Robo-News Bot Reports Earthquake Story for L.A. Times

Staff / Truthdig Mar 19, 2014 For those who've been wondering if at least some of the news currently dispensed by the MSM isn't churned up and plopped out of a machine somewhere in the dark reaches of Rupert Murdoch's basement, wonder no more. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Tsunami Warning Canceled After Japanese Quake

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Oct 25, 2013 A small tsunami triggered by the quake measuring 1 foot hit Japan's eastern coast, but no damage was reported, the BBC said. A tsunami warning issued earlier was lifted. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Typhoon Lands in Japan, Fukushima Remains an Open Wound (Updated)

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Sep 16, 2013 With Japanese authorities still struggling to contain contamination at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant two-and-a-half years after it melted down, we are reminded by events in the news that the disaster lies in one of the most volatile meteorological and geographical regions in the world. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Confirmed: Fracking Triggers Quakes (Video)

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Jul 12, 2013 A study published in the journal Science on Thursday shows that major earthquakes can trigger reflex temblors thousands of miles away in areas where fluids used in fracking and other industrial operations have been injected into the ground. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Quelle Surprise! Haiti on the Mend

Mark Kurlansky / Truthdig Jun 20, 2013 In Haiti there is nothing more unexpected than good news. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Hundreds Expected Dead in Iran Quake

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Apr 16, 2013 A 7.8 magnitude earthquake -- described as the strongest to hit Iran in more than 50 years -- struck the country near the border with Pakistan, killing hundreds of people, officials fear. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

How Capitalism Stacks the Deck on Disaster

By Steve Fraser, TomDispatch Apr 4, 2013 We think of the financial crisis as a man-made calamity, and Hurricane Sandy as the malignant innocence of nature. But neither the notion of a man-made nor natural disaster quite captures how the power of a few and the vulnerability of the many determine what is really going on at ground level. Dig deeper ( 15 Min. Read )

Inquiry Finds Japanese Tsunami Funds ‘Misspent’

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Oct 31, 2012 A government audit showed Japanese authorities have used funds intended for reconstruction after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami on unrelated projects. Those paid for out of the $150 billion relief package include roads in Okinawa, advertisements for Japan’s tallest building and whaling research. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bright Idea

Pat Bagley, Cagle Cartoons, Salt Lake Tribune Oct 9, 2012 Dig deeper

Sean Penn’s Diplomatic New Gig

Staff / Truthdig Jan 18, 2012 He's certainly been rehearsing for this role for years (remember his post-Katrina floating photo op?), and now Sean Penn has an honest-to-goodness new post as the ambassador at large to Haiti, as of a special ceremony held in his honor last weekend. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

And the Worst Natural Disaster Is …

Staff / Truthdig Nov 7, 2011 An article in The Lancet argues that earthquakes are particularly devastating when compared with other natural disasters. Earthquakes "frequently affect populous urban areas with poor structural standards" and they impair emergency responders. Shifting tectonic plates killed more than 780,000 people in the last decade. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Turkish Border Quake Kills Hundreds

Staff / Truthdig Oct 23, 2011 Rescue workers and locals worked desperately to find and free survivors of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake near the Turkish-Iranian border that toppled buildings and killed between 500 and 1,000 people on Sunday. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )