The9, the online gaming service that runs China’s World of Warcraft servers, is shutting down for 3 days to mourn the victims of last week’s earthquake. I wonder what the effect on the lucrative gold farming business will be?

While not entirely surprising, I found this BBC piece on the internet’s role in helping Chinese quake survivors connect quite interesting. Of course there are the requisite pleas for loved-ones to get in touch, but I also found it surprising to find a number of citizens criticizing Andy Lau for being a little cheap on the handouts…

Chinese media reports that NBA basketball player Yao Ming has given £37,000, while actors Jackie Chan and Jet Li have donated £735,000 and £74,000 respectively.

The main focus of anger is Andy Lau, a Hong Kong-based singer and actor who has given £7,400.

This is purportedly a video of today’s massive earthquake that killed nearly 10,000 people in western China. Truly frightening stuff…