Middle East
On Feb. 6, a factory in Lahore, Pakistan collapsed due to a gas explosion, trapping several people and killing five. The factory, which produces veterinary medical products, sent jolts throughout the community, and the blast could be heard from miles away. Pakistan’s 1122 Rescue service is in charge of the cleanup of the accident and have been searching the rubble for survivors. So far 13 survivors, including several young children employed at the building, have been rescued. According to Pakistani authorities, the factory was supposed to be sealed due to building code violations, but was still operating. Pakistan has experienced difficulties in regulating businesses, and building and zoning regulations are not enforced strictly. City officials in Lahore are currently investigating the causes of the accident.

Australia/Oceania
A recent earthquake in the Philippine island of Negros has caused landslides, the destruction of buildings and at least a dozen deaths so far. The earthquake was recorded at a magnitude of 6.7, which is considered a strong quake on the Richter scale, but most of the damage was caused by landslides. One landslide in La Trinidad buried at least 100 houses, and several sea-side cottages were destroyed due to rising water levels. Although many buildings were damaged, most of the roads remained passable and seismologists have determined that there is no threat of a tsunami. Being located in the Pacific “ring of fire”, a particularly earthquake prone area where tectonic plates meet, the Philippines have been subject to several disasters in the past. For example in 1990, a 7.8 magnitude quake caused over 1,600 deaths. Recovery efforts on the island are underway.

Europe
A string of cold temperatures has hit Europe recently, leaving thousands without power and many dead. These severe winter conditions have caused major airports to delay and cancel flights and have cut off several villages in mountainous areas from getting supplies. Helicopters have been used to deliver aid packages to towns whose roads have been blocked by avalanches. With temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit in some countries such as Ukraine and France, many European nations have declared a state of emergency and are urging people to remain warm in whatever way they can. Europe’s homeless population was hit the hardest, prompting the set-up of heated tents as makeshift accommodations for those without shelter. The cold snap is expected to last, and although they will not be as low as they have been, temperatures will remain below the average for some time.

Asia
Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Moscow on Feb. 5 to protest Vladimir Putin’s 12 year control of the Russian government. The protests were sparked by demands for a fair election, but have escalated into a large threat for Putin, the current Prime Minister and possible future President of Russia. Although the anti-Putin protesters showed how much support they had by thousands of them marching in below zero temperatures, Putin still has a large following within the population, as evidenced by a pro-Putin rally that occurred the day before. According to opinion polls by the Russian government, Putin is still Russia’s most popular politician, and he could win the presidential election in the first round by securing over 50 percent of the votes. The fate of Russia’s political future will be revealed on Mar. 4, the day of the presidential election.

South America
The police force of Salvador, Brazil, has gone on strike, leading to a huge increase in crime since they began on Jan. 31. So far, over 115 homicides have been reported in Brazil’s third largest city, which is an increase of 129 percent from the previous week. Looting, violence, vandalism and car theft have all increased as well, with over 200 cars being reported stolen in the Salvador area. These reports come two weeks before the annual Carnaval celebration, which is expected to draw tourists from around the world, and the Brazilian government has responded by dispatching the army, mainly in tourist friendly areas. The strikes were initiated by police force of the Brazilian state of Bahia, when one-third of them left their jobs and demanded better pay. This may cause problems in the future as Brazil attempts to attract more tourists for soccer’s World Cup, in 2014.

Africa
A recent suicide bombing in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia has left nine civilians dead and 34 others injured. The bombing occurred when the attacker drove his car into a local cafe near the Hotel Muna, a place were local lawmakers often meet. No legislators have been reported injured as of now, but several hotel and cafe patrons were caught in gunfire before the attacker detonated the bomb. The attacks have been linked to the al Shabaab militant group, which has performed periodic acts of violence against the western-backed Somali government. This incident came just two weeks before a conference to be held in London about dealing with the unstable Somali government and piracy control.

Harry Hutter is the advertising editor for The Spartan Speaks