Japanese Death Toll to Top 18,000; Food & Water Supplies Contaminated Japanese authorities are now reporting the death toll from the March 11th earthquake and tsunami is likely to exceed 18,000. This comes as concern is growing that radiation released from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station has contaminated part of Japan’s food and water supplies. Contaminated milk and spinach have already been found. Japan’s health ministry has urged some residents near the plant to stop drinking tap water after high levels of radioactive iodine were detected. Japanese authorities are still working to prevent a full meltdown at the Fukushima plant. Engineers have restored electricity to three reactors at the crippled plant and hope to test water pumps at the quake-damaged facility soon. But early this morning, smoke was seen spewing from two reactors at the plant.
U.S. & Allies Begin Bombing of Libya to Enforce No-Fly Zone
U.S. and allied forces have launched a second wave of air strikes on Libya to enforce a no-fly zone. Targets have included Libya’s air defenses, forces loyal to Col. Muammar Gaddafi, and Gaddafi’s fortified compound. The attacks on Libya began on Saturday, the eighth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Yemeni Generals and Officials Defect After Killing of 35 Protesters
U.S. and allied forces have launched a second wave of air strikes on Libya to enforce a no-fly zone. Targets have included Libya’s air defenses, forces loyal to Col. Muammar Gaddafi, and Gaddafi’s fortified compound. The attacks on Libya began on Saturday, the eighth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Yemeni Generals and Officials Defect After Killing of 35 Protesters
There have been a number of major developments in Yemen as protests continue against the country’s longtime President Ali Abudullah Saleh, a close ally of the United States. Earlier today, three top Yemeni army generals defected and declared their support for the protest movement. The dissident generals have now deployed army units to protect the protesters. The announcement came days after Yemeni forces killed 45 protesters and wounded 350 others. Meanwhile, the mayor of the Yemeni city of Aden and Yemen’s ambassador to the United Nations have also resigned to protest the killings. Human Rights Watch has called on the Obama administration to immediately suspend military aid to Yemen. Over the past five years, the United States has provided more than $300 million in military and security aid to Yemen.
Thousands Protest in Syria
In Syria, thousands of protesters are marching in the southern city of Daraa today following the deaths of at least five protesters since Friday. Syrian police have been accused of firing live ammunition and tear gas to disrupt anti-government protests.
In Syria, thousands of protesters are marching in the southern city of Daraa today following the deaths of at least five protesters since Friday. Syrian police have been accused of firing live ammunition and tear gas to disrupt anti-government protests.
Egyptians Approve Constitutional Referendum
In Egypt, voters have approved a referendum on constitutional changes in a move that paves the way for Egypt’s first election since the resignation of former President Hosni Mubarak. One of the amendments bars any future president from serving more than two four-year terms.
In Egypt, voters have approved a referendum on constitutional changes in a move that paves the way for Egypt’s first election since the resignation of former President Hosni Mubarak. One of the amendments bars any future president from serving more than two four-year terms.
Leaked Photos Show U.S. Soldiers Posing with Dead Afghan Civilians
The U.S. Army has issued an apology after the German news magazine Der Spiegel published a series of photographs that appear to show U.S. soldiers posing with the corpse of a civilian in Afghanistan. The photos are graphic and have been compared to the pictures that emerged from the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. In one photograph, a U.S. soldier is seen smiling as he posed with the bloodied and partially naked corpse. Another photo shows a solider holding the head of the Afghan man. The soldiers in the photographs are on trial for forming a secret "kill team" in Afghanistan that murdered unarmed Afghan civilians at random and collected body parts. The photographs were entered as evidence into the trial but were not meant to be seen by the public.
Over 130 Arrested at Iraq War and Bradley Manning Protests
In Washington, D.C., more than 100 antiwar activists were arrested outside the White House on Saturday during a protest to mark the eighth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq. Meanwhile, on Sunday, 31 protesters were arrested outside the gates of the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia, where they were protesting the military’s treatment of accused Army whistleblower Private Bradley Manning. Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg was arrested at both protests.
Wisconsin Judge Blocks Union-Busting Bill
A Wisconsin state judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking implementation of Gov. Scott Walker’s union-busting bill. Judge Maryann Sumi ruled that Republican lawmakers were likely in violation of the state open meeting laws when it pushed through the legislation two weeks ago.
Haitian Vote Held as Aristide Returns from Exile
Voters in Haiti went to the polls Sunday for the presidential runoff election. Preliminary election results are expected March 31, with full results due April 16. Two days before the election, former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide returned to the country after living in exile for seven years following the 2004 U.S.-backed coup.
U.N. Warns about Crimes Against Humanity in Ivory Coast
In news from Ivory Coast, the United Nations is warning that forces loyal to President Laurent Gbagbo may have committed crimes against humanity last week when they shelled a market in Abidjan killing at least 25 people. United Nations officials say more than 435 people have been killed since last year’s disputed presidential election.
Thousands Protest in Senegal
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Dakar, Senegal, on Saturday to oppose corruption and the rule of President Abdoulaye Wade.
AT&T to Buy T-Mobile for $39 Billion
AT&T has announced plans to buy T-Mobile for $39 billion, which would create the nation’s largest cell phone operator. If approved by regulators, the deal would leave the United States with just three main wireless carriers. [I don't like this trend toward monopolization in the cell phone market. We need more competition for cell phones in North America, not less. Both Europe and Asia pay much less for much better service.]
Newspaper Guild Calls for Boycott of Huffington Post
The Newspaper Guild is urging its 26,000 members to stop providing free content to the Huffington Post website. The Guild said, "Working for free does not benefit workers and undermines quality journalism." The Huffington Post relies on a mix of paid professional journalists and unpaid bloggers. The site’s labor practices have come under increasing scrutiny since its $315 million merger with AOL.
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