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At least 10 died...and 20 were injured in the madrugada after an Aguia Branca bus flipped over on a curve on highway BR101 near Teixeira de Freitas in Bahia state.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=777977&CategoryId=14090
16 May 2013
BRASIL : 10 Dead, 20 Injured In Bahia Bus Crash.
At least 10 died...and 20 were injured in the madrugada after an Aguia Branca bus flipped over on a curve on highway BR101 near Teixeira de Freitas in Bahia state.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=777977&CategoryId=14090
15 May 2013
RUSSIA : 16 May UPDATE: Police Detain Woman For 2 Dead Babies Found In Supermarket Freezer.
A chilling tale from the small city of Verkhnyaya Pyshma.
Workers found the bodies of 2 newborn baby boys hidden in a basement storage freezer of the Central Supermarket.
Police questioned 20 market employees with access to the area...before detaining a woman...whom they believe put her twin newborn boys...in the store's freezer 5 years ago.
She no longer works for the supermarket.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2324951/Frozen-bodies-dead-babies-supermarket-storage-freezer-Russia.html
14 May 2013
CZECH REP: Prez Zeman Denies Being Drunk At Ceremony; Blames The Flu.
New President Milos Zeman had an ready explanation for his unsteady appearance at a recent public ceremony of the rarely seen Czech royal jewels.
He had a virus.
A video of the event shows him staggering, even aided by a cardinal and later propped-up against a wall.
The video has resulted in tons of comments and gags on social media.
It is not the first time Zeman has appeared drunk in public.
He has never been shy about his alcohol consumption.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2324457/Drunk-Czech-president-Milos-Zeman-hardly-stand-ceremonial-occasion.html
BELIZE : Road Crews Destroy Ancient Mayan Pyramid...To Fill Potholes.
Some residents of Belize really hate potholes.
So much so...that last week...a crew destroyed a 2,300 year-old...100 foot Mayan temple ruin at Noh Mul...to use its limestone gravel to level roads.
Backhoes and bulldozers knocked down history in the ancient settlement...despite it being against the law...punishable by a $10,000 fine.
There has been an outcry by archaeologists...who condemned the 'ignorance' of local contractors.
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/14/world/americas/belize-mayan-pyramid-destroyed/index.html?hpt=ila_c2
RUSSIA / USA : Moscow Expels Diplomat/Alleged CIA Spy...Ryan Fogle.
How embarrassing!
A low level embassy staffer in the USA's Moscow embassy...Ryan Fogle...was arrested by Russia's secret police and held overnight after being arrested wearing a blonde wig...and possessing large sums of cash.
Fogle was ordered expelled.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2324303/Russia-seizes-CIA-agent-Moscow-US-diplomat-arrested-suspicion-spying.html
USA / TRANSPORTATION / HUMOR : Airline Boots Non Stop Singer; Passengers Show No Love For Whitney Houston's Love Tune.
An American Airlines passenger on a flight from LA to NYC...knew she had a captive audience.
So...she took advantage of it...with nonstop crooning of Whitney Houston's hit... 'I will always love you.'
After she refused to stop...she was cuffed by an air marshal...and removed when the plane made an emergency landing in Kansas City.
Despite the commotion...she was released and not charged.
Yet.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2323692/I-love-youuuuuuuuu-Woman-kicked-plane-refusing-stop-singing-Whitney-Houston-song.html
MEXICO : Is Popo...Getting Ready To Blow?
New alerts have been issued for the recently active Popocatepetl volcano close to Puebla...and 43 miles from Cd de Mexico.
Worrying new eruptions from the nearly 18,000 ft volcano began more than 2 weeks ago...as steam and ash spewing intensified.
The alert has been raised to Yellow Level 5 out of 7 stages.
In 2000...thousands of nearby residents were evacuated after a minor eruption.
About 1,000 years ago...Popo erupted violently...and wiped out a village where Puebla is now located.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2324377/Popocatepetl-volcano-Mexico-looks-ready-blow-Officials-poised-evacuate-thousands.html
ALSO: HUMOR En Esp: Officials discourage throwing human sacrifices into volcano to calm it...even politicians.
http://eldeforma.com/2013/05/14/proteccion-civil-llama-a-no-realizar-sacrificios-humanos-en-el-crater-del-popocatepetl/#axzz2THuERQyi
13 May 2013
ITALY : Milano Seeks 6 Years For Silvio's Sex Crimes...And Lifetime Politics Ban.
The prosecution wrapped-up its Bunga Bunga sex trial in Milano against ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi.
Prosecutors are seeking 6 years...and a lifetime ban from politics for slippery Silvio.
They claim he had sex 13 times with underage Moroccan teen Ruby Heartbreaker...and then used his influence to cover it up.
A decision isn't expected for months.
Even then...Silvio has the right for 2 appeals...which can delay sentencing for years.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/13/us-italy-berlusconi-idUSBRE94C0LB20130513
12 May 2013
CHILE / NEW ZEALAND: Santiago Eyes Volcanos For Geothermal Energy.
Chile lies in the infamous 'Pacific Ring of Fire'...over 4,200 kms on the active side of the Andes' volcanic chain.
But Santiago produces little renewable energy...and instead must import 70% of its costly energy.
Unlike New Zealand...which gets 77% of its energy from renewable sources.
Though a pioneer in geothermal energy...not one megawatt of energy today comes from geothermal.
Chile hopes to expand renewable energy production to 10%-or even 20%...by 2024...and may partner up with New Zealand for expertise on geothermal development.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/05/20135995348737861.html
RUSSIA / LATVIA : Moscow Businesses Flock To Riga For Cloud Computing.
Latvian IT companies are gaining new Russian customers interested in storing data in Riga's cloud...and away from often crippling raids by Moscow's secret police.
http://www.france24.com/en/20130512-cloud-computing-silver-lining-russian-firms
BRASIL : 15 May UPDATE: Batista Recovers On Maracana Stadium Lease; New Judge Upholds Bid.
Some bad news just got better for billionaire Eike Batista.
A second judge has overruled a Rio judge who suspended proposed 35-year control of Rio's famous giant and newly outfitted Maracana stadium by a consortium led by Batista's company...IMX.
She had declared bidding irregularities.
The 2nd judge ruled that a suspension would cause Brasil harm.
Brasilia has spent $500 million to retrofit Maracana for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
Batista has lost over $24 billion of paper wealth in the past year...because of poor performance in his company's crucial energy area.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22519502
http://thehypervigilantobserver.blogspot.com/2013/04/brasil-media-says-batistas-ogxis.html
11 May 2013
BULGARIA : 16 May UPDATE: GERB's Borisov Wants New Elections After Slim Win; 350,000 Seized Fake Ballots Caused Commotion.
The center right GERB party won Sunday's snap parliamentary election....but only took 31%.
Experts predict it will have difficulty forming a coalition.
If GERB fails...the 2nd place Socialists will get to form a government.
GERB's leader...former PM Borisov is now asking for a new election...because of violations...and comments on the election's eve.
Voter turnout was a historic low...53%.
2 days prior to the predicted close election...police seized 350,000 fake paper ballots.
The election ballots were found in the Sofia printing warehouse of a center right GERB supporter.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22555648
ITALY : Silvio Breaks Silence And Blasts Judges At Brescia Rally.
3-time ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi broke his unusual silence...with a vengeance...at a peaceful rally in Brescia in northern Italy.
Quiet after his first appeal on a fraud conviction was rejected this week...Silvio accused the magistrates of trying to end his political career.
Even with the conviction...it is unlikely slippery Silvio will serve time..because of his age ...and Italy's convoluted appeals system.
But...Berlusconi continued to lend support to the fragile ruling coalition of PM Enrico Letta.
A close longtime Silvio aide is Letta's Deputy PM.
Silvio faces at least 2 more trials...the infamous Bunga Bunga teen sex trial..and also for allegedly bribing a Senator with $4 million.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/11/us-italy-politics-idUSBRE94A09020130511
GUATEMALA : 12 May UPDATE: GUILTY Of Mayan Genocide! Ex-Strongman Rio Montt Gets 80 Years.
IST LINK CHANGE
After an almost 2 month trail...a 3 judge tribunal delivered the verdict.
The courtroom broke-out in cheers.
Rios Montt was tried for the murders of 1,771 Maya Ixil members.
In rare testimony on Friday...he denied the charges.
An appeal is expected.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/12/us-guatemala-riosmontt-maya-idUSBRE94B0BX20130512
10 May 2013
SLOVENIA : Large State Sell-Off Hopes To Stave-Off Bailout.
New PM Alenka Bratusek revealed a proposal to sell off 15 state enterprises... including a bank, an airline and a telecom...as well as raising the VAT by 2%...to avoid asking for a EU bailout.
But last week's successful 3.5 billion euro/$4.6 bond sale relieved some fiscal pressures... even after Moody's had cut its bonds to 'junk' status.
The EC will now consider the proposal.
Slovenia has been stuck in recession since 2011.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22462604
09 May 2013
RUSSIA : 27 Injured After Train Derails/Explodes In Rostov Region.
A train carrying 71 tanker cars loaded with fuel and chemicals...injured at least 27...after 51 cars derailed and exploded in the early morning in the Rostov region.
Over 3,000 residents were forced to evacuate.
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/09/18146588-dozens-hurt-thousands-flee-after-train-carrying-chemicals-derails-in-russia?lite
CHILE : 80,000 Students Protest Education Costs/Quality In Santiago.
An estimated 37,000-80,000 students peacefully crowded Santiago's streets...for the year's 2nd national protest against high education costs.
There were small clashes with police.
Since 2011...students have been demanding free, high quality education in Chile.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22459229
08 May 2013
COSTA RICA / USA: Man Dies Before Transport To Milwaukee; Shot In Head During April Robbery.
American tourist Steve Flesch, 31...died in a Costa Rica hospital...before his family could move him back to Milwaukee for care.
He was shot in the head during a robbery by youths in San Jose on 02 April...and placed into an induced coma.
Medical officials claim infection caused his death...while the family waited for USA's help getting his release from the San Jose hospital.
Flesch arrived in CR in January...having backpacked thru 34 countries in 4 years.
http://www.costaricantimes.com/us-citizen-has-died-in-the-costa-rica-hospital/15369
POLAND : CBank Makes Surprise Rate Cut...To Record Low 3%.
Warsaw's central bank surprised many as it dropped its benchmark interest rate by 25 bps...to 3%...a record low.
The CBank noted that Poland's inflation slowed to its weakest level in more than 6 years...and manufacturing plummeted to a 45 month low.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-08/poland-cuts-interest-rates-to-record-amid-lack-of-recovery-signs.html
RUSSIA : Medvedev Loses...With Deputy PM Surkov Resignation; Putin Looks For Recession Scapegoats.
PM Dmitry Medvedev's top aide...Deputy PM Vladislav Surkov, 48...submitted his resignation.
He was reportedly forced out by President Putin...who blamed Surkov for not carrying out recent decrees...as Russia slides into recession.
Observers say it again reveals a growing rift between the two leaders.
Surkov may have simply backed the wrong horse.
He was once Putin's chief strategist...known as the 'Grey Cardinal'.
AND...FYI: Putin kept new USA Sec. of State John Kerry waiting for 3 hours...before their Moscow meeting about Syria.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/08/us-russia-surkov-idUSBRE9470CF20130508
ALSO: Analysis: Who's to blame for Moscow's economic malaise...if not Putin?
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/08/us-russia-economy-idUSBRE9470EQ20130508
ITALY : Death And Disaster In Genoa Port; Cargo Ship Takes Out Control Tower; 7 Dead, 4 Injured.
With 14 Images
At least 7 are dead...with 4 injured and 3 still missing...after a cargo ship destroyed the control tower at Genoa's busy port.
Around 11 p.m...the 41,000 ton cargo ship Jolly Nero...slammed into the dock...as it was leaving port...guided by tugs...demolishing the 50 m/170 ft. tower...as a shift change was under way.
PANAMA : Drought Drains Power; Electrical Rationing Mandated.
Latin America's fastest growing economy is suffering a huge blow from Mother Nature.
An ongoing severe drought has forced President Martinelli to close all schools...and curtail government office hours...to save electricity...until further notice.
Businesses must shut down from 22:oo to 6:00 M-Th....and must shut-off their AC from 11:00-15:00...often the hottest time of the day.
About 60% of Panama's energy comes from hydro power.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22449328
BRASIL / WTO : Diplomat Azevedo Wins Top Geneva Trade Job.
A Brasilian has been named the new head of the WTO.
Career diplomat Roberto Azevedo, 55...beat-out 8 other candidates...including the USA's preferred candidate from Mexico...by a wide margin during a 3-round competition.
Azevedo takes over the Geneva-based trade organization on 01 September.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-07/brazil-s-azevedo-defeats-mexican-to-succeed-lamy-as-head-of-wto.html
EUROPE / FRANCE / POLAND / GERMANY : Leaders Observe 68th Anniversary Of Victory In Europe.
In Paris...the leaders of Poland and France observed the 68th anniversary of the day when the allies accepted Germany's unconditional surrender in WW2.
http://www.dw.de/france-and-poland-mark-68th-victory-in-europe-day-in-paris/a-16798861
07 May 2013
BRASIL / CUBA : Brasilia Wants To Hire 6,000 Cuban Health Workers For Remote Regions.
Brasil is negotiating to hire and send 6,000 Cuban trained health workers to remote parts of its nation...where medical services are poor or lacking.
But Brasil's medical associations oppose the proposal...because Cuban medical training has been deemed substandard.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22429101
POLAND : 08 May UPDATE: Talisman And Marathon Exit Shale Search; Shale Gas Fracking Proceeds...Despite Residents' Fears.
Talisman Energy and Marathon Oil have announced they are exiting their search for shale gas in Poland.
But Ireland-based San Leon Energy said it would develop Talisman's 3 Baltic basin interests.
In 2012...Exxon pulled-out from Poland...after disappointing drilling results there.
Chevron still employs 30 people in Warsaw.
But Polish officials are still counting on the USA's fracking technique to unleash new sources of nat gas and oil...freeing their nation from Russian energy dependence.
Some 30 energy companies are already seeking shale gas.
But in the EU...Bulgaria and France have outlawed the controversial technique.
Many rural residents in Poland fear fracking's heavy reliance on water will ruin their lands.
And...by law...residents don't hold any mineral rights...and thus have 'no skin in the game.'
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/environment/jan-june13/poland_05-06.html
TO WATCH : 7:55 Video report with transcript.
MEXICO : 09 May UPDATE: Gas Tanker Explodes On Ecatepec Highway, Killing 24, Injuring 36.
8 children are among the dead.
12 people remain hospitalized.
06 May 2013
MEXICO : Pena Nieto Wants Complex Tax Code Revised...For More Revenue.
Mexico has extremely low tax revenues for a major developing nation.
Currently...the world's richest man...Carlos Slim Helu...worth over $70 billion...is in the same tax bracket...as someone earning $2,700 monthly.
New President Enrique 'El Guapo' Pena Nieto wants to change that.
Mexico needs to wean itself from dependence on oil revenue.
Its tax code is complex...and the task won't be easy...because small vendors in Mexico's large informal economy...charge no sales tax...and pay no personal income taxes.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/06/us-mexico-tax-idUSBRE9450A520130506
GUATEMALA : Background Details In Rios Montt Indigena Genocide Trial.
A brief but detail-rich backgrounder and analysis by Peter Canby of the alleged murders and abuses against thousands of indigena Maya by former dictator Gen Rios Montt in 1982.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/comment/2013/05/the-maya-genocide-trial.html?mbid=gnep&google_editors_picks=true
SPAIN : Police Seize Record 52 Tons Of Hash In Cordoba.
Police in Cordoba confiscated a record 52 tons of hashish stored in a warehouse.
A total of 3 were later arrested in Seville and Andalusia.
http://www.france24.com/en/20130506-spanish-police-europes-largest-ever-hashish-haul
RUSSIA : Thousands Rally In Moscow On Anniversary Of Anti-Putin Demonstration; Putin Returns As 'Super Patriot.'
An estimated 5,000-15,000 people gathered peacefully in Moscow to remember the 1st anniversary of an anti-Putin demonstration and confrontation with police.
30 members of the opposition were charged for the 2012 clashes...and so far...2 have been convicted.
Police report that 6 were detained.
AND: Sunday marked Putin's return as president.
Der Spiegel describes his new persona..as 'super patriot.'
05 May 2013
PERU / VENEZUELA: Deputy Culture Minister Resigns; Caracas Withdraws Lima Envoy.
Deputy Culture Minister Ivan Lanegra resigned over President Ollanta Humala's efforts to protect mining interests.
Lenegra claimed that Lima had excluded the indigena Quechua-speaking peoples from consultations by rolling back a 2011 law.
A critical $50 billion pipeline is planned thru Quechua populated region.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/04/peru-mining-indigenous-idUSL2N0DL0CO20130504
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=769672&CategoryId=10718
BRASIL : Police Hunt Newest Rio Bus Rapist.
Rio residents are stunned over reports of the newest outrageous crime there.
On Friday...an armed man robbed bus passengers...and then raped a woman for about 30 minutes...while the vehicle was still moving.
Witnesses said the man appeared to be drugged.
There have been recent problems on Rio's public transport...including the March rape of a tourist...and a bus crash that killed 7.
Robberies are common on Brasil's buses.
Brasil is spending billions preparing for tourists and the 2014 World Cup...hoping to sanitize its image for crime and violence.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22421512
RUSSIA : Orthodox Church Celebrates...Easter; С праздником Пасхи!
This newsblog's editor was amused...and somewhat puzzled...watching small children scatter colored plastic eggs this morning on a library lawn.
After all...wasn't Easter weeks ago?
Not for Russians.
Today...Sunday...is Easter on the Orthodox/Julian calendar.
FYI: Russia currently ranks #3 for visitors here...trailing only #2 Germany...and #1 USA.
This also marks the newsblog's 7,902 post/link since June 2009.
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