• U.S., Russian negotiators ‘at the finish line’ on new START nuclear pact
      Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and the Russian foreign minister said after talks here that they awaited word soon from negotiators in Geneva who have been working 18-hour days to wrap up the agreement. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) is a top priority of President Obama, who initially had pledged to finish it [...] […]
  • Gender-Bender Chemicals are Turning Boys Into Girls
    The government of Denmark has released a 326-page report affirming that endocrine disrupting chemicals are probably continuing to the birth of fewer males and the "feminization" of existing ones. The report centers on chemicals like PVC, flame retardants, phthalates, dioxins, PCBs and bisphenol-A, all of which mimic the action of estrogen in the b […]
  • Hacker Disables More Than 100 Cars Remotely
      More than 100 drivers in Austin, Texas found their cars disabled or the horns honking out of control, after an intruder ran amok in a web-based vehicle-immobilization system normally used to get the attention of consumers delinquent in their auto payments. Police with Austin’s High Tech Crime Unit on Wednesday arrested 20-year-old Omar Ramos-Lopez, a forme […]
  • US Vice President Joseph Biden: ‘”I also see myself as a Zionist"
    US Vice President Joseph Biden First Visiting Foreign Dignitary to Lay Wreath at Tomb of Theodor Herzl, the founder of the political movement we have come to know as Zionism. US Vice President Joe Biden, with wife Dr. Jill Biden, lay a wreath at the tomb of [...] […]
  • European Parliament Rips Global IP Accord
      The European Parliament delivered a political blow to Hollywood and the Obama administration, voting Wednesday 663 to 13 in opposition to a proposed and secret intellectual property agreement being negotiated by the European Union, United States and a handful of others. Wednesday’s developments concerning the Anti-Counterfeiting and Trade Agreement are sub […]
  • Violence Mars Greek Protest
    Flights were grounded and trains suspended amid a nationwide general strike Thursday, as Greek police fought running street battles with anarchist youths in fresh and violent signs of anger at the government’s austerity plans. Unions called a strike to protest wage and benefit cuts being put in place to trim Greece’s swollen budget deficit as the [...] […]
  • Thailand braces for massive political protests
    Thailand braced for anti-government demonstrations that began Friday and were expected to peak over the weekend with as many as 150,000 protesters on the streets. In anticipation, the government has mobilized 50,000 security forces, said acting spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn. The mass rallies are expected to be peaceful but Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewk […]
  • Brain scan can read people’s thoughts
    A scan of brain activity can effectively read a person’s mind, researchers said Thursday. British scientists from University College London found they could differentiate brain activity linked to different memories and thereby identify thought patterns by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The evidence suggests researchers can tell which mem […]
  • Obama Supports DNA Sampling Upon Arrest
    Josh Gerstein over at Politico sent Threat Level his piece underscoring once again President Barack Obama is not the civil-liberties Knight In Shining Armor many were expecting. Gerstein posts a televised interview of Obama and John Walsh of America’s Most Wanted. The nation’s chief executive extols the virtues of mandatory DNA testing of Americans upon arre […]
  • Drudge Virus Warning Blasted as Latest Free Speech Incursion
    The unusual e-mail sent to Senate staffers this week warning them not to visit The Drudge Report for fear of a virus has some critics crying foul, suggesting the missive is the latest attempt by Democrats to stifle dissent in the media. The Drudge Report, a popular Web site which aggregates news links, often trumpets [...] […]
  • Chief exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth says Devil is in the Vatican
    Sex abuse scandals in the Roman Catholic Church are proof that that “the Devil is at work inside the Vatican”, according to the Holy See’s chief exorcist. Father Gabriele Amorth, 85, who has been the Vatican’s chief exorcist for 25 years and says he has dealt with 70,000 cases of demonic possession, said that the consequences [...] […]
  • “Rather than monitoring hate groups, the Southern Poverty Law Center has become one.”
    A funny thing happened on the way to this week’s column — I got “targeted,” “frozen,” “personalized” and “polarized.” In other words, I got lumped in with the majority of Americans as the “radical right” — you know, the scary people who believe in God, the Constitution, family values, and an honest day’s work for an [...] […]
  • UK: Crackdown on dangerous dogs to make microchips compulsory for all
    All dogs are to be compulsorily microchipped so that their owners can be more easily traced under a crackdown on dangerous dogs to be unveiled today. The package will include extending the dangerous dogs law to cover attacks by dogs on private property to protect postmen, and making third-party insurance compulsory so that victims can be [...] […]
  • 11 More U.S. Airports Get Body Scanners
    Transportation officials announced Friday 11 more United States airports will begin receiving full-body imaging machines “By accelerating the deployment of this technology, we are enhancing our capability to detect and disrupt threats of terrorism across the nation,” Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement. Despite concerns of privac […]
  • UK: Spy chips hidden in 2.5 MILLION dustbins: 60pc rise in electronic bugs as council snoopers plan pay-as-you-throw tax
    The growing threat of a stealth tax on the rubbish we throw away was exposed by startling figures yesterday. More than 2.5million homes now have wheelie bins fitted with microchips to weigh their contents. This is an increase of nearly two-thirds in just a year. The bins, which can be electronically identified and weighed, are designed for [...] […]
  • Saving Seeds: Cantaloupe
    Cantaloupes DO cross pollinate with other “melons” like other cantaloupes, musk melons, snake melons and Armenian cucumbers.  Separate therefore from other “melons” by a quarter mile. Choose early ripening, disease free fruits to save seed from. Wash seeds from ripe melons in a strainer, dry on a paper plate or paper sheet. Seeds are ready to store [...] […]
  • Saving Seeds: Squash and Zucchini
    Squash within the same species DOES cross pollinate, therefore species should be isolated by a quarter mile.  This will also reduce the danger of squash bugs spreading over all the crops if they pester one patch. Seeds should be taken from fruits that have surpassed maturity by 3 weeks already. Remove seed, wash, let dry on paper [...] […]
  • Saving Seeds: Cucumbers
    Cucumbers DO cross pollinate, so if you want pure seed, separate cucumber varieties from each other by a quarter mile. Seeds should be taken from fruit that has ripened past edible stage and begun to turn yellow and soften.  To get to the seeds, cut the cucumber lengthwise, scoop the seeds out, wash them and dry [...] […]
  • Saving Seeds: Carrots
    Carrots are biennial, that means, you can harvest seeds only in the second year. Carrots Do cross pollinate, so separate them 1/4 mile from other carrots in the first year.   In the second year, when they are going to seed, separate them also from Queen Anne’s Lace (about 1/4 mile). Dig carrots up before the hard frost [...] […]
  • Saving Seeds: Peppers
    Peppers DO cross pollinate, so separate varieties by about 500 feet, unless you can plant them in insect proof cages that are covered with window screen. Pick ripe, fully colored fruits that show no sign of disease to save seeds from.  Remove the seed core and place on a paper plate or thick paper sheet to [...] […]
  • Saving Seeds: Tomatoes
    Tomatoes usually do not cross-pollinate, at least not the modern varieties.  Potato leaf varieties should be separated by the garden’s length though. Pick one ripe fruit of each plant (at least), squeeze the seeds and juice into a strainer.  Then wash the seeds, spread them on a paper plate or thick paper sheet, and dry them. DO [...] […]
  • Saving Seeds: Beans
    Bean flowers are self-pollinating, so the danger of cross pollination is comparatively small.  It’s is recommended to separate different kinds of beans by a garden length though to ensure absolute purity. Save seeds from plants that ripen first and are disease free.  Harvest seed pods reserved for seed saving when they are dried completely.  Crush the [...] […]
  • Saving Seeds
    I know this might come a little early for many of you out there, but I will start a new “series” here, giving information about saving seeds of different plants. I guess you all know that it is not much use to save seed from hybrid plants as you never know what you are getting, but [...] […]
  • Tomato Suckers
    I mentioned suckers in an earlier post, saying that you can pinch them if you wish, but don’t have to – well, some people do not know what a sucker actually is. What is a sucker ? Suckers grow our between a tomato leaf branch and its stem.  If you pinch them off and stick them in [...] […]
  • Planting Cucumbers
    It is a good idea to plant cucumbers in hills so they can vine in peace and do not get too crowded. A week or two after your last frost date, make hills that are 4-5 feet apart from each other on all sides, and approximately 12” in diameter.  Plant 6-8 seeds per hill. After 3 weeks, [...] […]
  • Growing Tomatoes
    As tomatoes are most gardener’s favorite plant, especially but not exclusively amongst beginners, here are a few things that might be worth knowing about growing tomatoes.  If those among you who have decades of tomato growing experiences are unhappy with my information or have things to add, please feel free to comment Basically, all [...] […]
  • Marie Claire: How to plant a window garden
    Via: seattlepi.com 1. At a nursery, pick up seeds, potting soil, and a few small pots or a window box (it must be shorter than the length of your windowsill-measure first!). Get a container at least four to five inches deep with a drainage hole at the bottom. 2. Fill container with soil and place [...] […]
  • Good buys for gardeners
    If you are new to the wonderfully healthy and economical past time of gardening, this list might be interesting to you.  For all those who have been gardening for ages already, maybe you enjoy checking what this lady thinks is essential, and add what’s missing, from your own experience Via: baltimoresun.com By Susan [...] […]
  • The globalisation of addiction
    So here is a study that tells you, basically, that living in the countryside, close to nature, as a producer, instead of a synthetic, stressful environment where people live as consumers only, will prevent addictions, will even cure addictions, will be the best you can do for your children and yourself.  The addictions of our [...] […]
  • Gardening is getting more and more popular
    We finally got our seeds, accompanied by a nice letter from FEDCOs, and what they are telling their customers there did not come as a big surprise to us:  Fedco has had record sales this year, an over 40% growth in seed sales, which adds to the 20% growth they saw last year…  At a [...] […]
  • Planning your vegetable and herb gardens – Tips to save your family money by gardening
    Via: Seattle Garden & Kitchen Examiner A prolific garden can save your family a lot of money Food prices are continuing to rise while more and more products get recalled. It only makes sense that all of us considering ways to raise some of the food we eat. The more we food we raise, [...] […]
  • Have you ordered your seeds yet ?
    You might think it’s weird to think about the gardening season now, but it isn’t.  Even though your garden patch might be buried in snow right now, depending on where you are, you still need to get off your hindquarters and start planning now. 2009 might very well be the year when, for the first time [...] […]
  • Cloth diapers, again
    Just a short note today: We recently talked to a pediatrician who told us that she is seeing a lot more cloth diapers these days than she used to.   Most people are probably using cloth diapers now because they cannot afford throwaway diapers anymore, but it is still difficult to get decent diaper covers in any [...] […]
  • Apple Pie
    I suppose most of you have made millions of apple pies in your time, but if you are looking for a nice online description of how to bake one, I recently found a well made page about how to make apple pie from scratch, with lots of pictures and ingredients for both a lattice and [...] […]
  • An Old-Time “Refridgerator”, Easily Built: The Trash Can Root Cellar
    If you need storage that keeps your food cool without using electricity, a root cellar comes in very handy. There are a tremendous amount of different designs for root cellars out there – check out this site, for example: Root Cellars Their link to the garbage can root cellar is broken though, so here are some basic [...] […]

4 convicted over foiled German terror plot

Four men were convicted in Germany on Thursday in a foiled terrorist plot against Western targets, court officials said.
The men had begun mixing a huge amount of explosive material that could have resulted in a strong blast, bigger than attacks in 2005 on London’s public transport network and the 2004 Madrid railway bombings, authorities said.…Two [...]

“Unplug the Signal: The Truth Will Not Be Televised”

I have a television.  It’s in the garage, under a bunch of other stuff.  It’s been there since about 2004.  I don’t watch television, nor does anyone else in my house, and for years I have strongly urged others to go “thou and do likewise.”  Largely, this call to action has been ignored.  Perhaps people [...]

Gas prices edge close to $3 a gallon

Prices at the pump have jumped 14 cents over the past few weeks, working their way closer to the $3 mark, according to a survey published Sunday.
The average price nationwide of a gallon of self-serve regular is $2.74, the Lundberg Survey found.
That’s the highest price since October 2008.
“It’s very possible” prices will keep jumping in [...]

22 dead from measles in Zimbabwe

I’m strongly tempted to infer causality from sentence two rather than sentence four.
Twenty-two people, mainly children below the age of 5, have died of measles in Zimbabwe, the country’s state media reported.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said two weeks ago it was “deeply frustrated” by the measles outbreak, which came after it sponsored a vaccination [...]

Jewish terrorist suspect on murder charges

I don’t see the need to put Jewish Terrorist in quotes like CNN.
An American-born Israeli man, called a terrorist by Israeli police, was indicted Thursday on murder charges despite his attorney’s concerns about his mental stability.
Yaakov “Jack” Teitel, a West Bank settler, was indicted on two murder charges, four attempted murder charges and several lesser [...]

Massachusetts Man, 27, Is Charged in Terrorist Plot

A pharmacist living with his parents in the suburbs of Boston was arrested on Wednesday on federal terrorism charges. The authorities said he had conspired to attack civilians at a shopping mall, American soldiers abroad and two members of the executive branch of the federal government.
The man, Tarek Mehanna, 27, was charged with conspiracy to [...]

Suspected S.C. serial killer shot dead in N.C.

Authorities are reporting that a burglary suspect slain in North Carolina was the man wanted as the serial killer in South Carolina.
As On Deadline reported earlier, police shot and killed a man suspected of trying to burglarize a home in Dallas, N.C.
Ballistics of the gun and bullets found on the still-unidentified man match those used [...]

Seven banks fail, pushing the 2009 tally to 52

Seven banks were shut down by authorities Thursday, pushing the tally of failed banks for 2009 to 52, more than doubling the failures in 2008.
Six regional banks in Illinois and one in Texas closed their doors, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
The rash of Illinois failures are interlinked: All six banks were controlled [...]

[...]

9/11 FEMA videographer at Ground Zero goes public

Fascinating.  Read the entire interview at:: voltairenet.org
As official videographer for the U.S. government, Kurt Sonnenfeld was detailed to Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, where he spent one month filming 29 tapes: "What I saw at certain moments and in certain places … is very disturbing!" He never handed them over to the authorities and [...]

Four child flu deaths shut HK schools

HONG Kong yesterday closed all its primary schools, kindergartens and nurseries for two weeks following the deaths of four young children from flu-like symptoms.
The authorities were determined to act decisively as parents’ concern grew with each incident. So far, 184 people – mainly children – at 23 schools have been hit by flu.
Health Department head [...]

City Wants Surveillance Cameras to Record Every License Plate

Police in North Carolina want to build surveillance cameras that would record every car license that passes by and run it through the FBI’s criminal database, alerting authorities in real time if it finds a match.
The system would store license plate numbers for up to a year to provide authorities with historic data should they [...]

Incendiary device found in boy’s bag at DIA

A 12-year-old Denver-area boy was stopped at Denver International Airport this morning when security screeners found an “incendiary device” in his backpack.
Authorities described it as resembling a homemade road flare.
Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said the boy is from metro Denver and was traveling with family members to California when he was stopped about 6:45 [...]

Alberta pig farm quarantined due to influenza A H1N1 virus culls 500 hogs

Five-hundred hogs have been culled on a pig farm in central Alberta where the herd was found to be infected with the new swine flu virus.
Authorities say the decision to cull the animals was a result of discussions between the producer and federal and Alberta officials.
They say it was the best course of action for [...]

Police hurt in May Day clashes in Berlin, Hamburg

Scattered violence erupted in the early hours of the May Day holiday in Berlin and Hamburg that left dozens of police injured, authorities said on Friday.
Berlin police said 29 riot police were hurt and 12 people detained when about 200 protesters chanting anti-capitalism slogans threw bottles and stones at police after a street party ended [...]

Official confirms first US death from swine flu: Texas Toddler

A 23-month-old US toddler became the first confirmed swine flu death outside of Mexico as authorities around the world struggled to contain a growing global health menace that also spread to Germany and Austria.
The death of a child in Texas was confirmed Wednesday by Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control [...]

Fargo gets ready for possible evacuation

City officials spent much of Wednesday working on a revised plan after the National Weather Service issued a foreboding forecast for the Red River: a 41-foot crest predicted to hit Saturday.
The last flood even near that level was in 1997, when the river crested at 39.6 feet. The record for the Red River in Fargo, [...]

Slain Ex-CIA Contractor Described as “Reclusive”

A man killed while apparently exercising with his wife on a trail in Loudoun County over the weekend had worked for the CIA until 2000, sources said.
After a man was killed when he and his wife were attacked while apparently exercising, authorities warn residents to be careful when outside jogging or…
Early Sunday morning, deputies found [...]

Wikileaks taken offline after publishing Australia’s banned websites

Whistleblowing website Wikileaks has gone offline just hours after publishing what appeared to be a complete list of the websites banned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
The list appeared to show all the websites that those living in Australia are prohibited from accessing by the domestic authorities, but the communications minister, Stephen Conroy, [...]

hydrofluoric acid spill causes evacuation

Evacuation orders for about 5,000 people in northeastern Pennsylvania remain in effect even as authorities say the leak of a hazardous chemical has been contained.
Authorities say a tanker truck carrying more than 16 tons of hydrofluoric acid overturned early Saturday near Wind Gap, about 60 miles north of Philadelphia.
Northampton County spokesman John Conklin says the [...]

4 arrested in NV probe of anti-government group

Source: sfgate.com
Four members of an anti-government group have been arrested on charges that include money laundering, tax evasion and possession of unregistered machine guns, U.S. Attorney for Nevada Greg Brower said Friday.
Authorities said the four men are members of the Sovereign Movement, a group that attempts to overthrow the government and defy authority with [...]

U.S. Troops on Mexican Border?

Source: Los Angeles Times
The Justice Department announced Wednesday that authorities had arrested more than 730 people across the country in a 21-month investigation targeting Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel and its infiltration into U.S. cities.
The arrests, including 50 on Wednesday in California, Minnesota, Maryland and the nation’s capital, come amid growing concern in Washington that [...]

Shooting suspect dead after Montana manhunt

Source: CNN.com
A massive manhunt involving “every guy who ever wore a badge” in northeast Montana ended late Saturday after police located the man they say shot and killed a woman and wounded two others.
Authorities in the town of Glasgow said a trail of blood led them to the alleged shooter, who was holed up inside [...]

Pro-Palestinian rally in New York turns violent

Source: CNN.com
At least nine protesters were arrested in a pro-Palestinian rally Sunday afternoon in New York that injured seven police officers, authorities said.
Seven police officers were injured Sunday in New York City during a pro-Palestinian rally.
Seven police officers were injured Sunday in New York City during a pro-Palestinian rally.
The extent of injuries varied from minor [...]

Iran arrests four over ‘CIA-backed plot’

Source: CNN.com
ranian authorities said Tuesday they arrested four citizens who were paid by the U.S. government to bring about a regime change.
Alireza Jamshidi, a spokesman for Iran’s judiciary, told reporters that the four were trying to recruit others in their plot, but he did not disclose any additional details of what the suspects were conspiring [...]

Ore. police arrest father of suspect in bank bombing that killed 2 cops

Source: USATODAY.com
Oregon authorities have arrested the father of a Navy veteran who was arraigned today on murder charges for a bank bombing Friday that killed two police officers and critically wounded a third.
Bruce Turnidge, 57, was charged with conspiracy to make and possess an explosive device.
His arrest came hours after his son, Joshua Abraham Turnidge, [...]

Bomb blast kills two policemen at Oregon bank

Source: Reuters
Two police officers were killed after a bomb they found outside an Oregon bank exploded, authorities said on Saturday.
Oregon State Police senior trooper William Hakim, an explosives expert, and local police Capt. Tom Tennant, both 51, were killed on Friday as they carried the device into the evacuated branch of West Coast Bank in [...]