Batman Shooting Victims

May they Rest in Peace.

Jonathan T. Blunk, 26

Alexander J. Boik, 18

Jesse E. Childress, 29

Gordon W. Cowden, 51

Jessica N. Ghawi, 24

John T. Larimer, 27

Matthew R. McQuinn, 27

Micayla C. Medek, 23

Veronica Moser-Sullivan, 6

Alex M. Sullivan, 27

Alexander C. Teves, 24

Rebecca Ann Wingo, 32


Hopefully those wounded will have a fast recovery.

LIBOR Scandal

Barclay was fined 290 million pounds with their boss having to resigned.  But it seemed that the case is far from over as 4 other banking giants are under scrutiny.   They are currently being investigated by British financial regulators.   Issue of LIBOR threatened to spill across borders as other nations started their own investigations.   I guess it is another big blow for the banking and financial sectors which are still reeling from the aftermath of the Housing crisis.

500 Dead Penguins

The Brazilian coast had a lot of unusual visitors but it was a pity all were dead - Penguins.   The discovery of such a lot of dead penguins as well as 3000 dolphins had the concerns of the Peruvian government who ordered an investigation.   Well according to researchers, Jul is usually a month where migration takes place for such animals and weak ones may perished and washed up in shore.   But the numbers of 500 or more is extremely high.   However the investigation concluded that the deaths were due to natural circumstances.

Russia and China Pressed to take action on Syria

Russia and China, close friends of the embattered Syrian Regime are being pressured to take action to end the bloody uprising.   The Security Council's actions are being hampered by the veto votes of Russia and China and this had in turn reduced the effectiveness of any measures to end the Civil War.   The current action of the United Nations involves keeping 300 unarmed observers in Syria which is totally ineffective in doing anything at all.   A diplomat has even speculated that Russian refusal to take action is due to the simple fact that it does not have the leverage to do so and am reluctant to admit their weakness.

Syria Takes WMD out of Storage

It was rumored that Syria took our its Weapons of Mass Destruction out of storage and getting them ready for use.    This will be an extremely dangerous situation if it is confirmed.   In fact on Thursday 12 Jul 2012, Syria test fired the Scud D missile which is capable of carrying chemical and nerve weapons.   The Syrian act seemed to be prompt by two issues :

1. Rebels had acquired the capability of roadside bombs capable of crippling the T-72 tanks
2. The government army is losing control of more and more areas 

Scud D missile is a tactical ballastic missile that had a range of 300 km, while not poising an immediate threat to the USA, it will be of danger to the neighboring countries that are pro-USA.    Wondering if the USA will rush Anti Ballistic missiles such as the Patriots to its allies that are neighboring Syria.

War in Iran

Certainly hope that there will not be another war in the Middle East.  The populations are already long suffering.  But looking at the news, it isn't very positive.   Two more USA Aircraft Carriers as well as dozens of mini submarines are heading towards Homuz.   Together with one carrier from France, there are already five carriers in such a narrow stretch of sea!   Unmanned SeaFox submersibles are also despatched to the Straits of Hormuz to clear sea mines should any conflict breaks out.  

Piranha Attacks Man in China

A man was attacked by piranhas when he was washing his dog in the river of Liujiang river, in southern China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.   He managed to shake off the fish, catch it and bring it home alive.   Looking at its shape he thought that it was a promfret until he saw the razor sharp teeth of the piranha.   This raises concerns over such imported pets which can be dumped into major rivers and worse case scenario, thrive in such rivers causing disaster to the waterways.   I advised all not to keep such dangerous fish and if you are keeping do surrender them to the authorities, never never throw the fish into rivers or other water ways.

London Olympics

London being well known as the Fog capital of the World is hoping for a few rays of sunshine when it starts the Olympics.   But said to say weather forecast for a Sunny Olympics seems to be quite bleak.   Forecasters said "below average sunshine" and temperatures are expected during the London 2012 Games which run from July 27 to August 12."   I guess this is not something that the game organizers want to hear.   But anyway weather is only one tiny component of a successful Olympics.  Well organized and well scheduled Olympics with great officials and organizers is what makes a successful Olympics.  Wishing London the Best!   I guess in London, USA and China will be at each others' throat trying to prove to the world who is the undisputed Sporting Power, Economic Power and Military Power all roll into one.   The Olympics is just another of their rivalry.

China Last Emperor

Priceless jewellery belonging to China's last emperor Puyi and his wife Wanrong on loan from China are on display in Taiwan for the first time, a Taiwanese museum said Wednesday.  Unlike his predecessors, Pu Yi the Last Emperor of China did not had an easy time, being overthrown by the Republic, being a puppet of the Japan regime and being a prisoner of Russia.   He was the victim of the times unlike his illustrious forefathers who ruled the entire China and more.