Water Shortage Update

Running Water Restored to Chinese City: Running water returned to this northeast city of 3.8 million people Sunday, ending a five-day shutdown blamed on a chemical spill that embarrassed the government and highlighted China's mounting environmental problems.

NPR aired a couple of pieces on the situation:

Accident Contaminates Major Chinese City's Water: In northeastern China, a city of nearly 4 million people has temporarily lost its water supply. Environmental officials say an industrial accident polluted a river that normally serves as the water source for the city, Harbin.

Toxic Flow Leaves Chinese City Waiting for Water: A 50-mile-long slick of toxic chemicals flowing through a river in northeast China has left the 9 million residents of Harbin scrambling.

Earthquake News

Deadly Earthquake Strikes China: A strong earthquake struck central China [Jiangxi] on Saturday, killing at least 15 people, injuring more than 450 and destroying hundreds of buildings.

The following link shows some additional pictures.

Feature Flickr Photo

the red lantern...
taken one night during a stroll over the
"Old Market" in the town of Wuxi / China

(Courtesy of Lotse)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I'll be posting again on Sunday. In the meantime, you can watch an animated version of this turkey being built here.

News

Water crisis threatens China city of 3.8 million: A Chinese city of 3.8 million people closed schools and was trucking in drinking water Wednesday after shutting down its water system following a chemical plant explosion that officials said polluted a nearby river with toxic benzene.

Poll—1 in 8 Young Persons Is a 'Net Addict': According to a survey released yesterday, conducted by the China Youth Association for Network Development (CYAND), more than 13 percent of Chinese youths and young adults are addicted to the Internet based on criteria developed by CYAND.

Young Chinese make a living through fists: Young toughs with few prospects for marriage or meaningful employment can find work at a respectable wage beating and intimidating lawyers, activists, journalists and ordinary citizens who challenge corrupt village leaders and wealthy business owners.

'Second Wives' Are Back: Mistresses are again a status symbol in China. As scandal spreads, the government worries that they are a motive for public corruption.

Local Story

Exhibit celebrates Adoption Month: Even as a little girl, Mary Curtis knew she would one day adopt a child. After she learned her mother spent her childhood living in an orphanage, Curtis was determined to make adoption one of her life's goals.

Feature Flickr Photo

Reflecting on the past
@ Jingshan Park in Beijing during winter

(Courtesy of Junk Girl)

Research on Bonding

Exploring a Hormone for Caring: The lack of emotional care given to infants in some Romanian and Russian orphanages has provided researchers an opportunity to study the hormonal basis of the mother-child bond. [NYT: Free Reg. Req.]

(Thanks Susan from MAC.)

[Update: The full scientific article is available here.]

Sad news and important info

Adoptive Mother Accused Of Child Abuse: A Rochester Hills woman has been arrested on suspicion of arrest for abusing her adopted daughter and causing the child to have severe brain damage, according to police.

For information about Shaken Baby Syndrome, including suggestions and tips when your baby cries see aboutshakenbaby.com.

(Thanks Laura and Kathy from APC.)

Local Story

Lindon family adopts three from China: The last three of Adriana Cassani's pregnancies were increasingly more difficult, but even with five children at home, she and her husband, David, felt their family was not complete. Today, three adopted Chinese children make their family a perfect 10.