TresSugar

Front Page: Indonesia Hit Hard By Second Quake

TresSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:07 -0700

After a second major earthquake hit Indonesia today, following Wednesday's 7.6 quake, the death toll has reached at least 529. - Washington Post
Communist China is marking its 60th anniversary today. - AP
A top official military journal has made an unprecedented call for the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." - New York Times
Both the White House and the family of a Chicago teenager whose beating death was caught on tape are calling attention to the incident with hopes that it will prevent other tragedies. - CNN
London's Tate Museum has pulled a nude photo of Brooke Shields because it was warned that it might violate child pornography laws. - UK Guardian

China Marks Quake That Shook the World

TresSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:00:00 -0700

A year after an earthquake devastated China's Sichuan province killing almost 90,000 people, the country remembered victims today during commemorative events.

The earthquake gave typically isolated China a chance to accept help from the rest of the world, and the disaster also prompted a discussion about China's reproductive laws, as the government lifted the "one child" policy for those who lost children in the quake. Today, those parents and other survivors point to shoddy construction of schools and other buildings as the cause of many deaths.

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Quote of the Day

CitizenSugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:30:45 -0700

"They have everything they need, they have medical care, hot food . . . Of course, their current lodgings are a bit temporary, but they should see it like a weekend of camping."

- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi added to his list of gaffes, by showing a lack of sympathy for the homeless victims of the earthquake who are sleeping in tents or in their cars.

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Front Page: Death Toll Rises After Italian Earthquake

CitizenSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:15:58 -0700

Italy's prime minister announced that 207 people have been confirmed dead and 15 are still missing, after a 6.3 earthquake hit the city of L'Aquila yesterday. About 100,000 have been left homeless. - Wall Street Journal
The University of North Carolina defeated Michigan State last night to win the national college basketball title. - ESPN
Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced sweeping reforms at the Pentagon yesterday, including weapons cuts and the replacement of private contractors with full-time civil servants. - Washington Post
Texas billionaire "Sir" Allen Stanford gave a tearful and sometimes aggressive interview to ABC News, during which he discussed his impending federal fraud charges and flying coach. - ABC News
The jail term for the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W. Bush has been cut from three years to only one after his appeal. - BBC News

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Italy Searches For Survivors, Authorities Ignored Warning?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:00:41 -0700

While residents east of Rome slept this morning, a deadly quake shook the earth. As of now, almost 100 people have died, 1,500 were injured, and tens of thousands are homeless. The search for survivors continues in the medieval town of L'Aquilla, and camps have been set up for those who lost their homes.

About a month ago, seismologist Gioacchino Giuliani predicted a large quake in the area. Vans equipped with loudspeakers went around telling people to evacuate their homes. But the local authorities accused the scientist of spreading panic, and he was forced to remove his warning from the Internet. While many claim that its impossible to predict earthquakes, this sounds like a dangerous form of censorship!

Check out photos of the destruction and recovery in this slideshow. Source

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Front Page: 6.3 Earthquake Rocks Italy, Killing at Least 90

CitizenSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:02:49 -0700

At least 90 have died in Italy after a 6.3 earthquake shook 60 miles northeast of Rome. - BBC News
Speaking in Turkey, President Obama expressed his strong support for Turkey's accession into the European Union. - New York Times
For the first time in 18 years, the media is covering the homecoming of fallen soldiers. - Washington Post
Fast and Furious came in first place at the box office this weekend, bringing in $72.5 million. - New York Daily News
After a gunman killed 14 in Binghamton, NY, Friday, two more shootings happened this weekend in Pittsburgh and Washington state. - Wall Street Journal
Sarah Palin's camp has lashed out at Levi Johnston for exploiting Bristol by going on The Tyra Banks Show to talk about sex. The interview airs today. - People

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Front Page: Pakistan Earthquake Kills 150, Flash Floods Hit India, Obama On Most TV Stations Tonight

CitizenSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:59:46 -0700

Pakistan Earthquake Kills 150:
A 6.5 earthquake hit southwestern Pakistan today causing heavy damage and resulting in the deaths of at least 150 people. A local expert says, “It was a shallow earthquake, which is very destructive. The aftershocks will be felt for a week with more or less the same intensity.” Hundreds more are injured following the quake.

Flash Floods Hit India:
Floods swept through northeastern India today displacing 70,000 people from more than 70 villages. Incessant rains caused the Putimari river to breach its banks and rescue forces have been sent in. Two relief camps have been set up to try to accommodate the tens of thousands. People are currently camping on highways under plastic bags.

Obama On Most TV Stations Tonight:
Barack Obama's 30-minute ad will air on most major TV networks at 8 p.m. ET. The taped infomercial will feature a live segment with Obama at a rally in Florida. He will also be on The Daily Show tonight. The 30-minute appearance will delay the start of game five of the World Series. John McCain will be appearing on Larry King Live tonight.

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Front Page: Tree-Sitters Climb Down, Quake Shakes Iran, More Calling Suicide Hotline, US Deficit at $438 Billion

CitizenSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:00:28 -0700

Tree-Sitters Climb Down:
After a 21-month occupation, four remaining tree-sitters in an oak grove on the UC Berkeley campus, climbed down and into police custody. School officials had cut off food and water supplies Monday and were prepared to remove the activists using force. The tree-sitters were trying to stop the construction of a $125 million sports center which threatened 42 trees on campus.

Quake Shakes Iran:
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake has hit southern Iran near the site of a large Iranian oil refinery, injuring 22 and killing three. Officials fear the quake damaged older parts in the refinery. Iran is the world's fourth largest oil exporter, the refinery struck processes 320,000 barrels a day.

More Calling Suicide Hotline:
More Americans are calling the government's suicide hotline, 47,000 of them in the last month alone. The line receives a 10 percent increase every month, which the staff attributes to more people knowing about it, than an increase in the suicidal. In 2005, the last year of the data, there were more than 32,600 suicide deaths.
US Deficit at $438 Billion:
The US budget deficit is set to reach $438 billion in 2009 according to Congressional Budget Office estimates. The figure doesn't take into account government costs associated with taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The previous record for deficit was $413 billion in 2004. Last year's deficit was $161 billion.

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Television Personality Freaks Out During Earthquake

GiggleSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:16:17 -0700

During a taping of Cosmos Gal during which this woman with a plunging neckline reads horoscope predictions, the not-so-big one hit. My favorite part is when, out of frame, you hear her say, "Get in the f*cking doorway, Andy!" She wanders back, only to wonder if they're still recording and to announce it's her first earthquake. Ha! Thanks for sharing, Cosmos Gal, now get back to work! What were you saying again about Venus in my 12th house? (This one's for lilsugar!)

Earthquake in LA Yesterday Interrupts Judge Judy

GiggleSugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700

The gods were smiling down on someone on the Judge Judy set yesterday in LA. There was a mild earthquake, and you can see in the clip here that the camera shakes and the plaintiff and defendant look pretty nervous. I don't know who was spared, but could being injured or dying from an earthquake be any worse than being verbally bitch slapped by Judge Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining! Judy? I think not. Lucky bastards!