Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Car Bombing in Egypt Kills 15

Fifteen people were killed when a car bomb exploded in Mansoura, Egypt, early Tuesday morning.

Another one hundred and thirty-four people were injured when the blast occurred outside of the police station.

Rescue workers spent much of Tuesday morning sifting through the rubble for survivors and victims.

No one has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack.

Gaza Sniper Kills Technician in Israel

An Israeli technician was killed on Tuesday as he made repairs on the fence that lies on the border with the Gaza Strip.

According to witnesses and officials he was shot by a sniper, from Gaza.

Israeli Defense Forces rushed to his aid, but were unable to save his life.

Other troops, including the air force, returned fire at six known terrorist meeting locations.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Protests Continue in The Ukraine

Protests continued in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities, on Sunday.

Hundreds of thousands are demanding that President Viktor Yanukovych and much of the rest of the government resign.

On Tuesday, Yanukovych signed an economic treaty with Russia, despite the mass protests against even the idea of his doing so.

He did so after repeatedly pledging to sign an agreement with the EU.

Protests have been taking place for over a month now, with crowds as large as two hundred thousand, in Kiev's Independence Square alone.

Many Ukrainians worry that Yanukovych is taking their country back under Russian influence and fear a loss of their independence from their former Soviet masters.

The protests gained steam after three former presidents backed them.

Police were unable to clear out the protesters earlier this month, and their failure had been followed by Yanukovych promising to get back to working on the deal with the EU.

However, his once again breaking his word has only heightened the calls for his removal from office and led to many to call him a traitor and warn that he should never return to the country.

The opposition had called for the government to replace him, but their lack of movement on the issue has led to calls for their removal as well.

So far, the protests have been almost completely peaceful, but that could change as anger continues.

US Personnel Evacuated Out of South Sudan

US armed forces successfully completed an evacuation of American personnel from Bor, South Sudan, on Sunday.

The successful operation came a day after US aircraft came under fire as they attempted to approach the city.

According to officials, all factions in South Sudan were made aware that the flights would be occurring today, and so warned they held fire.

Several other nations used the same means to get their citizens out of the city, as well.

President Obama warned that the is considering military action, if the factions do not stop fighting.

However, the White House quickly stated that no escalation was expected.

South Sudan's government has lost control of most of the country, with many different groups rising up against each other, mostly along ethnic lines.

It seems very unlikely that civil war will be avoided.

Al Qaeda Apologizes For Attack on Hospital in Yemen

A video released on Sunday shows the leader of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula apologizing for an attack that they carried out.

Qassim al-Raimi states that Al Qaeda is sorry for attacking a hospital in Sanaa, Yemen, on December 5.

The attack killed fifty-two and wounded one hundred and sixty-seven.

Al-Raimi said that the bombers were ordered not to target the building, but mistakenly did so anyways.

He further said that the attack, "wronged us and pained us, because we do not fight in this manner".

The terrorist organization often attacks civilian targets, but is trying to reband themselves as a defender of Islam.

Bomb Explodes on Bus in Israel

A bus driver in Tel Aviv, Israel is being called a hero after he evacuated his bus before a bomb exploded on it.

The driver was informed that a package had been left abandoned on the rear seat and immediately pulled the bus over and ordered everyone out.

Just minutes after they evacuated, the bomb exploded, blowing out the windows on the bus.

Officials say that the force of the blast likely would have killed the driver and all twelve of his passengers, had he not evacuated them.

Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Claire Davis, Dead at 17

Seventeen year old Claire Davis, died on the afternoon of Saturday, December 21.

Claire had been wounded in the shooting at Arapahoe High School, in Centennial, Colorado, on Friday, December 13.

After under going major surgery, she had been in a coma ever since.

With her family at her side, the girl know for her love of horses left this world.

Her family released a statement saying, "Although we have lost our precious daughter, we will always be grateful for the indelible journey she took us on over the last 17 years -- we were truly blessed to be Claire's parents. The grace, laughter and light she brought to this world will not be extinguished by her death; to the contrary, it will only get stronger."

Tornadoes Injure 5 in Arkansas

Five people were injured by two separate tornadoes, on Saturday.

Both occurred in Arkansas, one near Dermott, the other near Hughes.

Twenty-three homes and several dozen cars were damaged by the tornadoes.

Outside Hughes, Interstate 40 was shutdown for a time, as crews had to clear several accidents caused by the storm.

US Aircraft Attacked in South Sudan

US aircraft came under fire, while in South Sudan, on Saturday.

The aircraft were part of an attempt to evacuate Americans from out of the country.

Three US Air Force CV22 Ospreys were damaged in the attack and four US military personnel were wounded.

All of the aircraft were diverted to Entebbe, Uganda, and then the wounded were transported to Nairobi, Kenya.

Because of the attack, the evacuation was halted, while other options are considered.

US Army: Staff Sergeant Jesse L. Williams

Staff Sergeant Jesse L. Williams, thirty of Elkhart, Indiana, died on December 17.

He and five others were killed when their Blackhawk helicopter crashed in Now Bahar, Afghanistan.

Williams was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment out of Vilseck, Germany.