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30 Mar 2011 13:49

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World: Bad day at Breja as Libyan rebels retreat

  • ground gained by gaddafi: The Libyan rebellion is retreating in the face of heavy artillery and tank fire, as Muammar Gaddafi’s forces have retaken Breja. The rebels are heading back to Ajdabiya, which was where they were situated before the start of the NATO air strikes. As the international community mulls whether to actively provide arms to the rebel movement, Gaddafi’s ground attack seems to be prevailing despite being the lack of aerial support. That said, this conflict is nothing if not fluid, so it’s wise to stay abreast of new information. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Mar 2011 13:06

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World: Obama speaks out on Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo

  • He’s now using his thugs to try to stay in power and intimidate the opposition and the duly elected president.
  • President Barack Obama • On the continued grip on power by Laurent Gbagbo, the Ivory Coast strongman who was electorally defeated by Alassane Ouattara last November. As power-hungry, unscrupulous leaders are prone to do, Gbagbo didn’t relinquish power to Ouattara, instead orchestrating a campaign of intimidation and violence against the citizenry. Some 400 people have been killed as a result, and it’s estimated more than a million have been displaced, fleeing their homes and seeking peaceful refuge elsewhere. It’s nice to hear the President talk about this, because frankly, the people of the Ivory Coast have gotten short shrift with all the upheaval in the Middle East. He emphasized that a diplomatic effort with surrounding African nations is the crux of the U.S. effort to isolate and pressure Gbagbo out of power, downplaying military options. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Mar 2011 12:51

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World: Beghjet Pacolli, president of Kosovo, resigns following court ruling

  • OUT The President of Kosovo has resigned source
  • » Why? Behgjet Pacolli was elected by parliament a month ago. Today, a constitutional court ruled this ascension in violation of the country’s constitution, and in respect of their decision, Pacolli stepped down. But down though he is, he’s not yet out: Pacolli has announced his intent to run for President in the next election, which has yet to be scheduled. The Republic of Kosovo declared independence in 2008 following ten years of interim UN rule, and gained international recognition that same year.
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Mar 2011 12:30

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Politics: Berlusconi’s defense team wants George Clooney

  • Get me Clooney, on the double! It’s been a rough stretch for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who’s facing trial for allegedly having sex with an underage prostitute. In making this case, the prosecution has focused on Berlusconi’s lavish parties, at which it’s alleged the leader would indulge his carnal desires. In an effort to clear his name, synonymous as it now is with “mischief,” his defense team named 78 witnesses, among them American film star George Clooney. They believe Clooney (as well as his Italian girlfriend, Elisabetta Canalis) will be able to attest to the “mode of conduct” at the parties, which they insist was “elegant” and certainly not lewd.  source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Mar 2011 01:15

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U.S.: Virginia Tech nailed for poor handling of 2007 massacre

  • $55,000 fine for blowing the response source
  • » Why the fine? SImple explanation. Despite the fact that the university knew about the slayings of two students in a dorm room, it took them 2 hours and 15 minutes to warn people what was going on — a requirement under the Clery Act. Shooter Seung-Hui Cho attacked a lecture hall 2 hours and 30 minutes after the initial killings — attacks which were much deadlier. To put it simply, they could have saved lives if warnings were put out sooner.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Mar 2011 00:10

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About: On Dublin, or why the blog’s overall quality will improve this week

  • ShortFormBlog’s European Adventure: Hey all, Ernie of SFB here. You might know me as the guy who screws with the design of the site every weekend. Just wanted to give you an update on the next few days … I’m headed to Dublin to pretend to be a busker for a week. I plan to listen to a lot of U2 and sit in my hotel room and watch “Once” multiple times in an attempt to get the true Irish experience. But seriously, the blog will continue over the next week with our intrepid staffers Chris Tognotti and Seth Millstein taking the helm, and everyone’s favorite breaking news dude, ProducerMatthew, playing utility infielder. I’ll be back on Tuesday, but keep in mind that if you bug us, there might be a slight delay in getting back to you. It’s nothing personal. Oh, what am I kidding, it totally is! Either way, I’ll pound a Guinness in your honor, kids. All 5,600 of you! source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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