L’Aquila, Italy
Deadly quake: A powerful earthquake shook central Italy this week, killing more than 250 people and damaging thousands of buildings, including many of the region’s beautiful medieval landmarks. At least 1,000 people were injured in the 6.3 magnitude quake, and more than 1,000 rescue workers were scrambling to reach those trapped in collapsed buildings. Tent cities were erected to house some of the 50,000 who were left homeless. Angry residents criticized the government for failing to heed warnings that a quake was imminent. But Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said he would concentrate on the rescue and recovery efforts, and that “later we can talk about whether earthquakes can be predicted.” Touring the ruins, Berlusconi said that other countries needn’t send aid. “We are able to meet our needs by ourselves,” he said. “We are a proud people.”
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Anti-Communist riots: Pro-Western protesters this week stormed Moldova’s parliament building and presidential offices, torching furniture and hurling computers through windows in a protest against the re-election of a Communist-led government. Though the vote was certified by international observers, opposition leaders in the impoverished nation of 4.1 million declared the results fraudulent. Ten thousand people marched on the capitol shouting “Freedom!” and waving European Union flags. Some threw rocks at police, who opened fire hoses on them. Around 30 demonstrators and police officers were injured. “These acts of vandalism are not acts of patriots,” said President Vladimir Voronin. “They want to spill blood.”
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