Tripoli divided

Tripoli, once the headquarters of Qaddafi, is divided. On one side we have the loyal citizens devoted to Qaddafi,  and on the other, the rebels who are seeking change. And the capitol is about to blow. Tension has been building for the last three months, and gunfire is beginning to be heard in the capitol. People avoid the streets, and are wary of foreigners. Fighting will probably break out in the capitol, and it won't be pretty.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, May-June 2011. Web. 3 May 2011. <http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110427-libya-week10/ss-110429-libya-jc-02.grid-9x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, May-June 2011. Web. 3 May 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110427-libya-week10/ss-110429-libya-jc-01.grid-7x2.jpg>. 

How Osama Bin Laden was found

As you probably know, Osama Bin Laden was killed inside his compound over the weekend by a US raid. But before killing him they had to know where he was hiding. Osama Bin Laden was the head of a terrorist organization called Al Qaeda. They were the criminals behind 911 which led to Bush's "war on terror" and the eventual invasion of Iraq. Bin Laden had been seen as a threat by the United States long before the events of 911. The US gathered information on him, including his personal couriers. After 911 they went after these couriers, capturing them and interrogating them. In Abbottabad (a city 40 miles from the capital), they found a very strange home.  It was surrounded by walls almost 20 feet tall, had no windows, and more sets of walls inside the compound. Curiously, it had no internet or telephone lines. The US concluded that there was something being hidden inside. They also found out that a family lived inside that matched Bin Laden's. Although there was no proof, analysts were sure Bin Laden was hiding there. A Spec-ops team was assembled for this kill mission (they were not planning on capturing him). A live camera was brought with the team, and when Bin Laden was killed a huge cheer went up from the CIA officials in the conference room. 

NATO warplane kills Qaddafi's youngest son and grandchildren

Earlier today, at least one missile from a NATO warplane hit the house where Qaddafi was residing. Qaddafi had been visiting his youngest son, Saif al-Arab Qaddafi, who was killed as well as three grandchildren. Saif al-Arab Qaddafi was not an important person in the Qaddafi family, and did not hold any important roles in the government. However this was more of a moral blow to the tyrannic leader of Libya. Qaddafi and his wife were not wounded by the air strike. Qaddafi had begun to negotiate a cease fire with NATO and the rebel forces. Let's hope this event does not jeopardize that situation. 

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 30 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110427-libya-week10/ss-110427-libya-005.grid-9x2.jpg>.

Morocco bombing kills 15

The Argana cafe in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh was hit by a bomb today, killing 15 people and wounding many others. The bomb hit in the middle of rush hour, when hundreds of people were milling about the square where this cafe was located. Among the dead were six French citizens, five Moroccans, and four others.

Qaddafi shells Misrata...again

Qaddafi's forces today shelled Misrata's port, one of the city's only ability to get aid and supplies. Misrata is one of the rebel strongholds, and is completely surrounded (except by sea) by pro-Qaddafi forces. The barrage was only able to destroy a few containers and damage a few cars. Qaddafi continues to say that no civilians are being killed, rather declaring that his forces are fighting against armed gangs and al-Qaida supporters. Nato planes are finding it hard to target pro-Qaddafi forces since they are split up into small groups and are parked next to civilian buildings.


Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Apr.-May 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110420-libya-12.grid-9x2.jpg>.

Qaddafi HQ hit by NATO airstrike

If only Qaddafi had been in his compound when two Norwegian F-16s destroyed a major building inside the compound. Libyan officials are calling this an assassination attempt. Qaddafi proclaimed that NATO was backed by traitors and spies and that their latest airstrike would only scare children. The airstrike cam after Qaddafi forces launched a deadly barrage upon the city of Misrata, killing 32 people.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Apr.-May 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110420-libya-05.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Apr.-May 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110420-libya-12.grid-9x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Apr.-May 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110420-libya-09.grid-7x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, May-June 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110421-libya-01.grid-7x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Apr.-May 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110422-libya-01.grid-7x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Apr.-May 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110424-libya-04.grid-8x2.jpg>.

I'm on vacation! Sorry, no updates until the 25th

US jets destroy Libyan anti-air launcher

US jets under NATO control struck three Libyan army anti-aircraft launchers overnight. Although most fixed anti-air "fixed" batteries have already been destroyed, many mobile ones are still operational. A week earlier six US F-16 jets as well as five Navy EA-18G Growler electronic attack planes bombed mobile surface-to-air missiles. Out of 134 missions so far, the United States has carried out 97.

The Asia Symphony

Delays on radiation report in Japan

Although the Fukushima Da-ichi power plant released a tenth of the amount Chernobyl did, it received the same rank (7) on the international scale as the other terrible accident. The reason why the report took a month to come up with was mainly because the government and companies related to the accident are blaming each other for what happened. Another reason why Japan took so long is because they did not want to cause a massive panic attack. They think that the same rating as Chernobyl would cause people to think the stability of the Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant is much worse than it actually is.

11 killed in Belarus subway explosion

An explosion in a subway station in Belarus on Monday killed 11 people and wounded 126 others. It is not yet sure if this was an accident or an act of terrorism. The explosion happened as passengers were stepping out of the train at about 6:00 pm. After the explosion, part of the ceiling collapsed injuring more people.

 Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 6 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/ap/mexico%20drug%20war%20protest--1180594596_v2.grid-6x2.jpg>.

Sandstorm in Germany kills eight people. Death tole expected to rise.

Eight people were killed and many other injured today in an 80 car pileup in northern Germany. The cause of this accident was a sandstorm and the fires that followed. The crash included 110 people in 80 cars, including 3 trucks. Some of the vehicles were carrying flammable material. Let's hope that the death tole does not rise.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 8 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/110408_forklift-car.grid-3x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 8 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/g-cvr-110408-Autobahn-storm-1240p.grid-8x2.jpg>.

Yakuza first on the disaster ground to help quake, tsunami victims

To find out more about the situation in Japan, click on the link below
http://www.philippinenews.com/top-stories/1283-yakuza-first-on-the-disaster-ground-to-help-quake-tsunami-victims.html?tmpl=component&amp;layout=default&amp;page=

12 children killed by gunman in Brazilian school

12 students of a public elementary school were killed today when a 23 year old alumni opened fire inside a classroom. He later killed himself after a police officer had already shot him in the leg.

59 bodies found in Mexico

59 more bodies were found inside eight pits in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas. This was the same state where 72 bodies were found last year. It is believed that these bodies may have been from a tour bus that went missing on March 25th. The Zetas drug gang is also believed to have committed the crime, but this is still an uncertainty.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 6 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/ap/mexico%20drug%20war%20protest--1180594596_v2.grid-6x2.jpg>.

1000 views!!!

Remains of Air France flight 447 found

Nearly two years after Air France flight 447 crashed in between Rio and Paris killing everyone aboard, remains of the plane- as well as the passengers- have been found. Submarines searching the area found two engines, the fuselage, and landing gear. The black box has still not been found, leaving this crash still clouded in mystery.

A Southwest airlines flight made an emergency landing today after a hole opened in the roof of the plane. Flight 812 was carrying 118 passengers between Phoenix and Sacramento, California. It landed safely at Yuma Marine Corps Air Station, and resulted in only minor injuries. The cause of the hole is not yet known. Passengers recounted hearing an explosion and seeing daylight through the roof. Oxygen masks came down, although some of them malfunctioned, causing people to fall unconscious.

When will he give up?

Libyan forces continue to push back rebels, but it seems that the Libya regime is going to crumble from the top. Yesterday, Libya's foreign minister Moussa Koussa defected, bringing Libya one step closer to freedom from Qaddafi's regime. "We believe that the regime is crumbling from within," said opposition spokesman Mustafa Gheriani.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110239-libya-week6/ss-110331-libya-02.grid-9x2.jpg>.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110239-libya-week6/ss-110331-libya-01.grid-9x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110239-libya-week6/ss-110331-libya-03.grid-9x2.jpg>.

Libya turns ugly

Qaddafi's forces are now abandoning tanks and are now using civilian vehicles to transport their troops. They are called "Battle-wagons" and makes differentiating Qaddafi's forces and the rebel army very difficult. Airstrikes on Qaddafi's army have been successful, and have diminished his army, but they still largely outnumber the rebels.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110239-libya-week6/ss-110329-libya-week-6-03.grid-8x2.jpg>.
 Msnbc.com. Photograph. Msnbc. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110239-libya-week6/ss-110329-libya-week-6-11.grid-8x2.jpg>.

Bombs away!

US ships and submarines launched a barrage of missiles on Qaddafi's residence today. Over 200 tomahawk missiles were used, and mostly targeted air defense positions, and ammo storage barracks. A few hours earlier, rebels had attacks Qaddafi's hometown, but had been pushed back by tanks. US jets also destroyed multiple Libyan coast guard boats after they started firing randomly on merchant vessels. When will Qaddafi give up?

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/03/29/robertson.libya.battle.misrata.cnn

a great video about the violence in Libya. 

After the dust settles

A woman looks on as workers attempt to pull her house ashore.

The only people you now find traveling the scenic route 45 that hugs Japan's coast for hundreds of miles are firefighters and military relief forces. Boats are found on top of houses, and cars hanging from tall buildings. Towns have been obliterated from the map, leaving nothing but memories and sadness. Mass graves have been prepared for the tens of thousands of victims that were killed by the devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami. Everything that was less than 45 feet above sea level has been covered by mud and water.




Photograph. Msnbc. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/week3/ss-110328-japan-week5-01.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Guttenfelder, David. Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/week3/ss-110327-japan-mw06.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc. Msnbc.com, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/110328_tsunami-firetrucks.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/week3/ss-110327-japan-mw03.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/week3/ss-110326-japan-08.grid-8x2.jpg>.
 Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/week3/ss-110326-japan-10.grid-8x2.jpg>.
 Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/week3/ss-110326-japan-12.grid-9x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/ss-110325-japanquake-week3/ss-110225-japan-week3-03.grid-7x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/ss-110325-japanquake-week3/ss-110225-japan-week3-12.grid-5x2.jpg>.

And to add insult to injury

Once again, a new problem arises at the Fukusima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant. This time, it seems to be radioactive water that is leaking from the reactors. The original plan of putting water into the reactors to cool them down will not change, but the Japanese plan of attack will. The leak was found when three workers wading through the water received grave radiation burns and had to be hospitalized.

Radiation in Japan = Very Bad

Samples taken Friday morning show that the radiation levels in seawater off the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is 1250 times normal. One day before, on Thursday, levels were only 104 times normal. These extremely high levels suggest that there must have been some leak into the ocean. However officials are still not sure why the levels spiked.

Here we go again...

Syrian troops opened fire on protesters in many Syrian cities today. As many as 30 demonstrates were killed, witnesses say. This violence came as tens of thousand of Syrian took to the streets shouting "Freedom! Freedom!" in some of the most widespread unrest the country has seen in decades. Security forces got rid of the crowds by beating them with batons, said one of the activists. Riots were worse in Damascus, where 20 out of the 30 were killed. Will foreign intervention be necessary here too?

U.S. to pass most of Libya responsibilities to NATO

Hillary Clinton announced today that the U.S. would shift the lead roll in enforcing the No-Fly-Zone over Libya NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization). However, no one in NATO was very excited about this so U.S. warplanes will continue to fly missions against Libya's ground forces.

Libya pictures from msnbc

 Just a few week ago, these men were just normal civilians; people who took advantage of the wave of demonstrations sweeping the middle east and north Africa to press for reforms. Many of these men have never fired a gun in their lives, reading the "how to" manuals even on the battlefield. Luckily some of Gadhafi's forces joined their side, and are running the rebel army.

It's not over yet...

Tokyo Electric Power Co. workers collect data in the control room for Unit 1 and Unit 2 at the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant

Japan's Fukushima Dai-Ichi power-plant is not yet out of the forest. Electricity was restored, but the worst is yet to come. The task includes drilling hundreds of gallons of radioactive water, and venting radioactive gas out. The government is warning citizens to not drink tap water, especially infants, and to rather drink bottled water.

But cooling down the reactors with seawater was not the best idea. Salt is building up inside the reactors, and cause them to overheat. Up to 100,000 pounds of salt have already accumulated in reactors 2 and 3, while only 60,000 pounds in reactor 1. Japan seems to have yet another obstacle to pass.

pictures from msnbc.com

Japan Update

In Japan, parents are still struggling at Ishinomaki Okawa Elementary School. Immediately after the earthquake, students evacuated as taught. They didn't know that the tsunami was coming. Out of the 108 students, 77 are assumed dead. Parents are digging at the school to try and find students, however the school collapsed in on itself and the parents can't get in.

22 more killed in Syria

Syrian police assaulted anti government protesters in the southern city of DARAA, killing 15 activists. Six more people were also killed in Daraa, at the al-Omari mosque. One of them was a 12 year old girl. A man was killed at the funeral for one of the slain. And finally, four bodies werefound around the offices of a security agency. And a partridge in a pear tree.  Uprisings in Daraa and neighboring towns have been Syria’s worst domestic challenge since 1970. Protesters used social-networking sites to call for mass demonstrations around the country on Friday. Let’s hope that this doesn’t end in another slaughter.

Libyans love Gadhafi

Gadhafi’s troops continued terrorizing the civilians in the city of Misrata. Heavy ant-aircraft fire and other loud explosions were heard in Tripoli after nightfall. Residents around the city say shelling and sniper attacks are unrelenting. Today, a US F15 fighter jet crashed in Bu Mariem (east of Benghazi) because of mechanical failure. The two pilots were unharmed. On Monday, tanks opened fire on peaceful protestors. Hospitals are overwhelmed with all the dead and injured, and food is scarce. The problem is that both Gadhafi’s and the rebel’s forces are too weak to be able to hold Misrata or Ajdabiya, another key city. In those cases, UN’s missiles and airstrikes are of no use. Will this conflict end in a stalemate, or will other nations deploy ground forces?

pictures from msnbc.com

And the violence continues

Gadhafi Won't Quit

Even after Western intervention, Gadhafi fights on. His forces fought the rebels in two key towns. One of those was Misrata, the only major rebel stronghold in Western Libya, killing nine people, cutting off water and using human shields. Rebels tried to take back the town of Ajdabiya, but were driven back my tanks and rockets from Gadhafi troops. Strikes from the UN over the weekend obliterated pro-Gadhafi troops advancing on Benghazi, which is now in full rebel control. The US, the leader of the operations in Libya said it would transfer leadership military operations to other nations in a few days.

pictures from msnbc.com