[Russel Watkins - UK Department for Intl Development] "Because of the scale of the flooding and the fact that the water has taken so long to recede, many trees have become cocooned in spiders webs. People in this part of Sindh have never seen this phenonemon before - but they also report that there are now less mosquitos than they would expect, given the amount of stagnant, standing water that is around." [RusselWatkins - UK Department for Intl Development] "Vast tracts of land in Pakistan's Sindh province are still submerged under water, 6 months on from the extreme monsoon rainfall that forced more than 20 million people from their homes." ___
The Goliath birdeater tarantula*, Theraphosa blondi [Latin America], is one of the biggest spiders in the world,say the size of a dinner plate. They don't like being handled and like all spiders, they canbite and its hairs can provoque allergic reaction. However, short of allergic reactions, a Goliath bite feels like a couple of bee stings,but there may be more pain than the average bee sting. Most Goliaths will demonstraterather aggressively when disturbed. They will put on quite a show, even hissing sometimes.
So, the UN Security Council has resolved tonight to implement a no-fly zone over Libya and "all necessary measures" to protect civilians. Five nations out of ten abstained but didn't vetoed the Council's decision.
Al Jazeera reported today who's contributing what for the UN military intervention in Libya: - France and the US will be cooperating in those missions. - Britain says it will be mobilising Tornado and Typhoon fighter jets, as well as two frigates currently in the Mediterreanean. - Italy says it is ready to offer the use of several airbases. - Norway says it is prepared to take part in the operation. - Denmark is awaiting parliamentary approval to mobilise F-16 fighter jets to take part. - Poland says it is prepared to offer logistical support, but no military strike force. - Canada will contribute the use of six CF-18 fighter jets and a navy frigate currently in the Mediterranean. Each of the contributing nations [AJ says] has their own codename for enforcing UN Security Council resolution 1973: Odyssey Dawn, the US military operation, Ellamy, the UK military effort, Mobile, the Canadian component and Harmattan, the French military operation.
Afterthe statements ofFrance,UK, United StatesandArab countries, Obama's speech, late this evening, was alastwarningtoColonelGaddafi... [Here is an excerpt from AJ] "Muammar Gaddafi has a choice. The resolution that passed lays out very clear conditions that must be met. The United States, the United Kingdom, France and Arab states agree that a ceasefire must be implemented immediately. That means all attacks against civilians must stop. Gaddafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi, pull them back from Ajdabiyah, Misurata and Az Zawiyah, and establish water, electricity and gas supplies to all areas. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach the people of Libya. These terms are not subject to negotiation. If Gaddafi does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences: the resolution will be enforced through military action."
... yet,ifGaddafihasrespondedbycallingaceasefire...hedoesn't respect it. He's still trying to gaintime. ___ G@tto News' selection on Twitter
PaPoGris > where Birds & C@ts are the world's best friends.
[AlJazeeraEnglish on Mar 10, 2011] NATO secretary-general Angers Fogh Rasmussen has announced that NATO will be increasing the presence of its maritime assets in the central Mediterranean. ___
