Pictures of the Week from MSN

Let's see what's around the world this past week according to MSN's 'Pictures of the week'.

Let's start off with this image of French climber Alain Robert. Also known as "Spiderman", this image shows him scaling the Tour Total skyscraper in support of the anti pensions reform strikers at La Defense financial and business district on Jan 13.

And closer home in The Philippines, a lightning streak is seen over Batangas as Taal Volcano erupts on Jan. 20.

And in Sydney, Australia, projections are seen on the sails of the Sydney Opera House in recognition of the communities affected by wildfires and to honor firefighters, on Jan. 11.

In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, a soccer player from the Haiti team, and survivor of the 2010 earthquake, in action during the 'Two Crutches And A Ball' event, held on the 10th anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti, on Jan. 11.

The next picture kind of reminds me of our yearly smog situation. This is of Melbourne, Australia - A general view of Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park with the city shrouded in smoke in the background, on Jan. 14.

The beauty of sunrise. Frankfurt, Germany - A woman walks her dog just before sunrise on Jan. 14.

In Lisbon, Portugal - Neighbors and environmentalists join efforts to plant trees in a park as part of the initiatives included in Lisbon European Green Capital 2020 on Jan. 12.

Agra, India - Tourists visit the Taj Mahal on Jan. 12. It is said the the Taj Mahal has very good feng shui features.

New York, US - Participants in the 19th Annual "No Pants Subway Ride" travel in the subway on Jan. 12. I didn't read about this taking place in Malaysia this year.

And finally, this one of Paris, France - A model presents a creation by Off-White, during the men's Fall/Winter 2020/2021 collection fashion show on Jan. 15.

For more images, check out MSN's Pictures of the Week.

24 hours ago

The world of Internet has given us the chance to have a glimpse of what's going on around the world. I just stumbled upon images that Reuters captured in the last 24 hours. Let me share a few of them.

We start with Indonesia. This one shows Punk community members dance during a punk music festival in Bandung, Indonesia West Java province.

And in the Philippines, a girl takes part in a local Lenten ritual called "Moriones" in Mogpog, Marinduque, Philippines.

A stuntman rides a motorcycle inside the "Well of Death" attraction during a fair in Bhaktapur, Nepal.

Further afield in Europe, the Borussia Dortmund team bus is seen after an explosion near their hotel before their Champions League quarter-final first leg game against AS Monaco in Dortmund, Germany.

A crow flies towards a tree in a blooming rapeseed field on a spring morning in Vufflens-la-Ville near Lausanne, Switzerland.

And back to this part of the world, Reuters has this shot of the sun set in Pyongyang, North Korea.

Well, hope you've had a pleasant enough 24-hours-ago. Would you like to share it? Use the Comments below.

Philippines volcano spews rocks killing 5 people

One of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines rumbled to life yesterday, spewing rocks ‘as big as a living room’ according to one guide. 30 climbers were caught surprised. Five people (including three Germans and their guide) have been killed and many others injured. The injured are all foreigners.

The 2,460m mountain, about 340km south-east of Manila, has erupted about 40 times during the last 400 years.

Read more: Today..Philippine volcano spews rocks, kills 5 climbers

Floods in Philippines - No respite from rain

CNN reported that
The death toll from five days of heavy rains and floods in the Philippines jumped to 60 on Friday, disaster officials said, with the forecast calling for even more showers across the main island of Luzon.

Most of the deaths were from drowning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. Others died from electrocution or in landslides associated with the rain and floods.

Rain is forecast for a fifth day in a row and the flooding exacerbated by recent Tropical Storm Haikui following Tropical Storm Saola. Authorities said it could take days or even weeks for the waters to recede in the lower-lying areas.

Source:CNN

Manila is badly flooded

Not only is Penang flooded, Manila, The Philippines capital city of 15 million is brought to a standstill caused by floods forcing at least 20,000 people to flee their homes as floodwaters covered half the sprawling city, according to the authorities.

Schools, financial markets and most government offices were shut as key roadways in Manila - a metropolis of some 15 million people - were made impassable by waters that in some areas reached neck-deep.

Residents of low-lying slums fled the huge shantytowns lining Manila's rivers and sewers for the safety of schools, gymnasiums and government buildings.

The death toll from eight days of sustained rains has risen to 53 with more than 268,000 people forced to flee their homes across the country, according to disaster authorities.

More from The Star..Philippine capital brought to standstill in floods

Kuala Lumpur could use more rainfall to alleviate the possible water shortage as well as clear the air from the haze caused by the burning hotspots.

Typhoon Washi hit Southern Philippines causing flash floods killing 650

800 people are reported missing in southern Philippines on Sunday (today) after houses were swept into rivers and out to sea by flash floods and landslides caused by Typhoon Washi that hit the area.

Cagayan de Oro and nearby Iligan cities on Mindanao island were worst hit when Typhoon Washi slammed ashore while people slept late on Friday and early Saturday, sending torrents of water and mud through villages and stripping mountainsides bare.

Floods washed away entire houses with families inside in dozens of coastal villages in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

"This is the first time this has happened in our city," Vicente Emano, mayor of Cagayan de Oro, said in a radio interview. He said officials in the area did not receive adequate warning before the typhoon struck.

The death toll has reached 650 and thousands have been made homeless.

Source: The Star
- Philippines searches for hundreds after typhoon kills 650

Tropical storm Nock-Ten wreaks havoc

Nock-Ten, named after a Laotian bird, is definitely not as mild as a bird. Instead, it is causing much damage and so far, the tropical storm has resulted in floods and landslides taking lives in Korea, The Philippines and elsewhere.

The image below shows cars stranded on a submerged street in Seoul as 400mm of rainfall pounded Seoul yesterday. At least 28 people were killed.

By contrast, the weather here in KL is pleasant. I don't want to sound like gloating or anything like that. The MET department says the effects of the tropical storm are not likely to affect Malaysia directly, so we are a lot luckier over here. Tropical storm Nock-Ten is expected to bring rain and strong winds to northern Sabah and the middle of the peninsula over the next two days.

From where I am, I can still see the sunlight streaming through the trees casting shadows on the ground. I gave a silent thanks and said a prayer for those who are going through the horrible weather in parts hit by the Laotian bird. May the storm blow over quickly so that people can pick up the pieces and go about their business, the business of making the most of life.

Related articles:
Tropical storm Nock-Ten expected to hit three states over next two days
Storms kill over 50 in the Philippines and S. Korea, rain expected here

Image source: The Star

Flood and Havoc in the Philippines caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana

Latest updates:
- Aug 10, 2012: Floods in Philippines - No respite from rain
- Aug 7, 2012: Manila is badly flooded


More than a month’s worth of rain fell in just 12 hours Saturday as Tropical Storm Ketsana slammed ashore in the Philippines triggering the worst flooding in decades in the capital Manila and nearby provinces.

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo appealed for donations and called for calm.



Blogger, Rej, lives in Manila. Here is her comment on the flood:

We are glad you and your family are fine and safe, Rej. Take care.

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Philippine storm leaves 106 dead and missing
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