General News

[EscapeGirl]

Here's a link for those interested.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/01/15/new.york.plane.crash/index.html

Not natural to see an airplane in the water like that. I'm so glad the ferries were there, and also that they DID go in the water instead of make impact on the ground.

[Mistery]

Yeah, I'm also following it live on CNN (flash stream), and it really seems that everybody has been rescued

[jack]

I would imagine that injuries are inevitable, but if everyone is off that is good. That water has to be close to the freezing point.

[RBS]

Just heard the air traffic controllers were watching to see if the crippled plane could clear the George Washington Bridge before reporting it was going down. Can you imagine how tense watching that was?

[EscapeGirl]

I can't. It would be too horrible to have to watch and hope. I'm so glad it looks like eveyone is okay.

[RBS]

g2g. Back later.

[jack]

I can't imagine being an air traffic controller. That has to be one of the most stressful jobs on the planet.

[Chocbubbles]

if u haven't already heard, there are huge bushfires going on in Victoria, Australia and further. so far 108 people have died . the crazy thing is that arsonists are going around and relighting the fires that have been put out and lighting fires in other areas. i mean why would you do a thing like that?! > : (

here some links to look at about it: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...asses-100.html

http://msn.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10555809&ref=rss

they say you'll be able to see the bright orange glow of the fires over in Australia at night, over here it's happened before and it just looks so eerie

also in Taupo there's a huge fire going on as well which is getting out of control

[EscapeGirl]

Oh this is so awful. I had heard about it on the news. I can't believe it. I will never understand the mind of a criminal. I hope they can get them all under control soon.

[ozchick]

Hi all, it was devastating news especially so close to home (Im in Sydney) and although we had some pretty bad bushfires, nothing compares to those in Victoria. At last count 181 people had been killed and they reckon another 100 are still missing in the parts of the towns they cant get to yet. I feel so sorry for those people, they have lost everything, still the Aussie spirit will come through and they'll battle on. The arsonists deserve to die the same way some of those poor men, women and children did. I hope they rot in hell. Hoping for better weather soon.

[Kira699]

The death toll so far is 181 but expected to reach maybe 300. I'm a member of local fire brigade, fortunately not close to the fires, but some of our members have been sent to fight them. I do know that people on this forum are generous to a fault, so would it be impudent to perhaps make a donation online?

https://www.redcross.org.au/Donations/onlineDonations.asp

Thousands of people have lost everything and with higher temperatures expected later in the week the authorities are scared of two fires joining up.

Please open your hearts.

[EscapeGirl]

This is just unfathomable. It's absolutely horrible. I can't believe that people would purposely create such death and devastation. I'm glad to know you're okay, ozchick. I understand your feelings. I will keep all of you in my thoughts, and I hope some cool, wet weather comes your way, and that the arsonist(s) are caught!

EDIT:

@Kira...Thank you so much for that additional information regarding donations! I think it's a wonderful idea. I hope it helps generate some funds to the people fighting the fires, the people aiding the displaced people, and to the people who have lost everything. Please be careful out there, Kira. I'm glad to know you're okay.

[ozchick]

Hey Kira, glad yr ok. Great to see so much money has already been donated (just heard its over $50 million). Hopefully it will help those that need it and its great to see so many expats overseas are organising fundraisers too. Wish I could do more, but me and my family have all donated. We send everyone our best wishes and hope the fires can be out before it gets hot again. Stay safe.

[Kira699]

Thanks ozchick, I think Victoria is simply in a daze right now, we are simply stunned. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a class action against the government for mismanagement of the forests.

[2 Tails]

Major TV News!!!!!!!!!!!!1111!111111!

http://the3eds.com/viewtopic.php?t=19174&f=1

To see the news!