Gas Bombs Thrown at Police in Northern Ireland

Protests, against the Union Jack being limited, continued in Northern Ireland, on Friday.

Most of them remained peaceful.

However, in Newtownabbey, stones, fireworks, and gas bombs were thrown at police.

At least twelve gas bombs were thrown at officers, who found another nineteen, which hadn't been thrown.

Luckily, no one was injured in this incident.

Since the protests began, on December 3, one hundred and twenty-seven police officers have been injured, with an unknown number of civilians hurt as well.

One hundred and seventy-four protesters have been arrested.

Violence Erupts in Falluja

Throughout Iraq protests took place, on Friday.

The mostly Sunni opposition is complaining that they are discriminated against by the Shiite government.

As usual, rocks and other objects were thrown, by protesters, at police and security officials.

However, in Falluja, soldiers opened fire when rocks were thrown at them.

Seven civilians and two soldiers ended up killed, in the violence there, and at least forty-four were injured.

Video of the violence has surfaced, on Arabic news sites.

The shooting only spurred on protests, across the country, with some going on into the night.

Malian and French Forces Continue Advance

Malian troops

Malian and French forces retook several towns, on Thursday and Friday, as they move towards Gao.

The two armies are working their way up the Niger River, with Malians on side and French on the other.

At each village and town they are cheered by residents who welcome them as liberators.

Al Qaeda's forces, which had conquered the region, over a year ago, are mostly abandoning towns, as the militaries approach.

Anywhere that they are seen, the French air force is harrying them, making it difficult for them to take a stand in any numbers.

While Mali is celebrating the victories, France has warned that this is only the beginning and that Al Qaeda troops will likely go guerrilla.

The combined forces are slowly being joined by troops from other African nations, increasing the internationalization of the fight.

Egyptians Riot on Second Anniversary of Mubarak Being Overthrown

Across Egypt protests turned to riots as the Egyptian people protested the rule of Morsi, on the second anniversary of their overthrowing Mubarak.

Pretty much every city saw some sort of demonstration.

Five people, including a security officer, died in the violence, on Friday, in Suez.

Three hundred and thirty-five people were injured, there alone, on both sides of the line.

Egypt has decided to send the military into Suez, to try and restore order.

In Cairo, thousands once again packed Tahrir Square, and untold hundreds were injured in the clashes between protesters and police.

Protesters threw rocks, bottles, and gas bombs at police, who retaliated with tear gas, clubs, and in some cases captured and threw back the gas bombs.

Other towns saw government buildings broken into and, in at least one case, burned.

Syrian Military Renews Offensive

Syria's military is renewing it's offensive against rebel forces.

Rebel held towns are being shelled and ground troops are moving in, as well.

Casualty estimates for Friday alone were closing in on one hundred and fifty.

Those included eight, who were killed when two car bombs struck a Syrian intelligence building, in the Golan Heights.

Around sixty-two thousand Syrians have been killed during the twenty-two month long conflict.

While at least six hundred thousand Syrians have sought refuge in other countries.

JJ Abrams to Direct Star Wars Episode VII

It seems like one part of a rumor mill may be dying down.

JJ Abrams is apparently set to direct Star Wars Episode VII.

Disney announced the new trilogy, when they bought the empire from George Lucas.

Rumors of what the plot will be are and will continue to circulate for some time.

Right with them are rumors of non trilogy Star Wars films.

The only things known for sure is that Michael Arndt is writing Episode VII, with assistance from Lucas.

Episode VII, yet untitled, is due out in 2015.

The Package

This summer, The Package will be touring around the United States and Canada.

Led by New Kids on The Block, The Package consists of three 90s boy bands, who have reunited.

Previously New Kids were joined by the Backstreet Boys, in 2011.

In 2013, they are being joined by Boyz II Men and 98 Degrees.

Boyz II Men will be opening followed by 98, with New Kids being the main event.

Expectations are for each to do their classics, as well as possibly some new songs, and the three groups will do at least one number all combined.

The tour starts May 31 and goes through July 13.

Ice Threatens Twice Burnt Chicago Warehouse

The warehouse on Wednesday

Ice is threatening to collapse a building, in Chicago.

On Tuesday, a massive fire broke out inside the abandoned warehouse.

It burned so strongly that nearly a third of Chicago's fire companies were needed, to stop it.

Then Wednesday, the warehouse caught fire again.

Fire fighters again put the blaze out, but that caused another problem.

Chicago has been seeing freezing temperatures, since before the original fire, with wind chills pushing things as low as sixteen below.

After all the water used to put out the fires, the warehouse is now covered with ice, so much of it that it is threatening to collapse the entire building.

Authorities had been trying to investigate the cause of the fire, but that has had to been put on hold due to the instability of the building.

Civilization V: One World

The latest Civilization expansion is in the works.

An expansion for Civilization V has been spotted, called One World.

No official announcement has been made about it, but designers are not denying that One World is the next expansion.

Due to it's not being official, there are no details none about it, other than it's name and that it's real.

It will be interesting to see what they're changing and adding, and of course we can't wait to see what civs join in this one.

Gods and Kings, the first expansion, came out in June of last year, and they're already working on the next one.

It's not that surprising, that's how the franchise has worked.

A new Civilization comes out followed by two expansions, each about two years apart.

One World won't be out til at least spring of 2014.

Salt Lake City International Airport Closed

Salt Lake City International Airport in the summer

Salt Lake City International Airport was closed for about three hours, on Thursday.

The airport, city, and area are experiencing freezing rain.

Authorities closed the airport after a plan slid while taxiing, after landing.

All three runways were shut down, from about 10:00-13:00 MST.

Most flights were just delayed, but some were outright cancelled.

Flights that were headed to Salt Lake City, during the closure, were redirected.