This week in world headlines
January 30, 2015
Winter Storm Juno
The first blizzard of 2015 left a huge mark on the Northeast side of the country, but is still not done with its severe weather damage. States including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maryland, New York, Maine, and Rhode Island have received 24-36 inches of snow in the past week, leaving many families stranded and racking their brains as to how to spend their time inside. Countless flights were cancelled due to the snow, leaving travelers stranded in airports for days. Some airports have even provided cots for the frustrated customers to sleep on. Subways were shut down, and states of emergencies were addressed in order to prepare for the severity of the storm. Meteorologists say the blizzard will continue to slam Long Island and New England into Tuesday, bringing many communities to a standstill.
For more information, check out http://www.weather.com/storms/winter/news/more-snow-northeast-midwest-after-juno.
Online video from ISIS threatening Obama
In a new online video discovered by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) on Tuesday, ISIS directly threatened President Obama and included pledges to kill Jordanian and Japanese hostages if a hostage held by Jordan is not freed. The latest file appears to show a static image of Goto, one of the Japanese ISIS hostages, holding a picture of who appears to be al-Kassasbeh. Startling phrases were said by one of the soldiers in the video as well, talking about beheading Obama and bombing the U.S. and even European nations. This is only one of the three warnings the terrorist organization has sent the U.S. since the weekend.
For more information, check out http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/01/27/isis-threatens-obama-japanese-and-jordanian-hostages-in-new-online-messages/.
Gunmen storm luxury Libyan hotel
Heavily armed gunmen stormed luxury hotel Corinthia in Libya’s capital city, Tripoli, on Tuesday, killing at least nine people, including foreigners, before blowing themselves up with a grenade. Security of the hotel explained that the gunmen opened fire inside the hotel, and once they were all surrounded by the hotel’s security, one of the gunmen threw the grenade. Five foreigners were killed in the attack, including one French and one American. The government in Tripoli said the attack’s target was Prime Minister Omar al-Hassi, who normally stays at the hotel but was not there at the time.
For more information, check out http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2015/01/gunmen-launch-deadly-assault-libya-hotel-201512712349133363.html.
Anonymous
Hacktivist group Anonymous is asking for a day of protest against pedophiles who take advantage of their power and position to abuse children. The campaign is demanding for justice of victims and penance of criminals. In a press release from Anonymous, the group stated that those who are supposed to protect others from rape, child abuse, and human trafficking are covering up the acts instead of bringing them to the light. The group however is best known for its online protests free speech. Anonymous plans to gather people in preparation for street protests taking place on February 13th.
For more information, check out http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/01/27/anonymous_street_protest_child_abuse/.
Measles back in the U.S.?
The nasty disease of the Measles has infiltrated our nation once again. The virus is said to have originated in California’s Disney Land and is from a tourist or American returning from overseas. 64 of the 96 people infected with the disease are clearly linked to catching it in the amusement park. Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters, “This is a wake-up call to make sure that we keep measles from regaining a foothold in our country.” Because the Measles are so contagious, experts presume more cases to come up.
For more information, check out http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/disney-measles-outbreak-came-overseas-cdc-says-n296441.