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21 Apr 2011 13:31

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World: Libyan rebel forces win strategic victory at Tunisian border

  • Libyan rebels claim Tunisian border post: The deputy leader of the rebel forces that seized this strategic piece of land, giving his name as Youssef, said they had killed about ten pro-Gaddafi soldiers in the process, and injured twenty-five. Their ability to hold this post is key, as open access to Tunisia allows more freedom of movement (Tunisia is likely now concerned about being able to support the increased influx of refugees, which should have a much easier time migrating), and gives them a new avenue to receive medical supplies. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Apr 2011 10:35

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World: Japanese government creates Fukushima no-go zone

  • 12 miles away from Fukushima? Don’t get any closer source
  • » The penalties: People who violate this rule could face a fine of up to ¥100,000 (roughly $1,220) or 30 days in jail. On top of the possibility that you might get affected by radiation. (EDIT: This post was edited to remove a two-second quip that probably requires a post of its own.)
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Apr 2011 10:24

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World: Tim Hetherington: Libyan government sorry “someone died”

  • We do not kill anyone that does not fight us. We need to check the circumstances in which [these] journalists died. And it’s war of course. People die from our side, from their side, people get caught in the middle. We need to check the circumstances. But of course we are very sad that someone died.
  • Libyan spokesperson Moussa Ibrahim • Expressing remorse for the deaths of Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros in the broadest of terms. They’re sad that “someone died.” If that was the case, why are people dying? Not just journalists. Citizens. This is the same guy who tried to blame the victim in that terrible rape case a few weeks ago. For some reason, we’re not buying his broad apology. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Apr 2011 16:53

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World: Pentagon proposal for Libya aid awaits Obama’s approval

  • $25 million in proposed non-lethal aid to Libyan rebels source
  • » The Pentagon’s plan awaits President Obama’s approval. That said, $25 million is a relatively very minor cost to the U.S. in the context of a military action. It would, however, explicitly not go towards arming the rebels with western weaponry, but would rather send vehicles, supplies, medicines, and radios. The Gaddafi government threatened that such supply shipments would extend the bloody battles and “encourage the other side to be more defiant,” which is a pretty difficult quote to read with feeling unbearably angry.
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Apr 2011 16:10

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World: Doctor urges TEPCO to relieve stressed Fukushima workers

  • Examining doctor Takeshi Tanigawa says the workers could risk death. The doctor, who checked the beleaguered workers recently, has said the personal responsibility they feel to halt the crisis, along with terrible sanitation, little food, little sleep, and pressure from their families not to continue is causing extreme levels of stress, and could lead to depression or death from overwork. That’s all without mentioning the high level of radiation, which is extremely deleterious to health on its own. Tanigawa says TEPCO should mobilize all their employees and give these most dedicated workers a break: “Employees engaged in the dangerous work have human rights and wives and children just like others. We should not treat their lives without due respect.” source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Apr 2011 15:35

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World: Western Journalists hit with mortar fire in Libya

  • Tim Hetherington, dead at 40: Here’s Hetherington with Sebastian Junger. The two war journalists co-directed “Restrepo,” the Oscar-nominated documentary for which both men braved being embedded with the U.S. military in the Korengal Valley, the most dangerous battlefield in all of Afghanistan. This tells you all you need to know about Hetherington, and what a serious, dedicated and courageous man he was. It’s intensely sad to report, then, of Hetherington’s death by mortar fire today in Misrata, Libya. Hetherington’s last post on Twitter: “In besieged Libyan city of Misrata. Indiscriminate shelling by Qaddafi forces. No sign of NATO.” His tragic death underlines the dangers embedded journalists face.
  • Three more photographers hurt Chris Hondros, a U.S. photographer and Pulitzer-prize winner, is in critical condition with a severe brain injury; Guy Martin, a British photographer, is also critical after the attack; Michael Christopher Brown was reportedly a third victim, though his status is reportedly not life-threatening.
  • Journalism and danger in Libya International journalism advocacy groups have decried a dangerous state of affairs facing journalists covering the Arab Spring uprisings — with at least 10 killed so far. International Criminal Court prosecutor José Luis Moreno Ocampo says that about 16 journalists are missing within Libya. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Apr 2011 14:33

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World: Wikileaks: U.S. has financial hand in Syria’s opposition

  • $6 million in secret U.S. funding to Syrian opposition causes source
  • » Wikileaks strikes again: Cables released by the organization say that after the Bush administration’s severing of diplomatic ties with the Syrian regime in 2005, the U.S. had funnelled money to groups hostile to the Bashar al-Assad government. About $6 million went to a group of Syrian exiles in London with connections to Barada TV, a satellite station that beams into Syria and provides coverage of the protests against Assad. The funding began in 2006, and continued at least until September 2010, meaning the Obama administration’s diplomatic overtures to the Assad regime weren’t very sincere — frankly, this makes us feel a little better about U.S. policy towards them. Be sure to notch another tally for Wikileaks, exposing yet more profoundly relevant, enthralling information about our geopolitical world.
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

20 Apr 2011 10:13

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World: Yemen’s possible plan to transfer power: Two months of transition

  • 30 days After the deal was made, longstanding President Ali Abdullah Saleh would agree to step down from power, in exchange for immunity from criminal charges for him, his family and his aides. This is a good idea! Wowza!
  • 60 days Around 30 days after that, fresh elections would be held. Saleh would give his power to a caretaker government that would shepherd things until the election. It’s not clear, though, if Saleh would go for this well-constructed plan. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Apr 2011 15:23

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World: Syrian protests cleared out by live fire, teargas

  • The dangers of nightfall in Syria: A sit-in was held in Clock Square, in the city of Homs, but come nightfall the Assad government decided it was time to clear the square. The methods employed seem to be teargas and live gunfire. Be forewarned — while the video is a bit jumpy and hard to see clearly, it’s nonetheless very unpleasant and disturbing. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Apr 2011 16:56

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World: Nigerian Presidential election goes to Goodluck Jonathan

  • Goodluck Jonathan wins in Nigeria: So says Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, but his political opposition has claimed intimidation, ballot stuffing, and the like. Project 2011 Swift Count, a Nigerian election observer, sought to rebut that claim — while they acknowledged that violence, intimidation and illegal voting took place in isolated incidents, they say their reports from a random group of 1,468 polling stations suggest this didn’t change the eventual outcome. Nonetheless, many Nigerians have been hurt in an outbreak of election day riots, a grim and depressing reality to be sure. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 1 Comment • Permalink
 
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