theatlantic:
In Focus: Soufriere Hills Volcano
Before 1995, the small Caribbean island of Montserrat was a relatively quiet tourist destination — a British Overseas Territory with a population of 11,000. Then, the Soufriere Hills volcano came to life after remaining quiet since the 17th century. Thousands lived in the direct path of ensuing mudflows and pyroclastic flows — cascades of hot gas and rock. The capital city of Plymouth and 20 other settlements were completely destroyed. Dozens lost their lives initially, and thousands were evacuated as eruptions continued off and on for years afterward. More than 7,000 residents moved away, and tourist dollars vanished. While the volcano is still active, it has been relatively quiet since early 2010, and nearly half of the island remains a designated exclusion zone.
See more. [Images: AP, Reuters, Getty]
I watched a program on the 1995 eruption once. I don’t trust islands that are made up of an active volcano.
Because the whole fucking thing is an active volcano. Fuck that shit.
theonion:
Area Man Unsure If He’s Supposed To Want Hugo Chavez To Die Or Not: Full Report
I am kind of on the side of him wanting to die, though nervous about how his cronies will react. Also, this ongoing saga amuses me.
mediterraneum:
A Jewish Yemenite family, 1914
My family pictures never look this nice. What a handsome family.
theatlantic:
A Pop Star Shouldn’t Shave Her Head in Shame for Having a Boyfriend
Minami Minegishi, a popular member of AKB48 since the group’s founding in 2005, faced the camera and apologized profusely to fans. As tears washed over her face, she said those in charge of the group had demoted her to the “trainee” team and, to punish herself, she had shaved her head. Her transgression: being caught leaving a young man’s apartment several days earlier.
Thousands in Japan watched the just-buzzed Minami deliver her tearful apology, and on Twitter the video promptly took up five trending-topic spaces. Many were shocked by what she had done to herself, while others believed the punishment was just and were surprised by what she had done. It quickly morphed into the country’s first big entertainment scandal of the year, but Minegishi’s painful-to-watch apology is much more than tabloid fodder: Her situation highlights the more disturbing aspects of the Japanese entertainment industry, and also on a growing gender problem in Japan.
Read more. [Image: AKB48]
Japan has issues…I’ve been saying that for a long time.
I guess I should put a trigger warning for discussion of suicide, but this is semi-important Eastern European world news.
BRUSSELS — Serbia’s ambassador to NATO suddenly jumped to his death off a parking garage platform at Brussels Airport while surrounded by his country’s delegation, a diplomat said Wednesday.
The Serbian government said in a statement that Branislav Milinkovic, 52, died on Monday night, during two days of meetings of NATO foreign ministers.
Milinkovic was at the airport to meet deputy foreign minister Zoran Vujic and other officials who were due to hold talks with NATO representatives, three diplomats who knew him said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release details. After the delegation arrived, as they walked over to their cars in the diplomatic garage Milinkovic suddenly strolled to a barrier, climbed over it and jumped, one of the diplomats said.
That’s kind of fucking hardcore. Damn, dude…Seriously, did something happen at the NATO proceedings? Is there some kind of shit that should be worried about?
xxmess:
adghajdgafgafafa <3 Sebastian I fucking love you.
Something very important to remember.
Especially since way too many people I know have been equated Hamas with the Palestinian citizens. That’s like equating all people living in the Southern U.S. to the KKK.
![theatlantic:
A Pop Star Shouldn’t Shave Her Head in Shame for Having a Boyfriend
Minami Minegishi, a popular member of AKB48 since the group’s founding in 2005, faced the camera and apologized profusely to fans. As tears washed over her face, she said those in charge of the group had demoted her to the “trainee” team and, to punish herself, she had shaved her head. Her transgression: being caught leaving a young man’s apartment several days earlier.
Thousands in Japan watched the just-buzzed Minami deliver her tearful apology, and on Twitter the video promptly took up five trending-topic spaces. Many were shocked by what she had done to herself, while others believed the punishment was just and were surprised by what she had done. It quickly morphed into the country’s first big entertainment scandal of the year, but Minegishi’s painful-to-watch apology is much more than tabloid fodder: Her situation highlights the more disturbing aspects of the Japanese entertainment industry, and also on a growing gender problem in Japan.
Read more. [Image: AKB48]
Japan has issues…I’ve been saying that for a long time.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/fe2150b9960fa5ba3a37df1d6d316656/tumblr_mhwzgfcl4v1qcokc4o1_500.jpg)
