"Fears that fires scorching forests near Chernobyl may reawaken dangerous amounts of radioactive fallout and propel it into the air are overblown, scientists say, and the actual health risks are very small.

Even firefighters tackling the blazes, which officials say have hit forests in Russia's Bryansk region polluted by radioactive dust from the 1986 Chernobyl reactor disaster, are unlikely to run any added nuclear contamination risks.

The amount of radiation in smoke would be only a fraction of the original fallout, they say."

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67B1YK20100812

"Brazil's government has ordered its air force to officially record any sighting of unidentified flying objects.

A government decree said all military and civilian pilots as well as air traffic controllers should register any UFO sightings with the national aerospace defence command.

The information will be stored in the national archives in Rio de Janeiro.

It will be made available to researchers, including those seeking evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Anything unusual that is seen, photographed or video filmed in Brazil's air space will now have to be reported and catalogued.

But the air force said it would limit itself to collecting information, and would not be chasing UFOs."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-10947856

>>

Junior Field Reporter 10/08/12(Thu)06:52 No.5490   File: 1281621159996.jpg -(25442 B, 600x400) Thumbnail displayed, click image for full size. >>5487 >Brazil's government has ordered its air force to officially record any sighting of unidentified flying objects. >unidentified flying objects Y halo thar.

"The skies were clear over Moscow Thursday, giving residents a desperately needed break from air pollution thanks to favorable winds and some success in fighting wildfires that have choked the capital with clouds of acrid smog.

People walked through the streets without the masks that have become ubiquitous. The towers of the Kremlin and domes of Orthodox cathedrals could be seen without the yellowish veil that's shrouded them for a week.

"I can finally open the balcony door to let my cat warm in the sun," said economics student Evgeniya Lavrova, 21. "You walk in a street, feel a light breeze and want to breathe again.""

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100812/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_fires

"A 6.9-magnitude earthquake has struck about 170km (105 miles) south-east of Ecuador's capital, Quito, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has said.

The quake happened at 0654 local time (1154 GMT), at a depth of about 190km (118 miles), it added.

The strength was initially measured by the USGS at 6.7 then raised to 7.2 before being set at 6.9."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-10954788

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-9876Arj7s
Please watch the video!! Leave a comment if you like !

Liberation August 24th

"U.S. Trade Deficit Unexpectedly Widens to $49.9 Billion in June

The trade deficit in the U.S. unexpectedly widened in June to the highest level since October 2008 as consumer goods imports rose to a record and exports declined."

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-11/u-s-trade-deficit-unexpectedly-widens-to-49-9-billion-as-exports-decline.html

"Wildfires burned forests contaminated by radioactive fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster, the Russian state forest protection service said.

The Roslesozashchita statement contradicts earlier comments made by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry that the fires affected the Bryansk region, Interfax reported Wednesday."

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/International/2010/08/11/Official-Fires-burning-near-Chernobyl/UPI-38391281534424/

"A thick blanket of smog hangs over central Beijing August 9, 2010.

China's leaders have ordered over 2,000 steel cement mills and other factories with poor energy efficiency to close as it struggles to cut waste and improve the country's battered environment."

http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/58affc67abe310c83009566138dce773/A-thick-blanket-of-smog-hangs-over-Beijing/

"Russia says it has deployed S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in the breakaway region of Abkhazia in Georgia.

The Georgian government - which refuses to acknowledge Abkhazia's independence - says it is "concerned" by the move.

The announcement comes just days after an unscheduled visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to the region.

Russia recognised Abkhaz independence in 2008 after winning a brief war with Georgia over nearby South Ossetia.

In a statement released by the Russian government, air force commander-in-chief General Alexander Zelin said the role of the missiles would be "anti-aircraft defence of the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia"."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-10940297

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-10885254

Newport bondage enthusiast died tied to tree

A verdict of accidental death has been recorded on a man who was found almost naked and tied to a tree in Shropshire.

Kevin Kirkland, 44, had an interest in bondage and tied himself to the tree in Newport by his wrists, but the slip knots had jammed, an inquest heard.

It was told he died of hypothermia and blood loss after cutting his wrists by accident while struggling to escape.

Mr Kirkland, of Waterside Mews, Newport, was pronounced dead in hospital, the Telford inquest heard.
'In our hearts'

It was told he had been out drinking on 29 December 2009 with friends and said goodbye at about 0100 GMT on 30 December.

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