September 15-20, 2008

India to Strengthen Counterterrorism Efforts

Friday, September 19 - In the aftermath of recent bombings the New Delhi government will "put in place a dedicated mechanism for research and analysis in areas of technology and counterterrorism," Madhukar Gupta, India's top-most home ministry official told Reuters. The government proposals respond to a clear problem and increasing criticism, but many are skeptical regarding the effectiveness of any such effort.

Quiet on the Western and Eastern Fronts

Friday, September 19 - After a ferocious start to the wildfire and hurricane seasons, mid-September has been largely quiet. The Doubleday fire in Southern Oregon is still not contained. But elsewhere wildfire threats are modest. A low-intensity tropical wave is currently over the Lesser Antilles, but is unlikely to strengthen. No organized systems are presenting over the Eastern Atlantic.

Another Milk Contamination Death

Thursday, September 18 - A fourth baby has died - and thousands have been sickened - as a result of tainted milk in China. "Powdered baby milk from the mainland's two biggest dairy companies, along with 20 others, were found to have been deliberately contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine, which is used in plastics and glue production. Apart from the three fatalities, (now four) 6,244 babies have fallen ill, including 158 in hospital with acute kidney problems, the mainland's health minister, Chen Zhu, said." according to the Hong Kong Standard.

US Embassy in Yemen Attacked

Wednesday, September 17 - According to several media sources the US embassy in the capital "was hit by a car bombing and rocket fire on Wednesday sparking a series of explosions around the heavily fortified compound." AFP, al bawaba, BBC

Hurricane Recovery Struggles

Wednesday, September 17 - Water, food, electricity and other essentials are in short supply for many victims of Hurricane Ike. According to CNN, "FEMA has established at least 60 distribution sites across the region to give away water, ice and food. There are long waiting line at those stations crowded with thousands of people." Over 1.4 million Texans remain without electricity. According to the Houston Chronicle roughly 50-75 percent may be back online next Tuesday. The double punch of Gustav and Ike caused record setting power outages in Louisiana according to the Times-Picayune. Over 300,000 customers in Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky also remain in the dark for the fifth day. According to the Cincinatti Enquirer the local utility expects to have about 85 percent of these customers back online by tonight.

Mexican Celebrations Bombed

Wednesday, September 17 - According to the Chicago Tribune, "fragmentation grenades, ripped through crowds in Morelia, the capital of the western state of Michoacan, late Monday."

Midwest Flooding

Tuesday, September 16 - The remnants of Hurricane Ike joining with an existing low caused significant flooding and other problems across the the Great Lake States. A power blackout has entered its third day in Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

Pakistan-US Confrontation?

Tuesday, September 16 - Media reports in Pakistan claim that "Two United States military helicopters turned back to Afghanistan from the border early on Monday after shots were fired from the ground, but there were conflicting accounts of the incident.Security officials and tribal elders said the threat of an incursion led Pakistani troops and tribesmen to fire." While the story is disputed it is getting extensive play in Middle East media and coincides with reports that "Corps commanders of Pakistan's 600,000-strong army issued orders to retaliate against "invading" US forces that enter the country to attack militant targets."