· July, 2008

Stories about Disaster from July, 2008

Hungary: Bomb Scare

Hungarian Spectrum writes about bomb scares in Budapest and the response and reactions to the latest one, caused by the discovery of a 2-ton “monster of a bomb.”

Turkey is Typing….Bomb Blasts in Istanbul

While the city of Istanbul enjoyed itself with a Metallica concert, the party died down with the news of a bombing in the Istanbul neighborhood of Güngören, leaving at least 17 people dead and over 150 people injured. Reactions to the news in the Turkish blogosphere were slow, but between speculation as to who is behind the attacks and protests against terrorism, one thing has become quite clear....this hasn't been the first time, and it sure won't be the last.

Not Guilty: Egypt's Ferry Disaster

On February 3, 2006 Al-Salam ferry sank in the middle of the Red Sea killing more than 1,000 people who were coming to Safaga, Egypt from Saudi Arabia. The passengers were mainly Egyptian workers in Saudi Arabia, who were returning home on vacation or who were bringing their savings home to retire in their homeland. The Egyptian criminal court has found the owner of a Red Sea ferry and four others not guilty of manslaughter. The families of the victims as well as Egyptian bloggers were shocked and angered.

Turkey: Disgusting Bombings

“Every news channel right now is running the breaking news on Istanbul’s bomb blasts, in what the city governor calls a ‘terrorist attack.’ Whoever did it, and whatever message they are trying to convey, this is certainly a disgusting way of doing it,” remarks Mideast Youth, on the latest bomb...

Jamaica, India: Signs of the Times

  28 July 2008

The recent bombings in India trigger Jamaican blogger Annie Paul‘s memory about “one piece of graffiti by a Muslim group that had struck me with the simple force and stridency of its message.” In examining the many murals around Kingston, she wonders if “the signs are on the walls.”

Ukraine: Iraqi Scientists Trained in Pripyat

Chernobyl and Eastern Europe writes that “three Texas Tech professors and their graduate students trained 27 Iraqi scientists about processes needed to clean up radioactive debris” this past June in Pripyat: “Well, that’s an interesting use of Pripyat – train Iraqis on radiation clean up techniques in a city that...

Lebanon: “Lebanon Cluster Bomb”, the Film

“The film is a primer on the cluster munition problem in Lebanon, but much more so an intimate portrait of those struggling to rebuild their lives after the devastating 2006 war. The under-represented of South Lebanon are given voice here, as they work shoulder to shoulder to return the land...

Lebanon: Flashmobbers

Lebanese Flashmobbers hit the streets of Beirut on Saturday (July 19) and slept on the sidewalks of Ain el Mreisseh for five minutes and that was captured in photos by Liliane.

Israel: Jerusalem Suffers Copycat Terrorist Attack

Jerusalem Terror Attack– Breaking news in the Israeli mainstream news and blogosphere reports that a man driving a bulldozer ploughed down the streets of Jerusalem in a mad rampage, mimicking the tractor attack of 20 days past. An estimated 24 people were wounded and three killed when armed civilian Yaakov...

China: Bus-bomb attack creates panic and indignation

  22 July 2008

The bus-bomb attack on 17 shocked not only the city but also China, that people suddenly feel how close terrorism is. The attack is characterized by that it is against innocent people rather than the authority, making it special among the recent unrests. Is it a harbinger, or just another ramdom event?

China: Search for the Kunming bus bombers

  22 July 2008

Following the bus explosions in Kunming yesterday, a report from a local news website there on the armed police roadside ID checks has been made a feature story on Netease's news page, photos included: While there isn't space for comments on the original Kunming-based Cailong China story, the number found...

Kenya: School fires

  21 July 2008

In Ritch's World is alarmed by the recent “spate of mysterious fires” in Kenyan schools. He says: “Most of these schools do not have warning systems that would help to deal with fires before the worst comes to the worst. Neither do they have fire fighting equipment”.