Beware & Protect Yourself 03 (Sep 10 - Dec 14)

[winston]

Sabah issues red tide alert By MUGUNTAN VANAR

KOTA KINABALU: The deadly algae bloom, commonly known as the red tide phenomenon, will peak in the next two months statewide.

Sabah Fisheries Department director Rayner Stuel Galid said that red tide was recorded in November last year and will begin peaking between this month and February before tailing off by June.

“We are conducting daily tests and have found high toxicity in the west coast,” he said, adding that anything above 400 mouse units (MU) was considered dangerous.

Galid advised people to avoid eating oysters, mussels, cockles and any type of clam though other marine products like fish, prawns and crabs were safe for consumption.

Galid said clams, even when cooked, are still poisonous and should be avoided during the red tide season.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?fi ... sec=nation

[winston]

Safety Group Blows Lid on Secret Virus Hidden in GMO Crops

GMO foods are deadly dangerous. They have now found a secret virus called Gene VI is in GMO, it causes mutations in rats.

They get horrid tumors from it. How Monsanto lives with killing people like this is a mystery.

There must be a massive cover-up for this poison to enter the food chain legally.

It’s a shame we can’t get the Mafia in, like in the olden days, to fix things for us.

I imagine Gaia will get Monsanto in the end, but how many humans have to die in the meantime?

Be very careful of GMO corn chips, tasty as they are, French researchers discovered how deadly the cancer causing corn is.

Source www.naturalsociety.com

http://www.stuartwilde.com/2013/02/safe ... gmo-crops/

[winston]

Ex-Feds & Wall Street Execs Are Going Into Hiding-Why? by Dave Hodges

In a December 9, 2012 interview on The Common Sense Show, Jim Marrs discussed how approximately 400-500 top level bankers have left their positions and have gone into seclusion.

DHS and CIA Relocations

It is a matter of official agency policy that some current DHS and CIA officials and their families will be provided safe sanctuary in various strategic locations in Colorado in times of trouble.

Ex-CIA and DHS Relocations

Parallel to the Colorado being prepared to become the new capital, it is highly relevant to note that retired officials from the DHS and the CIA, who are not part of the privileged elite but who know what is coming, have developed their own enclaves in the Rocky Mountains outside of Denver and Colorado Springs.

NSA Relocations

Recently, retired officials from the NSA have relocated to an area in the Ozarks where they have access to underground safety zone which have/are being transformed into mini-villages of self-sustainable protection.

Ex-FEMA Relocations

Recently retired officials from FEMA are relocating to mountainous areas, in North Carolina, approximately one hour from the coast.

http://www.stuartwilde.com/2013/02/elite-in-hiding/

[winston]

These energy-efficient lightbulbs could be destroying your health by Dr. David Eifrig

A recent study from Stony Brook University in New York found CFL bulbs can cause skin cancer. CFLs have a phosphor coating on the inside that uses UV light to produce the bright white light the bulbs emit... without letting any UV rays out.

But researchers found that this coating wears out over time. And in some cases, the coating gets cracked early in the life of the bulb, allowing ultraviolet radiation to escape.

Healthy skin cells experienced damage from the ultraviolet radiation emitted from these government-required CFL bulbs. On the other hand, the old incandescent bulbs caused no adverse effects on healthy cells.

Keeping the bulb behind a glass cover helps lessen the risk from CFLs. But there are safer ways to help save money on your energy bills. We've given Retirement Millionaire readers tips to save money (like using a "smart" surge protector).

The U.S. Department of Energy says replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs (or other energy-efficient lightbulbs) can save you $50 per year because CFLs use less energy and last longer. But the cancer risks of replacing all your old-fashioned light bulbs with CFLs may not be worth the savings.


Source: Retirement Millionaire

[winston]

School uniforms recalled on toxic dye

Students in 21 primary and middle schools in east China's Shanghai were ordered to stop wearing their uniforms on Monday, after a toxic dye was found in the products of a local garment firm.

In a recent quality inspection campaign, aromatic amine dye, which can cause cancer, was detected in one batch of student uniforms produced in July 2012 by the Shanghai Ouxia garment company, said the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision, Xinhua news agency reported.

Six batches of the company's clothes products were substandard, said the city's quality watchdog. The company has been one of a number of producers of school uniforms in Shanghai for five years.

Education authorities in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai said in a statement they have demanded the 21 schools who had purchased uniforms from Ouxia to tell students to stop wearing the clothes, which require quality examinations.

The company, which has stopped production, sold 15,000 school uniforms annually.

It is common for students to wear uniforms in Chinese primary and middle schools.


Source: The Standard HK

[winston]

Shock warning on water heaters by Candy Chan

Homeowners are being warned to take extra care when installing electric water heaters as seven of the 10 models tested by the Consumer Council failed safety checks.

Electric shock, due to improper earthing, was found to be the most common problem, though the council said no injuries were reported.

Three of the 10 models tested, which retailed for between HK$1,190 and HK$3,080, were of the unvented storage type.

Another three were the shower storage type and four were instant water heaters.

"Unvented and instantaneous water heaters can be connected to multiple water outlets - like in bath tubs, washbasins, kitchen sinks and so on," council vice chairman Ambrose Ho Pui-him said.

"Consumers should not install the devices on their own but should instead hire registered electrical contractors or licensed plumbers."

Zanussi, a model made in the mainland, failed to protect against electric shock.

Users could also easily access the heater's internal cable and insulation material through the inlet and outlet pipes.

Three other mainland-made models - Fortress, Geisar and again Zanussi - did not have outlets to drain water safely.

Five other brands, from Zanussi, Kukel, Hibachi, German Pool and the locally made Berlin, had improper earthing.

Also, labeling and other instructions on the heaters were inadequate and failed to meet international standards, the council said.

The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has been asked to follow up.

A department spokesman said that while some devices may not meet international standards, most of the heaters passed the council's basic tests. These heaters could function well and be safe during normal use, the spokesman added.

"Manufacturers have quickly indicated they will not sell the problem models," he said.

German Pool, Hibachi and Kukel said their instruction manuals will be rewritten to international standards.

Vendors will also improve their heaters' wiring to ensure better earthing.

Meanwhile, Fortress, Berlin, Zanussi and Geisar will not sell the problem models.

Their new water heaters will be redesigned to avoid the defects found in the older models.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_deta ... 30219&fc=2

[winston]

Nestle Singapore recalls Kit Kat bars after plastic found

SINGAPORE: Nestle Singapore said it has initiated a recall of its Kit Kat Chunky Peanut Butter bar here in Singapore, after consumers in the United Kingdom reported finding a piece of plastic in the product.

Source: Channel News Asia

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/ ... 91/1/.html

[winston]

How to protect yourself against pickpockets

Tourists in Paris are reminded to be on guard against increasingly brazen and aggressive pickpockets after staff at the Louvre walked out Wednesday to protest against violent working conditions.

Saying they’re fed up with dealing with gangs of thugs and being spat at, insulted, threatened and even struck, 200 workers at one of the most famous museums in the world -- it receives about 10 million visits a year -- staged a walkout, disappointing a long line of tourists. The museum reopened Thursday with increased police presence, but tourists visiting crowded places should remain vigilant.

In the center of Paris, thieves often work in groups of up to 30, and include children from eastern Europe.

It’s the latest event to tarnish the city’s reputation in the eyes of the world. In March, a group of Chinese tourists were targeted by a gang of pickpockets, an attack that made headlines around the world.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in France offers visitors a host of tips and suggestions on how to avoid being the victim of a predatory pickpockets -- tips which can also be applied to travel around the world.

Here are a few highlights:

Keep only what is essential in your wallet. For example, one credit card, one piece of ID, and no more than €50. Make copies of your passport, and other ID cards.

Women are advised to carry bags with a zipper enclosure, and to carry it tightly under their arm, slightly in front of them.

Swing your backpack around so that it’s slightly in front of you. Men can protect themselves by placing a rubber band around their wallet and putting it in their front pocket, a detail that will make it difficult for thieves to extract the wallet smoothly.

Be extra vigilant around major tourist sites like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Champs-Elysées. Metros are also major target areas.

If you are pickpocketed, start yelling for police immediately. The embassy advises against chasing down the perpetrators as the wallet has most likely already been handed off to someone else within the group.

If there are no security guards or police around, go to the local police station (commissariat) and file a complaint.

Know what you’re up against:

The most popular tactic on the metro is the “crush and grab.” You will be swarmed by several people and in the chaos, as you’re being pushed, you will be pickpocketed.

Another tip: try to avoid sitting or standing right by the doors. Because another trick they use it so grab the purse or smartphone just as the train doors open and dashing away. Wherever you end up in the train, try to minimize access to your pockets and purses.

The age-old distraction method involves the pretext of asking for directions, or attempts to sell you trinkets. During the distraction, someone will try to pick your pockets.

Another rather unpleasant technique: Someone will throw or spill something on you like water or ice cream. You will be approached by people who feign to help you, and in the chaos, you will be pickpocketed.

ATM scams:

- If the machine eats your card, go into the bank immediately as it’s most likely the machine's been tampered with. Use only ATMs from major banks. Refrain from talking to anyone during the transaction, as it’s likely part of an attempt to scam you.

As always, cover your hand as your enter your pin code.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/protect-yourse ... 54205.html

[iam802]

Explosions hit Boston Marathon

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22160691

Two people have been killed and dozens more injured in two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, police say.

TV footage showed bloodied runners and spectators being treated at the scene and the road strewn with debris.

Boston police said a third incident occurred at the city's JFK Library and was under investigation.

In a TV address, President Barack Obama said those responsible would feel the "full weight of justice".

"We don't yet have all the answers," he said. "We still do not know who did this or why."

President Obama said he had called Boston Mayor Tom Menino and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to offer federal assistance.

He said the government would increase security around the US "as necessary'' but did not say whether the White House thought the incident was part of a larger plot.

Mr Obama stopped short of calling the incident an act of terrorism.

The BBC's North America editor Mark Mardell says perhaps this was merely caution, although given that the president will face criticism for not using that word, it is certainly deliberate and may be significant.

Boston's police commissioner has urged people in the city to stay indoors, and not congregate in large groups.

The city mayor's office has set up an emergency hotline for friends and relatives on +1 617 635 4500.

A spokeswoman for Massachusetts General Hospital in the city told Reuters news agency that it was treating 19 victims of the explosions in its emergency room, but information about their condition was not immediately available.

The Federal Aviation Administration has created a no-fly zone over the area, while security at key sites in Washington DC and New York has been tightened.

Vice President Joe Biden - breaking off from a telephone conference call on gun control - said: "Our prayers are with those people in Boston who have suffered injury."

State police officer Roupen Bastajian had just finished the race when he heard the blasts.
"I started running toward the blast and there were people all over the floor," he said.

"We started grabbing tourniquets and started tying legs. At least 25 to 30 people have at least one leg missing, or an ankle missing, or two legs missing."

The first explosion came at about 14:50 local time (18:50 GMT), approximately two hours after the winners crossed the line.

There was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street just before the finish line sending some runners tumbling to the pavement while others were knocked down by those rushing to the scene.

Another loud explosion occurred a few seconds later, and smoke rose from the scene of the blasts.

Bloodied victims were initially rushed to a medical tent set up to care for fatigued runners.

Emergency services descended on the scene, which was quickly locked down.

Stragglers heading for the finish line were rerouted away from the smoking site of the blasts.

Mike Mitchell of Vancouver, Canada, a runner who had finished the race, said he was looking back at the finish line when he saw a "massive explosion."

Smoke rose 50ft (15m) in the air, he told Reuters news agency, and people began running away and screaming after hearing the noise. "Everybody freaked out," he said.

A fire then broke out at the John F Kennedy presidential library a few miles away from the finish line.

Police said it may have been caused by an incendiary device but did not appear to be related to the bombings.

The annual Boston Marathon this year had a field of about 23,000 runners and was watched by hundreds of thousands of spectators.

It is held on Patriots Day, a Massachusetts state holiday which commemorates the first battles of the American Revolution in 1775.

British police are reviewing security plans for Sunday's London Marathon, the next major international marathon, following events in Boston.

[winston]

Hearst Exec Out After Sexting With Stripper by Megan Willett

Scott Sassa, President of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication, was asked to resign after texts surfaced between him and an LA stripper, sources told The New York Post today.

Sassa reportedly met the woman in Los Angeles back in December. The pair began a sexting relationship, and she sent Sassa explicit photographs, the Post reported.

Then it all went wrong.

http://www.businessinsider.com/hearst-p ... ing-2013-3