Beyonce is absolutely mesmerizing and, thankfully, loves to show it all off in the naughtiest of coztumes. She has become an icon: Releasing numerous hit songs, acting in big time films and being ever present in the media and on stage. She is certainly an influential powerhouse in her own right. Check out the newly released black and white "Diva" music video from Beyonce.
R&B sensation Beyonce Knowles has released her latest music video for the single Diva from her third album, I Am…Sasha Fierce. Diva is the third single to be released Sasha Fierce, following If I Were a Boy and Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It). Beyonce’s I Am… tour kicks off on April 26 in Croatia. The album introduces her alter-ego, Sasha Fierce. Knowles said that Sasha was "born" during the making of her 2003 hit single Crazy in Love.
However, Knowles has stated that her "sensual, aggressive" alter-ego is "strictly for the stage." Beyonce wears a "roboglove" in public to complement Sasha Fierce. It consists of several pieces, including a ring, a glove, and a separate component that covers Knowles' upper arm. The glove first appeared in the video for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).
Beyonce: Diva - Song Lyrics
I'ma a diva,
I'ma I'ma a diva
I'ma I'ma a diva
I'ma I'ma a diva
I'ma I'ma a diva
I'ma I'ma a diva
I'ma I'ma a diva...
Na, na, na, Diva is a female version of a hustla,
Of a hustla, of a, of a hustla
Na, na, na Diva is a female version of a hustla,
Of a hustla, of a, of a hustla
Stop the track, Lemme state facts,
I told you gimme a minute and I'll be right back,
I sold millions 'round the world and they said that I couldn't get,
And I got so stickin' filthy with Benj's I can't spin.
How you gon' be talking shit,
You act like I just got dependent,
Been the number one diva in this game for a minute,
I know you read the paper, I'm the one that they call the Queen,
Every radio 'round the world know me cuz that's where I be.
I'ma a diva,
I'ma I'ma a diva
I'ma I'ma a diva
I'ma I'ma a diva
I'ma I'ma a diva
I'ma I'ma a diva
I'ma I'ma a diva...
Na, na, na, Diva is a female version of a hustla,
Of a hustla, of a, of a hustla
Na, na, na Diva is a female version of a hustla,
Of a hustla, of a, of a hustla
When he pull up, wanna pop my hood up,
Bet he better have a 6 pack in the cooler,
Getting MONAY! Diva's get money
If you ain't getting money then you ain't got nothing for me,
Tell me something?
(Tell me something)
Where your boss at?
(Where your boss at)
Where's my ladies up in here that like to talk back?
I wanna see ya, I'd like to meet ya,
What you say?
(Not to me)
She ain't a diva
Na, na, na, Diva is a female version of a hustla,
Of a hustla, of a, of a hustla
Na, na, na Diva is a female version of a hustla,
Of a hustla, of a, of a hustla
Since 15 in my stilletos been strutting in this game
What's your age? was the question they ask when I hit the stage
I'm a diva, best believe her, you see her, she getting paid
She ain't calling him to greet her,
She don't need him her best man
This is a stick up, stick up,
I need them bags of the money,
They call me stick up, stick up
You see them ask for their money?
All my ladies get it on,
I see you I do the same
Take it to another level,
No passengers on my plane.
I'ma a diva,
I'ma I'ma a diva
I'ma I'ma a diva
I'ma I'ma a diva
This is a stick up, stick up,
I need them bags of the money,
They call me stick up, stick up
You see them ask for their money?
Na, na, na, Diva is a female version of a hustla,
Of a hustla, of a, of a hustla
Na, na, na Diva is a female version of a hustla,
Of a hustla, of a, of a hustla
I'ma a diva,
I'ma, I'ma a diva x16
Hey!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A HUMAN Factory In Russia....Believe it or not???
Human parts processing factory (like sardines)
A factory in Russia harvesting kidneys, eye corneas and other human body parts for sale. Bodies are collected from drunk drivers who died in car accidents, people staying alone who had frozen to death in cold winter, criminals on death row or unexplained death and unclaimed bodies. Some body parts and bones are sold to Universities in various parts of the world. Leg bones are exported to pharmacies in Ireland and Germany to make tooth-fillings which is popular in Europe. Other than Russia, India is also known to harvest human parts for export.
What a shocking trend!!!
Friends be very careful, when you go out in public and also do not hang around with people you have just met. Avoid going alone at night. This can happen to both females and males too. Stay close to your little ones, kids as they are easiest to be grabbed into a vehicle and taken away. There was a mention of a human body parts factory in India too. They many well have associates over here too.
So for what it's worth to be careful of you and your family.
A factory in Russia harvesting kidneys, eye corneas and other human body parts for sale. Bodies are collected from drunk drivers who died in car accidents, people staying alone who had frozen to death in cold winter, criminals on death row or unexplained death and unclaimed bodies. Some body parts and bones are sold to Universities in various parts of the world. Leg bones are exported to pharmacies in Ireland and Germany to make tooth-fillings which is popular in Europe. Other than Russia, India is also known to harvest human parts for export.
What a shocking trend!!!
Friends be very careful, when you go out in public and also do not hang around with people you have just met. Avoid going alone at night. This can happen to both females and males too. Stay close to your little ones, kids as they are easiest to be grabbed into a vehicle and taken away. There was a mention of a human body parts factory in India too. They many well have associates over here too.
So for what it's worth to be careful of you and your family.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Longest Human Nails in the World
Woman claws her way to world record
Juggling a hectic lifestyle back in 1979, Lee Redmond had little time for beauty treatments.
So she decided to cut corners and stop filing her nails.
Now, 27 years and 33 inches later, the Salt Lake City resident holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest fingernails.
Juggling a hectic lifestyle back in 1979, Lee Redmond had little time for beauty treatments.
So she decided to cut corners and stop filing her nails.
Now, 27 years and 33 inches later, the Salt Lake City resident holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest fingernails.
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Monday, December 1, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Believe it or not.....
This is INCREDIBLE!! The picture was taken in 1918.
It is 18,000 men preparing for war in a training camp at Camp Dodge in Iowa.
Imagine how long these man had to stand in that one spot to set it up correctly
It is 18,000 men preparing for war in a training camp at Camp Dodge in Iowa.
Imagine how long these man had to stand in that one spot to set it up correctly
Monday, November 24, 2008
Rihanna: Official Music Video Lyrics n Reviews of Song Rehab
Rihanna went into the studio in early 2007 with Ne-Yo, Stargate, and Timbaland among others to record her third album, Good Girl Gone Bad. The album was released on June 5, 2007, features Jay-Z and Ne-Yo. Rihanna worked with Timbaland on three songs in the album---"Lemme Get That", "Rehab" and the Japanese bonus track "Haunted". Justin Timberlake co-wrote and provides background vocals on "Rehab".
The song "Rehab," which features Justin Timberlake, was later sent radio stations on October 7, 2008.Good Girl Gone Bad has so far sold 6.2 million copies worldwide and has gone 2x Platinum in the US, 4x Platinum in the UK and Canada, 5x Platinum in Russia, and 6x Platinum in Ireland; including Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded.
Rihanna's Rehab Song Lyrics
Baby baby
When we first met I never felt something so strong
You were like my lover and my best friend
All wrapped in one with a ribbon on it
And all of a sudden you went and left
I didn't know how to follow
It's like a shock that spun me around
And now my heart's dead
I feel so empty and hollow
And I'll never give myself to another the way I gave it to you
You don't even recognize the ways you hurt me, do you?
It's gonna take a miracle to bring me back
And you're the one to blame
And now I feel like....oh!
You're the reason why I'm thinking
I don't wanna smoke only cigarettes no more
I guess that's what I get for wishful thinking
Should've never let you enter my door
Next time you wanna go on and leave
I should just let you go on and do it
It's not amusing like i belived
It's like I checked into rehab
And baby, you're my disease
It's like I checked into rehab
And baby, you're my disease
I gotta check into rehab
'Cause baby you're my disease
I gotta check into rehab
'Cause baby you're my disease
Damn, ain't it crazy when you're love swept
You'd do anything for the one you love
'Cause anytime that you needed me I'd be there
It's like you were my favorite drug
The only problem is that you was using me
In a different way than I was using you
But now that I know it's not meant to be
I gotta go, I gotta wean myself off of you
And I'll never give myself to another the way I gave it to you
You don't even recognize the ways you hurt me, do you?
It's gonna take a miracle to bring me back
And you're the one to blame
'Cause now I feel like....oh!
You're the reason why I'm thinking
I don't wanna smoke only cigarettes no more
I guess that's what I get for wishful thinking
Should've never let you enter my door
Next time you wanna go on and leave
I should just let you go on and do it
It's not amusing like i belived
It's like I checked into rehab
And baby, you're my disease
It's like I checked into rehab
And baby, you're my disease
I gotta check into rehab
'Cause baby you're my disease
I gotta check into rehab
'Cause baby you're my disease
Now ladies gimme that...
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohohoh, oh, oh, ohh
Now gimme that...
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohohoh, oh, oh, ohh
My ladies gimme that...
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohohoh, oh, oh, ohh
Now gimme that...
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohohoh, oh, oh, ohh
Oh! You're the reason why I'm thinking
I don't wanna smoke only cigarettes no more
I guess that's what I get for wishful thinking
Should've never let you enter my door
Next time you wanna go on and leave
I should just let you go on and do it
It's not amusing like i belived
It's like I checked into rehab
And baby, you're my disease
It's like I checked into rehab
And baby, you're my disease
I gotta check into rehab
'Cause baby you're my disease
I gotta check into rehab
'Cause baby you're my disease
The song "Rehab," which features Justin Timberlake, was later sent radio stations on October 7, 2008.Good Girl Gone Bad has so far sold 6.2 million copies worldwide and has gone 2x Platinum in the US, 4x Platinum in the UK and Canada, 5x Platinum in Russia, and 6x Platinum in Ireland; including Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded.
Rihanna - Rehab (feat. Justin Timberlake)
Rihanna's Rehab Song Lyrics
Baby baby
When we first met I never felt something so strong
You were like my lover and my best friend
All wrapped in one with a ribbon on it
And all of a sudden you went and left
I didn't know how to follow
It's like a shock that spun me around
And now my heart's dead
I feel so empty and hollow
And I'll never give myself to another the way I gave it to you
You don't even recognize the ways you hurt me, do you?
It's gonna take a miracle to bring me back
And you're the one to blame
And now I feel like....oh!
You're the reason why I'm thinking
I don't wanna smoke only cigarettes no more
I guess that's what I get for wishful thinking
Should've never let you enter my door
Next time you wanna go on and leave
I should just let you go on and do it
It's not amusing like i belived
It's like I checked into rehab
And baby, you're my disease
It's like I checked into rehab
And baby, you're my disease
I gotta check into rehab
'Cause baby you're my disease
I gotta check into rehab
'Cause baby you're my disease
Damn, ain't it crazy when you're love swept
You'd do anything for the one you love
'Cause anytime that you needed me I'd be there
It's like you were my favorite drug
The only problem is that you was using me
In a different way than I was using you
But now that I know it's not meant to be
I gotta go, I gotta wean myself off of you
And I'll never give myself to another the way I gave it to you
You don't even recognize the ways you hurt me, do you?
It's gonna take a miracle to bring me back
And you're the one to blame
'Cause now I feel like....oh!
You're the reason why I'm thinking
I don't wanna smoke only cigarettes no more
I guess that's what I get for wishful thinking
Should've never let you enter my door
Next time you wanna go on and leave
I should just let you go on and do it
It's not amusing like i belived
It's like I checked into rehab
And baby, you're my disease
It's like I checked into rehab
And baby, you're my disease
I gotta check into rehab
'Cause baby you're my disease
I gotta check into rehab
'Cause baby you're my disease
Now ladies gimme that...
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohohoh, oh, oh, ohh
Now gimme that...
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohohoh, oh, oh, ohh
My ladies gimme that...
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohohoh, oh, oh, ohh
Now gimme that...
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohohoh, oh, oh, ohh
Oh! You're the reason why I'm thinking
I don't wanna smoke only cigarettes no more
I guess that's what I get for wishful thinking
Should've never let you enter my door
Next time you wanna go on and leave
I should just let you go on and do it
It's not amusing like i belived
It's like I checked into rehab
And baby, you're my disease
It's like I checked into rehab
And baby, you're my disease
I gotta check into rehab
'Cause baby you're my disease
I gotta check into rehab
'Cause baby you're my disease
Brandy: Long Distance - Music Video Lyrics Review
Brandy: The 29-year-old Grammy award-wining singer is back with her first album since 2004. Set to debut on December 9, Human will be her most personal album to date. The collection of songs includes her hit single “Right Here (Departed)” as well as the upcoming single “Long Distance.”
Brandy: Long Distance Latest Song
It's a full song "Long Distance" - the 2nd single off Brandy's high anticipated album "Human". I was in tears when i first heard it, it's such a beautiful song. Althouh I there are so many songs that I can sing to pass the time...
Brandy: Long Distance Song Lyrics
There's only so many songs that I can sing to pass the time.
And I'm running out of things to do to get you off my mind (oh whoa).
All I have is this picture in a frame (oh ah),
that I hold close to see your face everyday.
With you is where I'd rather be,
but we're stuck where we are.
It's so hard, you're so far..
This long distance is killing me.
I wish that you are here with me,
but we're stuck where we are
it's so hard, you're so far.. (so hard, you're so far..)
This long distance is killing me.
It's so hard, it's so hard, where we are, where we are, you're so far.
This long distance is killing me.
It's so hard, it's so hard, where we are, where we are, you're so far
(so hard, so hard, where we are, where we are, your so far).
This long distance is killing me.
Now the minutes feel like hours
and the hours feel like days.. (whoa oh whoa)
While I'm away (way-ayyyy)
You know right now I can't be home (ahhhhhh)
But I'm coming home soon (ahhhhhh)
Coming home soon.. (ahhhhhh a hahhh)
All I have is this picture in a frame (ahhhhh),
that I hold close to see your face everyday.
With you is where i'd rather be (where I'd rather be..),
but we're stuck where we are (oh oh).
It's so hard, (oh ah) you're so far.. (oh ahhh)
This long distance is killing me.
I wish that you are here with me (you are here with me),
but we're stuck where we are (oh oh)
It's so hard, (oh ah) you're so far.. (oh ahhh)
Can you hear me crying?
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh (ohh-oh ohh-oh)
Can you hear me crying? (oh-oh ah!)
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh (ohh-oh ohh-oh)
Can you hear me crying? (oh-oh ah!)
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh (ohh-oh ohh-oh)
Ooooh woo whoa ah ahhhhhhh oh ahhh (oh-oh ah!)
Uh ahhh uh ahhh whoaooooohh ah (ohh-oh ohh-oh)
With you is where i'd rather be (where I'd rather be..) whoaaaa!
(but we're stuck where we are) oh!
(it's so hard) So hard (your so far), so far
(this long distance is killing me) This long distance is killing me
I wish that you are here with me (you are here with me) meee..
(but we're stuck where we are) Stuck where we are! So hard! So far
This long distance is killing me
It's so hard, it's so hard, where we are, where we are, you're so far.
This long distance is killing me.
It's so hard, it's so hard, where we are, where we are, you're so far
(so hard, so hard, where we are, where we are, your so far).
This long distance is killing me.
Brandy: Long Distance Latest Song
It's a full song "Long Distance" - the 2nd single off Brandy's high anticipated album "Human". I was in tears when i first heard it, it's such a beautiful song. Althouh I there are so many songs that I can sing to pass the time...
Brandy: Long Distance Song Lyrics
There's only so many songs that I can sing to pass the time.
And I'm running out of things to do to get you off my mind (oh whoa).
All I have is this picture in a frame (oh ah),
that I hold close to see your face everyday.
With you is where I'd rather be,
but we're stuck where we are.
It's so hard, you're so far..
This long distance is killing me.
I wish that you are here with me,
but we're stuck where we are
it's so hard, you're so far.. (so hard, you're so far..)
This long distance is killing me.
It's so hard, it's so hard, where we are, where we are, you're so far.
This long distance is killing me.
It's so hard, it's so hard, where we are, where we are, you're so far
(so hard, so hard, where we are, where we are, your so far).
This long distance is killing me.
Now the minutes feel like hours
and the hours feel like days.. (whoa oh whoa)
While I'm away (way-ayyyy)
You know right now I can't be home (ahhhhhh)
But I'm coming home soon (ahhhhhh)
Coming home soon.. (ahhhhhh a hahhh)
All I have is this picture in a frame (ahhhhh),
that I hold close to see your face everyday.
With you is where i'd rather be (where I'd rather be..),
but we're stuck where we are (oh oh).
It's so hard, (oh ah) you're so far.. (oh ahhh)
This long distance is killing me.
I wish that you are here with me (you are here with me),
but we're stuck where we are (oh oh)
It's so hard, (oh ah) you're so far.. (oh ahhh)
Can you hear me crying?
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh (ohh-oh ohh-oh)
Can you hear me crying? (oh-oh ah!)
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh (ohh-oh ohh-oh)
Can you hear me crying? (oh-oh ah!)
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh (ohh-oh ohh-oh)
Ooooh woo whoa ah ahhhhhhh oh ahhh (oh-oh ah!)
Uh ahhh uh ahhh whoaooooohh ah (ohh-oh ohh-oh)
With you is where i'd rather be (where I'd rather be..) whoaaaa!
(but we're stuck where we are) oh!
(it's so hard) So hard (your so far), so far
(this long distance is killing me) This long distance is killing me
I wish that you are here with me (you are here with me) meee..
(but we're stuck where we are) Stuck where we are! So hard! So far
This long distance is killing me
It's so hard, it's so hard, where we are, where we are, you're so far.
This long distance is killing me.
It's so hard, it's so hard, where we are, where we are, you're so far
(so hard, so hard, where we are, where we are, your so far).
This long distance is killing me.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Death cannot be closer than this
Although this looks like a picture taken from a Hollywood Movie, it is in fact a real photo, taken near the South African during a military exercise by the British Navy.
It has been nominated by National Geographic as "The photo of the year".
It has been nominated by National Geographic as "The photo of the year".
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Top 10 Most Expensive Accidents In History
10. Titanic
Loss: $150 Million
The sinking of the Titanic is possibly the most famous accident in the world. But it barely makes our list of top 10 most expensive. On April 15, 1912, the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage and was considered to be the most luxurious ocean liner ever built. Over 1,500 people lost their lives when the ship ran into an iceberg and sunk in frigid waters. The ship cost $7 million to build ($150 million in today's dollars).
9. Tanker Truck vs Bridge
Loss: $358 Million
On August 26, 2004, a car collided with a tanker truck containing 32,000 liters of fuel on the Wiehltal Bridge in Germany. The tanker crashed through the guardrail and fell 90 feet off the A4 Autobahn resulting in a huge explosion and fire which destroyed the load-bearing ability of the bridge. Temporary repairs cost $40 million and the cost to replace the bridge is estimated at $318 Million.
8. Metrolink Crash
Loss: $500 Million
On September 12, 2008, in what was one of the worst train crashes in California history, 25 people were killed when a Metrolink commuter train crashed head-on into a Union Pacific freight train in Los Angeles. It is thought that the Metrolink train may have run through a red signal while the conductor was busy text messaging. Wrongful death lawsuits are expected to cause $500 million in losses for Metrolink.
7. B-2 Bomber Crash
Loss: $1.4 Billion
Here we have our first billion dollar accident (and we're only #7 on the list). This B-2 stealth bomber crashed shortly after taking off from an air base in Guam on February 23, 2008. Investigators blamed distorted data in the flight control computers caused by moisture in the system. This resulted in the aircraft making a sudden nose-up move which made the B-2 stall and crash. This was 1 of only 21 ever built and was the most expensive aviation accident in history. Both pilots were able to eject to safety.
6. Exxon Valdez
Loss: $2.5 Billion
The Exxon Valdez oil spill was not a large one in relation to the world's biggest oil spills, but it was a costly one due to the remote location of Prince William Sound (accessible only by helicopter and boat). On March 24, 1989, 10.8 million gallons of oil was spilled when the ship's master, Joseph Hazelwood, left the controls and the ship crashed into a Reef. The cleanup cost Exxon $2.5 billion.
5. Piper Alpha Oil Rig
Loss: $3.4 Billion
The world's worst off-shore oil disaster. At one time, it was the world's single largest oil producer, spewing out 317,000 barrels of oil per day.. On July 6, 1988, as part of routine maintenance, technicians removed and checked safety valves which were essential in preventing dangerous build-up of liquid gas. There were 100 identical safety valves which were checked. Unfortunately, the technicians made a mistake and forgot to replace one of them. At 10 PM that same night, a technician pressed a start button for the liquid gas pumps and the world's most expensive oil rig accident was set in motion.
Within 2 hours, the 300 foot platform was engulfed in flames. It eventually collapsed, killing 167 workers and resulting in $3.4 Billion in damages.
4. Challenger Explosion
Loss: $5.5 Billion
The Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed 73 seconds after takeoff due on January 28, 1986 due to a faulty O-ring. It failed to seal one of the joints, allowing pressurized gas to reach the outside. This in turn caused the external tank to dump its payload of liquid hydrogen causing a massive explosion. The cost of replacing the Space Shuttle was $2 billion in 1986 ($4.5 billion in today's dollars). The cost of investigation, problem correction, and replacement of lost equipment cost $450 million from 1986-1987 ($1 Billion in today's dollars).
3. Prestige Oil Spill
Loss: $12 Billion
On November 13, 2002, the Prestige oil tanker was carrying 77,000 tons of heavy fuel oil when one of its twelve tanks burst during a storm off Galicia, Spain. Fearing that the ship would sink, the captain called for help from Spanish rescue workers, expecting them to take the ship into harbour. However, pressure from local authorities forced the captain to steer the ship away from the coast. The captain tried to get help from the French and Portuguese authorities, but they too ordered the ship away from their shores. The storm eventually took its toll on the ship resulting in the tanker splitting in half and releasing 20 million gallons oil into the sea.
According to a report by the Pontevedra Economist Board, the total cleanup cost $12 billion.
2. Space Shuttle Colombia
Loss: $13 Billion
The Space Shuttle Columbia was the first space worthy shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. It was destroyed during re-entry over Texas on February 1, 2003 after a hole was punctured in one of the wings during launch 16 days earlier. The original cost of the shuttle was $2 Billion in 1978. That comes out to $6.3 Billion in today's dollars. $500 million was spent on the investigation, making it the costliest aircraft accident investigation in history. The search and recovery of debris cost $300 million.
In the end, the total cost of the accident (not including replacement of the shuttle) came out to $13 Billion according to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
1. Chernobyl
Loss: $200 Billion
On April 26, 1986, the world witnessed the costliest accident in history. The Chernobyl disaster has been called the biggest socio-economic catastrophe in peacetime history. 50% of the area of Ukraine is in some way contaminated. Over 200,000 people had to be evacuated and resettled while 1.7 million people were directly affected by the disaster. The death toll attributed to Chernobyl, including people who died from cancer years later, is estimated at 125,000. The total costs including cleanup, resettlement, and compensation to victims has been estimated to be roughly $200 Billion. The cost of a new steel shelter for the Chernobyl nuclear plant will cost $2 billion alone. The accident was officially attributed to power plant operators who violated plant procedures and were ignorant of the safety requirements needed.
Loss: $150 Million
The sinking of the Titanic is possibly the most famous accident in the world. But it barely makes our list of top 10 most expensive. On April 15, 1912, the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage and was considered to be the most luxurious ocean liner ever built. Over 1,500 people lost their lives when the ship ran into an iceberg and sunk in frigid waters. The ship cost $7 million to build ($150 million in today's dollars).
9. Tanker Truck vs Bridge
Loss: $358 Million
On August 26, 2004, a car collided with a tanker truck containing 32,000 liters of fuel on the Wiehltal Bridge in Germany. The tanker crashed through the guardrail and fell 90 feet off the A4 Autobahn resulting in a huge explosion and fire which destroyed the load-bearing ability of the bridge. Temporary repairs cost $40 million and the cost to replace the bridge is estimated at $318 Million.
8. Metrolink Crash
Loss: $500 Million
On September 12, 2008, in what was one of the worst train crashes in California history, 25 people were killed when a Metrolink commuter train crashed head-on into a Union Pacific freight train in Los Angeles. It is thought that the Metrolink train may have run through a red signal while the conductor was busy text messaging. Wrongful death lawsuits are expected to cause $500 million in losses for Metrolink.
7. B-2 Bomber Crash
Loss: $1.4 Billion
Here we have our first billion dollar accident (and we're only #7 on the list). This B-2 stealth bomber crashed shortly after taking off from an air base in Guam on February 23, 2008. Investigators blamed distorted data in the flight control computers caused by moisture in the system. This resulted in the aircraft making a sudden nose-up move which made the B-2 stall and crash. This was 1 of only 21 ever built and was the most expensive aviation accident in history. Both pilots were able to eject to safety.
6. Exxon Valdez
Loss: $2.5 Billion
The Exxon Valdez oil spill was not a large one in relation to the world's biggest oil spills, but it was a costly one due to the remote location of Prince William Sound (accessible only by helicopter and boat). On March 24, 1989, 10.8 million gallons of oil was spilled when the ship's master, Joseph Hazelwood, left the controls and the ship crashed into a Reef. The cleanup cost Exxon $2.5 billion.
5. Piper Alpha Oil Rig
Loss: $3.4 Billion
The world's worst off-shore oil disaster. At one time, it was the world's single largest oil producer, spewing out 317,000 barrels of oil per day.. On July 6, 1988, as part of routine maintenance, technicians removed and checked safety valves which were essential in preventing dangerous build-up of liquid gas. There were 100 identical safety valves which were checked. Unfortunately, the technicians made a mistake and forgot to replace one of them. At 10 PM that same night, a technician pressed a start button for the liquid gas pumps and the world's most expensive oil rig accident was set in motion.
Within 2 hours, the 300 foot platform was engulfed in flames. It eventually collapsed, killing 167 workers and resulting in $3.4 Billion in damages.
4. Challenger Explosion
Loss: $5.5 Billion
The Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed 73 seconds after takeoff due on January 28, 1986 due to a faulty O-ring. It failed to seal one of the joints, allowing pressurized gas to reach the outside. This in turn caused the external tank to dump its payload of liquid hydrogen causing a massive explosion. The cost of replacing the Space Shuttle was $2 billion in 1986 ($4.5 billion in today's dollars). The cost of investigation, problem correction, and replacement of lost equipment cost $450 million from 1986-1987 ($1 Billion in today's dollars).
3. Prestige Oil Spill
Loss: $12 Billion
On November 13, 2002, the Prestige oil tanker was carrying 77,000 tons of heavy fuel oil when one of its twelve tanks burst during a storm off Galicia, Spain. Fearing that the ship would sink, the captain called for help from Spanish rescue workers, expecting them to take the ship into harbour. However, pressure from local authorities forced the captain to steer the ship away from the coast. The captain tried to get help from the French and Portuguese authorities, but they too ordered the ship away from their shores. The storm eventually took its toll on the ship resulting in the tanker splitting in half and releasing 20 million gallons oil into the sea.
According to a report by the Pontevedra Economist Board, the total cleanup cost $12 billion.
2. Space Shuttle Colombia
Loss: $13 Billion
The Space Shuttle Columbia was the first space worthy shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. It was destroyed during re-entry over Texas on February 1, 2003 after a hole was punctured in one of the wings during launch 16 days earlier. The original cost of the shuttle was $2 Billion in 1978. That comes out to $6.3 Billion in today's dollars. $500 million was spent on the investigation, making it the costliest aircraft accident investigation in history. The search and recovery of debris cost $300 million.
In the end, the total cost of the accident (not including replacement of the shuttle) came out to $13 Billion according to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
1. Chernobyl
Loss: $200 Billion
On April 26, 1986, the world witnessed the costliest accident in history. The Chernobyl disaster has been called the biggest socio-economic catastrophe in peacetime history. 50% of the area of Ukraine is in some way contaminated. Over 200,000 people had to be evacuated and resettled while 1.7 million people were directly affected by the disaster. The death toll attributed to Chernobyl, including people who died from cancer years later, is estimated at 125,000. The total costs including cleanup, resettlement, and compensation to victims has been estimated to be roughly $200 Billion. The cost of a new steel shelter for the Chernobyl nuclear plant will cost $2 billion alone. The accident was officially attributed to power plant operators who violated plant procedures and were ignorant of the safety requirements needed.
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