Is the Earth trying to tell us something?

Climate change: melting ice will trigger wave of natural disasters

Scientists at a London conference next week will warn of earthquakes, avalanches and volcanic eruptions as the atmosphere heats up and geology is altered. Even Britain could face being struck by tsunamis
Scientists are to outline dramatic evidence that global warming threatens the planet in a new and unexpected way – by triggering earthquakes, tsunamis, avalanches and volcanic eruptions.
Reports by international groups of researchers – to be presented at a London conference next week – will show that climate change, caused by rising outputs of carbon dioxide from vehicles, factories and power stations, will not only affect the atmosphere and the sea but will alter the geology of the Earth.
Melting glaciers will set off avalanches, floods and mud flows in the Alps and other mountain ranges; torrential rainfall in the UK is likely to cause widespread erosion; while disappearing Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets threaten to let loose underwater landslides, triggering tsunamis that could even strike the seas around Britain.
At the same time the disappearance of ice caps will change the pressures acting on the Earth's crust and set off volcanic eruptions across the globe. Life on Earth faces a warm future – and a fiery one.
"Not only are the oceans and atmosphere conspiring against us, bringing baking temperatures, more powerful storms and floods, but the crust beneath our feet seems likely to join in too," said Professor Bill McGuire, director of the Benfield Hazard Research Centre, at University College London (UCL).
Is there any hope for the human race?
BEAUTY WILL RISE

Massive earthquake strikes Chile

A massive earthquake has hit central Chile and killed at least 214 people, the interior minister says.

The 8.8 quake caused widespread damage, destroying buildings, bridges and roads in many areas, including the capital where a chemical plant caught fire.
Electricity, water and phone lines have been cut. Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to be affected.
Several Pacific countries were hit by waves higher than usual after a tsunami was set off by the quake...

Detailed map of quake

...In Hawaii, Tahiti and New Zealand, residents in coastal areas have been warned to move to higher ground.
The earthquake struck at 0634 GMT, 115km (70 miles) north-east of the city of Concepcion and 325km south-west of the capital Santiago. It is the biggest to hit Chile in 50 years.
At least 85 people died in the region of Maule alone, local journalists there said.
Many deaths were also in reported in the regions of Santiago, O'Higgins, Biobio, Araucania and Valparaiso.
Television pictures showed a major bridge at Concepcion had collapsed into the Biobio river.
Rescue teams are finding it difficult to reach Concepcion because of damage to infrastructure, national television reported.

Added On February 27, 2010

The Chilean ambassador to the United States reacts to the devastating earthquake that hit the South American country.

Added On February 27, 2010

TSUNAMI DANGER: CNN meteorologist Chad Myers looks at the measured strength of the Chile quake and the potential effects for the Pacific region.

Added On February 27, 2010

President Obama reacts to news of the Chilean earthquake and pledges U.S. support for the people of Chile.


TEST your LISTENING: Gap- fill exercise

Madeira floods and mudslides kill 32

DEVASTATION AS FLASH FLOODS HIT THE ISLAND OF MADEIRA

At least 32 people have been killed in floods and mudslides after torrential rains hit the Portuguese island of Madeira, local authorities say.

Sixty-eight others were reported to have been taken to hospital for treatment on the Atlantic island, which is popular with foreign tourists.
It is not yet clear whether tourists are among the casualties.
The local civil protection service was "" by calls for help, a duty officer told Reuters news agency. overwhelmed
According to Portuguese media, the storms were the deadliest on Madeira since October 1993, when eight people died.

RESCUE TEAMS WORK ROUND THE CLOCK IN MADEIRA

by Robert Hall BBC News, Madeira

Flood waters and mudslides have torn the heart out of Madeira's capital

Along the seafront in Funchal, a wide palm-fringed avenue borders the harbour, normally the perfect place for a holiday stroll, but there are no sightseers tonight... just gangs of weary salvage workers, and a constant rumble of heavy machinery.
Round the clock, the efforts to clear tonnes of mud and rock carried down from the mountains has been unceasing.

Do you know who Miguel Hernández was?

Spain to recognise civil war poet Miguel Hernández

By Sarah Rainsford BBC News, Madrid

Miguel Hernandez is ranked among Spain's finest poets

The Spanish government says it will formally recognise one of the country's best-known poets as a victim of the dictatorship of Gen Francisco Franco.

It will present the family of the poet, Miguel Hernandez, with an official letter rehabilitating his memory.
Hernandez was imprisoned as a traitor 70 years ago for supporting the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War, and died in prison at the age of 31.
The family applied for his rehabilitation under a 2007 law.
The decision to rehabilitate him comes as Spain marks the centenary of the poet's birth with a series of events.
"We have always lived with this sadness, and finally we have cleansed his memory," the poet's daughter-in-law, Lucia Izquierdo, told the BBC.
"We wanted his image restored as a poet of the people, and a great man."
................................................No perdono a la muerte enamorada,
............................................... no perdono a la vida desatenta,
................................................no perdono a la tierra ni a la nada

.......................................................................................From "Elegía a Ramón Sijé" M. Hernández

Bravo Tosar! Bravo Galicia!

Prison thriller dominates Spanish film awards

MADRID — The prison thriller "Cell 211" has won eight trophies at the Goya Awards, Spain's version of the Oscars.
Among others, the box-office hit about a prison riot took statuettes for best film, best adapted screenplay and best director for Daniel Monzon at a ceremony in Madrid on Sunday night.
Alejandro Amenabar's historical drama "Agora" starring Rachel Weisz won seven trophies in categories including best special effects, wardrobe and original screenplay.
Spanish actress Lola Duenas won the best actress prize for her role as a woman who falls in love with a man with Down syndrome in "Me, too." She beat out Penelope Cruz, nominated for her performance in the Pedro Almodovar film "Broken Embraces."

GALICIAN Luis Tosar won best actor honors for his role as the inmate who leads the jailhouse riot in "Cell 211".

Main awards:
- Best film: "Celda 211" by Daniel Monzon
- Best director: Daniel Monzon for "Celda 211"
- Best actor: Luis Tosar in "Celda 211"
- Best actress: Lola Duenas in "Yo, tambien"
- Best supporting actor: Raul Arevalo in "Gordos"
- Best supporting actress: Marta Etura in "Celda 211"
- Best male newcomer: Alberto Amman in "Celda 211"
- Best female newcomer: Soledad Villamil in "El secreto de sus ojos"
- Best original screenplay: Alejandro Amenabar and Mateo Gil for "Agora"
- Best adaptation: Daniel Monzon and Gorge Gerricaechevarria for "Celda 211"
- Best director for a first film: Mar Coll for "Tres dias con la familia"

..................................................... ........... Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Luis Tosar, Goya al Mejor Actor por 'Celda 211'

Aaaaand... Let's get ROMANTIC!

The one with Phoebe's Wedding



The one when Chandler proposes to Monica

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day (Saint Valentine's Day) is an occasion celebrated on February 14. It is the traditional day on which people express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery.

Who is St. Valentine?

The Valentine that most experts believe is the actual one remembered on St. Valentine's Day was a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity.

What happens on Valentines day in Britain?

Each year in Britain, we spend around £503m on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts for Valentine's Day. Traditionally these were sent anonymously, but nowadays we often make it clear who is sending each 'Valentine'.

Valentine's Day Superstitions & Traditions

Traditionally, spring begins on St Valentine's Day (February 14th), the day on which birds chose their mates. In parts of Sussex Valentines Day was called 'the Birds' Wedding Day'.

There are many other traditions and superstitions associated with romance activities on Valentine's day including:

• the first man an unmarried woman saw on 14th February would be her future husband;
• if the names of all a girl's suitors were written on paper and wrapped in clay and the clay put into water, the piece that rose to the surface first would contain the name of her husband-to-be.
• if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a rich person.
• In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week.
• In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"

Quotations for St Valentine's Day

• When love is not madness, it is not love. ~Pedro Calderon de la Barca

• Many are the starrs I see, but in my eye no starr like thee. ~English saying used on poesy rings

• Loving is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand, and Stars, 1939

• Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love. ~Albert Einstein

• I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~Author Unknown

• For you see, each day I love you more

Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.
~Rosemonde Gerard

• I claim there ain't another Saint as great as Valentine. ~Ogden Nash
  

• Trip over love, you can get up. Fall in love and you fall forever. ~Author Unknown

• Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart. ~Author Unknown

• A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.~Author Unknown
  

• We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love. ~Author Unknown

Must, bid the Morn awake!
Sad Winter now declines,
Each bird doth choose a mate;
This day's Saint Valentine's.
For that good bishop's sake
Get up and let us see
What beauty it shall be
That Fortune us assigns.
~Michael Drayton

• Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs. ~William Shakespeare

• If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular? ~Author Unknown

• Who, being loved, is poor? ~Oscar Wilde

• Grow old with me! The best is yet to be. ~Robert Browning

• Without love, what are we worth? Eighty-nine cents! Eighty-nine cents worth of chemicals walking around lonely. ~M*A*S*H, Hawkeye

• We loved with a love that was more than love. ~Edgar Allan Poe

• Love is the magician that pulls man out of his own hat. ~Ben Hecht

• Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity. ~Henry Van Dyke

• Are we not like two volumes of one book? ~Marceline Desbordes-Valmore

• I've fallen in love many times... always with you. ~Author Unknown

• What I need to live has been given to me by the earth. Why I need to live has been given to me by you. ~Author Unknown