Disaster Tip of The Week:Maintain A Land-line Based Phone

Many people have made the switch to internet based telephony services (VOIP) for both business and personal use. These services are great for everyday use but during a disaster or emergency situations they do have some drawbacks.

Though VOIP has some positives as well, none of these will be beneficial during a time of crisis, and the two biggest drawbacks of VOIP is that it is dependant on the internet being operational, and requires a separate working power source.

More people are using only cell phones, that are also dependant on cellular towers working, and the limitations of the technology.

Land-line based phone systems are not susceptible to these drawbacks and is still one of the best ways to stay in contact with people. Land-line phones systems also carry their own electrical current to power the communications systems.

If you do not currently have a land-line phone, I would highly suggest that you get one. You can typically call your phone company and tell them that you plan on maintaining the system just for emergencies and they will provide the service for a nominal fee.

IAEA: Iran Has Enough Fuel To Make Nuclear Bomb

The United Nations Nuclear watchdog, IAEA announced through a report yesterday that Iran has enough fuel to make a bomb and show that Iran had amassed about 2,227 pounds of low-enriched, or reactor-grade, nuclear fuel by late January.

Physicists estimate that producing the 55 pounds or so of highly enriched, or weapons-grade, uranium needed for an atomic warhead requires 2,205 to 3,748 pounds of low-enriched uranium.

The announcement seems to come as a surprise even to scientists, diplomats and arms control experts alike, who all thought that it would take Iran until the end of this year to amass the fuel needed to create a weapon.

One expert, David Albright of the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security, said he was "blindsided" by the report.

"We are surprised," Albright said. "We did not expect this."

By crossing the 2,205-pound threshold, experts say, Iran has improved its "breakout" capacity, the ability to renege on treaty obligations, kick out inspectors and quickly build a bomb.

Albright said, the uranium stockpile signifies "a capability, not a decision." And even if Iran made such a decision, it would face numerous major hurdles to building a bomb.

In reading other reports about this I personally am not surprised, See our other post: Iran To Have Nukes Within Three Months

and: Irans Secret Nuclear Ambitions Not So Secret and also: Cause For Concern? Iran States They Successfully Launched Satellite Into Space.

The last story if true give Iran the capability of not just having a nuclear weapon, but also of being capable of launching an ICBM.

Taliban Make Comeback Inside Pakistan, Shari'a Law Imposed

The new fledgling government of Pakistan came to an agreement with Taliban fighters and is allowing the Taliban to impose Shari'a Law in the Swat Valley region of Pakistan.

In the agreement, the Pakistan government declared a truce with the Taliban and according to the Associated Press, gave the insurgents dominance in the Swat region by installing a strict regimen of Islamic law amenable to the militants' authority. The pact was spear headed by a hard-line cleric sent to the region to negotiate with the Taliban and persuade them to give up their arms.

In essence, whether or not Pakistan or other nations will admit it openly, this once again gives the Taliban their own territory, and government. With this territory located near Afghanistan, and within the northern territory of Pakistan near the heavily disputed region of Kashmir it presents a huge problem for western nations in the efforts to combat terrorism.

This is a clear set back for the United States, which has remained largely silent on the issue, and posses a direct national security threat on many levels,as it gives the Taliban an opertunuity to rule, and plan openly.

As spring looms in the northern hemisphere, and an increase in troops that are headed for Afghanistan there may well be some tough fighting ahead.

Either way, the stage has been set for the terrorists to effectively plan more attacks against the West from a protected position. Will an invasion of Pakistan happen next?

Four Taken To Hospital After Chemical Leak At Plant

Four people were taken to a hospital after a chemical leak at an Archer Daniels Midland plant in SW Cedar Rapids. Two were reported to be in serious condition, and two with minor injuries.

Officials are still not sure of exactly what happened at this point but are suspecting the chemical was sulfur dioxide.

The incident started in the refinery department and spread to the Fructose Building. Workers called 911 around 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. About 75 workers were evacuated from the areas involved. Those workers were allowed back in just after 1:00 p.m.

Officials say the workers are most likely suffering from sulfur dioxide inhalation, but the problem could be hydrochloric acid. Sulfur dioxide is used to soften corn at the plant.

Around 80 trucks hauling corn to the plant were backed up for a mile on Willow Creek Drive SW, unable to deliver their loads because of the incident.

It is events like this that remind us of the importance of having business continuity plans in place. For more information and FREE report Refer to our earlier post Create a Business Continuity Plan for Your Business.

Syria Stepping Up Chemical Weapons Production

According to an article on Janes Defense Weekly, Syria may be stepping up its production of chemical weapons.

This report also comes at a time when U.S. envoy's are in the Country and region seeking Syria's help and cooperation in the disarming of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Though it has yet to make its way into the mainstream media, this will present a serious problem for the New U.S. administration, and posses yet another problem for Israel.

The real question will be how long will the United States, turn a blind eye to the serious developments?