Friday, August 13, 2010

BP Oil Spill Latest - Does Permanent Plug mean Relief Well no Longer Needed?

Pressure tests performed on the previously leaking well on Thursday should reveal if the leak has been stopped well enough to declare the operation complete. A this stage it will be decided if the well is permanently plugged and if drilling of a relief well is still necessary.

BP said last week its "static kill" procedure had successfully stopped the leak..

This live feed is monitoring the current situation:

Gulf of Mexico webcam

Location Information:

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill (also referred to as the BP oil spill, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the BP oil disaster or the Macondo blowout) is a massive ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, now considered the largest offshore spill in U.S. history Some estimates placed it by late May or early June, 2010, as among the largest oil spills in the world with tens of millions of gallons spilled to date. The spill stems from a sea floor oil gusher that resulted from the April 20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion. The explosion killed 11 platform workers and injured 17 others.

Moscow Webcam - Smoke and Heatwave Continue to Blight City

Large areas of Russia continue to be affected by the spate of wildfires burning across the country, and the smoke resulting for the flames is affecting the residents of the major cities in the area.

This live webcam view from Moscow shows a city blanketed in smoke:

Moscow webcam

Location Information:

Moscow is the capital and the most populous city and the most populous federal subject of Russia. Moscow is a major political, economic, cultural, religious, financial, educational, and transportation center of Russia and the world, a global city. It is also the seventh largest city proper in the world, a megacity. The population of Moscow (as of 1 September 2009) is 10,535,100.

It is located by the Moskva River in the Central Federal District, in the European part of Russia. Moscow sits on the junction of three geological platforms. Historically, it was the capital of the former Soviet Union, Russian Empire, Tsardom of Russia and the Grand Duchy of Moscow. It is the site of the Moscow Kremlin, one of the World Heritage Sites in the city, which serves as the residence of the President of Russia. The Russian parliament (the State Duma and the Federation Council) and the Government of Russia also sit in Moscow.

Chelsea v WBA - Premier League 2010/11 Live Feed at Stamford Bridge

In a fixture that many claim makes a mockery of the supposed anonymity of the fixtures computer, Chelsea have yet again been given the soft option of starting their Premier league campaign at home against a newly promoted side - West Brom this time.

This live feed comes from inside Stamford Bridge:

Stamford Bridge Live

Location Information:

Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, west London, that is home to Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green. It is nicknamed "The Bridge" by the club's supporters. The capacity is 41,841, making it the seventh largest ground in the Premier League and the smallest amongst the so-called big four clubs. KSS Design Group (architects) designed the complete redevelopment of Stamford Bridge Stadium and its hotels, megastore, offices and residential buildings.

Summer on The Chain Bridge Festival 2010 - Live Budapest Webcam

Large volumes of tourists are drawn to Budapest in Hungary every summer to enjoy the festivities and events of the Summer Chain Bridge Festival. On both banks of the Danube, large crowds gather to enjoy the celebrations.

This webcam captures the live events in the centre of Budapest:

Budapest webcam

The bridge is named after István Széchenyi, a major supporter of its construction. At the time of its construction, it counted as a wonder of the world. It had an enormous significance in the country's economics and life. Its decorations made of cast iron, and its construction, radiating calm dignity and balance, raised it among the most beautiful industrial monuments in Europe. It became a symbol of advancement, national awakening, and the linkage between East and West.At the beginning of July to mid-August every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm is held the Summer on The Chain Bridge Festival, such a mega event that huge volumes of flights to Hungary have arrived into the city to join this event. People gather here for music, food and a carnival atmosphere. Over seven weeks of the fair are packed full of entertainment, from theatre to folk, classical to jazz, and pop to world music. It’ brings an upbeat and lively atmosphere into the city.

Brussels Flower Carpet 2010 Webcam in Grand Place

Every two years in August, an enormous "flower carpet" is set up in Brussels Grand Place for a few days. A million colourful begonias are set up in patterns, and the display covers a total of 1,800 square metres. The first flower carpet was made in 1971, and due to its popularity, the tradition continued, with the flower carpet attracting a large number of tourists.

You can watch this year's flower carpet live on the Grand place webcam:

Brussels webcam

Location Information:

The Grand Place or Grote Markt is the central square of Brussels. It is surrounded by guildhalls, the city's Town Hall, and the Breadhouse (French: Maison du Roi, Dutch: Broodhuis). The square is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels, along with the Atomium and Manneken Pis. It measures 68 by 110 metres (223 by 360 ft), and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the 10th century, Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine constructed a fort on Saint-Géry Island, the point at which the Senne river became navigable. This was the seed of what would become Brussels. By the end of the 11th century, an open-air marketplace was set up on a dried-out marsh near the fort that was surrounded by sandbanks. The market was called the Nedermerckt, or Lower Market.

Monaco Webcam - Monte Carlo International Fireworks Festival 2010

The Monaco International Fireworks Festival attracts visitors from all aorund the world to view the fantastic, original and noisy displays. The competition has been held every year since 1966 and invites pyrotechnic specialists from countries around the world to show off their talent.

This live webcam view captures the most spectacular displays:

Monaco Webcam

Location Information:

Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a small sovereign city-state located in South Western Europe on the northern central coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is surrounded on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about 16 km (9.9 mi) from Italy. Its area is 2.02 km2 (0.78 sq mi) with an estimated population of almost 33,000.

Monaco is the name of the country and its capital (and only) city. It is famous as a tax haven, and wealthy foreigners make up the majority of the population at approximately 84%. Monaco is a constitutional monarchy and principality, with Prince Albert II as head of state. The House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco since 1297, and the state's sovereignty was officially recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861. Despite Monaco being independent, its defence is the responsibility of France.

Bangkok Webcam - Thailand Celebrates Ramadan 2010

We are now well into the first week of Ramadan for 2010. Ramadan is absolutely the holiest of months in the Islamic calendar, and fasting during this month is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. The entire month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset.

This live webcam is from the city of Bangkok, which has one of the fastest growing muslim populations in the world:

Bangkok Webcam

Location Information:

Bangkok is the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand. Known in Thai as Krung Thep Mahanakhon meaning "City of the Deity") for short, it was a small trading post at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It came to the forefront of Siam when it was given the status as the capital city in 1768 after the burning of Ayutthaya. However, the current Rattanakosin Kingdom did not begin until 1782 when the capital was moved across the river by Rama I after the death of King Taksin. The Rattanakosin capital is now more formally called "Phra Nakhon", pertaining to the ancient boundaries in the metropolis' core and the name Bangkok now incorporates the urban build-up since the 18th century which has its own public administration and governor.

Piccadilly Circus Webcam for the London Premiere of The Human Centipede

A new addition to the horror genre is released to the public today, the film The Human Centipede enjoying it's premiere at the Apollo in London, at Piccadilly Circus.

This live view from outside the cinema will capture the stars arriving:

Piccadilly Circus Webcam

Film background:

The Human Centipede (First Sequence) is a 2010 Dutch horror film written and directed by Tom Six. It stars Dieter Laser, Ashley C. Williams, Ashlynn Yennie, and Akihiro Kitamura. The film tells the story of a German doctor who kidnaps three tourists and joins them surgically, forming a "human centipede". Having completed the operation, the doctor begins training the centipede, while attempting to hide his actions from the attention of the outside world.

The concept of the film arose from a joke Tom Six made with friends about punishing child molesters by stitching their mouth to the rear of a fat truck driver. The financiers of The Human Centipede did not discover the full nature of the film until it was complete.

The Human Centipede received mixed reviews but several accolades at various international film festivals. The film was released in the United States on Video on Demand on April 28, 2010, and in limited release theatrically on April 30. Tom Six began working on a sequel, The Human Centipede (Full Sequence) which will be released in 2011.