes in Michigan, Illinois and near Toledo, Ohio. (watch video)

What is a cyclone and a tornado?

Cyclone

In meteorology, a cyclone is an area of closed, circular fluid motion rotating in the same direction as the Earth]. This is usually characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate counter clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth. Most large-scale cyclonic circulations are centered on areas of low atmospheric pressure. The largest low-pressure systems are cold-core polar cyclones and extratropical cyclones which lie on the synoptic scale. Warm-core cyclones such as tropical cyclones, mesocyclones, and polar lows lie within the smaller mesoscale. Subtropical cyclones are of intermediate size. Upper level cyclones can exist without the presence of a surface low, and can pinch off from the base of the Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere. Cyclones have also been seen on other planets outside of the Earth, such as Mars and Neptune.

Tornado

A tornado is a violent, rotating column of air which is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. The most intense of all atmospheric phenomena, tornadoes come in many shapes and sizes, but are typically in the form of a visible condensation funnel, whose narrow end touches the earth and is often encircled by a cloud of debris and dust. Most tornadoes have wind speeds between 40 mph (64 km/h) and 110 mph (177 km/h), are approximately 250 feet (75 m) across, and travel a few miles (several kilometers) before dissipating. The most extreme can attain wind speeds of more than 300 mph (480 km/h), stretch more than a mile (1.6 km) across, and stay on the ground for dozens of miles (more than 100 km)

(Source: Wikipedia)

Killing rampage in Cumbria England

What could have caused this gunman, Derrick Bird, a taxi driver, divorced, his two children moved out of home, and his ill mother in a nursing home, to go in a killing rampage? Could it be loneliness, no loving connection with the people he loved? So sad, this losing of connection with one's family.

Below is the story on the killing in Cumbria, England

London, England (CNN) -- Police on Thursday began identifying the victims of a series of drive-by shootings in northern England that left 12 people dead and 11 wounded before the gunman killed himself.

Authorities named one of the victims as local solicitor Kevin Commons, 60, who was a senior partner in the law firm KJ Commons and Co.

Cumbria Police said he was found dead in the driveway of his house in Frizington on Wednesday afternoon.
Queen Elizabeth issued condolences, saying she was "deeply shocked" by what happened.

"In asking you to pass my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to the families of all those who were killed or injured, and to the injured themselves, I am sure I share in the grief and horror of the whole country," the queen said.

Gun laws tightened after massacres

Police also released a map tracing the route that suspect Derrick Bird, 52, is believed to have traveled on his rampage through the region on Wednesday.The route begins near the village of Lamplugh and winds through Cumbria, taking in the seaside towns of Whitehaven and Seascale before ending up farther inland near Boot, in the Lake District.
Police lifted the cordons at most of the 30 separate crime scenes, but Bird's house in Rowrah, near Frizington, remained one of those roped off, they said.

Forensic experts were examining two weapons seized by police, a shotgun and a .22 rifle fitted with a telescopic sight. Police said Bird was a licensed firearms holder for 20 years and they were investigating whether the license covers the seized firearms.

"The focus of the 100-strong squad of detectives investigating the incident is firmly on finding out why someone would want to take so many lives in such a short space of time," Cumbria Police said in a statement. "Officers and staff are conducting forensic evidential searches and tests across the area at each location."

Police finished searching the known and possible routes Bird could have used -- an area covering 150 kilometers (93 miles) -- and said as a result they were not expecting to find any more victims.

Of the wounded, eight remained in hospitals Thursday, with four in stable and four in "comfortable" condition, police said.
Peter Leder, who described himself as a friend of Bird's, told CNN he spoke to Bird on Tuesday night and Bird told him, "You won't see me again."

Leder said Bird had been an independent taxi driver in Whitehaven for more than 20 years and described him as "an outgoing, well-known guy, who everyone liked." Bird was divorced several years ago and has two children, both boys, who had moved away from home, he said.
Bird is close to his mother, who is ill in a local nursing home, Leder said.

He said his friend enjoyed scuba diving, went on several diving trips abroad and practiced regularly at the Whitehaven swimming baths. Leder said he knew Bird had guns but said he was not violent.

The Citroen that police said Bird was driving at the time of the shootings was his regular cab, Leder said.
"I can't shed any light on it," Leder said. "... He was a decent guy, and I'm sorry for what's happened."
CNN's David Wilkinson contributed to this report.

Three killed in Guatemala volcano eruption

A journalist covering the volcano eruption in Guatemala was among those killed in the eruption.

For more of the story below:

Death toll climbs to 3 from Guatemala volcano
By the CNN Wire staff

Guatemala City, Guatemala (CNN) -- The death toll from the eruption of a volcano in Guatemala has risen to at least three people, an official said Friday.

Two villagers from El Bejucal and a reporter from CNN affiliate Noti 7 were killed as a result of Thursday's eruption of the Pacaya volcano, said David de Leon, a spokesman for the national disaster commission.

The three victims were crushed by rocks strewn by the volcano.

Pacaya, located about 15 miles (25 km) south of Guatemala City, began spewing ash and soot about 7 p.m. (9 p.m. ET) Thursday.

Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom declared a state of calamity for 15 days and called for calm as the eruption spread ash over the capital, prompting evacuations and shutting down the city's international airport.

Four people were missing as evacuations continued, the president said.

At least 1,800 people have been placed in shelters after four villages near the volcano were evacuated, de Leon said.

The runway at La Aurora International Airport -- the third busiest airport in Central America in terms of passenger traffic -- was covered with ash and will be closed Friday, Colom said.

About 25 percent of the airport's daily flights had to be diverted to alternative airports after La Aurora was closed around 7:30 p.m., said Monica Monje with Civil Aeronautics.

The states of Guatemala, Escuintla and Sacatepequez were hardest hit. Classes were canceled Friday in Escuintla and Guatemala states, Colom said.

A slight rain that fell over the area mixed with the ash, hindering visibility.

Alejandro Estrada Garcia, a 21-year-old student in Guatemala City, filed a CNN iReport detailing his difficulties.

"I was returning from the university," he said. "It was really hard to drive because the ash was coming down with a bit of rain, so it was kind of muddy and really hard to get off the windshield. I drove with my window open so I could see."

Garcia's dad inspects his ash covered car

Pacaya had been dormant for a century until 1965, when it erupted again. It has been active since.

Its summit has an elevation of 8,373 feet (2,552 meters).

CNN's Gustavo Valdes and journalists Bertha Ramos-Rodriguez and Alexia Rios Hayashi contributed to this report.

Philippine Election

As of 10:00 p.m. Philippine time, Noynoy Aquino leads in the Philippine election as president followed by Joseph Estrada. For VP, leading is Jojomar Binay followed by Mar Roxas.

For more of the news, read below:

Ex-president's son leads in Philippine vote count
From Arwa Damon and Kathy Quiano, CNN

Manila, Philippines (CNN) -- Sen. Benigno Aquino III, the son of former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, held the lead Monday as votes were counted to determine the next president of the Philippines, according to partial and unofficial returns.

Aquino had 35 percent of the vote compared with 27 percent for his nearest rival, former President Joseph Estrada, according to results from PPCRV, a church-based watchdog organization that works in conjunction with the country's electoral commission.

It was not immediately clear how many of the total votes had been counted to yield those partial results, and the figures could change as more ballots are tallied.


Voters cast ballots to choose a president, vice president and about 17,000 other local and legislative positions.

The voting was marred by violence Sunday -- a gunman killed three people and wounded at least five at the house of a mayoral candidate, a military spokeswoman said.

In southern Mindanao, meanwhile, four municipalities declared election failure after poll workers reported harassment and death threats.

The election commission accepted the declarations and said it would re-schedule a special election in Mindanao, an island where a political massacre left 57 people dead in November.

In 2007, 13 municipalities in the same area declared election failure and re-held the elections after a year.

One election monitor, Leila De Lima, emphasized the importance of the vote.

"It's a very crucial litmus test to our democracy, our fragile democracy," said De Lima, chairwoman of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines.

"The administration has been hounded by issues of corruption, human rights violations. People are looking forward to a new administration that will hopefully usher in meaningful changes. So, it's very, very important."

Indonesia 7.4 quake

Indonesia was revisited by another strong quake at 7.4 magnitude.

Quake strikes off Indonesia coast
By the CNN Wire Staff
May 9, 2010 -- Updated 0729 GMT (1529 HKT)

(CNN) -- A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia on Sunday but did not trigger a tsunami, the National Weather Service said.

The quake, with a depth of 28 miles (45 kilometers), struck about 140 miles (226 kilometers) southeast from Banda Aceh, according to the United States Geological Survey said.

It triggered a tsunami watch that was canceled about 45 minutes later when sea level readings indicated that a significant tsunami was not generated, the weather service's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

No immediate information on damage was available.

In April, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in the same area triggered two tsunamis and wounded several people.

Indonesia is on the so-called Ring of Fire, an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin that is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

In 2004, a 9.1-magnitude underwater earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people in 14 countries.

The tsunami, which washed away entire communities, caused nearly $10 billion in damage and more casualties than any other tsunami in history, according to the United Nations. Indonesia was among the hardest hit nations.

Peru 6.4 earthquake

Peru is hit by 6.4 quake.

Read story below:

6.4-magnitude quake rattles Peru
By the CNN Wire Staff

(CNN) -- A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck near the city of Tacna in the southern border of Peru on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey said.

The earthquake, with a depth of 11 km (6.8 miles), struck 25 km (16 miles) west of Tacna, the agency said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damages.

Lynn Redgrave died of breast cancer

Lynn Redgrave, British actress who belonged to a dynasty of actors and actresses, and started her career in the 60's, died of breast cancer.

Story below.

Actress Lynn Redgrave dies at 67
By Alan Duke, CNN

(CNN) -- Actress Lynn Redgrave died Sunday after a seven-year battle with breast cancer, according to her family.

Redgrave, 67, was surrounded by her children at her Connecticut home when she died, the family said in a statement Monday morning.

The star of stage, film and television was twice nominated for an Academy Award: for best actress in 1966 for her role in "Georgy Girl" and for best supporting actress in the 1998 film "Gods and Monsters."

"She lived, loved and worked harder than ever before," the family said. "The endless memories she created as a mother, grandmother, writer, actor and friend will sustain us for the rest of our lives. Our entire family asks for privacy through this difficult time," the statement said.

Redgrave is from "a family of actors, embracing as it does more than five generations," she wrote on her official website.

She is the younger sister of Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave and the aunt of the late actress Natasha Richardson.

Her parents, Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, were British stage and film actors.

Her paternal grandparents, Roy Redgrave and Margaret Scudamore, were stage and silent film actors.

Redgrave teamed with daughter Annabel Clark in 2004 to produce the book "Journal: A Mother and Daughter's Recovery from Breast Cancer."

"I thought I was living very fully before this happened," she said in 2005. "But in comparison, no, I really wasn't. I wasn't taking the time to notice things. I didn't see things as brightly or as sharply or as memorably as I do now.

"I really don't let a moment slide by. I just don't. It's a big price to pay, isn't it, to have to have cancer to learn that? But it is in the end, I have to say, a price worth paying," Redgrave said.

Redgrave's professional acting debut was in 1962 at London's Royal Court Theatre in a production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." A year later, she was invited to join Britain's National Theatre for its inaugural season under the direction of Sir Laurence Olivier, according to her personal biography.

Her first film performance came in "Tom Jones," a 1963 movie co-starring Albert Finney and her mother.

Redgrave's "Georgy Girl" role three years later, opposite James Mason, earned her a best actress Golden Globe and the Academy Award best actress nomination. Her portrayal of a wisecracking young woman was a box office hit.

Other early film roles included "The National Health," "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex," "The Happy Hooker" and "Getting It Right."

Redgrave enjoyed a revitalized film career late in life. She won a second Golden Globe and her second Oscar nomination for her comedic role in "Gods and Monsters."

She continued to make movies despite her illness, including her last film role in "Confessions of a Shopaholic," which hit theaters a year ago.

Redgrave debuted on Broadway in 1967 in "Black Comedy." The first of three Tony nominations came in 1976 for "Mrs. Warren's Profession." She was nominated again for her Broadway roles in "Shakespeare for My Father" in 1993 and "The Constant Wife" in 2005.

She teamed with her sister Vanessa Redgrave on the London stage in "Three Sisters" in 1991.

The sisters worked together the same year in a television version of "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"

Her three Emmy nominations all came for TV work in the 1980s, including an episode of "House Calls" in 1981, "The Shooting Company" in 1982 and "Walking on Air" in 1987.

CNN's David Daniel contributed to this report.

Flooding in Tenessee, Mississippi, and Atlanta reminiscent of Ondoy Phils.

Flooding in Tennessee and Mississippi was reminiscent of Ondoy in the Philippines. Ondoy was worst. It killed hundreds.

Read the story below on the flooding in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Atlanta, Georgia.

At least 15 dead in Southeast storms
By the CNN Wire Staff

Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) -- Storms that killed at least 15 people in Tennessee and Mississippi rolled into Georgia early Monday, flooding parts of Atlanta.

The rain and flooding left at least 11 dead Sunday in Tennessee, closing interstates, displacing thousands from their homes, prompting evacuations of hotels and nursing homes, and turning streets and parking lots into raging rivers.

Parts of the state were drenched with up to 20 inches of rain, and more was expected.

iReport: Have you been affected by the flooding? Send photos, video

Four people also died in Mississippi, three in tornadoes and one in a rain-related traffic accident.

The storm system moved into Georgia early Monday, delaying flights into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Latest updates on the storm

Thunderstorms and heavy rain were forecast to continue in north Georgia through Monday morning, with rainfall of up to 1 inch an hour possible, the National Weather Service said.
Video: Flood washes away building
Video: Aerial views of Tennessee flooding
Video: Memphis streets under water

The storm snarled the morning commute in metro Atlanta, already one of the most congested traffic areas in the nation. No deaths or injuries were immediately reported.

In Tennessee, parts of Nashville were evacuated as a precautionary measure, the state's emergency management office said Monday morning.

Video: Nashville resident captures "rapids" on neighborhood streets

The Tennessee Highway Patrol provided food and water to stranded motorists on westbound Interstate 40 at the rest stop at mile marker 172 near the Dickson exit. The motorists had been stranded there for about 15 hours.

Authorities reported that 91 trucks were stranded between mile markers 192 and 196 on eastbound I-40. The truck operators were offered help to evacuate, but all 91 opted to stay with their rigs.

CNN affiliate WKRN-TV: Flooding in downtown Nashville

The Cumberland River, which runs through Nashville, was expected to crest at around 51 feet, the mayor's emergency management office said.

"All of our major creeks and the Cumberland River are near flood level, if not at flood level," Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said at a news conference Sunday. "The ground is entirely saturated, and the rain continues to fall. There's nowhere for the water to go."

Dean said that more rain has fallen in Nashville in the last 24 hours than has ever been recorded in the city.

"We are still at this point in rescue stage and will be until the water begins to subside," he said.

WKRN: Opryland Hotel guests evacuated

The National Weather Service advised that major flooding was expected to continue along the river Monday, followed by a gradual decrease in water levels. The river was expected to fall below flood stage late Tuesday night.

About 12,000 sandbags have been delivered -- 6,000 in Nashville and 6,000 in Jackson.

CNN affiliate WTVF-TV: Nashville newsroom flooded

Teams of inspectors will be mapping out the damage Monday morning, Nashville officials said.

Dean urged residents to skip work Monday. Nashville schools will be closed and public transportation will be suspended.

The American Red Cross reported that about 800 people were housed in 20 shelters.

Nashville's K.R. Harrington Water Treatment Plant will remain closed for several days, prompting Metro Water Services to order Davidson County residents to use water only for drinking and food preparation.

The public water supply provided by Metro Water Services continued to be safe, the mayor's office said.

Authorities recovered bodies from a flooded house in Nashville and from an overturned vehicle floating on a flooded road, among other places, the mayor's office said Sunday night.

In Mississippi, officials in Benton County reported two deaths, and Lafayette and Union counties had one each, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said. The three counties are in the north-central part of the state.

The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes in the area.

One tornado touched down in Benton and Tippah counties in Mississippi and Hardeman County in Tennessee, the weather service said.

That tornado caused two fatalities and a critical injury when a double-wide mobile home was destroyed east of Ashland, Mississippi, the weather service said.

The tornado also killed one person in Pocahontas, Tennessee, when a single-wide trailer was demolished, the weather agency said.

A second tornado hit Lafayette County in Mississippi. One person was killed when a single-family home was destroyed, the weather service said.

Sunday's deaths in Mississippi came eight days after a monster tornado tore through the state and killed 10 people.

The western two-thirds of Tennessee has seen between 6 and 20 inches of rain since Saturday, with flooding spreading to Kentucky.

The National Weather service also issued a flood emergency for much of central Kentucky -- where tens of thousands were trying to get home after this weekend's Kentucky Derby -- and in south-central Indiana.

In Louisville, Kentucky, the National Turnpike and Gene Snyder Freeway were closed Sunday.

Fred Panopio died at 71

Singer Fred Panopio died at 71 of a heart attack.
Fred was popular in the 60's, was a favorite of the jukeboxes. He was popularly known for his "Pitong Gatang" and "Ang Kawawang Cowboy".

Edwin Valero, boxing champ hanged himself

In my March 2010 posting in http://mannypacquiao-zeny.blogspot.com, it was mentioned that Edwin Valero could be another match for Manny Pacquiao. Now he's dead.
As John Calub (the noted Pinoy motivational speaker) said, "life is like a pendulum, sometimes you're up and at times you are down. Prepare for the down. And don't forget the Almighty when you are up.

Below is a story on Edwin Valero's hanging in jail.

Police: Boxing champ commits suicide in jail
USA TODAY
Former boxing champion Edwin Valero committed suicide in his jail cell today just hours after he was arrested in his wife's murder, according to police in Venezuela.

The former lightweight champion used his own clothes to hang himself in his cell, Venezuelan Federal Police Chief Wilmer Flores told reporters. He said Valero tied his clothes to a cell bar to hang himself.

Valero was found by another inmate and still showed signs of life, but jail personnel was unable to save him, Flores said.

Valero was jailed yesterday on suspicion of killing his wife, Jennifer Viera, who was stabbed to death at a hotel. Prosecutors had said yesterday they intended to charge Valero.

In March, Valero was accused of assault in an alleged attack on his wife, who went to a hospital with bruises and a damaged lung. Valero denied any wrong-doing, and said his wife had stumbled from a stairway. His wife corroborated that story, but investigators expressed doubt, in part because she had come to the same hospital twice before with similar injuries.

China's dead from quake reached 1,100

Let's share our resources to help China's quake-stricken people.
China's dead hass reached 1,100.

For more of the story, read below:

China quake death toll tops 1,100
By the CNN Wire Staff

Jiegu, China (CNN) -- The death toll in the China earthquake now stands at 1,114, relief officials said on Friday as rescuers continued to race against the clock to pull survivors from the rubble.

Earlier, Premier Wen Jiabao traveled to the earthquake-devastated zone to inspect the damage and assure victims that the search would continue.

"Your suffering is our suffering," Wen said. "We are going through the same pain as you are. The family members you lost are also our family members, and we grieve for them as you do."

Wen surveyed the rubble of buildings and spoke with residents in the predominantly ethnic Tibetan region -- where anti-government sentiment is simmering -- to drive home Beijing's concern.

Ethnic Tibetans have accused Chinese soldiers of not doing enough to help in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday's 6.9-magnitude earthquake. That's an allegation the Chinese government denies, but Wen's visit could help boost morale -- at least among rescuers, some of whom are battling high altitude sickness.

"As long as there is a slight hope, we will never give up," he said. "We need to unite as one, to do a good job in our rescue work. At the same time, I assure everyone, that we will definitely make life good here again."

Wen and Chinese President Hu Jintao postponed planned foreign trips because of the disaster.

The premier postponed a scheduled visit to Brunei, Indonesia and Myanmar. Hu called the presidents of Chile and Venezuela to postpone his mid-April visits to those countries.

How to help: Impact Your World

"During this difficult time, I need to be home as soon as possible together with our people providing relief," he said.

More than 11,000 have been injured, according to state media. The powerful quake struck the impoverished county of Yushu in China's southern Qinghai province.

The powerful quake toppled about 15,000 homes in and around Yushu county, and caused more than 100,000 people to flee the area, said Zou Ming, director general of Disaster Relief Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

In Jiegu, the town closest to the epicenter, people were taken to a sporting field serving as a makeshift hospital -- there are no hospitals in the town.

More than 85 percent of Jiegu's poorly constructed mud and brick houses collapsed. They were homes for ethnic Tibetans, among China's poorest people making a living as farmers and herdsmen.

Along the town's main street, all that was left of two hotels was a pile of rubble. Residents and monks used hand shovels and ropes to clear debris in hopes of reaching survivors.

Thursday's rescue effort was hampered by unstable bridges and collapsed roadways, making it difficult for heavy equipment to get to hard-hit areas, including Jiegu.

But after five hours of digging, rescuers were able to pull four survivors from a guest house in the area Thursday afternoon, state television reported.

Authorities have said more than 1,000 people were saved in similar rescues.
Qinghai province
Population: 5 million
People: 44 ethnic groups, including Tibetans and Mongols
Average elevation: Over 3,000 meters above sea level
Geography: Qilian Mountains, the Qingnan Plateau and the source of the Yangtze, Mekong and Yellow Rivers
GDP: US$3.2 billion; average GDP per capita US$639
Industries: Agriculture, hydropower, oil and natural gas

Officials have sent 20,000 cotton tents, 50,000 items of winter clothing and 50,000 quilts to victims.

Can buildings be made earthquake-proof?

The quake shook the region shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday (Tuesday 8 p.m. ET), when many residents were still at home and schools were just getting started for the day.

Qinghai province in northwestern China, home to about 5 million people, is considered a gateway to Himalayan Tibet. About half its people are Han Chinese, but the area is home to more than 40 ethnic groupings, including Tibetans, Hui and Mongols.

The region, rich in natural gas and marked by copper, tin and coal mines, has a long history of earthquakes. Since 2001, 53 quakes with a magnitude of 5.0 or greater have occurred, according to China's Earthquake Administration.

World's biggest earthquakes since 1900

The Chinese government has allocated 200 million yuan (US$29 million) to aid the relief effort, China's Ministry of Civil Affairs said.

U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman Jr. presented two checks worth a total of $100,000 to the Red Cross Society of China and the Qinghai Provincial Red Cross.

CNN's John Vause, Licia Yee and Jo Ling Kent contributed to this report.

6.9 quake in China injured 10,000 and killed 400.

About 10,000 injured and 400 dead in the 6.9 quake in Quinghai, China.

Read full story below


BEIJING (AFP) - – Chinese rescuers dug with their bare hands through the rubble of a devastating quake which hit a remote area on Wednesday, killing 400 people and injuring thousands as it toppled mud-and-wood houses and school buildings.

Among the dead were children buried when the quake measuring at least 6.9 rocked a predominantly Tibetan region in the northwestern province of Qinghai, in scenes that brought back memories of a massive killer quake two years ago.

There was a glimpse of positive news after it emerged rescuers pulled out more than 900 people alive from ruined buildings over the course of the day, state television said.

About 10,000 people were injured in the quake, which disrupted telecommunications, knocked out electricity, toppled temples and triggered landslides, hampering rescue efforts in the mountainous area.

State media spoke of panicked residents fleeing their homes while others hunted for loved-ones trapped in the ruins in Yushu prefecture, the epicentre of the latest disaster to strike the world's most populous nation.

President Hu Jintao called for all-out efforts to save as many people as possible, with over 5,000 rescuers including soldiers rushing to the disaster zone while the government said it would provide over 29 million dollars in aid.

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama offered his prayers for those who lost their lives while Pope Benedict XVI called for "solidarity" with the victims and nations including Japan and France offered help.

About 400 people have been confirmed dead, Xinhua news agency reported, quoting Huang Limin, a top official in Yushu, who said many people were still buried in the rubble as aftershocks rumbled on.

"There are 10 people in my family and only four of us escaped. One of my relatives died. All the others are buried under the rubble," Samdrup Gyatso, 17, told Xinhua after his two-storey home crumbled.

The US Geological Survey put the quake at a magnitude of 6.9 while the China Earthquake Administration measured it at 7.1.

Meteorologists are predicting strong winds and sleet in coming days and seismologists warned of further aftershocks, adding to the trauma of the victims facing a night in the high-altitude zone without shelter.

Zhuohuaxia, an official in Jiegu, seat of the Yushu government, reported a a lack of tents, medicines and medical equipment for the survivors.

The quake wreaked havoc on the flimsy earth and wood houses near the epicentre, which lies around 800 kilometres (500 miles) or at least 12 hours by road from the provincial capital.

"The injured are everywhere in the street, a lot of people are bleeding from head wounds," Xinhua quoted Zhuohuaxia as saying, adding that more than 85 percent of houses collapsed in Jiegu.

Some sturdier concrete structures were also toppled, and Xinhua reported that a reservoir was cracked, sending workers scrambling to prevent any outflow of water.

Among the casualties were children trapped under the rubble of at least one collapsed school in Jiegu, with Xinhua reporting that at least five pupils had died.

"Some pupils ran out of dorms alive, and those who had not escaped in time were buried," said one teacher.

The scene was reminiscent of the huge quake in May 2008 in Sichuan province, where thousands of children died when their shoddily constructed schools fell on them -- an issue that caused big controversy in China.

Nearly 87,000 people were killed or missing in the 2008 disaster, the worst in China in more than three decades.

Kang Zifu, a local fire department official, was quoted as telling state television that about 20 children were buried .

Rescue teams including 700 soldiers and more than 5,000 other people are being rushed to the disaster zone, Xinhua said, while the civil affairs ministry was to send 5,000 tents, 50,000 coats and 50,000 quilts.

State television broadcast images of dogs being led into huge planes going to the scene to help with the search for survivors.

"We have to mainly rely on our hands to clear away the debris as we have no large excavating machines," said Shi Huajie, a paramilitary police officer. "We have no medical equipment either."

A series of aftershocks rattled the area, and the quake was also felt strongly in neighbouring regions, including Tibet, Xinhua said.

The remote high-altitude region is prone to earthquakes. Its economy is based heavily on farming and livestock herding by its overwhelmingly ethnic Tibetan population.

After the Solomon Islands, Spain hit by 6.2 quake.

After the 6.8 quake in Solomon, southern Spain was hit by 6.2 quake.

Read the story on the Spain quake below.

Earthquake hits southern Spain; damage said unlikely

(CNN) -- A strong earthquake struck near the Spanish city of Granada early Monday, but at a depth that made damage to the medieval Moorish capital unlikely, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck at 12:08 a.m. local time Monday (6:08 p.m. Sunday ET), the USGS reported.

It was centered about 24 kilometers (15 miles) southeast of Granada and about 370 kilometers (230 miles) south of Madrid, Spain's capital.

There was no immediate report of damage or injuries from the temblor. The quake's recorded depth of 616 kilometers -- nearly 400 miles -- means little damage is likely, geophysicist Susan Potter told CNN.

"When an earthquake is deeper, the seismic energy is absorbed by the Earth," Potter said. "So there will be less damage expected in the epicenter area."

Rio de Janeiro killer deluge

This time it's a killer deluge in Rio de Janeiro.

Read details below:

Up to 60 people may be buried after killer deluge hits Rio

Up to 60 people may be buried following a landslide that has destroyed some 40 homes in a city near Rio de Janeiro, Globo news reported.

The landslide struck Niteroi, a city across the bay from the state capital and part of the greater Rio metropolitan area, Globo reported on Wednesday, citing sources in the mayor's office and firefighters.

Flooding from the heaviest downpours in almost half a century in southeastern Brazil have killed more than 133 people since Monday.

Flooding has been so intense that authorities urged area residents to remain indoors and not venture downtown, where streets were impassable.

The state of Rio de Janeiro was in mourning as the extent of the disaster became clear and a third day of rains compounded the misery for 5000 municipal employees trying to clear streets turned to mud.

The situation "is better than it was yesterday", Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes told a news conference, although he maintained the maximum alert level and urged people in high-risk areas to evacuate their homes.

"During the night, fortunately, there were no new landslides, but the risk still exists."

Rain fell intermittently on Wednesday amid sunny spells, providing hope that the worst was over.

But the toll could rise further as dozens were reportedly still missing following the rains, which displaced more than 1400 people and destroyed scores of homes.

Emergency officials said most fatalities were in hillside slums around the city of Rio de Janeiro, where torrents of water triggered devastating mudslides and scenes of chaos since Monday.

Dozens were killed in Rio itself but hardest hit was Niteroi, a city on the other side of the bay from the state capital where at least 54 people lost their lives.

The flooding was so intense that authorities urged Rio residents to remain indoors and not venture downtown, where streets were impassable.

Some motorists abandoned their partially submerged cars, while others were stranded for hours inside stalled vehicles.

"All the major streets of the city are closed because of the floods," said Paes. "Each and every person who attempts to enter them will be at enormous risk."

Most of the casualties were trapped in landslides in the hillside slums that ring Rio, a city of some 16 million people that will host the World Cup football tournament in 2014 and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Paes ordered schools in Rio closed Wednesday for a second day in order to keep people off the streets, while state governor Sergio Cabral decreed three days of mourning.

The killer floods also wreaked havoc with air traffic, delaying most international flights in and out of Rio's Antonio Carlos Jobim airport and forcing the cancellation of many domestic services.

In a neighbourhood close to the mountain where Rio's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue is located, the local weather service said the recent rainfall was twice the amount normally registered for the whole month of April.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticised decades of administrative neglect which allowed shoddy home construction in high-risk zones of the city's shantytowns.

"All we can do is pray to God to hold back the rains a little, so that Rio can return to normal, and so that we can set about fixing the things in the city that need fixing," the Brazilian leader told local radio on Tuesday.

The heavy rains began during Monday evening rush hour, catching workers heading home for the day off-guard.

Brazil had already seen deadly deluges in Sao Paulo earlier this year after the wettest summer in the region in more than six decades.

National weather service Inmet said Tuesday's rainfall was the heaviest in 48 years.

AFP

Call on our Lord. ASK, SEEK, KNOCK
MATTHEW 7:7
"Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 0 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

Another earthquake in Indonesia measuring 7.8

Another earthquake hit Indonesia at a magnitude of 7.8.
Watch CNN's news.

7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Baja California

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Baja California
Read more of story below.

Baja California quake magnitude raised to 7.2

By CHRISTOPHER WEBER, Associated Press Writer Christopher Weber, Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES – Seismologists have raised the preliminary magnitude of an earthquake in northern Baja California from 6.9 to 7.2.

U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Lucy Jones says the new magnitude of the 3:40 p.m. Sunday earthquake is still an estimate.

The quake centered south of California's border with Mexico was widely felt, swaying buildings as far away as San Diego, Los Angeles and Arizona.

There has been no confirmed damage, but some power outages were reported in southern Arizona and Tijuana, Mexico. Jones says any damage would likely have occurred closer to the epicenter such as in the Mexican city of Mexicali or in U.S. border cities.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A strong earthquake south of the U.S.-Mexico border Sunday swayed high-rises in downtown Los Angeles and San Diego and was felt across Southern California and Arizona, but there were no immediate reports of major damage.

The 6.9 magnitude quake struck at 3:40 p.m. in Baja California, Mexico, about 19 miles southeast of Mexicali, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The area was hit by magnitude-3.0 quakes all week.

The quake was felt as far north as Santa Barbara, USGS seismologist Susan Potter said.

Strong shaking was reported in the Coachella Valley and Riverside, Calif. The earthquake rattled buildings on the west side of Los Angeles and in the San Fernando Valley, interrupting Easter dinners. Chandeliers swayed and wine jiggled in glasses.

In Los Angeles, the city fire department went on "earthquake status," and some stalled elevators were reported. No damage was reported in Los Angeles or San Diego.

One woman called firefighters and said she was stuck in an elevator descending from the 34th floor in a building in Century City, but there was no way to immediately know if the breakdown was tied the quake, Los Angeles firefighter Eric Scott said.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power says there are no power outages anywhere in the city, spokeswoman Maryanne Pierson said.

The quake was felt for about 40 seconds in Tijuana, Mexico, causing buildings to sway and knocking out power in parts of the city. Families celebrating Easter ran out of the homes, with children screaming and crying.

Baja California state Civil Protection Director Alfredo Escobedo said there were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage. But he said the assessment was ongoing.

In the Phoenix area, Jacqueline Land said her king-sized bed in her second-floor apartment felt like a boat gently swaying on the ocean.

"I thought to myself, 'That can't be an earthquake. I'm in Arizona,'" the Northern California native said. "And I thought, 'Oh my God, I feel like I'm 9 years old.'"

A police dispatcher in Yuma, Ariz., said the quake was very strong there, but no damage was reported. The Yuma County Sheriff's Office had gotten a few calls, mostly from alarm companies because of alarms going off.

Mike Wong, who works at a journalism school in downtown Phoenix, said he was in his second-floor office getting some work done Sunday afternoon when he heard sounds and felt the building start to sway.

"I heard some cracking sounds, like Rice Krispies," coming from the building, he said. "I didn't think much of it, but I kept hearing it, and then I started feeling a shake. I thought, 'You know what? I think that might be an earthquake."

Wong said the swaying lasted for "just a few seconds," and he didn't notice any damage.

An earthquake also hit in Northern California Sunday afternoon. The U.S. Geological Survey says a quake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.0 was recorded at 3:49 p.m. about 25 miles north of Santa Rosa.

A dispatcher with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department said the agency had not received any calls for service after the quake.

___

Associated Press Writers Andrew Dalton and John Antczak in Los Angeles, John S. Marshall in San Francisco, and Matt Reed and Katie Oyan in Phoenix contributed to this report.
A 7.2 magnitutde

Msgr. Ruperto Santos, new Filipino Bishop

Msgr. Ruperto Santos was appointed new Filipino bishop! Congratulations.

Read story below...
GMANews.TV

Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday evening (Manila time) appointed a new Filipino bishop who will be assigned to the diocese of Balanga in Bataan province.

Bulacan native Msgr. Ruperto Santos will become the fourth bishop of the Balanga diocese, the Vatican announced at 6 p.m. Thursday.

"(Msgr. Santos), until now Rector of Collegio Filippino in Rome, succeeds Socrates Villegas who was named archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan in September 2009," the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said in its news site.

Santos’ appointment was released in the Vatican at noon Thursday (Rome time), or 6 p.m. in Manila. Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams announced the appointment in Manila.

Santos, a native of San Rafael in Bulacan, was ordained priest on October 30, 1958.

No date has yet been set for his ordination and installation of Msgr. Santos as bishop of the Diocese of Balanga.

The diocese has a population of around 600,000 Catholics. - KBK, GMANews.TV

My Grandchildren: Peace to us all!

My Grandchildren: Peace to us all!

Multi-awarded actor and director Cesar “Buboy” Montano's son, Christian Angelo 23, died from a gunshot wound in the head.

See story below:

Son of actor Cesar Montano found dead in QC home

A 23-year-old son of actor-politician Cesar Montano was found dead in his house in Quezon City early Friday, in what police said was an apparent suicide.

Quezon City police deputy for operations Senior Superintendent Audie Arroyo said Christian Angelo Montano died from a gunshot wound in the head.

"Meron po, confirmed. Tinawagan ng Station 6, meron talaga na-receive na report. Anak ito ni Cesar Montano, Christian Angelo, 23 years old (Yes, it's confirmed, based on a report from our police station 6. The victim is the son of Cesar Montano, Christian Angelo, 23 years old)," Arroyo said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

The elder Montano is running for governor of Bohol province under the Liberal Party in the May 10 elections. He lost in the 2007 senatorial polls.

Citing initial reports reaching him, Arroyo said they received a call from Montano's household at 5:49 a.m.

Minutes later, a police team reached the house and found the victim with a gunshot wound to the head.

"Nakita nila may tama sa ulo ang bata (The team saw the victim with a gunshot wound to the head)," Arroyo said.

"Ang security guard, sabi may nagpakatiwakal (The security guard at the house said someone tried to kill himself)," he added.

A separate report by dzBB radio's Manny Vargas said the younger Montano was declared dead on arrival at the General Malvar Hospital in Quezon City.

Dr. Ed Antonio of the hospital's emergency room said the victim sustained a gunshot wound in the right temple, and an exit wound at the back of the head. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV

Earthquake of 6.0 magnitude hit Metro Manila

Metro Manila was hit by 6.0 magnitude earthquake thurday at 1:29 p.m. I didn't feel it because I was riding a tricycle. I only learned about it when I heard people talking about it.

For more of the news, read story below from Business Mirror:

Magnitude-6 earthquake rocks Metro, nearby provinces
THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said a magnitude-6.0 earthquake rocked Metro Manila and nearby provinces at about 1:29 p.m. on Thursday, causing panic across the metropolis but no damage had been reported so far.

Renato Solidum, Phivolcs director, said the tectonic temblor was caused by movements of fault along Lubang Island near the South China Sea.

The epicenter of the quake was traced at 27 kilometers northwest of Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro.

“We urge the public to stay calm,” Solidum said, adding the people must not panic should aftershocks ensue.

“So far we have yet to receive reports of damage, but we recorded 10 feeble aftershocks,” he said.

The Phivolcs head said areas surrounding the fragile Marikina Valley System, the most active fault line in the country, were not severely affected although more than 30-second shaking was felt in Pasig City.

“It’s because the epicenter of the quake is in Mindoro. But we received reports that they felt mild to moderate temblor there,” he said.

The quake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 25 kilometers underground.

It was felt at Intensity 4 in Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City, Makati City, Pasay City, Taguig City and Talisay, Batangas.

Intensity 3 was felt in Marikina City, Tagaytay City, Bagac, Bataan; Canlubang, Laguna; Clark Field, Pampanga; Rosario and Trece Martires City in Cavite.

Intensity 2 was registered in Calamba, Laguna; Legazpi City, Albay; and Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

No tsunami warning was issued as the tremor was not strong enough to generate powerful waves. Earthquakes measuring Magnitude 7 and up can trigger a tsunami.

Solidum said the public must prepare for occurrence like this as the country is prone to earthquakes.

The Philippines sits along the so-called earthquake belt called the Ring of Fire, a band of volcanoes and fault lines circling the edges of the Pacific Ocean.

This causes the frequent seismic activity in the country, which typically averages 20 earthquakes per day.

“The key is to be informed, be prepared,” Solidum said. --PNA

Another volcano eruption, this time in Iceland

Another volcano eruption, this time in Iceland.

Read story below from Associated Press

REYKJAVIK, Iceland — A volcano erupted near a glacier in southern Iceland, shooting ash and molten lava into the air and forcing the evacuation Sunday of hundreds of people from nearby villages.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, but a state of emergency was declared and scientists feared the eruption could trigger a larger and potentially more dangerous eruption at the Katla volcano.

Saturday's eruption, which occurred just before midnight (2000 EDT, 8 p.m. EDT), came weeks after a series of small earthquakes. Television footage showed lava flows along the fissure.

"This was a rather small and peaceful eruption but we are concerned that it could trigger an eruption at the nearby Katla volcano, a vicious volcano that could cause both local and global damage," said Pall Einarsson, a geophysicist at the University of Iceland's Institute of Earth Science.

Authorities evacuated 450 people between the farming village of Hvolsvollur and the fishing village of Vik, some 160 kilometres southeast of the capital, Reykjavik, said Vidir Reynisson of the Icelandic Civil Protection Department.

Evacuation centres were set up near the town of Hella. The most immediate threat was to livestock because of the caustic gases.

"We had to leave all our animals behind," Elin Ragnarsdottir, a 47-year-old farmer, told RUV, Iceland's national broadcaster from an evacuation centre. "We got a call and a text message ... and we just went."

Iceland sits on a large volcanic hot spot in the Atlantic's mid-oceanic ridge. Volcanic eruptions, common throughout Iceland's history, are often triggered by seismic activity when the Earth's plates move and when magma from deep underground pushes its way to the surface.

Scientists in Iceland have been monitoring the recent activity using seismometers and global positioning instruments. Like earthquakes, however, it is difficult to predict the exact timing of eruptions.

"The volcano has been inflating since the beginning of the year, both rising and swelling," Einarsson told The Associated Press. "Even though we were seeing increased seismic activity, it could have been months or years before we saw an eruption like this ... we couldn't say that there was an imminent risk for the area."

The population around the Eyjafjallajokull volcano and the glacier that bears the same name is sparse -- unlike the area around the Katla volcano, which is also covered by glacial ice and poses a greater danger of floods, according to Einarsson.

"One of the possible scenarios we're looking at is that this small eruption could bring about something bigger. This said, we can't speculate on when that could happen," he said in an interview.

Authorities initially feared the eruption occurred below the 160 square-kilometre Eyjafjallajokull glacier and could have triggered floods if the glacial ice melted. But after an aerial survey Sunday they concluded that the eruption struck near the glacier in an area where there was no ice.

"This is the best possible place for an eruption," said Tumi Gudumundsson, a geologist at the University of Iceland.

There hasn't been an eruption near the Eyjafjallajokull glacier since 1821.

The Icelandic Civil Aviation Administration ordered aircraft to stay 120 nautical miles away from the volcano area due to low visibility in some areas.

All domestic flights were cancelled until further notice, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reported, but Reykjavik appeared to be unaffected with clear visibility.

Three Icelandair flights from the U.S. -- departing from Seattle, Boston and Orlando, Florida -- bound for Keflavik airport in Reykjavik were turned back to Boston, leaving about 500 people waiting, the airline said.

Flights to Stockholm, London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt were scheduled to leave Sunday but a flight to Oslo was cancelled and passengers were being rerouted. The airline expected further delays throughout Sunday.

First settled by Vikings in the 9th century, Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice because of its volcanos and glaciers. During the Middle Ages, Icelanders called the Hekla volcano the "Gateway to Hell," believing that souls were dragged below. Hekla is Iceland's most active volcano.

In the mid-1780s, the Laki volcano erupted, prompting scores to die of famine when livestock and crops were destroyed.

Iceland, an island with a population of just 320,000, has been better known recently for its financial troubles.

After a decade of dizzying economic growth that saw Icelandic banks and companies snap up assets around the world, the global financial crisis wreaked political and economic havoc on the island nation. Iceland's banks collapsed within a week in October 2008, its krona currency plummeted and protests toppled the government.

The new left-of-centre government has been trying to negotiate a plan to repay $3.5 billion to Britain and $1.8 billion to the Netherlands as compensation for funds that those governments paid to citizens who had accounts with Icesave, an Icelandic Internet bank that failed along with its parent, Landsbanki.

Icelandic voters this month resoundingly rejected a $5.3-billion plan to repay that debt.

Peter Graves died at 83.

Peter Graves the favorite lead in "Mission Impossible" by two generations died at the age of 83.

I remember him very well, the good looking guy of "Mission Impossible". My siblings, the 12 of us would gather in our sala to watch him. Our children are also fan of Peter.

Our condolences to his family.

For details read story below:

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Actor Peter Graves, best known for his starring role on TV's "Mission: Impossible," died Sunday. He was 83.

While the cause of the actor's death was not immediately known, he apparently suffered a heart attack, his publicist said.

Graves had gone to brunch with his family Sunday morning. After they returned home and entered the house, one of his daughters began to wonder why he hadn't come back inside with them, said publicist Sandy Brokaw.

The family went outside and found Graves had collapsed. His daughter performed CPR but was unsuccessful in reviving the actor, Brokaw said.

Graves had been in good health and was celebrating 60 years of marriage and 60 years in the entertainment business. He was still pursuing work when he died, the publicist said.

Share your memories of Peter Graves

He is best known for playing the character Jim Phelps for all but one of the seven years "Mission: Impossible" ran on CBS, from 1967-1973. He won a Golden Globe in 1971 for his work on the show, and was also nominated for an Emmy.

He reprised the role from 1988 to 1990 when the show resurfaced on ABC.

In an interview with CNN in 1996, Graves expressed disappointment with Hollywood's movie version of "Mission: Impossible" -- starring Tom Cruise -- which included none of the stars from the original TV series. Actor Jon Voight played the Phelps character.

"I am sorry that they chose to call him Phelps," he said at the time. "They could have solved that very easily by either having me in a scene in the very beginning, or reading a telegram from me saying, 'Hey boys, I'm retired, gone to Hawaii. Thank you, goodbye, you take over now.' "

Graves also appeared as Capt. Clarence Oveur in the 1980 movie spoof "Airplane!" -- a role he originally turned down, according to the Web's Internet Movie Database. He changed his mind after meeting with the film's writers, according to IMDb.

In recent years, Graves was part of a larger group that won an Outstanding Informational Series Emmy for the 1997 TV documentary "Judy Garland: Beyond the Rainbow." Graves hosted the documentary.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Endress, and three daughters, Kelly, Claudia and Amanda Graves, according to IMDb. Graves was the younger brother of actor James Arness, who starred in the long-running TV series "Gunsmoke," as Marshal Matt Dillon.

CNN's Douglas Hyde contributed to this report.

Earth's Axis Shifted by About 3 Inches

Scientists figure that the earth's axis shifted by three inches because of the earthquakes, typhoons, sloshing ocean waters.

For story, read below:

How The Chilean Quake Moved An Entire Planet
by Richard Harris, NPR

The magnitude 8.8 quake in Chile this weekend apparently changed the length of the day — and shifted the way the Earth wobbles, according to scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Not that anyone noticed.

Here's why scientists figure that the Earth changed the way it rotates: It turns out our planet doesn't spin like a perfect top; it actually wobbles a bit.

"The consequence of that is that the rotation pole actually moves, and it moves over the area about the size of a tennis court," says Richard O'Connell at Harvard University.

This is called the Chandler wobble. And back in the mid 1970s, O'Connell wrote a paper that showed how big earthquakes keep kicking the Earth and by so doing keep the Earth wobbling.

The Earth's Wandering, Wobbly Axis

Now we know that earthquakes aren't alone in keeping that wobble going. It's also propelled by sloshing ocean waters and by huge air masses like typhoons.

All this shifting around can also change the speed at which the Earth spins. And that of course affects the length of a day.

So how much difference can an enormous quake make? Scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory figure that the shift caused by Saturday's quake in Chile should have shortened each day on Earth by about a millionth of a second. They also figure that the Earth's wobbly axis should have shifted by about 3 inches within that tennis-court-size area where it tends to wander.

But did it? It's Brian Luzum's job at the U.S. Naval Observatory to keep tabs on the Earth's rotation and orientation. And he says even the best instruments in the world can't measure a change in day length as small as a millionth of a second.

The Wobble Doesn't Show Up In Data

It is possible to measure the Earth's wobble pretty precisely. But considering how many things affect that wobble, it's hard to see the effect of the quake as well.

"So on a day-to-day basis, we actually will see changes on the order of 2 to 3 inches happening every day, and to try to pick out this signal in and among all the other signals, is just not really feasible," Luzum says.

The one hope was that the quake changed the wobble so abruptly that it would show up on the data.

"That's what you'd like to see to give you that eureka moment, but when we do look at the data, no such jump exists," Luzum says.

Theory says it happened, but the observations thus far aren't good enough to back that up.

Melting Ice Also Moved The Earth

But if these planetary effects are trivial on a day-to-day basis, they can really add up over geological time. Adam Maloof at Princeton University notes that ice has been melting over the past 12,000 years, as we come out of the last ice age. That's changing the Earth's orientation by about an inch, each and every year.

"You can imagine that as the ice melts you are redistributing the mass on the surface of the Earth," Maloof says. "So all this water that's caught up in the ice in poles is melting and moving into the oceans at lower latitudes."

And if you go way back in time — like to a period 800 million years ago — this kind of movement was dramatic. Over the course of a few million years, the land mass at the North Pole shifted monumentally: It slid south by 50 degrees.

"That's basically like taking Paris to the equator," Maloof says.

Nobody knows why this happened, though Maloof says one idea is that a huge volcanic plume, like the one that created the Hawaiian Islands, developed near one of the poles and that lopsided mass forced the Earth to rotate.

"It would have had major ramifications for sea level, climate, landscape, equilibrium, all sorts of effects like this," he says.

As for the effect of one quick catastrophic event: It's fair to say the Chilean quake touched hearts around the world more tangibly than it changed the spin of our planet.

6.1 Quake in Tuguegarao, Cagayan

A 6.1 quake visited Tuguegaro, Cagayan, Phils. while Pres. Arroyo was delivering her speech in Florencio Vargas College in the said city.

For more of the news, read story below:

6.1 quake shakes GMA in Cagayan
By GENALYN KABILING, FREDDIE G. LAZARO
March 2, 2010, 5:47pm
“Oops, there’s an earthquake,” President Arroyo said in the middle of her speech, stopping for five seconds while holding on to the podium.
“Oops, there’s an earthquake,” President Arroyo said in the middle of her speech, stopping for five seconds while holding on to the podium.

Shaken but not stirred.

President Arroyo endured Tuesday a powerful earthquake in Cagayan while visiting the El Niño-hit province on the second day of her North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle tour.

The President was delivering a speech in Florencio Vargas College in Tuguegaro City when a magnitude 6.1 quake suddenly struck the northernmost region shortly before lunch, forcing her to pause for several seconds until the ground stopped shaking.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the epicenter of the quake was located at 130 kms. north of Tuguegarao, Cagayan with a depth of 21 kilometers.

The quake was also felt in the nearby provinces of Ilocos Sur and Isabela but no damage was reported.

Phivolcs Director Renato U. Solidum said the quake was also felt at intensity 4 in Vigan City; intensity 5 in Aparri and Sta. Ana, Cagayan; intensity 3 in Tuguegarao City, Peñablanca, both in Cagayan; and Laoag City and Pasuquin, both in Ilocos Norte; intensity 2 in Palanan, Isabela; and intensity 1 in Santa, Ilocos Sur, Delfin, Isabela, and Manila.

Mrs. Arroyo was in Cagayan province to highlight the government efforts to help farmers improve productivity, including the use of irrigation systems and post-harvest facilities, to combat the threat of the El Niño phenomenon.

“Oops, there’s an earthquake,” she said in the middle of her speech, stopping for five seconds while holding on to the podium.

The President, who appeared calm, then uttered a long “wow” during the tremor and paused for 15 seconds more.

She then heaved a sigh of relief when the quake was over. “Let’s hope it’s not anything like Chile or Haiti,” she said, referring to the powerful earthquakes that recently hit the two countries and left hundreds of people dead.

Afterwards, the President resumed her speech on the government’s achievements in promoting agribusiness development in the super region.

She said the government has invested on roads, bridges, ports, airports, irrigation systems, and other facilities to spur agricultural production in Northern Luzon. The irrigation systems, she added, have helped protect farmlands from the full impact of El Niño.

“I’m glad to hear that the northern part of Cagayan province is not feeling the effects of El Niño and we can still expect a good harvest from the northern part,” she said.

Joy Roque of the Media Accreditation and Relations Office (MARO) who joined the President’s trip in Cagayan, meantime, said Mrs. Arroyo appeared fine after experiencing an earthquake in the province.

“The President paused in the middle of her speech and remained calm when quake rocked the school auditorium,” she said in a phone interview.

Roque said the people in the school auditorium were calm as well during the earthquake, adding they were actually watching the President’s next move. No member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) rushed to the President's side when the tremor rocked the school auditorium, she added.

“When the earthquake was over, the President resumed her speech," Roque, the MARO project officer in Cagayan, said.

After her quake encounter in Tuguegarao City, the President traveled to Isabela province to check government preparations to combat the ill-effects of El Niño.

To help farmers survive the drought, she ordered authorities to provide emergency employment and food assistance. She also imposed a moratorium on loan payments in the Land Bank of the Philippines as well as on irrigation fees for the affected farmers.

Meanwhile, Solidum allayed fears from residents on a possible tsunami, saying the tremor will not cause such a sea disturbance. Some residents of Palanan, Isabela reportedly panicked and hurriedly fled their homes as the quake struck.

Solidum clarified that the quake had no bearing on the magnitude 8.8 quake that hit Chile, saying the aftershocks of that strong quake can only happened in the surroundings of Chile within a 1,000-kilometer radius.

He also clarified that the mild quake is not related to the tsunami warning the Phivolcs released last Sunday afternoon.

To prepare the residents in case of eruption of earthquake, Solidum advised all local government units (LGUs) and the academes to continuously conduct an earthquake drill particularly those living near the shorelines.

“The earthquake drill is very significant this time especially there’s an often occurrence of earthquakes to avoid the local folks from panic instead of doing the precautionary measures for safety and to save lives or properties,” he said.

Meanwhile, residents in Pacific Ocean facing-city of Mati in Davao Oriental were rattled when a 5.0 magnitude tremor struck that southern tip city before noon Monday, it was learned.

However, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that there were no reports of damage or injuries from the undersea quake that occurred 16 kms northwest of Mati, capital city of Davao Oriental.

The 5.0 magnitude earthquake happened at 11:15 a.m., said Phivolcs.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where continental plates collide causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. (With a report from Mike U. Crismundo)

An 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile

Chile was hit by an earthquake of 8.8 magnitude. Tsunamis threatened nations around the Pacific area.

For more of the news, the story below.

Huge quake hits Chile; tsunami threatens Pacific

By ROBERTO CANDIA and EVA VERGARA, Associated Press Writer Roberto Candia And Eva Vergara, Associated Press Writer – 13 mins ago

TALCA, Chile – A devastating earthquake struck Chile early Saturday, toppling homes, collapsing bridges and plunging trucks into the fractured earth. A tsunami set off by the magnitude-8.8 quake threatened every nation around the Pacific Ocean — roughly a quarter of the globe.

Interior Minister Edmundo Perez Yoma said the most powerful quake to hit the country in a half-century killed at least 82 people, but the death toll was rising quickly.

In the town of Talca, just 65 miles (105 kilometers) from the epicenter, Associated Press journalist Roberto Candia said it felt as if a giant had grabbed him and shaken him.

The town's historic center, filled with buildings of adobe mud and straw, largely collapsed, though most of those were businesses that were not inhabited during the 3:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. EST, 0634 GMT) quake. Neighbors pulled at least five people from the rubble while emergency workers, themselves disoriented, asked for information from reporters.

Many roads were destroyed, and electricity, water and phone lines were cut to many areas — meaning there was no word of death or damage from many outlying areas.

In the Chilean capital of Santiago, 200 miles (325 kilometers) northeast of the epicenter, a car dangled from a collapsed overpass, the national Fine Arts Museum was badly damaged and an apartment building's two-story parking lot pancaked, smashing about 50 cars whose alarms rang incessantly.

Experts warned that a tsunami could strike anywhere in the Pacific, and Hawaii could face its largest waves since 1964 starting at 11:19 a.m. (4:19 p.m. EST, 2119 GMT), according to Charles McCreery, director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Tsunami waves were likely to hit Asian, Australian and New Zealand shores within 24 hours of the earthquake. The U.S. West Coast and Alaska, too, were threatened.

A huge wave swept into a populated area in the Robinson Crusoe Islands, 410 miles (660 kilometers) off the Chilean coast, President Michelle Bachelet said, but there were no immediate reports of major damage.

Bachelet had no information on the number of people injured. She declared a "state of catastrophe" in central Chile.

"We have had a huge earthquake, with some aftershocks," she said from an emergency response center. She said Chile has not asked for assistance from other countries, and urged Chileans not to panic.

"The system is functioning. People should remain calm. We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information we will share immediately," she said.

Powerful aftershocks rattled Chile's coast — 24 of them magnitude 5 or greater and one reaching magnitude 6.9 — the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

In Santiago, modern buildings are built to withstand earthquakes, but many older ones were heavily damaged, including the Nuestra Senora de la Providencia church, whose bell tower collapsed. A bridge just outside the capital also collapsed, and at least one car flipped upside down.

Several hospitals were evacuated due to earthquake damage, Bachelet said.

Santiago's airport will remain closed for at least 24 hours, airport director Eduardo del Canto said. The passenger terminal suffered major damage, he told Chilean television in a telephone interview. TV images show smashed windows, partially collapsed ceilings and pedestrian walkways destroyed.

Santiago's subway was shut as well and hundreds of buses were trapped at a terminal by a damaged bridge, Transportation and Telecommunications Minister told Chilean television. He urged Chileans to make phone calls or travel only when absolutely necessary.

Candia was visiting his wife's 92-year-old grandmother in Talca when the quake struck.

"Everything was falling — chests of drawers, everything," he said. "I was sleeping with my 8-year-old son Diego and I managed to cover his head with a pillow. It was like major turbulence on an airplane."

In Concepcion, 70 miles (115 kilometers) from the epicenter, nurses and residents pushed the injured through the streets on stretchers. Others walked around in a daze wrapped in blankets, some carrying infants in their arms.

Concepcion, Chile's second-largest city, is 60 miles (95 kilometers) from the ski town of Chillan, a gateway to Andean ski resorts that was destroyed in a 1939 earthquake.

The quake also shook buildings in Argentina's capital of Buenos Aires, 900 miles (1,400 kilometers) away on the Atlantic side of South America.

Marco Vidal, a program director for Grand Circle Travel who was traveling with a group of 34 Americans, was on the 19th floor of the Crown Plaza Santiago hotel when the quake struck.

"All the things start to fall. The lamps, everything, was going on the floor," he said. "I felt terrified."

Cynthia Iocono, from Linwood, Pennsylvania, said she first thought the quake was a train.

"But then I thought, `Oh, there's no train here.' And then the lamps flew off the dresser and my TV flew off onto the floor and crashed."

The quake struck after concert-goers had left South America's leading music festival in the coastal city of Vina del Mar, but it caught partiers leaving a disco.

"It was very bad. People were screaming. Some people were running, others appeared paralyzed. I was one of them," Julio Alvarez told Radio Cooperativa.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center called for "urgent action to protect lives and property" in Hawaii, which is among 53 nations and territories subject to tsunami warnings.

"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated. It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts," the warning center said. It did not expect a tsunami along the west of the U.S. or Canada.

The largest earthquake ever recorded struck the same area of Chile on May 22, 1960. The magnitude-9.5 quake killed 1,655 people and left 2 million homeless. The tsunami that it caused killed people in Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines and caused damage to the west coast of the United States.

___

Eva Vergara reported from Santiago, Chile. Associated Press Television News cameraman Mauricio Cuevas in Santiago and AP writer Sandy Kozel in Washington contributed to this story.

End of big website hacker training

Good news for the honest users of the Internet, and bad news for the would be hackers!

See story from BBC news about china's Closure of a big training website for hackers:

China shuts down training website for hackers

China has more internet users than any other country

China has closed down what is believed to be the country's biggest training website for hackers, state media has reported.

They say the site, Black Hawk Safety Net, gave lessons in hacking and sold downloads of malicious software.

The reports say three people suspected of running the site were arrested.

Hacking is a sensitive topic for China, especially since the internet giant Google recently threatened to pull out of the country.

Google said China-based hackers had attacked its operations but the Chinese government denied any involvement.

The hacker training operation openly recruited thousands of members online and provided them with cyber attack lessons and Trojan software, the China Daily and the Wuhan Evening News said.

Trojans, which can allow outside access to a computer when implanted, are used by hackers to illegally control computers.

Black Hawk Safety Net recruited more than 12,000 paying subscribers and collected more than seven million yuan ($1m: £650,000) in membership fees, while another 170,000 people had signed up for free membership, the paper said.

The Hubei government refused to comment on the reports.

It was unclear when the shutdown had taken place but the Black Hawk Safety Net site was unavailable on Monday.

Cyber attacks

In January Google threatened to pull out of China unless the government relented on censorship.

It said it had uncovered a computer attack that tried to plunder its software coding and the e-mail accounts of human rights activists protesting against Chinese policies.

Government officials have defended China's online censorship and said the country is the biggest victim of web attacks.

China has some 350 million internet users - more than any other country - and provides a lucrative search-engine market worth an estimated $1bn last year.

Google holds about a third of the country's search market, with Chinese rival Baidu having more than 60%.

The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Beijing says that the reports made no link between the hacking site and Google's allegations.

But the case will help authorities show that China is taking action against those who hack into computers, says our correspondent.



Keep on praying. The good will prevail over the evil!

Philippine Presidential Candidates

In this morning's debate organized by the Daily Inquirer and held in University of the Philippines (UP), eight candidates for presidency showed up. Estrada did not show up because of what he said that the Daily Inquirer is biased against him.

It is interesting to note the responses of the candidates on these topics: law and politics, social issues, and economics and budget.
1. Noynoy Aquino -if elected, he would not recognize the Justice of the Supreme court appointed by GMA, that he would uphold the Constitution
2. Richard Gordon - that he would do what he did in Subic, but he would start on a smaller scale. He criticized other candidates by saying that they are poor, but their records show the opposite.
3. Jamby Madrigal -that she should not be hiding under executive privilege, and that her husband would not be involved in her office.
when asked what she likes about Manny Villar, she responded with: she liked the way Villar's hair is dyed.
4. Manny Villar - when asked about his roots, he retorted:"Bakit naman ho napakahirap na sabihin or isipin na ang isang mahirap ay pwedeng yumaman ng malinis na paraan?"
5. Gilbert Teodoro - when asked about the order of importance of his mother-in-law, GMA, and Danding Cojuangco, he said his mother -in-law is number one because there would be no daughter and no wife without the mother-in-law. Cojuangco and GMA are co-equal. And if any of the three are faced with criminal charges, he would not interfere.
6.Eddie Villanueva - favors gays in the politics saying that:"Everyone has equal status before the eyes of law, regardless of sex, religion. I am against all forms of discrimination,"
7. Nicanor Perlas - if elected, he will create a civil society groups, to show a balance of power between the three sectors: business, civil society and government
8. JC de los Reyes - his stand on the Supreme court's granting of city status of 16 municipalities. He said that he is against it because they failed to pass the requirements for city.

Based on the above answers, are we ready for the best candidate for the highest position in the land. One may project a different person and not show his true heart. We can only do the proper discernment through the help of our Lord, Jesus.

Sugar price on the Up Trend

Sugar price is on the up trend. I can forego cakes, ice cream, and other sweets but not my coffee with sugar.

For more story on the global sugar shortage brought by adverse weather, read below:

Sugar Shortage to Exceed Forecast on Adverse Weather

Sugar Shortage to Exceed Forecast on Adverse Weather

By Thomas Kutty Abraham

A global sugar shortage, which drove prices to the highest level in three decades, will be 43 percent more than estimated as adverse weather crimps crops in Mexico, China and Thailand, broker Jonathan Kingsman said.

The shortfall may expand to 11.92 million metric tons in the season ending April 30, compared with 8.32 million tons forecast in October, said Kingsman, managing director of the Switzerland-based company told a conference in Dubai today.

Kingsman SA joins the International Sugar Organization in predicting the global deficit to persist for a third year. Raw- sugar reached a 29-year high on Feb. 1 after more than doubling in 2009 as adverse weather curbed production in Brazil and India, the top producers. The shortfall may exceed 7.25 million tons forecast in November, the London-based ISO said Feb. 5.

“It appears that global stocks will remain extremely tight into 2011, given the extraordinarily tight situation in the market,” Tom McNeill, a senior partner and head of research at Kingsman, said in a statement issued before the conference.

India, the biggest user, may need to import an extra 2.5 million to 3 million tons this season to meet a 7 million ton deficit, Kingsman said in an interview yesterday. Pakistan, Asia’s third-biggest consumer, which stopped taxing imports, plans to buy 1.25 million tons by June.

China, the biggest consumer after India, may have a deficit of 3.3 million tons this year after drought and cold weather cut yields, the Guangxi Bulk Sugar Exchange Center said last month. Vietnam may import 100,000 tons to stabilize prices, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported. Thailand, the second-biggest exporter, may produce 7.2 million tons in the year started in November, less than the previous forecast of 7.62 million tons, the country’s industry regulator said Feb. 3.

‘Large Quantities’

“A lot of buying is yet to come,” Kingsman said. “India, Pakistan and Vietnam need large quantities.”

Global sugar output may total 150.93 million tons, trailing demand of 162.85 million tons, he told the conference today.

Still, the world may return to a surplus of about 3.99 million tons in the 2010-11 season as production increases in Brazil and India, Kingsman said. Global sugar stockpiles will remain tight as users rebuild inventory after two years of record deficits, the brokerage said.

“Although we’re expecting production to recover in India and Brazil, we also expect consumption to get back on track as economies grow,” Kingsman said. “This will provide some relief to importing countries and allow recovery in depleted stocks.”

Raw-sugar futures for March delivery declined 5.3 percent to 26.17 cents a pound in New York on Feb. 5, the most since Oct. 9, as a rally in the dollar eroded the appeal of commodities and a slump in equities revived concern that the economic recovery may stall. The Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index of 19 raw materials slipped to the lowest level since October.

The slump in sugar, a result of selling in commodities by institutional investors, hasn’t changed the fundamentals of the sweetener as import demand will exceed exports, said Kingsman.

Editors: Ravil Shirodkar, Richard Dobson

To contact the reporter on this story: Thomas Kutty Abraham in Dubai at +91-98672-55201 or tabraham4@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Poole at +65-6212-1551 or jpoole4@bloomberg.net