Pakistan Declares State of Emergency

Pakistan today declared a State of Emergency. Quoting CNN:

Musharraf issued a provisional constitutional order proclaiming the emergency and suspending the nation's constitution, according to a statement read on state television.

BBC is reporting that Pakistani Troops have surrounded the Supreme Court and

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who condemned the moves, has reportedly been sacked and is being confined to the Supreme Court with 10 other judges.

Fly to Pakistan Supreme Court, Islamabad, Pakistan in Google Earth:

Alcohol Related Traffic Fatalities in United States

Hawaii led the nation with highest number (52%) of Traffic Fatalities where Alcohol was involved. Utah was at the other end of the scale with 24% of Traffic Fatalities which were related to Alcohol.

Here's Google Maps view of how the other states ranked. (Source NHTSA).

Gun Ownership around the world

United States leads the world in Gun Ownership with 9 Guns for every 10 Americans followed by Yemen where 6.1 Guns are owned by every 10 Yemenis.

I have created a Google Maps View of Gun Ownership from around the world with data from "Small Arms Survey - 2007).

Departures and Cancellations at major US Airports (June 2007)

Here's a Google Maps View of Departures and Cancellations at Major US Airports (June 2007) along with YouTube video of take off. (Source - TIME Magazine dated September 3rd, 2007).

Hyderabad, India hit by Terrorist Attacks

Hyderabad, India was struck by terrorist attacks which claimed more than 41 lives. The Deadly Bomb Blasts took place at an open air auditorium in Lumbini Park where families were enjoying a laser light show. The other Bomb Blast took place couple of miles away at a restaurant named "Gokul Chat". (More at CNN and BBC)

LATEST NEWS FROM HYDERABAD and other major cities in the Indian Sub-Continent

Here is a Google Maps View of both Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat restaurant.
Lumbini Park


Gokul Chat Restaurant (via Wikimapia)

Canada's Last Igloo to be flattened

Canada's Last Igloo at Iqaluit, Canada (Google Maps View) which housed the Kamotiq Inn restaurant is to be replaced in the coming months by a 4,645 square-meter (50,000 square-foot) office building. This due to the fact that the region (just 120 miles south of Arctic Circle) is experiencing an economic boom. (more at Yahoo News)

Monsoon Floods in Eastern India

Image shown below from NASA Earth Observatory was taken on August 3rd. Quote from their website:

On August 3, the Ganges, Gandak, and Kosi Rivers were so swollen that it was hard to see exactly where the rivers normally flow. The tributaries that feed the Kosi River, not even visible on June 4, have combined in a vast web of water-covered land. The light blue area under the clouds in the lower left corner of the image is probably water-soaked earth, not standing water.

According to BBC as of August 3, nearly 20 million people had been displaced in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and 125 had died in India.

Barry Bonds becomes Baseball's Home Run King

Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's record of 755 Home Runs. (more at CNN)

Barry Bonds achieved this feat at AT&T Park, San Francisco on 08/07/2007. Here's a 3D Google Earth View of AT&T Park.



Click here for Google Maps View of AT&T Park, San Francisco.

Coal Miners trapped in UTAH

6 Coal Miners were trapped in a coal mine in UTAH. The men were caught in a cave-in at the Crandall Canyon Mine before dawn Monday (8/6/2007). As of last word the rescue workers have still not been able to reach the trapped miners. (more at CNN)

Here's a Google Earth View of Crandall Canyon Mine, UTAH.


Here's a Google Maps View of Crandall Canyon Mine, Utah

I-35W Bridge collapses into Mississippi River in Minneapolis

Google Earth View of I-35W Bridge over Mississippi River:


Interstate 35W Bridge over Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed this evening. Click here for Bridge Specs.

From local KARE 11 TV station in Minneapolis

The entire span of the 35W Bridge collapsed about 6:05 p.m. where the freeway crosses the river near University Avenue. Traffic in both directions was affected.

There about 100,000 cars a day traveling over this bridge according to MnDOT and it is believed there were at least 50 cars on the bridge when it collapsed.

Google Maps View of the Bridge location in Minneapolis.

Pratibha Patil - India's 1st Woman President

Pratibha Patil was sworn in on July 25th, 2007 as India's first woman President succeeding Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Pratibha Patil now moves into Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi - Official residence of President of India.

Here's a Google Maps View of Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

News Helicopters Collide in Phoenix, Arizona killing 4

Couple of News Helicopters covering a Police Chase in Phoenix, AZ collided in mid-air and then crashing into the ground at Steele Indian Park located in Phoneix, AZ. Quoting CNN

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor told The Associated Press that the agency is reviewing air traffic control tapes to see if the helicopters' pilots were communicating before the crash.

"Typically air traffic controllers clear helicopters into an area where they can cover a chase like this," Gregor told AP. "Once they are in the area, the pilots themselves are responsible for keeping themselves separated from other aircraft."

Google Maps view of the crash site.

Burj Dubai becomes the world's tallest building

Burj Dubai becomes the world's tallest building (on July 21st, 2007) at 512.1 metres (1,680.1 feet) overtaking Tapei 101.

Google Maps View of Burj Dubai.

Blast at Mojave Air and Space port kills 2

CNN is reporting that a blast at Mojave Air and Space Port killed 2 people. This occurred during a test of a new rocket motor for SpaceShipTwo -- a spaceship being built for Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson's space tourism company. (more at CNN)

Google Maps View of Mojave Air and Space Port

Visitors trapped for hours inside St. Louis Arch

CNN is reporting that because of an apparent power outage, approx. 200 people were trapped in St. Louis Arch for hours. Power went out at about 8.45 pm on July 21st, 2007. Power was finally restored after 2 hours. (more at CNN)

Google Maps Satellite view of St. Louis Arch:

Brazilian Airliner crash in Sao Paulo kills 200

BBC is reporting that upto 200 people have been killed after a passenger plane, a TAM Airlines Airbus A320 crashed and burst into flames at Congonhas International Airport, as it landed in wet weather, shot over a busy road and hit a fuel depot. (more at BBC)

Google Maps View of Congonhas International Airport.

100 Great American Towns - Mapped

Here's a Google Maps View of 100 Great American Towns as mentioned in CNN Money. This Google Maps View also has the latest news for each of the 100 Towns via Google News RSS Feeds.

Yes!! the town I live in "Plymouth Township, Michigan" makes it to the top 50!!.

New 7 Wonders of the World - Mapped

Here's a Google Maps View (along with video from YouTube) of the new 7 wonders of the world which was announced in Lisbon, Portugal on July 7, 2007.

Google Mapping America's Top 100 Sweatiest Cities

Old Spice has come out with a list of America's 100 most Sweatiest Cities. Phoenix, AZ tops the list for 4 years in a row. Here's a Google Maps View of America's Sweatiest Cities. (Source: NBCi TV from Dallas)

Google Mapping Top 100 Most Powerful and Best Paid Celebrities

Here's a Google Maps View of Forbes List of World's Top 100 Most Powerful and Best Paid Celebrities. Topping the List this year is Oprah Winfrey, Tiger Woods, Madonna, Rolling Stones, Brad Pitt. (Source Forbes)

Google Mapping - TB Patient Andrew Speaker's risky trip

Here's a Google Maps View of TB Patient Andrew Speaker's risky trip across the Atlantic. (Source Newsweek)

Bomb Explosion at Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, India

5 people were killed today (5/18/2007) in a bomb explosion at Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, India (more at CNN)

Here's a Google Maps View of Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, India.

America's Meanest Drivers

The likelihood of you running into a MEAN Driver in Miami, FL is very high compared to Portland, OR where you rarely might find a MEAN Driver.

AutoVantage is out with the latest ranking of "Road Rage in America". Miami Tops the list whereas Portland, OR was rated as the city where the drivers are most polite and courteous.

Here's a Google Maps View of the 25 cities which were ranked along with a link for "Anger Management" availability in each of the 25 cities.

Google Maps Driving Directions reprogrammed after Oakland Bridge Disaster

Withing 48 hours of Oakland Bridge Collapse, Google engineers have reprogrammed the driving directions with alternate routes. Check the driving directions out from Albany, CA to San Jose, CA

(via WashingtonPost)

British Airways Pilot too sleepy to fly

Passengers from a British Airways flight to London, UK were offloaded at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (Google Maps View) as the Airline crew felt that it did not have enough rest. So after a 13 hour delay which gave ample time for the British Airways Flight crew to rest the passengers were on their way to London. (more here)

Deadliest Shooting in US History at Virginia Tech

A gunman walked into (04/16/2007) a dorm and then into a classroom at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA) and killed 32 people in what is now the Deadliest shooting rampage in US History. (more at CNN, CBS, BBC)

(Note: The shooting Monday at Virginia Tech occurs in the same week, eight years ago, as the shooting at Columbine on April 20, 1999)

Here's the timeline of World Wide School shootings on Google Maps (source InfoPlease)

Oklahoma City - Fast Food Capital of America

Oklahoma city (Google Maps View) gets the distinction of being named the fast food capital of America for 2007. (Source CNN)


Quoting CNN:

What's behind Oklahoma City's propensity to purchase Big Macs? For starters, Oklahoma City ranked No. 15 in the latest survey of "America's Fattest Cities" by Men's Fitness magazine, which based its results on things like gym memberships and the amount of time spent sitting in traffic. That's up from No. 17 last year, but this is not a list you want to move up on.

The city also houses the headquarters of fast food chain Sonic, which has 268 locations across the state. (By comparison, Sonic has only 34 restaurants in all of California.) A quick search of McDonald's locations in the Oklahoma City area turned up 50 Golden Arches in and around the city, so its residents are certainly not wanting for fast-food options.

Aircrafts in a holding pattern over Manchester, NH

Passenger to Air Hostess on a SouthWest Flight 1187 to Machester, NH (Google Maps View): "Hello Miss why is this aircraft not landing, what's the problem".

Now how would you react if the Air Hostess replies "Sir, the Air Traffic Controller at Manchester, NH is on a potty break. As soon as he is done with his thing, we will be at the gate in no time - Here would you like some peanuts!".

The incident did really occur (except the conversations which I made up). Not only did the the potty break delayed the aircrafts in the air it also delayed the takeoff of a Plane carrying lungs for transplant. For more on this story check out CNN

Hey Cabbie! We need a ride to Sedona, Arizona!

No problems Sir! its going to cost you $3000 plus Gas, plus Food, plus lodging.
It's a Deal!
A retired couple moving from New York to Sedona, Arizona did not want their cats to travel in the cargo hold of the plane and like many in New York they don't drive a car so they decided to catch a cab to Arizona. (Source: CNN)

To help the couple and their cab driver out, here's the driving directions via Google Maps from New York to Sedona, Arizona (a 2339 mile journey).

New Home for Sex Offenders in Miami, FL

Google Maps View of Julia Tuttle Causeway, Miami, FL - the new home for Sex Offenders in Miami, Florida.

CNN is reporting:

Five men -- all registered sex offenders convicted of abusing children -- live along the causeway because there is a housing shortage for Miami's least welcome residents.

The Florida Department of Corrections says there are fewer and fewer places in Miami-Dade County where sex offenders can live because the county has some of the strongest restrictions against this kind of criminal in the country.

Florida's solution: house the convicted felons under a bridge that forms one part of the causeway.

The Julia Tuttle Causeway, which links Miami to Miami Beach, offers no running water, no electricity and little protection from nasty weather. It's not an ideal solution, Department of Corrections Officials told CNN, but at least the state knows where the sex offenders are.

America's Most and Least Tax Friendly States

Here' a Google Maps View of America's Most Tax Friendly State - Alaska and the Least Tax Friendly State - Vermont. (Source CNN Money)

America's Safest and Unsafest States to live - 2007

Here's Google Maps View of America's Safest and most unsafest states to live in 2007 as compiled by Morgan Quinto and reported by CNN

North Dakota - Safest
Nevada - Most Unsafe

Million Dollar Homes being rented for $150 a month in Hawaii

Japanese Billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto will be renting his million dollar homes located in exclusive oceanside Kahala Avenue area, Hawaii (Google Maps View) to native Hawaiian families for $150 a month.

Why is he doing this? Quoting him - "because the affluent people can help the least fortunate people." (Source: CNN)

Leprechaun in Orange County Florida - Drivers Slow Down!

Leprechaun in Orange County, Florida is handing out not GOLD but traffic tickets. He has been sighted in the vicinity of SR 417 and University Blvd (Google Maps View). (more here).

America's Best Car Company

Fortune has come out with who they think is America's Best Car Company (mentioned at the end of this post)

No it is not GM (Google Maps View, Headquarters - Detroit,MI)


No it is not FORD (Google Maps View, Headquarters - Dearborn, MI)


No it is not Chrysler (Google Maps View, Headquarters - Auburn Hills, MI)


IT IS TOYOTA (Google Maps View of Toyota Sales Office - Torrance, California)

101 year woman mugged for $33

Police in New York are searching for a man who mugged a 101 year old woman for $33 at 172-90 Highland Avenue, Queens, NY (Google Maps View).

Video of the incident.

(Source New York Post)

Newborn abducted from a hospital in Lubbock, Texas

A 3 day old girl was abducted from Covenant Lakeside hospital (Google Maps View) in Lubbock Texas by a woman posing as a nurse.








Quoting CNN:

Officers are hunting a 5-foot-3-inch woman seen on security cameras in pink scrubs with purple and blue flowers.

The African-American infant, Mychael Darthard-Dawodu, has jaundice and weighs about 6 pounds, according to the Amber Alert issued by Lubbock Police Department.

Anyone with information about the kidnapping is asked to call the Lubbock Police Department at 806-775-2788, 806-775-2816 or 806-741-1000.

Hong Kong Native elected to Political Office in Northern Ireland - A first

Chinese Media reports that Anna Lo a Hong Kong native became the first Chinese person elected to a political office in Europe. She finished 3rd in the South Belfast Constituency, Ireland.

Quoting AP:

Lo was one of seven people elected to the 108-member Northern Ireland Assembly from the Alliance Party, which seeks to draw support from all sides of the community.

SUV Joyride thru a mall in Augusta, Georgia

Someone decided to go on a joyride in his SUV thru "Augusta Mall" in Augusta, Georgia. The driver is in jail tonight charged with several serious crimes, including DUI.

(see the video of the joyride). (Click here for more on the story).

Google Maps view of Augusta Mall, Augusta, Georgia.

Bronx Fire kills 8 kids and a adult

CNN is reporting:

Eight children and an adult died and several others were injured in a house fire that authorities are calling one of New York's deadliest blazes in recent memory.

(Google Maps View of the Location)