Iraq

Turkey bombs Iraq; Iraq bombs Kuwait?

Turkish warplanes continue to bomb supposed Kurdish rebel strongholds in northern Iraq—despite a formal diplomatic protest by Baghdad. Meanwhile, Baghdad denied reports that missiles were fired from southern Iraq at a port in Kuwait.

Palestine

Will UN recognition hurt Palestinian rights?

The Palestinian bid for UN recognition could deprive Palestinians of international representation by transferring that responsibility from the PLO to a state that doesn’t exist yet, a legal briefing warns.

North Africa

Qaddafi taunts rebels as hunt goes on

As Libyan rebels continue to hunt Tripoli for Moammar Qaddafi—and to battle the remnants of his forces—the elusive strongman again delivered two broadcast messages during the night, urging residents to “cleanse Tripoli of rats.”

Planet Watch

East Coast earthquake reveals regional nuclear dangers

Virginia’s North Anna nuclear power plant, shut down by power failure after the East Coast earthquake, had seismographs removed in the 1990s due to budget cuts. Four other plants experienced “unusual events” due to the quake.

North Africa

Where is Qaddafi?

Rebels have overrun Moammar Qaddafi’s fortress-like compound in Tripoli, the Bab al-Aziziya, but the state TV station remains in pro-Qaddafi hands and continues to broadcast messages from the missing strongman.

North Africa

Who controls Tripoli?

Heavy fighting and NATO air-strikes continue in Tripoli, and two Qaddafi sons earlier reported as captured by rebels are now apparently free. China meanwhile expressed concerns that its oil investments in Libya will be honored by the new regime.

North Africa

Libya: rebels take Tripoli

In a land and sea offensive closely coordinated with NATO, Libyan rebels advanced into the heart of Tripoli. Thousands of jubilant citizens filled the Green Square to cheer their convoys of armed pick-up trucks, with fighters firing in the air.

Iraq

Turkey bombs Iraq —again

The Turkish military has resumed air raids against suspected strongholds of the PKK guerillas in northern Iraq, with one air-strike killing a Kurdish family of seven in a border village.