Destruction. Devastation. Destitution. Desperation.

Here is a vivid account of the situation in Beichuan.

Last week, this time, the town of 160,000 was still very alive. Many must be preparing to celebrate Mother's Day on 11 May, if not Vesak Day (Buddha's Birthday) the following day, the day the earth cracked open beneath their feet.

Today, it's D-Day. Why do the worst adjectives in the dictionary begin with "D"?