Put down those preemptive Peeps, it's not Easter break yet. Here's a quick rundown of everything that you'll need to know until tomorrow...
- Somali pirates boarded the U.S. container ship Alabama and are currently holding its captain, Richard Phillips captive, though the remainder of the ship is reportedly back in the control of its crew. The Alabama, which was carrying food aid intended for Mombasa, Kenya, was boarded at 7:30 a.m.. The crew has made contact with the media and some of their families, and it seems as though none of them have been hurt, despite their unarmed disadvantage against the gun-toting pirates.This comes just two days after the Malaspina Castle, a British ship, was boarded by pirates. Last year, almost 100 ships were attacked across the globe by pirates, 40 of which were assaulted close to Somalia. There's been a strong international effort to bring about an end to such activities, with the American, Chinese, Japanese and Russian warships all patrolling the region.It's nice to think that by tossing some battleships into the sea, this growing pirate problem can be put to an end, but they operate in such small groups, and can vanish so quickly that they're akin to the small group of terrorists who laid siege to Mumbai last year.
- Three cheers for diplomacy! If the State Department is to be believed, the U.S. will soon join up with Iran, the U.N. and other European powers discuss Iran's nuclear program. This is, of course, pending Iran's acceptance of its invite. Sure, Iran isn't the most lovable of countries, but this is certainly an improvement over the U.S. wrinkling its brow and poo-pooing them from behind plate glass while they step ever closer to the bomb.
- In a report that's sure to shock everyone, the International Association for Dental Research in Miami concluded that prolonged partaking of sports drinks, with all of their hydrating, sugary goodness, can be bad for your teeth. Next week, they'll decide that eating a diet comprised entirely of Fruit-Roll-Ups is also detrimental to one's health.
- Newt Gingrich has come out and said that the Obama administration is "intensely secular" and "anti-religious," though Obama hasn't done anything regarding religion one way or the other. Could it be that he's creating a space, a void, perhaps even a separation between the church and the state? Meanwhile, I'll go listen to Pearl Jam and boot up my Sega Genesis, because apparently it's 1994 and Gingrich is important.