The Changing World

Combating Piracy

2008-12-08T16:33:00.000-08:00

Europe is seeking to combat the recent problems with Somali Pirates around the African Coast. MSNBC has the story:

"European ships to arrive early for Somali duty"
Associated Press

BRUSSELS, Belgium - A European Union flotilla is deploying five days early to waters off the Horn of Africa, determined to combat piracy amid growing alarm over attacks on international shipping.

On Dec. 15, four EU warships and two maritime reconnaissance aircraft will replace the four-vessel NATO flotilla that has been conducting anti-piracy patrols off the Somali coast, EU foreign ministers announced Monday during their monthly meeting.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana called it "a very important mission ... in a place in the world that everybody's looking at because of the problems related to piracy."

Read Full Article MSNBC

Posted by Phoenix Premises Liability Attorney

Auto Bailout

2008-12-04T15:22:00.000-08:00

Automakers in the U.S want bailout money. Is government intervention. Foxnews has an interesting article:

"The Big Three Need Help But Can We Trust Congress to Build a Better Car?"
By Christopher Coffey

Another week, another bailout debate.

I suspect, lurking in the background of the Detroit automaker issue, is a burning desire by some to use bailout money as a means to reacquaint America with industrial policy.

The American public flirted briefly with industrial policy in the 1990’s when it considered adopting Hillary Clinton’s health care plan.

Industrial policy is the belief that government officials are better equipped to direct business and consumer decisions than businesses and consumers.

Read Full Editorial Foxnews

Posted by DUI Lawyer Phoenix Arizona

Electoral Shift

2008-11-03T16:18:00.000-08:00

Nothing is static forever, and this election may see a change in the electoral face of the U.S. Washington Post has a relevant article:

"Obama and McCain Pursuing Different Paths on Changed Map"
By Dan Balz

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- John McCain and Barack Obama began the final full day of 2008 election campaigning as a study in contrasts. Obama appeared coolly confident about the outcome on Tuesday, McCain doggedly determined to disprove all the doubters.

McCain's Monday began at midnight in Miami with a raucous rally that would signal a long day of cross-country campaigning. His traveling press got little sleep, with a 5:30 a.m. baggage call and then a morning flight to Tampa. By the time McCain's Monday ends, he will have been in seven states, only one of which did not vote for President Bush four years ago.

Obama arrived at his Jacksonville hotel about 1:30 a.m. Monday, but his first stop wasn't until about 8 a.m. -- a workout at a nearby gym. His press corps started on a more leisurely schedule than McCain's, gathering at 9:30 a.m. for a security sweep before loading up at 10 a.m. for Obama's first of just three events of the day. No one could recall a candidate starting his events so late on the final day of campaigning.

Read Full Article Washington Post

Posted by Phoenix Injury and Accident Attorney

Seaweed..an energy source potential

2008-10-28T15:37:00.000-07:00

Apparently seaweed has some great possibility to become a very useful substance for providing energy and types of fueling. BBC has this odd story:

"Seaweed farms 'could fuel future' "

Pilot seaweed and algae farms are needed to assess Scotland's marine biomass potential, experts have urged.

The recommendation comes in a report on using biomass for heating and fuel while avoiding the use of valuable agricultural land.

Scientists want to see pilot farms and research into the most energy-rich types of seaweed.

Read Full Article BBC News

Posted by Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer

Young Generation

2008-10-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

If you're a young adult in America right, economics can seem tough. However, apparently we're all poised in a good position. Reuters has an interesting article:

"A silver lining for young adults"
By Linda Stern

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mayhem in the credit, stock and housing markets may look like bad news, but it actually presents some great opportunities for young adults.

The turmoil is bringing prices down to levels that might afford them an economic toehold, and a house. It is allowing them to start a decades-long investing habit by buying low. It may make it possible for them to take their medicine early and flourish later.

It will also present serious challenges to the generation that will be asked to repay the loans the Feds are taking out now. College seniors are graduating into a recession that economists predict will last for a year or longer, and jobs are hard to come by. Benefits like health insurance and 401(k) plans are even more scarce.

Read Full Article Reuters

Posted by Phoenix Light Rail Attorney

TV Controversy??

2008-10-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

Foxnews has an article asking if the show Family Guy's depiction of the McCain ticket as Nazis was too far. Free speech versus extreme insult:

"Did 'Family Guy' Go Too Far With Nazi 'McCain' Pin?"

The animated sitcom 'Family Guy' is no stranger to controversy, but on Sunday night the show went into uncharted territory as it seemed to weigh in on the presidential race by likening the McCain/Palin ticket to the Nazi party in World War II.

In the episode, two of the characters, Stewie (a talking baby) and Brian (a talking dog) are transported to Poland during the Nazi invasion of World War II. In one scene, the characters beat up and steal the uniforms of two Nazi officers. Stewie looks down at his Nazi uniform and notices a McCain/Palin campaign button attached to its lapel, remarking “Huh, that’s weird."

Read Full Article FoxNews

Posted by Phoenix Personal Injury Attorney

American Troops in Iraq

2008-10-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

The U.S. and Iraq may soon agree on a timeline for the withdrawal of American soldiers. NY Times has the article:

"Iraq Appears on Verge of Deal on U.S. Troop Presence"
By DAVID STOUT
Published: October 17, 2008

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration and the government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki on Friday appeared to be on the verge of an agreement that would spell out the conditions under which American troops would remain in Iraq and a timeline for their eventual departure.

Simultaneous activity in Washington and Baghdad signalled that an accord was near on a security arrangement, formally called a status of forces agreement, to govern the conduct of American forces in Iraq for the remainder of their time there.

Read Full Article NY Times

Posted by Phoenix Injury and Accident Lawyer

Canada's Election

2008-10-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

Canada's recent election has increased the conservatives as the highest percentage party in the government. However they are not an official majority. It's interesting to see Canada moving towards a conservative political scape, whereas the U.S. may become more liberal in November. BBC has the article:

"Canadians re-elect Conservatives"

Canadians have re-elected the Conservative Party, led by Stephen Harper, who will form the third minority government in four years.

With almost all votes in, the Conservatives were said to have won 143 seats, a big rise but still short of the 155 needed for a majority.

The opposition Liberal Party, under Stephane Dion, has won 76 seats, a loss of nearly 20 seats.

Read Full Article BBC News

Posted by Phoenix Driver's License Suspension Lawyer

Can Alternative Energy Spark Economic Growth??

2008-10-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

Reuters has an interesting story concerning the possibility of jump-starting the world economy with new and cleaner energy sources. If nations began to focus on developing new industries, it may work; not to mention the added benefit of more efficient energy sources.

"U.S. focus on climate could ease financial" crisis
By Deborah Zabarenko, Environment Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - If the United States focused on curbing climate change as soon as a new president took office -- or sooner -- it could help pull the world from the financial brink, environmental policy experts told Reuters.

"Skyrocketing energy prices and the financial crisis have been a wake-up call that something's got to change," said Cathy Zoi, chief executive officer of the Alliance for Climate Protection, which is chaired by former Vice President Al Gore.

"My very strong belief is that we need to reorient our investments toward this transition to a clean energy economy, and it will be the engine of growth for getting us out of the doldrums that we've gotten in right now," Zoi told the Reuters Global Environment Summit this week.

Read Full Article Reuters

Posted by Phoenix Brain Injury Lawyer

Housing Trouble

2008-10-08T15:17:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows what has been happening with the struggling housing market in the U.S. and the world for that matter. I just read an article that a sizeable minority of people have a mortgage that costs more than their home's PRESENT value. That's a pretty bad place to be in, and it's just amazing to see how over-inflated home values were. MSNBC has this Wall Street Journal story:

"A rising tide of ‘underwater’ homeowners"
By James R. Hagerty and Ruth Simon, The Wall Street Journal

The relentless slide in home prices has left nearly one in six U.S. homeowners owing more on a mortgage than the home is worth, raising the possibility of a rise in defaults — the very misfortune that touched off the credit crisis last year.

The result of homeowners being "underwater" is more pressure on an economy that is already in a downturn. No longer having equity in their homes makes people feel less rich and thus less inclined to shop at the mall.

Read Full Article MSNBC

Posted by DUI Lawyer Phoenix Arizona

China Negotiations

2008-10-07T10:21:00.001-07:00

Apparently the U.S. had military meetings planned with China. However China has now cut the meetings, because of an American weapons deal with Taiwan. Check out this CNN article:

"China nixes U.S. meetings over Taiwan arms deal"

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- China has canceled or postponed several military exchanges with the U.S. in reaction to last week's announcement that the U.S. is selling weapons to Taiwan, a Defense Department spokesman said Monday.

Officials announced last week an intention to sell $6.4 billion in arms to Taiwan, though the deal still needs to be approved by Congress.

Read Full Article CNN

Posted by Phoenix Arizona Divorce Lawyer

Markets Down!

2008-10-06T11:06:00.000-07:00

All over the world, shaky economic situations and continued fear of U.S. problems is driving markets everywhere way down. The DOW went below 10,000 today and remains there at the moment. The bailout plan did not restore any confidence as other factors are scaring people. Europe's banks are in trouble as well apparently. Foxnews has the latest:

"Global Fears Snowball; Dow Falls Below 10K"
Matt Egan. FOXBusiness

The Dow plunged as much as 580 points Monday, diving to levels unseen since October 2004, as credit fears spread around the world and worries about a recession grew louder in the U.S.

Today's Market

As of 1:23 p.m. EDT, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 494.77 points, or 4.81%, to 9830.62. The broader S&P 500 Index lost 58.67 points, or 5.34%, to 1040.56 while the Nasdaq Composite fell 114.84 points, or 5.90%. to 1832.55. The consumer-friendly FOX 50 dropped 39.56 points, or 4.81%, to 784.81.

"It's very serious. This has all the makings of a good Black Monday," said Frank Davis, director of sales and trading at LEK Securities.

Read Full Article FOX News

Posted by Phoenix Uninsured and Uninsured Motorist Lawyer

Snow on Mars!!

2008-10-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

The Phoenix Robot on Mars has apparently sensed actual snow in the air. NASA has indicated that the snow was not touching the ground. They will continue to study this situation. This is really amazing to consider, as for years many have thought that Mars was just completely dry and dusty. BBC has a good article:

"Phoenix detects Red Planet snow"

The Phoenix spacecraft on Mars has detected snow above its landing site.

The US robot used its lidar instrument to probe the structure of clouds and saw large water ice-crystals falling through the Martian "air".

The instrument, which works by scattering pulses of laser light off particles in the sky, did not follow the snow to the ground.

Read Full Article BBC News

Posted by Phoenix Automobile Accident Lawyer

The World Watches the U.S. Markets

2008-09-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

Newsweek has a lengthy article about world reaction to the economic situation:

"Shades of Schadenfreude"

As the United States wallows in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, the world looks on with horror, fear and sometimes guilty pleasure.
Newsweek Web Exclusive

Rarely does an event capture the world's attention as the American financial crisis has in the past few days. In Mexico, they're calling it the "American FOBAPROA," an echo of that country's infamous 1994 bailout fund. In Beijing, many are hoping it will chasten China's free-spending materialists. In France, President Sarkozy views it as a vindication of heavy-handed government policies.

Read Full Story Newsweek Online

Posted by Phoenix Arizona Bankruptcy Attorney

WaMu collapse

2008-09-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

Washington Mutual failed yesterday, and was taken by the FDIC. JPMorgan (Chase Bank) has taken over. Apparently everything is said to be okay; we just may be looking at a small group of dominant banks that are nationwide. Reuters has a detailed article:

"WaMu is largest U.S. bank failure"

By Elinor Comlay and Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Washington Mutual Inc was closed by the U.S. government in by far the largest failure of a U.S. bank, and its banking assets were sold to JPMorgan Chase & Co for $1.9 billion.

Thursday's seizure and sale is the latest historic step in U.S. government attempts to clean up a banking industry littered with toxic mortgage debt. Negotiations over a $700 billion bailout of the entire financial system stalled in Washington on Thursday.

Washington Mutual, the largest U.S. savings and loan, has been one of the lenders hardest hit by the nation's housing bust and credit crisis, and had already suffered from soaring mortgage losses.

Read Full Article Reuters

Posted by Phoenix Large Truck Accident Lawyer

The growing fast food situation

2008-09-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

Apparently the U.S. isn't the only nation suffering from a "fast-food" culture causing health problems. Other places in the world are starting to pick up burgers, pizza, and ice cream everywhere. They are also getting to pick up the health problems associated with these diets. NY Times has a fascinating story:

"Fast Food Hits Mediterranean; a Diet Succumbs"

By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
Published: September 23, 2008

KASTELI, Greece — Dr. Michalis Stagourakis has seen a transformation of his pediatric practice here over the past three years. The usual sniffles and stomachaches of childhood are now interspersed with far more serious conditions: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. A changing diet, he says, has produced an epidemic of obesity and related maladies.

Small towns like this one in western Crete, considered the birthplace of the famously healthful Mediterranean diet — emphasizing olive oil, fresh produce and fish — are now overflowing with chocolate shops, pizza places, ice cream parlors, soda machines and fast-food joints.

Read Full Article NY Times

Posted by Phoenix Arizona DUI Attorneys

School Shooting

2008-09-23T10:42:00.000-07:00

A horrible school shooting in Finland claimed the lives of 11 people (including the gunman) at a college. These shootings are not limited to the United States. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone there. BBC has this tragic story:

"Finnish college gunman kills 10"
BBC

A gunman has killed 10 people at a college in the town of Kauhajoki in Finland before shooting himself and later dying in hospital.

Media reports named the gunman as Matti Juhani Saari, 22, a trainee chef at the vocational college.

The suspect posted a video of himself on the internet last week firing a gun.

Read Full Article BBC News

Posted by Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys

Environmental Developments

2008-09-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

Some scientists are looking into a polluted portion of Italy's coast. It appears that their idea is to develop a new ecosystem that can survive the pollution and make it help. It's a relatively new kind of concept, and it will interesting to see if this balance between human development and nature works. Good luck Italy! New York Times has the story:

"In Italy, a Redesign of Nature to Clean It"
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
Published: September 21, 2008

TERRACINA, Italy — Before Michele Assunto hauls in his fishing net from the banks of a reed-lined canal here, he uses a pole to push the garbage out of the way. “They really need to clean this up,” he growls.

Where another canal empties into the sea here at the small community of Porto Badino, the only animals that can survive are giant rats, local officials say. Of course, the sea is not fit for swimming for 200 yards on each side of the outlet, they add with a shrug — yet bathers splash in the Mediterranean nearby.

Read Full Article New York Times

Posted by Phoenix Construction Site Accident Lawyer

Russia

2008-09-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

It looks like the West's conflict with Russia will not escalate beyong strained diplomatic relations. Russia has backed off war talk. This is a helpful story to stabilize the world, which has been reeling earlier this week from financial news.
Reuters has the story:

"Russia says it does not want new Iron Curtain"
By Denis Dyomkin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday accused NATO of provoking the conflict with Georgia but he said strains with the West did not mean Russia planned to isolate itself behind a new Iron Curtain.

Medvedev was speaking a day after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice launched a blistering attack on Russia, saying it had taken a "dark turn" and urging the West to stand up to what she called its bullying tactics.

"All the time there are discussions that 'Finally they (the Russians) will show their true colors .. that the hawks have won'," Medvedev told a gathering of civil society groups in the Kremlin.

Read Full Article Reuters

Posted by Phoenix Injury and Accident Lawyer

Yemen Embassy Attack

2008-09-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

Terrorist organizations still seem to be a real threat. Authorities believe they have found the possible culprits to the attack on our embassy in Yemen. Yahoo News has the Associated Press report:

"25 in Yemen arrested in attack on US embassy"
By PAUL SCHEMM and AHMED AL-HAJ, Associated Press Writers

SAN'A, Yemen - At least 25 militants with suspected links to al-Qaida have been arrested in connection with the deadly attack on the U.S. Embassy in the Yemeni capital, a senior security official said Thursday.

The death toll from Wednesday's attack rose to 17 as Yemeni security officials reported that one of the seven civilians wounded in the dramatic assault had died. Among those killed in the deadliest direct assault on a U.S. Embassy in a decade were a young American woman who was recently wed in an arranged marriage and six militants.

Read Full Article Yahoo News

Posted by Phoenix Wrongful Death Lawyer

Economic Chaos

2008-09-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

Wall Street is having a ripple effect on the rest of the world. It really shows how interdependent many countries are becoming. Let's hope we get out of this okay!!

"Global market turmoil continues"
BBC News

Stock markets have continued to fall after the collapse of fourth-largest US investment bank, Lehman Brothers, which has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Wall Street fell back in early trading while European stocks slipped further - the UK's FTSE 100 shedding 3.43%.

Banking shares were badly hit with HBOS losing about 35% at one point.

Read Full Article BBC News

Posted by Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers

"Afghanistan poses daunting challenge, Defense officials say"

2008-09-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

By Julian E. Barnes, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 11, 2008

WASHINGTON -- Warning that the U.S. is "running out of time" in Afghanistan, the military's top uniformed officer said Wednesday that officials have asked for a "new, more comprehensive strategy" that also encompasses militants' havens in neighboring Pakistan.

Appearing before a House committee, Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said such a strategy was crucial to the ability of U.S.-led forces to counter a comeback by extremist groups in Afghanistan.

Read Full Article LA Times Online

Posted by Phoenix Arizona DUI Attorneys

"Discovery or doom? Collider stirs debate"

2008-09-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

Wow! Check out this MSNBC article everyone. This "particle-smasher" definitely has some world implications.

By Alan Boyle
Science editor
MSNBC
updated 2:03 p.m. MT, Mon., Sept. 8, 2008

Will the Large Hadron Collider save the world, or destroy it?

As the atom-smasher at Europe's CERN research center is readied for its official startup on Wednesday, researchers might wish that the general public was captivated by the quest for the Higgs boson, the search for supersymmetric particles and even the evidence for extra dimensions.

The black-hole scenario is even getting its day in court: Critics of the project have called for the suspension of work on the European collider until the scenario receives a more thorough safety review, filing separate legal challenges in U.S. federal court and the European Court of Human Rights.

Read Full Article MSNBC

Posted by Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys

"U.S. may step up raids in Pakistan"

2008-09-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

By Julian E. Barnes and Greg Miller, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
September 5, 2008

Despite growing protests in Pakistan over a raid, many Pentagon officials favor a more aggressive approach to counter attacks in Afghanistan carried out by militants based in Pakistan.

WASHINGTON -- Even as angry protests spread in Pakistan, Pentagon officials said Thursday that the number of cross-border commando missions may grow in coming months to counter increasing violence in Afghanistan.

Read Full Article LA Times Online

Posted by Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys

Today in America

2008-09-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

Some big news around the nation right now:

"McCain Seeks Town-Hall Feel for Acceptance Speech"

By CARL HULSE
Published: September 4, 2008
ST. PAUL — Senator John McCain will explain “where, how and why” he wants to lead America when he accepts his party’s presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention Thursday night, addressing delegates and the nation from a reconfigured stage the night after his vice presidential choice shook the hall with a fiery debut.

In laying out the themes of the speech, Mark Salter, the senator’s biographer and speechwriter, said that tonight’s address to conclude the convention — as well as the speeches leading up to it — will focus on Mr. McCain’s life as well as his record of challenging the Washington establishment on matters such as campaign finance and federal spending.

Read Full Article New York Times

Posted By Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys

"Ike Explodes Into 'Extremely Dangerous' Category 4 Hurricane"

Hurricane Ike was upgraded to an 'extremely dangerous' Category 4 storm by the National Hurricane Center late Wednesday as the system roared west across the central Atlantic.

The storm went from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in a matter of hours, Reuters reported.

The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, issued Thursday, increased Ike's maximum sustained winds to 145 mph, with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extended 35 miles from the storm's center of circulation.

Read Full Article FoxNews

Posted by Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyers

Providing News

2008-09-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

We want to find important news for people to see

Posted by Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys