Portuguese Protest Austerity

As many as half a million Portuguese protested in Lisbon, on Saturday.

Hundreds of thousands more protested in cities and towns across the country.

They marched through the streets to let the government know their anger over austerity measures.

Taxes have gone up as the government tries to bring an end to the country's deficit.

Unemployment is closing in on eighteen percent as Portugal is in it's third year of recession.

The protests have the backing of most of the major union organizations.

Al Qaeda English Language Magazine Gives Terrorism Tips

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula regularly puts out an online magazine entitled Inspire, which is in English.

Now they've put Inspire into print.

Inspire regularly gives out tips on how to create bombs, set up traps, and other delightful crafts towards becoming a terrorist.

It also has a hit list of westerners who are wanted by AQAP, dead or alive.

Opeds regularly warn foreign governments to stop trying to fight Al Qaeda's forces, around the world.

They also have a section calling for martyrs to sacrifice themselves for the glory of Al Qaeda and Islam.

Iran and Syria Decry Western Aid to Syrian Rebels

Walid al-Moualem

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem let the displeasure of his government be known, on Saturday.

He was joined by Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in decrying the US's plan to give non military aid to the Syrian rebels.

The two countries condemned the move as a "double standard policy" that was out to "punish the Syrian people".

Salehi said that if the US really wanted to bring an end to the war that they would, "force the opposition to sit at the negotiation table with the Syrian government".

Meanwhile, President Assad, of Syria, accused Britain of trying to lengthen the conflict and of arming rebel forces.

Chadian Troops Claim Another Al Qaeda Commander

Soldiers from Chad have claimed that they have killed a top Al Qaeda leader.

On Saturday, Chadian forces "in northern Mali completely destroyed a terrorist base".

According to the Chadian military, among the dead was Mokhtar Belmokhtar a top Al Qaeda officer, in Mali.

Belmokhtar was also responsible for the Algerian hostage taking, last month.

Two days ago, Chadian forces claimed to have killed Adelhamid Abou Zeid, another top Al Qaeda leader.

Neither death has been confirmed by any other sources, but they haven't been denied by Al Qaeda either.

Sangster's Thoughts: Is More Government The Answer to Detroit's Problems?

Governor Rick Snyder has put into motion steps that would see the state of Michigan take over the city of Detroit. If the steps go through, then the state will place an emergency manager over the city.

Judging from what I saw today on Facebook and Twitter many conservatives find it a good idea. Most think it is as Michigan's government is much better at managing things, than the city of Detroit's leadership is. However, this also means granting a government, more powers than it previously had.

Is this something that conservatives should really be for? Of course we want to see the city stop falling into decay and crime. We definitely would love to see the city make a recovery. But should we support government becoming bigger, in order for it to happen? If the only way to save Detroit is more government, than is it worth saving?

In a bigger picture, would we support the US government putting an emergency manager over California, due to it's economic woes? Would we support the EU if they put someone over Greece, Spain, or other countries with failing economies? Would we be okay if the UN put someone in charge of the US, due to our economic troubles? Or on a different area, would we be okay if any government placed themselves in charge of a business or economy was struggling?

No, we would not. There would be outcry in varying degrees, about socialist governments seizing more power. And that brings us to two more questions. Is there a line where government taking control is acceptable, in certain cases? Or are conservatives welcoming the Detroit take over, simply because it's a Republican governor? Does big government become acceptable, when someone on our side of the political line is the one seizing power?

I do think that the people of Detroit should do whatever they can save their city. Maybe the state can even help. The state taking over might be the right answer, but I just have to wonder if it is.

Michigan Governor Declares Fiscal Emergency For Detroit

Governor Rick Snyder declared Detroit to be in fiscal emergency, on Friday.

Detroit's economy is one of the poorest in the US and has no sign of being able to even slow the decline.

City officials will now have ten days to argue why the emergency shouldn't be declared.

If they can not convince the Governor to change his mind, then the state will take over management of the city.

Snyder apparently has already selected a person to take over management of the city, but did not release who that is.

Under a Michigan law, which takes effect on March 28, emergency managers will have many powers including the ability to revise or end collective bargaining agreements.

Netanyahu Will Ask For More Time to Form Government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have to ask for more time to form a government.

Parliamentary elections took place, over a month ago, but the various parties have been unable to form a coalition.

Normally there is a four week limit of time, but President Shimon Peres is expected to grant a two week extension, when Netanyahu asks, on Saturday.

However, if Peres doesn't grant the request or a new government isn't formed by March 16, the task would then fall to a leader from another party.

If a government can't be formed, after that, then a new election would be required.

Standoff in Borneo Turns Deadly

Flag of the Sulu Sultanate

Reports coming out of Borneo is that the standoff between Malaysian forces and the Sulu Sultanate may have ended.

A firefight broke out between the two groups, leaving at least two dead, with some sources saying as many as ten.

Four people were injured and multiple arrests were made.

Raja Muda Adbimuddin Kiram, the crown prince of the Sultanate, was apparently present, but managed to safely escape.

It began two weeks ago when two hundred armed Filipinos traveled by boat to Malaysia's part of Borneo.

They claim to be descendants of the former Sulu sultanate, which controlled the area from 1457-1917.

Among their demands are an increase in the money Malaysia pays the displaced descendants of the sultanate.

Malaysian troops quickly surrounded them and would not let anyone in or out of the area.

44 Killed in Bangladesh Riots

Riots continued on into a second day, across Bangladesh.

Forty-four people have been killed and over four hundred injured as rioters clash with police and security forces.

A few of the dead and injured have been police, but most have been protesters.

The riots began after a death sentence was handed down in the trial of seventy-three year old Delwar Hossain Sayedee, the vice president of the Jamaat-e-Islami party.

Sayedee and other Jamaat leaders are on trial for war crimes committed during the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.

Jamaat is the leading Islamic party and carries a lot of political weight as well as religious.

The government has also begun steps to ban the party from existing in the country.

Northern Japan Dealing With Record Snow Fall

Northern Japan is dealing with record snow fall.

Many areas have seen more snow than has ever been noted in history.

In some places, more than sixteen feet of snow has piled up, making traveling difficult.

That much snow is also posing a threat to homes and other buildings, as the weight from the snow could easily cause them to collapse.

Now, many people are hoping that there won't be anymore snow, this year.