Interesting reads today

JUST wanted to share with you guys the interesting (and eerie) news/blogs I've read today.

Did anyone know that Quezon City is traffic accident capital of the country? Just check out this latest research from GMA News TV.

Metro’s killer roads claim 172 lives, injure 5,412 in first half of 2007

The accident that killed former Social Welfare secretary Dulce Saguisag took place early Thursday morning at the corner of President Sergio Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway) and Antonio Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road) in Makati City.

Records from the MMDA’s Metropolitan Road Safety Unit show that 68 accidents happened at that particular intersection from January to September this year. So far, the road accidents in that intersection took at least two lives this year, including that of Saguisag.

Still, the Osmeña-Arnaiz junction is not in the MMDA’s list of “blackspots" or accident-prone areas. (Click GMA News TV for the rest.)

Here's one from the New York Times about how an artist had proposed to light up the Twin Towers way back in 1986. Chills up my spine!

An Eerie Portent in Light, 15 Years Before 9/11

Two bright, white parallel columns soar from the dark canyons of Lower Manhattan to pierce the night sky.

You think at first that you’re looking at a study for “Tribute in Light,” the ephemeral memorial to 9/11 that has become a civic tradition since its 88 spotlights were first illuminated on March 11, 2002.

But the date of the photomontage is all wrong: 1986. And the artist was Douglas L. Leigh, the lighting designer responsible for much of Times Square’s neon pizazz and for many of the luminous landmarks on the city skyline. That makes these images all the more stunning. (Read it at NYT Blog.)

Another one from NYT re: US slowdown next year. Tighten your belts kids. Don't believe a word from our government officials. If the US economy falters, so do we. Oof!

Fed Chairman Says Economy Likely to Slow

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 — Ben S. Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, told Congress today that the economy is going to get worse before it gets better, a message that got a chilly reception from both Wall Street and politicians.

On a day when stock prices swung wildly, the dollar hit another new low against the euro and further signs emerged that consumers are growing more cautious about spending, Mr. Bernanke warned that the economy is about to “slow noticeably” as the housing market continues to spiral downward and financial institutions tighten up on lending.

But in a disappointment to investors, Mr. Bernanke offered no signal that the central bank might soften the blow by lowering interest rates for a third time this year at its next policy meeting on Dec. 11. (Read the rest at Bernanke.)

Here's good news from the Pacific Daily News for those who want to work in the U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Marianas.

House bill nixes H-2 visa cap: Guam could benefit from CNMI immigration measure

Legislation that cleared a committee in U.S. House of Representatives yesterday would exempt Guam and the Northern Marianas from the nationwide cap on H-2 temporary worker visas.

The bill started as a move to tighten border security and stop alleged abuses of the foreign worker program in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

In addition, a new amendment would exempt the islands from the cap on H-2 visas. (Click here.)

And who says the Philippines is a poor country? 50,000 just paid to watch Beyoncé concert the other night, according to the Phil. Star. (And this just after the Josh Groban concert ha.) Why I wasn't there? Cos I'm poor!

50,000 paid to see Beyonce

In a country where money has to be doled out for crowds to hear politicians speak or for protests to be mounted, over 50,000 people paid – from P600 to P20,000 – to watch pop sensation Beyonce in her first-ever Philippine concert Wednesday night, setting a record in local musical history.

Under a clear star-lit sky, Beyonce drew in as many people as there were stars in the sky to the Fort Bonifacio open field in Taguig City for her one-night only concert.

Southeast Asian royalty and showbiz blue-bloods mingled with over 50,000 Beyonce fans for what has become the most-well attended concert of a foreign artist produced by MTV Philippines, the country’s biggest concert promoter. (Click Phil. Star)