Asteroid 2001 AG5 is on the way

According to astronomers at the Mount Lemmon observatory in Arizona, asteroid 2001 AG5 has a 1 in 625 chance of hitting Earth in 2040. At 460ft wide this asteroid could obliterate a city. Further observations will be carried out next year that will help to get a better idea if their really is a risk of this thing hitting us. Fortunately for us 2040 is a long way off so we have plenty of time to deflect it.

Food Hoarding in Iran

Hoarding of goods is becoming a significant issue in Iran as the economic sanctions start to take hold. The Iranian Minister of Industries, Mines and Commerce Mehdi Ghazanfari said, advising Iranians against hoarding goods. “Piling up goods at home isn’t to the benefit of consumers and we don’t advise it”

Now this may not be affecting us in the West but its important to learn the lessons that observing what happens in the rest of the world can teach us and apply them to ourselves. Food shortages can happen for many reasons. Its best to be prepared.

Over 600 Dead in Europe

The death toll for Europe rose to well over 600 in the cold snap that froze much of Europe for the past two weeks. While most of the dead have been in the vulnerable populations like the homeless. The cold snap is a reminder to all of us that its important to have a backup heat source for our homes. It is no good relying on gas or electricity. They are often the first thing to go.

Bird Flu Reasearch Publication Moratorium

In what may or may not be a good thing, researchers have agreed to a 60-day moratorium on some of the more sensitive aspects of their studies involving H5N1 in order “to provide time” for international discussions. Back in December, the U.S. government had asked scientists working on a much more dangerous man-made version of the avian flu virus to hold back some details of their studies out of concern terrorists might use the information to manufacture and spread the virus, causing a worldwide pandemic.