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US intercity passenger train collides with truck, derails

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

An Amtrak passenger train de-railed after hitting a pickup truck in Plant City, Florida, in the United States. The driver of the pickup truck was killed on impact. The crash occurred at a marked railroad crossing inside of an industrial area, according to an Amtrak spokesperson.

None of the 133 passengers were seriously hurt, however, the train’s engineer and five passengers were taken to a local hospital after suffering minor injuries. The remaining passengers were taken to a local bowling alley. Although the train’s two locomotives and nine cars de-railed, they remained upright.

Witnesses report the train sounded its horns at the appropriate times. It was reported the pickup truck simply drove in front of the train.

The crash is the second to occur this week with a train; on Monday, a driver in a Pontiac Grand Am deliberately ignored the lights and crossing arms at another railroad crossing in the area, and drove around them, into the path of a different Amtrak train on the same route. The impact caused the car to go airborne. All four people in the car were killed; no one on the train was injured.

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UN report: climate change and food shortage major problems for Earth’s future

Thursday, October 25, 2007

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a comprehensive report on the current state of the global environment. Climate change, food and water shortage and a decline in biodiversity threaten humanity’s survival, so urgent action is necessary, the report warns.

UNEP’s Global Environment Outlook: environment for development (GEO-4) report involved the work of about 390 experts in various fields from around the world.

Selected key figures and facts from the reportClimate changeThe global average temperature has risen 0.7 °C since 1906 and will rise a further 1.8 °C at best by the end of this century.Some scientists believe a 2°C temperature rise would cause major and irreversible damage.Meanwhile, average temperatures in the Arctic are rising twice as fast as elsewhere.Rising sealevels threaten the 60 percent of the population living within 100 kilometres of coastal lines.Water and foodIncreasing irrigation demands will eventually cause 1 of every 10 major rivers to dry up.Population growth, over-consumption and a continued shift from cereals to meat will raise food demand to a level 2.5 – 3.5 times higher than at present.The slackening expansion of cropland stands in contrast with the fact that by 2030, developing countries will need 120 million extra hectares to feed themselves.BiodiversitySpecies are becoming extinct a hundred times faster than the rate shown in the fossil record.

While the GEO-4 report salutes some improvements, for example the increased public awareness of environmental issues and political interest, it also warns that “There are no major issues… for which the foreseeable trends are favourable.” Although the report sets out a gloomy scenario, its main aim is to call for action.

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What To Know About Cash Advances}

Submitted by: Jacob Henn

Cash advance services are readily available in most cities. Such “quick cash” businesses provide payday advance loans to customers, allowing them to receive cash on short-term credit and repay the cash advance after their actual payday. A customer needs little collateral- simply their job – to apply for a cash advance or payday loan.

Cash advance options offer plenty of instant benefit and can allow customers to proceed with important purchases or services by providing cash at the time of need rather than on a payday schedule. Before choosing any cash advance service, it’s important to understand how the payday loans work and what your loan options are.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvieFlLIbbA[/youtube]

Because a cash advance or payday loan is based on your next paycheck, the loan amount you will be allowed to take out will vary depending on your paycheck. Because the only collateral you need for a payday cash advance is generally your job, taking out a cash advance provides you with fast cash. It’s important to remember that fast cash is, in effect, coming out of your next payday, and to plan carefully to use the loan wisely and arrange to repay the cash advance on time.

A cash advance, as a short-term loan, will carry a relatively high interest rate. However, taking a cash advance from your credit card or line of credit will have a similarly high (or higher) interest rate, so a professional cash advance business may be an advantage over a traditional line of credit cash advance. Generally, cash advance or payday loan locations do not report loans or check your credit (another difference from a traditional line of credit cash advance), which is another advantage. Any time a business runs your credit, it negatively affects your credit at least slightly. The no-credit advantage, of course, assumes you repay the loan as per the loan agreements. If you do not meet the agreement for repaying a cash advance, you risk much greater damage to your credit rating as the cash advance business will report any outstanding loans.

With any cash advance, whether through a cash advance business or a line of credit, be sure you fully understand the terms and conditions of the cash loans. Be certain you have a plan for repaying the cash advance by the agreed upon term to avoid damaging your credit. If you fail to meet the terms of the cash advance agreement, you will not only likely be unable to take future cash advance loans from the quick cash business, your damaged credit will also hamper your ability to qualify for any other type of loan or credit. Even if a loan is approved, a damaged credit score means you will likely pay higher interest rates on any credit card, line of credit, or loan you receive.

With the basic understanding of how a cash advance works, choose carefully if and when you will take a payday loan. Only you can make the decision of which circumstances merit the fast cash loan. Choose a reputable cash advance business, read all loan terms and agreements, and be sure your loan representative answers any questions you have about the loan before you take the cash advance. When used responsibly, a cash advance can be a viable short-term loan option.

About the Author: Rudolf Avie and Mr. Avie Are mentors who are able to give the type of help only a Dr. Avie has been able to provide in the past. To so my dear Mother I also say thanks. A cash advance, as a short-term loan, will carry a relatively high interest rate. However, taking a cash advance from your credit card or line of credit will have a similarly high…. Learn more at

checkcity.com/texas/cash-advance-texas/

and

youtube.com/user/OfficialCheckCity

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=1499509&ca=Finances}

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FEMA accused of misusing trained disaster workers as public-relations workers

Monday, September 12, 2005

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is being criticized for misallocation of personnel in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. FEMA representatives said they requested volunteers from fire departments around the U.S., to handle its community relations campaign. However, a document FEMA sent to local fire departments asked for firefighters with very specific skills and who were capable of working in “austere conditions”. Fire departments around the nation responded by sending crews to the FEMA staging ground in Atlanta. Some of these crews were unaware that they were only going to be used for public relations work. Others, however, merely hoped that FEMA would allocate them to rescue and damage control operations once it saw their qualifications.

The firefighter’s objections are particularly poignant as one of FEMA public relations training seminars coincided with New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin plea for firefighters on national television, to relieve his own exhausted crews. It is unclear if FEMA’s request for firefighters prevented any municipalities from responding to Mayor Nagin’s request.

Some firefighters have objected to their use as FEMA public relations officers because their municipalities must bear the cost of their salaries, as well as endure reduced firefighting capacity. FEMA has stated that it sought to use firefighters to avoid background checks required of federal employees.

Firefighters began receiving their assignments Monday, September 5th. Among these was a crew of 50 assigned to tour the devastated areas with President Bush and the press.

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Tips To Cut Down On Your Carpentry Cost}

Tips to Cut Down on Your Carpentry Cost

by

MarkTrescothicCarpentry completes and complements the overall building structure by adding style, diversity and longevity to it. And there is no way you, or anyone for that matter, can build your dream home without some carpentry work sprinkled around: be it building doors and windows, framing walls and partitions, putting in stairs and hardwood floors or fitting a new kitchen cabinet for your sweet home to look sweeter and stylish. Even to others!The truth is there are no free lunches in the world. The better the woodwork you want, the lighter it will make your wallet. After all buying the high quality material or hiring some of the best local carpenters comes at a cost. But is there really no in-between where we can be economical without compromising on quality? Of course there is. Here is a list of few common scenarios where you using our tips can save some pounds without suffering too much on the quality front.Scenario 1: Installing new doors and windows:Not every installation cost the same. The price varies with size, type of materials used and above all the type of finish. You can do nothing about the dimension and we don’t recommend opting for cheap and inferior materials, the best way to reduce unnecessary cost is in picking a smart type of finish. A painted finish costs more than natural wood. In the same way, getting a joinery shop tailor-make your doors and windows will prove to be more expensive than ordering a standard, ready-made stuff. Another way to be economical is to use pre-primed, pressed doors and then you can give them a color you wish. This way you get excellent finish without wasting too much efforts or pounds.Veneered doors or windows work best if you want a hardwood and polished finish. Not only these are cheaper but also more resistant to warping than what solid doors and windows can ever be. Hiring a competent and reliable carpenter will open you to few more such ideas than ones listed here.Scenario 2: Laying wooden floors:Not all woods are created equal. Some are costlier than others. For example, a walnut finish will set you back by a lot more than oak would. One of the best value-for-money options is engineered wood. Although it won’t be significantly cheaper, the labour cost will be less. Provided that the floor is pre-finished, you can skip on process of sanding and sealing saving even more on labour cost. Engineered floors happen to be more stable, with less distortion and movement in comparison to original wood floors. What’s more, you can even re-sand and re-seal them. For more options, you can always resort to suggestions of the qualified carpenter you have hired.Scenario 3: Fitting a new kitchen: If your heart is not set on attractive-but-expensive stone worktops, I suggest you consider other alternatives. Whatever worktop you go for, don’t tinker with the layout of kitchen. Be warned, changing the layout or moving stuff around will lead to the need of rewiring or fresh plumbing set-up which will lighten your wallet further.

Mark Trescothic is an editor in Content & Communication. He has given his key contribution in construction related topics. He spent years in writing content for construction firms and tradesmen. Looking for

local carpenters

, kindly visit Bag a Builder

Article Source:

eArticlesOnline.com}

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NASCAR: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. earns 2011 Daytona 500 pole

File:Dale Earnhardt Jr 2008 Cropped.jpg

Monday, February 14, 2011

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his first pole position of the season today for the 2011 Daytona 500 that will be held at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. His time of 48.364 seconds was faster than all others who qualified. Jeff Gordon followed in the second position with a time of 48.396. Unlike other qualifying sessions, this qualifying session only decided the first and second position, while the others will be decided by the two Gatorade Duels held on February 17.

It was the third time that both first and second place car was from Hendrick Motorsports. Following his qualifying run, he said, “We had a great car today. I didn’t really have a whole lot to do with it, just had to hold on the bottom as tight as I could and the power and the body and everything does all the work.” He continued, “It obviously gives you a good idea that you’ve got a great car, but anyone can win the race. There’s guys that qualified outside the top 20 that have got winning cars.” Earnhardt started second in the race last year, and has won the race once, which was in 2004.

The race will be held at 13:00 EST on February 20, 2011. The race will be broadcast on Fox in the United States. It will also be broadcast on the radio station Motor Racing Network at 12:00 EST.

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Getting The Best Steak At A Steakhouse In Cincinnati

byAlma Abell

When you crave a good steak, it is hard to shake the craving until you get the steak that you want. Fortunately, there is a good Steakhouse in Cincinnati that can give you the Best Steak in town. They use the best cuts of meat and they know exactly how to season and cook them so that they come out just perfect. Whether you like your steak rare or well done, the chefs at this steakhouse will be sure to get it just right for you. They have been cooking steaks for a long time so they really know what they are doing on the grill.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NeRxUHhpN8[/youtube]

There is not many things that are better than a thick, juicy steak when you are hungry. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of places that can really cook a good steak. That means that if you are not in the right area, you may never get the steak that you actually crave. In order to get that steak, you may just have to drive to Cincinnati to get it. Once you get there and bite into the steak you will find that it was well worth the drive. You will probably make that drive many more times in the future too.

If you have never been to this Steakhouse in Cincinnati you do not know what you are missing. You may think that you are eating good steak when you are really just eating mediocre steak. To see what a real steak tastes like, you simply have to go to this restaurant. They have all kinds of different cuts and each of them are delicious. They also sell steaks in a variety of sizes so that you can get the size that you need. You may want to get a large steak so that you have some to take home and eat later.

People love eating at this steakhouse because of the quality of the food that they cook. They also enjoy the fact that they get such good service when they are there. If you would like to see what this place is all about, then you need to plan a trip really soon.

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Asbestos controversy aboard Scientology ship Freewinds

Friday, May 16, 2008

Controversy has arisen over the reported presence of blue asbestos on the MV Freewinds, a cruise ship owned by the Church of Scientology. According to the Saint Martin newspaper The Daily Herald and the shipping news journal Lloyd’s List, the Freewinds was sealed in April and local public health officials on the Caribbean island of Curaçao where the ship is docked began an investigation into the presence of asbestos dust on the ship. Former Scientologist Lawrence Woodcraft supervised work on the ship in 1987, and attested to the presence of blue asbestos on the Freewinds in an affidavit posted to the Internet in 2001. Woodcraft, a licensed architect by profession, gave a statement to Wikinews and commented on the recent events.

According to The Daily Herald, the Freewinds was in the process of being renovated by the Curaçao Drydock Company. The article states that samples taken from paneling in the ship were sent to the Netherlands, where an analysis revealed that they “contained significant levels of blue asbestos”. An employee of the Curaçao Drydock Company told Radar Online in an April 30 article that the Freewinds has been docked and sealed, and confirmed that an article about asbestos ran in the local paper.

Lloyd’s List reported that work on the interior of the Freewinds was suspended on April 27 after health inspectors found traces of blue asbestos on the ship. According to Lloyd’s List, Frank Esser, Curaçao Drydock Company’s interim director, joined Curaçao’s head of the department of labor affairs Christiene van der Biezen along with the head of the local health department Tico Ras and two inspectors in an April 25 inspection of the ship. “We are sending someone so that they can tell us what happened, where it came from, since when it has been there,” said Panama Maritime Authority’s director of merchant marine Alfonso Castillero in a statement to Lloyd’s List.

The Church of Scientology purchased the ship, then known as the Bohème, in 1987, through an organization called Flag Ship Trust. After being renovated and refitted, it was put into service in June 1988. The ship is used by the Church of Scientology for advanced Scientology training in “Operating Thetan” levels, as well as for spiritual retreats for its members. Curaçao has been the ship’s homeport since it was purchased by the Church of Scientology.

According to his 2001 statement, Lawrence Woodcraft had been an architect in London, England since 1975, and joined Scientology’s elite “Sea Organization” (Sea Org) in 1986. He wrote that he was asked by the Sea Org to work on the Freewinds in 1987, and during his work on the ship “noticed a powdery blue fibrous substance approximately 1 ½” thick between the paint and the steel wall,” which he believed to be asbestos. He also discovered what he thought was blue asbestos in other parts of the ship, and reported his findings to Church of Scientology executives. Woodcraft discussed his experiences in a 2001 interview published online by the Lisa McPherson Trust, a now-defunct organization which was critical of the Church of Scientology.

The Freewinds regularly inspects the air quality on board and always meets or exceeds US standards.

Church of Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw responded to Radar Online about the asbestos reports, in an email published in an article in Radar on May 1. “The Freewinds regularly inspects the air quality on board and always meets or exceeds US standards,” said Pouw. She stated that two inspections performed in April “confirmed that the air quality is safe,” and asserted that the inspections revealed the Freewinds satisfies standards set by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Clean Air Act.

Pouw told Radar that “The Freewinds will be completing its refit on schedule.” The Church of Scientology-affiliated organization Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) had been planning a cruise aboard the Freewinds scheduled for May 8, but according to Radar an individual who called the booking number for the cruise received a message that the cruise had been delayed due to ongoing work on the ship. Citing an article in the Netherlands Antilles newspaper Amigoe, Radar reported on May 6 that a team from the United States and supervised by an independent bureau from the Netherlands traveled to Curaçao in order to remove asbestos from the Freewinds.

…if the Church of Scientology claims to have removed the blue asbestos, I just don’t see how, it’s everywhere. You would first have to remove all the pipes, plumbing, a/c ducts, electrical wiring etc. etc. just a maze of stuff.

“I stand by everything I wrote in my 2001 affidavit,” said Lawrence Woodcraft in an exclusive statement given to Wikinews. Woodcraft went on to state: “I would also comment that if the Church of Scientology claims to have removed the blue asbestos, I just don’t see how, it’s everywhere. You would first have to remove all the pipes, plumbing, a/c ducts, electrical wiring etc. etc. just a maze of stuff. Also panelling as well, basically strip the ship back to a steel hull. Also blue asbestos is sprayed onto the outer walls and then covered in paint. It’s in every nook and cranny.”

Many Scientologist celebrities have spent time aboard the Freewinds, including Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Chick Corea, Lisa Marie Presley, Catherine Bell, Kate Ceberano, and Juliette Lewis. Now magazine reported that Tom Cruise has been urged to seek medical attention regarding potential asbestos exposure, however a representative for Cruise stated he has “absolutely no knowledge” of the recent asbestos controversy. Cruise, Holmes, Travolta and Preston have celebrated birthdays and other events on the Freewinds.

There is not now and never has been a situation of asbestos exposure on the Freewinds.

In a May 15 statement to the United Kingdom daily newspaper Metro, a representative for the Church of Scientology said that “There is not now and never has been a situation of asbestos exposure on the Freewinds.” The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center notes that agencies have recommended anyone who has spent time on the Freewinds consult with their physician to determine if possible asbestos exposure may have affected their health.

Raw blue asbestos is the most hazardous form of asbestos, and has been banned in the United Kingdom since 1970. Blue asbestos fibers are very narrow and thus easily inhaled, and are a major cause of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which can develop in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, the lining of the abdominal cavity, or the pericardium sac surrounding the heart. The cancer is incurable, and can manifest over 40 years after the initial exposure to asbestos.

“This is the most dangerous type of asbestos because the fibres are smaller than the white asbestos and can penetrate the lung more easily,” said toxicologist Dr. Chris Coggins in a statement published in OK! Magazine. Dr. Coggins went on to note that “Once diagnosed with mesothelioma, the victim has six months to a year to live. It gradually reduces lung function until the victim is no longer able to breathe and dies.”

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On the campaign trail, September 2012

This article mentions the Wikimedia Foundation, one of its projects, or people related to it. Wikinews is a project of the Wikimedia Foundation.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The following is the eleventh in a monthly series chronicling the U.S. 2012 presidential election. It features original material compiled throughout the previous month after a brief mention of some of the month’s biggest stories.

In this month’s edition on the campaign trail: Wikinews chronicles three of the lesser-known speakers at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, a controversial pastor and write-in candidate talks to Wikinews about the unrest in the Middle East, and the ballot-qualified American Third Position Party (A3P) presidential nominee travels to Iran to meet President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Contents

  • 1 Summary
  • 2 Lesser-known DNC speakers discuss their experience
  • 3 Wikinews interviews write-in candidate connected to Middle East turmoil
  • 4 A3P nominee meets with the President of Iran
  • 5 Sources
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Tips For Buying A Horse Property

By Martin Webbster

Buying a horse property in the Colorado Spring area is one investment that will pay off greatly for you. The location is most suitable for horse rearing and has seen a lot of real estate interest of late. With a single purchase of land or development one into a ranch or a preexisting horse property, you will have the added benefit of rapid appreciation in price and value.

Investors are interested in the Colorado Springs area for many reasons. Principal amongst these are the topography and climate of the area. The hot climate makes it ideal for outdoor and open system horse rearing. You can let the horses out into the open without much worries about fair weather. Again, the land is quite watered as many springs and creeks abound there. Even when you do not dig a well to feed your livestock you can easily irrigate your place. The weather is generally warm in this part of country an asset for both ranch development and general horse breeding activities.

If you are interested in hunting, the vegetative features of this area will amaze you. There are lots of trees within which hunters can go on long expeditions. Fishing enthusiasts will also find the deep flowing rivers a pleasure for their sport.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1U0OjXdsOg[/youtube]

Most of the areas in the Springs region have been zoned for horse rearing. You would therefore need a special permit to be able to rear your stock. You would only bring them in and start raising them. These types of properties also have well permits so that you can dig wells in your compound to water your stock or feed your animals.

Due to the keen interest of investors in setting up ranches and cottages and cabin houses in the Springs area, a lot of professional builders have moved to the area. Be it a well or cabin or fence, you always the experts waiting for you. They can present the investor with predesigned plan or build according to the preferences of the owner.

If you have enough land, you can also add equestrian facilities to the property. This sport has become a favorite past time for many and it keep growing. You can therefore have two main yards with fences you keep the equestrian equipment on one side and the ranch on another. You can offer both to different vacationers. If your visitors like horse riding sports, they can cross over to the other facility and enjoy their sports. Previously many owners were keeping their horses on other people’s managed properties but that is changing now. With a little greening of the environment and few structures, you can provide full equestrian facilities for your vacationer and give more value to your property.

If you are going to add equestrian facilities, there are some important things you will have to take note of. You will have to get enough acreage to be able to provide a fully functional equestrian facility. This sport requires large attracts of land and you must therefore be in the position to obtain such. Unlike cattle, horses require more quality and voluminous amount of pasture. You must provide better pasture. Again your fencing will have to be very strong. Many visitors will like to drive to the grounds. You must have excellent road access for them. The road must be motorable at all times of the year. You will have to make special provision for the rainy days when the ground will become muddy.

A horse property is one investment that promises lots of money for the owner. Te horses can be put to several uses. You can make equestrian facilities out of them or simply offer riding lessons. In each way, you can be able to get your visitors the leisure and pleasure that they have come to rural America to look for.

About the Author: Martin Webbster is a writer for Horse Clicks – horse property classifieds of

horse properties

,

farms for sale

,

ranches for sale

and other horse real estate. Martin is also a featured author at

ArticleKing.com

Source:

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