October 13 -18, 2008

Sulphur Leak Sickens

Friday, October 17 - "Nearly 30 people at a Mulberry phosphate and mining facility were treated this morning after being exposed to a sulfur dioxide gas leak," according to Tampa Bay Online and the Plant City Courier and Tribune.

Moroccan Court Convicts Terrorists

Friday, October 17 - "A Moroccan court has convicted 47 people over a suicide bombing last year at a Casablanca internet cafe, a lawyer said today. A criminal court in Sale, near the capital, Rabat, gave the longest jail term – of 30 years – to Abdelkrim Ougard, said Khalil Idrissi, a lawyer two other defendants. Ougard was accused of forming a criminal gang with the aim of committing terrorist acts, as well as making explosives, theft, forgery and failure to denounce terrorism." More from the Guardian.

Georgia Bombing

Friday, October 17 - The Chattanooga Free Press is providing regular updates on the bombing of a Dalton, Georgia law office at about 9:15 (Eastern) Friday morning.

Canadian Gas Pipeline Attacked

Friday, October 17 - According to the Vancouver Sun, "There could be more pipeline bombings after the second attack in a week was discovered Thursday on a sour gas pipeline near Dawson Creek..."

Arrests for Financing Terrorism

Thursday, October 16 - "Spanish police have arrested eight people suspected of aiding terrorists implicated in the 2004 Madrid bombings. Officers raided addresses in Barcelona, Madrid and the southern Andalucia region in the early hours of this morning. Police say the eight people arrested are all of Moroccan origin and are suspected of recruiting and funding al-Qaeda," according to Euronews.

CEOs Not Involved in Cybersecurity

Wednesday, October 15 - "With infrastructure like electric grids, water, and telecommunications largely in the hands on private industry, it is up to the leaders in those sectors to work with government to keep the country safe--yet the participation of chief executives in such efforts has steadily waned since September 11, 2001, according to a working group of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council," according to CNET.

Guard Planes Not Equipped for Fire

Wednesday, October 15 - "Despite pressure from elected officials and the military, the Bush administration has yet to equip some California National Guard planes for firefighting — a delay that could have grave implications during the worst of the wildfire season," according to the Associated Press.

Hurricane Hits Virgin Islands

Wednesday, October 15 - "Omar strengthened into a fierce Category 3 hurricane late Wednesday as it pummeled St. Croix with heavy rains and winds, sinking boats in the harbor, knocking down trees and forcing workers to shut down a major oil refinery," according to the Associated Press. The refinery is the second largest in the Western hemisphere processing about 500,000 barrels per day.

Three Fires Raging in California

Tuesday, October 14 - "Powerful gusts stoked three major wildfires in Southern California early Tuesday that have charred nearly 12,000 acres, destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands of people to evacuate neighborhoods in suburban Los Angeles and northern San Diego County," according to the Associated Press. Several stories and continuing coverage is available from the Los Angeles Times.

Brits Reject Long-Detentions Without Charge

Tuesday, October 14 - The British government was forced to drop controversial plans to allow terrorism suspects to be detained for up to six weeks without charge after the measure was defeated by Britain's upper house of parliament, the House of Lords, according to Deutche Weld.