2008 Olympic Games

The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China kicks off tomorrow 08-08-08. I am actually looking forward to watching a bit of it. Although, most of the coverage I will watch will be taped, I think it still will be cool. There is a 12 hour time difference between Beijing and EST. So, although the Opening Ceremonies will be on TV at 7:30 pm tomorrow night, they actually begin tomorrow morning at 7:30 am. However, there will be lots of coverage on the web in real time. Check out these sites for more Olympic coverage:
http://en.beijing2008.cn/
http://www.nbcolympics.com/

www.ESPN.go.com/Olympic

Here is a widget to see video from the games.

2008 Olympics Video Coverage at NBC Olympics.com!

Gymnastics

Michael Phelps

“The Dream Team” (1992).  Not to be confused with the Redeem Team (2008).

Natural Disasters

By The Associated Press Mon May 12, 11:44 PM ET

A look at some of the deadliest natural disasters around the world in the past 40 years:

• May 2008: Earthquake (magnitude 7.9) hits Sichuan province in central China. Thousands are killed.

• May 2008: Cyclone Nargis strikes Myanmar, killing more than 30,000 and leaving an additional 30,000 missing.

• October 2005: Northern Pakistan earthquake (magnitude 7.6) kills about 78,000 people.

• August 2005: U.S. Gulf Coast Hurricane Katrina kills at least 1,600 people in Louisiana and Mississippi.

• December 2004: Indian Ocean tsunami (triggered by magnitude 9.0 earthquake) kills 230,000 in a dozen countries.

• December 2003: Southeastern Iran earthquake (magnitude 6.5) kills 26,000.

• August 1999: Western Turkey earthquake (magnitude 7.4) kills 17,000.

• October 1998: Central America Hurricane Mitch kills 9,000.

• April 1991: Bangladesh cyclone kills 140,000.

• June 1990: Northwestern Iran earthquake (magnitude 7.7) kills 50,000.

• July 1976: Northeastern China earthquake (magnitude 8.2) kills 240,000, with some estimates at 655,000.

• November 1970: Bangladesh cyclone kills 300,000. World’s deadliest cyclone on record.

The quake – now upgraded to 7.9 magnitude – struck on May 12, 2008 at 1428 local time (0628 GMT) and was felt as far away as Beijing and the Thai capital, Bangkok. Death toll is currently 12,000 and rising.

Cyclone rips through Myanmar on Saturday, May 3. Cyclone Nargis packed 150-160 mile an hour (241-267 kilometer per hour) gusts of wind. Thousands have died. Below is a before and after shot of southern Myanmar (Burma).