Algerian Special Forces launched a rescue operation Thursday at a natural gas
plant in the Sahara Desert. The Special Forces freed foreign hostages who were
being held by al-Qaida militants. However, estimates for the number of dead
varied from four to dozens. Militants had attacked the natural gas plant on
Wednesday taking dozens of foreign workers hostage. The militants said they
took the hostages because France had sent soldiers to Mali earlier in the week.
Algerian state television said Thursday that four hostages, two Britons and two
Filipinos, had died. But the militants said at least 35 hostages had died during the
rescue attempt. Some foreign governments have criticized the Special Forces
operation but the Algerian government said it had to try to rescue the hostages
because they feared the militants were going to try to escape.


 President Barack Obama has begun to make changes in order to reduce gun
violence in the U.S. One month after a mass shooting in a Connecticut
elementary school in which 20 children were killed, Obama announced changes
that could lead to a ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity
ammunition magazines.  Obama signed 23 executive actions, which do not
require congressional approval. But the president acknowledged the most
important actions must be taken by Congress. The National Rifle Association is
rejecting Obama's proposals. The N-R-A says "only honest law-abiding gun
owners will be affected" by the proposals, adding American children will not be
safer. The U.S. has the highest rate of gun ownership of any country in the world.


After two hours of slowing traffic and blocking the northbound lanes of the QEII
Highway south of Edmonton on Wednesday, Idle No More protesters left the
highway. Members of the Papaschase First Nation set up their blockade near
Gateway Park. Papaschase Chief Calvin Bruneau said things like the blockade are
needed to get the attention of the federal government. Edmonton police, RCMP
and Alberta sheriffs were at the scene handling traffic. They sent northbound
traffic off the highway at the Nisku exit, allowing motorists to travel through
Beaumont or Devon. Early in the blockade, a woman was briefly stopped by
protesters who threw themselves on the hood of her truck as she tried to drive
through. The protest was just one of many across the province, and the country,
as part of Idle No More's "Day of Action."