Archive for May, 2010

Top Kill Method Failed

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

Originally, we were supposed to know whether or not the Top Kill Method method worked around noon this past Thursday. Thursday then turned to Friday, and Friday then turned to Saturday. Now we know the results. The top kill method failed.

The next method that BP will try in order to stop the leak is The Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) method. With the LMRP method, a custom-made cap is going to be put over the well. Before this is done, crews have to cut the damaged riser off; something that will take between four and seven days to achieve. That’s a long time considering that there’s going to be four to seven extra days of oil leaked into the ocean.

Frogs Shut Down Highway in Greece

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

About three weeks ago, protests had broke out in Thessalonik, Greece after the government announced that it would cut its budget deficit by $40 billion to secure the international bailout. On that same day, bank workers walked out on their jobs to partake in a 24 hour strike (as a result of three of their colleagues dying after a bank was set on fire by protesters).

In addition, staff even walked out of hospitals. Public transportation and flights were put to a halt as well.

Demonstrators ripped up paving stones, hurling them and Molotov cocktails at buildings and police, who responded with tear gas.

Protesters smashed shops, hotels and car rental stores along their march, burning at least two buildings — the bank and a branch of the Finance Ministry — as well as several vehicles.

Police said Thursday that 41 police were injured in the riots, as were 15 civilians. A total of 70 people were detained.

A senior fire department official said lives could have been saved but demonstrators prevented firefighters from reaching the burning bank.

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Now, this week, they’re getting plagued with FROGS. In search for food, a huge flood of frogs hopped onto a major highway in Thessaloniki, Greece yesterday. (I wonder if the frogs are going through some sort of famine and if so, what’s causing it?) Even a day later (today), the frogs are still at it. In addition, the road is stained with the remains of hundreds of frogs. Gross!

I guess the drivers had places they needed to be at. Be sure to check out the gallery of frogs that are on the road. They’re so tiny.

An economy on the brink. Horrible pollution. And now a “carpet of frogs” to contend with? Greece sure has it tough these days.

On Wednesday, a horde of frogs caused a two-hour closure on one of Greece’s major highways near the city of Thessaloniki. The city’s traffic police chief, Giorgos Thanoglou, told the Associated Press that the “millions” of frogs were probably looking for food. Three accidents resulted, as drivers attempted to dodge the hungry hoppers. The AP writes that no human injuries were reported.

[SOURCE]

Top Kill Method for Oil

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

BP on Wednesday launched its latest bid to plug the gushing well in the Gulf of Mexico by force-feeding it heavy drilling mud, a maneuver known as a “top kill” that has never before been tried 5,000 feet underwater. The oil giant’s chief executive earlier gave the procedure a 60 to 70 percent chance of working, and President Barack Obama cautioned Wednesday there were “no guarantees.” BP spokesman Steve Rinehart said the company will pump mud for hours, and officials have indicated it may be a couple of days before they know whether the procedure is working. The top kill involves pumping enough mud into the gusher to overcome the flow of oil, and engineers plan to follow it up with cement to try to permanently seal the well.

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The top kill method uses mud (a mixture of water and minerals like bentonite clay) and cement to plug in the hole. They should know by late this afternoon as to whether or not the Top Kill Method will work. (They have two other backup plans in case this one doesn’t work.) Lets keep our fingers crossed.

Oil Fears Go International

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Now there’s fears that the oil may not only wash up on American shores, but Cuban shores as well. That means that it will affect Cuba’s fishermen and marine life, just as it has in America.

According to government scientists, between 12,000 and 19,000 barrels of oil per day. Originally, BP claimed it was only 1,000 barrels a day. (Go figure.)

Rioting in Jamaica Put to an End?

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Four days ago, a huge riot broke out in the streets of Kingston, Jamaica after security forces attempted to capture drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke. Today, the riot is finally under control after about 60 people were killed; many of them men under the age of 30.

What started this street battle?
Police attempted to enter the Tivoli Gardens district of Kingston on May 17 to arrest Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who is wanted in the United States on drug and arms trafficking charges. Supporters of Coke opened fire, starting the first of several gun battles, and sealed off Coke’s turf with booby-trapped barricades. The most recent fighting lasted four days, leaving scores of gangsters and civilians dead, along with at least four policemen and soldiers.

Who is Christopher “Dudus” Coke?
According to the U.S. Justice Department, he’s “one of the world’s most dangerous drug barons.” Coke, 41, is suspected of running a drug ring supplying marijuana and crack cocaine to the Caribbean, North America, and the U.K. His gang is known as the Shower Posse because its members are known for using lots of bullets during shootings. The gang has been linked to more than 1,400 murders since the 1980s.

Why does he have so many supporters willing to defend him?

Coke is seen by many in Kingston’s suburbs as a “Robin Hood figure,” says the BBC’s Matthew Price. He has provided food and aid to send children in Kingston slums to school. Many people in these poor neighborhoods refer to him as “president,” and “general,” and say they would happily lay down their lives for him.

Get more answers to what’s going on in Jamaica by going here.