The Middle East braces for even more change as Egypt’s first democratically-elected President, Mohamed Morsi, was deposed in a military coup led by the country’s army. Meanwhile, Arizona grieved as 19 firefighters lost their lives combatting the deadly Yarnell Hill fire, and two passengers died in a Saturday plane crash at San Francisco’s Airport. Finally, the world’s eyes are still on Edward Snowden as a handful of countries have come forward and strongly suggested offering him asylum, which would allow him to escape U.S. authorities and extradition.
Welcome back to NEWSFLASH, bringing you some of the top news stories of the week!
Egyptian Army Deposes President Morsi, Elbaradei Appointment Put On Hold
After being given a 48-hour warning, Egypt’s elected President Mohamed Morsi was deposed by the Egyptian army on Thursday amidst clashes between the army and Morsi’s own supporters. Morsi, Egypt’s first freely elected president, defied the army’s demands for radical reforms and was hence removed from office in a military coup.
Morsi’s deposition was greeted by cheers in Tahrir Square, the center of the recent anti-Morsi demonstrations. The ex-President and several of his senior Muslim Brotherhood officials were quickly held in detention as Mohamed Elbaradei, the leader of an alliance between liberal and left-wing parties, was nominated to take over the presidency.
The plan was quickly put to a halt, however, as pro-Morsi supporters and the Egyptian army clashed violently in the streets. The violence claimed 30 lives and wounded more than 1,000 people as the army attacked demonstrators.
Elbaradei’s appointment as President is currently at a standstill as the Egyptian army attempts to restore order in a country that emerged as a democratic nation following the Arab Spring revolutions.
19 Firefighters Perish In Arizona Wildfire
The Yarnell Hill Fire, a huge wildfire that erupted 85 miles northwest of Phoenix, claimed 19 lives on Tuesday as a group of elite firefighters were fatally caught in the blaze.
The “hotshot” crew of 19 firefighters had been sent to battle the wildfire after authorities evacuated Yarnell on Sunday. High winds and temperatures above 100 degrees had whipped the wildfire into a monstrous blaze so that scorched more than 2,000 acres by Monday.
A few of the firefighters were found in their own fire shelters, tent-like structures typically used as last resort protection from flames and heat. An examination of their bodies showed that the firefighters had died from fire-related injuries, including burns, oxygen deprivation, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
As of Friday, the fire is 80% contained, but has destroyed more than 100 homes.
Edward Snowden Close to Receiving Asylum Offers From Several Countries
After days in a Moscow airport fighting against extradition to the U.S., NSA document leaker Edward Snowden may potentially receive asylum from several countries.
Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Bolivia have hinted at their willingness to shield Snowden from U.S. officials. Snowden had originally filed for asylum in 21 countries, the vast majority of which rejected his application.
The complexity of the Snowden case has not only led to Snowden’s containment in the Moscow airport, but it has also initiated diplomatic tensions between countries, most recently between several European countries and Bolivia. The nations refused to allow Bolivian President Evo Morales’ jet across their airspace for fear that Snowden was on board.
While no country has officially confirmed asylum for Snowden, it does seem as though the ex-NSA contractor is ever closer to escaping U.S. authorities, provided that he can somehow arrive safely at whichever destination offers him asylum.
Snowden is currently wanted on three felony charges springing from his mass revelation of classified documents that exposed the government’s surveillance plans, particularly those from the PRISM program. Snowden then fled to Hong Kong from Hawaii, where he remained for weeks as U.S. government authorities fought for his extradition, which Hong Kong ultimately refused to grant.
Plane Crash Lands at San Francisco Airport
An Asiana Airlines flight carrying more than 300 passengers crash landed at San Francisco’s international airport on Saturday, killing at least two people and sending several more to hospitals with serious injuries.
The flight was arriving from Seoul, South Korea as the plane’s landing went terribly wrong. Early footage of the plane crash suggests that the plane accidentally hit the seawall at the airport, damaging the plane’s tail fin and sending it crashing to the ground.
Most of the passengers escaped unharmed, but two Chinese citizens have died and many were taken to hospitals, with the most serious going to San Francisco General Hospital.
An investigation of the crash is still underway.