[pennadyFeet]

Hmmmm i just found this thread.

I guess on the scale of things, I didn't really get that badly affected by recent events. But i did go through the recent floodings in Brisbane Aus, (the aparment i stayed at got flooded) and back home got hit by Category 5 Cyclone Yasi earlier in the year.

Despite this, its nothing compared to what recently happened in Japan. The thing is though, right after the Japan quake, we had a magnitude 4 earthquake back home too. So in just a few short months, we've had major rain and flooding, devastating cyclones and a small earthquake.

2011 hasn't come to a very good start thats for sure.

I've got quite a few friends who were either near the centre of the earthquake in japan or have friends and relatives near there. Luckily i think everyone is ok.

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

So I realize that the CSS member base is likely skewed to North America, the UK, and continental Europe, but I also understand that we have contributors from across the globe, and given current events, I thought it would be interesting to see how some recent happenings have, for better or for worse, affected our members. It's always interesting to share experiences and to see how events that can seem so distant to many of us can hit home for others.

Protests in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, Libya, Morocco, etc. Earthquake in New Zealand (and, prior to that, quakes in Chile, Haiti, etc.). Record winter storms in America and Europe. A continuing global recession (complete with still-high unemployment, budget crises, and talk of more bailouts). Endless rain in Australia. The list goes on and on and on. Has anyone been personally affected in any way by a significant global event? It doesn't have to be a bad thing -- did anyone experience a recent Olympics? Super Bowl? World Cup? Commonwealth Games? An F1 race?

I just figured it would be an interesting way to get to know your fellow CSSers, and to talk about headline-making events that you've personally witnessed or been affected by. It doesn't have to be anything monumental, but let us know how things have been going where you are

[Averti$ingGuru]

I suppose the big story in the UK over the past couple of months has been the weather. The UK is used to mild winters, so 1 foot of snow and temperatures in minus double figures a lot of the time was a shock. I remember waking up one weekend and looking forward to a drive in the car, but when I looked out of the window I found that there was a 4-foot snow drift up to the top of my wall. Before the snow there was the student protests in the UK over university tuition fees, which messed things up to say the least.

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

There's been similar weather in the U.S. Midwest and on the East Coast. Thankfully, where I am, we've been spared most of the snow and ice, which has really taken its toll on cities like Detroit, Chicago, New York, etc.

The UK student protests made the news here, too. It was a tuition hike, wasn't it? How did that end up...did the movement just kind of die out? I suspect demonstrations regarding proposed budget cuts and raised taxes/fees are pretty common the world over, right now...the big news here in the U.S. is a wave of demonstrations by educators who are protesting proposals to slash their collective bargaining rights (through which, presumably, they've been able to exact financial concessions from state governments).

[Averti$ingGuru]

Our deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, previously promised no tuition fee rises.
The fact that the promise hasn't been kept is the reason for the riots, but I suppose the government have to pay off the UK's massive debt somehow.

There's also the matter of rising fuel prices. A litre of unleaded has now risen to £1.28 where I am (that's $2.06). So it costs me £70 to fill my car up.

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

Quote:

[Averti$ingGuru]

Yup. £70 equates to around $113. Although I very rarely actually spend that much in one hit... I usually have at least half a tank of fuel.

The ironic thing is that our fuel is actually the cheapest in Europe. The actual fuel is around 40-45p per litre... the rest is tax!

http://www.petrolprices.com/price-of-petrol.html

[h98hhYxM]

Living in Cyprus i have been affected like it or not. i live on an island situated between Europe, Africa and the Middle East. We have created many areas for the refugees, mainly in large coastal hotels, and we offer them apart from shelter, money, food etc. As for the financial crisis, everything has risen here. 20 euros equals to about 16+ liters of unleaded petrol while common goods such as bread and milk have also risen significantly. Fortunately we more or less take the role of Switzerland here, having mostly good relations with both Islamic countries and Israel in particular (with the exception of Turkey) plus being a member country of the E.U. helps us stay out of trouble

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

Quote:

[mobbemeatiedy]

Well, the recession dictates my life and the lives of most here in the UK. It's much tougher to get by compared to, say, five years ago. Inflation rose by 7.8% since December. I don't drive but use the public transport which is becoming more expensive and less reliable with each passing year. I know tradespeople who have been working for £11 - £14 an hour, now they make minimum wage (£5.93 per hour). My fiance has a Master's degree and can't find a decent job. Mum hasn't had a payrise in two years and is doing twice the work because her place let people go. Me? I'm stuck in a dead-end job working for a multinational company that values its shareholders above the workers who contribute to their £1billion plus profits.

This country is going down the gutter...

/rant

[h98hhYxM]

Quote:

[michael247]

Can't say I've been affected too badly by what's happened in Christchurch. Currently, there's around 7000 refugees in my city from Christchurch and we're expecting at least 4000 to be staying. Permanently.

I've seen small shortages of some products in supermarkets but nothing too bad. Expecting the country to boom massively from the reconstruction though.

[UFJon]

Quote:

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

Here's hoping that haji and any other Japanese members are safe after today's massive earthquake and subsequent tsunamis. Magnitude 8.9; the biggest quake in Japan in over a century. Very bad news.

Also, dozens of countries along the Pacific still under tsunami warning. So stay safe, all!

[karaburatoreror]

My step mums family are in Osaka so thankfully far enough away, but now there are warnings as far down as NZ

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

Good to hear they're okay.

Some insane photos of the devastation.