US: Explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland, Louisiana Prompts Evacuations

An explosion occurred at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland, Louisiana on Friday, August 22, prompted mandatory evacuations within a one-mile radius. The blast at the automotive manufacturing facility, which employs around 400 people, caused no reported injuries. Residents reported feeling the ground shake and saw black residue, believed to be oil, falling from the sky.

New Year's Eve in disaster area

New Year's Eve in disaster area

KESENNUMA, Japan - Shuko Katayama, chief priest of a Buddhist temple in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, tests a bell on Dec. 31, 2012, prior to striking it 108 times at midnight on New Year's Eve. The temple is still under restoration from damage caused by the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Chion'in bell tolled in New Year's Eve rehearsal

Chion'in bell tolled in New Year's Eve rehearsal

KYOTO, Japan - The huge bell at Chioin'in Temple in Kyoto is tolled in a New Year's Eve rehearsal Dec. 27. It requires 17 monks to join forces to properly ring the bell, which stands 3.3 meters tall and weighs 70 tons. All temple bells across Japan are tolled 108 times on the New Year's Eve according to Buddhist traditions.

Chion'in bell tolled in New Year's Even rehearsal

Chion'in bell tolled in New Year's Even rehearsal

KYOTO, Japan - The huge bell at Choin'in Temple in Kyoto is tolled in a New Year's Eve rehearsal Dec. 27. It requires 17 monks to join forces to properly ring the bell, which stands 3.3 meters tall and weighs 70 tons. All temple bells across Japan are tolled 108 times on the New Year's Eve according to Buddhist traditions.