Indonesia: Mount Merapi's eruptions and tsunami killed more than 400 people

The number of dead in the remote Mentawai islands rose to 370 Thursday, after assessment crews reached more villages and inlets that were inundated by waves following Monday's 7.7-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Indonesian Sumatra. Hope was fading that many of the 300 or more people still missing would be found alive, as relief crews continued to find corpses scattered across roads and coastal areas. Some bodies likely were swept away to sea, officials said.

Local Indonesian authorities hold a funeral for victims of Mount Merapi's first eruption even as a second is underway.

Meanwhile, on Indonesia's more heavily populated island of Java, the volatile volcano Mt. Merapi began erupting again, two days after it killed at least 33 people. There were no immediate reports of new injuries or damage from Thursday's clouds of hot ash. Many residents in the area had already been evacuated, with many now living in temporary refugee camps.

Maridjan, Mount Merapi's spiritual guardian dies in Indonesia eruption

Mas Penewu Surakso Hargo, better known as Mbah Maridjan ("Grandfather Maridjan")was the spiritual guardian[2] or "gatekeeper" of the Indonesian volcano Mount Merapi. For 33 years, Maridjan spoke to Mount Merapi, appeasing its unpredictable spirits by throwing offerings of rice, clothes and chickens into the volcano's gaping crater.

Many villagers took his word -- not that of government officials or seismologists -- as the last on when it would erupt. And the 83-year-old did appear to predict the volcano's latest eruption, which killed 33 people this week, but did not heed the warning himself.

His rigid body was found Wednesday, prostrate on the ground in the typical Islamic prayer position and caked in heavy white soot.

When he was 50, Maridjan inherited the position of "key holder" of the mountain from his father, receiving the official appointment from the sultan of Yogyakarta.

He was believed by many to have the ability to speak directly to the mountain and led ceremonies every year to hold back its lava flows by throwing rice, clothes and chickens into its dome.

Many villagers saw him as a hero, believing him over government officials and seismologists when it came to determining Merapi's danger levels. But he was a constant source of frustration for those tasked with overseeing evacuations.

Octopus Paul successor is French

The successor to the World-Cup predicting Paul the Octopus is French.

The English-born Paul died of natural causes in his tank Tuesday at the aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany. He gained fame by predicting all seven of Germany's World Cup wins and Spain's victory over the Netherlands in the final.

Paul made his predictions by opening the lid of one of two clear plastic boxes, each containing a mussel and bearing a team flag.

Seal Life aquarium spokeswoman Tanja Munzig says the new octopus, also to be called Paul, was born near the southern French city of Montpellier. New octopod will be presented Tuesday at the aquarium in Oberhausen. Thus, the French have a reason to be optimistic that qualify for Euro 2012, the group that we are adversaries.

Indonesia: Volcanic eruption claims 25 lives

Rescuers scoured the slopes of Indonesia's most volatile volcano Wednesday after it was rocked by an eruption that spewed clouds of searing ash, killing at least 25 villagers including an old man known as the mountain's spiritual gatekeeper.

The blast eased pressure that had been building up behind a lava dome perched on the volcano's crater, but experts said the worst may not be over. The lava dome could unleash deadly gases and debris if it collapses.

Mount Merapi, which translates as "Fire Mountain," has erupted many times over the last 200 years, often with deadly results. In 1994, 60 people were killed, while in 1930, more than a dozen villages were incinerated, leaving up to 1,300 dead.

Still, as with other volcanoes in Indonesia, many people call its fertile slopes home. More than 11,000 live near Merapi.

Paul the Octopus, World Cup Oracle, dies

The staff members responsible Paul octopus care say they’re “devastated” finding its death and are considering erecting a permanent monument to him on the aquarium grounds. The octopus that accurately predicted the outcomes of eight World Cup matches this year died peacefully on Tuesday in Sea Life Center aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany.

Named “Paul” by the media and aquarium staffers, the octopus achieved international fame by picking the winner of every World Cup match he was presented with. His caretakers would place two boxes in the water, each with a flag representing one of the teams in an upcoming match, and he would swim to one of the boxes. Every time, he swam to the box representing the team that ultimately won the match.

West Papuans tortured by Indonesian army

Warning: although the most violent sections of the video have been cut, viewers may still find these images distressing.



A video showing Indonesian soldiers torturing indigenous people from West Papua was posted on the internet a few days ago.

The video posted on the Asian Human Rights Committee website is in two parts. In the first part Indonesian soldiers can be seen arresting a group of indigenous Papuans. The villagers, who are accused of having links to separatist organizations in the region, are insulted and receive several blows to the head.

In the second part of the video, two bound men are subjected to physical abuse and humiliation while being questioned about their supposed involvement with armed separatist groups. One of them is threatened with a knife to the throat. The other man, who is visibly older, has a plastic bag over his head and his genitals are being burned with a burning stick.

Due to the outrage provoked by the publication of these images, the Indonesian government has ordered an inquiry. On October 22, Djoko Suyanton, the Indonesian security minister, admitted that the torturers seen in the video were indeed Indonesian military personnel. He added that the actions were excessive and that the perpetrators would be punished. However, the minister also said that the soldiers had good reason to suspect that the interrogated villagers were armed and dangerous. Human rights organisations say the men were just simple farmers.

Cholera Outbreak Kills 142 in Haiti

At least 142 people have died in a cholera outbreak in Haiti, and aid groups are rushing to combat the country's deadliest health problem since its devastating earthquake in January. Doctors and healthcare workers in Haiti struggled on Friday to stem a suspected cholera outbreak as a hospital in this central port town swelled with patients.

At a hospital in Saint Marc, located 55 miles north of the Port-au-Prince, doctors saw an influx of patients through the night and into the morning. One health care worker said the hospital had treated 476 people through the night.

Meanwhile, there were reports that the disease had already spread to other parts of the country still reeling from the Jan. 12 devastating earthquake. So far, more than 100 people have died and more than 1,000 people have been hospitalized in the lower Artibonite region in recent days.

The outbreak is Haiti's first cholera epidemic in a century, the World Health Organization said. There are more than 1,500 reported cases of people with symptoms of severe diarrhea and vomiting in the rural area north of Port-au-Prince

Toyota recall 1.53 million Lexus, Avalon and other models

Toyota will call back for repairs about 740,000 cars in the US, 599,000 in Japan and 191,000 in Europe

The majority of vehicles this time around need to be fixed for a problem with the brake master cylinder which could lead to weaker braking power, said spokesman Paul Nolasco in Tokyo. Some models in Japan and elsewhere — but not in North America — have an electrical problem with the fuel pump which could cause the engine to stall, he said. Two models in Japan — the Lexus GS350 and the Crown — are affected by both problems.

The models affected in Japan include the Crown, Crown Majesta, Harrier, Mark X, Alphard, Kluger, Lexus GS350, Lexus IS250, and Lexus IS350. The production date of the models ranges from May 2002 to November 2005.

The models affected by the latest recall in the US include the 2005 and 2006 Avalon, 2004 through 2006 non-hybrid Highlander and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350 vehicles, the company said in a statement from its US headquarters in Torrance, California.

Strong 6.9 earthquake shakes Mexico's Baja California peninsula

Experts from the US Geological Survey said a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake today struck off the coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula. The quake struck at 11:53 am (1753 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometers, the USGS said.

The earthquake epicenter was in the Sea of Cortez between the coast of the Mexican mainland and the southern end of the Baja peninsula, 105 kilometers south of the city of Los Mochis and 140 kilometers north-east of La Paz, Baja California, the USGS said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries. The Pacific Tsunami center said the quake had not triggered a tsunami but could cause local waves.

The same region was hit by three moderately powerful earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 5.5 to 5.8 Tuesday night and early Wednesday, but they caused no known damage.

Alberto Montoya Rodriguez, who runs the losmochis.com said it seemed to shake for more than a minute, sending him and his neighbors into the streets. "There was a lot a panic, but there was no damage beyond, just a big scare.", he added.

Hotels and public buildings in the cities of Guasave, and Los Mochis and Culiacan were evacuated, Telemundo in Los Angeles reported. Some damage was reported in Los Mochis, but its extent was unclear. Alejandra Cruz, a worker who answered the telephone at the Best Western Hotel in Los Mochis, said employees and guests were evacuated but returned to the building shortly after.

Toyota Recall: Models Affected Include Lexus GS300, Crown Majesta and Avalon

Toyota dedided the recalling of 1.53 million models, mostly in the U.S. and Japan. The company recalled the vehicles to address the possibility that a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp. Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed one at no charge to the vehicle owners.

The recalled models in the United States are:
-2005 and 2006 Avalon
-2004 through 2006 non-hybrid Highlander
-2004 through 2006 Lexus RX330
-2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350

In Japan, vehicles recalled are the May 2002 to November 2005:
-Crown
-Crown Majesta
-Harrier
-Mark X
-Alphard
-Kluger
-Lexus GS350
-Lexus IS250
-Lexus IS350

Toyota says that owners of the involved vehicles will be notified by first class mail beginning in early next month.

Wayne Rooney: United is not good enough for me. Fans: Who is the whore now Wayne?

The Manchester United faithful have turned on Wayne Rooney after he revealed that the club is no longer good enough to satisfy his footballing ambitions.

In a statement issued before the kick-off Rooney said he was leaving because the club were not prepared to invest in world-class players to win trophies.

And he said he was 'surprised' by the version of events given by Sir Alex in his press conference on Tuesday.

Ferguson insisted he had never had an argument with his star striker and that Rooney had suffered an ankle injury against Rangers in September - despite contradictory comments from the player. "If he doesn't play for the club again meaning he could be paid £1million in wages for doing nothing before he is sold in January."

But Ferguson left the door open slightly saying: 'There’s always an offer there for Manchester United to negotiate with a player. That’s still there.'

El Halcon De La Sierra Muerte - The Falcon de la Sierra, was found dead

Singer Fabian Ortega Pinon, known as The Falcon de la Sierra (El Halcon De La Sierra), was found dead in Tomochi town of Guerrero, ChihuahuaAlong with 2 others in what could be a drug-related action.

According to information obtained from sites Internet state Chihuahua, Around 8:30 am this day, he received a notice in which the reported finding of the three executed those with multiple gunshot wounds. The finding of these people took place on the bridge The Polanco, located five meters from the road from San Pedro Tomochi.

One of the latest is known as Fabian Ortega Piñon sierra The original singer Chihuahua 28 years of age.

Millions of Californians preparing to stage earthquake drill

Millions in California are preparing to take part in a mass earthquake drill to simulate their response to the Big One, the long-feared major temblor expected to one day hit the US West Coast state.

At exactly 10:21 am (1701 GMT) on Thursday, October 21, 7.8 million of locals have signed up online for Thursday's drill, so they will dive to the ground, climb under desks or other cover, and hold on tight to practice the so-called "Drop, Cover, Hold On" quake response mantra. Thousands of schools, businesses and other organizations are expected to participate.

"The Great California ShakeOut" is an annual event to keep people aware of the ever-present danger of the Big One, which seismologists warn could kill hundreds, if not thousands of people.

Earthquakes are regular events in California, mostly triggered by activity along the San Andreas fault which runs through much of the western state, the most populous in the United States. Geologists estimate an earthquake capable of causing widespread destruction is 99 percent certain of hitting California within the next 30 years.

Saudi Prince murder trial reveals twisted plot

Saudi Arabia Prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud was convicted Tuesday of murdering one of his servants in a British hotel, in a frenzied attack fueled by alcohol and sex.

A jury in London's Old Bailey criminal court found the 34-year-old prince guilty of murdering his servant, Bandar Abdullah Abdulaziz, at the Landmark Hotel in London on Feb. 15, 2010.

The prosecutor, Jonathan Laidlaw, says that the death of 32-year-old Bandar Abdullah Abdulaziz was a culmination of abuse by 34-year-old Prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud.

In his closing statements at London's Central Criminal Court, Laidlaw alleged the prince assaulted his assistant for his "own personal gratification."

The jury deliberated 95 minutes before returning its verdict.

Al Saud, whose grandfather is a brother of the current Saudi king, faces a possible life prison term in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday.

HRM Princess Madeleine of Sweden

Princess Madeleine of Sweden is King Gustaf and Queen Sylvia’s daughter. She’s not only born into the royal family, but she is gorgeous inside and out. In one of her most recent charitable efforts the Princess and the Queen teamed up to launch a campaign in support of their World Childhood Foundation.

Queen Sylvia and the Princess Madeleine spent some time in New York promoting their World Childhood Foundation USA with an event at Sirius XM.

President of Sirius Scott Greenstein commented on their joint efforts with the royal family. He said, “The work of the World Childhood Foundation could not be more important at this critical time, and I am proud to be part of their efforts to protect children. With the help of the esteemed and generous individuals involved in this campaign, we can reach people across the country and around the world and make a difference.”

Gunmen attack parliament building in restive Chechnya

A group of up to four militants broke into the parliament building in the Chechen capital Grozny early this Tuesday morning, sparking fears of a major hostage crisis before security forces moved in to take the deputies to safety.

Officials said that all the militants were killed by the security forces, with reports adding that some had been shot dead while others had killed themselves by detonating suicide charges.

Russian news agency reports said that two militants blew themselves up in suicide blasts and the others were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces.

All deputies are alive and were taken from the territory of the parliament building to safety. However, according to the investigative committee of prosecutors, 17 people were wounded in the incident.

Police kill at least 12 Chechen rebels after raid

Chechen authorities said that police killed 12 rebels as they repulsed a raid on the Moscow-backed president's home village on Sunday an attack that broke a period of relative calm in the troubled Russian republic.

Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov told state-run Rossiya-24 TV he headed the operation to fight off the attack on his village of Tsentoroi and said 12 insurgents were killed. His office also confirmed his account of the raid.

Some 30 rebels attacked the village early on Sunday morning, a source in the North Caucasus Federal District police in the nearby Stavropol region, told RIA news agency. Only a few rebels shooting a video of the raid managed to escape, it said.

Five civilians and two policemen were also killed in the attack, RIA said, but it said it could not immediately confirm the toll of 12 rebel dead cited by Kadyrov and his office

Kadyrov, himself a former Chechen rebel, has been the target of a number of assassination attempts in the past 10 years, and Tsentoroi was raided by insurgents back in 2004, in what Kadyrov said was an attack aimed to kill him.

Republic of Chechnya People killed and hostages

According to a report of the RIA news agency, at least two people were killed Tuesday when a suicide bomber and a number of gunmen attacked the local parliament in Russia's restive southern republic of Chechnya.

The news agency said a suicide bomber had detonated explosives just outside parliament and that two armed insurgents had then engaged in a gun battle with guards around the building.

The Russian Interfax news agency also reported that three or four gunmen had broken into the parliament building itself and opened fire. It said a number of hostages had been taken. The shooting started near the office of the parliament's speaker and was continuing, Interfax reported, citing a security source.

Another Russian news agency, the Itar-Tass, reported that other insurgents had stormed the Chechen agriculture minister in a separate attack.

Celine Dion hospitalized as precaution

Jupiter resident Celine Dion, who's 8 months pregnant with twins, has checked into St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach Sunday morning.

The 42-years old superstar has been admitted to the Florida hospital to prevent the early delivery of her twins, for observation at the recommendation of her doctors. According to sources, Dion had a suite reserved since Sept. 9.

Dion announced earlier this year that she's pregnant with two boys. She had tried for years to have more children. She and her husband, Rene Angelil, are the parents of a 9-year-old son, Rene Charles.

Mountain Goat Attack Kills Man in Washington

The National Park Service says, that Robert H. Boardman of Port Angeles, a 63-year-old hiker, died after he was gored by a mountain goat in Olympic National Park.

The deadly incident happened when Boardman, his wife, Susan Chadd, and their friend, Pat Willits, had gone for a day hike on the switchback trail to Klahhane Ridge, about 17 miles south of Port Angeles. Nobody saw what actually happened. People just heard Bob yell.

Barb Maynes, park spokeswoman, said the ram involved in the attack was known for its aggressive behavior, and the park had been monitoring the ram for "the last several years," she said.

About an hour after the attack, rangers were able to locate the ram, which was about 8 or 9 years old. They identified the animal after seeing blood on it, then shot and killed it. The dead animal will be analyzed by a veterinary pathologist.

Super Typhoon Megi hits northern Philippines, Vietnam and China

Super typhoon Megi has struck the northern Philippines with heavy rain and winds of up to 260km/h (162mph), leaving at least three people dead.

Typhoon made landfall in Isabela province at 1125 local time (0325 GMT), destroying buildings and crops, cutting power and telecommunications. The province authorities declared "state of calamnity" as thousands sheltered in public buildings or fled to higher ground.

The category-five storm is forecast next to head towards China and Vietnam.

More than a dozen people are already missing in central Vietnam after floodwaters swept away a bus. At least 20 others are known to have been killed in floods as heavy rain pounded the region.

The China Forecast Agency says on the Southern Chinese island of Hainan, the rain prompted more than a 100,000 people to leave their homes over the weekend.

Hungary toxic sludge spill an 'ecological catastrophe' says government

Hungary declared a state of emergency in three western counties after a large reservoir filled with toxic red sludge in western Hungary ruptured, releasing approximately 700,000 cubic meters (185 million gallons) of stinking caustic mud, killing four people and injuring 120 others in what officials said was an "ecological catastrophe".

An elderly woman, a young man and a three-year-old child died in the deluge and six others were reported missing. Two of the injured were in a serious condition.

The sludge, which is waste produced during aluminium manufacture, swept cars off roads and damaged bridges and homes, forcing the evacuation of 400 residents. About 7,000 people are thought to have been directly affected by the spill.


So far, about 1m cubic metres of sludge have leaked from the reservoir. Seven towns, including Kolontal, Devecser and Somlovasarhely, have been affected near the plant in Ajka, 100 miles south-west of Budapest.

Doctors said that the injured were being closely monitored because the chemical burns caused by the sludge could take days to emerge and what could seem like superficial injuries could later cause damage to deeper tissue.

People in Kolontar, the closest village to the burst reservoir, were trying to recover their belongings but police were not letting them enter their flooded homes.


There are fears that the sludge could reach the Raba and Danube rivers and then danube ares from Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.

Local environmentalists said the plant, which had been privatised several years ago, should have been modernised but that the company put profits first.

Robert Fidrich, of Friends of the Earth in Hungary, said: "Now we, the public, will have to pay the real bill. You can forget about cleaning up those villages … nobody will be able to live there for 10 years or more. It has affected the lives of hundreds of people."