Pirates Strike in Abidjan

On Monday, officials confirmed that a tanker had been seized by pirates, in the Ivory Coast.

The Itri was captured on Thursday, while in the port of Abidjan.

Gunmen forced their way aboard and made off with her and her cargo, five thousand tons of fuel.

All sixteen of the Nigerian crew have been taken as hostages.

According to her owner's, the Itri's onboard tracking system has been disabled, so they do not know where she currently is.

This marks the first piracy of 2013.

During 2012, there were ten cases in the Gulf of Guinea.

International Effort in Mali Grows

Canadian C 17

The international effort to save Mali, from falling to Al Qaeda forces, continues to grow.

Aircraft from Canada, Denmark, the UK, and the US are helping bring French troops into Mali, from France.

US drones are expected to join the fight soon, as well.

African forces have also begun showing up, to join the more than two thousand French fighting alongside the Malian military.

Troops from Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo are now in Mali, preparing to join the fight.

International funding is beginning to come in as well, with the EU leading the way.

Already several towns have been retaken by French and Malian forces, and the hunt is on for the rebels.

NY to NJ Plane Veers Off Runway

A plane veered off a runway at Newark Liberty International Airport, Sunday night.

Four of it's tires blew when it came in for a landing, causing it to lose control.

Luckily none of the thirteen people, on board the United Express plane, were hurt.

The plane had flown from Rochester, New York to Newark, New Jersey.

Myanmar Ceasefire Lasts Only Hours

A ceasefire in Myanmar proved to be yet another facade by the government.

Fighting only stopped for a few hours, as government troops strengthened and moved up their positions.

Kachin rebels say that only the air force has followed the cease fire, which was announced on Friday.

The government said that their troops only reacted to defend themselves.

However, independent sources have confirmed the rebels accounts of the situation.

Myanmar's government has a history of announcing ceasefires, but not living up to them.

Austria Votes to Keep Mandatory Service

A definite majority voted to keep Austria's mandatory service, on Sunday.

59.8% voted for keeping things as they are.

Austrian law requires that all males serve six months in the military, once they are eighteen.

If they do not wish to serve in the military, they then have to serve nine months in civilian service or twelve months in a social service.

Civilian service consists of such things as driving ambulances, working with seniors, hospitals, and the like.

Social service includes work in the Austrian Holocaust Memorial Service, the Austrian Social Service, the Austrian Peace Service, etc.

Much of Europe still utilizes compulsory service, though more and more often votes about it are coming up.

Bad Day for Al Qaeda in Yemen

At least six Al Qaeda fighters were killed, in Yemen, by US drone strikes, on Sunday.

Three more had been killed during a strike on Saturday.

Late Saturday night ten more were killed in an explosion, in al Bayda.

Authorities believe that they had been working on building bombs, when one went off.

The house was completely destroyed in the blast.

Despite Yemen regaining control of it's country, Al Qaeda is still very active in it.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is one of the most active wings of the terrorist organization.

Diabaly Liberated by Malian and French Troops

Malian troops retook the strategic town of Diabaly, on Sunday.

The people of Diabaly came out to cheer on their own and French troops as they drove through town.

It had lain in the hands of Al Qaeda backed rebels, since last Monday.

French ground and air power backed the Malian military, in the retaking of the town, and all along the front lines.

Some see this as a sign that the war has now taking a definitive turning point.

However Al Qaeda is promising to make France regret their interference, and may begin sending fighters from other countries, to aid their fight in Mali.

The Puck is On The Ice

One hundred days late, but the NHL started play, on Saturday.

Normally a season consists of eighty-two games, but this year will only hold forty-eight.

The NHL is pushing the importance of each and every game, in it's advertising.

Some analysts say that the shorter season, with the long period of no action, keeps there from being a favorite this year.

Others say that nothing will change there.

No matter who has the advantage, fans are certainly glad to be back watching a piece of frozen rubber get pushed around on the ice.

Flooding Continues in Jakarta

Flooding continues to cause problems for Indonesia, and especially for Jakarta.

Fifteen people have drowned since the rains began, on Tuesday.

The government has declared a state of emergency for the region around the capital.

Several feet of water are covering all of the roads in the city.

An estimated eighteen thousand have been made homeless by the flooding.

Nearly a quarter of a million are thought to have been affected by the waters.

Honda Recalling 748,000 Vehicles

2009 Pilot

Honda has announced a recall of 748,000 vehicles, in the US.

The recall covers 2009 through 2013 Pilots and 2011 through 2013 Odysseys.

Driver side air bags might not be properly installed, causing them to not deploy.

No crashes or injuries are known to have been caused by the issue.

Owners will be sent letters, during February, letting them know if their vehicle is among those under the recall.

Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the air bags, free of charge.