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VIDEO: Thousands March on White House to Protest Keystone Pipeline

PHOTOS: AP

Thousands of activists created a human chain around the White House with a mock inflatable pipeline to oppose a proposed transnational oil pipeline they believe could harm the environment. The protesters are ramping up pressure on President Obama to stop the 1700-mile pipeline that would cut through six states in the heart of the nation.

The protest of TransCanada's Keystone XL pipeline came exactly one year before the 2012 election and was designed to send a message to Obama that failure to act will lead to a drop-off in enthusiasm from the environmentalists who backed him in 2008.

The project pits environmentalists against Republicans and many top labor groups — with both sides suggesting that the president will pay politically if he doesn't side with them. Backers of the project say the pipeline will create thousands of jobs and help reduce U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

"How many jobs" would the project would create, asks WaPo.

TransCanada’s initial estimate of 20,000 — which it said includes 13,000 direct construction jobs and 7,000 jobs among supply manufacturers — has been widely quoted by lawmakers and presidential candidates.

[TransCanada chief executive Russ Girling] said Friday that the 13,000 figure was “one person, one year,” meaning that if the construction jobs lasted two years, the number of people employed in each of the two years would be 6,500. That brings the company’s number closer to the State Department’s [estimate of] 5,000 to 6,000 construction jobs.

The President acknowledged last week that he "will make the final decision" on the controversial project. The decision expected before year’s end.

Meanwhile: Nebraska lawmakers are opposed to the pipeline and introducted five bills on Thursday increasing their power to prevent or divert construction, reports BusinessWeek.

In related news: ExxonMobil begins removing today a section of damaged pipeline that broke beneath Montana’s Yellowstone River in July. "An estimated 42,000 gallons of oil leaked into the river" and the repair cost will be at least $135million, reports AP.

Watch video from the protest WHEN YOU JUMP ...

REPORT: Anti-LGBT Violence Rises in Post-Earthquake Haiti

(PUNTA CANA, D.R.) LGBT Haitians have been largely ignored by international aid organizations and the government in post earthquake Haiti—resulting in increased discrimination, violence and the rape of gay men, lesbians and transgender women.

Those are the findings of a damning new report (PDF) released this week by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and SEROvie, a Haitian community organization that helps LGBT individuals. It is just the latest chapter in the massive humanitarian crisis that emerged after the catastrophic 7.0 earthquake of Jan. 12, 2010, which flattened much of Port-au-Prince

R20 readers may recall that several HIV clinics and their staff were quake casualties. At least 14 gay HIV positive activists were killed after the collapse of SEROvie, Haiti’s largest organization serving gay and transgender people with HIV. Thousands of HIV positive Haitians were cut off from their life-saving anti-retroviral medications. Sadly, that was just the beginning.

When asked to identify the greatest impact of the earthquake on their lives, the majority of LGBT people interviewed for this paper indicated that it decimated the already limited physical spaces, social networks and support services available to them. According to one Port-au-Prince lesbian, "Loneliness, invisibility, and social isolation are persistent problems for us." ...

Overcrowding, flimsy structures, inadequate lighting, public bathing facilities, and general insecurity in IDP camps have increased the risk of gender-based violence for all women and people viewed as gender non-conforming, including LGBT people. SEROvie has documented the rape of lesbians, gay men and transgender women in or near camps. In August, 2010 for example, Sandy, a 24-year-old lesbian was brutally raped by eight men at the Champs de Mars camp. Additionally, SEROvie documented more subtle forms of sexual exploitation in which LGBT people were coerced into engaging in sexual relations with straight-identified men for food or money. A group of lesbian and bisexually-identified women interviewed by SEROvie and IGLHRC reported that sexual violence and corrective rape were “definitely a problem” in the IDP camps.

Rape was already a very serious problem in Haiti before the quake. The situation for women has become worse, human-rights groups say. Reported rapes have more than tripled in Port-au-Prince, according to the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, which has been monitoring HIV/AIDS in post-earthquake Haiti.

Even some well-intentioned policies have led to the suffering of LGBT people. International relief organizations distribute emergency food to female heads of household, but that excludes many gay men and transgender people living without families. "One man reported dressing as a woman to receive food. He was later beaten by people standing nearby," adds the report.

Download the full report HERE.

VIDEO: Massive Earthquake Triggers Tsunami in Japan

A massive tsunami slammed the Japanese coast overnight in the wake of an offshore 8.9 magnitude earthquake. The most powerful earthquake in Japan's history triggered death, destruction and widespread power blackouts in Japan. Countries across the Pacific Rim, from Russia to South America and including Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States, are bracing for possible tsunami waves. 

The Wall Street Journal:

  "The death toll [is] expected to rise as communications were cut off to some of the worst-hit areas in the north and helicopter footage showed tsunami waters racing across rice fields, dragging houses and vehicles in their wake. ...

Television pictures showed coastal regions of northern Japan disappearing under a sea of debris as the tsunami waters advanced inland. Numerous fires have been reported, including at the Onagawa nuclear plant in northeastern Japan near the epicenter and an oil refinery in Chiba prefecture, next to metropolitan Tokyo.

Two nuclear plants on the Pacific coast in Fukushima were automatically shut down. Tohoku Electric Power Co. said water was leaking at the Onagawa plant in Miyagi while Tokyo Electric Power Co. said it was looking into a problem at its Fukushima Daiichi Station. The government declared an atomic power emergency, but Edana said there was not currently any risk of radiation leaks from the nuclear plants.

The largest reported tsunami was a 10-meter one observed at Sendai port in northeastern Japan, reports Nikkei. The devastation from Sendai is seen in the image at top.

Authorities in Hawaii ordered evacuations of coastal areas due to the threat of a tidal wave set off.

Watch news reports and raw video AFTER THE JUMP ...

1 Year After the Quake and HIV-Poz Haitians Struggle for Survival

Our special report for the Black AIDS Institute on the one-year anniversary of the devastating Haitian earthquake of January 12, 2010.

By the beginning of 2010, Haiti had made significant progress toward lowering its once-astronomical HIV rate. In 1993, 9.4 percent of the impoverished nation was infected with HIV, a number that represented almost half the people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the entire Caribbean. By 2008 the adult HIV prevalence in Haiti had fallen to 2.2 percent--approximately 120,000 people, 53 percent of whom were women--reports the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). 

Then came the catastrophic 7.0 earthquake of Jan. 12, 2010, which flattened much of Port-au-Prince. Many hospitals and HIV/AIDS clinics were crippled, if not destroyed, and the health-care system that had proudly enabled the Caribbean nation to control its HIV/AIDS epidemic collapsed .Relief and international funding did not arrive quickly enough. Less than 40 percent of the 24,000 people prescribed antiretroviral medications (ARVs) had access to them. Up to a million people were displaced and began living in camps, which, with their poor sanitary conditions, soon became virtual petri dishes of disease.

Billions of dollars aid was promised to the island and very little has arrived. The earthquake-ravaged, impoverished nation remains in ruins and is now fighting a cholera epidemic.  "I think we could well have 200,000 to 300,000 [more] affected by HIV," says Ester Boucicault, who founded a clinic and was the first Haitian to publicly disclose their HIV-positive status. 

Read the full report HERE.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: New Zealand Rocked by Massive Earthquake

A massive 7.1 earthquake rocked New Zealand's South Island, causing widespread damage to buildings and roads, knocking out power, and ripping facades off buildings in Christchurch, the country's second-largest city. Despite the quake's severity, only several serious injuries are reported. Hospitals are mostly "treating a number of people with broken bones, and others with minor injuries such as cuts and bruises," reports Radio New Zealand.

The quake was initially reported at 7.4 magnitude but later downgraded. "It was centred 30km west of [Christchurch] and 33km underground," reports Stuff.co.nz  "It hit at 4.35am and has been followed by a series of strong aftershocks. It was felt widely across the South Island and as far north as Wellington. "

Christchurch has a population of about 386,000, but no casualties have yet been reported. The quake has disrupted mobile telephone service across the South Island. Rail service has been suspended pending inspections. Christchurch Airport has also been closed as a precaution.

As of yet, no tsunami alerts have been issued.

More photos and via CNN Chile, watch news reports AFTER THE JUMP ...

Thousands Flee After Indonesian Volcano Erupts After 400 Years

Two people are dead and thousands have been evacuated after Indonesia's long-dormant Mount Sinabung erupted. This is the first time the volcano on Sumatra has erupted in 400 years and vulcanologists were caught off guard, reports Reuters.

Two people died, one from breathing problems and the other from a heart attack, and two suffered injuries in road accidents as trucks, ambulances and buses were mobilized in the rescue operation. "This is the first time since 1600 that Sinabung has erupted and we have little knowledge in terms on its eruptive patterns," said Surono, head of Indonesia's vulcanology center. Authorities took at least 12,000 people from high risk areas on the slopes of the 2,460-meter volcano to temporary shelters. Local TV showed showed women and children wearing face masks in cramped tents. "Since this is the first eruption we've had in Sinabung, we're anticipating residents to remain at the shelters for at least a week while waiting for further status alert," said Priyadi Kardono, a spokesman at the national disaster management agency.

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago and is on the so-called "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and faults encircling the Pacific Basin. A strong volcanic quake was felt last night, an Indonesian Red Cross tells CNN. "After that, the crater of Mount Sinabung spewed glowing lava. And trees in the mount slopes were burnt. It was followed by thick clouds."

Investigators say no hazardous gas hasbeen detected and "a large, destructive eruption is unlikely." The nearest large city is Medan and where there has been no disruptions to flights so far. Watch raw video and a news report WHEN YOU JUMP ...

Hawaii Braces for Expected Tsunami

Sirens are warning across the Hawaiian Islands and residents are bracing for an expected tsunami as a result of the massive 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Chile. Authorities predict  the tsunami wave should arrive at a height of over 8 feet  at approximately 4:19 pm EST, 11:19 am HST.

Thousands of residents and tourists have been evacuated from coastlines and low-lying areas throughout the state, including the islands of Maui, Kauai and the most populated island, Oahu, where Honolulu lies. Hilo Bay on the island of Hawaii is said to be of extreme concern.

The Honolulu Advertiser has alerts, video and a comprehensive news feed on the potential tsunami.

UStream LIVE webcast WHEN YOU JUMP...

NYT: No significant wave damage and tsunami warning canceled: "Tsunami waves arrived in Hawaii on Saturday afternoon, as predicted, causing erratic surges in the sea, but the impact was not nearly as great as had been feared. The rising water did not appear to cause significant property damage, officials said, and a tsunami warning was canceled.... Hawaii television news showed the tide moving in and out in Helo Bay, a spot traditionally hard hit in tsunamis. In this case, the tsunami was creating what appeared to be white-water rapids in certain spots in the harbor as the water rushed in and out. But the tsunami, which clearly had arrived, had not caused any obvious damage."

Massive 8.8 Earthquake Hits Chilean Coast, Triggers Tsunamis

A massive earthquake has hit the coast of Chile, killing dozens of people, flattening buildings and triggering a 7.7 foot tsunami wave. The 8.8-magnitude quake, the country's largest in 25 years, shook the capital Santiago for a minute and half at 3:34am. The death toll is expected to rise, perhaps substantially.

The photo above taken at a freeway near the capital of Santiago. The major elevated highway and bridge connecting northern and southern Chile "was rendered inoperable", CNN reports.

The entire Pacific Rim as far away as Hawaii and Australia are under tsunami warning. Eight foot and four foot tsunami waves were reported in Chile. Beaches are closing in Hawaii and the state is preparing to start evacuations ahead of a tsunami generated by the massive earthquake in Chile, Reuters reports.

CNN reports the Chilean quake was 700 times stronger than last month's 7.7 earthquake that devastated Haiti. More information as it develops ...

After the Earthquake, Haiti's HIV Infrastructure is Devastated

Take a look at our inaugural piece for Black AIDS Weekly, After the Earthquake, Haiti's HIV/AIDS Infrastructure is Devastated. The piece includes updated information on Haiti's several gay HIV/AIDS service organizations and what their American counterparts are doing to help.

Also at BAW: Phill Wilson, the executive director of the Black AIDS Institute, takes a look at President Obama's State of the Union Address and how it will impact the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Thanks PHILL and HILARY BEARD

WATCH: Grayson to Christian Right: "What About YOUR Pact w/ Satan?"

Speaking on the floor of House of Representatives last night, Florida Democrat Rep. Alan Grayson called out right-wing Christian evangelicals and Pat Robertson for his ridiculous comments about the Haitian earthquake. Grayson brought up the right-wing attempts to "ban gay marriage" and a woman's right to choose and asked: "What about your own pact with the devil? How's that worked out for you?"

The man is freakin' fearless and the Democrats need to clone him. Donate to Grayson's ACT Blue. Watch the clip WHEN YOU JUMP ...