Trial Begins In Fatal Hotel Fire

Jury selection begins today for the man who is charged with one federal count of arson resulting in death. Brenda Brazell still remembers waking to the screams of "Help! My Baby" and then desperately searching a smoke-filled hotel hallway for her son and granddaughter, who were staying a few rooms away. Brazell's family survived, but the crying woman and her baby boy were among the six guests who died in the early morning hotel blaze in Greenville, South Carolina in 2004.

Ford Preparing To Sell Volvo

Ford Motor Company is preparing to sell its money-making Volvo luxury brand as it works to return its North American operations to profitability. An unnamed source in London. said the decision to sell Volvo, which is a part of Ford's Premier Automotive Group, was made in the past two weeks, but the timing of the sale had yet to be decided.

Experts Puzzled over Brazilian Plane's Speed

Experts puzzled over why a jetliner raced down a runway instead of slowing down before it crashed in a fireball that killed 189 people July 17 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This accident set off a fierce debate over whether to close Brazil's busiest airport. Security video released by the air force showed TAN flight 3054 speeding down the tarmac more than four times as fast as other planes landing around the same time. That raised the possibility of pilot or mechanical error instead of a slick and short runway widely cited as a likely cause. They hope the analysis of the two flight recorders will explain why the jet went so fast after touching down. The recorders were sent to the U.S. for study.

Bush and the Middle East Conflict

President Bush is set to renew his commitment to Mideast peace and announce new aid to help the embattled Palestinian president create a viable state that can exist with Israel. Bush, taking on a more personal, high-profile role in the conflict, planned to speak July 16, at the White House about U.S. financial and diplomatic support for President Mahmoud Abbas. He controls just the West Bank after the Islamic militants group Hamas gained authority in Gaza in June.

A Fireworks Maker Set His House On Fire

In Centerville, Virginia, a man who was apparently trying to make fireworks, touched off an explosion in his garage and set his house on fire. No one was hurt, fortunately, but I bet his face was red. Flash powder, used in fireworks, was found among chemicals in the garage. A side of the attached garage was gutted, but the house didn't appear to be badly damaged. It just looked like he was wanting to make his own fireworks.

Latest Scandal in Tour De France

They are halfway through the Tour de France and no newcomer has broken through, no favorite has emerged and doping allegations have surfaced yet again. Cedric Vasseur became the first French rider to win a stage this year, but his victory and the Tour were overshadowed by the announcement of the doping test on cyclist Patrik Sinkewitz during a training session last month that turned up high levels of testosterone.

DNA Reveals Greenland's Lush Past

In the region of Greenland, now covered with thick ice, armies of insects once crawled through lush forests. They extracted DNA from the ice cores and it showed moths and butterflies were living in forests of spruce and pine in the area between 450,000 and 800,000 years ago. They believe these DNAs are the oldest pure samples obtained. The ice cores also suggest that the ice sheet is more resistant to warming than previously thought according to the scientists.

Violence in Pakistan Escalates

Militants in northwest Pakistan disavowed a peace pact with the government and launched two days of suicide attacked and bombings that killed at least 70 people, dramatically escalating the violence in the al-Qaida infiltration. The attacks followed strident calls by extremists to avenge the government's bloody storming of Islamabad's Red Mosque and a declaration of Jihad, or holy war, by at least one pro-Taliban cleric.

White House Holds Firm On Iraq

The White House is holding firm in its Iraq strategy in the face of yet another effort to curb the mission. This time it is proposed by Republicans that the Bush administration can ill afford to lose. President Bush's security adviser, Stephen Hadley, said the administration's very orderly process for reviewing its Iraq plans should be allowed to play out despite a hurry-up initiative from two respected GOP senators.

Nigeria Works To Free Girl

A little three year old British girl was kidnapped in Nigeria by gunmen in the oil rich Niger Delta area. Authorities have stepped up efforts to free her. She was grabbed from a car on her way to school in Port Harcourt. Her mother says the kidnappers have threatened to kill the little girl unless her husband takes the little girl's place. He wanted to go down for his little girl but the police told him not to. I sure hope they get her back soon and unharmed.

What a Change In The Weather

A couple of days ago it was so hot you could hardly breathe and now you need a sweater this morning. It is to get to 80 degrees later today but right now it is about 50 degrees, I can't believe the neighbor is taking her kids to the pool early in the morning but I suppose the water is nice and warm.

Bloggerwave

It is such a great opportunity for me to be accepted by Bloggerwave and be able to post for them. I have alot of fun posting for all kinds of companies and products and feel I can do a good job for Bloggerwave, as well. This is a fantastic opportunity. Thank you.

Masterseek

If you are looking to increase your business' profitability, you need to use Masterseek's global search engine to do this. They provide you quick and free access to information, products and services of more than 45 million companies in 75 countries. You can also search your own country or worldwide and find business partners and sales opportunities and more.

Credit Card Debt

Did you know that every three minutes a person falls behind in credit card debt? Is it any wonder that nearly every major credit card company has nearly doubled the minimum payment on consumer's bills? Because of the growing concern, Federal Regulators forced the change. Consumer debt now stands at $2.17 trillion. Alot of consumers can only may the minimum payment which can take up to 30 years to pay off. Almost unbelievable, isn't it? Now relief is in sight. CreditGUARD of America, a non-profit licensed debt management service provider, is making a new program available to lower debt payments and become free of all credit card debt in three to five years. Sounds good.

It's Too Hot!

The indoor/outdoor thermometer is reading 112 in the sun outside. We have hardly seen any birds at the feeders. They must be finding enough seed everywhere else right now. The lawn is burned brown. We really need rain, bad.

TexMex

Just got back from TexMex and had really good food as usual. Took the car in and washed it in the big car wash on the highway and it sure looks good, like new. We're thinking we will have a couple KFC dinners tomorrow night - go get them and bring them home. The fish fry is getting to be expected and too routine so need to break that up a little. Well, less than 2 weeks now and I get this cast off. Will sure be glad. Have some strength back in hand but not enough yet. Stopped at Doc's for a couple kiddie cones and visited with girl working there. They have grape sherbet this week.

Chase Miller Chases His Dreams

Just when Chase Miller's NASCAR career looked pretty shaky, the situation took a dramatic turn for the better just a few days later during the Coca-Cola 600 race weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway. He had been released in May from Bobby Hamilton Racing, which was fielding trucks for him in the Craftsman Truck Series. But he ran into car owner Ray Evernham and he had been trying to get hold of Ray for two years. Ray told Miller we've got some opportunities and to get hold of him when he could. Miller, age 20, seized the moment and soon was at Dover, sitting on the pit box during the Busch race, listening and learning how Kasey Kahne and team director Mike Shiplett communicated during races. Miller got the nod to drive the No 9 Busch entry when the schedule reached a point when the Nextel Cup and Busch series were racing at separate venues.

Iraq Military Too Weak To Hold On

U.S. Commander of a new offensive north of Baghdad, reclaiming insurgent territory day by day, said his Iraqi partners may be too weak to hold onto the gains. The Iraqi military does not even have enough amunition and they are not quite up to the job yet. His counterpart in Baghdad seemed to agree, saying U.S. Troops are too few to garrison the districts newly rid of insurgents. It can't be coalition (U.S.) forces. We have what we have. There's got to be more Iraqi security forces. The two commanders spoke after a deadly day for the U.S. military in Iraq. At least 12 soldiers were killed from roadside bombings and other causes, leaving at least 31 dead for the week.

Old Remedies

Did you know that alot of the old preparation are still the best even though we are so into modern medicines and a pill for everything. This site caught my eye as they go over a great many of the old remedies our mothers and grandmothers used when we were kids and they worked. I know my mother used Lysol for everything. If you got cut or injured in anyway, you were soaked in Lysol water and it worked. Vinegar has so many good valid uses too. Check out this site. I found it very interesting.

Blogs and Posts

Some very good reading is Sankeys Blog. Jake has all kinds of the latest news for bloggers and how to post and get your page rank up. Jenna's Blog is another great blog to read. Jenna is going to be a mother for the first time this fall and they are searching for a good house to raise their family in. Check onto these fun blogs when you have time. I believe you will enjoy them.