2012 New Year: A prelude to disaster?

People around the world are preparing to celebrate the 2012 New Year, but some who buy into doomsday theories based on Mayan mythology are preparing for what they believe is the beginning of the end times. According to the Mayan Long Count calendar, December 21, 2012 signifies the end of the 13th Baktun, a unit of time measurement equal to about 394 years. What exactly the Mayans believed will happen when the rollover occurs is being debated among scholars and Internet commenters alike. A prophesy engraved on a slab of rock at the Tortuguero archaeological site in Mexico foretells the Earthly arrival of the Mayan god Bolon Yokte, which some alarmists have linked to other,…

End of the World rescheduled for October 21: Harold Camping

When we last left Harold Camping, he was proclaiming the Rapture would begin on May 21. As we know, it did not. To save face, Camping said an unseen, spiritual judgement had taken place. The actual destruction of the Earth will now happen on October 21. Now Germany’s space agency says one of its old satellites will fall out of orbit and strike the Earth, possibly on that exact date. Is this the work of divine intervention, intended to condemn us all to a fiery death? No one is safe from the wrath! Scientists are still uncertain exactly where the debris will land. ENGLISH:

Weather Channel salivates over new storm threats

The Weather Channel doesn’t get many viewers when the weather is nice. Instead, the network banks on its major storm coverage. Hurricane Irene gave The Weather Channel its best full-day ratings ever. New tropical systems are now threatening the US Gulf, including Hurricane Katia, much to The Weather Channel’s delight. Weather Channel reporters are known for turning up the drama, even when conditions are less than dangerous. But if forecasters over-hype every storm, will Americans take warnings seriously when a real disaster strikes? ENGLISH:

Hurricane hype leaves the US East Coast all wet

August is normally dull for news. Thank goodness for Irene! Reporters braved winds to bring you the latest in hurricane hype … leaving viewers all wet. Hurricane Irene also gave politicians a chance to look good for the cameras. Wow! Look at Michael Bloomberg do his mayoral thing! Across the river, Chris Christie looked the man in charge and dare we say presidential? Christie also weighed in with his own evacuation orders. Hurricane hype set off panic buying at area stores, providing a big boost to some businesses. But it hurt New York City’s food and beverage and tourism industries. A mass transit shutdown a full day before the storm left passengers frustrated. Was Bloomberg…

5.8 magnitude quake strikes eastern US

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck just Washington D.C. on Tuesday. Tweets about the earthquake reached New York City 30 seconds before the actual shockwaves. Because East Coasters are unused to seismic activity, many buildings were evacuated. Congressional business did not suffer. President Obama’s putting, however, might have been affected. What will be the next disaster to inspire its own hashtag? ENGLISH:

Apocalypse again? Nibiru is to hit earth in 2012

The end of the world is nigh….again! The latest threat is not biblical apocalypse, but a rogue planet called “Nibiru”. Wisconsin woman Nancy Lieder claims she can communicate with aliens called the Zetas via a brain implant. She first predicted a giant planet called “Planet X” would collide with earth in 2003. She asked people to kill their pets ahead of the calamity. When that did not work out, she switched it to 2012, in line with other predictions 2012 would be the end of times. Despite her track record, people still believe her. Have Lieder and Harold Camping found a recession-proof way of making money? CHINESE:

Lady Gaga sued over tsunami charity fund

Lady Gaga has been accused of stealing from her own Japanese tsunami charity in a class action lawsuit filed last week. The suit claims Gaga secretly pocketed a portion of the proceeds from charity wristbands, which she sells in her online store. She and others allegedly pilfered more money by inflating shipping fees and collecting bogus taxes on the bracelets. Some are questioning the integrity of the charges. Suit filers 1-800-Law-Firm publicized the claims via a YouTube video, which has since been removed. Has Gaga been wrongly accused, or is she really taking advantage of her fans? Tell us what you think. CHINESE:

Alabama mayor rejects FEMA trailers for tornado victims

The devastating tornadoes that swept through Alabama last week have left many homeless. FEMA has supplied trailers to victims. But Cordova mayor Jack Scott has banned the temporary housing, citing town ordinances. Scott said he didn’t want the trailers to become permanent. But allows the police and businesses to use these trailers and said there is no double standard. Residents have protested Scott’s decision but he hasn’t budged. Perhaps they should make do living in tents? What’s wrong having a town that’s full of trailers? Haven’t you seen Trailer Park Boys? They rock! CHINESE: