Second suicide bombing attack in Volgograd in two days

Volgograd suffered its second terrorist attack in so many days on the morning of December 30^th, with 14 dead and 28 wounded from a suicide bomber on a trolley bus. Several of the survivors remain under medical care, and it is feared that the death toll will continue to climb.

The attack is suspected to be connected with Sunday’s suicide bombing at a Volgograd railway station that killed 16 people. The two bombs used in the attacks were “identical” according to Vladimir Markin, a spokesman for the Russian Investigative Committee.

The attacks have hit the spirit of Volgograd’s population hard during the holiday season and city residents are choosing to traverse on foot rather than risk public transportation. The region has declared a period of mourning for the victims of the two bombings.

With the Sochi Olympics on the horizon, concerns have been raised regarding security at the event given the recent bombings. Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov seemed confident, stating that “everything necessary has been done.” The White House released a statement saying that the US and Russia were working together on security measures leading up to the game.

Crime Takes Toll on Cleveland

The city of Cleveland is making the headlines for a string of gruesome crimes against women, including the work of one convicted serial killer. Cleveland authorities are trying to understand why its happening and if there’s anything that can be done prevent the violence.

According to reports,

Anthony Sowell was sentenced to death in 2011 in the murders of 11 women at his home in Cleveland.

Ariel Castro is facing 977 charges of kidnapping, rape and assault after three women escaped from his Cleveland home earlier this year.

Now, Michael Madison, a registered sex offender is in police custody. Madison is believed to have an involvement with three women whose bodies were found wrapped in trash bags in suburban Cleveland. Madison was arrested after a neighbor complained of a foul smell in the neighborhood.

Media reports and statistics suggest that violent and serial crimes are higher in beleaguered cities. Officials say the crimes went unnoticed with the rise of poverty and disintegration of neighborhoods.

Forbes magazine declared Cleveland the ninth-most danger U.S. city in 2012, with 1,363 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. The national median for violent crime averages at 13.9 per 1,000 residents, compared with 3.9 per 1,000 nationally.

“This is what happens when you have poverty,” Ohio Gov. John Kasich told reporters Monday. “It’s what happens when you have individuals who are very dangerous inside the community and somehow lose track of them. It’s about breakdown of neighborhoods, sometimes, where, you know, we don’t always know our neighbors. There’s so much to it.”

Residents in the East Cleveland area are hopeful the community can come together.

“Maybe after all this, maybe this will bring a change to East Cleveland,” said Cleveland resident Vanessa Jones. “Hopefully. Pray for that.”

Saving Strawberry Mansion High School: One of The Most Dangerous Schools In the Nation

Strawberry Mansion High School is located in Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood. It’s considered one of the most dangerous high schools in the country. At the beginning of the 2012 school year, 435 students were enrolled.

With 94 cameras, six school police offers and two metal detectors, ABC’s Diane Sawyer gives viewers an inside look at what life is like for these students.

The current principal is Linda Cliatt-Wayman. She is the fourth the high school principal they’ve had in four years. Before coming to Strawberry Mansion, she was an assistant superintendent of high schools for the Philadelphia public school system.

“I could not find a principal who was suitable to handle this school,” Cliatt-Wayman said. “Therefore, I said to myself, because I love these students dearly and I knew the community … I would just volunteer to be the principal.”

Since she started last fall, the number of incidents have been cut in half. There have been 49 incidents from fires to teacher attacks reported in or near the school. In the report, ABC News’ cameras captured students fighting in the cafeteria and being bullied, as well as students who shared their dreams of going to college.

Despite the fear and daily violence, many bright students emerge from the bunch aspiring to achieve more in life.

You can watch the rest of the report here.

Here’s more information on how you can help the students at Strawberry Mansion High School.

Photo from ABC News