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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 22-Feb-2011
22-Feb-11 News -- Libya's Gaddafi shoots to kill protesters with massive firepower

Web Log - February, 2011

22-Feb-11 News -- Libya's Gaddafi shoots to kill protesters with massive firepower

Banks told to stress-test for 11% jobless rate

Libya's Gaddafi shoots to kill protesters with massive firepower

Libya, showing the three historic divisions: Tripolitania, Fezzan and Cyrenaica

Libya, showing the three historic divisions: Tripolitania, Fezzan and Cyrenaica

Two Libyan air force pilots landed their jets in the island of Malta on Monday, according to Al-Jazeera. They were defecting, after refusing to follow orders to attack civilian protesters in Benghazi.

It now appears that Gaddafi has completely lost control of the eastern portion of Libya. News reports indicate that most of the fighting has stopped.

Protesters in Tripoli aren't so lucky, however. Air force jets targeted demonstrators, and bombed entire residential neighborhoods, according to the Guardian. People are afraid of staying in their homes for fear of being bombed, and they're afraid to leave their homes, for fear of being shot by snipers or by helicopter gunships.

Estimates are that about 250 people were killed in Tripoli on Monday alone. Many hundreds more were killed in other cities during the five days of the Libyan uprising.

Libyans are reluctant to shoot and kill other Libyans, and so the snipers are apparently foreign mercenaries hired and paid by Khamis Gaddafi, another son of leader Muammar Gaddafi. International Business Times (S. Africa) reports that the exact country of origin of the mercenaries is not known, but Chad is suspected.

The Arab League has scheduled an emergency meeting for Tuesday to discuss the situation in Libya.

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Illegal immigration from North Africa has become an increasingly difficult issue for Europe. The government of Libya is now threatening to suspend its cooperation with the European Union in stopping illegal immigration if the EU continues to encourage pro-democracy protests in Libya. Reuters

In Tunisia last week, military helicopters and security forces were called in to protect brothels in the capital city of Tunis from a mob of zealots. After the Tunisian revolution, Islamists are demanding that the government abandon its liberal social policies and adopt strict Islamic law. NY Times

The Federal Reserve is requiring banks undergoing mandated "stress tests" of their survivability to conduct new stress tests, this time assuming a recession scenario in which the unemployment rate rises to 11%. Market Watch

The number of investors fearing a catastrophic stock market crash is rising. CNBC

China plans to launch a Mars-exploration space probe in November of this year. Chosun

Russia's police defused three powerful bombs found in a car in Kabardino-Balkaria, one of Russia's southern provinces (in the North Caucasus). Kabardino-Balkaria is particularly important in relation to the seaside resort of Sochi, where Russia is to host the 2014 winter Olympics. (See "30-Oct-10 News -- Caucasus terrorism / politics becomes embroiled in 2014 Olympics".) Terrorism in the North Caucasus has been increasing dramatically in the last year, despite the claims of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that it has been brought under control. Reuters

The Japanese are still furious over the visits by Russian officials to the Kuril islands, which are held by the Russians, but claimed by the Japanese, since the Russians annexed the islands after World War II. On Saturday, Japan's chief cabinet secrety flew over the Kuril Islands, " hammering home Tokyo's unwavering attitude toward the disputed Kurils." Global Times

Already battered by multiple sex scandals, Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is being criticized by opposition lawmakers for failing to condemn violence in Libya, saying that he did not want to "disturb" Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during the Libyan uprising. Reuters

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 22-Feb-11 News -- Libya's Gaddafi shoots to kill protesters with massive firepower thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (22-Feb-2011) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 22-Feb-2011 22-Feb-11 News -- Libya's Gaddafi shoots to kill protesters with massive firepower

Libya's Gaddafi shoots to kill protesters with massive firepower

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 22-Feb-2011
22-Feb-11 News -- Libya's Gaddafi shoots to kill protesters with massive firepower