Chemical plant fire decimates Danvers, Massachusetts neighboorhood

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

According to outgoing Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, an explosion that was “equivalent to a 2,000 lb. bomb” and registered 0.5 on the Richter scale decimated an area of Danvers and is also a “Thanksgiving miracle.”

The explosion occurred around 2:45 am EST, this morning in the Danversport area of Danvers, Massachusetts at the plant for solvent and ink manufacturer, CAI Inc. The explosion, which was caught on security camera and was heard up to over 25-50 miles away in southern Maine and New Hampshire.

The explosion damaged over 90 homes, blowing out windows and knocking some houses off their foundations. Officials believe that some of the more extensively damaged houses will have to be leveled and rebuilt. Some of the buildings damaged included a bakery, boats at a close by marina and the New England Home for the Deaf, an assisted-living facility for people who are deaf or deafblind and elderly residents requiring constant care. “These people are extremely fragile,” said state Rep. Ted Speliotis, D-Danvers, whose district includes the affected area. “Many of them have Alzheimer’s and other illnesses. It’s clear they can’t stay here long, but it’s clear they won’t be able to return for quite a while.”

Danvers Fire Chief James P. Tutko toured the area by helicopter and said many residents would be kept from their homes for the foreseeable future. “It looks like a war zone, that’s the only thing I can say,” Tutko said. When asked about the loss of no life at all, he responded “Somebody out there likes us.” Finally, he said that finding out the cause of the explosion would take days.

Outgoing governor Mitt Romney toured the area and said the explosion was a “Thanksgiving miracle” as the explosion was “equivalent to a 2,000 lb bomb going off in a residential neighborhood,” and that no one was killed and only about 10 people suffered only minor injuries in area that included over 300 residents. Residents of the area have been evacuated to the Danvers High School where temporary shelter has been set up by the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay. Donations are being taken for residents affected by the explosion. Residents are also being told to start filing insurance claims right away and to keep track of their expenses for items bought.

There were minor environmental concerns due to water runoff of chemicals. According the Environmental Protection Agency‘s on-scene coordinator Mike Nalipinski, preliminary tests showed low levels of toluene, a solvent, but said it was nothing of significance. Water runoff from the water used by firefighters left a purple sheen on the river and tests were being conducted. However, the water is not a local drinking water supply and the chemical evaporates quickly. Chief Tutko said there was no risk of toxic fumes getting into the air.

An Eastern Propane facility was also located near the area, however, it was not the source of the explosion. A spokesman for the company said that although the property suffered some minor damage, their tanks are secure.

According to WHDH television, a person who answered the telephone at CAI’s Georgetown, Massachusetts headquarters refused comment, and a telephone message left at the company president’s home was not immediately returned.

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Hiker missing from US state of Utah wilderness found in Australia

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

A man missing from a camping ground in southern Utah in the Western US since July 30 was found in Australia. His automobile was found in a campground of Dixie National Forest with a note that he would be back in a few hours. An extensive search and rescue operation was conducted to try to locate this hiker by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Utah.

Investigators in the Sheriff’s Office were able to track him down to Cairns, Queensland. Apparently before he was “missing”, he bought a one-way ticket to Australia. Bryan Butas, the missing hiker, apparently had been under a great deal of stress and “got sick of it all”, according to a telephone interview by the Associated Press.

Butas has been charged with insurance fraud, a second-degree felony, by Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap. This was because Butas plotted to obtain a $250,000 life insurance policy before faking his own disappearance. He has also been given a bill for $20,000 by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their search and rescue operations on his behalf.

His wife and children have since his disappearance moved to the wife’s parent’s home in Ohio. Butas’s parents came to Southern Utah to help in the search and were “embarrassed and shocked” to learn their son had merely run away from marital and financial difficulties, Washington County Sheriff Kirk Smith said.

Washington County Sheriff Sgt. Jake Adams said his investigation included tracing an application Butas made for a passport, his purchase of a one-way airline ticket to Australia, and the life insurance policy that names his wife and children as beneficiaries. On August 18, Adams said Butas’s mother called him to say her son had called home the evening of August 11, several days after the search was officially called off for the missing man. Butas asked his mother for money and an airline ticket home, which she sent.

Butas has since been checked into the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Brecksville, Ohio, according to Adams, but will shortly return to Utah.

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US Exchange rate a concern for Europeans

Sunday, November 21, 2004

European finance ministers at the G-20 meeting which opened Saturday, November 20th, are expected to discuss the current exchange rate of the euro vs. the dollar. The euro is currently trading high against the dollar, so that it takes around $1.34 (as of December 4, 2004) to buy one euro. This has the effect of making exports from Europe to the USA more expensive, increasing the likelihood that US consumers will buy from a non-EU country. The exchange rate is set by the currency markets, although it is heavily influenced by the current account status (ie. the balance of trade between countries).

Some European leaders want the United States to take action to increase the value of its exchange rate. The US though is seen as not wanting to do this, for two reasons:

  1. A low dollar relative the euro means that all exports from the US to Europe are cheaper for Europeans to buy, increasing the likelihood that Europeans will buy US items and thus helping the US economy
  2. Many actions which governments have done in the past to bolster unnaturally their currency have been fought by the market, and the market won. The most famous example is George Soros’ “breaking of the Bank of England”

One side-issue that this discussion might evoke is that of the exchange rate between the dollar and the Chinese yuan, which is fixed by China. Studies of this exchange rate using the concept of purchasing power parity (ensuring that a dollar traded to Chinese yuan will still buy roughly the same amount in China) show that the Chinese yuan has been around 50% undervalued for the past two years. This makes things from China on average 50% cheaper for a US consumer than they should be. US officials have throughout 2004 repeatedly called for China to end this practice. Normally it would end itself, i.e. even with a fixed exchange rate this process could only go on for so long before the entire Chinese market becomes valued differently. But since the Chinese central bank has been constantly lending money to the United States government (via the purchasing of US treasury bonds), that effect is mitigated.

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Pest Control In Oklahoma City, Ok Means More Than Just Bugs

byAlma Abell

When people think about pest control in Oklahoma City, OK, they tend to think about ants, roaches, mice and silverfish. However you can be assured that if you had a raccoon infestation in your basement, a rat in your pantry, or bats in your attic, you’d very rapidly come to realize that the world of pest control extends to cover unwanted animals and wildlife, as well.

Actually, the number of unwanted critters that qualify for pest control in Oklahoma City, OK are quite diverse. A nest of sparrows beneath your eaves would qualify. So would the opossum mama who decided to have her babies beneath your shed. Squirrels love to take advantage of broken windows and nest indoors for the winter, instead of out! Woodchucks, various birds, coyotes, feral cats, snakes, moles and geese are just some of the variety of animal kingdom species that sometimes choose to live a little closer to us than we’d like for comfort. To find a pest control in Oklahoma City, OK company that will come and make your little problem go away, Click Here.

It is always best to hire a pest control in Oklahoma City, OK professional to help you get rid of unwanted wildlife. Wildlife can be unpredictable when trapped in a corner, can carry a variety of diseases and parasites, and often require traps and protective equipment that the average homeowner is unlikely to have on hand. Don’t take chances, either with yourself, or with the safety of your family. Frightened animals can be dangerous. The pros have the advantage of extensive knowledge of animal behaviors and this makes them the better choice for the job.

One of the best services offered by the pest control in Oklahoma City, OK folks, and one that you can take advantage of even before you have an unwanted animal problem, is that of prevention. Because they deal with animal removal on a daily basis, they know what to look for when ascertaining where an animal likely did or will enter. They can help you to avoid ever having an unwanted pest problem with special underpinning, screens, chimney caps, and more.

Wikinews Shorts: March 28, 2007

A compilation of brief news reports for Wednesday, March 28, 2007.

The United States will reportedly seek a jail sentence of less than 20 years for Australian David Hicks. He pleaded guilty to providing material support for terrorism, but not an act of terrorism. Hicks may be sentenced by the end of the week. He could be returned to Australia to serve out his sentence, with credit for the years at Guantanamo Bay.

Related news

  • “Guantanamo detainee David Hicks pleads guilty to providing “material support”” — Wikinews, March 27, 2007
  • “US charges Australian David Hicks” — Wikinews, March 26, 2007

Sources

  • Gemma Daley. “U.S. to Seek Hicks Jail Term of Less Than 20 Years” — Bloomberg L.P., March 28, 2007
  • “Australian’s Gitmo confession likely to get him home” — CNN, March 28, 2007

US stocks fell on Tuesday starting another round of global selling, as worries about the US housing market and weaker consumer confidence. Lennar Corp., one of the largest US home builders reported that profits fell 73%. Wednesday, Asia markets opened steady to higher, but fell as rising oil prices and the geopolitcal standoff between Britain and Iran made investors seek the safety of government bonds. European and North American markets are trading lower in the Wednesday trading session.

Sources

  • Madlen Read, AP. “Wall Street slides on economy worries” — Yahoo! News, March 28, 2007
  • Chen Shiyin and Makiko Suzuki. “Asian Stocks Fall on U.S. Economy Concern; Toyota, Samsung Drop” — Bloomberg L.P., March 28, 2007
  • “European stocks — Factors to watch on March 28” — Reuters, March 28, 2007
  • Chris Burns. “Markets lower on Iran, US data” — Reuters, March 28, 2007

In an apparent reprisal for bombings in Shi’ite areas, gunmen went on a rampage in a Sunni in Tal Afar, Iraq, killing about 50 people. There have been reports that the gunmen included police.

Sources

  • “Gunmen kill 50 in Iraqi town” — Reuters, March 28, 2007
  • “Gunmen kill dozens in Iraqi town” — BBC News Online, March 28, 2007

The United Kingdom has made public GPS data that it says proves that the 15 navy personnel were well inside Iraqi waters when they were seized by Iran. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the dispute would be solved “based on rules and regulations” and that the female sailor would be released soon.

Related news

  • “UK prepared to go ‘into different phase’ if sailors and marines not released by Iran within days” — Wikinews, March 27, 2007
  • “British sailors detained by Iran “to be tried for espionage”” — Wikinews, March 25, 2007
  • “15 Royal Navy sailors captured at gunpoint by Iranian guards” — Wikinews, March 23, 2007

Sources

  • “UK reveals Iran dispute evidence” — BBC News Online, March 28, 2007
  • Peter Graff and Sophie Walker. “Britain turns up heat on Iran, woman to be freed” — Reuters, March 28, 2007

Surviving members of the 332d Air Expeditionary Group and 99th Pursuit Squadron, widely known as the Tuskegee Airmen, will be honored on Thursday by President Bush at a ceremony at the US Capitol. They will receive the Congressional Gold Medal for fighting both the Nazis abroad and racial segregation at home.

Sources

  • Matthew Bigg. “Black airmen honored for fighting Nazis, racism” — Reuters, March 28, 2007
  • Annie Bergman, AP. “Tuskegee Airmen Being Honored” — ABC News, March 28, 2007
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40 million credit cards compromised

Saturday, June 18, 2005

MasterCard International announced Friday that multiple instances of fraud have been tracked back to CardSystems Solutions, Inc., a company that processes credit card transactions and other payments. Customer names, banks, and account numbers of up to 40 million cardholders have been exposed, of which about 13.9 million are MasterCard-branded cards, the company said. Visa and American Express cards were also affected.

“The breach appears to be the largest yet involving financial data,” said David Sobel, of the Electronic Privacy Information Center.

CardSystems issued a statement late on Friday that said it learned of the potential breach 26 days ago, but that the FBI told the company not to advise the cardholders nor the public at large. CardSystems also said their statement had been vetted by the FBI.

A spokesperson for the FBI said that the agency had asked CardSystems not to disclose information that could compromise the investigation, but that it had not asked CardSystems to fail to disclose the breach at all.

Michael A. Brady, C.F.O. of CardSystems, told the Associated Press that “we’re absolutely blindsided by a press release by the association,” when speaking of MasterCard’s release. A MasterCard spokesperson said that the company was obligated to inform its customers of the breach.

MasterCard spokesperson Sharon Gamsin said that CardSystems was hit by a virus-like computer script that stole customer data for the purpose of fraud. She said MasterCard does not know how the script got into the CardSystem network.

Sobel said this theft “indicates that this is a shadowy industry where the consumer never really knows who is going to be handling and using their personal information. Presumably, the affected consumers thought they were dealing with MasterCard.” Having a third-party process credit card transactions is common practice in the industry.

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Wikinews Shorts: December 11, 2008

A compilation of brief news reports for Thursday, December 11, 2008.

 Contribute to Wikinews by expanding these briefs or add a new one.

The British pound sterling fell to a record low against the euro Wednesday, descending to under 1.14 euros for the first time. It reached new lows against other currencies as well.

One euro was worth 87.79 pence today, compared with the price of 71.91 pence a year ago. The United States dollar was trading at $1.4827 for a pound.

Some currency analysts speculate that the pound might be headed for parity — when one pound will be worth about one euro or dollar.

Sources

  • “Sterling hits new record euro low” — BBC News Online, December 10, 2008
  • “Sterling tumbles to record low against the euro as UK economic woes mount” — The Daily Telegraph, December 10, 2008

The United States office supplies company Office Depot announced on Wednesday that it will close about 9% or 112 of its stores in North America and slash 2,200 jobs over the next three months.

The plan to close the stores will bring the chain’s base to 1,163 stores. 45 stores are to be shut down in the Central US, 40 in the Northeastern US and Canada, 19 in the Western US, and eight in the South.

Six of Office Depot’s 33 North American distribution facilities are also to be closed.

Shares of the company rose more than 12% on the news.

Sources

  • “Office Depot cutting 112 stores, 2,200 jobs” — MSNBC, December 10, 2008
  • “Office Depot to close 112 stores” — American City Business Journals, December 10, 2008

Barack Obama, the President-elect of the United States, has said that Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich should resign from his post. Obama’s statement comes following Blagojevich’s arrest on charges that he attempted to “sell” Obama’s Senate seat, which the latter vacated to become President.

As governor of the state, Blagojevich has the authority to select Mr. Obama’s successor to represent Illinois in the Senate.

Blagojevich has been charged with conspiracy and solicitation to commit bribery, crimes that are punishable by up to 20 and 10 years in jail, respectively.

Related news

  • “Governor of Illinois arrested on suspicion of corruption” — Wikinews, December 9, 2008

Sources

  • “Gov. Blagojevich defiantly clings to power” — MSNBC, December 10, 2008
  • “Obama calls on governor to quit” — BBC News Online, December 10, 2008

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Farm Safety Environment

When thinking in terms of any type of health and safety work or issues, the term environment is perhaps one of the key elements. The type of environment that someone works in will to a large extent determine the nature of risk that may affect any aspect of their well-being or safety.

Farms are in many ways unique environments, in that they often combine a work place or environment with a family or home environment, which can lead to blurring of lines, and inadvertent lapses in safety management.

Farms can vary considerably in size, and in terms of the products that they produce. Differences in land size can make a difference to safety risks. A farm can potentially be a small as 10 acres, or as large as 10,000 acres, although the majority of farms tend to be between 100 and 200 acres.

Farms can grow and raise a wide priority of different products. Some are animal products such as beef and dairy, sheep and poultry. Other farms will produce different types of crop such as corn, soy bean and wheat.

There are also more specialist types of farms that can produce nuts, fruits and vegetables.

Whatever the size of the farm, and whatever produce is grown or reared, there is an inherent difference regarding farm land.Whilst a lot of farm land can be level, an awful lot it is often also quite hilly or steep.

This can present real practical problems and safety risks concerning tractors, quad bikes and ATVs, which can easily overturn on ground that is not level. Quite often quad bikes and ATVs tends to be used by people in their late teens and early 20s, who may not have sufficient driving experience to fully understand the risks or implications of land that is not level.

The other issue concerning farmland is the weather. Depending upon where the farm is located, there is a considerable dependence on different types of weather conditions. This means that there is impractical terms often very little protection against the elements, even if work is being done in various hangers or sheds.

Whilst these issues can be easily managed and taken care of in terms of risk assessment and health and safety, one of the main issues concerning safety on a farm is that of attitude. Because farms are quite often family environments, even if they employ people as well, there is naturally a much more laid back and warm and friendly approach to both people and the work.

Quite often the discipline of an office or factory environment is lacking, and this is often one of the attractions of farming and farmers to many people. So long as this is understood, and measures are taken to make sure that risk assessment and safety assessment is carried out at professional level, then both can sit quite happily together.

In addition, many farms that are family owned and operated take great pride in the fact that their family is actively involved in all aspects of the running of the farm. This is not to promote child labor, but quite often younger family members do the work that would otherwise be considered a form of employment.

Inevitably, this means that there are not the same labor related restrictions in place as they would be in a factory, and there would not necessarily be the same health and safety regulations that might apply as well.

The other issue concerning the farm as an environment, is that all farms are different. This means that there is no real uniformity which is normally a pre-condition for most health and safety policies in an office or factory type environment.

It means that the farm itself needs to pay specific attention to its own environment, and determine its own level of risk, and put in place any safety measures needed to minimize the risk of harm or injury.

Peter Main is a freelance journalist who specialises in writing about agriculture and farm machinery, with a special focus on manufacturers to provide powerful tractors such as the Kubota L Series and also writes about the importance of checking and verifying manufacturers parts as an important component of deciding which type of tractor to buy.

‘The Gates’ opens in New York City

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

New York, New York —On February 12, 2005, at 8:30 a.m., New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg dropped the first piece of fabric in The Gates, a land art project by Christo and Jeanne Claude.

The artists installed 7,500 metal “gates” along 23 miles of pathways in New York City’s Central Park. Each gate supported a flag-shaped piece of saffron fabric. The project is scheduled to run from Feb. 12, 2005 through Feb. 27, 2005. The project is sometimes referred to as “The Gates, Central Park, New York, 1979-2005″ in reference to the time between the artists’ initial proposal and the present day.

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