shortformblog:

life:

In 1969, 27-year-old Capt. Muammar Gaddafi overthrew the king of Libya in a bloodless coup, promoted himself to Colonel, and declared the country a socialist state. Ever since, he’s remained one of the world’s most controversial leaders, and a man of profound contradictions. He describes Libya as a popular democracy, but his word is law. He has sponsored terrorists and violent revolutionaries, but has frequently acknowledged his actions while avidly courting Western approval.

see more — Gaddafi: The Last Supervillain?

Vintage Gaddafi, from when he looked slightly less crazy.

(via shortformblog)

thepoliticalnotebook:

C.J. Chivers reports at the New York Times that Chris Hondros of the Getty photo agency died within a few hours of his injury.  He received a critical brain trauma, was revived twice, and died after slipping into a coma. Tyler Hicks, a photographer for the New York Times, wrote “Chris made sacrifices in his own life to bring the hardships of war into the public eye, and that dedication created award-winning photographs that shaped the way people viewed the world. He was a close friend for nearly 20 years. The tragedy of his death had brought so many memories to the surface, and I’m grateful to be among the many people who were lucky enough to know him. He will be missed.”

Above: Getty Images photo of Chris Hondros in Afghanistan.

(Source: , via thepoliticalnotebook)

thedailywhat:

RIP: 41-year-old British-born filmmaker and photojournalist Tim Hetherington, co-director of the Oscar-nominated Afghanistan war documentary Restrepo, was killed today when an RPG struck a group of journalists in the Libyan city of Misrata.

Three others were also injured in the attack: Pulitzer Prize-nominated Getty photographer Chris Hondros, Panos Agency photographer Guy Martin — both of whom are said to be in serious condition — and freelancer Michael Brown, who was slightly wounded.

In his final tweet, posted just hours before the attack, Hetherington wrote: “In besieged Libyan city of Misrata. Indiscriminate shelling by Qaddafi forces. No sign of NATO.”

(Above: Tim Hetherington (right), alongside fellow Restrepo director Sebastian Junger.)

[vanityfair.]

(Source: thedailywhat, via bbook)

aljazeera:

A Libyan loyal to Libya’s leader Muammar Gaddafi and who is part of a human shield flashes the victory sign at Bab Al-Aziziyah, Gaddafi’s heavily fortified compound, in Tripoli last night.

A group of volunteers have worked with different NGOs to put together a comprehensive crisis map that aims to support humanitarian preparedness operations. Have a look at the map here:http://libyacrisismap.net/main

(via aljazeera)

promotingpeace:

Ajdabiya, Libya — Rebels pray on the road to Port Brega on the outskirts of Ajdabiya. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

(via fatimahfeatnoam-deactivated2011)

nickturse:

Iraq cracks down on media; violations in Yemen, Libya - Committee to Protect Journalists

The Committee to protect Journalists recently documented attacks in Iraq, Yemen, and Libya “as journalists tried to cover anti-government protests. Iraqi authorities cracked down on media: Security forces stormed a satellite TV office, detained dozens of journalists, and confiscated equipment, according to local journalists and news reports. In Yemen, at least four journalists were detained today, according to local journalists, and Al-Jazeera reported that its crew was prevented from covering demonstrations in Sana’a. Libyan border patrols confiscated cameras and SIM cards of journalists entering Libya from Tunisia, according to news reports.”

globeandmail:

Explainer: What the turmoil in Libya means for oil prices

(via thepoliticalnotebook)

imaginenoheaven2:

shortformblog:

Nelly Furtado came clean today about a private performance she made all the way back in 2007 for the Gaddafi clan. $1 million in 45 minutes seems nice until you’re, uh, racked with guilt years later. By the way, the “I’m Like a Bird” singer isn’t the only major music star who’s taken a deal like this from Gaddafi. source

http://publicradiointernational.tumblr.com/post/3570181271/

(via )

mohandasgandhi:

thenoobyorker:

Gaddafi’s bodyguards: I have no words. [via wiki]

Reuters painted a rather disturbing portrait of Gaddafi in an article today and mentioned this among his other rather bizarre eccentricities. He may be a terrible leader and has clearly done some horrific things, but you can’t say he isn’t at least interesting.

nightline:

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton message on Libya:

“The world is watching the situation in Libya with alarm.  We join the international community in strongly condemning the violence in Libya.  Our thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives have been lost, and with their loved ones. The government of Libya has a responsibility to respect the universal rights of the people, including the right to free expression and assembly.  Now is the time to stop this unacceptable bloodshed.  We are working urgently with friends and partners around the world to convey this message to the Libyan government.”

Ibrahim Usta-AP Photo

(via abcworldnews)