Armageddon virus: call to keep killer recipe secret

Revelation 6:
7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.


Armageddon virus: call to keep killer recipe secret
December 21, 2011 - 11:38AM

"Two top scientific journals say they are deciding whether to publish details of a man-made mutant flu virus that could kill billions, after a US government's science advisory committee advised them to withhold key details.
The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) urged the US journal Science and the British journal Nature to withhold key details so people seeking to harm the public would not be able to manufacture the virus that could cause mass deaths."

Europe - Road to Unification

Step by step, the road to unification of Europe is getting closer and closer. The article describes the plan for financial control of the European Nations under a centralized system. In affect, this means nations are giving up their financial sovereignty. Such actions would be unheard of a few years ago. But the lingering financial debt crisis faced by many nations leave them absolutely at the mercy of others.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2102019,00.html

"The deal could mark a turning point in the raging euro crisis if it convinces jittery markets that, by way of strict budget rules, member countries can claw their way out of debt woes. It is potentially historic, taking the continent deep into fiscal integration and union as the member states concede sovereignty on taxation and spending to a central authority."

After the first GFC, many in the US Administration calls it an opportunity for change. Certainly as the world drifts towards GFC II, this crisis-turned opportunity is being seized. The debtors are powerless and had no choice but to accept any plans given to them - even though the plans involve robbing them of their sovereignty financially. Once this is done, political and military sovereignty will be weakened and it is a matter of time before those pillars will be removed.

Calling for Politically United Europe

Fear and Hope in Hayman
by Robert Gottliebsen, of Business Spectator
http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/08/29/2011-hayman-leadership-retreat-robert-gottliebsen/

"At Hayman there were three solutions on the table. First, that the bonds would be guaranteed jointly and severally by all the European countries, but a condition of those guarantees would be political and monetary integration; second, that the euro breaks up, possibly with Germany and perhaps France leaving. And the third option is a deep depression."


With the current economic situation in Europe and the US, there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. To solve the European debt problem, Eurobonds are being proposed, but as the article above shows, this may be the excuse needed for those who want to unite Europe politically and financially. This notion would be unrealistic a few years ago, but given the dire situation, there may be no way left for people but to accept the union.

(see somewhat related article)
On the catastrophic collapse of the Dollar 
http://ozstock.blogspot.com/2009/12/on-catastrophic-collapse-of-dollar.html

There have been theories that the world economic collapse is being engineered by the powers that be. The intention is to cause severe crisis in many nations, that nations will surrender their sovereignty. This has seemed pretty far fetch until now.

Watch Europe. Guess who is behind this?

Age of Moon Questioned

The theory of the old Earth and old Universe may be put into question with fresh doubts that the Moon may be younger than initially thought. Current scientific theory in planetary geology suggests that many of the celestial bodies like Earth and Moon are very old - one interpretation from the Bible places the Universe and the celestial bodies at a much younger age. This article casts doubts on existing scientific calculations about the age of the Moon.


Moon may be younger than thought, study says
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-moon-age-20110818,0,4380476.story
Los Angeles Times, Aug 2011

"An analysis of a lunar rock raises questions about when and how the moon was formed. It may be 200 million years younger than widely believed.

The moon may be 200 million years younger than widely believed, according to a new analysis of a rock brought back to Earth in 1972 by Apollo 16 astronauts. Or, if not, the moon may never have had the magma ocean that scientists think covered its surface soon after it formed."

Prehistoric Bird May Not Be A Bird At All.

Holes appearing in the theory of evolution. The linking of dinosaur bones based on the assumption that evolution is real, may be in tatters. This article points to one evidence how the belief can be so wrong regarding the prehistoric creature supposedly being a bird with flight abilities.



Reputation as earliest bird may not have the feathers to fly
July 29, 2011

"LONDON: Archaeopteryx, the famous icon of evolution and supposedly the planet's oldest, most primitive bird, might not have been a bird after all.
The controversial claim, if confirmed, is something of a bombshell for researchers, who have viewed the evolution of birds and feathered flight through the lens of the species since it was discovered 150 years ago."

Turkey Oppresses General, Moving Away from Secular Government

" ...... for the first time in Turkey's history, top military commanders walked out on the job in protest of a government with roots in political Islam .......... "


Erdogan Showdown with Generals Shows Advance of Turkey's Democracy
By Pelin Turgut / Istanbul Wednesday, Aug. 03, 2011

For better or worse, the military of Turkey has kept the government in check. The article confirms how the top ranking military officials have been steadily removed. As the current government consolidates its power and removed opposition, the true agenda is surfacing.

How can a once pro Western nation end up being in alliance with other nations coming against God's chosen nation? it's already happening.

See Ezekiel 38:
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.

Pressure on Israel and Natural Disasters

Did world leaders bring natural disasters on themselves?

Did Obama's squeeze on Israel caused the Missouri Tornado and the BP Oil Spill? How about Kevin Rudd and Queensland or George Bush and Hurrican Katrina.

While we may not know God's operations in detail, we can look at the facts which are too coincidental. This article will bring together links to news events for the reader to think about.

Cause?

Obama: 1967 borders reflects long-standing U.S. policy

Posted: 6:56 PM May 22, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is trying to ease concerns that his administration is veering in a pro-Palestinian direction. Speaking to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington this morning, Obama said his endorsement of a future Palestine based on Israel's 1967 boundaries is a public expression of long-standing U.S. policy.

Effect?

Tornado devastates Joplin, Missouri, 116 dead

JOPLIN, Missouri | Mon May 23, 2011 6:39pm EDT
By Kevin Murphy
(Reuters) - A monster tornado killed at least 116 people in Joplin, Missouri when it tore through the heart of the small city, ripping the roof off a hospital and destroying thousands of homes and businesses.



Cause?
Rudd issues peace warning to Middle East
Updated Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:23am AEDT
Mr Rudd is concerned because "no real progress" has been made in the US-brokered peace process.
The construction of new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank undermines the push for a peace settlement, which would pave the way for an independent Palestinian state and guarantee Israeli's security, he said.
Mr Rudd later met Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Abul Gheit and said Israeli settlements contribute to "destroying" the chances of peace.

Effect?
2010–2011 Queensland floods
A series of floods hit Australia, beginning in December 2010, primarily in the state of Queensland including its capital city, Brisbane. The floods forced the evacuation of thousands of people from towns and cities.[2] At least seventy towns and over 200,000 people were affected.[2] Damage initially was estimated at around A$1 billion.[3] The estimated reduction in Australia's GDP is about A$30 billion.[1]
Three-quarters of the state of Queensland was declared a disaster zone.[4] Communities along the Fitzroy and Burnett Rivers were particularly hard hit, while the Condamine, Ballone and Mary Rivers recorded substantial flooding. An unexpected flash flood raced through Toowoomba's central business district before devastating communities in the Lockyer Valley. A few days later thousands of houses in Ipswich and Brisbane were inundated as the Brisbane River rose and Wivenhoe Dam used a considerable proportion of its flood mitigation capacity. Volunteers were quick to offer assistance and sympathy was expressed from afar. A large mobilisation of the Australian Defence Force was activated and a relief fund created. The Queensland Reconstruction Authority was formed to co-ordinate the rebuilding program and a Commission of Inquiry established to investigate matters related to the floods.
The 2010–2011 floods killed 35 people in Queensland.[5] As of 26 January, an additional nine people were missing.[6] The state's coal industry was particularly hard hit. The Queensland floods were followed by the 2011 Victorian floods which saw more than fifty communities in western and central Victoria also grapple with significant flooding.





Cause?
Obama withdraws UN support for Israel, 19 April 2010
"The Obama administration is reportedly signaling another major shift in policy towards one of its staunchest allies, Israel, and this shift could change the way it votes at the Security Council. The change would mean an end to the U.S.' use of its veto power in the United Nations Security Council when certain anti-Israel resolutions are introduced for a vote.‪"
Read more: Is oil catastrophe fulfillment of Genesis prophecy? http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=170373#ixzz1NHsbUzOF

BP Oil Spill: Israel's Revenge?

Is oil catastrophe fulfillment of Genesis prophecy?

Effect:
BP Oil Spill, 20 April 2010
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)[4][5][6] is an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which flowed for three months in 2010. It is the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry.[7][8][9] The spill stemmed from a sea-floor oil gusher that resulted from the April 20, 2010, explosion of Deepwater Horizon, which drilled on the BP-operated Macondo Prospect. The explosion killed 11 men working on the platform and injured 17 others.[10] On July 15, 2010, the leak was stopped by capping the gushing wellhead,[11] after it had released about 4.9 million barrels (780,000 m3) of crude oil.[2] An estimated 53,000 barrels per day (8,400 m³/d) escaped from the well just before it was capped.[9] It is believed that the daily flow rate diminished over time, starting at about 62,000 barrels per day (9,900 m³/d) and decreasing as the reservoir of hydrocarbons feeding the gusher was gradually depleted.[9] On September 19, 2010, the relief well process was successfully completed, and the federal government declared the well "effectively dead".[12]



Cause?
George W Bush pushes Israel out of Gaza Aug 2005
"The Gaza withdrawal was backed by the U.S. government. Some Middle East analysts and senior Israeli politicians entirely attributed the evacuation plan to pressure coming from the American establishment.
Effect?
Read more:Israeli spiritual leader: Katrina punishment for Gaza evachttp://www.wnd.com/?pageId=32238#ixzz1NHpw7ziB"

Did God send Katrina as judgment for Gaza?
Read more:Did God send Katrina as judgment for Gaza?http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=32196#ixzz1NHrH6Uug


Israeli spiritual leader: Katrina punishment for Gaza evac
Blames disaster on Bush's support of Jewish withdrawal

Read more:Israeli spiritual leader: Katrina punishment for Gaza evachttp://www.wnd.com/?pageId=32238#ixzz1NHrPDaJt

God, Judgment and the Weather: Hurricane Katrina

The most chaotic and traumatic event in Israel's modern history was the forced withdrawal of Israel from Gaza which began on August 17, 2005. Nearly 9,000 Israelis were forcibly ripped from their homes and their farms. It was heart-wrenching to watch women and children man-handled, to watch synagogues violated, Torah scrolls desecrated, houses bulldozed, graves dug up, and farms destroyed. The economic impact on Israel was simply overwhelming. Look at what the Gaza strip produced:

• 70% of Israel's organic produce
• 60% on the nations exported herbs
• 15% of its total agricultural exports
• 60% of its exported cherry tomato crop
• 120,000,000 dollars of its flower exports.

In the midst of all of this, before it was even finished, Condoleezza Rice called a press conference in which she said that every one empathizes with what the Israelis were facing, but it could not be Gaza only and that would only be the beginning of the withdrawals. It's interesting that all of that ended on August the 22nd and the very next morning the government of Bermuda announced that a tropical depression had formed off the coast of Bermuda which was dubbed "Katrina." It quickly developed into the most powerful hurricane in modern history, slamming into New Orleans on August the 27th. It disrupted 25% of our crude oil production, it destroyed the largest port in this nation and the fifth largest in the world.

Effect?
Hurricane Katrina Aug 2005

Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States.[2] Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall. At least 1,836 people died in the actual hurricane and in the subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane; total property damage was estimated at $81 billion (2005 USD),[2] nearly triple the damage wrought by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.[3]



The peace process between Israel and her neighbours is the modern Holy Grail for Western diplomacy. As the leaders make all sorts of concession to secure agreements, it is good to be reminded of what God thinks.

And God said to Abraham as part of the Abrahamic Covenant:
Genesis 12
2. I will make you a great nation;
      I will bless you
      And make your name great;
      And you shall be a blessing.

 3 I will bless those who bless you,
      And I will curse him who curses you;
      And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

God wants us to pray for Jerusalem as David said:
Psalm 122
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
         “May they prosper who love you.
 7 Peace be within your walls,
         Prosperity within your palaces.”
 8 For the sake of my brethren and companions,
         I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
 9 Because of the house of the LORD our God
         I will seek your good.

Floods, Quakes in Jan, Feb, Mar 2011

3 Great Natural Disasters in 3 months
In just three months in the start of 2011, 3 incredible natural disasters happened on such as scale that the whole world is watching. Each of these three disasters are record-breaking in terms of their magnitude in the region in which they occurred. The Queensland flood was called a 1 in 100 years flood. The Christchurch earthquake destroyed a significant part of the city itself. The Japan earthquake was the most devastating since recorded history of Japanese earthquakes.

Can these events that happened in succession in the first 3 months of 2011 be a coincidence? Disasters happened anytime, but consider again the fact that each of the great disasters mentioned here are at the extreme end of the scale and they happened in monthly succession.


December 2010 - January 2011  
Queensland Floods
Queensland flood crisis reaches new heights
"Brisbane and nearby Ipswich are bracing for unprecedented flooding as the death toll from southern Queensland's flash flooding reaches 10, with 90 people still missing.
Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes at Ipswich, west of the capital, last night, with about one-third of the city expected to go under water today as the Bremer River reaches 22 metres.
Brisbane is also bracing for major flood levels of around 4.5 metres about 2:30pm (AEST), with tomorrow's peak predicted to be above historic 1974 levels.
About 30,000 people will be affected in the capital and 9,000 homes are expected to sustain flood damage.
"

February 2011
Christchurch, New Zealand  Earthquake

Christchurch quake toll predicted to rise
Hundreds of Christchurch residents spent the night in the city's parks as rescuers continued to scrabble through the ruins of collapsed buildings in search of survivors from Tuesday's massive earthquake.

Prime minister John Key is warning the death toll of 65 is likely to rise after the 6.3-magnitude quake struck New Zealand's second largest city about 12:50pm local time.



March 2011 
Japan Earthquake

Powerful quake, tsunami kills hundreds in Japan
The entire Pacific had been put on alert — including coastal areas of South America, Canada and Alaska — but waves were not as bad as expected.
The magnitude-8.9 offshore quake struck at 2:46 p.m. local time and was the biggest to hit Japan since record-keeping began in the late 1800s. It ranked as the fifth-largest earthquake in the world since 1900 and was nearly 8,000 times stronger than one that devastated Christchurch, New Zealand, last month, scientists said.
The quake shook dozens of cities and villages along a 1,300-mile (2,100-kilometer) stretch of coast and tall buildings swayed in Tokyo, hundreds of miles from the epicenter. Prime Minister Naoto Kan was attending a parliamentary session at the time.


Here are some prophecies where earthquakes was involved:


Isaiah 29:6
You will be punished by the LORD of hosts With thunder and earthquake and great noise, With storm and tempest And the flame of devouring fire.
Isaiah 29:5-7 (in Context) Isaiah 29 (Whole Chapter)

Ezekiel 38:19
For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel,
Ezekiel 38:18-20 (in Context) Ezekiel 38 (Whole Chapter)

Amos 1:1
The words of Amos, who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
Amos 1:1-3 (in Context) Amos 1 (Whole Chapter)

Zechariah 14:5
Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You.
Zechariah 14:4-6 (in Context) Zechariah 14 (Whole Chapter)

Matthew 24:7
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
Matthew 24:6-8 (in Context) Matthew 24 (Whole Chapter)

Luke 21:11
And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
Luke 21:10-12 (in Context) Luke 21 (Whole Chapter)

Revelation 6:12
[ Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances ] I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.
Revelation 6:11-13 (in Context) Revelation 6 (Whole Chapter)

Revelation 11:19
Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
Revelation 11:18-19 (in Context) Revelation 11 (Whole Chapter)

Revelation 16:18
And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.
Revelation 16:17-19 (in Context) Revelation 16 (Whole Chapter)

Middle East Falling like Dominos

Recent events have seen a string of unrest in a few middle eastern countries. Two long time government and leaders have fallen with unrest in other countries continuing. Remember the Domino Effect first used to describe the string of European countries post WWII falling to Communism and SE Asian countries in the 1950s. The same can be used to describe the Fall of Communism in Europe in the late 1980s.

The key question to ask is what will replace the fallen regimes in the Middle East. Would it be for the better or worse? This article collects the recent string of events as documented in the web.

Before the current change of events, the kingdoms are governed by monarchies or presidents who have a strong control over the land. They may not be doing enough to provide for their people but they have been a stabilizing force. They are the glue that has kept the very fragile region in peace up until now.

Since 1949 God's land has been reinstated and it has been surrounded by nations which are hostile to it on the surface. Internally these surrounding nations have been prospering because of oil and the kings and presidents have always preferred this kind of peace and prosperity. If they do fall after the current domino effect takes place, the new nations may not be driven by peace and prosperity with their neighbours any more.


Zechariah 14:2
² For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; 

Dec 18 2010 started
2010–2011 Tunisian revolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%932011_Tunisian_protests
President Ben Ali resigned Jan 14, 2011


Dec 28, 2010 started
2010–2011 Algerian protests
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Algerian_protests


Jan 7 2011 started
2011 Jordanian protests
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Jordanian_protests
Feb 1 2011 the Royal Palace announced that King Abdullah II has sacked the government.



Mid Jan 2011 started
2011 Yemeni protests
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Yemeni_protests



Jan 25 2011 started
Egyptian Revolution of 2011
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Egyptian_revolution
President Mubarak stepped down Feb 11 2011



Feb 18 2011 started
Libyan protest turns lethal
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/libyan-protest-turns-lethal/story-e6frg6so-1226007796989
AT least four people were killed in clashes with Libyan security forces yesterday as the country faced a nationwide "Day of Anger" called by cyber-activists.

Unrest in Middle East, North Africa
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/recap-of-mid-east-n-africa-urest/story-fn6t2xg9-1226008000412
CLASHES across the Middle East and North Africa have killed six in Libya, four in Bahrain and two in Iraq.



Feb 18 2011 started
Crackdown in Bahrain was 'regrettable'
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/crackdown-in-bahrain-was-regrettable/story-fn3dxity-1226007997436
TROOPS and tanks locked down the capital of this tiny Gulf kingdom after riot police swinging clubs and firing tear gas smashed into demonstrators, many of them sleeping, in a pre-dawn assault today that uprooted their protest camp demanding political change. Medical officials said four people were killed.

Feb 18 2011 - Saudi Arabia watching carefully
Saudi prince Talal warns of uprising threat
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/saudi-prince-talal-warns-of-uprising-threat/story-e6frg6so-1226008023428
A SENIOR member of the Saudi royal family has warned that the oil-rich country could be harmed by the uprisings sweeping the Arab world unless it speeded up reforms.

Feb 20, 2011 -
Renewed unrest sweeps Arab world
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/renewed-unrest-sweeps-arab-world/story-e6frg6so-1226008876077
This article reports continuing protests and unrest across several nations: Libya, Yemen, Kuwait, Tunisia, Bahrain, Algeria, Djibouti

If the Egyptians are hungry, let them eat ethanol

If the Egyptians are hungry, let them eat ethanol

This is more evidence and recognition that the world hunger problem is deliberately turned into a crisis. The powers-that-be pushes the use of so-called renewable fuel  such as ethanol. The result is that land is used to grow crops for the production of fuel for the rich consumers, while the poorer population who do not have automobiles that uses fuel, cannot even afford to buy food due to increased food prices.

The article in the link above is written in a secular national newspaper showing that this is not just a narrow viewpoint. Its arguments show there is a genuine crisis developing in the world due to human inflated food prices.

A Quart of Wheat for a Denarius, Three Quarts of Barley for a Denarius

Food shortages due to a variety of factors have in recent weeks made strong headlines. This is no surprise as The Day comes closer (see Revelation 6:6) below.

Here are some current news articles on this topic.
Agflation fears as Russia halts all grain exports - Telegraph
China hungry for local food assets

Market tremors from Egypt

Revelation 6:6

(Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth )

⁵ When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. ⁶ And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart^[c] of wheat for a denarius,^[d] and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

One World Currency Has a Name - Bancor

The concept of a one world currency is not only gaining momentum, but already has a blueprint as well as a name. The blueprint by the IMF can be found at:
http://www.imf.org/external/np/pp/eng/2010/041310.pdf

No longer is it a question of if but a question of when it will be implemented. Already the conditions are ripe. The outward reason for this currency is of course secular looking. The conditions that make it ripe are:
- US debt is at crippling levels.
- To repay debt, US is printing more money out of thin air.
- The world commodities are in US dollars because it is the reserve currency.
- As US currency devalues due to Quantitative Easing II (QE2), the world economies are abandoning the US dollar, which would become worthless anyway, and are calling for a replacement.
- What better replacement than a one world currency.

More links to recent news can be found at:

Dethroning the US Dollar - Part II

End of the World? Why are the birds falling from the sky?

The article below tries to explain the recent mass deaths of birds and fish as something natural. It also attempts to debunk any references to apocalyptic prophecies.

One thing to note is that, whether these specific events are prophesied in the Bible, most of the prophecies in the Bible have a "Natural" or "Physical" causes. By definition, prophecies are revelations from God of the things that will happen in the future. By definition, prophecies or revelations does not mean that the events must occur without natural causes.



Article:  from Sydney Morning Herald
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/whats-going-belly-up-with-birds-and-fish-20110107-19hsn.html
-------------

Five thousand dead blackbirds rained from the sky on the first day of the New Year in Arkansas. Then more dead birds fell in other states. Then huge fish kills were discovered in multiple US waterways.

And suddenly it became a worldwide phenomenon, with reports of mass die-offs of birds and fish in Sweden, Britain, Japan, Thailand, Brazil and beyond.

Doves, jellyfish, snapper, jackdaws... it seemed no species was immune.

Advertisement: Story continues below

Further south ... hundreds of birds scattered on a rural highway in Louisiana. Photo: AP

Conspiracy theorists, doomsdayers and religious extremists warned that the end was nigh.

Could it be astronauts testing a potent sound beam to ward off aliens? The US military experimenting with satellite-powered energy weapons?

What about chemical sprays, meteor showers, or earthquakes activating pollutants from the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico?

"Birds" surged to the most searched term on The New York Times website.

Religious bloggers loaded their sites with Bible verse, Hosea 4:1-3: "The land dries up, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea are swept away."

But as speculation roiled the blogosphere, wildlife experts rolled their eyes.

"It is not that unusual," said Kristen Schuler, scientist at the US Geological Survey's National Wildlife Center.

"There is nothing apocalyptic or anything that is necessarily out of the ordinary for what we would see in any given week."

Regarding the bird deaths in Arkansas, where the local custom is to set off fireworks to mark New Year's Eve, officials determined it was likely that the noise set off a deadly bird panic.

"It appears unusually loud noises, reported shortly before the birds began to fall, caused the birds to flush from a roost," the USGS National Wildlife Health Center said in a statement posted on the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission website.

"Additional fireworks in the area may have forced the birds to fly at a lower altitude than normal and hit houses, vehicles, trees and other objects. Blackbirds have poor night vision and typically do not fly at night."

In Louisiana, Schuler said it looked like cold weather might have killed off about 500 birds.

Meanwhile in Maryland, locals were spooked by reports of some two million dead fish in the Chesapeake Bay.

But officials were quick to assuage those concerns, saying the deaths were a result of an unusual cold snap, combined with an overpopulation of a species known as spot fish.

"Natural causes appear to be the reason for the deaths of the fish," said a statement by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

"Spot may have difficulty surviving in colder temperatures, and the species? susceptibility to winter kills is well-documented," it said, noting that surface water temperatures last month were the coldest in 25 years.

As for the bird and fish deaths elsewhere in the world, many were still under investigation.

According to the National Wildlife Federation's Doug Inkley, the most frequent cause of mass death in birds is disease, though pollution and "just plain accidents" can also trigger large scale die-offs. Often, people just are not aware of them.

"Most of the time these areas are not near human habitation such as in forests or in the woods," he said on CNN.

But in today's Internet Age, when hardly anything remains secret, word of unusual bird deaths has spread with unparalleled speed.

"In 1960 if a bunch of birds started falling from the sky it may have been noticed by some people. It may have gotten reported in the local paper, but it may never have gotten any further than that," said Robert Thompson, professor of pop culture at Syracuse University.

"Now some of these kinds of stories, because they get out there on the internet, if they are compelling enough they can immediately make this jump to national news," he said.

"Let's face it, big quantities of birds falling from the sky or fish going belly up is a pretty compelling story."

AFP