Global Disasters/ Significant Events – June 9, 2013
Saudi Arabia becomes the third Arab dictatorship to Ban Guy Fawkes Masks
The Saudi newspaper al-Medina reported that the country’s Ministry of the Interior has banned the import and sale of the Guy Fawkes masks.
The ban includes the immediate confiscation and destruction of all masks and related symbols already in Saudi Arabian markets and toy stores, the report said.
The United Arab Emirates banned the masks in November 2012, followed by the mini kingdom of Bahrain, which prohibited the masks in February.
The Guy Fawkes Mask: A stylized portrayal of Guy Fawkes (13 April 1570 – 31 January 1606), a member of a group that planned the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
The Guy Fawkes mask is a stylized portrayal of Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, who attempted to blow up the House of Lords in London in 1605.
The mask, designed by illustrator David Lloyd, was used as a major plot element in V for Vendetta, a comic book published in 1982, and its 2005 film adaptation, and has now become a symbol of united opposition to undemocratic governments.
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New Round of Deadly Flooding in South, Central and East China
Severe flooding and landslides triggered by extreme rain events have affected millions of people in south and east China.
Heavy rains have been pounding ten provincial regions in southern, central and eastern China, since Wednesday, including the provinces of Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
- The floods have left dozens dead or missing.
- At least 62,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes.
- More than 2,500 homes have been destroyed, and tens of thousands of buildings damaged.
- Some 21,400 hectares of crops have also been destroyed by floodwaters.
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River Danube to Peak at Record High Levels in Budapest
The Danube in Budapest is forecast to peak later today (Sunday evening) at 8.95 meters (30 feet), more than double its usual level, and 0.35 meters above the record set in 2006 floods.
- The authorities have already declared a state of emergency, and evacuated thousands of people (1,200 – 4,000) from dozens of towns and villages. The authorities have also closed dozens of roads, according to local news.
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Torrential rain, hail and floods affect about 100,000 in NW China
Widespread flooding has affected about 100,000 people in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
“The rainstorm has damaged over 12,300 hectares of crops and killed 2,340 head of livestock, while 303 houses have been toppled or damaged, forcing the evacuation of 939 people,” said a report.
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State of emergency declared in Kiev following landslides
The Kiev municipal government has declared a state of emergency in the Ukrainian capital following multiple landslides on the banks of Dnieper River.
- “There were a total of 11 possible disaster sites in Kiev,” said a report citing city officials.
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Another Day of Record Breaking Heat in Western US
Excessive Heat Warnings remain in effect in the Desert Southwest as daytime temperatures again soar into triple digits, said NWS.
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Fire Earth 