The Grand Inquisitor

This news post was compiled by AssembledWrong, ihatediamonds, BBQ CornNuts, KwisatzHaderach, and The Grand Inquisitor. Please give some love to the News Team.

It’s been a busy day, but here are a few of the top stories:

Powerful Earthquake Hits New Zealand

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked New Zealand’s second largest city, Christchuch, yesterday with 65 people confirmed dead and at least a 100 still missing, possibly buried in the rubble. The earthquake is thought to be an aftershock from a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in the region that occurred in September. Residents, however, feel that yesterday’s quake was much more violent though it was shorter in duration and lower in magnitude than September’s.

People stood in awe as the city’s most iconic piece of architecture, the spire of the Christchurch Cathedral, crumbled. Speaking to the New York Times, one unnamed witness declared it “the most frightening thing of my entire life,” and after declaring a state of emergency, Mayor Bob Parker stated “I think we need to prepare ourselves in this city for a death toll that could be significant… It’s not going to be good news, and we need to steel ourselves to understand that.” Christchurch Airport is scheduled to reopen Wednesday morning for domestic flights only. Meanwhile, hundreds of displaced residents have moved into temporary shelters and the city has organized a number of makeshift triage centers in order to care for injured citizens.

Prime Minister John Key has already declared the earthquake “New Zealand’s darkest day” and “one of the worst natural disasters” on record for the island nation.

Violence Continues in Libya

Mummar Gaddafi continues to defy calls from the international community to step down. The country-wide rebellion continues to be met with violence from the Libyan security forces and mercenaries according to eyewitness refugees in Egypt. Gaddafi has stated, that the only way he is leaving office is in a body bag. “I am not going to leave this land, I will die here as a martyr.” said Gaddafi on Libyan State Television.

Human Rights Watch reported that an additional 62 people have died in Tripoli in the last two days bringing the total dead, in Tripoli alone, to 295 after Libyan security forces responded with tanks and war planes in a failed attempt to quell the protests. Reportedly, the protesters have seized control of the eastern region of the country. But with no end to the fighting in sight, many Libyans are fleeing to nearby slightly-less tumultuous Egypt to escape the violence.

The violence is beginning to have a noticeable effect on oil prices as companies like Shell are forced to suspend operations in the country. Italy also faces a gas shortfall; the supply from Libya is reportedly slowing or interrupted as the revolution drags on in the face of Gaddafi’s obstinacy. Today the U.N. Security Council is meeting in private to discuss the situation and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees is urging all nearby nations to accept Libyans displaced by the violence. While most of the world has demanded an end to the violence; perhaps the most succinct call came from Germany’s Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, “A ruling family, threatening its people with civil war, has reached the end of the line.”

Americans Killed by Somali Pirates

Four Americans onboard a hijacked yacht were killed this morning by Somali pirates. Jean and Scott Adam of Marina del Ray, California and Phyllis Macay and Robert Riggle, of Seattle were captured Friday on the yacht owned by the Adams’. Military personnel had been in hostage negotiations when pirates fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the USS Sterett. The grenade missed and shots were then heard on the yacht at about 1 am EST. Military personnel boarded the yacht and attempted to revive the victims.

There was a brief gun battle as US military took possession of the boat, leaving 2 pirates dead. The 13 remaining pirates were taken into custody. The remains of 2 additional pirates were found on board. Authorities believe the pirates were attempting to get the vessel and hostages to Somalia. The Adams, Macay and Riggle had been traveling with yachts participating in the Blue Water Rally since their departure from Phuket, Thailand. Rally organizers said the Quest elected to take a different route after leaving Mumbai, India on February 15th. Authorities believe the 19 pirates came aboard the Quest after traveling on a “mother ship” which has been a recent trend in hijackings. As of February 15, pirates were holding 33 vessels and 712 hostages, according to the International Maritime Bureau.

Protest Continue over Unions in Wisconsin

As Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s show down with public service unions ends its second week, the AFL-CIO has released a polls showing support for Wisconsin’s unions. The poll shows Walker’s popularity and job rating both have down-ticks one week after he announced his “Budget Repair Bill.” Additionally, approval ratings for Wisconsin State Democrats have gone up. However a Rasmussen poll shows support for the Governor’s bill. Walker still refuses to negotiate.

The bill also contains provisions that would create cuts in the state Medicare system. While the governor has said that these cuts are necessary as an emergency measure to offset state budget windfalls, Forbes is reporting that national money is coming in to support the bill via the Koch brothers. Protests have spread into Ohio and Indiana this week in what looks to be a national show down over collective bargaining rights bu public employees.