CAP AND TRADE (WORLD TAX) COMES TO ONTARIO

CANADA IS NOT JUST GETTING THE WORLD CARBON TAX BUT THE U.S WILL BE READY TO BRING THEIR TROOPS IN OUR COUNTRY AS WELL.I'D SAY WE HAVE A DICTATORSHIP AS WELL.OBAMAS DICTATORSHIP IS CATCHING ON.

New rule puts U.S. Coast Guard in Canadian waters
Updated Tue. May. 26 2009 9:15 PM ET CTV.ca News Staff

Canada and the U.S. signed an agreement Monday designed to increase border security by allowing the RCMP and the U.S. Coast Guard to team up and ride in each others' vessels during border patrols.Known as the Shiprider program, the new rules intend to improve security and eliminate jurisdictional grey areas in Canada-U.S. waterways. Without the new program, vessels must stop at the border and call upon the other country's officials for help.The Shiprider program has been used as a pilot program over the past few years to catch smugglers and criminals on joint waterways.Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan and his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, signed the agreement Tuesday at a cargo facility at the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit and Windsor, Ont.Van Loan said the pact shouldn't be viewed as Americans encroaching on the jurisdiction of Canada because it's a joint effort between both countries.And he stressed that security and trade between the two countries can be mutually beneficial.

Because of the integration of our North American economies ... effective management of the border is essential to the health of both of our countries' economies, said Van Loan.Talks between the two officials are set to continue this week in advance of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which comes into effect June 1. The initiative means Canadians will need to show their passports, NEXUS cards or enhanced driver's licences when entering the U.S.Napolitano, who stirred controversy a few weeks ago when she suggested the 9-11 terrorists entered the U.S. through Canada, said the U.S. wants to partner with Ottawa to ensure the safety of the continent.

She said boosting security doesn't mean closing ourselves off from other countries --it means working together as neighbors and allies.We have to be able to share information ... and put more security at the border, which helps us keep track of what is going back and forth,she said.Van Loan and Napolitano have agreed to meet twice every year, along with other high-level officials, to discuss border issues.

While Napolitano has since clarified her 9-11 comments and said the terrorists responsible for the attacks did not enter the U.S. through Canada, she has maintained that other terror suspects have crossed south over the border.Napolitano has also criticized Canada for being too lax at the border, saying federal regulations did not go far enough.Still, according to former diplomat Paul Frazer, Canadians shouldn't be alarmed by the prospect of foreign officers policing Canada's waters.It's not a one way kind of operation,he told CTV's Power Play from Washington on Tuesday.Frazer stressed that the new plan is a quid-pro-quo deal for Canada.You will have Canadian authorities aboard American boats, going into American waters, and the reverse coming into Canadian waters.With files from The Canadian Press.

LAND FOR PEACE (THE FUTURE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH)

JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

THE WEEK OF DANIEL 9:27 WE KNOW ITS 7 YRS

Heres the scripture 1 week = 7 yrs Genesis 29:27-29
27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks(62X7=434 YEARS+7X7=49 YEARS=TOTAL OF 69 WEEKS OR 483 YRS) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMAN LEADERS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.(THERE HAS TO BE 70 WEEKS OR 490 YRS TO FUFILL THE VISION AND PROPHECY OF DAN 9:24).(THE NEXT VERSE IS THAT 7 YR WEEK OR (70TH FINAL WEEK).
27 And he( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

ISAIAH 28:14-19 (THIS IS THE 7 YR TREATY COVENANT OF DANIEL 9:27)
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

ISRAEL-EU RELATIONS
http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/israel/index_en.htm

EU sketches out conditions for upgrade with Israel
ANDREW RETTMAN Today MAY 28,09 @ 09:07 CET

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The EU will at a meeting with Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman next month sketch out three conditions for upgrading relations, according to a draft declaration seen by EUobserver. The text says that the meeting in Brussels on 15 June confirms the great importance the European Union is attaching to its relations with Israel and its readiness to continue strengthening our bilateral relationship.But it does not give any timetable for implementing a formal upgrade in bilateral ties, envisaged before Israel launched Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in December.The omission effectively continues a freeze imposed on the project by Israeli-critical EU countries, such as Belgium, Sweden and Portugal, which feel that the upgrade would give an untimely endorsement to Israel's hawkish new government.Instead, the declaration spells out three main obstacles standing in the way of closer relations: Israel's refusal to sign up to a two-state solution, the continuing expansion of Jewish settlements and the Gaza blockade.The EU clearly stated that the upgrading of relations with Israel should serve the purpose of pursuing the common objectives and interests of both parties,it says.Our common interests and objectives include the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through implementation of the solution based on two states.The [EU] is deeply concerned by the recent increase in settlement activities, house demolitions and evictions in the Palestinian territories, especially in East Jerusalem,it adds.

Reconstruction and economic recovery of the Gaza Strip require permanent opening of the border crossings for the delivery of humanitarian aid.Between 500 and 700 truck-loads of aid need to get into Gaza every day to help maintain basic living conditions, but Israel lets in just 100 or so, an EU diplomat explained.The seven-page EU declaration was drafted by the Czech EU presidency on 20 May and could be changed at any moment in the run-up to the 15 June meeting.Israel's ambassador to the EU, Ran Curiel, downplayed the importance of any prickly public EU statement, saying the main value of the event will lie in Mr Lieberman's personal introduction to EU officials.He will probably say Israel has offered and is offering to upgrade relations with the EU,Mr Curiel told this website.He will say what he has to say about settlements and Israel's position on other issues inside the room.The ambassador noted that EU-Israel relations remain vibrant, especially at bilateral level, despite the lack of progress on the upgrade.The current governments of Germany, France, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania are on the Israeli-friendly side. Belgium, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Greece and Cyprus are more critical, however.The draft EU declaration also urges a complete and unconditional stop of attacks against Israeli territory by Palestinian militia.It takes a firm line on Iran, condemning threats toward Israel by the Iranian government and any denial of the Holocaust as a historical fact.The text supports the Israeli narrative that militant movements such as Hizbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza are proxies for foreign powers.Iran should stop its support to violent groups in the region and use its influence in order to encourage them to follow a non-violent approach.

Israel rebuffs US call for total settlement freeze By MATTI FRIEDMAN, Associated Press Writer – Thu May 28, 9:42 am ET

JERUSALEM – Israel defied a surprisingly blunt U.S. demand that it freeze all building in West Bank Jewish settlements, saying Thursday it will press ahead with construction.U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday that President Barack Obama wants Israel to halt to all settlement construction — including natural growth. She was referring to Israel's insistence that new construction is necessary to accommodate the expansion of families already living in existing settlements.Government spokesman Mark Regev responded by saying normal life in those communities must be allowed to continue.He confirmed that this meant some construction will continue in existing settlements.The new conflict with Washington came on the same day Obama was to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House. Abbas has said the Palestinian demand for freezing settlements will be at the top of his agenda in the talks.Obama's administration has been more explicit in its criticism of Israeli settlement policy than its predecessor. The U.S. and much of the world consider the settlements an obstacle to peace because they are built on land the Palestinians claim for a future state.More than 280,000 Jewish settlers live among more than 2 million Palestinians in the West Bank.Regev said the fate of existing settlements will be determined in peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. He said Israel has pledged to build no new settlements and to remove unauthorized outposts in the West Bank.While Israel could flout U.S. opposition, it is wary of picking a fight with its closest and most important ally.Israeli officials proposed a compromise earlier this week. In exchange for removing some 22 outposts, they would ask the U.S. to permit new construction in existing settlements. Clinton's remarks followed that proposal.

But even the limited step of removing outposts faces stiff opposition from the Israeli right. Settler news site Arutz Sheva reported Thursday that leading rabbis linked to the settlement movement had issued a call to soldiers to disobey orders to demolish the outposts.The holy Torah (scripture) prohibits taking part in any act of uprooting Jews from any part of our sacred land,the site quoted the rabbis' statement as saying.The new Israeli and the U.S. leaders have strikingly different approaches to Israeli-Palestinian relations. Netanyahu refuses to endorse Palestinian independence, a notion supported by Obama, his predecessor and the previous Israeli government.Clinton said Obama told Netanyahu last week when the two met at the White House that the U.S. sees stopping settlements as key to a peace deal that would see a Palestinian state created alongside Israel.He wants to see a stop to settlements — not some settlements, not outposts, not natural growth' exceptions, Clinton said. We think it is in the best interests (of the peace process) that settlement expansion cease. That is our position. That is what we have communicated very clearly. ... And we intend to press that point.The U.S. and many other Western countries have been dealing with Abbas, who leads the Palestinian Authority from the West Bank, while mostly shunning the militant Islamic Hamas group that controls the Gaza Strip.Hamas took over Gaza nearly two years ago after routing Abbas' forces in bloody street battles. Repeated attempts to reconcile between the two bitter rivals have failed to yield any results.A senior Hamas militant was killed Thursday by Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Hebron after a 14-year manhunt.The Israeli military said they surrounded the militant's house and called on him to surrender, but he instead opened fire at soldiers who shot back and killed him. The military said the wanted man, Abed Majid Daodin, 45, had recruited and dispatched suicide bombers, including two who killed 10 Israelis and wounded over 100 when they blew themselves up on commuter buses in 1995.Daodin was jailed by the Palestinian Authority after the bombings but was set free after violence erupted between Israel and the Palestinians in 2000. Hamas vowed to avenge the militants death.

SINS OF PEOPLE

2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

DECIEVERS WAXING WORSE AND WORSE.

2 TIMOTHY 3:13
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

MORE SIN SIGNS

EPHESIANS 5:5-8
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Economic crisis damaging human rights, report says
ELITSA VUCHEVA Today MAY 28,09 @ 09:16 CET

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – Human rights violations remained widespread across the world in 2008, including Europe, with the global economic crisis not only aggravating the existing problems, but creating new ones as well, human rights group Amnesty International's yearly report released on Thursday (28 May) shows.The global economic crisis is an explosive human rights crisis. A combination of social, economic and political problems has created a time bomb of human rights abuses [across the world], said Irene Khan, the group's secretary general.There are growing signs of political unrest and violence, adding to the global insecurity that already exists because of deadly conflicts which the international community seems unable or unwilling to resolve. In other words: we are sitting on a powder keg of inequality, injustice and insecurity, and it is about to explode,she wrote in the introduction to Amnesty's report on the situation of human rights in the world.The crisis, which has been widely qualified as the worst in many decades, has brought recession to many parts of the world and left many people out of work.Subsequently, protests took place in several countries worldwide, but the protests were often met with tough responses, the report notes. We may well end up in a situation where recession could be accompanied by greater repression as beleaguered governments – particularly those with an authoritarian bent – clamp down harshly on dissent, criticism and public exposure of corruption and economic mismanagement,Ms Khan wrote.

Roma targeted

The study also found that the crisis had increased the deprivation and the stigmatisation of certain communities – such as the Roma, as well as diverted governments' intention from human rights problems and has had a negative impact on their immigration and asylum policies.Roma have remained largely excluded from public life in all countries, unable to enjoy full access to housing, education, employment and health services. The adverse economic situation seemed to provide fertile ground for old stereotypes of Roma to be exploited by elements hostile to them, the document said.Several European countries – Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Serbia – recorded serious cases of ill treatment of people of Roma origin and practically none has noted an improvement in that respect.In Europe, the Roma face the most profound and systematic discrimination and marginalisation, excluded from public life, segregated in schools and ghettos, facing hostility and violence.

Harder immigration policies

The economic downturn has also started to show a tendency for a tougher policy towards refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.Last year borders pushed outwards from Europe into Africa as countries like Spain and Italy signed agreements with Mauritania and Libya to stop people from entering Europe, and such agreements act as a license for more human rights violations in the transit countries,Ms Khan warned.

An Italian move to return migrants rescued at sea to Libya without proper examination of their protections needs is against the country's obligations under refugee law and sets a dangerous precedent for EU member states.Meanwhile in Greece, despite new legislation on the asylum process and conditions of reception of migrants, the treatment of irregular migrants and asylum-seekers continued to violate international standards,the report said.

A call for new global deal on human rights

In the face of a worsening human rights situation worldwide, the EU itself remains ambivalent on its commitment to human rights,Amnesty concluded.Europe too often lacked political leadership to ensure the protection of human rights in the region, with many of its states also lacking the political will to live up to their obligations,it went on.The organisation urges the EU to shoulder its responsibility in fighting against discrimination, poverty and insecurity and calls on governments worldwide to act to set up a new global deal on human rights.The world doesn't need another treaty, the world doesn't need any more paper promises – what it needs is real commitment and concrete action from governments,Amnesty says.

EUROPEAN UNION ARMY

DANIEL 7:23-25
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast (EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADING BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings(10 NATIONS) that shall arise: and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.( BE HEAD OF 3 NATIONS)
25 And he (EU PRESIDENT) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.(3 1/2 YRS)

DANIEL 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king (EU DICTATOR) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences,(FROM THE OCCULT) shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:(SATANS POWER) and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;(JESUS) but he shall be broken without hand.

DANIEL 11:36-39
36 And the king (EU DICTATOR) shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,(THIS EU DICTATOR IS JEWISH) nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.(CLAIM TO BE GOD)
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces:(WAR) and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god,(DESTROY TERROR GROUPS) whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,(HIS ARMY LEADERS) and shall divide the land for gain.

REVELATION 19:19
19 And I saw the beast,(EU LEADER) and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse,(JESUS) and against his army.(THE RAPTURED CHRISTIANS)

Sarkozy opens France's first Gulf military base By BRIAN MURPHY, Associated Press Writer – Tue May 26, 4:23 pm ET

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – French President Nicolas Sarkozy opened his nation's first military base in the Gulf Tuesday, boosting the naval presence along strategic oil routes and in pirate-infested waters off the Somali coast.The new naval base outside the United Arab Emirates' capital, Abu Dhabi, is France's first major foreign military installation since the 1960s and its first outside Africa. It is expected help safeguard vital Persian Gulf shipping lanes. It also puts France in position to play a higher profile role in calming the growing tensions between Iran and Gulf Arab states.Some of the most pressing missions, however, may come off the coast of Somalia. Pirates have expanded their assaults on ships in the Gulf of Aden farther into the Indian Ocean. Somali pirates have attacked more than 80 ships this year alone in the Gulf of Aden, and successfully hijacked about 30 of them.The United States remains the major foreign military presence in the Persian Gulf with key air bases, logistics operations and the headquarters of the 5th Fleet in Bahrain.At a ceremony Tuesday, Sarkozy watched the French and UAE flags being raised over the naval base as forces from both nations stood at attention.

France is also seeking a bigger role in the region's culture and business.

Sarkozy's two-day trip includes a visit to the future site of a branch of the Louvre. The arm of the French art museum will be part of a cultural and residential district being built in Abu Dhabi. The city also hosts a branch of France's Sorbonne University, and is set to receive outposts of New York University and the Guggenheim Museum.In light of all these new projects, Sarkozy called the oil-rich UAE a laboratory for globalization.He is pushing a deal for the UAE to purchase twin-engined Rafale fighter jets and supports the Emirates' push to develop civilian nuclear power plants.Nuclear power is not the sole prerogative of Western states, Sarkozy said.President Barack Obama approved plans for the U.S. to help the UAE become the first Arab nation with a nuclear power industry last week, though Congress could still try to block the deal. U.S. companies are expected to compete against ones from France, Japan and Russia for a share of the $41 billion project.In a speech to French military personnel and diplomats, Sarkozy also focused on the importance of economic stability, urging oil-rich nations and industrial powers to work to stabilize world oil prices. He noted that the global economy cannot afford major price swings while it works to recover from the economic downturn.Sarkozy did not give a target price range, but he said he wanted to work with the Emirates, an OPEC member, and others to lower volatility in oil markets.The French president said high prices undermine growth, but low prices sow the seeds of future shocks by discouraging investment in other investment technologies, including nuclear power.

Oil prices have rebounded significantly from lows near $30 a barrel earlier this year, but remain about 60 percent below the record $147 level they hit last July. Crude now sells at about $60 a barrel — above the level the UAE needs to balance its budget but below what some fellow OPEC members consider to be a fair price.Sarkozy's visit also sought to forge strategic commercial alliances between one of Abu Dhabi's government-backed investment vehicles and France's newly created strategic investment fund.

NATO, Russia want foreign ministers meeting By SLOBODAN LEKIC, Associated Press Writer MAY 27,09

BRUSSELS – Political ties between NATO and Russia are gradually improving following the break caused by the Russo-Georgian war, but a ministerial meeting is needed to pave the way for military cooperation, officials said Wednesday.NATO deputy spokeswoman Carmen Romero said that ambassadors from NATO's 28 nations and Russia's envoy to the alliance were determined to hold a meeting of foreign ministers as soon as logistically possible.The ambassadors met on Wednesday within the framework of the NATO-Russia Council, a panel set up to improve cooperation between the former Cold War foes.Russia's NATO envoy Dmitry Rogozin described the meeting as constructive and forward-looking.Discussions were focused on giving new stimulus and quality to our joint work,he said.Moscow and NATO have sought in recent months to improve ties that were frozen after Russia's war with Georgia last August.A meeting of foreign ministers had been scheduled in April, but tensions soared again over the expulsion of two Russian diplomats for alleged spying and the retaliatory move by Moscow which expelled two NATO officials. Moscow also strongly objected to a NATO military exercise in Georgia, and the planned ministerial talks were called off.Rogozin said that although both sides were now determined to move forward on issues where they had shared interests — such as Afghanistan, anti-piracy efforts and disarmament — the meeting of foreign ministers was needed to endorse any formal military-to-military cooperation between Russia and NATO.

Russia has allowed NATO nations to use its road and rail networks to transport military supplies to Afghanistan, after the alliance's main supply chain through Pakistan came under repeated attack by pro-Taliban guerrillas.Although the main transport line has not been cut, NATO commanders say they need alternate routes to ensure that logistical supplies will continue to flow through uninterrupted.

STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES

LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Small chance of tropical cyclone in Atlantic: NHC Wed May 27, 8:37 am ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A tropical cyclone has a small chance of forming in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Carolinas before moving north into colder ocean waters, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Wednesday.The NHC gave the system less than a 30 percent chance of developing into a tropical storm over the next 48 hours.If, however, the system does strengthen into a tropical storm with winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour, it would be named Ana, the first named storm of the Atlantic season which runs from June 1 to November 30.The NHC said an Air Force reconnaissance aircraft would investigate the system this afternoon if necessary.Most weather models forecast the system would remain a couple hundred miles offshore in the Atlantic as it moves north along the east coasts of the U.S. and Canada over the next several days.None of the weather models projected the system would reach the U.S. oil and gas producing region in the Gulf of Mexico.Energy traders watch for storms that could enter the Gulf of Mexico and threaten U.S. oil and natural gas platforms and refineries along the coast.Commodities traders likewise watch storms that could hit agriculture crops like citrus and cotton in Florida and other states along the coast to Texas.(Reporting by Scott DiSavino; Editing by John Picinich)

Storm blacks out parts of Dallas-Ft Worth area Wed May 27, 8:41 am ET

DALLAS – A severe thunderstorm in Texas has knocked out power to some residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.A spokeswoman for the utility Oncor said Wednesday that 11,000 of its customers were blacked out by lightning and wind.Spokeswoman Jeamy Molina said most of the outages caused by the Tuesday night storm were in the Fort Worth area.There were widespread reports of hail in Fort Worth and surrounding areas.

Cyclone Aila kills nearly 200 in Bangladesh, India By Anis Ahmed – Tue May 26, 3:34 pm ET

DHAKA (Reuters) – Nearly 200 people have been killed by a cyclone that ripped through Bangladesh and eastern India, while millions remained marooned by floodwater or forced to live in shelters.The death toll in Bangladesh rose to more than 130 following recovery of dozens of bodies Tuesday, newspapers and private television channels said, while Indian officials said at least 64 people had died in West Bengal state.Cyclone Aila slammed into parts of coastal Bangladesh and eastern India Monday, triggering tidal surges and flooding that forced people from their homes.Officials in both countries said they feared the death tolls would rise although relief and rescue efforts were being intensified.Millions of people have been affected by the cyclone, with half a million in shelters and another half a million forced from their homes or were marooned,a disaster control official, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters in Dhaka.Officials in Bangladesh moved about 500,000 people to temporary shelters after they left their homes to escape huge tidal waves churned by winds up to 100 kph (60 mph).Heavy rain triggered by the storm also raised river levels and burst mud embankments in the Sundarbans delta in the neighboring eastern Indian state of West Bengal.So far, we have got reports of 64 deaths in the state, including nine deaths in landslides in the Darjeeling hills on Tuesday,West Bengal's chief secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty told reporters in Kolkata.In Bangladesh, the worst affected area was the Satkhira district, near the port of Mongla, where a local official said 31 bodies were found in one village.The situation here is alarming,Mohammad Abdus Samad, deputy commissioner of Satkhira, told Reuters by telephone.

CROPS DAMAGED

Large areas of crops were destroyed in both countries by the cyclone, officials said, adding they were assessing the damage.Many farmers have lost their rice just ready to be harvested. Allah has taken it all from me. I have been made a pauper, said Mohar Ali, a farmer.Aila swept many areas still recovering from Cyclone Sidr in November 2007, which killed 3,500 people in Bangladesh and made at least a million homeless.

Bangladesh officials said at least 100 people were missing after Monday's cyclone.

Some aid workers said they feared several hundred people might have been killed by Aila, which followed the less lethal Cyclone Bijli that killed a only few people in April.Army, navy and coastguards were helping civil officials and volunteers to search for the missing and pick up people marooned in hundreds of villages, caught in chest or shoulder-high waters, witnesses said.Continuing rain and wind have slowed our efforts,one official said. Bangladesh's food and disaster management minister, Abdur Razzaque, who visited some of the battered areas Tuesday, said authorities were trying to bring the marooned families to safety and provide them food and shelter.

Witnesses said many cyclone survivors faced a shortage of food and drinking water in areas still under storm surge. In West Bengal, the Indian army and government aid workers Tuesday began an operation to provide relief to more than 400,000 people marooned in the Sundarbans delta region. We have moved two columns, each with 100 personnel, to Sundarbans for relief,said Mahesh Upasani, a defense spokesman. (Additional reporting by Serajul Islam Quadir, Ruma Paul and Nizam Ahmed in Dhaka, Sujoy Dhar in Kolkata and Jatindra Dash in Bhubaneswar; Editing by Alison Williams)

Bangladesh steps up relief operation as cyclone death toll reaches 113
www.chinaview.cn 2009-05-27 23:51:29 by Shams Chowdhury

DHAKA, May 27 (Xinhua) -- As the grim picture of death and destruction from the cyclone Aila-hit southern Bangladesh continued to emerge with official count of 113 deaths so far, rescuers made desperate efforts to reach relief materials to survivors in remote places. Food and Disaster Management Minister Abdur Razzak said at a press conference here on Wednesday evening that the death toll might go up slightly as some more people still remain missing. We've identified 113 bodies so far,he said. The unofficial tally, however, put the death toll at 153 till Wednesday evening. Local people and volunteers working in the affected area fear that the death figure could rise further as they kept spotting bodies in the cyclone-devastated areas. Of the total deaths in some 17 districts, 35 were reported from the worst-hit southwestern Satkhira district, another 35 from southwestern Khulna and 26 from southeastern Noakhali.The cyclone Aila formed in the Bay of Bengal crossed Bangladesh's southwestern coast on Monday afternoon with a speed of 70-90 kilometers per hour, triggering abnormally high tidal surge and heavy rains in the coastal region. This was the biggest natural calamity in Bangladesh after cyclone Sidr battered the country's southwestern coastal belt on Nov. 15, 2007 leaving more than 4,000 dead or missing.The food minister told reporters on Wednesday that 6,665 people were injured and 61,440 domestic animals perished in the cyclone which left more than 3.3 millions people affected. He said some 993,785 people are still staying at different cyclone centers where foods, drinking water and medicines were sent.

Razzak admitted that limited shelter centers virtually increased the death toll and related damage.The Bangladeshi army continued its rescue and relief operations in affected remote areas in the coastal region in close coordination with the local administration.Army medical teams are providing treatment and medicines to the victims. Army troops have established 13 water treatment plants in the cyclone hit areas to provide distilled water to the victims. Air force helicopters transported relief goods and water purification plants to the affected areas where survivors are suffering from lack of food and safe drinking water. According to initial official assessment, standing crops on some 80,667 acres (about 32,670 hectares) of land were damaged completely while partially on 309,327 acres (125,277 hectares). Besides, 179,655 houses were fully damaged and 315,967 were partially damaged. The cyclone fully damaged 641.8 km of roads, 509 km of embankments, 152 bridges and culverts and 341 educational institutions.We've sufficient stock of relief materials. We sent 22.3 million taka (about 318,571 U.S. dollars) in cash to the affected areas,minister Razzak said.Meanwhile, Secretary of the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management Mokhlesur Rahman told Xinhua on Wednesday that around 42,000 volunteers alongside thousands of local government and non-government officials are relentlessly working to help the victims.We've formed a high-powered inter-ministerial committee to assess economic losses due to the cyclone. The committee has been asked to submit its report next week,he said.Rahman said there is no plan to seek foreign assistance for cyclone victims, but adding,We'll gladly welcome if any of our friends comes forward with any support.Editor: Mu Xuequan

SIGNS IN THE SUN, MOON AND STARS

LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Russian capsule blasts off for space station By PETER LEONARD, Associated Press Writer MAY 27,09

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan – A Russian space capsule blasted off Wednesday into the searing hot afternoon skies of Central Asia on a landmark mission to expand the permanent human presence in space.The Soyuz craft carrying Canadian Bob Thirsk, Russian Roman Romanenko and Belgian Frank De Winne soared above Kazakhstan's southern steppe to begin a two-day journey to the international space station — the largest man-made object in the earth's orbit.Hundreds of journalists, relatives, visiting space enthusiasts and dignitaries, including Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium, thronged in and around two rickety wooden viewing stands a mile (1.5 kilometers) away, taking pictures and applauding as the rocket's propulsion system shook the earth.Liftoff was on schedule at 4:34 p.m. local time (1034 GMT; 6:34 a.m. EDT) from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome, despite fears that windy weather earlier would delay the launch. The capsule is expected to dock with the space station Friday.The three astronauts on the Soyuz will join the three crew members already on the station, forming a six-member permanent crew for the first time.Thirsk's 81-year-old mother, Eva, beamed with delight and her voiced wavered as she spoke of her joy at the successful start to her son's second mission in space.He's doing what he wants to do. And he's so happy about it, and I'm so happy for him,she said.Thirsk, 55, stands to become the first Canadian to spend six months in space, easily outstripping other Canadian astronauts and his own previous 17-day trip on the space shuttle Columbia in 1996.In another first, De Winne, 48, will become the first European Space Agency astronaut to take command of the station when he takes over from Russian Gennady Padalka in October.It is quite an achievement, said Belgium's Philippe.He represents Europe, he represents Belgium, he represents international collaboration for peaceful application of science.Romanenko, 37, is the second Russian to follow his father into space. Yuri Romanenko, who flew as a space commander in the 1970s and 1980s, also attended the launch.

International space officials and astronauts praised it.

The Russians do a magnificent record of taking people to space and back, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield said.They don't have a launch window, they don't have launch date, they have a launch second.The Soyuz capsule will be hooked to the space station until it is used in the future by astronauts returning to Earth.The newest crew members will further consolidate the international credentials of the space station, which is currently occupied by Padalka, U.S. astronaut Michael Barratt and Japan's Koichi Wakata.Speaking at a news conference on the eve of the launch, De Winne hailed the strengths of the international approach to space exploration.To maintain six people onboard by one single nation in a space station would be impossible,he said.

Experts also say the enlarged crew will allow for greater advances in scientific research.

The kinds of science, the amount of science — all of that is going to be expanded once we get our feet planted with the six people onboard,NASA spokesman Rob Navias said.Canada's space agency has planned a dozen experiments to study the effects of weightlessness on the human body. Equipment for a number of European experiments is awaiting a launch on a shuttle in August. More people in space will also mean more trash, however, and Russian, European and Japanese agencies are mobilizing a range of transportation vehicles to smoothly transfer material to and from the station. Astronauts from the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour worked late last year to remodel and expand the station, delivering a new bathroom, a kitchenette, an exercise machine, two sleeping quarters and a recycling system that converts astronauts' urine and sweat into drinking water. On the Net: NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/shuttle_station (This version CORRECTS Corrects spelling to Navias sted Navius. Other minor edits.)

2ND WAVE CHINA AND KINGS OF THE EAST MARCH TO ISRAEL

REVELATION 16:12
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.(THIS IS THE ATATURK DAM IN TURKEY,THEY CROSS OVER).

DANIEL 11:44 (2ND WAVE OF WW3)
44 But tidings out of the east(CHINA) and out of the north(RUSSIA, MUSLIMS WHATS LEFT FROM WAVE 1) shall trouble him:(EU DICTATOR IN ISRAEL) therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.( 1/3RD OF EARTHS POPULATION)

REVELATION 9:12-18
12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.(IRAQ-SYRIA)
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.(1/3 Earths Population die in WW 3 2ND WAVE)
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand:(200 MILLION MAN ARMY FROM CHINA AND THE KINGS OF THE EAST) and I heard the number of them.
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.(NUCLEAR BOMBS)
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.(NUCLEAR BOMBS)

US vows to defend allies amid NKorea bluster MAY 27,09

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Washington stressed its resolve to defend Asian allies Wednesday, warning North Korea against saber-rattling and bluster in the wake of its nuclear test will only deepen the country's isolation.The US reiterated commitments to defend Japan and South Korea amid threats from Pyongyang's leaders, who are apparently angered at the fallout from its recent nuclear and missile tests.I want to underscore the commitments the United States has and intends always to honor for the defense of South Korea and Japan,US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.That is part of our alliance commitment that we take very seriously, Clinton said claiming North Korea's actions had contravened pledges it made during six party talks involving Japan, South Korea, Russia, China and Washington.Amid a hail of international condemnation North Korea said it would abandon the truce that ended the Korean war Wednesday and warned it could launch a military attack on the South.The comments, which came two days after the Stalinist state tested an nuclear bomb for the second time, drew further condemnation from the United States -- which vowed to counter any military threat.

(North Korea) has ignored the international community, it has abrogated the obligations it entered into through the six-party talks and it continues to act in a provocative and belligerent manner towards its neighbors,Clinton said.There are consequences to such actions.Her statement came after the regime of Kim Jong-Il had said it could no longer guarantee the safety of US and South Korean ships off its west coast and that the Korean peninsula was veering back towards war.The North's anger was provoked by the South's decision to join a US-led international security initiative, established after the September 11 attacks to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction

The White House condemned North Korea's response.

We're certainly concerned and take any threat seriously. But my sense is they're trying to get renewed attention through saber-rattling and bluster and threats, said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.Threats won't get North Korea the attention it craves. Their actions are continuing to further deepen their own isolation, from the international community,Gibbs told reporters.This is the fifth time in 15 years that they've sought to nullify the armistice governing the Korean War, said Gibbs, adding: I think their actions would be better focused on living up to their rights and obligations.The United States and its allies are doing all that we can to ensure North Korea is not spreading nuclear know-how, said the spokesman.But amid the bluster, Clinton offered a diplomatic olive branch to Pyongyang, leaving open its return to the negotiating table.There will be an opportunity for North Korea to come back into a framework of discussion within the six party process and that we can begin once again to see results from working with the North Koreans toward denuclearization.

NKorea threatens to attack US, SKorean warships By HYUNG-JIN KIM, Associated Press Writer MAY 27,09

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea threatened military action Wednesday against U.S. and South Korean warships plying the waters near the Koreas' disputed maritime border, raising the specter of a naval clash just days after the regime's underground nuclear test.In Washington, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton warned that Pyongyang faced unspecified consequences because of its provocative and belligerent acts.Pyongyang, reacting angrily to Seoul's decision to join an international program to intercept ships suspected of aiding nuclear proliferation, called South Korea's decision tantamount to a declaration of war.Now that the South Korean puppets were so ridiculous as to join in the said racket and dare declare a war against compatriots, North Korea is compelled to take a decisive measure, the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said in a statement carried by state media.The North Korean army called it a violation of the armistice the two Koreas signed in 1953 to end their three-year war, and said it would no longer honor the treaty.South Korea's military said Wednesday it was prepared to respond sternly to any North Korean provocation.Clinton said there are consequences to such actions, referring to discussions in the United Nations meant to punish North Korea for its nuclear and missile tests.She also underscored the firmness of the U.S. treaty commitment to defend South Korea and Japan, U.S. allies in easy reach of North Korean missiles.

North Korea's latest belligerence comes as the U.N. Security Council debates how to punish the regime for testing a nuclear bomb Monday in what President Barack Obama called a blatant violation of international law.Ambassadors from the five permanent veto-wielding council members — the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France —as well as Japan and South Korea were working out the details of a new resolution.The success of any new sanctions would depend on how aggressively China, one of North Korea's only allies, implements them.It's not going too far to say that China holds the keys on sanctions, said Kim Sung-han, an international relations professor at Seoul's Korea University.South Korea, divided from the North by a heavily fortified border, had responded to the nuclear test by joining the Proliferation Security Initiative, a U.S.-led network of nations seeking to stop ships from transporting the materials used in nuclear bombs.Seoul previously resisted joining the PSI in favor of seeking reconciliation with Pyongyang, but pushed those efforts aside Monday after the nuclear test in the northeast.North Korea warned Wednesday that any attempt to stop, board or inspect its ships would constitute a grave violation.The regime also said it could no longer promise the safety of U.S. and South Korean warships and civilian vessels in the waters near the Korea's western maritime border.They should bear in mind that the (North) has tremendous military muscle and its own method of strike able to conquer any targets in its vicinity at one stroke or hit the U.S. on the raw, if necessary,the army said in a statement carried by state media.The maritime border has long been a flashpoint between the two Koreas. North Korea disputes the line unilaterally drawn by the United Nations at the end of the Koreas' three-year war in 1953, and has demanded it be redrawn further south. The truce signed in 1953 and subsequent military agreements call for both sides to refrain from warfare, but doesn't cover the waters off the west coast.North Korea has used the maritime border dispute to provoke two deadly naval skirmishes — in 1999 and 2002. On Wednesday, the regime promised unimaginable and merciless punishment for anyone daring to challenge its ships.

Pyongyang also reportedly restarted its weapons-grade nuclear plant, South Korean media said.The Chosun Ilbo newspaper said U.S. spy satellites detected signs of steam at the North's Yongbyon nuclear complex, an indication it may have started reprocessing nuclear fuel. The report, which could not be confirmed, quoted an unidentified government official. South Korea's Yonhap news agency also carried a similar report.The move would be a major setback for efforts aimed at getting North Korea to disarm.North Korea had stopped reprocessing fuel rods as part of an international deal. In 2007, it agreed to disable the Yongbyon reactor in exchange for aid and demolished a cooling tower at the complex.The North has about 8,000 spent fuel rods which, if reprocessed, could allow it to harvest 13 to 18 pounds (six to eight kilograms) of plutonium — enough to make at least one nuclear bomb, experts said. North Korea is believed to have enough plutonium for at least a half dozen atomic bombs.Further ratcheting up tensions, North Korea test-fired five short-range missiles over the past two days, South Korean officials confirmed. Russia's foreign minister said world powers must be firm with North Korea but take care to avoid inflaming tensions further.The world "must not rush to punish North Korea just for punishment's sake,Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, adding that Russia wants a Security Council resolution that will help restart stalled six-nation talks over North Korea's nuclear programs and will not provoke Pyongyang into even more aggressive activity.South Korean President Lee Myung-bak urged officials to remain calm in the face of North Korean threats, said Lee Dong-kwan, his spokesman.

Pyongyang isn't afraid of any repercussions for its actions, a North Korean newspaper, the Minju Joson, said Wednesday. It is a laughable delusion for the United States to think that it can get us to kneel with sanctions, it said in an editorial. We've been living under U.S. sanctions for decades, but have firmly safeguarded our ideology and system while moving our achievements forward. The U.S. sanctions policy toward North Korea is like striking a rock with a rotten egg.Associated Press writer Steve Gutterman in Moscow and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.

China military build-up seems U.S.-focused: Mullen
Mon May 4, 2009 9:56pm BST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China's build-up of sea and air military power funded by a strong economy appears aimed at the United States, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Monday.Admiral Michael Mullen said China had the right to meet its security needs, but the build-up would require the United States to work with its Pacific allies to respond to increasing Chinese military capabilities.They are developing capabilities that are very maritime focused, maritime and air focused, and in many ways, very much focused on us, he told a conference of the Navy League, a nonprofit seamen's support group, in Washington.They seem very focused on the United States Navy and our bases that are in that part of the world.China in March unveiled its official military budget for 2009 of $70.24 billion, the latest in nearly two decades of double-digit rises in declared defense spending.Beijing bristles at criticism, saying its spending is line with economic growth and defense needs, and its budget remains a fraction of the Pentagon's.Mullen acknowledged that every country in the world has got a right to develop their military as they see fit to provide for their own security.But he said the build-up propelled by fast economic growth required the United States and allies or partners like South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand to work together to figure out a way to work with (China) to avoid miscalculations.Mullen's comments followed remarks by President Barack Obama's top adviser on Asia on Friday calling for high-level talks with the Chinese military to reduce mistrust.

A brief naval clash in March in waters near China underscored that the absence of a sound relationship between our two militaries is a part of that strategic mistrust, said Jeffrey Bader, senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council.In that encounter, the U.S. Defense Department said an unarmed U.S. Navy surveillance ship was shadowed and harassed by Chinese ships.(Reporting by Karen Jacobs, writing by Paul Eckert, editing by Alan Elsner)

Netanyahu calls on Arab states to normalize ties By MATTI FRIEDMAN, Associated Press Writer – Wed May 27, 10:19 am ET

JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday urged Arab countries to make immediate moves toward normalizing ties with Israel and said he would offer concrete steps toward peace with the Palestinians.Netanyahu made the plea during a debate in parliament that came as he tries to balance international pressure to make concessions to the Palestinians with internal calls from within his hardline coalition not to budge.We are prepared to make, and we will make, concrete steps for peace with the Palestinians, he said. We expect the Palestinians to make such concrete steps as well. And it would be good if Arab countries joined the peace effort and made concrete and symbolic steps toward normalization with Israel, not later, but now,Netanyahu said.He mentioned cooperation in economic projects and agriculture but insisted any progress would depend on positive Palestinian actions.

President Barack Obama supports the normalization idea, Netanyahu said, calling it a new and refreshing approach that totally matches our views.Netanyahu, who was at the White House last week, also said that he and Obama agree the Iranian threat could create an opportunity to bring Arab countries together in a coalition of moderates, Netanyahu said.Israel considers Iran a serious danger because of its nuclear program, development of long-range missiles and frequent references by its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to Israel's destruction. Israel dismisses Iran's insistence that its nuclear program is peaceful, charging that the Iranians are building nuclear weapons.

Obama has made clear that his administration supports the creation of a Palestinian state, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has called for a complete halt to construction in West Bank settlements. The U.S. considers Israel's 121 settlements obstacles to peace, since they are built on territory claimed by the Palestinians.

Netanyahu's policies clash with those of the U.S. on both of those points, raising concerns of a looming rift with Washington.Netanyahu says he is willing to resume peace talks immediately, but has not said he supports the creation of a Palestinian state, a cornerstone of international Mideast peace efforts.Netanyahu also says existing settlements should continue to expand to accommodate natural growth in their populations. He also has ruled out ceding sovereignty in east Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as the capital of a future state. Israel captured the area in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it.Senator Robert Casey, a Democrat from Pennsylvania heading a Congressional delegation visiting Israel, said Wednesday that the administration's policy over the settlements is still being formulated.Though Obama called for a total construction freeze, Casey said,I think there is a way to meet in the middle, and obviously the articulations and definitions are going to be important. It is too early to prejudge.

Ottawa to seek buyers for AECL nuclear firm: report MAY 28,09

TORONTO (Reuters) – The Canadian government is set to announce on Thursday it will seek buyers for a stake in its Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd nuclear reactor business and bring aboard private-sector management for AECL's ailing Chalk River nuclear facility, a Canadian newspaper said.The Globe and Mail said the aim of the plan, which is to be announced at 11:15 a.m. (1515 GMT) by Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt, is to find a major international partner for AECL to help boost global sales of its Candu reactors.A source familiar with the plan said Ottawa argues the sale of an ownership stake will strengthen AECL and insists that it remains committed to its bid to build new nuclear power plants in the province of Ontario. The sale of a stake in AECL could bring in billions of dollars, the Globe said.Potential buyers include General Electric Co and Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin, the paper added.The plan would see the 60-year-old government-owned firm divided into two companies -- the Candu business, which develops new reactors, and the national research unit at Chalk River, Ontario, which produces a third of the world's medical isotopes.Under the plan, Ottawa would maintain sole ownership of the Chalk River facility.Chalk River, which makes the medical isotopes, was closed earlier this month after a small leak was found in the 50-year-old reactor. Officials said on Wednesday it could be out of operation for three months, but the actual downtime may be much longer.

This has sparked concern over the availability of isotopes.

The isotopes are used in medical research and in some cancer treatments. When injected into the body, they give off radiation that can be imaged with a camera to diagnose cancer, heart disease and other medical conditions.AECL had been working on a new reactor project to produce medical isotopes but the government scrapped it last year, citing huge cost overruns and technical problems.(Reporting by Scott Anderson and David Ljunggren; editing by Peter Galloway)

DOCTOR DOCTORIAN FROM ANGEL OF GOD
then the angel said, Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world.

JAMES 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

REVELATION 18:10,17,19
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

EZEKIEL 7:19
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he(FALSE POPE) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:(CHIP IMPLANT)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.(6-6-6) A NUMBER SYSTEM

WORLD MARKET RESULTS
http://money.cnn.com/data/world_markets/

HALF HOUR DOW RESULTS THU MAY 28,2009

09:30 AM +1.25
10:00 AM +47.63
10:30 AM -37.24
11:00 AM +5.50
11:30 AM +31.54
12:00 PM +51.13
12:30 PM -6.69
01:00 PM -24.37
01:30 PM +78.13
02:00 PM +67.54
02:30 PM +116.29
03:00 PM +114.22
03:30 PM +81.80
04:00 PM +103.78 8403.80

S&P 500 906.83 +13.77

NASDAQ 151.79 +20.71

GOLD 959.60 +5.20

OIL 64.78 +1.33

TSE 300 10,392.37 +250.21

CDNX 1105.16 +12.17

S&P/TSX/60 634.19 +16.11

MORNING,NEWS,STATS

YEAR TO DATE PERFORMANCE
Dow -5.43%
S&P -1.13%
Nasdaq +9.77%
TSX Advances 617,declines 918,unchanged 289,Volume 2,450,625,805.
TSX Venture Exchange Advances 401,Declines 418,Unchanged 361,Volume 273,246,621.

Dow +63 points at 4 minutes of trading today.
Dow -37 points at low today.
Dow +86 points at high today so far.
GOLD opens at $959.10.OIL opens at $64.02 today.

INVENTORIES
Natural Gas +106 BCF.
Crude Oil -5.4 MILLION Barrels.
Gasoline -600,000 Barrels.
Distillate +300,000 Barrels.

NEXT U.S G-20 MEETING IN PITTSBURGH SEPTEMBER 24-25,2009

AFTERNOON,NEWS,STATS
Dow -37 points at low today so far.
Dow +86 points at high today so far.

DAY TODAY PERFORMANCE - 12:30PM STATS
NYSE Advances 1,942,declines 1,632,unchanged 97,New Highs 10,New Lows 38.
Volume 3,224,558,864.
NASDAQ Advances 1,072,declines 1,494,unchanged 133,New highs 21,New Lows 13.
Volume 997,147,718.
TSX Advances 811,declines 547,unchanged 252,Volume 1,426,688,218.
TSX Venture Exchange Advances 310,Declines 276,Unchanged 284,Volume 140,697,141.

HERES A GREAT LINE BY LOU ROCKWELL:THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANKERS ARE LIKE COCKROACHES IN A DARK KITCHEN,THEY CAN'T STAND THE LIGHT.THEY WANT NO ONE TO KNOW THEIR SECRECY.THANK GOODNESS RON PAUL AND 179 MEMBERS ARE TAKING A SWIPE AT GETTING THESE ROBBERS INTO THE LIGHT WERE THE FED CAN BE AUDITED AND HOPEFULLY ABOLISHED.

WRAPUP,NEWS,STATS
Dow -54 points at low today.
Dow +134 points at high today.
Dow +1.25% today Volume 290,734,564.
Nasdaq +1.20% today Volume 2,116,126,896.
S&P 500 +1.54% today Volume N/A

JUNE 2,08 ONTARIO CAP AND TRADE READ
http://ecolibertarian.com/2008/06/02/ontario-and-quebec-do-cap-and-trade/
http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.qc.ca/salle-de-presse/communiques/2008/juin/entente-chang-climatiques-en.pdf

HERE WE GO CANADA THE WORLD CARBON TAX HAS COME HERE,GET READY TO BE ROBBED TO THE NEW WORLD ORDER NUTCASES.

Ontario set to launch cap and trade plan: reports MAY 27,09

TORONTO (Reuters) – The Canadian province of Ontario plans to introduce a cap and trade program to lower industrial emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, media reports said on Wednesday.According to an article on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp website, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said the province cannot wait any longer for Ottawa and Washington to come up with a plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions, blamed for climate change.Legislation could be introduced as early as Wednesday, some media reports said.A cap and trade plan would set corporate limits on emissions. A company that produces more carbon than the cap allows would be able to buy offsetting credits from companies that emit less.According to the CBC, Ontario -- home to Canada's industrial heartland -- would be the third province to adopt a cap and trade system, following British Columbia and Quebec. Manitoba is expected to soon follow suit.The CBC said Canada's federal Conservative government has expressed interest in working with the United States to create a North American cap and trade system, but has not yet put a regulatory framework in place to reduce emissions.(Reporting by Frank Pingue; editing by Rob Wilson)

Ontario to move on cap-and-trade emissions plan: McGuinty Wednesday, May 27, 2009 | 1:36 PM ET The Canadian Press,cbc

Impatience for a North American cap-and-trade system to curb greenhouse gas emissions has driven Ontario and Quebec to move ahead with their own plan to fight climate change, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said Wednesday.His Liberal government is introducing legislation that will pave the way for a cap-and-trade regime in the province, which aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions by putting a price on carbon.

The reason that we are going to move ahead together with Quebec is because we can't wait for Washington or Ottawa to move ahead,McGuinty said.And we want to make sure we have in place a framework at least — before we can talk about putting a price on carbon … that allows Ontario businesses to know where the future is going to be.The two provinces reached their own agreement on cap and trade last June, which was scheduled to be in place by 2010.Quebec introduced legislation May 12 that would allow the government to institute a cap-and-trade system with co-operating states and provinces as early as 2012.

Details on plan yet to be announced
While Ontario's legislation was to be introduced Wednesday, it was still unclear how the system would work.McGuinty couldn't provide specifics about how the system, such as whether the province will set hard caps on emission levels or penalize polluters who don't comply with the rules.He also dodged questions about whether the province's worst polluters — its coal-fired generation plants — will be forced to bear additional costs under the system, which could be passed on to taxpayers.Details of the plan are expected to be laid out in regulations that have yet to be drafted, but could be addressed in a discussion paper that will be released for public consultation.A cap-and-trade system places a ceiling on greenhouse gases and lets participants buy and sell emissions permits within that cap. Those who don't meet the emissions targets can buy credits from others with a surplus, instead of lowering their emissions.Ontario is the third province to move toward a cap-and-trade system after British Columbia and Quebec. Manitoba is expected to soon follow suit.All four provinces, along with seven American states, are part of the Western Climate Initiative, which is trying to set up a regional cap-and-trade system by 2012.

Meanwhile, Ontario's coal-fired plants are not expected to be shut down until 2014.

The federal Conservative government has expressed interest in working with U.S. President Barack Obama to create a North American cap-and-trade system, but hasn't yet put a regulatory framework to reduce emissions into legislation, which is expected in the coming year.The Canadian Press, 2009

Natural gas in the Arctic is mostly Russian By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer MAY 28,09

WASHINGTON – Nearly one-third of the natural gas yet to be discovered in the world is north of the Arctic Circle and most of it is in Russian territory, according to a new analysis led by researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey.These findings suggest that in the future the ... pre-eminence of Russian strategic control of gas resources in particular is likely to be accentuated and extended,said Donald L. Gautier, lead author of the study published in Friday's edition of the journal Science.Russia is already the world's leading natural gas producer, noted Gautier, of the Geological Survey's office in Menlo Park, Calif.The report, by an international scientific team, estimated that the Arctic also contains between 3 and 4 percent of the world's oil resources remaining to be discovered.Two-thirds of the undiscovered gas is in just four areas — South Kara Sea, North Barents Basin, South Barents Basin and the Alaska Platform — the report said.Indeed, the South Kara Sea off Siberia contains 39 percent of the Arctic's undiscovered gas, the researchers said.Russia has been active in asserting its claim to parts of the Arctic. It first submitted a claim to the United Nations in 2001, but was rejected for lack of evidence. The United States, Canada, Denmark and Norway have also sought to assert jurisdiction over parts of the Arctic.

Now, Russia is working to prove that an underwater mountain range crossing the polar region is part of its continental shelf. In 2007 two Russian civilian mini-submarines descended to the seabed to collect geological and water samples and drop a titanium canister containing the Russian flag.Arctic oil reserves are much smaller than those of natural gas and are unlikely to lead to any shift in world oil balance, Gautier said in a recorded briefing provided by Science.But they could be of importance locally if developed by individual countries, he said, citing in particular the United States and Greenland, which is governed by Denmark.However, Gautier added, the study looked only at the geological setting and the chance that energy resources are present.If these resources were to be found they would not be found all at once, they would be found incrementally and they would be produced incrementally, he said, urging caution about assuming that the oil might extend world production significantly.Gautier said the study focused on geological conditions in the Arctic and how they compared to other parts of the world where oil and gas have been found.

Because so much of this territory is unexplored and data is so limited the researchers had to develop a new method to do assessments, Gautier said.They collected the best information they could for the region and then subdivided it into geological areas. Those areas were compared with other geological regions around the world where gas or oil have been found in order to produce their assessment of where more resources are likely to be located.Gas and oil tend to be found in sedimentary basins, he said, and each one of these basins has a story, a geologic story.As new data become available our understanding of the resources in the Arctic will change, he added.On the Net: Science: http://www.sciencemag.org

Energy policy is EU's big failure of past 50 years
VALENTINA POP Today MAY 28,09 @ 07:48 CET

EUOBSERVER/BRUSSELS – Europe's energy policy in the past 50 years has been one of its biggest failures, but the bloc's increased dependency on Russia is pressuring member states to adopt a common strategy, the EU's ambassador to Washington, John Bruton, has said.The EU only acts when faced with a crisis, is less results-oriented than the US and has trouble selling itself as the world's only multinational democracy, Mr Bruton said on Wednesday (27 May).The former Irish prime minister was speaking at a policy debate about Europe's role in the world, organised by the European People's Party, an umbrella party for the centre-right, currently holding the majority of European governments and key positions in EU institutions. Mr Bruton also used to be the vice-chairman of the EPP before he became the European Commission's envoy to Washington, in 2004.Energy policy is one of the big failures of the European Union in the last fifty years, particularly bearing in mind that we started out as a coal and steel community. But our growing dependence on Russia is going to increase the pressure for a common energy policy, to improve the internal grids and have shared arrangements within the European Union,Mr Bruton said.The EU executive has been instrumental in developing a common energy policy in the past three years. The policy move gained political momentum after January 2006 when Russia first cut off gas supplies to Ukraine, affecting EU consumers. Mr Bruton praised the solidarity shown by member states in this year's disruption, and said the political ingredients were now in place for the energy policy.His remarks were echoed by Nato's head of the policy planning division, Jamie Shea, who said that it was not good for Europe to have a situation in the middle of the winter where the eastern half is freezing at minus 25 degrees, while the western half is sunbathing at 25 degrees plus,especially since it was just a matter of linking up the grid and reversing flows in pipelines.

Meanwhile, Russian gas giant Gazprom threatened a repeat of the supply cuts in the coming winter due to Ukraine's alleged inability to pay for the gas it receives and urged the EU to get involved in finding a solution to the bilateral dispute. While willing to invest in the modernisation of Ukraine's infrastructure, the EU has shown little interest in paying for the non-transparent gas deals between Kiev, Moscow and murky middlemen.The explicit reference to energy resources as a foreign policy tool in Russia's latest security strategy - presented two weeks ago - was worrisome, but EU must still engage with its big neighbour, Elmar Brok, a senior MEP, said at the same debate.He stressed that if adopted, the Lisbon Treaty would further enhance the EU's common energy policy and could alleviate some of the fears eastern European members have towards Russia.

Surprise cash demand stalls Opel talks
ANDREW WILLIS Today MAY 28,09 @ 09:16 CET

An unforeseen request by General Motors for an additional €300 million to help its European subsidiary Opel, caused talks with the German government and potential buyout companies Fiat and Magna to stall in the early hours of Thursday morning (28 May).We had a nasty surprise when this demand turned up literally at 8 pm [an hour before the talks started],said German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck, reports Bloomberg.We did consider this a bit of an outrage. The German government now hopes to secure a deal by Friday, economy minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg told journalists in Berlin.Detroit-based General Motors – likely to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US if it does not meet a US administration-imposed restructuring deadline of 1 June – said the additional cash was needed in order to keep Opel operating. But Mr Steinbrueck said the federal government was not willing to provide the extra cash, adding the exact purpose of German state aid had to be transparent. This wasn't the case,he said.The German government entered the late-night discussions with US and GM officials, looking to set up a trust into which Opel could be placed. The trust would then receive €1.5 billion in German government loans. Canadian company Magna has suggested it may stump up the additional money as it vies with Italian company Fiat to takeover Opel. Other buyout contenders appear to have fallen out of the race.

European concerns

As Germany's chancellor Angela Merkel struggles in an election year to save the 25,000jobs provided by Opel, other EU member states are becoming increasingly concerned that German alone may determine the fate of GM's European operations. GM also owns Vauxhall in the UK and Saab in Sweden, with a large Opel plant situated in the northern Belgian region of Flanders. Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy and the premier of Flanders Kris Peeters sent letters to Ms Merkel and commission president Jose Manuel Barroso earlier this week, calling for a European solution to a European problem. We are now faced with the involvement on the European side of only the German government in this decision-making process,Van Rompuy and Peeters said in their letter to Chancellor Merkel, reports AFP. Given the spread of the Opel, GM Europe and Vauxhall plants over several European countries we prefer a more global European participation in this process,they added.In their letter to Mr Barroso the two politicians call for: a new initiative by the European Commission in order to involve the governments of the other countries with GM sites in the discussions on the plans.In response, the European Commission announced on Wednesday it would convene a meeting of European economy ministers to discuss matters surrounding the sale of Opel.The commission's industry spokesman the commission's industry spokesman, Ton Van Lierop, said the meeting would be held at the shortest notice but was unable to specify exactly when.

Stocks plummet as bond yields spike ,Major indexes give back Tuesday's gains as the yield on the 10-year note jumps to a 6-month high. General Motors looks bankruptcy bound.By Ben Rooney, CNNMoney.com staff writer May 27, 2009: 5:44 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Stocks fell Wednesday, giving back gains from the previous session, after a sharp rise in Treasury yields added to jitters over a looming bankruptcy for General Motors. The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) fell 173 points, ending the day 2% lower. The S&P 500 (SPX) lost 17 points, or 1.9%. The Nasdaq composite (COMP) slid 1.1%, giving up 19 points.Stocks had traded mixed for most of the session as concerns that GM will not be able to avoid bankruptcy overshadowed an encouraging housing report. But the selloff gained momentum in the afternoon as the yield on the benchmark 10-year bond jumped to a 6-month high.

Shares of energy producers fell even as the price of oil rose above $63 a barrel. Technology stocks, which had led gainers for most of the day, also ended lower. Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Avalon Partners, said the surge in the 10-year yield, along with other economic concerns, prompted many investors to cash in the previous session's gains.Today's economic news was somewhat mixed,he said.It's an excuse to lighten up some positions after yesterday's rise.Wall Street rallied Tuesday after an upbeat reading on consumer confidence revived some of the economic optimism that has lifted the market 30% from its lows in early March. But analysts say the market has settled into a range as investors look for more concrete evidence of economic growth. In general, we are at a point in the marketplace where it's going to take a big catalyst to get us moving upward again,said Art Hogan, chief market analyst at Jefferies & Co.Bonds: Treasury prices fell, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year bond rising to 3.71% - it's highest since mid-November. It stood at 3.51% late Tuesday. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.

Treasurys sold off shortly after the government said it received relatively healthy demand for Wednesday's $35 billion worth of 5-year notes.Bill Larkin, a fixed-income analyst at Cabot Money Management, said many investors think strong demand for short-term U.S. debt suggests that there could be fewer buyers for longer-term bonds. There's an imbedded risk for longer-dated government-backed securities, he said. That, along with signs of a strengthening economy, are two big negatives in bond land.
The increase also raised concerns that mortgage rates, which are tied to the 10-year yield, could head higher and stifle a recovery in the housing market. Additionally, many analysts worry that the record amounts of debt coming to the market could overwhelm demand for Treasurys as the government expands already massive budget deficits.Autos: GM (GM, Fortune 500) confirmed reports that bondholders rejected an offer from the company to trade $27 billion of debt for equity stakes, making it much more likely that GM will declare bankruptcy. The company faces a June 1 deadline to win concessions from its union, creditors and other parties or be forced into bankruptcy by the U.S. Treasury Department, which is funding GM's operations. Shares fell 19%.Chrysler LLC, which went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy late last month, will learn soon whether it can sell its best-performing assets to a newly formed version of itself, called Chrysler Group.Economy: Sales of existing homes increased 2.9% in April to 4.86 million homes sold, up from a downwardly revised figure of 4.55 million in March, according to the National Association of Realtors.April sales were slightly ahead of expectations. Analysts surveyed by Briefing.com had forecast a rate of 4.66 million units. But sales are still off 3.5% from the 4.85 million homes sold 12 months ago.Wednesday's housing data followed a report issued Tuesday that showed the drop in home prices deepened during the first three months of the year.

Separately, a survey released Wednesday showed that business economists expect the recession to end this year. Almost three out of four survey respondents believe the recession will end by the third quarter of 2009, the report said. Banks: The FDIC said that the number of banks on its so-called problem bank list jumped to 305 during the first three months of the year, up from 252 in the fourth quarter of last year. This is the highest number of troubled institutions since 1994.Shares of Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500) rose 1% after the company said it was well on its way towards raising the nearly $34 billion in capital that government regulators said it needs to buffer against future loan losses.Companies: Monsanto (MON, Fortune 500), the world's largest seed company, said it expects 2009 fiscal-year results to be at the low end of its earnings forecast. The company said stronger-than-expected competition in the herbicides business prompted the warning. Shares fell 6%. Office supplies retailer Staples (SPLS, Fortune 500) reported a one-third drop in quarterly profit to $147 million, or 20 cents per share, but still managed to beat analyst expectations. Excluding restructuring expenses, Staples reported earnings of 22 cents per share, one cent ahead of the analyst consensus estimate from Thomson Reuters. The stock fell 1.7%.Other markets: Stocks in Asia soared, boosted by the overnight gains on Wall Street. European markets edged higher in midday trading.In currency trading, the dollar rose against the euro and the yen. It slipped against the pound, with the U.K. currency rising above $1.60. NYMEX oil for July delivery was rose $1 to settle at $63.45 a barrel. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said Wednesday that the global economy was capable of managing with oil as high as $75 to $80 a barrel, according to Reuters.COMEX gold for August delivery closed at 953.30 an ounce, unchanged from Tuesday.May 27, 2009: 9:54 AM ET

Harper says deficit spending to continue MAY 27,09

OTTAWA (Reuters) – Prime Minister Stephen Harper, responding to opposition calls for the dismissal of Finance Minister Jim Flaherty because of record deficit projections, said Canada would stay the course with its economic plan.Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff said Canadians had lost confidence in Flaherty because the budget deficit was now projected at more than C$50 billion, much higher than originally forecast.

Harper said Canada's deficits were proportionately one-quarter to one-third the size of shortfalls in the United States and elsewhere, and they were affordable. He said all the factors behind the deficit were short-term.(Reporting by Randall Palmer; editing by Rob Wilson)

U.S., Egypt boosting trade ties ahead of Obama trip MAY 27,09

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and Egypt will step up cooperation on trade, the two countries announced.on Wednesday, a week before President Obama's planned trip to Egypt and a much-anticipated speech to Muslims.Deepening trade ties should mesh well with the strong cooperation between Washington and Cairo on political and security matters, said the joint statement issued by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Rachid Mohammed Rachid after a meeting in Washington.The two men signed a United States-Egypt Plan for a Strategic Partnership under which senior U.S. and Egyptian officials will develop a framework over the next three months for trade and investment cooperation, the statement said.

In the months ahead, we have dedicated ourselves to pursuing a program of intensified U.S.-Egyptian cooperation on economic, trade, and investment issues,it said.The strengthened cooperation will help to sustain Egypt's important recent economic reform efforts,the statement added.Egypt, which signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, has been a key partner for Washington in decades of efforts to secure Middle East peace, and is one of the biggest recipients of U.S. military and economic aid.

But the trading relationship lags in comparison. Obama's predecessor, former President George Bush, negotiated free trade deals with some other Muslim countries but decided against doing so with Egypt, in part because of concerns over that country's commitment to democratic reform.Wednesday's statement did not mention the specific issue of a free trade agreement.However, it said that a program would be expanded under which Egyptian goods made with Israeli components in certain zones of Egypt, enter the U.S. duty free.That program, known as the Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZ) agreement between Egypt, Israel and the United States, will now be expanded to two new zones in Egypt, the statement said. Egypt began implementing the program in 2005.Obama's Egypt trip next week fulfills a promise he made during his presidential campaign to give a major address to Muslims during the first few months in office. The White House said he chose Egypt, the most populous Arab country, because it in many ways represents the heart of the Arab world.The Egyptian trade minister Rachid said the two countries were starting a new phase in ties.We are opening a new page in the relationship between Egypt and the United States with a new administration that is clearly trying to engage at a higher level and clearly trying to play a positive role in our part of the world,Rachid said during a visit to the U.S. Council on Competitiveness.Egypt's textile and clothing exports to the United States have risen since the QIZ deal. But overall U.S. imports from Egypt were down 0.3 percent last year, to $2.4 billion.U.S. goods exports to Egypt the same year were $6.0 billion, and Egypt is currently the 36th largest export market for U.S. goods.(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

Estonian man casts first online vote in EU history
EUOBSERVER STAFF Today MAY 28,09 @ 15:31 CET

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – An Estonian man has become the first person in EU history to vote online, as internet campaigns make their mark on the 2009 elections. But a throwback in Northern Ireland has seen canvassers threatened with a gun. Vahuur Orrin from Tallinn cast his vote in Brussels one second after the virtual polling station opened at 9.30am local time, with the moment captured on video for the YouTube file-sharing website. Voting has also begun early in Finland and Sweden, with Nordic and Baltic countries leading the game in terms of helping geographically-scattered voters cast remote ballots. The Lithuanian government has in another first also opted to give official media accreditation to bloggers covering the vote.In France, centre-right President Nicolas Sarkozy has attracted 106,000 friends on his personal page on the Facebook social networking site. His nearest rival in terms of online popularity is far-left leader Olivier Besancourt with 17,000 friends.In the real world, Mr Sarkozy's UMP party is leading polls on 26 percent, while his nearest rival, the centre left Socialist party, trails on 19 percent.A Czech Facebook page called Let's throw eggs at Paroubek everywhere has 40,000 followers. The campaign aims to punish the centre-left CSSD party leader for engineering the fall of the centre-right government while it occupied the prestigious EU presidency chair.Egg-throwing began two weeks ago, with Mr Paroubek occasionally losing his cool and calling assailants Nazis. On Wednesday, he was hit by 10 eggs while on the rostrum. On Tuesday, six eggs hit home.

Several commercial companies and NGOs are also trying to raise their profile by launching MEP-rating websites. PR firm Burson-Marsteller has launched tweetelect09.eu, to gather up all EU election-related tweets - the modish new messaging service where users post updates just 140 characters long.Twitter hit the headlines in Germany this week when it emerged that officials leaked via tweets the result of the German presidential election before it was officially published.Some politicians are focusing on traditional media, however. Spanish TV stations on Wednesday evening beamed the face of centre-left PM Jorge Luis Zapatero across airwaves as he sat watching Barcelona play Manchester United in the European football championship finals.With the Spanish side winning 2-0, Mr Zapatero afterward lavished praise on the Spanish side in interviews. The bubble of national pride could help his party nose ahead of the opposition People's Party, with the pair neck-and-neck in polls.In Poland, the right-wing Roman Catholic Radio Maryja has begun broadcasting a regular Euroleksykon programme in which Professor Jerzy Nowak lays out genealogies saying that many centre-right or centre-left MEP candidates have Jewish blood.

Jaded fishermen

The various media efforts are doing little to boost voter interest in the EU elections, however.An SFZ/FFS poll has found that 60 percent of the 350 million eligible EU voters believe politicians are lying in their campaigns, with cynicism the strongest in Finland, Germany, France and the UK but mildest in Spain. A TNS Sofres survey for Le Monde shows 57 percent of people are not interested in voting. Pollsters from Ispsos told the paper that the recession is playing a role. These elections are not the French people's [main] preoccupation,one expert said.Scottish fishermen in Peterhead Harbour told The Times that EU fishing quotas have destroyed their business over the past 30 years. I'll probably write on the ballot paper None of the rogues above,Paul Jennings said.The elections could have a strong impact in Germany even if voters stay home, with German papers saying the event is a dry run for national elections in July. Predict09 says the centre-right CDU and CSU parties will clock up 34.7 percent (10 percent less than in 2004), while the Social Democrat opposition is to get 30 percent.

Crime and creativity

Danish Social Liberal MEP candidate Carsten Nielsen has also demonstrated that creative election ideas are not limited to the internet. Ms Nielsen is calling for the EU to set up 10 superhospitals to treat rare diseases, with access for all EU citizens. Bulgarian would-be MEP and former football and steel tycoon Alexander Tomov has shown a different type of creativity. Mr Tomov's registration as a candidate with his personal Bulgarian Social Democracy party has given him immunity from an €18 million embezzlement case.Amid the internet-generated atmosphere of modernity around the poll, canvassers for the moderate republican SDLP party in Northern Ireland awakened old demons while visiting a pro-republican housing estate in County Armagh.

A masked man with a gun threatened the group on its walkabout in an apparent throwback to the sectarian conflicts of previous decades. Let me make this very clear to those people who think they can intimidate me or my party, they will not,SDLP councillor Dolores Kelly said.