He is a good looking fellow, isn't he?

President Obama's nominee to the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico has been approved by the US Senate.

Senator Grassley was the first yes vote today.

On November 14, 2012, President Barack Obama nominated Gonzales to serve as a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, to the seat vacated by Judge Bruce D. Black who took senior status on October 1, 2012. On January 2, 2013, his nomination was returned to the President, due to the adjournment sine die of the Senate.

On January 3, 2013, he was renominated to the same office. His nomination was reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 11, 2013, by voice vote. On June 17, 2013, the Senate confirmed his nomination by a vote of 89 ayes to 0 nays. He is currently awaiting his commission.

I saw Senator Johnson show up in his power wheel chair. But, I didn't know who the Senator with the quad cane was. It looked as though Senator Warren receives a warm welcome by her peers.

Majority Leader Reed is cancelling all other work tomorrow to begin work on amendments regarding adoption of children, visa tracking and border fence.

Senator Grassley states there were questions submitted to Secretary Napolitano that he has not received answer for. The following are nine questions he mentioned on the Senate floor to be answered before debate begins on amendments.

1 Customs and board security released a report stating apprehensions are up. is the border more secure?

2  The bill calls for entry and exit at airports and seaports, what about land ports.

3  Strategy for fence deployment. Does Secretary Napolitano believe her study will call for more fencing when border security is very basic to legalization.

4. In considering the security of the northern border; is it different than southern border. She should provide proof of people that have crossed the northern border illegally excluding Canadians

5. There is a proposal of an increase of 3500 border agents - What is the division of labor in customs vs border patrol and what method is used to decide?

6. The bill provides for funding for only the Tuscon sector of border region. Why only this sector funding? Is there others needed? Please provide details.

7. Provision 1105 relates only to Arizona - other states need this please - yes or no?

8. Currently there is lack of cellular service for people crossing the border to work and then return to their homes at night. There is a grant program for cell phones to increase their safety. When will the program become unnecessary?

9. Section 1111 on the use of force in relation to border security. Would Secretary Napolitano elaborate?

Thank you. Three whistleblowers bring valuable dialogue to this issue.

The methods currently being employed are unconstitutional and there are better constitutional methods according to Mr. William Binney. 

But, why then if there is a better and constitutional manner would this be ignored?

Oh,..."There seemed to be more of a desire to CONTRACT OUT and create a money flow, than there was to actually carry out the mission..." That is according to Mr. Wiebe.

Finally, those most responsible have come forward to speak THE TRUTH one more time. This entire dynamic is a money and whom is receiving it. It has little to do with USA national security. It was about profits.

Thank you. Finally, what I suspected and wrote about here is now KNOWN. 

The money flow out is for payoffs. 

McDonald's employees need a union willing to put them first.

Natalie Gunshannon, of Dallas Township, Pa., is suing saying the McDonald's where she worked paid her through a debit card that was loaded with fees. (Natalie Gunshannon)

These Super-corporations are always up to mischief. A penny here, a debit card there. 

I am not patronizing McDonalds anymore. Not that their menu is irresistible, but, give me a break. They can't print paychecks and give Americans their freedom from corporate greed. 

Breaking the law now. I am sorry but McDonald's is about as disgusting about power over their employees to benefit Wall Street is as bad as it gets. Ronald McDonald ain't "the man" no more. 

By Susanna Kim
June 17, 2013

A former McDonald's worker in Pennsylvania (click here) is suing a franchiser owner saying she was required to receive her wages through a debit card that charged fees, resulting in some hourly employees receiving less than minimum wage.

Natalie Gunshannon, a single mother, 27, said she and other workers were paid through a JPMorgan Chase Payroll Card, which has a $1.50 fee for ATM withdrawals, a $10 inactivity fee after 90 days, and a 75 cent online payment fee per transaction and other fees. 

Gunshannon, who filed a lawsuit in the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas, is hoping to have her case certified as a class action on behalf of the other employees who were paid with the Payroll card. 

"It's a violation of the law," said Gunshannon's attorney, Michael Cefalo. "They're entitled to a choice to be paid in cash or check. Fees connected to this debit card which employees have to pay to get their wages which is unfair."...

The initial meeting between President Obama and President Putin is more than promising.

What always impresses me between these two global leaders is the brevity they bring to their meeting. There are always agreements to sign and understandings to solidify.

I believe that is what is occurring in regard to Syria. Time will tell, but, if the brevity of purpose between these two men are reflected in their demeanor and words during their joint press conference, the Syrian civil war will resolve. People will live. There will be safety for all ethnicities. And the Syria children will stop carrying guns and instead carry books.

A few irregular understandings.

Libya - There is still a lot of unfinished business in Libya. Hopefully, some common ground will result among all the fractured people and the country will come together.

He is accused of ‘crimes committed against Libyan people during revolution’ (click here)
AFP
Published: 19:41 June 17, 2013
Tripoli: Saif Al Islam, the son of slain Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, and other former top regime officials will stand trial in August for crimes committed during the 2011 uprising, an aide to the prosecutor said on Monday....

Snowden and Cheney calling him dangerous.

That is basically nonsense. Mr. Snowden is disarmed at this point. I would think the USA has closed all the access he once had. Additionally, his public announcements told all the global powers something is amiss with the USA national security. Quite possibly the global web, especially considering the intent of the USA for cyber attacks. So, while every other country in the world is more than miffed with the USA, they are also not stupid. The day the breach was known other nations immediately secured their own sensitive information and prepared to defend from a 'gypsy' launch of anything from the USA. So, Mr. Snowden is not dangerous except for whatever political bounce he can provide for the GOP.

Iran

The new President has made reference to an open wound with the USA. One has to refer to a couple of facts. To begin, Iran has a history with the USA of being duped into building a nuclear reactor. The USA actually believed the deception would go on forever. ???? Right. 

Additionally, Iran has a disruptive history with the USA when they took hostages at the beginning of the Iranian Revolution.

I believe the new President sees the world very differently. He sees the relationship with The West as a series of events that has alienated any foreign policy between nations.

The USA and The West has sincerely not come to terms with Arabia and the difference between ethnicities. Primarily, the Shi'ites have been victimized over millennia by Sunnis. One is not better than the other, they are different. The link to Mohammad is different. It divides them. The Sunnies have been very powerful. The Iranian Revolution was the establishment of the first autonomous Shi'ite nation. It is that basis the USA has to approach any policy. It should be obvious the Shah or any facsimile is not coming back. I should go into the relationships between Iran and extremist groups, but, perhaps another time.

The greatest strength the new Iranian President has is diplomacy to bring about a reality The West can appreciate. I believe the new President has the ability to communicate with other nations to bring about an understanding of Iran post Shah, it's people and it's affiliations. It is only then can the divide of misunderstanding be closed and realistic outcomes to any aggression on either side to be diffused. 

In that is a real opportunity for Iran to be recognized as a legitimate government of the Shi'ite people along with Israel's legitimacy as the nation of Hebrews. 

The violence in the Middle East, I believe, is more a symptom than a desire by any nation. 
 

Has anyone checked China's Carlyle Headquarters (click here) for Snowden's employment there? 

2 Pacific Place 88 Queensway

Hong Kong

China

Phone: +852 2878 7000

Fax: +852 2878 7000

He was fired from Booz Allen. That doesn't mean he isn't still working for Carlyle. 

Some of the political mind speak about this is really unsophisticated. There are all kinds of Private Equity in Hong Kong. Why wouldn't Snowden have taken what he knew from Carlyle and gone to work for someone else? The Chinese government would not necessarily be interested in what he knows, but, Wall Street would. 

Being a whistleblower does not require prosecution. It usually means the opposite. 

Traitor? I don't think Snowden is the traitor, but, those that facilitated his access and exposure certainly are.

...When you are standing in front of (click here) a building housing a bulge bracket investment bank, such as Merrill Lynch or Morgan Stanley or Goldman Sachs, or a financial powerhouse, such as Citibank or JP Morgan or UBS or Deutsche Bank, you know very clearly whose headquarters you are loitering in front of, which a double skinny latte in your hand. Regardless of whether you happen to be in New York or London or Frankfurt of Tokyo or Hong Kong, these firms are very keen to let you know, in no uncertain terms, “Here we are!”...

Are there sophisticated computers and global internet in Hong Kong. Of course there are.  No different than Kuala Lumpur in Indonesia. All this fuss about finding Mr. Snowden and bringing him to justice seems rather silly. The American people need to focus on how it was allowed to happen in the first place. Focusing on Mr. Snowden as the problem will only allow it to happen again. Do citizens of the USA really want this to happen again?

Is it a crime to simply be honest?

Voters need to keep in mind the federal authority could ultimately make voting more difficult if extremists are placed in office. Justice Scalia has upheld the integrity of the American people. He simply stated there are good laws already in existence that require a voter to be honest when he or she registers. The penalty for lying is perjury. That is not enough? People have to prove their innocence before the charges are pressed? 

The Arizona challenge to the federal laws ASSUMES people chronically lie and therefore it is necessary to weed out the liars before they commit perjury. It is nonsense. Integrity is important. This entire disclosure thing is really out of hand. Name, rank and serial number before being given voting rights. Funny, I thought being born in the USA was enough.

The burden of proof when litigating crime falls to the state. Citizens in the USA are innocent until proven guilty. Stating a voter is a citizen is all that is required. It is up to the state to prove they are committing perjury. The state does not have the right to assume a person is guilty of perjury before they vote. 

A crime occurs after the fact. There are checks and balances for fraud through the court system. 

Richard Wolfe
USA Today
June 17, 2013

...The ruling, (click here) which could impact other states as well, is at least a temporary victory for liberals who want to expand access to the polls and a defeat for conservatives concerned about potential election fraud.

In a 7-2 decision written by Justice Antonin Scalia, the court said Arizona's proof of citizenship requirement -- passed by voters in 2004 -- went too far beyond the 1993 federal "motor voter" law that was designed to simplify voter registration procedures.

The federal law requires registrants to claim U.S. citizenship on a mail-in post card, under penalty of perjury. The Arizona law requires separate physical proof of citizenship. The justices' decision upholds congressional authority over federal elections and could make it harder for states to impose additional restrictions.

But Scalia said Arizona could try a different approach to challenge the federal law's pre-emption, thereby holding out the possibility that the state could resurrect its proof-of-citizenship requirement....

Congratulations. Who knew the majority of people would find someone in common with the Supreme Leader.

The Supreme Leader of Iran has instilled confidence in the people to join together to find a new President. Very nice.

Cleric Rouhani garned three times as many votes as his closest rival. That is amazing. I wish him well.

I look forward to his cohesive leadership of the people of Iran. I am sure his election is a great comfort to the Supreme Leader. 

Rouhani won Iran's Friday's presidential election with more than 18 million of the votes [Reuters]

June 17, 2013
The Iranian government (click here) will fix the economy and reconstruct relations with the world, Hassan Rouhani, Iran's new president, has said in his first press conference since winning elections over the weekend.

Addressing the media in Tehran on Monday, he said his government will not forget their election promises.

"We need to be honest, have clean hearts... and should learn from the mistakes from the past in order to save the country," he said.
Rouhani won Iran's Friday's presidential election with more than 18 million of the votes.

The country's Interior minister, Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar, said 72 percent of the 50 million eligible Iranians had turned out to vote, and that Rouhani had secured just over the 50 percent of the vote needed to avoid a run-off.
His closest rival, Tehran mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, garnered six million votes....

Ice is ice. When the temperatures rise in the ocean it will eventually melt ice everywhere.

By Douglas Main
LiveScience
Thu, Jun 13 2013 at 2:30 PM 

Scientists have gained insight into the cause of the global sea level rise with the discovery that warm ocean water is primarily melting the ice shelves.

When iceberg chunks break off (click here) of floating ice shelves, it can serve as dramatic proof of melting — and this traditionally has been considered the main way that these expanses of Antarctic ice become smaller. But new research reveals a disconcerting finding that is invisible to the naked eye: These ice shelves primarily melt from below.

Knowing what is driving ice-shelf melt is important because when ice shelves lose mass, they speed up the flow of land-bound glaciers that feed them, moving ice from the continent to the ocean, and contributing to global sea level rise.

The study, published today (June 13) in the journal Science, found that on average, Antarctica's ice shelves are thinning by about 1.6 feet (50 centimeters) per year. But some of them are thinning much more quickly, by as much as 328 feet (100 meters) annually, said Eric Rignot, a study co-author and researcher at the University of California, Irvine....

Below is the Arctic Ocean (north pole). It is happening. Cold air and water in exchange for ice. Not all anymore. No cold water and air and ice. Now, it is cold water and air at the cost of major ice formations.

Major climate shifts. Yep. It is happening. There is no doubt at all. 

 

"Morning Papers" - It's Origins (click here)

The Rooster

"Okeydoke"

"Good Night, Moon"

First Quarter

54% Full

We see things differently in the USA these days. We don't take war lightly anymore. Many, many of us think there is a better way.

My sincerest sympathies to the Stokely family. 

by NPR Staff

June 15, 2013 7:56 AM

"While he was in Iraq, at night I couldn't sleep," (click here) Robert Stokely says of his son, Michael.

Sgt. Michael Stokely served in the Georgia Army National Guard. He was deployed to Iraq in 2005.

"I used to look at the moon a lot," Robert says, "and I told Mike, 'When you see the moon, know that eight hours later I'll see it too, and I'll think about you.' "

On Aug. 8, 2005, Michael called his father, and Robert asked if he would still be coming home in two weeks. "I can't take this anymore," he said.
"[Michael] said, 'I love you, and I'll see you soon.' And those were the last words I heard from him," Robert says.

Michael Stokely, 23, was killed by an improvised explosive device eight days after their conversation. He died on the side of the road....

We don't belong in Syria.

We never did.

Something the USA doesn't pay much attention to. "The World Cup." Think on that awhile.

Agence France-Presse
June 16, 2013 20:00

Egypt, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Algeria Sunday (click here) became the first countries to reach the play-offs in the Africa zone of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

A spectacular own goal by Bernard Parker gifted lowest Group A seeds Ethiopia a 2-1 triumph over 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa in Addis Ababa and an unassailable five-point lead with one round left.

Mohamed Salah followed up a hat-trick against Zimbabwe last weekend by scoring the goal that earned Egypt a 1-0 win over Mozambique in Maputo and created a five-point Group G gap over Guinea....

It would seem as though the French are more confident about the outcomes in Mali.

Published: June 14, 2013 at 10:06 AM
PARIS

June 14, 2013 - UPI - Two French soldiers (click here) were wounded this week in clashes with Islamic militants in Mali, France's defense minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said Friday.

Le Drian did not say where the clashes occurred in the West African country.

"There are still some incidents [in Mali], since this week there were two wounded among the French special forces," he told Radio France Internationale.

Le Drian said most of Mali has been pacified but "we have to be extremely vigilant about sporadic elements."

There are about 3,500 French troops in Mali. The number is to be reduced to 2,000 by the end of the summer and 1,000 by the end of the year, Le Drian said.

Al Qaeda is not in the heart of every person in Africa, north or south. I think the French are doing fine. This isn't the first time France has been involved in Africa. It is sort of their regular territory. They keep an eye on things and intervene if it gets out of control. I don't think there is so much instability there needs to be a huge movement of military into the region. That type of activity in these small nations only raises fears and drives people to al Qaeda rather than the other way around.

These nations are not big huge militarized nations like the USA. I think the more control the nations of Africa have over their affairs the better the outcome for the world, actually. I fully endorse the current USA effort to stabilize the nations of Africa by allowing them to find their way to peaceful existence within their continent.

Latest update: 05/06/2013
By France 24

Malian soldiers (click here) have launched a deadly assault on armed Tuareg rebels near their northern stronghold of Kidal, in the first clashes between the two since a French-led offensive to drive al Qaeda-linked groups from northern Mali.

Malian troops seized a village after heavy fighting with Tuareg separatists on Wednesday and are advancing towards the town of Kidal, the last rebel stronghold, the army said.

“Our troops have taken Anefis this morning after intense fighting,” army spokesman Colonel Souleymane Maiga said.

Moussa Ag Acharatoumane, Paris-based spokesman for rebel group MNLA (National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad), said in a statement that MNLA forces were fighting Malian soldiers in Anefis, but did not provide further details.

An army source quoted by AFP said that ten Tuareg rebels and two Malian soldiers were killed in the fighting.

Another army officer said rebel fighters had abandoned their vehicles and fled Anefis, heading towards Kidal....

Ethnic cleansing

...His government has accused MNLA guards of ethnic cleansing in the region.
“The government must protect the citizens of Kidal – just a few days ago nearly 200 people were arrested by the MNLA just because they are black,” he said.

The sudden drive to reclaim the rebels’ last bastion comes as the government prepares for national elections, hoped to be held next month....

 No negotiating

 ...France said it supported the Malian government’s efforts to reestablish its presence in the whole of Mali.

“There can only be and should only be one army in Mali and it must be able to be deployed in every part of the country,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

“That is why we call on all armed groups to lay down their weapons and pursue peace talks with Malian authorities,” it said.

The MNLA was not targeted by the French offensive and has since been able to retake some areas, including Kidal. But this has strained relations between France and the transitional government in the southern capital, Bamako....

Why is it Republicans only concern themselves with North Africa? To much trouble for the amount of oil every place else? Angola? Right. 

Nigeria is just a mess with oil in every corner of the country. Literally. And well we know about the Sudan and what greed did for that nation.That entire region of the world was so beautiful once. Ethiopia was a Garden of Eden.

And they call it progress.

 


Is there any wonder why the people of these nations believe The West to be evil?

I would really like to see the nations of Africa sort of settle in and find some footing in their democratic processes before The West goes and disrupts everything again. Don't you think? 

I would think the USA's State Department would be especially concerned about any tensions between Israel and other nations. People have a right to return to their homeland after all.

June 13, 2013

Israel has said (click here) it wouldn't disclose the name of the third country mediating the return of Sudanese refugees and migrants, but Khartoum appears to be in the know, according to news reports.

Sudanese authorities have been interrogating citizens who spent time in Israel and have returned to their country secretly via Jordan, Sudanese news organization Alrakoba has reported.

Israel and Sudan do not have diplomatic relations, meaning that Israel cannot return citizens directly to Sudan, which has vowed to punish citizens who have set foot on Israeli soil. Sudanese passports even state that the bearer is entitled to enter all countries except for Israel. 

Israel earlier this year admitted that it has repatriated about some 2,100 migrants to Sudan via a third country but refused to disclose the name of that country. The repatriation was done secretly, over the last few months, without the knowledge of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees....

The Democrats on the other hand aren't really worried about national interests.

Some Democrats believe it is obvious. But, they do fret about strategy. You see, the Democrats almost had Bush where they wanted him with the Iraq Study Group. But, Georgie slipped away when he and Condi came up with "The Surge."

I thought the strategy was fairly obvious. The Prez would check in with European allies regarding North Africa and otherwise. Talk with President Putin. Seek peace protocols to set up a government sharing process, whereby a constitution will be drafted. And while all that was transpiring, elections would be formulated to elect the Shared Power Structure and the rebels would receive enough arms to sustain them from annihilation.

Countries like Jordan would receive humanitarian assistance and possibly a No Fly Zone to protect them from any instability and feed the refugees as well as medical care. Vaccinations and all that stuff.

Once there was a more stable military presence for the rebels I would expect the refugees might return as soon as they could to their homes to rebuild and resume their lives.

Now, that definitely sounds like a strategy every nation could live with and provide confidence to the nations of the Middle East.

I think Egypt removed ties with Syria because they don't want to be dragged into it in any way. Egypt's Morsi can't seem to garner approval from any corner of Egypt these days. I am confident he moved away from diplomacy to make room for the USA and Russia and to avoid being seen as a hostile partner to either of those nations. I think Morsi is correct.

16 June 2013 Last updated at 10:46 ET
 

Syria has condemned Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi (click here) for cutting off diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Mr Morsi had joined a "choir of conspiracy and incitement led by America", an "official source" told the state-run Sana news agency.

Mr Morsi also demanded that the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah withdraw from the fighting in Syria.

Some Sunni Muslim clerics have urged support for rebels in Syria.
Addressing a rally in support of the Syrian opposition on Saturday, Mr Morsi said that Syria's embassy in Cairo would be shut and Egypt's representative withdrawn from Damascus. 

He also called on the international community to impose a no-fly zone over the country.

Syria said the move was "irresponsible" and was part of an attempt to "implement a Muslim Brotherhood agenda" designed to deflect attention from Egypt's internal problems.

Sunni clerics from several Arab countries issued a statement after a meeting in Cairo on Thursday calling for "jihad to help our brothers in Syria by sending them money and arms"....

Republicans today wanted to know, with skepticism, what the national intereest of the USA was in Syria.

True. They don't believe the President has laid out the reasons why the USA would have an interest in Syria. They think he is being frivolous with national interests.

But, in the same breath each Republican stated, "He has pointed to the release of Sarin as a Red Line causing 150 deaths. But, what about the other 97,000 dead?"

If the USA has no national interests in Syria, then what are they complaining about? Deaths mean nothing if the USA national interests aren't involved evidently.

13 June 2013 Last updated at 17:47 ET 
 

At least 93,000 people (click here for video) have been killed in Syria since the start of the conflict, according to the latest United Nations figures. 

But it says these statistics are an underestimate as it believes many deaths have not been reported.

Paul Wood reports.

"...more of the regime's troops have been killed than civilians or even rebels."

Hm. 

The civil war in Syria began on March 15, 2011. It has been over 2 years this struggle has continued. During that time the rebels have made incredible sacrifices, but, they have made incredible progress. Many refugees have been accommodated by USA allies in the region. We are all grateful for the loyalty other nations in the region have shown toward those displaced because of violence.

But, let's put this into context outside of the war theater. The First World would expect deaths within any civil war. Let's just say there are 100,000 dead in those 2 years. That would mean 50,000 dead per year. 

The First World country of the USA now experiences 30,000 dead per year by gun violence and that is without a civil war.

50,000 dead in Syria is about 0.25% of the country's population. 30,000 dead in the USA is 0.001% of the USA population. I suppose both are acceptable statistics all considering.

But, the point was "What is the USA interests in helping Syria?" It is a loaded question. If President Obama aims high he might even be trapped into invading. 


But, my answer is simply, "Ask Jordan."

Richard Cheney stated today, "The IRS is the worst abuse of power ever in American history."

He stated he worked closely with the IRS in the past and experienced nothing but professionalism. There is no way, in his mind, any employees could have come up with this plot. It had to come from the administration, from the White House.

He believes Susan Rice is part of the Benghazi cover up. That working at the NSA was the only job she was qualified for because both she and President Obama have no credibility.

He states North Africa is in shambles and the USA will be attacked again. He said the next time it will be worse and with nuclear capacity. 

He believes the NSA was doing a great job and if these programs were in place before 9-11 it would never have happened.

Hm.

He stated Snowden is a traitor. I would have asked him if he knew of any more.

He stated Snowden was entrusted with national security and he disregarded it, that is the definition of a traitor.

Mr. Cheney believes Snowden was an agent for China. He thinks they will work Snowden over before they turn him over to authorities in the USA.

Hm. Just don't trust China, huh, Dick? I don't know. I think the Chinese learned a great deal about USA computers a long time ago.


Sunday, 10 June, 2001, 00:04 GMT 01:04 UK

A Russian company (click here) has won the contract to fly out the US spy plane stranded on a Chinese military base. 

The company, Polyot, told Russian news agencies an Antonov 124-100 cargo plane will airlift the dismantled US EP-3 spy plane which has been grounded in the southern Chinese island of Hainan since April.

Leonid Shirobokov, a spokesman for Polyot, told the Interfax and Itar-Tass news agencies that his company was making preparations for the flight but did not specify a date....

I have one question. Only one. Does Mr. Cheney believe national security in the hands of the under qualified and opportunistically employed by private equity is good use of our government's authority?

There is no way to commit to any war anywhere with the Congress as divided as it is now.

The Libyan militias are seeking to remove The West from the nation. There were attacks on the Italian embassy in Tripoli this week and for the most part, most nations are leaving the capital.

It is unrealistic for anyone to believe Libya will be an ally to The West. It just won't happen. There is still a great deal of hate in Libya. We saved a people from annihilation at the hand of a desperate man. Now, the Libyan people have to save themselves.

A war in North Africa would be huge a mistake. Huge.

TRIPOLI, Libya -- A spokesman for a Libyan national army brigade (click here) says the head of his unit has been killed and three soldiers wounded in an ambush en route to a southern city.

Brigade spokesman Ali el-Abed says his unit had been delivering army vehicles from Tripoli to the southern city of Sabha when they came under attack by unidentified gunmen around 100 kilometers (62 miles) from their destination.

A military official in Sabha, where the unit is based, says three assailants were also killed in the fighting Friday. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media. 

Abed says wounded from both sides have been transferred to hospitals in the capital Tripoli. The ambush occurred in the town of Kira, once a Moammar Gadhafi stronghold.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/14/3451241/grenade-hurled-at-libyan-tv-station.html#storylink=cpy