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23 Feb 2011 13:32

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World: Gaddafi ordered the Lockerbie bombing, says ex-minister

Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, an ex-minister in Libya, has claimed that Muammar Gaddafi ordered the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, which killed 270 people. Further, he says he has proof. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Feb 2011 10:58

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World: Gaddafi’s loosening grip: More Libyan cities out of his control

  • In some Libyan cities, Muammar Gaddafi’s security forces are nowhere to be seen. Al Jazeera is reporting that many Libyan cities, especially in the Eastern part of the country, protesters are in control. “All along the border,” said correspondent Hoda Abdel-Hamid, “we didn’t see one policeman, we didn’t see one soldier and people here told us they [security forces] have all fled or are in hiding and that the people are now in charge, meaning all the way from the border, Tobruk, and then all the way up to Benghazi.” Gaddafi still plans to quash this uprising, however, but based on reports it’ll be an uphill battle at best. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Feb 2011 09:21

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World: Libyan death toll: Top Italian official gives fairly high estimate

  • 1,000+ likely dead, says an Italian official source
  • » A bit above prior estimates: Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini offered the estimate to a Catholic organization in Rome, saying that while numbers in cases like these are hard to nail down, “we believe that the estimates of about 1,000 are credible.” Later, when speaking to Parliament, he didn’t mention a number but said “the tragic number will be a bloodbath.” Italy and Libya have significant diplomatic and economic relations.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Feb 2011 22:21

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World: European Union: Libya’s humanitarian aid network very limited

  • bad The violence in Libya has been extremely severe over the past few days, with hundreds dead and many more wounded. It’s a nation that seriously needs help.
  • worse Unfortunately, organizations like the European and the Libyan Red Crescent Society say that there’s a limited aid network to help the wounded. Sigh. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Feb 2011 16:09

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World: Libyan situation necessitates special session on response

  • YES the UN Security Council will meet on Gaddafi, Libya source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Feb 2011 12:31

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World: Mystery Libyan naval ship off Malta’s coast being monitored

  • yesterday As we mentioned, two Libyan Air Force pilots flew out of Tripoli in jets, bringing two helicopters carrying seven civilians with them. They made it to the small island nation of Malta, where they have claimed political asylum, saying they refused to fire on citizens.
  • today Italian authorities are watching a Libyan naval vessel stalled near Malta’s coast, but they haven’t yet determined what the ship’s intent is. Malta has served as a major relay point for those seeking to flee the chaos and violence in Libya’s besieged capitol, Tripoli. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Feb 2011 10:51

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World: Iran just moved a couple of boats from one place to another

  • So, Iran got a couple of dinghys through the Suez canal. A subject of much controversy over the last few days, when it actually happened, it wasn’t a big deal. The effect is very symbolic, though: It shows that Iran can have influence far away from its own shores, it strengthens the ties between Iran and Syria (where the ships will be stationed), and – most importantly – it makes a statement to Western nations that it won’t mess around. Just like everything else Iran’s leadership does these days. (By the way, in case you were wondering – of course you were! – this had nothing to do with the current unrest.) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

22 Feb 2011 10:29

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World: Top UN official: Libya’s attacks tantamount to war crimes

  • Widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity.
  • UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay • In calling for an international investigation against the crimes committed by the Libyan government in its attempts to keep hold on power. The former war crimes judge sounded angered by the entire situation. “The callousness with which Libyan authorities and their hired guns are reportedly shooting live rounds of ammunition at peaceful protestors is unconscionable,” she continued. “I am extremely worried that lives are being lost even as I speak.” So are we, Navi. So are we. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Feb 2011 10:16

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Biz, World: Not to belabor the point about Libya and oil prices, but …

  • 7% increase in oil prices today alone; blame the turmoil source
  • » There’s a point to be made here: Earlier, we complained loudly that USA Today would dare focus on oil prices over the crisis in Libya. But we still think it’s important to note – but not as a lead item, above the deadly violence taking over the region as we speak. Even though 7 percent in a single morning is akin to skyrocketing. Because, if anything, this tells us about the ties between dangerous regimes and cheap oil. Lose one, and you can’t sustain the other.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Feb 2011 10:00

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World: By the numbers: New Zealand’s deadly Christchurch quake

  • 6.3 the magnitude of the quake that hit the city of Christchurch
  • 65+ reported killed in the region’s second quake quake in six months
  • 100+ feared hidden under the rubble of collapsed buildings source
  • » New Zealand’s worst disaster ever? While already the worst disaster the region has faced in 80 years, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key suggested it may be even worse than that. “We paid a very heavy price here,” he said. “We could be looking down the barrel at New Zealand’s darkest day.” Buildings with schools and television stations were reduced to rubble. Cathedrals lost their shape. All in all, he may be right.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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