August 10, 2017 Uncategorized

Nokia Inc. announces plans for iPhone rival

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Announced early Wednesday morning at Nokia’s GoEvent, in a plan to expand the company’s revenue, Finland-based company Nokia Inc. is developing a mobile phone similar to its rival iPhone, which will be available in the near future for Nokia customers. The phone is expected to be available by 2008.

Most of the features are the same as the iPhone’s. They include music, games, and many other features, even ones that the iPhone may not have. Ovi (in Finnish meaning “Door”) will be the door for more than 2 million songs and games available for download on the new device. Users will be able to download wirelessly in their own home or anywhere there is access to a computer.

But this is not the first time Nokia has made an attempt like this to increase its revenue. In October of 2003 the company revealed the N-Gage, a game-playing cell phone, but was “stocked-out” due to poor sales. The N95 smartphone, which was released in the U.S. on April 7, 2007 (before the iPhone on June 29, 2007) includes WiFi, a GPS, a music player, and a 5 megapixel digital camera. The three other phones that were revealed at the event in London will be in-stock next quarter. The new N81 and the modified N95 smartphones were among the revealed at yesterday’s event; the N81 is a new member to Nokia’s smartphone family; the N95 has been modified by having more memory and a sleeker LCD screen.

When Nokia was asked about the striking similarity between this and the iPhone, Nokia’s Executive Vice President and General Manager of Multimedia, Anssi Vanjoki, said, “If there is something good in the world then we copy with pride.”

Nokia first demoed their iPhone rival August 29th. During their demo they omitted the fact that the demo was for the software to be in use, not the actual hardware.[1]

August 9, 2017 Hardware

Keyboard Effects In Worship Hammond Organs And Lead Synth Sounds}

Keyboard Effects in Worship – Hammond organs and lead synth sounds

by

Musicademy

Hammond organ and lead synth sounds can be used in a highly effective way in a worship context, however the use of both of these sounds is heavily dependent on the role of the keyboard player within the band. These types of sound will tend to be used where there is already a reasonably full band to start with. This means that they will be most appropriate when there is already a full rhythm section. In practice this is likely to mean a group with drums, bass, rhythm guitar and either another guitar (electric) or someone playing first keys (who is likely to use mainly piano and electric piano sounds). As a rule of thumb it would be unwise to overuse either type of sound in a much smaller band.

Hammond organs (and synthesised emulations of their sound) are commonplace in many styles of modern music from rock to R&B. Originally intended as a cheaper alternative to the pipe organ, the Hammond organ was taken up by gospel and jazz artists because of its distinctive sound and the many possible variations in tone. These variations are selected using nine drawbars (per manual) each of which triggers a different note in the harmonic series for every key. Each drawbar has eight volume settings and it is the combination of these plus vibrato, percussion, overdrive and reverb effects which make up the overall sound of the Hammond organ.

In reality many of us will rely on preset sounds and patches rather than being able to create our own using dedicated hardware or software. A number of keyboards now offer the ability to alter drawbar and effects settings but there are still a great many which do not. Most general purpose synthesizers have Hammond organ sounds on their ranks but these may be known by different names. They could be B3, rock organ, jazz organ, full bars, soft organ and other similar names.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vG-6lcj2nU[/youtube]

There are a number of different ways to use Hammond organ sounds which I shall outline briefly. The first is similar to the way one would use a pad sound playing chords to support the harmonic movement of a song. This is a very common way of using the sound as it can be much more immediate than a pad sound and also cuts through the mix lot better. You can use this style of playing in both fast, powerful songs and more ballad-like settings. Be careful when selecting sounds for different songs and make sure that the power of the sound matches the feel of the music.

With any style of Hammond organ playing it is extremely important to keep everything in the correct register. The lower parts of this kind of sound can muddy up the lower and middle parts of the overall mix so these are best avoided for all but fleeting moments it is better to keep most playing more than an octave above middle C for comfort.

One time when a lower register may be used is when utilising a common playing technique. Hammond organ players often use long glissandos up to a held note (or chord) in the higher register of the instrument. These can sometimes even be played with the forearm (and often with the palm of the hand). These can be used to great effect when building from a verse into the chorus of a song where the feel wants to be built up greatly. Smaller glissandos can also be used between different chords and this is a very common playing effect.

Another technique which is often used is to play melodic figures (around chord notes) underneath a held higher note. To use this technique it is important to find a note which will fit with a number of chords in a row so that this can be held over the top of the movement underneath it.

It is also possible to use Hammond organ sounds to play lead line melodies maybe in an introduction. If this is going to be used along with any of the other styles of playing outlined above it is important to change the volume of the keyboard carefully so that this line is loud enough without chordal playing becoming too dominant in the mix.

The last important point to make about Hammond organ sounds is the possible use of a Leslie speaker effect. Many keyboards and all good Hammond organ emulators now include the option for adding this swirling effect to the sound. To gain the best effect from the use of a Leslie simulator it is necessary to turn it on and off (or from fast to slow) whilst playing. This often necessitates playing mainly with one hand and keeping the other free to push the button or turn the modulation wheel.

Lead synth sounds are much quicker and easier to deal with than Hammond organs. This is partly because they are only used infrequently in a worship setting. You will find different lead sounds in many keyboards and these include Saw leads, Sine leads and Square leads along with numerous others. Most of the names relate to the shape of the wave which creates the sound. By their nature lead sounds will often be quite harsh so that they cut through the mix. The best use for these sounds is to create lead melody lines for introductions and links. It is very easy for these sounds to conflict with a lead guitar part if they are playing different things. However, if both instruments play the same riff or melody a very effective sound can result.

When dealing with any new sound one of the best things we can do is to listen widely and try to hear the application of these voices in different styles of music. Try to imitate or emulate these uses, even playing along with the track at home if possible. Try things out in rehearsals and see if it works but dont go ahead and use new ideas in a live environment until you are comfortable with them.

Andy Chamberlain (andy@musicademy.com) is co-founder of http://Musicademy.com, a music school that produces DVDs, online lessons and practical training in contemporary instruments particularly for church based musicians. Go to the website for DVD and online instruction in worship guitar, keyboards, bass, drums and singing.Read the article in context and other related topics on the Musicademy newsletter archivehttp://musicademy.com/news.html

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August 7, 2017 Shipping

5 Tips For Successful Container Gardening With Flowers}

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Submitted by: Theresa Goodman

If you follow these 5 tips for successful container gardening you will not only save time, but money, frustration and possibly embarrassment. As this is an increasingly popular venue for gardening, container gardening is making a fashion statement. Container gardens are already very popular for entries, patios and decks. Maybe you’ve thought about incorporating them into your office or home, but haven’t. If by chance you feel a little overwhelmed on the basics, here are 5 tips for successful container gardening, even if it’s your first.

Before you run off in all directions as if you had 2 hours to create a masterpiece, pause to do some planning. First think about what type of feeling you want to have, when you look at your container. For me, I want to feel like I’ve walked into my own “secret garden” and have a sense of calm. I think about how it will smell, and feel among other things. Is it going to be a focal point in a room, or mixed in as part of a theme? Will it be the centerpiece on a table, or placed in a semi-lit hallway?

Tip #1

Anything can be used as a container. If you are purchasing a container from the store, choose ones with drainage holes. However, if you can poke, drill or carve a hole in it then use it. Container gardens have been made from tables, old pots, milk cartons, cans, gloves, boots, pocketbooks, suitcases, pots, pans and mailboxes, just to name a few. You can be creative and recycle items to use as containers. Allow yourself to be creative. Be sure to clean it out, and let it dry thoroughly. If you’ve used any chemicals or any type of varnish, clean and let dry. Look around for anything that can be shaped to hold dirt.

Tip #2

Use containers larger than the root ball of your plant, considering the size of the mature plant. This is really important and sometimes we forget about how big the plant may actually grow or say to ourselves we’ll just transplant it as it grows. Therefore, you want your roots to be able to expand; otherwise the plant is going to eventually die. So read the information card to get a good idea of what size container you will ultimately need.

Tip #3

Use a good potting soil, compost or combination of both. I didn’t realize how many types and combination soils are available. Just because a bag of soil is on sale, doesn’t mean it’s good. Think of your soil as a primary food for your plants food chain. To get the desired results it pays to know what’s in a particular soil and if it what your plant/flower needs. Also, sometimes the soil may be too heavy for what you are planting. Just filling a pot up with dirt and stuffing your starter plant therein, may cause you to waste time and money.

Tip #4

In most containers the weight and scale of a container can become an issue when the pot has to be transported to a new location. The best thing to do is to move your pot to its final location before you plant it. You do have the option of reducing the overall weight of a large container. You can fill it with lightweight potting soil, ceramic beads, Styrofoam, broken pieces of pot, drainage gravel, pine cones, aluminum cans or small plastic nursery pots. I’ve even used an empty plastic milk carton.

Tip #5

Select plants that suit your light conditions. Too much sun for one plant will kill it while do little sun for another plant will do the same. Full sun means your plant will receive a minimum of six hours of sunlight daily.

If you follow these 5 tips, you will experience success in container gardening with flowers. You won’t pull your hair out, or throw darts at a dart board out of frustration, because you can get it right the first time.

About the Author: I enjoy gardening, specifically container gardening,so you can learn from my mistakes. I was a remedial gardener gone pro. That’s my final answer. The site is regularly updated. Be my guest and stop by!

containergarden411.com/blog

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Eight dead and two missing after cargo ship fire in Kaliningrad, Russia

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Eight people are dead and two more are missing and presumed dead after an explosion and fire on a cargo ship undergoing repairs at a naval dockyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.

The container ship MV Yenisey was the scene of an explosion while in drydock at about 3:00 p.m. Moscow time (11:00 GMT). Ten people were missing after the explosion. It was confirmed today that the eighth body has been recovered, and the remaining two are thought to be dead as well. Three more were injured.

Captain 1st Rank Igor Dygalo, acting as a navy spokesperson, said “Each family of the victims of the fire on the Yenisey civilian vessel will be paid more than a million rubles.” This makes their compensation roughly equivalent to US$43,000.

Dygolo said that the dockyard, in the closed military town of Baltiysk, near Kaliningrad, had been leased to the Yenisey’s St Petersburg owner, a private company, who were conducting the work themselves. He said an investigation has been launched by the navy led by top admiral Vladimir Vysotsky.

Vysotski himself has indicated that serious safety legislation breaches concerning welding regulations by both the vessel’s owner and the naval dockyard’s bosses. He did not go into details, but RIA Novosti claimed that a source at the dockyard said a gas burner applied to the roof of a fuel tank to heat and therefore loosen its bolts had triggered the disaster.

Today is an official day of mourning for Kaliningrad Region to mark the deaths.

Uncategorized

Militants in Pakistan torch NATO, US military vehicles

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Pakistani officials have reported that vehicles supplying NATO forces in Afghanistan have been set on fire by suspected militants. The attack occurred in the northwestern city of Peshawar which lies on Pakistan’s North-Western frontier at 0230 local time.

Sources claim that more than 250 gunmen using rockets, grenades and AK-47s overpowered the guards setting the Humvees on fire. The Pakistani officials claim that 96 trucks, 70 Humvees and 6 containers were destroyed.

In November this year, 12 lorries carrying Humvees were captured by the militants in the famous Khyber Pass. The convoy was also carrying food and aid to the NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Uncategorized

NASA prepares to launch mission to nearby asteroids

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

NASA is beginning the final preparations for next Wednesday’s launch of the Dawn probe, aboard a Delta II rocket. The Dawn probe, costing over US$250 million, will visit the dwarf planet Ceres and the asteroid Vesta. The launch was originally planned for mid-June, however due to a damaged crate, shipping delays, and a damaged solar panel, NASA chose to delay it until now. Last week the spacecraft was delivered to the launch pad, and engineers performed tests to ensure that it is ready for launch. Today, the payload fairings were installed, and the probe is ready for its launch next week onto its 5 billion kilometer (3.2 billion mile) mission.

As the Delta II launches, three stages of rockets will propel the probe towards its first target. With the help of ion thrusters, it will reach Mars in mid-2009. Using Mars’ gravity, the probe will speed up and proceed towards the first asteroid, Vesta, in late 2011. After orbiting for seven months, it will leave Vesta in mid-2012, and arrive at Ceres in 2015. After making scans of Ceres, it will enter an orbit around Ceres that will ensure that it does not impact the asteroid for half a century. This is required due to the United Nations’ “Outer Space Treaty”, which states that “harmful contamination” of these asteroids must be avoided.

The targets of this mission, Ceres and Vesta, couldn’t be less alike. Ceres (diameter 975 km, 600 miles) is larger than Vesta (578 km, 350 miles). This makes Ceres approximately the size of Texas. NASA believes Ceres could contain water beneath its outer crust because, like Earth, its inner layers are heavier than the outer layers, and Ceres’ outer layer is lighter than water. Vesta, on the other hand, is the size of Arizona, and has a surface of volcanic rock, which astronomers believe came from its hot inner layers. Vesta also has a large crater – almost 500 km (300 miles) across – on its southern pole. The collision that caused this likely blasted enough rock into space to fill a container 160 by 160 by 80 km (100 by 100 by 50 miles).

The probe will make several observations of these asteroids: it will compare the makeup, shape, size, and densities, analyze craters, and determine mass, gravity, rotation. To determine the makeup, the probe carries a mapping spectrometer, and tools to map emissions of neutrons and gamma rays. Using this information, NASA can compare the formation of these bodies to learn more about our solar system, for example, to test a theory which states that a number of stony meteorites may be debris from Vesta.

There’s one more piece of equipment aboard the probe: A small silicon chip containing the names of 350,000 people who submitted their names to the “Send Your Name to the Asteroid Belt” campaign. After next week’s launch, the spacecraft will deploy its solar panels and undergo two months of testing before it begins the cruise to Mars.

August 3, 2017 Camping

Top Rated Uganda Wildlife Safari Destinations}

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Top-Rated Uganda Wildlife Safari Destinations

by

Nadzua Matara

Crowned as the Pearl of Africa- Uganda is known for its abundant flora, fauna, beautiful landscapes, unspoiled wilderness and diverse wildlife like the predators, chimpanzees, and gorillas. On a guided Uganda wildlife safari, you will get a chance to explore its unique natural beauty, the top-rated Wildlife safari destinations, tourist attractions (that are easily accessible by road and air), spectacular sights and fascinating wildlife.

Please have a look at some of the best Wildlife safari destinations in Uganda that will help in experiencing the tranquility, serenity of nature and witnessing thrilling encounters with a stunning wildlife!

1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KESvjJbsotU[/youtube]

Located in the Southwestern, Uganda, the Bwindi National Park is considered to be a home for the Mountain Gorillas. This park in Uganda attracts many Wildlife safari seekers from around the world to enjoy a thrilling gorilla tracking expedition. Witnessing the endangered Mountain gorillas on a tracking expedition, you will be able to experience a memorable wildlife experience in Uganda. To enjoy a gorilla tracking at the Bwindi, you need a permit, which is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The Bwindi Impenetrable park is also known for its rich ecosystem, 7 diurnal primates, forest elephants, different bird species and species of mammals. No doubt, this park in Uganda will prove to be the best destination to explore on a Wildlife safari tour.

2. Queen Elizabeth National Park:

Having the highest biodiversity in the world, the Queen Elizabeth Park is home to more than 100 mammal species and a wide variety of bird species. The open savanna, rain forest, dense papyrus and brooding crater lakes make it a suitable habitat for a diverse wildlife like elephants, hippos, Uganda kob, giant forest hogs, leopards, buffaloes and more. The best activity that you will enjoy at the Queen Elizabeth National Park on a Wildlife safari is Chimpanzee tracking. Apart from the chimpanzees, you will also get a chance to witness the Columbus monkeys, olive baboons, and red-tail monkeys. The special tree-climbing lions in the remote section of Ishasha is one of the best highlights of exploring the Queen Elizabeth Park.

3. Murchison Falls National Park:

On a wildlife safari tour in Uganda, you can explore one of the exquisite national parks in Uganda Murchison Falls National Park. This national park in Uganda will help you to see the densest hippo population (on the African continent) and an array of wildlife. The south of this park is a home to the chimpanzees, rain forest creatures and several bird species. At the Uganda Murchison Falls National Park, you can enjoy birding, nature walk, and chimpanzee tracking. You can enjoy boat trips or game drives at this park to witness the Big Five Mammals like the lions, rhinos, leopards, elephants and buffaloes.

Conclusion:

The above listed are some few Uganda wildlife safari destinations, apart from these there are many other amazing spots, which you can consider to explore on a guided tour. Do not forget to contact a reputable safari company or tour operator to book a well planned and guided tour package to witness the stunning and diverse wildlife in Uganda.

This article is produced by

BuyMore Adventures

– a licensed Kenya safari company, which offers a wide variety of affordable

Uganda wildlife safari

packages.

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New Zealand’s South Island and southern North Island struck by storms

Monday, January 2, 2006

New Zealand’s warm sunny New Year’s weather has come to a sudden end as gale force winds and rain assault southern New Zealand.

In parts of the South Island New Year campers have finished their holiday early as winds averaging 120km/h (75 m/h), gusting at times up to 180km/h (112 m/h), have blown in.

Power went out to 1300 homes in the capital city Wellington; flights were grounded at the airport, with incoming flights diverted to Palmerston North airport.

“The North Island will also be affected by the low,” says MetService forecaster Michael Short, “with heavy rain around the Tararua Ranges and Mt Taranaki.”

The MetService has issued severe weather warnings for most of the South Island and the southern portion of the North Island; bad weather is also forecasted throughout the rest of the country.

The MetService says to expect bad weather for the next 10 days as a deepening low moves south of Stewart Island, but a flow of westerly winds is expected to stay put all week.

Holiday makers have been asked by MetService to review their holiday plans and keep up to date with the latest weather.

July 9, 2017 Kitchen Home Improvement

The Power Of 15 Minutes To An Organized House

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By Judith Davis

Being a stay at home mom you would think I have a spotless organized house. One of those homes that is ready for company at any given time. You would be wrong. I have to say that I think there are a lot of other stay at home moms that do not have organized house either.

It seems to take a certain type to be able to keep a house like that. An organized house just is not in the cards for me, unless I harness the power of the fifteen minutes. What does fifteen minutes have to do with an organized house? Well quite a bit if you sit and think about it. What can you do in fifteen minutes that will give your house that organized house look?

Fifteen Minutes to Clean floors – It takes me fifteen minutes to sweep and swiffer my tile floors downstairs. This is the entrance to my house. This is where people get the first impression. Where better to use your fifteen minutes to a better organized house?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3paQ8oVFd0k[/youtube]

Fifteen Minutes to Clean the stove top – This chore may take less than fifteen minutes. But it is a chore that often times we put off until we have to do it. This makes our homes less like an organized house. Take that fifteen minutes and clean the top of your stove. I didn’t say the oven. Just the wipe down the outside. Even take a second to wipe down the stove hood. A fifteen minutes well spent to a more organized house.

Fifteen minutes to a vacuumed carpet – I think most of these fifteen minutes is spent empting the canister. I don’t have much carpet downstairs. It doesn’t take long at all. In fifteen minutes I can pour deodorizer on the carpet. I empty the vacuum. I still have time left to vacuum the living room and dining room floor. A carpet of an organized house that I could invite company into.

Fifteen minutes to dust the living room – We all have the concept that an organized house has no dust. Some don’t it’s true. If you take your fifteen minutes to just dust the stuff you have in your living room. It is the room in the house that you would invite people into. Just dust the things in the line of vision. If you have a lot of knick knacks this may take longer. If you have less it won’t take as long. Either way it is a fifteen minutes well spent.

Fifteen minutes to clean mirrors and screens – Take those fifteen minutes to clean those mirrors. Grab a coffee filter and your windex. Go through your house getting all the mirrors and screens. By screens I mean TV and computers. Nothing like making you feel like you live in and organized house than being able to look in that mirror by the door and seeing it sparkle.

Now I am not saying to take all these fifteen minutes at one time. Just break down what you want to get done. It looks like a lot less when you look at it in little chunks. You don’t even have to do it all in one day. Do your sweeping and swiffering on one day. Do your vacuuming and dusting another. The point is to spend your fifteen minutes doing something. It doesn’t take much to get to that organized house look that we all want.

About the Author: Judith Davis has been a stay at home mom for 12 years. She works from home and manages 4 busy kids and a business.

judithldavis.com

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Asbestos controversy aboard Scientology ship Freewinds

Friday, May 16, 2008

Controversy has arisen over the reported presence of blue asbestos on the MV Freewinds, a cruise ship owned by the Church of Scientology. According to the Saint Martin newspaper The Daily Herald and the shipping news journal Lloyd’s List, the Freewinds was sealed in April and local public health officials on the Caribbean island of Curaçao where the ship is docked began an investigation into the presence of asbestos dust on the ship. Former Scientologist Lawrence Woodcraft supervised work on the ship in 1987, and attested to the presence of blue asbestos on the Freewinds in an affidavit posted to the Internet in 2001. Woodcraft, a licensed architect by profession, gave a statement to Wikinews and commented on the recent events.

According to The Daily Herald, the Freewinds was in the process of being renovated by the Curaçao Drydock Company. The article states that samples taken from paneling in the ship were sent to the Netherlands, where an analysis revealed that they “contained significant levels of blue asbestos”. An employee of the Curaçao Drydock Company told Radar Online in an April 30 article that the Freewinds has been docked and sealed, and confirmed that an article about asbestos ran in the local paper.

Lloyd’s List reported that work on the interior of the Freewinds was suspended on April 27 after health inspectors found traces of blue asbestos on the ship. According to Lloyd’s List, Frank Esser, Curaçao Drydock Company’s interim director, joined Curaçao’s head of the department of labor affairs Christiene van der Biezen along with the head of the local health department Tico Ras and two inspectors in an April 25 inspection of the ship. “We are sending someone so that they can tell us what happened, where it came from, since when it has been there,” said Panama Maritime Authority’s director of merchant marine Alfonso Castillero in a statement to Lloyd’s List.

The Church of Scientology purchased the ship, then known as the Bohème, in 1987, through an organization called Flag Ship Trust. After being renovated and refitted, it was put into service in June 1988. The ship is used by the Church of Scientology for advanced Scientology training in “Operating Thetan” levels, as well as for spiritual retreats for its members. Curaçao has been the ship’s homeport since it was purchased by the Church of Scientology.

According to his 2001 statement, Lawrence Woodcraft had been an architect in London, England since 1975, and joined Scientology’s elite “Sea Organization” (Sea Org) in 1986. He wrote that he was asked by the Sea Org to work on the Freewinds in 1987, and during his work on the ship “noticed a powdery blue fibrous substance approximately 1 ½” thick between the paint and the steel wall,” which he believed to be asbestos. He also discovered what he thought was blue asbestos in other parts of the ship, and reported his findings to Church of Scientology executives. Woodcraft discussed his experiences in a 2001 interview published online by the Lisa McPherson Trust, a now-defunct organization which was critical of the Church of Scientology.

The Freewinds regularly inspects the air quality on board and always meets or exceeds US standards.

Church of Scientology spokeswoman Karin Pouw responded to Radar Online about the asbestos reports, in an email published in an article in Radar on May 1. “The Freewinds regularly inspects the air quality on board and always meets or exceeds US standards,” said Pouw. She stated that two inspections performed in April “confirmed that the air quality is safe,” and asserted that the inspections revealed the Freewinds satisfies standards set by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Clean Air Act.

Pouw told Radar that “The Freewinds will be completing its refit on schedule.” The Church of Scientology-affiliated organization Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) had been planning a cruise aboard the Freewinds scheduled for May 8, but according to Radar an individual who called the booking number for the cruise received a message that the cruise had been delayed due to ongoing work on the ship. Citing an article in the Netherlands Antilles newspaper Amigoe, Radar reported on May 6 that a team from the United States and supervised by an independent bureau from the Netherlands traveled to Curaçao in order to remove asbestos from the Freewinds.

…if the Church of Scientology claims to have removed the blue asbestos, I just don’t see how, it’s everywhere. You would first have to remove all the pipes, plumbing, a/c ducts, electrical wiring etc. etc. just a maze of stuff.

“I stand by everything I wrote in my 2001 affidavit,” said Lawrence Woodcraft in an exclusive statement given to Wikinews. Woodcraft went on to state: “I would also comment that if the Church of Scientology claims to have removed the blue asbestos, I just don’t see how, it’s everywhere. You would first have to remove all the pipes, plumbing, a/c ducts, electrical wiring etc. etc. just a maze of stuff. Also panelling as well, basically strip the ship back to a steel hull. Also blue asbestos is sprayed onto the outer walls and then covered in paint. It’s in every nook and cranny.”

Many Scientologist celebrities have spent time aboard the Freewinds, including Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Chick Corea, Lisa Marie Presley, Catherine Bell, Kate Ceberano, and Juliette Lewis. Now magazine reported that Tom Cruise has been urged to seek medical attention regarding potential asbestos exposure, however a representative for Cruise stated he has “absolutely no knowledge” of the recent asbestos controversy. Cruise, Holmes, Travolta and Preston have celebrated birthdays and other events on the Freewinds.

There is not now and never has been a situation of asbestos exposure on the Freewinds.

In a May 15 statement to the United Kingdom daily newspaper Metro, a representative for the Church of Scientology said that “There is not now and never has been a situation of asbestos exposure on the Freewinds.” The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center notes that agencies have recommended anyone who has spent time on the Freewinds consult with their physician to determine if possible asbestos exposure may have affected their health.

Raw blue asbestos is the most hazardous form of asbestos, and has been banned in the United Kingdom since 1970. Blue asbestos fibers are very narrow and thus easily inhaled, and are a major cause of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which can develop in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, the lining of the abdominal cavity, or the pericardium sac surrounding the heart. The cancer is incurable, and can manifest over 40 years after the initial exposure to asbestos.

“This is the most dangerous type of asbestos because the fibres are smaller than the white asbestos and can penetrate the lung more easily,” said toxicologist Dr. Chris Coggins in a statement published in OK! Magazine. Dr. Coggins went on to note that “Once diagnosed with mesothelioma, the victim has six months to a year to live. It gradually reduces lung function until the victim is no longer able to breathe and dies.”