zaviews NeWz (United States, Libya, Syria & Ivory Coast)

United States          Three days of Violent storms have spread destruction in Carolina, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. At least 45 people have been killed and more than 80 have been injured in three days of violent storms in the southern United States. More than 100 buildings have been destroyed and the electricity supply system was also disrupted. Violent tornados completely destroyed 60 homes while 400 more were damaged. The rescue workers faced difficulty in relief and rescue efforts due to the intensity of the storm. In the southern United States, the month between March and July are known as the season of tornados. Every year, the storms and tornadoes on average claim more than 70 lives.

Libya           At least 6 more people have been killed as pro-Gaddafi forces attacked Misrata, Libya on Sunday. According to sources, heavy shelling and bombing on Misrata city claimed 6 lives while 47 others were wounded. Sources claimed that Obama administration had started looking for a refuge site in Africa for Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi if he were forces out of the country, and talk were underway with the regional leaders on this. Foreign arms supply to rebels had also started as rebels’ commander Abdul Fatah confirmed that he had received arms from the friend countries but did not disclose the names.

Syria             Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pledges to end the decades-old state of emergency in a week. The president expressed his consent to come on table with the dissidents and pledged to lift the country s 48 year-old emergency law during a television address to his nation. He also vowed to introduce reforms in Syria. An Egyptian court ordered that the former ruling party of ousted president Hosni Mubarak should be dissolved. All assets of the National Democratic Party will be seized and handed to the government, the supreme administrative court ruled. Fighting between Libyan President Gaddafi’s forces and rebels intensified. A missile fired by Gaddafi’s men killed six rebels and injured 20 others near Brega. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation aircrafts continued bombing on state forces. Meanwhile, a large number of foreigners are evacuating.

Ivory Coast          About 70 people arrested along with Ivory Coast’s former president Laurent Gbagbo were released. President Alassane Ouattara s minister said that Gbagbo’s family members and house staff were among the freed people. “30 members of his family, including his grandchildren, were released and taken to a destination we are keeping confidential," Ouattara s Justice Minister Jeannot Ahoussou Kouadio, said.