CurEv

2012-01-16T18:50:00.001-08:00

Kim Jong-Un the fattest North Korean of them all

2012-01-16T18:41:00.001-08:00

After a long battle against heart disease, Kim Jong-Il, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Chairman of the National Defense Commission of North Korea, and the Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army, died at the age of 70. Since 1994 he had ruled on North Korea just as his father, Kim Il-Sung had done: starving the masses, lying to everyone, and progressing backwards technologically. But now that he is dead, what will happen?

Ever since the supreme leader’s death, his son the creatively named Kim Jong-Un has taken over most of his father’s positions. If Un¹ continues his father and grandfather’s trend, we expect that by the time he dies the country will no longer have a population to starve and will have been firmly cemented in the Stone Age.

But Kim Jong-Un was not always on the path to “Supreme Comrade and Dear Leader of North Korea.” He had two brothers, both older than him, who also wanted to rule this industrial apocalyptic wasteland. However, while Un was studying in Switzerland (the only country that is neutral in the conflict between North and South Korea), both of his brothers fell out of favor with Kim Jong-Il. This was because one did not look enough like his father, and the other was too much “like a little girl” and wanted to visit Disney Land Japan. Seriously. This left only Un, the youngest of the three, to lead this country which’s military parades would make any synchronized swimmer proud.

This little dictator is also hiding a secret that could shame his father and his country: Kim Jong-Un is obsessed with basketball and Michael Jordan. This country, which adamantly despises the USA, now has a leader who is coo-coo for the NBA.

‘tis the season for love, and with Valentine’s day just around the corner we also had to talk a bit about our four star general’s love life. Women are of no interest to Un, who is rather interested in quite another domain. During his time in a boarding school in Switzerland (he failed of his classes there except math) he was found more than once with pornographic bondage magazines. As Rihanna once said, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me.”

To top it all off, Dim Jong-Un² has a nuclear arsenal at his command, and a million man army to back it up. Where is this pathetic country heading too?

1. Since only the last two letters of Kim Jong-Un’s name distinguish his name from his father’s, brothers’, and grandfather’s (somewhat) this is what he will be called in this article.

2. This was the name his frustrated classmates in Switzerland gave him.

Tripoli divided

2011-05-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

Tripoli, once the headquarters of Qaddafi, is divided. On one side we have the loyal citizens devoted to Qaddafi, and on the other, the rebels who are seeking change. And the capitol is about to blow. Tension has been building for the last three months, and gunfire is beginning to be heard in the capitol. People avoid the streets, and are wary of foreigners. Fighting will probably break out in the capitol, and it won't be pretty.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, May-June 2011. Web. 3 May 2011. <http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110427-libya-week10/ss-110429-libya-jc-02.grid-9x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, May-June 2011. Web. 3 May 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110427-libya-week10/ss-110429-libya-jc-01.grid-7x2.jpg>.

How Osama Bin Laden was found

2011-05-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

As you probably know, Osama Bin Laden was killed inside his compound over the weekend by a US raid. But before killing him they had to know where he was hiding. Osama Bin Laden was the head of a terrorist organization called Al Qaeda. They were the criminals behind 911 which led to Bush's "war on terror" and the eventual invasion of Iraq. Bin Laden had been seen as a threat by the United States long before the events of 911. The US gathered information on him, including his personal couriers. After 911 they went after these couriers, capturing them and interrogating them. In Abbottabad (a city 40 miles from the capital), they found a very strange home. It was surrounded by walls almost 20 feet tall, had no windows, and more sets of walls inside the compound. Curiously, it had no internet or telephone lines. The US concluded that there was something being hidden inside. They also found out that a family lived inside that matched Bin Laden's. Although there was no proof, analysts were sure Bin Laden was hiding there. A Spec-ops team was assembled for this kill mission (they were not planning on capturing him). A live camera was brought with the team, and when Bin Laden was killed a huge cheer went up from the CIA officials in the conference room.

NATO warplane kills Qaddafi's youngest son and grandchildren

2011-04-30T18:43:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, at least one missile from a NATO warplane hit the house where Qaddafi was residing. Qaddafi had been visiting his youngest son, Saif al-Arab Qaddafi, who was killed as well as three grandchildren. Saif al-Arab Qaddafi was not an important person in the Qaddafi family, and did not hold any important roles in the government. However this was more of a moral blow to the tyrannic leader of Libya. Qaddafi and his wife were not wounded by the air strike. Qaddafi had begun to negotiate a cease fire with NATO and the rebel forces. Let's hope this event does not jeopardize that situation.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 30 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110427-libya-week10/ss-110427-libya-005.grid-9x2.jpg>.

Morocco bombing kills 15

2011-04-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

The Argana cafe in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh was hit by a bomb today, killing 15 people and wounding many others. The bomb hit in the middle of rush hour, when hundreds of people were milling about the square where this cafe was located. Among the dead were six French citizens, five Moroccans, and four others.

Qaddafi shells Misrata...again

2011-04-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

Qaddafi's forces today shelled Misrata's port, one of the city's only ability to get aid and supplies. Misrata is one of the rebel strongholds, and is completely surrounded (except by sea) by pro-Qaddafi forces. The barrage was only able to destroy a few containers and damage a few cars. Qaddafi continues to say that no civilians are being killed, rather declaring that his forces are fighting against armed gangs and al-Qaida supporters. Nato planes are finding it hard to target pro-Qaddafi forces since they are split up into small groups and are parked next to civilian buildings.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Apr.-May 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110420-libya-12.grid-9x2.jpg>.

Qaddafi HQ hit by NATO airstrike

2011-04-25T18:23:00.000-07:00

If only Qaddafi had been in his compound when two Norwegian F-16s destroyed a major building inside the compound. Libyan officials are calling this an assassination attempt. Qaddafi proclaimed that NATO was backed by traitors and spies and that their latest airstrike would only scare children. The airstrike cam after Qaddafi forces launched a deadly barrage upon the city of Misrata, killing 32 people.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Apr.-May 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110420-libya-05.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Apr.-May 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110420-libya-12.grid-9x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Apr.-May 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110420-libya-09.grid-7x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, May-June 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110421-libya-01.grid-7x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Apr.-May 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110422-libya-01.grid-7x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Apr.-May 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110419-libya-week9/ss-110424-libya-04.grid-8x2.jpg>.

I'm on vacation! Sorry, no updates until the 25th

2011-04-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

US jets destroy Libyan anti-air launcher

2011-04-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

US jets under NATO control struck three Libyan army anti-aircraft launchers overnight. Although most fixed anti-air "fixed" batteries have already been destroyed, many mobile ones are still operational. A week earlier six US F-16 jets as well as five Navy EA-18G Growler electronic attack planes bombed mobile surface-to-air missiles. Out of 134 missions so far, the United States has carried out 97.

The Asia Symphony

2011-04-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

Delays on radiation report in Japan

2011-04-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

Although the Fukushima Da-ichi power plant released a tenth of the amount Chernobyl did, it received the same rank (7) on the international scale as the other terrible accident. The reason why the report took a month to come up with was mainly because the government and companies related to the accident are blaming each other for what happened. Another reason why Japan took so long is because they did not want to cause a massive panic attack. They think that the same rating as Chernobyl would cause people to think the stability of the Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant is much worse than it actually is.

11 killed in Belarus subway explosion

2011-04-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

An explosion in a subway station in Belarus on Monday killed 11 people and wounded 126 others. It is not yet sure if this was an accident or an act of terrorism. The explosion happened as passengers were stepping out of the train at about 6:00 pm. After the explosion, part of the ceiling collapsed injuring more people.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 6 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/ap/mexico%20drug%20war%20protest--1180594596_v2.grid-6x2.jpg>.

Sandstorm in Germany kills eight people. Death tole expected to rise.

2011-04-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

Eight people were killed and many other injured today in an 80 car pileup in northern Germany. The cause of this accident was a sandstorm and the fires that followed. The crash included 110 people in 80 cars, including 3 trucks. Some of the vehicles were carrying flammable material. Let's hope that the death tole does not rise.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 8 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/110408_forklift-car.grid-3x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 8 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/g-cvr-110408-Autobahn-storm-1240p.grid-8x2.jpg>.

Yakuza first on the disaster ground to help quake, tsunami victims

2011-04-07T20:31:00.001-07:00

To find out more about the situation in Japan, click on the link below
http://www.philippinenews.com/top-stories/1283-yakuza-first-on-the-disaster-ground-to-help-quake-tsunami-victims.html?tmpl=component&layout=default&page=

12 children killed by gunman in Brazilian school

2011-04-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

12 students of a public elementary school were killed today when a 23 year old alumni opened fire inside a classroom. He later killed himself after a police officer had already shot him in the leg.

59 bodies found in Mexico

2011-04-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

59 more bodies were found inside eight pits in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas. This was the same state where 72 bodies were found last year. It is believed that these bodies may have been from a tour bus that went missing on March 25th. The Zetas drug gang is also believed to have committed the crime, but this is still an uncertainty.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 6 Apr. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/ap/mexico%20drug%20war%20protest--1180594596_v2.grid-6x2.jpg>.

1000 views!!!

2011-04-05T14:42:00.000-07:00

Remains of Air France flight 447 found

2011-04-04T15:22:00.000-07:00

Nearly two years after Air France flight 447 crashed in between Rio and Paris killing everyone aboard, remains of the plane- as well as the passengers- have been found. Submarines searching the area found two engines, the fuselage, and landing gear. The black box has still not been found, leaving this crash still clouded in mystery.

2011-04-02T09:35:00.001-07:00

A Southwest airlines flight made an emergency landing today after a hole opened in the roof of the plane. Flight 812 was carrying 118 passengers between Phoenix and Sacramento, California. It landed safely at Yuma Marine Corps Air Station, and resulted in only minor injuries. The cause of the hole is not yet known. Passengers recounted hearing an explosion and seeing daylight through the roof. Oxygen masks came down, although some of them malfunctioned, causing people to fall unconscious.

When will he give up?

2011-03-31T18:02:00.000-07:00

Libyan forces continue to push back rebels, but it seems that the Libya regime is going to crumble from the top. Yesterday, Libya's foreign minister Moussa Koussa defected, bringing Libya one step closer to freedom from Qaddafi's regime. "We believe that the regime is crumbling from within," said opposition spokesman Mustafa Gheriani.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110239-libya-week6/ss-110331-libya-02.grid-9x2.jpg>.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110239-libya-week6/ss-110331-libya-01.grid-9x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110239-libya-week6/ss-110331-libya-03.grid-9x2.jpg>.

Libya turns ugly

2011-03-30T19:42:00.000-07:00

Qaddafi's forces are now abandoning tanks and are now using civilian vehicles to transport their troops. They are called "Battle-wagons" and makes differentiating Qaddafi's forces and the rebel army very difficult. Airstrikes on Qaddafi's army have been successful, and have diminished his army, but they still largely outnumber the rebels.

Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110239-libya-week6/ss-110329-libya-week-6-03.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Msnbc.com. Photograph. Msnbc. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-110303-libya-tabbed/ss-110239-libya-week6/ss-110329-libya-week-6-11.grid-8x2.jpg>.

Bombs away!

2011-03-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

US ships and submarines launched a barrage of missiles on Qaddafi's residence today. Over 200 tomahawk missiles were used, and mostly targeted air defense positions, and ammo storage barracks. A few hours earlier, rebels had attacks Qaddafi's hometown, but had been pushed back by tanks. US jets also destroyed multiple Libyan coast guard boats after they started firing randomly on merchant vessels. When will Qaddafi give up?

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/03/29/robertson.libya.battle.misrata.cnn

a great video about the violence in Libya.

After the dust settles

2011-03-28T18:48:00.000-07:00


A woman looks on as workers attempt to pull her house ashore.

The only people you now find traveling the scenic route 45 that hugs Japan's coast for hundreds of miles are firefighters and military relief forces. Boats are found on top of houses, and cars hanging from tall buildings. Towns have been obliterated from the map, leaving nothing but memories and sadness. Mass graves have been prepared for the tens of thousands of victims that were killed by the devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami. Everything that was less than 45 feet above sea level has been covered by mud and water.

Photograph. Msnbc. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Mar.-Apr. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/week3/ss-110328-japan-week5-01.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Guttenfelder, David. Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/week3/ss-110327-japan-mw06.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc. Msnbc.com, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/110328_tsunami-firetrucks.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/week3/ss-110327-japan-mw03.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/week3/ss-110326-japan-08.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/week3/ss-110326-japan-10.grid-8x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/week3/ss-110326-japan-12.grid-9x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/ss-110325-japanquake-week3/ss-110225-japan-week3-03.grid-7x2.jpg>.
Photograph. Msnbc.com. Msnbc, Feb.-Mar. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-Japan-Quake-tabbed/ss-110325-japanquake-week3/ss-110225-japan-week3-12.grid-5x2.jpg>.

And to add insult to injury

2011-03-26T18:06:00.000-07:00

Once again, a new problem arises at the Fukusima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant. This time, it seems to be radioactive water that is leaking from the reactors. The original plan of putting water into the reactors to cool them down will not change, but the Japanese plan of attack will. The leak was found when three workers wading through the water received grave radiation burns and had to be hospitalized.