Several homes damaged, 4 injured, as tornadoes cut path through Arkansas

Homes damaged, 4 injured, in Arkansas tornadoes

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Tornadoes have struck parts of Arkansas, injuring four people and destroying a handful of homes.
Emergency Management spokeswoman Renee Preslar says three people suffered major injuries Wednesday in a tornado that destroyed a house near Pearson in northern Arkansas.
The National Weather Service says another person suffered …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Several homes damaged, 4 injured, as tornadoes cut path through Arkansas.

Everest Re estimates loss from Chile earthquake at $225M; claims from Europe windstorm at $25M

Reinsurer Everest Re Chile quake loss hits $225M

NEW YORK – Reinsurer Everest Re Group Ltd. on Wednesday estimated its preliminary loss relating to the earthquake in Chile at $225 million.
The powerful Feb. 27 quake left at least 497 dead and hundreds missing. Everest Re said its estimates are based on preliminary analyses and client input.
Bermuda-based [..] Read the original article: here.

Haitian quake disproportionately killed educated workers vital to country’s reconstruction

Lost in the ruins: Haiti’s best and brightest

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – They kept the books, had the training and fixed the computers. They were the educated few of Haiti, an up-and-coming generation of nurses, technicians, office managers and college students.
Now they’re gone – just when their struggling country needs them most.
The Jan. 12 earthquake struck just … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Haitian quake disproportionately killed educated workers vital to country’s reconstruction.

5 of 6 killed in Arizona bus crash were California residents; all were Mexican citizens

5 of 6 killed in Ariz. bus crash were Californians

PHOENIX – Authorities say five of the six people killed in an Arizona bus crash were California residents, and all were Mexican citizens.
A medical examiner on Wednesday said two lived in Bakersfield, Calif.: 56-year-old Hermalinda Roman De Hernandez and Margarita Roman DeHaro, age unknown.
Margarita Banuelos was …. Source  : 5 of 6 killed in Arizona bus crash were California residents; all were Mexican citizens.

Federal regulators probe NY Prius crash; driver says accelerator stuck, not seriously hurt

Feds probe Toyota Prius crash in NYC suburb

HARRISON, N.Y. – The crash of a Toyota Prius in New York caught the attention of federal regulators Wednesday after the driver said it accelerated on its own, then lurched down a driveway, across a road and into a stone wall.
The crash heightens the attention surrounding unintended acceleration … Read more : Federal regulators probe NY Prius crash; driver says accelerator stuck, not seriously hurt.

Iran: US is playing ‘double game’ in Afghanistan, fighting militants it once supported

US-Iran tension plays out in Afghanistan
KABUL – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad used a brief visit to Afghanistan on Wednesday to lob insults at the United States and argue that international forces won’t stop terrorism and will only lead to more civilian deaths.

Ahmadinejad said the United States was playing a “double game” in Afghanistan, fighting militants … Read more : Iran: US is playing ‘double game’ in Afghanistan, fighting militants it once supported.

House votes to allow faster tax breaks for donors to Chile quake victims; bill goes to Senate

House votes for faster tax breaks for Chile gifts

WASHINGTON – The House has passed a bill that would allow taxpayers to write off charitable donations to Chile earthquake relief efforts when they file their 2009 taxes this spring.
Under current law, donors would have to wait until next year, when they file their 2010 returns, to …. Read the original article  : here.

Chile’s Bachelet, despite criticism, gets high praise from disaster experts for quake response

Disaster experts praise Chile quake response

SANTIAGO, Chile – President Michelle Bachelet leaves office Thursday with a chunk of her country in ruins – and her popularity in the clouds.
Despite complaints that aid was slow to reach the hungry and homeless, experts say Chile’s response to one of history’s most powerful earthquakes has been a model …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Chile’s Bachelet, despite criticism, gets high praise from disaster experts for quake response.

Russian traffic police force civilians to form highway shield to stop suspect

Russian drivers forced to act as shield
MOSCOW – Russian traffic police are under investigation for ordering civilian motorists to park their cars across a highway – and remain inside – to block a fleeing criminal suspect, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Drivers who were part of Friday’s incident told Russian television that the suspect’s speeding vehicle broke through … Read more >>.

Haitian President Preval thanks US for support, calls for world to act on lessons learned

Haitian President Preval thanks US for support

WASHINGTON – Haitian President Rene Preval (reh-NAY’ preh-VAHL’) has visited the White House to thank President Obama and the American people for all the help his country received after January’s massive earthquake.
Preval expressed appreciation Wednesday, not just for all of the material support provided but for the moral support …. Source article  : Haitian President Preval thanks US for support, calls for world to act on lessons learned.

Obama tells visiting Haitian president US will remain committed to recovery and reconstruction

Obama renews backing of earthquake-stricken Haiti
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Wednesday renewed America’s commitment to the recovery and reconstruction of earthquake-devastated Haiti, telling visiting President Rene Preval he knows the crisis has not passed.
After an Oval Office meeting, Obama stood beside Preval in the White House Rose Garden to …. Source  : Obama tells visiting Haitian president US will remain committed to recovery and reconstruction.

Turkish officials lower quake death toll by 10 to 41, citing inaccurate reports

Turkish officials lower quake death toll to 41

KAYALIK, Turkey – Turkish officials on Wednesday lowered the death toll in this week’s magnitude 6 earthquake from 51 to 41.
A statement issued by the governor’s office in the eastern province of Elazig said erroneous reporting was responsible for the earlier toll in Monday’s temblor.
NTV and Haberturk television … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Turkish officials lower quake death toll by 10 to 41, citing inaccurate reports.

Russian traffic police accused of forcing civilians to form highway shield to stop suspect

Russian drivers allegedly forced to act as shield

MOSCOW – Russian traffic police are under investigation for ordering civilian motorists to park their cars across a highway – and remain inside – to block a fleeing criminal suspect, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Drivers who were part of Friday’s incident told Russian television that the suspect’s speeding vehicle broke … Read more »».

Pakistani officials say suspected US missile strike kills 4 people in the country’s northwest

Pakistan officials: Suspected US missiles kill 4

PARACHINAR, Pakistan – Pakistani officials say suspected U.S. drones have fired missiles at a house and nearby truck in the country’s northwest near the Afghan border, killing at least four people.
Local government official Sabir Khan said Wednesday’s attack occurred in the Mazer Meda Khel area of the North Waziristan …. Original article  : Pakistani officials say suspected US missile strike kills 4 people in the country’s northwest.

Obama to meet with Haiti’s Preval for discussions on rebuilding after quake

Obama hosts Haitin President Preval for talks
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama meets Wednesday with his Haitian counterpart, Rene Preval, who has come to Washington to thank Americans for the massive outpouring of earthquake aid and to outline what still is needed.
Preval saw Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday, on a mission …. Original source  : Obama to meet with Haiti’s Preval for discussions on rebuilding after quake.

Obama to meet with Haiti’s Pr??val for discussions on rebuilding after quake

Obama hosts Haiti’s President Preval for talks
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is hosting his Haitian counterpart, Rene Preval, who wants to thank Americans for the massive outpouring of earthquake aid and outline what still is needed.
Preval saw Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday, on a mission that will prove critical to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Obama to meet with Haiti’s Pr??val for discussions on rebuilding after quake.

NY police probe Toyota Prius crash; driver says accelerator stuck, was not seriously injured

Police probe Toyota Prius crash in NYC suburb

HARRISON, N.Y. – The driver of a Toyota Prius told police in suburban New York that the car accelerated on its own, then lurched down a driveway, across a road and into a stone wall.
The 2005 Prius was driving forward Tuesday down a curving driveway, which is several … Read : NY police probe Toyota Prius crash; driver says accelerator stuck, was not seriously injured.

Gunmen attack US-based Christian aid group in northwest Pakistan, killing 6 people

US aid group attacked in NW Pakistan; 6 dead

ISLAMABAD – Suspected militants armed with assault rifles and a homemade bomb attacked the offices of a U.S.-based Christian aid group helping earthquake survivors in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing six Pakistani employees, police and the organization said.
The attack prompted World Vision, a major international humanitarian group, …. Original source  : Gunmen attack US-based Christian aid group in northwest Pakistan, killing 6 people.

Swiss Re puts total cost to insurance industry of Chile quake at $4-7 billion

Swiss Re puts Chile quake insurance cost at $4-7BN

GENEVA – Swiss Reinsurance Co. said Wednesday that the strong earthquake in Chile last month will cost the insurance industry $4-7 billion, an estimate shared by its Germany-based rival Munich Re AG.
Swiss Re said it is common practice for property owners in Chile to buy earthquake insurance, … Original article on : Swiss Re puts total cost to insurance industry of Chile quake at $4-7 billion.

Repair of Prague’s legendary Charles Bridge sparks complaints renovation work went wrong

Czech repair of famed Charles Bridge faces protest

PRAGUE – Built like a mighty fortress, Charles Bridge has survived floods and fires over the past 650 years. But conservationists are warning that the storied span linking Prague’s two oldest neighborhoods might succumb to a different threat – renovation.
There is no question the bridge, part of a …. Read the original article  : Repair of Prague’s legendary Charles Bridge sparks complaints renovation work went wrong.