Firefighters have largely controlled the gas fire on Friday that was brought by a roaring explosion of a gas pipeline, killing four people and devastated 38 homes in a small San Francisco town.

Also, investigators searched the scene to look for clues that can be linked on the explosion on Thursday evening in San Bruno, with almost all of the houses searched by rescue dogs and some are too hot to go into. San Bruno is a small city close to San Francisco International Airport.

In addition, the burst pipeline was owned by service Pacific Gas & Electric Co, resulting to a decrease in shares of more than eight percent by parent company PG&E Corp on Friday.

Moreover, California Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado, acting for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who was now embarked on a trade mission in Asia, stated that he wanted a more comprehensive and extensive reports about people calling PG&E about smelling gas right before the blast occurred.

Maldonado added that the investigation is going on as of the moment, stressing that there will be a responsibility as the pipeline is owned by PG&E.

Officials also said that at least four people were killed in the explosion and some 58 more were injured. As of this moment, there are still a few hundred firefighters in the site of the blast.

Furthermore, San Bruno Fire Chief Dennis Haag told a news conference on Friday afternoon that they have now asked for two supplementary urban search and rescue squads to help them as there is rather a bit of debris and rubble that has to be unfurnished.

Maldonado, who at this time declared a state of emergency to speed up assistance to the city and the people affected, has seen melted cares and sewage over the street when he personally went to the site.

Flames continuously rage at San Bruno, California which was caused by a loud explosion.

Authorities are now making moves to extinguish the big explosion that took place at San Bruno that resulted in to a big fire. As of now, the cause of the explosion remains unidentified, but it is seems to be a gas station explosion.

Fire crews from distant cities as well as agencies are sending out every single fire crews they have and other necessary equipment available. Four air-tankers were dispatched to help together with two smaller attack planes and more or less 25 fire engines from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

According to witnesses, the explosion sounded extremely loud and terrifying. They have added that it was like seeing gigantic fireballs when it happened. One of the witnesses was Leigh Bishop, staff pastor at Church of the Highlands in San Bruno. According to him, he though the blast happened right behind their church building so he ran in to activate the building’s fire alarm to get everyone out of the church.

Residents affirmed that the impact was felt as if an earthquake struck when the blast took place. Even the radiant heat coming from the flames could be felt several blocks away from the place where the explosion happened. Reports added that the blast have destroyed several homes. There are still no reports of casualties.

Meanwhile, according to Melanie Finke, spokesperson of American Red Cross, their agency established several emergency shelters for people who are affected by the big explosions and fire in San Bruno tonight. These shelters are situated at the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center, located at 251 City Park Way at Crystal Springs Road in San Bruno. Food and shelter will be provided to the evacuees.

A pastor canceled his scheme to burn copies of Koran on Thursday at his vague Florida church, which had drawn international outcry.

In addition, this scheme has also reached President Barack Obama and he warned that it could cause al Qaeda to retaliate in a series of suicide bombings.

Moreover, Defense Secretary Robert Gates called the attention of Terry Jones, an obscure Christian pastor who leads the tiny Dove World Outreach Center church in the town of Gainesville in Florida, to say to him not to continue his plan, according to Pentagon.

Spokesman from Pentagon, Geoff Morrell stated that Gates had shown great distress in the short phone call with Jones, saying that the burning of Koran could put the lives of the American Troops, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Subsequently, Jones stated to reporters in his church that he was declining to pursue his plan that caused worldwide condemnation and increased tensions on this year’s anniversary of the September 11, 2001, al Qaeda suicide attacks on Washington and New York.

Also, he affirmed that Gates’ call influenced him, but he associated his conclusion to what according to him was an agreement between him and by Muslim leaders, which they disagree with, to move an Islamic cultural hub and mosque intended proximal to the location of the September 11 assaults that have taken away the lives of some 3,000 people.

Jones allegedly said that the imam has concurred to relocate the mosque, and that made them to cancel their plan in burning Korans on Friday.

Furthermore, he stated that on Saturday, he would go to New York alongside Imam Muhammad Musri, leader of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, to have a discussion with the New York Imam at the spotlight of the controversy, Feisal Abdul Rauf.

A study conducted by Symantec revealed that Internet crime has grown rampant worldwide.

The study, which comprises 7,000 adults from 14 nations, showed intriguing insights into consumers’ negligent attitudes toward online piracy, plagiarism, and other unethical and illegal activities.

About 65% of the participant in the “Norton Cybercrime Report: The Human Impact”, which was out Wednesday, said that they have been a victim of online crime. This includes virus or malware attacks, phishing, hacking of social network profiles, online scams, credit card fraud, and sexual predation.

Malware or malicious software attacks, by far has been the most common form of cybercrime. About half of the respondents said that they have been affected by malwares. However, the victim rate dropped considerably. For instance, about 10 percent of the adult participants said that they have fallen prey to online scams, and only 7 percent encountered credit card fraud.

China is on top of the list of online crime spot. About 83 percent of respondents from china were victims of Internet crime. India and Brazil tied just behind China with 76 percent. The US came in third with 73 percent.

The Norton report has some provocative implications for businesses. The report revealed that 28 percent of adults worldwide expect to be a victim of frauds online. 86 percent or nine out of ten think about cybercrime.

Talking about digital piracy, many people are enthusiastic to join in online activities that are clearly illegal offline. About 15 out of 100 people wrongfully think that it is legal to download a movie, music track, or an album without paying for it.

It is no doubt that the anonymous nature of the internet is the main reason why the public have this attitude towards online piracy. Some said that it is just fine to do it, regarding that you would not get caught.

However, three out of four people said that they would not share passwords or open e-mail attachments from strangers. Just proves that efforts to educate online public are working, although in gradual pace.

On Wednesday night, four tornadoes strike in and around Dallas, Texas, causing debris to fly everywhere.

A funnel cloud was seen in Cockrell Hill, southwest of downtown, as sirens went off. Then, another tornado was spotted in Ellis County and another three in Dallas County, affirmed by CNN meteorologist Taylor Ward.

Some aerial footage were taken during the formation of the tornado and when it touched down an industrial complex resulting in to flying roofs and knocked down walls. A tractor-trailer truck situated in a parking lot had its roof caved in by cement block blown from a nearby building. However, no reports of damage, injuries, and casualties were reported after the incident took place.

According to Ward, tornadoes are common incident on the eastern side on a tropical system landfall. This is due to the increased rotation of the wind with height or vertical wind shear.

According to experts, the occurrence of tornadoes in Dallas is caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine. The Decaying tropical storms like the remnants of Hermine often spawn tornadoes.

In connection to this, the remnants of Hermine caused extensive flooding in the northern part of Texas, and started pounding the southern part of Oklahoma on Wednesday. Unfortunately, this phenomenon resulted two casualties and some damages.

Furthermore, nonstop search-and-rescue operations are conducted to save stranded people by fast-rising floodwater across north and central part of Texas. Texas Governor Rick Perry immediately ordered the activation of state search-and-rescue capabilities. In this, rescue teams will be equipped with UH-60 Blackhawk choppers and other rescue resources.

As of now, authorities of Texas are continuously searching for possible victims of this phenomenon. This is according to Williamson County sheriff’s Sgt. John Foster.

Lastly, the National Hurricane Center stated that further rainfall is expected through Thursday from eastern Texas and Oklahoma into Missouri and Arkansas. Flash floods or flood warnings are considered, but hoping not to happen, in those particular states.

Tropical Storm Hermine strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico as it moved toward the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday.

However, the oil and gas operation in the Gulf of Mexico was not affected by the approaching Tropical Storm, and companies stated that the operation is just normal.

Moreover, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said that Hermine was the eighth storm that entered the Atlantic season and it is anticipated that it will reach hurricane strength before it hits land on Monday night.

Also, the forecasted path of the storm kept it away from the direction of all major oil and natural gas instillations in the Gulf of Mexico, and energy corporations stated that it did not affect all their operations.

In addition the U.S. National Hurricane Center posed warning that the storm could drop torrential rains on the coastal area and might hold a two to four feet storm surge that could result in deadly flashfloods and mudslides.

Subsequently, a tropical storm warning was imposed from La Cruz, Mexico, to Port O’Connor, Texas, while a hurricane observation was imposed from Rio San Fernando Mexico, to Baffin Bay, Texas.

Also, at 4 p.m., Hermine was almost 100 miles south-southeast of Brownsville, Texas and is moving north-northwest at the speed of 15 miles per hour and the tropical storm had maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour.

In July, Hurricane Alex devastated the northeastern part of Mexico, which killed 12 people and caused heavy flooding in the business capital of Monterrey. It was estimated that the damage caused by the storm was at $700 million.

Furthermore, the U.S. National Hurricane Center stated that Hermine is anticipated to drop four to eight inches of torrential rain over northeastern Mexico and south Texas, with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches probable.

Indonesian baby boy Aldi Suganda quit smoking cigarettes after being examined in a rehabilitation center to stop his smoking habit.

The boy used to smoke approximately 40 cigars each day before quitting.

Aldi Suganda is a 2-year-old Indonesian baby boy and was labeled as the “Smoking Boy”, since it is not normal for a boy his age to smoke cigarettes every day causing him to undergo an examination to a rehabilitation center.

Rehabilitations can aid those who desire to stop smoking or nicotine habit. However, some professionals had affirmed that he might be tempted to smoke again once he stops the rehabilitation process. It is truly an unbelievable habit for this young boy because he can consume at least two packs of cigars in one day.

The smoking boy was taken to the Jakarta capital for extreme psychological as well as medical treatment accompanied by her mother, Diana. Local government has sponsored the trip. Moreover, no one would anticipate, the smoking boy Aldi nearly requested for a cigarette upon reaching the hospital though he was not allowed to smoke even a single cigar.

He underwent several testing that include ultrasound and chest X-ray to examine his heart and lungs. Doctors revealed a thickening on his heart’s left wall. According to the attending doctors, this was caused by the Aldi’s obesity,which forces his heart to work harder. Although the stated that his health was not totally bother yet.

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Committee of Child Protection Aris Merdeka Sirait said, mostly young smokers are between the ages of 5-9 and this year, they discovered that there are young kids who begin smoking as early as one year old.

He added that Indonesia ever since has no precise regulation concerning its tobacco business.

Cuba’s former president Fidel Castro showed up wearing a full olive green military uniform and spoke to the people outside the University of Havana on Friday.

This was his first appearance after four years when he nearly died. The former president appeared strong as well as evident speaking for about 35 minutes infront of thousands of students from the University of Havana’s historical steps in speech televised by all the channels across the state.

Castro, 84, as he had executed in his numerous public appearances since early July, repeatedly addressed his warning of nuclear devastation against Iran, although he refrain from saying anything regarding the domestic issues on Cuba.

However, Castro’s return has marked a comeback of the two symbols of his nearly 50 years as a president in Cuba that has set aside following an emergency operation in his intestine that nearly left him death back in 2006.

He wore glasses to read his written message; however, it was of using his famous introduction line compañero, which he uses regularly for the past four years, Castro started his message saying, comandante en jefe.

During Castro’s four years recovery period after his operation, he used to wear jogging suits and lately wearing civilian clothing. This summer, he started wearing his traditional olive green military uniform, at first was a shirt and then his jacket, and recently with a cap.

The former Cuban president announced that he has completely recovered and in an interview conducted by a Mexican tabloid this week, Castro said he revive his life saying that his health is doing fine though at some point of his life he nearly did not survive.

South Korea offers 10 billion won ($ 8.4 million) to help in the recovery of North Korea from recent flooding.

South Korea proposes the aid and considers it as the first step in helping the northern neighbor after the event concerning the sinking of a South Korean ship allegedly by a North Korean warship and sanctions made by the U.S. against North Korea. The proposed aid came after the U.S. added new sanctions against the northern country.

The Red Cross in Seoul made the offer. It was communicating with the Red Cross based on Pyongyang to help the flood affected North Koreans. Officials invested the aid in giving relief goods, medicines, and emergency supplies to the people of North Korea. The southern country is waiting if North Korea will accept the offer. Furthermore, they said that they would be providing additional aids as needed with the call coming from North Korea. The South Korea cannot make any action unless the North Korea authorizes it.

The continuous rainfall in North Korea in July and August brought flooding in the low land in the country. The northwestern part of the country and the city of Sinuiju suffered most of the flooding. More than 5,000 people evacuated to the neighbor country of China. Flooding affects mostly agricultural and farming lands. This had brought both economic and health problems to the country.

China had been helping the country with large amount of aids. North Korea considers China as its remaining large ally country. A recent visit of President Kim to China had made many issues including nuclear programs. However, the officials claim that the meeting was rather in economic terms and strengthening the tie between their nations.

The U.S. has expanded its sanctions against North Korea last Monday. U.S. officials claim that they were cutting off the trade between them and North Korea.

Rescue workers started drilling a hole to reach the trapped Chilean miners more than 2,300 feet below.

As a first step for a weeklong digging, rescuers started digging 50 feet into the rock for a “pilot hole” to guide the way for the rescue, using a 31-ton drill. In a process that could take four months, the drillers will replace the drill with larger bits to expand the hole and pull the miners trough.

There are reports that the miners moved nearly 1,000 feet deeper to camp on a drier area. The rescuers presented a new video that showed the miners to be generally positive but emotional about their separation from their families.

Since the cave-in on August 5, the miners have been trapped more than 2,300 feet down inside the San Jose gold and copper mine beneath the Chile’s Atacama Desert. The incident now equals the ordeal in China last year, where only three miners survived, trapped in a loaded mine for 25 days. It was the longest known survival in an underground disaster.

On Sunday afternoon, the miners were each allowed a brief conversation with a family member trough a newly installed telephone line that the rescuers rigged in the mine to link the miners with Camp Hope, a nearby tent village where their relatives gathered.

Omar Reygadas, 56, asked to speak to his youngest son, Luciano, and they had just a minute to talk, said the young boy. “I told him about us, that we’re well, that we’re all supporting him, praying for him,” he said. Omar said that he was doing the same and reassured his son that all the miners were all calm and healthy.

The latest video the miners sent up proved what Omar said. In the video, the miners were seen shirtless and wearing a quick-drying white surgical trousers. The miners said in the video that they are now doing better since they received food and water from the rescuers, add to that the encouragement that they receive from their families trough handwritten notes that both parties passed through a tiny gap hole.