NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS

nancyk58 · January 12, 2011

News on 12.1.11 in relation to natural disasters

News on 12.1.11 in relation to natural disasters

Today I will report news about natural disasters occurring in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Mozambizue, Germany, Haiti and Australia.

Coldplaying.com are blessed with several Australian coldplayers - and several of them are posting in the new Australian thread. So also news there in relation to the situation in Queensland and the rest of Australia.

But I start with the more overlooked disasters:

BRAZIL: MASSIVE FLOODS AND MUDSLIDES IN SOUTH-EASTERN BRAZIL AFTER CLOUDBURSTS. UP TO 240 VICTIMS according to GloboNews

(mentioned on Danish DR1, Swedish SVT, German ZDFtext)

BRAZIL HAS BEEN HIT BY UNUSUALLY HEAVY, TORRENTIAL RAIN THIS SUMMER (it's summer in the southern hemisphere).

A cold front has doupled the amount of rain causing mountain sides to fall down on houses further down the mountain side.

Massive floods and mudslides hit a mountainous area near the Brazilian mega-city RIO de Janeiro. This week at least 44 have died.

Worst hit is the town of TERESPOLIS about 10 miles from RIO de Janeiro. 122 died there (upgraded from 70 deaths), and 500 were made homeless. Bridges and roads are under water. Electricity and telecommunication is down.

In neighbouring PETROPOLIS 18 died. According to GloboNews the death toll there could rise to 40.

Earlier authorities and media mentioned a total of about 170 deaths in south-eastern Brazil.

Earlier it was reported, that more than 80 are confirmed dead in the RIO area including some firefighters in action.

In the town / city of Nova Friburgo alone situated 140 km north of RIO de Janeiro, 97 deaths have been recorded.

On Monday and Tuesday 13 were found dead in SAO PAOLO. Houses there collapsed due to landslides.

SRI LANKA: FLOODS HITTING SRI LANKA KILLING AT LEAST 18 (Swedish SVT)

Up to 1 million were made homeless due to massive floods in Sri Lanka.

Worst hit are the central and eastern parts of Sri Lanka after UNUSUALLY HEAVY MONSOON RAIN.

The army is in action to reach towns cut off by the floods.

The weather has forced President Mahinda Rajapaksa to cancel her planned trip to the affected areas.

MOZAMBIQUE: Massive floods are feared after heavy rain. More than 100 houses have been destroyed, and 10 have died. (Swedish SVT)

GERMANY: FLOOD IN GERMANY (ZDFtext)

New water masses by river MAIN. The high water of MAIN flooded the historic parts of Wertheim - the water level was higher than expected. Depression "Dieter" carries continuous rain until Friday. The rest of the snow in the mountains is going to melt and this will make the rivers RHINE and MOSEL swell.

In the East of Germany the flood situation is problematic by Saale in Halle and Black Elster. The situation remains critical by river ODER in BRANDENBURG.

HAITI: US president OBAMA appeals to the world community to live up to its aid pledges (German ZDFtext)

Haiti's death toll has risen to 316,000. (Danish DR1)

The death toll after the devastating earthquake in HAITI one year ago has been upgraded from 250,000 to 316,000. Haiti's Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said this at a press conference held in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince by Haiti's temporary Reconstruction Commission chaired by former US president Bill Clinton and himself.

Swedish SVT: Thousands of white-clad Haitians participated in the central memorial service in the ruins of Port-au-Prince's cathedral for the 316,000 earthquake victims. UN envoy Bill Clinton and the Haitian hiphop star Wyclef Jean were present. Businesses, schools and authorities were closed today. The ceremonies culminated in one minute of silence at 16:53 local time (22:53 central European time), i.e. the time of the devastating magnitude 7.0 earthquake one year ago, i.e. on 12 January, 2010.

TV2, News / live: Today, the Secretary-General of Danish Red Cross, Ladekarl, criticized the UNITED NATIONS because of the lack of progress in Haiti since the earthquake one year ago. 1 million Haitians are still living in makeshift tents. Ladekarl fears that 800,000 Haitians will have to live their lives in makeshift camps if the WORLD COMMUNITY does not intervene. He also blames the BUREAUCRACY - Danish Red Cross has got several ambulances, but these cannot be used without number plates (license plates), and that takes a lot of time! Then there is the POWER STRUGGLE between the presidential candidates after suspicion of election fraud.

The UN and the aid agencies are cooperating with the government. This is a problem as the government is corrupt.

Bill Clinton said that only 60% of the pledged aid arrived in 2010.

Reconstruction is stagnant and a failure.

HAITI will be depending on emergency aid for many years.

AUSTRALIA: BRISBANE CITY IS FLOODED (all the media).

The Brisbane river overflowed its banks.

ZDFtext: Muddy, brown river water flooded Queensland's capital, BRISBANE (Australia's third largest city with 2 million inhabitants).

It was reported that Brisbane's suburbs and later also central Brisbane were flooded.

These are Brisbane's worst floods for more than 30 years.

Swedish SVT (evening): UP TO 100,000 were forced to leave their homes as water masses reached BRISBANE. 2 evacuation centres were established.

According to reports, at least 12 died in the BRISBANE area due to the water masses.

Tonight the police in Brisbane said that the water level of Brisbane river had culminated at a level more than 1m below the feared level.

At least 20 died in floods hitting Queensland, and at least 40 people are missing.

Danish TV2, news (live) and Swedish SVT:

The natural disaster has been caused by several weeks of torrential rain.

22 dead (SVT + DR1: 12 dead in Brisbane alone)

67 missing (DR1: 90 missing)

75% of BRISBANE declared natural disaster area / zone.

Brisbane harbour / port was closed.

Earlier it was reported that the water level was rising by 1m per hour.

nancyk58 · January 14, 2011

News on 13.1.11 in relation to natural disasters

Swedish SVT: AT LEAST 40 DEAD AFTER FLOODS AND MUDSLIDES FOLLOWING 2 WEEKS OF HEAVY RAIN IN THE PHILIPPINES

Floods and mudslides caused by more than 2 weeks of cloudbursts in central and southern parts of the Philippines killed more than 40 people.

400,000 were forced to flee. Substantial material damage.

About ONE THIRD of the PROVINCES were AFFECTED. But luckily, the vast rice and corn / maize-producing areas in the northern and western parts of the Philippines have been spared.

Danish DR1 + Swedish SVT + German ZDFtext:

BRAZIL: THE BAD WEATHER COST AT LEAST 350 HUMAN LIVES = UP T0 400 HUMAN LIVES

According to Brazilian authorities 348 were killed, and at least 50 were missing.

Jorge Mario, who is the Mayor of hard-hit TERESOPOLIS said that 152 were killed in Teresopolis. Around 50 people are missing.

The mortuary are full. Dead bodies are placed in the streets and covered by sheets.

Communication with the area is difficult as roads and bridges have been destroyed. The telecommunication is down in some areas.

Most victims died in the SERRANA area near RIO de Janeiro.

Floods and mudslides ravaged several towns and villages in the mountains around RIO de Janeiro.

Many families were buried while sleeping.

The rain falling on Wednesday equalled the amount of rain normally falling in one month.

The death toll is expected to rise when rescuers reach the isolated areas.

Danish text-TV, Swedish SVT and German ZDFtext:

THE WATER LEVEL HAS PEAKED IN AUSTRALIA

The massive floods in Australia's third-largest city BRISBANE peaked yesterday evening central European time without reaching the expected level according to Australian police. The water level of the BRISBANE river was measured at 4.45m above normal level which is 1m below the disaster level.

The floods cost at least 18 human lives, and 78 are still missing (SVT).

Economists believe that the costs of rebuilding Queensland will amount to 6 billion Australian dollars.

30,000 houses and businesses are destroyed. 12,000 houses are destroyed in Brisbane.

100,000 were forced to leave their homes.

100,000 households are without power / electricity.

Brisbane is thinking of rebuilding, and mayor Campbell Newmann encouraged the inhabitants to take part in the rebuilding as part of clean-up teams.

According to Swedish text-TV on SVT, the first death in Brisbane has been confirmed.

At least two thirds of Queensland are affected by the disaster.

Even the neighbouring state of NEW SOUTH WALES is hard hit. Roads, bridges, railways and other infrastructure are destroyed or damaged.

Worst damaged are TOWOOMBA and the Lockyerdal area west of Brisbane. The whole community there is washed away.

The important coal industry has been paralyzed.

The authorities warn against MORE RAIN and FLOODS in coming weeks!

Danish TV2 News: MAGNITUDE 7.3 EARTHQUAKE SHOOK SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS

An earthquake measured at magnitude 7.3 on the Richter scale shook an area off the Loyality Islands (part of New Caledonia) in the pacific. The quake occurred in the night between Thursday and Friday at 3:15am local time (or at 4.15pm Central European Time) at a depth of 7.2km - 125km north-east of Tadina on the Loyality Islands in the area by New Caledonia.

No tsunami alert was issued after the quake. No reports of casualties or material damage.

Swedish SVT: SRI LANKA: 1,066,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES

250,000 have fled to refugee camps whereas the rest of them are staying with families and friends.

German ZDFtext: GERMANY: WATER LEVEL RISING DUE TO RAIN FOR SEVERAL HOURS - FRANKFURT AM MAIN IS THREATENED

Affected areas: Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Pfalz and Hessen.

The flood from river MAIN threatens the city centre of Frankfurt. The water level is 4.77m and alert 3 has been issued. Protective walls have been established and are designed to withstand a flood up to 5m. According to experts river MAIN will reach this level.

German ZDFtext: GERMANY: A TANKER LOADED WITH 2,400 TON OF SULPHURIC ACID CAPSIZED ON THE RHINE NEAR WIESBADEN AND THE FAMOUR LORELEY ROCK

2 members of the crew were rescued, whereas 2 are missing.

According to the police in Koblenz no acid is running out into the river.

All ship traffic has been disrupted (at least for some hours).

German ZDFtext: ETNA - AN ITALIAN VOLCANO - ON SICILY ERUPTED FOR 2 HOURS

This occurred in the night between Wednesday and Thursday. There was a small stream of lava and a small ash cloud. No one was injured.

Etna is Europe's most active volcano. Its last major eruption occurred in 1992.

nancyk58 · January 14, 2011

NEWS ON 14.1.11 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS

Swedish SVT, German ZDFtext and Danish TV2 News: BRAZIL

THE FLOODS AND MUDSLIDES ARE BRAZIL's WORST NATURAL DISASTER EVER

THE DEATH TOLL HAS PASSED 500 - ACCORDING TO BRAZILIAN AUTHORITIES AT LEAST 520 HAVE DIED (German ZDFtext)

Worst hit areas: Nova Friburgo with more than 200 deaths and the mountainous area north of RIO de Janeiro.

Entire quarters were washed away by rivers of mud and rocks / rubble.

The rescuers have not yet been able to reach all the affected villages and towns.

More than 13,000 are homeless.

More rain is forecast for the coming days.

520 have died due to the mudslides = worst ever recorded disaster in Brazil.

In 1967 the seaside town of Caraguata was hit by mudslides killing 436 people.

Last year saw 473 rain-related deaths.

Swedish SVT: 27 DEATHS IN SRI LANKA DISASTER

27 have died in the FLOODS and MUDSLIDES that hit Sri Lanka in the past few weeks.

More than 1 million people were forced to flee the area. A long period of heavy monsoon rain triggered the disaster.

The water levels have started to fall. An increasing number of people are arriving at the state-run emergency camp - according to a spokesperson for the government.

More than 300,000 people are now in the camps.

Swedish SVT and German ZDFtext: AUSTRALIA FLOODS

STINKING MUD COVERING QUEENSLAND

The water has started to recede in the flood-hit Queensland leaving thick, stinking, knee-deep mud. In many streets in BRISBANE the mud is knee-deep.

Large parts of the infrastructure and the coal mines have been paralyzed.

It may take 6 months to pump away all the water. Parts of Queensland remain isolated.

At least 16 died, and 50 are missing.

Prognoses forecast more rain in the coming months.

Danish TV2, news showed some pictures of a quarter covered with mud. House owners had started cleaning up and people were helping each other.

German ZDFtext: GERMANY: WATER LEVELS RISING IN MANY AREAS

Due to warmer weather and continuous rain the water levels in river and brooks are rising. Affected areas are Bavaria (Bayern), Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), North-Rhine Westfalia and Saxony (Sachsen).

The situation is less tense / better in Hessen and northern Baden-Württemberg.

More rain is forecast by the German weather service in the West and in the South. Thousands are in action reinforcing the flood banks with sandbags.

CNN mentioned that 2011 has been a very wet year with many floods - mentioned were SRI LANKA where 27 died and 1 million are affected AND the Phillippines where it has rained since New Year's Day. 1.2 million affected.

nancyk58 · January 15, 2011

Australia's floods a glimpse of warmer future

STOCKHOLM—Though you can't make a direct link between Australia's killer floods and climate change, they do hold a warning for the future: Scientists predict such extreme weather events will increase both in intensity and frequency as the planet warms.

Raging floodwaters have swamped thousands of homes and businesses in Queensland, leaving at least 25 people dead and dozens more missing since late November. Rail lines and highways have been washed away in what is shaping up to become Australia's costliest natural disaster.

The flooding follows a spate of severe natural disasters in the past year. While the most deadly was Haiti's earthquake, extreme weather also killed thousands of people across the globe, including a scorching heat wave that choked Russia in the summer and devastating floods that engulfed more than 60,000 square miles (150,000 square kilometers) in Pakistan.

"The Earth is delivering a message to us. And the message is that more extreme weather is becoming the norm rather than the exception," said John Magrath, a climate change researcher at British charity Oxfam.

He said there is a misconception that global warming only means higher temperatures. "It actually means more energy in the climatic system, which stimulates extremes and more chaotic behavior," Magrath said.

Droughts and floods are expected to become more severe as global temperatures climb. Less clear is the impact on wind patterns and ocean currents, factors that could alter climate in potentially dramatic ways not fully understood yet.

Last year tied with 2005 as the warmest on record, with combined global land and ocean surface temperatures rising 1.12 degrees Fahrenheit (0.62 degrees Celsius) above normal, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Wednesday.

In the U.S., it was the 23rd warmest year on record and the 14th year in a row with an annual temperature above the long-term average, according to NOAA's preliminary analysis.

Meanwhile, the extent of Arctic sea ice in the summer -- a key indicator of global warming -- was at its third lowest level, behind 2007 and 2008.

Most atmospheric scientists attribute most of the warming seen in recent decades to gases released into the air by industrial processes and gasoline-burning engines.

Australia's floods, which started in late November, have been linked to the La Nina weather phenomenon, which refers to cooler than normal surface sea temperatures in parts of the Pacific, causing disruptions in weather patterns. La Nina occurs naturally, and the link to climate change remains unclear, said Omar Baddour of the World Meteorological Organization.

"But as we know, extreme events whether their cause is due to La Nina or El Nino or other factors, will be more intense in the era of climate change," he added.

Reinsurer Munich Re counted nearly 1,000 natural disasters in 2010 -- nine-tenths of them weather-related -- the second highest number since 1980. The resulting economic losses totaled $130 billion, the German company said earlier this month.

"The high number of weather-related natural catastrophes and record temperatures both globally and in different regions of the world provide further indications of advancing climate change," Munich Re said.

Scientists caution against drawing conclusions about climate change from a single storm, flood, cold snap or heat wave. Natural variability is and will always be a factor when it comes to extreme weather.

Still, single events can be useful in highlighting shortcomings in our preparedness for a warmer world more prone to extremes, said Markku Rummukainen, a climate scientist at Lund University in Sweden.

"For example, that Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans does not have to have anything to do with climate change, but it revealed vulnerabilities that hadn't been considered," said Rummukainen, who is also involved in drafting the next report by the U.N.'s expert panel on climate change. "It remains to be seen what conclusions can be drawn in Australia."

nancyk58 · January 15, 2011

News article in relation to Australia + the Great Barrier Reef on 15.1.11

Great Barrier Reef Threatened By Australian Flood Waters

posted by: Beth Buczynski

http://www.care2.com/causes/environment/blog/australian-floodwaters-threaten-barrier-reef/

As flood waters start to recede from the streets of Queensland, Brisbane and other cities hit hard by the weeks of relentless rain, experts are saying that the Great Barrier Reef--the world's largest natural reef system--could be in danger.

Plumes of dirty, fresh water from the Burdekin, Fitzroy and Burnett rivers are flowing into the ocean off the coast of Queensland, carrying with it a toxic mix of nutrients, sediment and pesticides from agricultural run-off as well as unknown amounts of trace metals from flooded mines that could be lethal to the living organisms that make up the reef.

According to NewScientist, the inundation of silt introduced by the fresh water threatens to clog the delicate coral reef, while the drop in salinity may also be problematic for the stenohaline organisms.

The AP reports that weeks of relentless rains and flooding across Australia's northeast have already resulted in the deaths of 26 people, and an additional 20 people are still missing.

For years extreme drought conditions have threatened both the people and wildlife of Australia, but recent torrential downpours caused flooding to reach over 14 feet in some urban areas.

CNN.com reports that currently the biggest plumes of fresh water reach about 200 kilometers (124 miles) north from the mouths of the Fitzroy and Burnett Rivers, and stretch around 70 kilometers (43 miles) off the coast.

"These are extraordinary events. The whole of the inner-shore reef lagoon filled with river water," Jon Brodie, Principle Researcher for the James Cook University's Australian Center for Tropical Freshwater Research told CNN.

As for the cause of the sudden flooding? Brodie with other experts about what triggered the heavy rain: "It was predicted. It certainly fits the pattern of severe weather events from climate change modeling."

nancyk58 · January 15, 2011

News on 15.1.11 in relation to natural disasters

Swedish SVT: FLOODS IN SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA

15.1.11 The floods have culminated in Queensland. In BRISBANE, ten thousands of voluntaries are cleaning up after the high water levels in the last couple of weeks.

Thousands are now leaving communities further South, and the number of fleeing is rising fast.

29 communities are threatened by the water masses.

In the state of VICTORIA at least 2,000 have been forced to leave their homes.

Danish TV2, news has a reporter in GRANTHAM, Australia - one of the worst-hit towns. It looks like a WARZONE or like it had been hit by an EARTHQUAKE.

More than 70% of Queensland has been declared in a state of emergency.

Also interesting article in relation to the flood in Australia and the Great Barrier Reef in the previous post.

German ZDFtext (in the evening C.E.T.): 22,000 VOLUNTARIES ASSISTING IN CLEANING UP AFTER THE FLOOD DISASTER IN BRISBANE - SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA NOW HIT

With their feet in mud, 22,000 voluntaries have assisted the flood victims in Queensland's capital, BRISBANE in connection with cleaning up. The helpers are - with difficulty - fighting their way through the mountains of rubble / debris blocking the streets of Brisbane since the flood.

The floods destroyed or damaged 17,000 houses and 3,000 businesses in Brisbane. 30,000 households are without power / electricity.

In Queensland a total of 16 people have died. Damage amounts to billions of Australian dollar.

2,500 people are now in emergency shelters in southern Australia.

BRAZIL:

Danish text-TV and German ZDFtext: DEATH TOLL IN BRAZIL RISEN TO AT LEAST 540

The number of deaths after the worst flood disaster in Brazil since 1967 rose Friday 14.1.11 to at least 540 after that rescue teams had found several dead bodies in the mud and in flooded houses in the mountainous area surrounding RIO de Janeiro.

"Personally, I expect at least 100 more people to have died", said Fernando Suarez, head of the health authorities in RIO de Janeiro.

Earlier this week, several small towns north of RIO de Janeiro were hit by enormous cloudbursts resulting in enormous floods and mudslides.

German ZDF visited one of the worst-hit towns, TERESOPOLIS and spoke to some of the people there. They were convinced that they would not receive any help - the funds granted would end up in the pockets of some officials.

There were pictures of TERESOPOLIS. There were some enormous rocks - probably weighing more than a ton - lying in the middle of the streets.

German ZDFtext (evening): WEEK OF MOURNING IN BRAZILIAN STATE OF RIO DE JANEIRO

Today - Saturday 15.1.11 - the Brazilian state of RIO de Janeiro declared one week of mourning for the 555 who died last Wednesday in devastating mudslides. The official period of mourning will start on Monday 17.1.11 according to a decree by governor Sergio Cabral.

According to the latest estimates, 14,000 became homeless following the mudslide.

3 days after the disaster, one of the worst hit towns - Nova Friburgo - with 249 deaths is without electricity, drinking water, food and medicine.

The PHILIPPINES

Danish DR1 and TV2 news: FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES FOLLOWING WEEKS OF HEAVY RAIN IN THE PHILIPPINES COST 47 HUMAN LIVES

More than 2 weeks of heavy rain cost at least 47 human lives during floods and landslides according to the country's government. The water masses triggered the FLOODS and ENORMOUS MUDSLIDES.

The HEAVY MONSOON RAIN has fallen in parts of the country since 29.12.10, and meteorologists warn of MORE HEAVY RAIN.

The enormous amount of rain is triggered by cold air from the north-eastern Asia hitting the tropical air over the Philippines.

This happens at a time when, from many countries such as i.a. Australia and Brazil, there are reports of unusual amounts of rain and several thousand deaths.

German ZDFtext: 500,000 HOMELESS IN SRI LANKA AFTER HEAVY MONSOON RAIN THAT COST MORE THAN 40 HUMAN LIVES

The heavy monsoon rain cost more than 40 human lives, and ½ million people are living in emergency shelters.

The UNITED NATIONS appealed to the international community to send aid. Urgently needed: Mosquito nets, clean water and food / provisions.

German ZDFtext: GERMANY: RELIEF IN REGENSBURG / SITUATION TENSE = SERIOUS IN SAXONY

The peak of the flood is expected around 8pm central European time by a level of 6.30m. The peak is thus slightly lower than during the floods in 1998 and 2002.

In PASSAU, Donau's water level fell to 8.40m, but the water level is expected to rise by 30cm on Sunday.

The water level on the ELBE has stagnated, but is expected to rise again.

Flood alarm level 3 has been declared for Riesa, DRESDEN and Schöna.

The water levels of Saale and Werra are rising in THÜRINGEN.

The city of WERTHEIM in BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG must prepare for the worst MAIN flood for 7 years. According to prognoses the peak of the flood could reach 6m on Monday.

nancyk58 · January 16, 2011

News on 16.1.11 in relation to natural disasters

News on 16.1.11 in relation to natural disasters

German ZDF, Swedish SVT and Danish text-TV: MORE THAN 40 TOWNS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA FLOODED

The situation in NORTHERN AUSTRALIA is clearly less tense / serious after the floods that cost at least 17 human lives. The death toll is rising.

In BRISBANE the water masses have left enormous devastation and destruction. At least 30,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed by the water masses. The clean-up operation is ongoing, and more than 12,000 voluntaries participate in the clean-up operation.

In BRISBANE alone, the clean-up and reconstruction/rebuilding is expected to take up to 2 years.

The port/harbour can be used again.

This week-end the rivers in the SOUTHERN state of VICTORIA have overflowed their banks. People are fighting the water in some places, whereas they have had to give up in other places. The army tried to protect houses using sandbags. Several thousands have been evacuated.

In SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA, more than 40 towns are affected by massive floods. 14,000 communities in the state of VICTORIA are now flooded. Thousands have fled on their own or have been evacuated.

BRAZIL:

Swedish SVT + German ZDFtext + Danish DR1 + TV2 News: 3 DAYS OF MOURNING IN BRAZIL

Brazil's new President Dilma Rousseff has declared 3 days of mourning after the worst floods ever in Brazil. In the capital the inhabitants will mourn next week.

Early Wednesday morning (12.1.11) torrential downpours in Rio de Janeiro's mountainous area triggered landslides.

More than 610 died in the water masses and in the devastating mudslides near Brazil's second largest city, RIO de Janeiro.

Worst hits are the towns of TERESOPOLIS, NOVA FRIBURGO + PETROPOLIS. 274 died in NOVA FRIBURGO alone.

Rescuers in the disaster area north of RIO are overwhelmed by the hundreds of dead bodies. Many victims are still feared buried under the mud.

Many survivors are facing serious problems. The lack or shortage of clean drinking water, food and medicine.

Destroyed roads make it difficult to get the emergency supplies through to the affected people.

German ZDFtext: 500,000 HOMELESS IN SRI LANKA DUE TO FLOOD DISASTER

Also the population in SRI LANKA is affected by a FLOOD DISASTER. The HEAVY MONSOON RAIN cost more than 40 human lives.

500,000 live in emergency shelters.

The UNITED NATIONS have appealed to international community for help.

German ZDFtext: GERMAN FLOOD SITUATION

KOBLENZ IS RELIEVED / THE ALERT IS STILL IN FORCE IN FRANKFURT / tHE ELBE SITUATION REMAINS CRITICAL

The RHINE - MOSEL town of KOBLENZ is relieved. The peak on the RHINE was lower than expected. The flood peaked during the night by 7.30m. To relieve the pressure on the valley surrounding the middle section / stretch of river RHINE the marshland Ingelheim - which was finished in 2006 - was flooded.

They are also relieved in THÜRINGEN where the water level on Werra is falling.

REGENSBURG by DONAU was lucky enough to avoid a flood disaster with a water level of 6.29m - now the water level is falling.

Also in the 3-river-town of PASSAU the flood was noticeably falling.

The flood situation by MAIN is critical from Bamberg. The water is slowly flowing down the MAIN towards Würzburg and later Hessen. Therefore, the current alert level remains in force in FRANKFURT. The town of WERTHEIM in BADEN-Württemberg must prepare for a water level of about 6m!

The ELBE situation remains critical. The town of Pirna in SACHSEN is threatened by floods. Maybe the alarm level 4 will be issued during Sunday in Schöna.

nancyk58 · January 16, 2011

Late news on SUNDAY, 16.1.11 - post II SUNDAY

Late news in relation to natural disasters on SUNDAY 16.1.11, post II SUNDAY

News feature from Danish DR1 at 21:10 central European time:

There was something about HAITI which could partly explain the state of affairs in HAITI.

In 1985 HAITI wanted a foreign loan - and to get it, the people in power supported imports of US rice.

The price of MIAMI rice was and is much cheaper than rice produced in Haiti (200 vs. 500 - not sure of the currency).

The poor population had no other choice than to buy and eat the cheap MIAMI rice even though the Haitian rice was better - but also clearly the most expensive.

This meant bad times for Haiti's rice production and Haiti's farmers who became even poorer.

Bill Clinton has said that he was sorry for his country's conduct. He admitted that his administration's policy benefitted US farmers and NOT Haiti's population.

The prices for food are very high in HAITI so many Haitians have to go to bed hungry. Sometimes the adults try to give the hungry, crying children salt water in the hope that they will fall asleep.

BRAZIL:

Brazil's death toll is currently 610 and counting. There is a growing risk of infections. The health authorities warn the population in the affected mountain region SERRANA against contact with unclean / polluted water. Some people have now been vaccinated against tetanus and diphtheria.

AUSTRALIAN FLOOD: SHARKS IN THE MAIN STREET - CROCODILE IN THE GARDEN

After the gigantic flood, sharks have been seen in the main street of the Australian Goodna 30 km from the coast.

In a ROCKHAMPTON suburb, fire fighters saw a 2m long crocodile in a garden.

The devastating floods have moved many animals out of their natural environment.

The flood is carrying so many poisonous snakes that the Australian health authorities have provided extra rations orf antidote for safety's sake.

nancyk58 · January 17, 2011

Surprising and latest news in relation to HAITI

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-11943820

17 January 2011 Last updated at 01:46 GMT

'Baby Doc' Duvalier returns to Haiti from exile

The former president of Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier, has returned to the country, 25 years after he was overthrown by a popular revolt.

Mr Duvalier, 59 - also known as "Baby Doc" - arrived on a flight from France, where he has been living in exile.

He said he had come back "to help the people of Haiti" following last year's devastating earthquake.

His return comes at a time of political uncertainty over disputed presidential elections.

Wearing a dark suit and tie, Mr Duvalier was greeted by a small group of supporters when he stepped off an Air France flight at Port-au-Prince airport.

Jean-Claude Duvalier was just 19 when he inherited the title of "president-for-life" from his father, the notorious Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, who had ruled Haiti since 1957.

He is accused of massive corruption, repression and human rights abuses during his 1971-1986 rule.

Critics allege he embezzled millions of dollars from the impoverished Caribbean nation, a charge he denies.

Voodoo cult

Like his father, he relied on a brutal private militia known as the "Tontons Macoutes," which controlled Haiti through violence and intimidation.

"Papa Doc" reinforced his power with a fearsome personality cult based on Haiti's traditional voodoo religion, but "Baby Doc" was regarded as more of a playboy.

In 1986 he was forced to flee into exile by a popular uprising, as well as diplomatic pressure from the US.

Since then, he has lived in France, although he was never granted formal political asylum.

In a radio interview in 2007, he asked the Haitian people for forgiveness for "errors" made during his rule.

A small group of Duvalier loyalists have been campaigning to bring him home from exile.

His return to Haiti came on the day the country was supposed to hold the second round of elections to choose a successor to outgoing president Rene Preval.

But the vote has been postponed because of a dispute over which candidates should be on the ballot paper.

Provisional results of the 28 November first round provoked violent demonstrations when they were announced in December, and most observers said there was widespread fraud and intimidation.

Haiti is also struggling to recover from a the massive earthquake a year ago which killed more than 250,000 people and left the capital, Port-au-Prince, in ruins.

nancyk58 · January 18, 2011

NEWS ON 17.1.11 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS

http://motherjones.com/rights-stuff/2011/01/baby-doc-duvalier-haiti-return

BABY DOC IS BACK - By Mac McClelland / | Sun Jan. 16, 2011 6:31 PM PST

It sounded like a wild rumor when it circulated earlier today, but tonight, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier landed in Haiti after a quarter-century of exile. The word from Duvalier is that he's come to help his country. According to everyone on the street and on the radio, the Americans and the French conspired to bring him here to upset current president René Preval, who's been accused of fixing his country's recent elections.

The former dictator was greeted at the Port-au-Prince airport with cheering and celebratory chanting. Why were such huge crowds so happy to see the raping, murdering, plundering leader who was ousted in 1986 after a popular revolt? "He is our greatest president!" men around me yelled. My 53-year-old translator, Sam, concurred. "Things have never been as good as when he was here," he said. "The only thing that was worse was we couldn't talk about politics because he was a dictator, but everything else is much worse now."

No one knows what Duvalier will say at his press conference scheduled for tomorrow, nor what effect his return will have on the impending run-off elections. But the news has inspired happy revelers in the streets who seem to think something exciting is about to happen. As Sam put it, "I don't know what's going to happen. But this will definitely reshuffle the deck."

UPDATE: Monday morning, journalists waited outside Baby Doc's Port-au-Prince hotel for a rumored press conference, only to be told several hours later by the former Haitian ambassador to France that "the president has no time to talk to the press today." Despite reports that the exiled leader would be in town for only three days, the ambassador said there is no estimate for the length of his stay. The date and time of a press conference will be announced tomorrow.

Danish TV2 News: SUNDAY NIGHT 59-YEAR-OLD FORMER DICTATOR JEAN-CLAUDE "BABY DOC" RETURNED TO A HAITI CHARACTERIZED BY POLITICAL CHAOS

Baby Doc said that he had "come to help Haiti's population", and that he would participate in Haiti's rebirth.

Baby Doc has lived in exile in France for almost 25 years - since he was overthrown in 1986.

Danish DR1 and Swedish SVT: THE FLOOD IN AUSTRALIA IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE DISASTER ACCORDING TO TREASURER WAYNE SWAN

The extent of the flood damage exceeds the damage after a hurricane hitting Australia in 1974.

In the state of Queensland where an area as big as SOUTH AFRICA has been flooded, the reconstructions will cost the equivalent of DKK 55 billion according to treasurer Wayne Swan.

The floods have so far cost 33 human lives.

46 towns are flooded, and new areas are flooded.

When Wimmera River peaks on Tuesday, the town of Horsham will be threatened.

Danish TV2 news: BRAZIL: SEVERAL DEAD IN THE MUD / DEATH TOLL RISING

The death toll after the devastating floods and mudslides in Brazil is now 640.

The death toll might rise when the rescue teams reach the muddy ruins of villages 6 days after sliding mud engulfed them.

1,500 rescuers have been mobilized from the army, air force, police and fire department.

German ZDFtext: THE FLOOD SITUATION IN GERMANY REMAINS TENSE IN SOME AREAS

The historic ancient quarter of WERTHEIM in BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG was 3/4 flooded Monday.

The shipping trade between the Czech Republic and Saxony-Anhalt on the ELBE was disrupted.

In BAVARIA, the peak on the MAIN flood passed WÜRZBURG without problems.

By DONAU and HESSEN by MAIN the situation is better and less tense.

nancyk58 · January 19, 2011

News on 18.1.11 in relation to natural disasters

News on 17 + 18 January 2011 in relation to natural disasters

Danish Free Paper MetroXpress (http://www.metroXpress.dk) on 17.1.11

FLOODS SPREADING SOUTHWARDS IN AUSTRALIA

1,400 homes are under water in the Australian state of VICTORIA which was hit by drought last year

Sunday, focus on the enormous floods in Australia moved towards the southern part of Australia where more than 1,400 homes are under water.

Scores of towns prepare for the rivers to swell in the state of VICTORIA.

3,500 have left their homes to get away from the rising water, so the rescue service.

In the last couple of weeks all attention has been directed at the state of QUEENSLAND and its capital, BRISBANE in the north where the monsoon rain poured down and triggered the largest floods since 1974.

In VICTORIA the rescue service predicts that 1,500 homes will be under water Monday. It is not as alarming as a previous report in which 14,000 houses were reported under water.

Last year VICTORIA was hit by the worst forest wildfires ever in Australia, and 173 people lost their lives during the fires.

The drought was related to the weather phenomenon of El Niño which is triggered by high temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.

This year, the phenomenon La Niña brings intense rainy weather to Australia and Indonesia.

Danish DR1 + TV2 News + Swedish SVT and German ZDFtext:

POWERFUL MAGNITUDE 7.2 EARTHQUAKE HIT SOUTH-WESTERN PAKISTAN

South-western Pakistan has been struck by a powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake (initially stated to be a magnitude 7.4 earthquake) according to US Geological Survey.

The epicentre of the quake was at 10km depth. The quake struck at 1:23 local time about 50km west of the town DALBANDIN close to the Afghanistan border. The area is sparsely populated and known for its seismic activity.

No reports of casualties or material damage. And no tsunami was triggered.

According to media reports, the earthquake could be felt in several provinces and also in INDIA's capital, New Delhi.

In 2005, more than 73,000 died when a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit the north-western Pakistan and Kashmir.

German ZDFtext: DEATH TOLL IN BRAZIL RISES TO 670

The death toll after the flood & mudslide disaster in Brazil has risen to at least 670 and 200 are missing according to official information.

More than 14,000 were forced to leave their houses.

Last Wednesday torrential downpours caused one of the worst natural disasters ever in Brazil.

Worst hit were NOVA FRIBURGO and TERESOPOLIS in the mountainous area of RIO de Janeiro. In particular in poor quarters, houses were totally destroyed.a

Danish DR1 + TV2 news and Swedish SVT and German ZDFtext:

IN HAITI, THE FORMER DICTATOR "BABY DOC" WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION

Earlier today, an analyst said that Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier's arrival in Haiti might worsen the situation in the tried, very poor country.

And Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch advocated for the arrest of the former dictator so that he could be charged with murder and torture committed by his militsia Tonton Macoutes during Duvalier's 15 years in power starting in 1971 when he succeeded his father Francois Duvalier who had won an election in 1957 and then created a terror regime costing ten thousands of human lives. Baby Doc's rule was characterized by corruption and enrichment of himself and his family. After week-long hunger revolts in 1986 the hated Duvalier fled to France where he has lived in exile for 25 years.

"Baby Doc" was arrested at the luxurious hotel Karibe in Port-au-Prince one day after his return to HAITI after 25 years in exile. He was charged with corruption, theft and abuse of public funds - crimes committed during his 15 years in power. Charges have been brought against him, said the Chief Prosecutor Aristidas Auguste in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

An investigating magistrate will examine the charges and then decide whether legal proceedings (a lawsuit) should be instituted (initiated) against Baby Doc.

According to the organization Transparency International which investigates corruption in the world, Baby Doc stole at least 300 million dollar during his years in power.

German ZDFtext: FLOOD SITUATION REMAINS SERIOUS IN MANY AREAS

The water levels in most rivers are falling, but the situation remains serious by the rivers ELBE and MAIN.

In HESSEN the fire department expected the MAIN flood during Tuesday. During last night the river swelled.

In FRANKFURT the peak is expected on Wednesday.

In flooded WERTHEIM in BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG the flood remained below the 6m mark. 3/4 of the historic quarter was flooded.

Early in the morning the water level in the MAIN fell again.

The ELBE flood peak moved down the river across Saxony (Sachsen). The water level in the ELBE was the highest in Riesa area with 7.54m at 4am. In DRESDEN it was 6.76m. Now the LÜNEBURG area in Lower Saxony / Niedersachsen prepares for the flood.

nancyk58 · January 20, 2011

News on 19.1.11 in relation to natural disasters

NEWS IN RELATION TO HAITI ON 19.1.11 including a HAITI-related article sent to me by Care2 causes

Former Dictator "Baby Doc" Returns to Haiti. Why?

posted by: Shannon M

You have to wonder what accursed star Haiti was born under.

The island nation has always been politically fragile. During its fraught history, it has faced war, disease, famine and brutal dictatorships.

The last 12 months alone saw Haiti crumble under a devastating earthquake which left thousands dead and hundreds of thousands homeless and vulnerable.

A cholera epidemic has subsequently claimed thousands more lives. The Haitians' common belief in the power of voodoo and the occult has led to an atmosphere of distrust, especially towards foreign workers in the country trying to provide aid.

A recent election that brought with it the hopes of newfound political stability resulted in no clear victor among accusations of widespread corruption, leaving a power vaccuum and an uncertain political future in a country that desperately needs strong leadership.

So when in to this maelstrom flies Haiti's deposed former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, returning to the country from which he was thrown out in 1980, it raises the question of why now?

Baby Doc became ruler of Haiti at age 19 upon the death of his father, Dr. Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier. Papa Doc was elected President of Haiti in 1957 and following several years of increased influence and corruption, declared himself President for Life in 1964.

Duvalier was one of the most repressive and corrupt dictators of modern times, using violence and intimidation to keep any political opposition in line. Baby Doc Duvalier inherited the Presidency for Life in 1971 and while his presidency was not as brutal, his neglectful policies led to widespread hardship and directly led to the massive prevalence of AIDS in the island nation.

Duvalier was forced to resign in 1987 after years of protests finally culminated in a military uprising, but Haiti's fortunes fared little better under successive governments, including that of Jean Bertrand Aristide, who was also forced into exile after being overthrown through revolution.

Human rights abuses have consistently been recorded up to and since the 2010 earthquake, hunger and homelessness persists and violence is common.

Hundreds of thousands still live in refugee camps, with little hope of rebuilding their homes or lives.

So why has Duvalier returned? Is it in the hopes of influencing the fractured Haitian populous to follow a specific presidential candidate of his choosing? Or, more worryingly, is it an attempt to rehabilitate his image and present himself as a viable leadership option to an exhausted and overwhelmed populus?

It's entirely possible that the Haitians of today, many of whom cannot remember living under Duvalier's rule, would welcome a historical figure seemingly sent from the past to save them and provide leadership in a time where none seemingly exists. And if this is the case, would the international community allow such a reviled ex-leader to return?

At no time in recent history has Haiti been in such crisis. The arrival of a former dictator in the country is an extremely worrying development. What is next for Haiti is largely up to the foreign community, but allowing a former dictator to seize power would be disastrous for a country already struggling to rebuild.

Danish DR1 and Swedish SVT: BABY DOC HAS BEEN RELEASED, BUT HE IS STILL CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION, THEFT OF HUNDREDS OF MILLION DOLLAR AND ABUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS

An investigating magistrate is to decide whether he will institute legal proceedings against Haiti’s former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier aka. Baby Doc.

On Sunday 16.1.11, Baby Doc returned to HAITI after 25 years in exile abroad (in France). Tuesday, he was arrested at his hotel in Port-au-Prince and questioned for 6 hours.

Baby Doc’s lawyer says that Baby Doc har been asked to be available for the judiciary. The lawyers think that the charges are without sufficient substance to start legal proceedings.

According to a French diplomat, Duvalier had booked a flight back to France some time Thursday.

Duvalier’s return makes the difficult political situation after the disputed presidential election in 2010 even more difficult.

Danish TV2 News: 185,000 CHOLERA INFECTED HAITIANS

The number of cholera infected Haitians has risen to 185,000 one year after the devastating earthquake on 12.1.10. The epidemic has cost 3,790 deaths. This info was given by The Danish Statens Serum Institut in its latest edition of EPI-NYT (translation: EPI-News).

The first case of cholera in Haiti was recorded at the end of October 2010. Since then the disease has spread to the capital, Port-au-Prince and the neighbouring Dominican Republic. 5 cases of cholera have been recorded in Florida in the USA.

Danish TV2 News: BABY DOC WANTS TO BECOME HAITI’s PRESIDENT AGAIN

Jean-Claude Duvalier aka. Baby Doc will try a comeback more than 20 years after he was forced away from Haiti where he had been a dictator. This information was given by one of his allies after the former dictator’s announcement that he intends to stay in Haiti. Baby Doc arrived in HAITI a few days ago after many years’ exile in France.

“We have to annul the presidential election and hold a new election where Duvalier can participate. He will win the election”, says Duvalier’s spokesman, Henry Robert Sterlin.

Danish TV2 News: STORMS AND FLOODS RAVAGING AUSTRALIA

The floods continue in Australia. The water has receded in the hard-hit state QUEENSLAND, but more than 58 towns in the state of VICTORIA in the south-eastern Australia has been hit by floods.

The inhabitants in the town KERANG in the state of VICTORIA have been told to pack supplies for 3 days and leave their homes. The water level in Lodden River rises and dikes that were to hold back the water have breached according to BBC.

Danish TV2 News + DR1 and Swedish SVT: BRAZIL DEATH TOLL HAS RISEN TO 712 AFTER THE MUDSLIDES LAST WEDNESDAY, i.e. ON 12.1.11

Towns and villages hit by BRAZIL's worst natural disaster ever are waiting for millions of dollar in emergency relief from the government. At the same time the total death toll has risen to 712. Many are still missing - most likely buried in mud in connection with the mudslides.

Rescue teams assisted by 700 soldiers and around 20 helicopters are trying to reach the cut-off villages in the mountainous region of SERRANA near RIO de Janeiro. They rescue injured survivors and throw down supplies / provisions to the inhabitants who refused to leave their damaged homes out of fear of looting.

Brazil's president Dilma Rousseff has released / made 60 million dollar available in immediate relief.

The WORLD BANK will lend Brazil the equivalent of 3.2 billion DKK for reconstruction. The decision will be made in the coming weeks according to World Bank's Brazil Manager.

German ZDFtext: FLOOD WATER LEVEL ON THE ELBE RISES, WHEREAS THE WATER LEVEL ON THE MAIN IS FALLING

The flood situation remains serious in many areas along the ELBE in Sachsen-Anhalt. In Tangermünde the water level was 7cm from the threshold limiting value of 7m.

In FRANKFURT, the MAIN flood remained below the 5m mark. Also in WERTHEIM in BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG the flood water level on the MAIN river fell clearly.

nancyk58 · January 20, 2011

NEWS ON 20.1.11 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS

NEWS ON 20.1.11 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS - AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL, HAITI and GERMANY

Swedish SVT: DEATH TOLL IN RELATION TO THE AUSTRALIAN FLOODS NOW 33

The death toll is now 33 including 6 children. 12 are missing since a powerful flood swept through the Lockyer valley in QUEENSLAND.

Today a 3-year-old boy was found drowned in NEW SOUTH WALES - he is the first flood victims in New South Wales.

NEWS ON 20.1.11 IN RELATION TO BRAZIL

THE FINAL DEATH TOLL IS EXPECTED TO REACH AT LEAST 1,000

The number of deaths following mudslides and floods in Brazil is expected to be higher than 1,000.

At least 207 are missing according to official statistics published Wednesday.

The CURRENT DEATH TOLL is 741.

Last week's torrential rain caused enormous devastation in a mountainous region north of the gigantic city of RIO de JANEIRO.

NEWS IN RELATION TO HAITI:

Danish text-TV: BABY DOC DECLARES THAT HE HAS NO INTENTION OF BECOMING HAITI's PRESIDENT

Haiti's former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier denies rumours reported in the national and international press that he intends to regain power in the poor Caribbean state.

The rumour was spread by someone claiming to be his spokesman, and there were references to scenarios in relation to the election process in HAITI.

Baby Doc's announcement was read loud by his girlfriend Veronique Roy.

German ZDFtext: FORMER PRESIDENT ARISTIDE WILL RETURN TO HAITI

After almost 7 years in exile in SOUTH AFRICA, Aristide is prepared to come to Haiti - "today, tomorrow, any time".

Aristide was deposed in 2004 and he was transported out of HAITI in a US plane. His party Fanmi Lavalas had always insisted on his return.

Aristide is still very popular in HAITI.

German ZDFtext: FLOOD ALERT IN LÜNEBURG IN GERMANY

The tension grows in relation to the ELBE - in particular in NIEDERSACHSEN / LOWER SAXONY and SLESVIG-HOLSTEN. Due to the rising water levels, Country Lüneburg has declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY.

The ELBE recedes in SAXONY (Sachsen).

The MAIN water level is falling.

nancyk58 · January 21, 2011

News article about HAITI and its 2 former presidents Duvalier & Aristide

An article in relation to Baby Doc & Aristide, 2 former presidents in HAITI

Haiti's "Baby Doc" accused of crimes against humanity

(Reuters) - Four Haitians, including a former United Nations spokeswoman, filed criminal complaints on Wednesday against former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, accusing him of crimes against humanity including torture.

The filings came a day after Duvalier was briefly detained and charged by a Haitian state prosecutor with corruption, embezzlement and other alleged crimes during his 1971-1986 rule in the impoverished Caribbean nation. He returned unexpectedly to Haiti on Sunday from 25 years of exile in France.

Michele Montas, the former spokeswoman for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said she and three other Haitians who were jailed during Duvalier's rule filed the complaints with a Port-au-Prince prosecutor.

"There are grounds not only to judge him for economic crimes but also for human rights abuses," she said.

Duvalier's return convulsed politics in Haiti, which is grappling with a dispute over a disputed presidential election in November and a cholera epidemic that killed more than 3,800 people. The Western Hemisphere's poorest state is still recovering from a devastating 2010 earthquake.

Adding to the potential for upheaval in Haiti, former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who spearheaded a pro-democracy movement under Duvalier before becoming Haiti's first freely elected leader in 1990, on Wednesday expressed his own desire to return from exile in South Africa.

"The people of Haiti have never stopped calling for my return," said Aristide, in a statement issued by his aides. "As far as I am concerned, I am ready. Once again I express my readiness to leave today, tomorrow, at any time." he said.

A firebrand former Roman Catholic priest, ousted by a 2004 rebellion involving former soldiers, Aristide remains wildly popular in his homeland. His Haitian passport has expired, his aides said, but Aristide said he hoped an agreement by Haitian and South African authorities could permit his return.

Duvalier, who fled Haiti in 1986 to escape a popular uprising, waved and blew kisses to a crowd of supporters on Wednesday from a balcony at a luxury hotel in Port-au-Prince where he is staying. Prosecutors say he is "at the disposition of judicial authorities."

Montas, a journalist in Haiti, was forced into exile in the early 1980s after Duvalier closed a radio station owned by her late husband, Jean Dominique.

A lawyer for Duvalier told reporters the former strongman intends to remain in Haiti and rejected the charges filed against him by the prosecutor as politically motivated.

"There was no file, no warrant, no infraction, nor crime," lawyer Reynold Georges said. "I say clearly it is the (Haitian) government who is behind all of this," he added without elaborating.

PLUNDERED STATE COFFERS

The 59-year-old former leader, the son of feared dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, was notorious for his crackdown on dissent and opposition. Critics and rights groups say thousands of his opponents were killed and tortured at the hands of a secret police force known as the Tonton Macoutes.

"Anyone who was in any way independent from the regime was systematically arrested and killed," Montas said.

Three other people, Claude Rosiers, Alix Fils-Aime and Nicole Magloire, also lodged separate lawsuits, Montas said.

Under Haitian law, the graft charges brought by the prosecutor will be investigated by a judge who must decide whether the criminal case should move forward.

Haitian authorities previously accused Duvalier and his family of plundering state coffers of several hundred million dollars and hiding the money abroad. There have been moves in Swiss courts to recover some of the money.

Duvalier's lawyer Georges cited investigations in France and Switzerland that were closed and failed to implicate Duvalier in any wrongdoing.

"The Haitian state cannot come back to cases that are already finished," he said. "It's been more than 25 years since any complaint has been filed. It appears they are improvising some complaints."

Duvalier has been vague about what prompted him to come home. He said he returned to show solidarity with the people of Haiti and play a role in his country's "rebirth."

But his return has drawn criticism from the United States and many European governments who say it has only deepened political uncertainty in Haiti.

(Writing by Kevin Gray; Editing by Pascal Fletcher and David Storey)

nancyk58 · January 21, 2011

NEWS ON 21 JANUARY 2010 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS

German ZDFtext: DEATH TOLL ALMOST 750 IN BRAZIL AFTER FLOODS AND MUDSLIDES / ONE HELICOPTER CRASHED - ALL 5 ON BOARD RESCUED

The disaster in BRAZIL seems endless. Every day rescue teams recover dead bodies from the ruins and the mud masses.

The DEATH TOLL rose to 746, and about 200 are missing according to the Civil Defense.

Yesterday, an army helicopter which was in action in the mountainous region near RIO de Janeiro crashed. All 5 people on board were rescued and are fine according to the media.

Brazil will establish a national early warning and emergency system after the floods.

Swedish SVT: JUDGE: BABY DOC NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE HAITI

Haiti’s former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier is not allowed to leave HAITI according to a judge. Baby Doc surprised everyone when he returned to Haiti last Sunday after 25 years in exile in France.

Duvalier was arrested and questioned for several hours before he was released Tuesday. He was accused of theft of Haiti’s funds and of corruption, and he is suspected of being responsible for torture during his 15 years in power.

A court will decide if there is evidence enough for a trial. Duvalier fled Haiti in 1986.

Swedish SVT: MORE THAN 4 MILLION HOMELESS PAKISTANI 6 MONTHS AFTER THE GREAT FLOOD ACCORDING TO RED CROSS

Families are leaving the temporary camps and returning home only to find out that there is NOTHING to return to. This leads to a new wave of displacement according to Red Cross.

The floods in July and August hit 21 million people and destroyed millions of homes and vast areas of agricultural land.

German ZDFtext: The ELBE WATER LEVEL RISING

The ELBE is expected to peak on Saturday in the German states of LOWER SAXONY / Niedersachsen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In Niedersachsen the situation is expected to be very much like in 2006 with RECORD FLOOD according to the authorities.

In Frankfurt am MAIN, the barriers on top of the Römersberg have been taken down.

The situation by the other rivers in HESSEN has also become better.

By the RHINE the flooding of the marshland has declined according to the Interior Ministry in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate (RHEINLAND-PFALZ).

RESUME OF THE TRAGEDY IN AUSTRALIA:

The flooding is the most widespread and severe in at least 100 years, covering an area larger than France and Germany combined! Thousands of people have had to flee their homes and huge amounts of wildlife have lost critical habitat.

The floods prompted officials to order the evacuation of two million people in Queensland's capital of Brisbane. And a flash flood caused a tsunami-like wave to crash into the city of Toowoomba, tossing cars and destroying homes. Sadly, many people have perished, and the death toll is likely to rise as the rescue and relief efforts continue.

Of course, much of the area's wildlife, livestock and many companion animals will also need immediate care and sheltering.

nancyk58 · January 22, 2011

News on 22.1.11 in relation to HAITI and GERMANY

NEWS ON 22.1.11 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS

Danish DR1 and Swedish SVT: BABY DOC REGRETS HIS DICTATORSHIP

In his first official announcement (yesterday, 21.1.11) since his return to HAITI, former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier explained that he returned to Haiti from his exile (in France) to show his SOLIDARITY WITH HAITI and to help the hard-hit country to RECONCILIATION.

"The most important thing for me is to be together with you. I'll take this opportunbity to express once again my great sorrow to my countrymen who say - rightly - that they are victims of my government."

Duvalier is said to have been stopped yesterday when trying to leave HAITI where preparations are made for a trial against him for violation of human rights.

Swedish SVT: MONEY CAN BE THE REASON FOR DUVALIER'S RETURN TO HAITI

Human rights activists and experts believe that "Baby Doc" Duvalier's return to HAITI was a manoeuvre to prevent the confiscation of the 5.7 million dollar frozen on Duvalier's bank account in Switzerland.

In February 2011, a new law in Switzerland authorizes the authorities to confiscate Duvalier's frozen funds and donate them to HAITI. One requirement is that it has not been possible to put him on trial in Haiti.

By returning to HAITI Duvalier may have attempted to avoid that the requirement (condition) is fulfilled and reclaim the millions.

German ZDFtext: THE ELBE FLOOD HAS BROKEN THE RECORD SET IN 2006

The Elbe flood is higher than the 2006 flood. The dykes are still holding the water back. The flood will move towards the North Sea during the week-end. The situation is not expected to be better soon.

nancyk58 · January 22, 2011

NEWS ON 22.1.11 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS

Danish DR1 and Swedish SVT: BABY DOC REGRETS DICTATORSHIP