Saturday, February 27, 2010
The Pahlavi Crown (التاج الپهلوی) >>> | Monday, February 23, 2009
WIKIPEDIA: Pahlavi Crown >>>
THE TELEGRAPH: A Briton has been killed after youths allegedly rammed a car into a group of friends who were cycling in Saudi Arabia.
John Currie, who worked for BAE Systems (formerly British Aerospace), is believed to have been one four cyclists who were being "cut up" by local youths in two cars on a main road on the outskirts of Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
Initially, it is understood that one of the cars clipped a cyclist, causing him to fall off his bike. Then, however, one of the drivers is alleged to have turned around and deliberately ploughed his car into the cyclists.
Mr Currie, 54, a human resources worker with BAE, is said to have been smashed against the vehicle's windscreen and later died from his serious injuries. His widow, Pauline, is returning to Britain this weekend.
The couple, from Chester, Cheshire, are believed to have two grown-up children. Mr Currie's body will be flown home for a funeral service.
In the past 15 years, there have been a number of terrorist attacks on British and other western nationals in Saudi Arabia by Muslim extremists. Several westerners have been killed - and even more injured - in a series of bombs and gun attacks. Radicals are angry that US and British oil companies and their staff are operating on Saudi soil. >>> Andrew Alderson, Chief Reporter | Saturday, February 27, 2010
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN: People on Australia's east coast are being warned to stay away from beaches on Sunday morning after warnings of a possible tsunami.
The alert follows a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake which struck off the coast of Chile, toppling buildings, cutting power and killing at least 76 people.
The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) issued a tsunami watch at 7:45pm (AEDT) on Saturday declaring a "potential tsunami threat" to New South Wales, Queensland, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said tsunami waves could start affecting Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands after 8:30am (AEDT) on Sunday.
NSW could be hit after 8:45am (AEDT) on Sunday, while Queensland could be hit after 8:15am (AEST). >>> AAP | Sunday, February 28, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: The first waves of the tsunami triggered by the earthquake in Chile have hit New Zealand's eastern Chatham Islands and officials have warned bigger waves are to follow.
New Zealand's entire east coast is at risk with waves up to three metres (10 feet) expected to hit the Chatham Islands and Banks Peninsula, near the main South Island city of Christchurch.
"It is expected that the greatest wave heights will occur between six and 12 hours after the initial arrivals," the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management said in a statement.
Residents on the Chatham Islands were moved to higher ground several hours before the first wave struck and residents in low-lying areas of Banks Peninsula had been told to be prepared to evacuate.
The biggest tsunami warning in history was marked by alarm sirens, panic buying and mass evacuations across the Pacific, eastern Asia, Australia and New Zealand. >>> Philip Sherwell in New York | Saturday, February 27, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: Residents in coastal areas of Hawaii are being evacuated as the Pacific island chain braces for a tsunami following a powerful earthquake off the coast of Chile.
Tsunami sirens sounded at 6am local time (1600 GMT) to alert residents to the risk posed by the waves.
Warnings were triggered on islands all across the Pacific following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake 70 miles from Chile's second largest city Concepcíon.
Tsunami waves radiated out from the epicentre and have already hit land at the southern Juan Fernandez Islands, about 400 miles off the coast of Chile, where it was reported to have caused "serious damage".
Easter Island has also been evacuated ahead of the waves hitting.
Residents in Hawaii were warned that the potentially destructive waves were forecast to reach the islands by 11.19am local time.
Experts at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said they were expecting a tsunami of more than three feet in the central Pacific.
It is the first time Hawaii has experienced voluntary tsunami evacuation since 1994.
Emergency services were laying on fleets of public buses to provide free transport for anyone needing to leave evacuation zones.
"If you live anywhere in the evacuation zone, you have to evacuate," said John Cummings, Oahu Emergency Management Department spokesman. "We're going to treat this as a destructive-type tsunami." >>> Richard Gray | Saturday, February 27, 2010
HONOLULU ADVERTISER: An 8.8 earthquake in Chile triggered a tsunami warning in the Hawaiian Islands this morning, prompting residents and tourists to clog gas stations and supermarkets as they stocked up on food, water and toilet paper.
Tsunami warning signals began blaring across all islands just after 6 a.m. today and tourists in Waikiki were told to head to higher floors inside their hotels.
Officials at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center say this morning's tsunami wave should arrive at a height of 2.5 meters — or just over 8 feet — when it hits the Big Island at 11:19 a.m.
By the time it reaches Oahu 40 minutes later, the waves should only be a meter or less.
A meter is equivalent to 39 inches. But officials urged people not to be lulled by the relatively small wave heights in a state accustomed to monster waves.
"You're going to have some run-up and you're probably going to see some damage in the inundation zone area," said Victor Sardina, a geophysicist for the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. "I would hope people don't stay around the coastal area. Just go inward; stay away from the shore."
The center warned that tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and that the first wave may not be the biggest.
Because tsunami waves wrap around the islands, all shores are at risk no matter which direction they face, officials said. >>> Advertiser Staff | Saturday, February 27, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: At least 47 people were reported dead today and large parts of South America put on tsunami alert after one of the biggest earthquakes in modern times struck southern Chile.
The quake, registered at magnitude 8.8 on the Richter scale, caused buildings and bridges to collapse and led to power-black [sic] outs in parts of the Chilean capital, Santiago, 200 miles from the epicentre.
Chile's President Michele Bachelet declares "state of catastrophe" following earthquake.
Eyewitnesses spoke of panicking crowds pouring onto the streets of the city, hugging each other and crying. Telephone and power lines were down, making a quick assessment of the damage difficult in the early morning darkness. The death toll figure was broadcast by Chilean radio, citing reporters on the ground.
Meanwhile the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued an official tsunami warning notice to Chile and Peru, and a less severe tsunami "watch" notice to Ecuador.
"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated," the centre said on its website. "It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicentre and could also be a threat to more distant coasts." It was not yet clear how big the tsunami was. Chilean radio stations later reported that the tsunami warning had been lifted. >>> Colin Freeman | Saturday, February 27, 2010
LE FIGARO: Le tremblement de terre de magnitude 8,8 a fait au moins 82 morts dans le centre du pays. Une alerte tsunami a été lancée dans le Pacifique. Une vague de deux mètres a touché Talcahuano. Une autre vague a atteint l'île Robinson Crusoë où se trouvent plusieurs Français.
Un séisme d'une ampleur exceptionnelle, 50 fois plus fort en énergie que la secousse qui a frappé Haïti en janvier dernier. Un tremblement de terre de magnitude 8,8 frappé samedi matin le Chili, provoquant la mort d'au moins 82 personnes. Selon les services de secours, les victimes ont été piégées par des murs qui se sont effondrés, mais un nombre important a également succombé à des crises cardiaques. Une alerte au tsunami a été lancée pour l'ensemble des pays de l'océan Pacifique. Une vague de tsunami de deux mètres a atteint la ville côtière de Talcahuano 20 minutes après le séisme. On ignore pour le moment l'étendue des dégâts. Par précaution, les autorités ont également évacué les côtes de l'île de Pâques, située à 3.500 kilomètres à l'ouest des côtes chiliennes.
Une grande vague a aussi frappé dans la matinée l'île Robinson Crusoé, à 660km du continent dans l'archipel des îles Juan Fernandez. La présidente chilienne Michelle Bachelet a immédiatement envoyé deux navires, deux hélicoptères et un avion chargés d'aide pour secourir les 650 habitants. Les autorités ne sont pas en mesure pour l'instant de savoir s'il y a eu des victimes. Une dizaine de Français se trouvent sur l'île Robinson Crusoë. Ces archéologues mènaieent conjointement avec un groupe homologue chilien, des recherches dans la baie Cumberland pour retrouver des vestiges d'un trois mâts espagnol du XVIIe siècle, le San Martin. Toutes les tentatives faites par l'AFP samedi pour les joindre sont demeurées vaines.
L'alerte au raz-de-marrée a été élargie par les autorités américaines, à l'ensemble des pays de l'océan Pacifique. Le Japon, l'Australie, la Nouvelle-Zélande, la Polynésie française et Hawaï ont émis des alertes au tsunami. En Polynésie, la circulation a été interdite à moins de 500 m des côtes. >>> Par lefigaro.fr | Samedi 27 Février 2010
WELT ONLINE: Durch das Erdbeben der Stärke 8,8 sind in Chile mehr als 80 Menschen ums Leben gekommen. Viele Opfer werden noch unter den Trümmern vermutet. Für weite Teile der Pazifikregion wurde eine Tsunami-Warnung ausgelöst, so auch in Japan, Australien, Neuseeland und auf den Philippinen. Viele Küsten wurden evakuiert.
Eines der schwersten jemals gemessenen Erdbeben hat Chile erschüttert und mehr als 80 Menschen in den Tod gerissen. Das Jahrhundertbeben am frühen Samstag erreichte die Stärke 8,8 und löste einen Tsunami aus. Für nahezu die gesamte Pazifik-Region wurde eine Warnung vor der Flutwelle ausgerufen – von Südamerika, über Hawaii bis Japan und Neuseeland. Chiles Staatspräsidentin Michelle Bachelet rief Katastrophenalarm aus.
Die mächtigen Erdstöße um 3.34 Uhr Ortszeit hatten die Menschen im Schlaf überrascht. Viele rannten in Panik aus ihren Häusern und kampierten aus Angst vor Nachbeben im Freien. Das Epizentrum lag nach Angaben der US-Erdbebenwarte etwa 92 Kilometer nordwestlich der Küstenstadt Concepción. Die Erde bebte in fast 60 Kilometern Tiefe. In schneller Folge gab es mehr als 20 Nachbeben mit Stärken von bis zu 6,9. Hunderte unter Trümmern vermutet >>> dpa/AFP/kami | Samstag, 27. Februar 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: Open warfare has broken out at the top of the European Union with governments accusing the new president, Herman Van Rompuy, of making a power grab.
National leaders are concerned Mr Van Rompuy, who had been expected to take a back seat role, is attempting to expand his position.
Germany and France backed his candidature on the understanding he would act as an EU "chairman" rather than a high-profile leader.
But the introduction of the Lisbon Treaty has triggered bitter in-fighting between Mr Van Rompuy, Baroness Ashton, the foreign minister, and the Commission over who is in charge of representing Europe on the global stage.
Diplomats are increasingly worried that amid the turf wars there is a danger of Brussels "mission creep" as squabbling EU chiefs try to enlarge their empires at the expense of each other and national sovereignty. >>> Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | Friday, February 26, 2010
NZZ ONLINE: In der Türkei hat es wegen angeblicher Umsturzpläne aus dem Jahr 2003 weitere Verhaftungen gegeben. Die Polizei verhaftete in 13 Städten hochrangige Mitglieder der Armee. Ministerpräsident Erdogan wehrte sich gegen den Vorwurf, er wolle die Armee in Misskredit bringen.
Vor dem Hintergrund von Putschgerüchten sind in der Türkei laut Medienberichten weitere hochrangige Militärs festgenommen worden. Es seien 17 aktive Offiziere sowie einer im Ruhestand festgesetzt worden, berichtete «CNN Türk» am Freitag. Pläne aus dem Jahr 2003 >>> sda/afp/Reuters | Freitag, 26. Februar 2010
Catherine Ashton muß wirklich eine dumme Frau sein! Wie kann eine intelligente Person so ‘was Dummes sagen? Sie sagt, daß der Machthaber von Libyen zum Heiligen Krieg zu einem “unglückichen Zeitpunkt” aufgerufen hat. Was? Sollte man, in dem Fall, zum Schluß kommen, daß nächstes Jahr eine günstigere Zeit für so einen Aufruf wäre? – © Mark
WELT ONLINE: In bemerkenswerter Wortwahl reagiert die EU-Spitze auf den Dschihad-Aufruf von Libyens Machthaber Muammar al-Gaddafi gegen die Schweiz. Gaddafi habe zu einem "unglücklichen Zeitpunkt" zum Heiligen Krieg aufgerufen. Seine Äußerungen seien "ungewöhnlich". Die UN sprechen von einem inakzeptablen Verhalten.
Die Vereinten Nationen haben den Dschihad-Aufruf des libyschen Machthabers Muammar al-Gaddafi gegen die Schweiz scharf kritisiert.
Derartige Erklärungen eines Staatschefs seien "im Rahmen der internationalen Beziehungen inakzeptabel“, sagte der UN-Generaldirektor Sergej Ordzhonikidze. Die UN-Vertretung in Genf sieht Ordzhonikidse auch nach dem Appell Gaddafis ausreichend durch Sicherheitskräfte geschützt.
Al-Gaddafi hatte im Zusammenhang mit dem Bau-Verbot für Minarette in der Schweiz zum Heiligen Krieg gegen die Alpenrepublik aufgerufen. "Der ungläubigen und abtrünnigen Schweiz, die die Häuser Allahs zerstört, muss mit allen Mitteln der Dschihad erklärt werden“, sagte Gaddafi anlässlich eines Mohammed-Gedenktages in der ostlibyschen Stadt Benghasi.
Auch die EU-Außenbeauftragte Catherine Ashton bedauert es, dass al-Gaddafi zu einem "unglücklichen Zeitpunkt“ zum Heiligen Krieg gegen die Schweiz aufgerufen hat. Ein Sprecher Ashtons sagte in Brüssel, es handele sich um „in diplomatischem Sprachgebrauch ziemlich ungewöhnliche Äußerungen“ Gaddafis.
"Wenn die Berichte darüber zutreffen, dann kommen diese Äußerungen zu einem unglücklichen Zeitpunkt, zu dem sich die EU gemeinsam mit der Schweiz bemüht, eine diplomatische Lösung im laufenden Streit zu finden“, sagte der Sprecher. >>> AFP/jm | Freitag, 26. Februar 2010
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