PHOTO: Retribution, Heat and Human Stupidity

The past week was marked by retribution, terrorism, natural disasters and human stupidity.

The Earth took its revenge for global warming with heat waves on the Balkans, an earthquake in Japan and floods in Great Britain. Temperatures in Southeast Europe and the rain in Great Britain broke all meteorological records and the quake in Japan killed nine and closed down the world’s largest nuclear power plant. One has to ask: is the earth punishing or warning us?

We witnessed attacks by suicide bombers in Iraq and Afghanistan, the kidnapping of foreigners in “fallen countries”, the arrest of terrorists in European countries and the inevitable Russian “show of power”. London got back at Russia by banning four of their diplomats, but Moscow did a quid pro quo. Despite denial by both sides, it seems a diplomatic was is around the corner.

The fall of an aircraft in Brazil and bursting of a steam pipe in New York only proved human stupidity. Ignoring and neglecting to renew infrastructure took it toll in human lives. The 83-year-old steam pipe exploded in central Manhattan, causing panic and fear of a revisited 9/11. The negligence of the utility service was paid by a human life. Because of a chaotic state traffic system – a slippery runway – 200 people died in Brazil.

The good guys of the week were Libya with an overturned verdict for nurses and Israel with their release of Palestinian prisoners. Thumbs up!

Look at a more detailed overview of the week in the PHOTO GALLERY