October 5 - 11, 2008

California Wildfires Reignite

Saturday, October 11 - A fire in the Napa area was largely contained, but north of Los Angeles another fire has claimed over 2000 acres and continues to grow.

Pennsylvania Chemical Release

Saturday, October 11 - "A corrosive liquid overflowed from a tank at a chemical plant in western Pennsylvania on Saturday, evaporating into a toxic cloud that snaked along the ground and forced about 2,500 people to flee," according to the Associated Press.

Unstable Low in Mid-Atlantic

Friday, October 10 - There is a modest chance of an Atlantic tropical storm emerging early next week. (UPDATE: Tropical Storm Nana took shape on Sunday.) Pacific Hurricane Norbert is expected to make landfall early Saturday on Baja California and bring heavy rains to Northwestern Mexico, West Texas, and New Mexico early next week.

Pakistani Tribal Leaders Killed

Friday, October 10 - "At least 15 people have been killed in a suicide bombing at a meeting of tribal elders in a restive region of Pakistan near the Afghan border," the BBC is reporting.

College Student Charged with Terrorism

Friday, October 10 - "A 19-year-old student at Middle Tennessee State University has been arrested on terrorism charges after threatening e-mails forced the cancellation of classes," according to the Associated Press.

Government Invasion of Privacy Claimed

Friday, October 10 - ABC News reports, "... hundreds of US citizens overseas have been eavesdropped on as they called friends and family back home, according to two former military intercept operators who worked at the giant National Security Agency (NSA) center in Fort Gordon, Georgia."

Terrorism Trial Begins

Thursday, October 9 - The Guardian reports, " 'Two NHS doctors plotted "indiscriminate and wholesale' murder in a series of car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow, a court heard today. Mohammed Asha, 28, and Bilal Abdulla, 29, are accused of trying to explode two car bombs in London and attempting a suicide bomb attack on Glasgow airport last June."

Police Headquarters Bombed

Thursday, October 9 - "A suicide bomber attacked police headquarters in Islamabad, air strikes targeting Islamist fighters killed 26 people, and children died in a roadside blast on Thursday as Pakistan's war with militants intensified," according to Reuters.

Candidates Debate Terrorism and Foreign Policy

Wednesday, October 8 - In their Tuesday evening debate the US presidential candidates gave attention to US Pakistan relations and more broadly to the place of the terrorist threat in US foreign policy.

Regional Collaboration in Flood Management

Wednesday, October 8 - Several Nevada counties have joined together to prevent and mitigate flooding in a shared watershed.

British Teens Accused of Bomb Plot

Tuesday, October 7 - The prosecution outlined its case against two British teenagers who are accused of planning and purchasing ingredients for a home-made bomb.

Hurricane Caused Oil Spill

Tuesday, October 7 - According to the Associated Press, "Days before and after the storm, which destroyed oil platforms, tossed storage tanks and punctured pipelines, companies and residents reported at least 448 releases of oil, gasoline and dozens of other substances into the air and water and onto the ground in Texas and Louisiana."

Old Spill was Worse than Reported

Tuesday, October 7 - The August rupture of an oil pipeline released more oil than previously estimated.