Tag: World

Millions of Americans Oppose SOPA and PIPA Because These Bills Would Censor The Internet … …

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Heard of SOPA and PIPA?  These are two bills that U.S. Congress is deliberating over and if passed, may vastly change how the internet will be.

It makes me wonder.  How can one country pass a bill that affects the whole world without any input from the rest of the world?

Several companies and non-profit web sites are speaking up about this, amongst them, Google.

https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

Two bills before Congress, known as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House, would censor the Web and impose harmful regulations on American business. Millions of Internet users and entrepreneurs already oppose SOPA and PIPA.

The Senate will begin voting on January 24th. Please let them know how you
feel. Sign this petition urging Congress to vote NO on PIPA and SOPA before it is too late.


Thailand Flood – Tzu Chi Foundation Moves In to Bring Aid and Support

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Thailand Flood Aid Video #1
Flood aid in Thailand and survey in Philippines

Parts of Thailand have been inundated by floods for over two months now. Recent storm systems only brought more rain to the country, and the weather forcast predicted more rain is on the way. As the country bolstered its flood defenses, Tzu Chi volunteers arrived in Pakjan Township of Ayutthaya Province to help those in need.

Thailand Flood Aid Video #2
Hot meals for Thai flood victims

For the last two months, Thailand has been in the grips of massive flooding. During the crisis, volunteers from Tzu Chi have become a familiar sight for many local people. In Banplab Township, of Bang Pa In County, in Ayutthaya Province, volunteers gave flood victims hot meals, twice a day. They distributed 22,622 vegetarian meals in a week. As the programme comes to a close, Tzu Chi will be launching a mid-term disaster relief plan. Volunteers also gave blankets, medical kits, and food as a token of their appreciation to 240 local people, who helped out during the hot meal distribution.

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Reference

Deadly Earthquake Hits India and Nepal

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Deadly earthquake hits India and Nepal

Earthquake of magnitude 6.9 hits north-eastern India and Nepal,
damaging buildings and killing at least 16 people

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/18/earthquake-india-nepal

 

Prayers and aid goes out to them.

A strong earthquake has shaken northeastern India and Nepal, killing at least 16 people and damaging buildings.

The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9, was felt across northeast India. It triggered at least two aftershocks of magnitude 6.1 and 5.3, Indian seismology official RS Dattatreyan said. He warned that more aftershocks were possible.

At least five people in India’s Sikkim state were killed and more than 50 were injured, according to the state’s top official. Nepal’s government said five people died and dozens were hurt there.

The full extent of the damage was not immediately known because the region is sparsely populated, with many living in remote areas that were cut off by mudslides triggered by the quake, Singh said.

TV stations reported collapsed buildings and cracked pavements in Sikkim’s state capital of Gangtok, 42 miles southeast of the quake’s epicentre. The Indo-Tibetan border police said two of its buildings had collapsed in Gangtok.

Rescuers were searching for anyone pinned under fallen buildings in the city, which has a population of 50,000, Singh said.

“We have sounded a high alert. Police are on the streets in Gangtok and other major towns,” he said.

Electricity and some phone services were interrupted in the area.

Power lines snapped in the West Bengal cities of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, which “are now in total darkness”, state chief minister Mamata Banerjee said.

The Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, offered to send troops to help, and summoned the National Disaster Management Authority for an emergency meeting. The air force sent five planes to help with rescue efforts.

In neighbouring Nepal and Bangladesh, the quake sent residents rushing out of their homes, offices and shopping centers.

In Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, members of parliament who
were debating the national budget ran out of the assembly hall into a parking area. They returned 15 minutes later and resumed their session.

The quake was felt as far away as the Indian capital, with New Delhi residents rushing out of shaking buildings.