U.S. Warplane Goes Down in Libya as Air Campaign Enters Fourth Day
The U.S. and allied air strikes on Libya have entered their fourth day as part of an international effort to enforce a no-fly zone. An U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jet has crashed after apparent mechanical failure in northeast Libya. Libyan rebels rescued the pilot after he ejected from the warplane, which came down near the eastern city of Benghazi. While the United States is denying it is attempting to assassinate Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi, allied forces bombed his compound for the second night in a row.
International Community Divided on Libya Intervention, Obama Defends Use of Force
There appears to be a growing split within the international community over the air strikes in Libya by the U.S. and allied forces. Brazil, India and China have called for the attacks to stop. Italy is calling for the military operation to continue, but under the control of NATO. Meanwhile, there appears to be growing confusion between the United States, Britain and France over the mission.
Obama Criticized for Failing to Consult Congress on Libya Attacks
President Obama is coming under criticism from several Democratic and Republican lawmakers for failing to consult Congress before Obama sent U.S. warplanes to attack Libya. Obama did not officially notify Congress until Monday—two days after the attack began.
Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio said President Obama may have committed an impeachable offense for not consulting Congress before the air strikes. Kucinich said that Obama’s actions were unconstitutional, according to the President’s own constitutional interpretation. In 2007, then-Senator Obama said, "The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation."
Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio said President Obama may have committed an impeachable offense for not consulting Congress before the air strikes. Kucinich said that Obama’s actions were unconstitutional, according to the President’s own constitutional interpretation. In 2007, then-Senator Obama said, "The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation."
Storage Pool in Japan Nuclear Facility Nears Boiling Point
Japanese officials say a fuel storage pool at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station is at, or near, boiling point. The storage pool is holding 2,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel rods. If the pool begins to boil, more radioactive steam could spew out. Authorities announced earlier today success in hooking up power lines to all six reactor units at the plant. The Economist magazine is estimating the Japanese earthquake and tsunami has caused $235 billion in damage, or around four percent of Japan’s GDP. This would make it the world’s most expensive disaster since records began.
Ivory Coast: Thousands Offer to Join Army as Fears of Civil War Grow
Fears of impending civil war in the Ivory Coast intensified Monday as thousands of young men and a few women gathered at the army’s headquarters offering to enlist in an effort to defend incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo. On Saturday, pro-Gbagbo leader, Charles Blé Goudé, called on some 10,000 Ivorians to “liberate” the country. Blé Goudé has been under international sanctions since 2006 for inciting violence, extrajudicial killings, rape and pillage in the Ivory Coast and promoting attacks against U.N. peacekeepers. The Ivory Coast has been in political turmoil since presidential elections in November determined that Alassane Ouattara had defeated Gbagbo. Last week, forces loyal to Gbagbo shelled a market in the economic capital city of Abidjan, killing at least 25 people.
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