Over 15 years of news and information. (2010 - 2026)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
High ratings for National Geographic Channel’s “Doomsday Preppers” series
Doomsday Preppers is a big hit. The National Geographic Channel's two-episode premiere of the new series became the highest-rated Tuesday night telecasts in the channel's 11-year history, with both episodes (Bullets, Lots of Bullets; and I Hope I Am Crazy) averaging P25–54 0.8 ratings.Nearly 4.3 million total viewers over age 2 and 2.3 million viewers in the key P25–54 demo tuned in to the two-hour premiere.
Each episode of the 10-part series explores the lives of otherwise ordinary Americans who are preparing for the end of the world as we know it. Preppers go to whatever lengths they can to make sure they are prepared for any of life's uncertainties – from constructing a home out of shipping containers, stockpiling 50,000 pounds of food, practicing evacuation drills or hand-to-hand combat to working on a solar-powered satellite system.
Catch the next episode Tuesday night at 9 p.m. EST.
Other post by Keith Stein:
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Are you ready for Doomsday?
With tsunamis, earthquakes and financial concerns dominating the headlines over the past year, National Geographic Channel (NGC) and Kelton Research on Tuesday released the results of a survey gauging Americans' preparedness levels and mind-set related to a potential "Doomsday" scenario.
Most Americans are fearful of catastrophes, yet are poorly prepared, according to the new survey. Eighty-five percent of the nation is not ready for a devastating event, blame the recession for being unprepared and are more fearful of a man-made catastrophe if a Republican wins the presidential election.
NGC is launching a new TV series on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. EST, Doomsday Preppers, focusing on Americans with an unshakable certainty that America soon faces tougher times - when grocery stores are empty, water is in short supply and electricity is unavailable - and are stockpiling for survival.
In the survey of more than 1,000 men and women conducted online from Jan. 3 to Jan. 10 with a 3.1 percent margin of error, the question was asked, "Which of the following, if any, do you think might happen in the United States in the next 25 years?" Earthquakes (64 percent), hurricanes (63 percent) and terrorism (55 percent) are the most feared, followed by financial collapse (51 percent), significant blackout (37 percent), a pandemic (29 percent) and nuclear fallout (14 percent).
Regardless of the incident, more than 62 percent Americans think the world will experience a major catastrophe in less than 20 years. And nearly three out of every four people (71 percent) envision a major disaster in their lifetime as an act of God, not man. Nearly one-third (27 percent) believe that the Mayan calendar's prediction about a calamitous event in December 2012 will be at least "somewhat true."
With the presidential election this November, politics also factored into the results, with more than half of the nation (52 percent) believing that if Mitt Romney or one of his Republican counterparts overtake Barack Obama, a man-made catastrophe is more likely.
Among those who feel unprepared, 40 percent cite the lasting effects of the recession as the reason for being unprepared. But the same number (40 percent) is saying "to hell with a 401(k)" to save money for catastrophe arrangements. Nearly half (49 percent) of Americans would forgo new high-end appliances in a new home if it had a safe room or bomb shelter instead.
While one in four Americans have done nothing to prepare, among those who have prepared, actions they have taken are very basic: 60 percent have stored canned food; 58 percent drinking water; and 56 percent batteries. However, only 12 percent of the population has practiced drills, and 39 percent have learned basic survival skills.
Were "doomsday to arrive," nearly four in 10 (39 percent) don't think they would last two weeks based on the supplies they have on hand.
Other post by Keith Stein:
Most Americans are fearful of catastrophes, yet are poorly prepared, according to the new survey. Eighty-five percent of the nation is not ready for a devastating event, blame the recession for being unprepared and are more fearful of a man-made catastrophe if a Republican wins the presidential election.
NGC is launching a new TV series on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. EST, Doomsday Preppers, focusing on Americans with an unshakable certainty that America soon faces tougher times - when grocery stores are empty, water is in short supply and electricity is unavailable - and are stockpiling for survival.
In the survey of more than 1,000 men and women conducted online from Jan. 3 to Jan. 10 with a 3.1 percent margin of error, the question was asked, "Which of the following, if any, do you think might happen in the United States in the next 25 years?" Earthquakes (64 percent), hurricanes (63 percent) and terrorism (55 percent) are the most feared, followed by financial collapse (51 percent), significant blackout (37 percent), a pandemic (29 percent) and nuclear fallout (14 percent).
Regardless of the incident, more than 62 percent Americans think the world will experience a major catastrophe in less than 20 years. And nearly three out of every four people (71 percent) envision a major disaster in their lifetime as an act of God, not man. Nearly one-third (27 percent) believe that the Mayan calendar's prediction about a calamitous event in December 2012 will be at least "somewhat true."
With the presidential election this November, politics also factored into the results, with more than half of the nation (52 percent) believing that if Mitt Romney or one of his Republican counterparts overtake Barack Obama, a man-made catastrophe is more likely.
Among those who feel unprepared, 40 percent cite the lasting effects of the recession as the reason for being unprepared. But the same number (40 percent) is saying "to hell with a 401(k)" to save money for catastrophe arrangements. Nearly half (49 percent) of Americans would forgo new high-end appliances in a new home if it had a safe room or bomb shelter instead.
While one in four Americans have done nothing to prepare, among those who have prepared, actions they have taken are very basic: 60 percent have stored canned food; 58 percent drinking water; and 56 percent batteries. However, only 12 percent of the population has practiced drills, and 39 percent have learned basic survival skills.
Were "doomsday to arrive," nearly four in 10 (39 percent) don't think they would last two weeks based on the supplies they have on hand.
Other post by Keith Stein:
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Hurricane Irene a little stronger
Hurricane Irene has strengthened as it bears down on the Bahamas on a path toward the eastern United States. [source: Voice of America]
The White House on Wednesday urged people on the East Coast to be prepared for the possible impact of Hurricane Irene, which could pose threat to people living on its path. [source: Xinhua]
As forecast, Irene has strengthened on Wednesday, with top sustained winds now blowing at 120 miles per hour (mph). The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says conditions are favorable for some further strengthening, and Irene could become a category four storm in the next day or so. [source: Baltimore Sun]
Irene is moving northwest at 12 mph, according to the NHC. Hurricane conditions with high winds, heavy rain and deadly surf are occurring over parts of the southeastern Bahamas. [source: Bloomberg]
NASA satellite images captured Irene this morning just as it developed a classic eye and attained major hurricane status. [source: Houston Chronicle]
The White House on Wednesday urged people on the East Coast to be prepared for the possible impact of Hurricane Irene, which could pose threat to people living on its path. [source: Xinhua]
As forecast, Irene has strengthened on Wednesday, with top sustained winds now blowing at 120 miles per hour (mph). The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says conditions are favorable for some further strengthening, and Irene could become a category four storm in the next day or so. [source: Baltimore Sun]
Irene is moving northwest at 12 mph, according to the NHC. Hurricane conditions with high winds, heavy rain and deadly surf are occurring over parts of the southeastern Bahamas. [source: Bloomberg]
NASA satellite images captured Irene this morning just as it developed a classic eye and attained major hurricane status. [source: Houston Chronicle]
Friday, August 12, 2011
Acts of sabotage increase for Verizon during union strike
Verizon management employees have repaired dozens of acts of sabotage to its network facilities since Saturday.
“Our management team is doing an outstanding job of serving customers despite some strikers’ attempts to obstruct our efforts,” said Bob Mudge, Verizon president of consumer and mass markets.
Since Saturday, Verizon crews have encountered more than 90 acts of sabotage against network facilities. These acts temporarily affected service to thousands of customers across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, including police stations and other emergency responders. In most of these cases, crews restored service within 24 hours.
“Verizon has put forth a fair and reasonable contract proposal and the company will negotiate in good faith,” the company said on Thursday. “The company’s contract proposal strives to ensure that union-represented employees continue to receive compensation and benefits that are competitive with those at comparable companies.”
Verizon continues working toward reaching a new contract.
Other articles by Keith Stein:
Examiner: DC Aviation News
Examiner: DC Space News
Examiner: DC Stocks
Examiner: National Stocks
Ground Report
HubPages
News Trend Now
Triond
Thursday, August 11, 2011
School supply donations can’t keep up with increasing demand
As the economy continues to falter and children prepare to go back to school, the need for basic student supplies will greatly outstrip donations, according to a charity organization based in Washington that helps support children and families in poverty.
This year, approximately 25,000 children will receive backpacks filled with school supplies from World Vision, a humanitarian organization in Federal Way, Wash. But donations are not keeping up with the increasing demand, World Vision says.
"We are very troubled not only by what we are hearing from our staff, but by the trends we are seeing nationwide," says Romanita Hairston, World Vision’s vice president for the charity’s U.S. programs. "The unemployment numbers are particularly concerning. If parents cannot find jobs, that means basic school supplies such as paper, pencils, binders and backpacks are a luxury item many families simply cannot afford."
"With families financially stretched, the burden often falls on teachers to dig into their own pockets to provide basic classroom learning tools," explains Brian Boyd, Pacific Northwest field site director with World Vision. "Research shows that teachers already spend an average of $356 of their own money on school supplies.”
Other articles by Keith Stein:
This year, approximately 25,000 children will receive backpacks filled with school supplies from World Vision, a humanitarian organization in Federal Way, Wash. But donations are not keeping up with the increasing demand, World Vision says.
"We are very troubled not only by what we are hearing from our staff, but by the trends we are seeing nationwide," says Romanita Hairston, World Vision’s vice president for the charity’s U.S. programs. "The unemployment numbers are particularly concerning. If parents cannot find jobs, that means basic school supplies such as paper, pencils, binders and backpacks are a luxury item many families simply cannot afford."
- At World Vision’s site in New York City, requests for backpacks are expected to top over 16,000 this year.
- In Seattle/Tacoma, approximately 7,000 children are on waiting lists for backpacks from World Vision.
- In Los Angeles, thousands of families in need are expected to wait in line for a backpack distribution on Aug. 20 in Compton.
- In Loudoun County, Va., Loudoun Youth Inc. and Recreation Outreach to Community Kids are partnering with MTN Government Services to produce backpacks for 300 students this year. Last year, the company provided 250 backpacks for students in need. [source: Loudoun Times-Mirror]
"With families financially stretched, the burden often falls on teachers to dig into their own pockets to provide basic classroom learning tools," explains Brian Boyd, Pacific Northwest field site director with World Vision. "Research shows that teachers already spend an average of $356 of their own money on school supplies.”
Other articles by Keith Stein:
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Bombardier adds office in Brazil, Learjets 60s in Mexico
Bombardier Aerospace announced Wednesday that it will be opening its first Regional Support Office (RSO) in Latin America for its business aircraft customers by year’s end.
This full-scale RSO will be located in São Paulo, Brazil, alongside Bombardier’s already-established parts depot and Authorized Service Facility (ASF), OceanAir Táxi Aéreo.
The new facility is part of Bombardier’s global plan to provide international customers with access to regional support services in their own time zones and languages.
“In order to compete globally, you must be prepared to commit and deliver locally,” said Andy Nureddin, vice president, Customer Services and Support, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “With this new RSO, we will be able to resolve customer issues more quickly, mitigate risks before they become issues and further improve support to our growing customer base in the region.”
The new RSO will bolster Bombardier's support in Latin America in light of existing and anticipated regional growth.
Bombardier’s business aircraft fleet in Latin America consists of more than 475 Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft, 180 of which are in South America, with a significant proportion based in Brazil.
Bombardier's RSO network for business and commercial aircraft includes locations in Mumbai, India; Tokyo, Japan; Sydney, Australia; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Shanghai, China; and Munich, Germany.
Boosting maintenance support for Learjets in Mexico
Aerovitro, one of Bombardier’s two ASFs based in Mexico, is expanding its Aircraft-On-Ground line maintenance capabilities to include Learjet 60 aircraft.
This new capability augments Aerovitro’s current certification as a full ASF for Challenger 300, Challenger 604/605 and Global Express aircraft.
Aerovitro has been a part of Bombardier’s Authorized Service Facility network since August 2010 and employs a staff of 16 technicians.
Bombardier’s second ASF in Mexico is Servicios Aereos Estrella based in Toluca.
This full-scale RSO will be located in São Paulo, Brazil, alongside Bombardier’s already-established parts depot and Authorized Service Facility (ASF), OceanAir Táxi Aéreo.
The new facility is part of Bombardier’s global plan to provide international customers with access to regional support services in their own time zones and languages.
“In order to compete globally, you must be prepared to commit and deliver locally,” said Andy Nureddin, vice president, Customer Services and Support, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “With this new RSO, we will be able to resolve customer issues more quickly, mitigate risks before they become issues and further improve support to our growing customer base in the region.”
The new RSO will bolster Bombardier's support in Latin America in light of existing and anticipated regional growth.
Bombardier’s business aircraft fleet in Latin America consists of more than 475 Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft, 180 of which are in South America, with a significant proportion based in Brazil.
Bombardier's RSO network for business and commercial aircraft includes locations in Mumbai, India; Tokyo, Japan; Sydney, Australia; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Shanghai, China; and Munich, Germany.
Boosting maintenance support for Learjets in Mexico
Aerovitro, one of Bombardier’s two ASFs based in Mexico, is expanding its Aircraft-On-Ground line maintenance capabilities to include Learjet 60 aircraft.
This new capability augments Aerovitro’s current certification as a full ASF for Challenger 300, Challenger 604/605 and Global Express aircraft.
Aerovitro has been a part of Bombardier’s Authorized Service Facility network since August 2010 and employs a staff of 16 technicians.
Bombardier’s second ASF in Mexico is Servicios Aereos Estrella based in Toluca.
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