Stories about Disaster from July, 2008
Jordan: Six People Killed in Shooting
“The shooting in Amman where six people were injured in a musical was a crime of despair. The shooter was an 18-year old, resident of Al Baq'a refugee camp,” writes Jordanian blogger Hareega, about the latest shoot out in Jordan.
Egypt: Early Morning Earthquake
Egyptian Chronicles reports that an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale has hit Egypt. No damages were reported.
Turkey:Ants and Earthquakes?
Metroblogging Istanbul reports on a Turkish researcher who believes that by observing ant behavior that earthquakes can be predicted up to 24-hours in advance.
China and Japan: Support to Earthquake Orphans
Martin J Frid from Kurashi blogs about a Japanese non-profitable group, Ashinaga's initiative in helping earthquake Orphans. Recently the group helped bring Japanese earthquake orphans to Sichuan.
Myanmar: Salt Prices
New Mandala states that “25,430 acres of salt pans were submerged and 29,545 tons of salt damaged after the Cyclone Nargis. The price of salt has risen by three to six times in the last two months.”
Ukraine: Traffic Chaos
MoldovAnn writes about the traffic chaos in Ukraine.
Japan: Comment about abductions sparks harsh reactions
LDP member Koichi Kato has sparked harsh reactions from bloggers with a comment he made on July 7th. In the comment, Kato connected the stagnation of Japanese-Korea negotiations with the government decision in 2002 not to return 5 Japanese abductees to North Korea after they had been delivered to Japan by North Korea for what was expected to be a short time. The abductees were among a group of Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
China: Summer Olympics Disaster Guide
Probably going to see a lot more posts like this in the coming few weeks, so let this be GVO's chance to (hopefully) get it out of the way now: What could go wrong in Beijing? Everything.. Via Shanghaiist.
Myanmar also needs tourists
Bangkok Dazed is visiting Myanmar and reminds us that one way to help the cyclone-ravaged country is to visit it. He writes: I lost track of how many people who told me “You are the first tourist/customer we have had in two months.”
Colombia: Hostage Rescue Raises Concerns
After the rescue dubbed as “perfect” by liberated former Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who was rescued by the Colombian army on Wednesday July 2nd along with 14 other hostages being held captive by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for up to 10 years in some cases. The Colombian community has been voicing concerns about the repercussions the rescue might have, and what interests might have been behind it.
Ukraine: Philanthropic Causes
Dan McMinn of Orange Ukraine posts a list of philanthropic causes in Ukraine and asks for help in updating it.
Myanmar: Villagers forced to work for aid
Residents of Meepya village in Rangoon have been forced to work on a reconstruction project in order to receive aid materials given by private donors.
