A year after a devastating earthquake struck Morocco’s High Atlas region, reconstruction efforts are moving at a snail’s pace. While authorities have issued thousands of permits for rebuilding, only a fraction of the damaged homes have been restored, leaving many earthquake victims living in tents or forced to relocate. The slow pace of reconstruction has sparked frustration and protests among affected communities.
A year after devastating floods in eastern Libya, reconstruction efforts are underway, but experts warn that the process is being used by Khalifa Haftar, a powerful military figure, to consolidate his power. Despite the tragedy’s scale and the need for accountability, Haftar’s family controls the reconstruction fund, raising concerns about transparency and corruption. While Haftar’s son Belgacem leads the rebuilding, the true aim may be to secure political dominance in the east.
Mumbai’s century-old Sion Bridge, a prominent landmark of the city, will be demolished and reconstructed. The decision comes in the wake of recent bridge collapse incidents in India, prompting authorities to prioritize safety. The bridge will be closed for traffic for three years, starting August 1, 2024, while a new modern bridge is built. The Central Railway, in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will oversee the reconstruction project.
A crushed Neanderthal skull, pieced together from bone fragments discovered in Iraqi Kurdistan, has been recreated into a synthetic face, revealing the individual’s appearance as a wise-looking, dark-haired woman. Despite distinct anatomical differences between Neanderthals and modern humans, the recreated face suggests that their facial features may have been less divergent in life than previously thought. The discovery sheds light on the genetic interbreeding between Neanderthals and early humans, with Neanderthal DNA still present in the majority of the world’s population today.
The Taiwanese government has approved approximately $878 million for earthquake relief efforts following a devastating magnitude 7.4 quake that struck Hualien city on April 3. The quake caused widespread damage and landslides, resulting in at least 17 fatalities and over 1,100 injuries. Strict building codes and disaster preparedness measures are believed to have prevented a greater catastrophe. The government’s ‘0403 Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction Plan’ includes funding for public facility repairs, private home reconstruction, industrial revitalization, and various assistance programs.
Taiwanese island has experienced another earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale. According to the Central Weather Administration (CWA), the epicenter of the quake occurred 10.2 km south-southwest of Taitung County Hall, with a depth of 26.8 km. This follows a previous earthquake of magnitude 6.1 that struck the island on April 23. In response, the Taiwan government has approved an $878 million earthquake relief package to aid in reconstruction and recovery.
The reconstruction of a historic building in the downtown area has commenced. The building, which has been vacant for several years, will be transformed into a mixed-use space with retail, office, and residential units. The project is expected to be completed in 2024 and is part of a larger effort to revitalize the downtown area.
German authorities are investigating building materials giant Knauf for its alleged involvement in the reconstruction of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which was heavily damaged during a Russian siege in 2022. Knauf, a major investor in Russia, has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that it only supplies goods to the Russian market. However, Ukraine has labeled the company a ‘sponsor of war.’ Following the announcement of its withdrawal from Russia, Knauf’s assets in the country may be transferred to local management or sold at a 50% discount, as per Russian law.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has significantly damaged the country’s telecommunications network, requiring an estimated $4.67 billion (€4.38 billion) and 10 years to repair. Over 4,300 mobile base stations and a quarter of the internet networks have been destroyed, with fiber optic cables also sustaining extensive damage. The heaviest hit areas are Donetska Oblast and Kharkivska Oblast, accounting for 17% of the damage each. The Ukrainian government is working with private providers to restore connectivity, sharing infrastructure and implementing innovative solutions like Starlink satellite communication. However, the ongoing conflict poses a challenge to repair efforts, and the government estimates that 12% of Ukrainian households have lost mobile service.
