NFL Legend Merlin Olsen Dies at age of 69

NFL Star Merlin Olsen died at the age of 69 on Tuesday March 11, 2010. Merlin Olsen was part of the legendary ‘Fearsome Foursome’ in the 1960′s, with the Los Angeles Rams.

USA Today – Death of Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen saddens ‘Fearsome’ mates – Mar 11 11:38 PM. When he received word Thursday morning that close friend and former teammate Merlin Olsen had succumbed to cancer, Rosey Grier cried. He had planned to visit Olsen at a Los Angeles area hospital Wednesday but was told by Olsen’s brother, Phil, that it probably would be better if he waited until Friday.

Olsen died of mesothelioma, a rare cancerous disease often related to asbestos exposure. The symptoms of this disease may not appear until 20 to 50 years after the exposure to asbestos.

Sports Illustrated – Merlin Olsen dead at 69 – Mar 11 9:39 AM. Merlin Olson, a fearsome Hall of Fame defensive end who later became famed for his gentle-giant roles on television, died Wednesday night from cancer. He was 69 years old. Olsen had been fighting mesothelioma since 2009 and had been undergoing chemotherapy.

AP via Yahoo! News – Football star and TV actor Merlin Olsen dies at 69 – Mar 11 2:39 PM. Merlin Olsen, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman and member of the Los Angeles Rams’ “Fearsome Foursome” who followed up football with a successful television career in “Little House on the Prairie,” NFL broadcasts and commercials, has died. He was 69.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran: 9/11 Attacks a Big Lie

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran called the original version of the September 11 attacks one big lie used by the United States as an excuse for the war on terror. The Iranian president has oppugned the official U.S. version of the 9/11 2001 attacks before, but this time he ventured to pronounce it a big lie. Ahmadinejad described the destruction of the twin towers in New York City as a “complicated intelligence scenario and act”.

According to Ahmadinejad, September 11 was a big lie and a pretext for the war on terror and preliminary to invading Afghanistan. He called the attacks a complex intelligence scenario and act. The president of Iran, who often rails against the West and Israel, made his controversial statements during a meeting with Intelligence Ministry staff. They come amid intensifying tensions between the West and Iran over its disputed nuclear ambitions, and indicate that Tehran has no intent whatsoever of toning itself down even with harder sanctions predominating because of its refusal to halt the enrichment of uranium.

He also told Iranian state Television the attacks were “a result of mismanaging and inhumane managing of the world by the U.S,” and that Washington was using Sept. 11 as an excuse to attack others.

Pakistani Taliban Leader believed to be killed

A top Taliban commander in Pakistan linked to al-Qaida is believed to be killed in an military air strike offense. In the latest blow to insurgents who have attacked Pakistani forces and threatened U.S. army in the neighboring country of Afghanistan. Read full story on Yahoo news

Facebook Founder Hacked Journalists and Rivals

The Founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, has been accused of hacking into the email accounts of rivals and journalists. he CEO of the world’s most successful social networking website was accused of at least two breaches of privacy. Mark Zuckerberg hacked into the email accounts of Harvard rivals who accused him of stealing their plans for a social network. He then allegedly tried to sabotage the network.

Unemployment in U.S. at 9.7%

The jobless rate in the U.S. held at 9.7 percent in February and employment declined less than forecast, even as severe winter weather forced some employers to temporarily close. Payrolls dropped 36,000 last month after a revised 26,000 decrease in January, figures from the Labor Department in Washington showed today. Employment fell in construction and increased at temporary-help services. Source: Bloomberg

Somalian Pirates clash with Spanish and French Military

In three separate incidents Somalian pirates have clashed with private security forces, French and Spanish military.

News releases

• Somali pirates, security personnel in 4 shootouts. Swarms of Somali pirates are moving into the waters off East Africa, triggering four shootouts Friday including a skirmish with French military personnel that sunk a pirate skiff, officials said. – AP via Yahoo News
• Hopes raised for hostage couple held by Somali pirates. Relatives of the British couple held hostage by Somali pirates welcomed reports today that they could soon be released. – Independent
• Warship captures 11 suspected Somali pirates. A naval warship captured 11 suspected Somali pirates and destroyed two of their skiffs on Friday in the Indian Ocean, an EU naval mission spokesman said. – Eu Business
• Somali pirates, security personnel in 3 shootouts. Maritime officials say pirates have clashed with private security and military personnel in three separate incidents off the Somali coast in the latest indicator of rising pirate attacks. – AP via Yahoo News

John Patrick Bedell killed after shooting Pentagon police officers

Washington – A 36 years old man opened fire at two Pentagon police officers Tuesday evening. The suspect, John Patrick Bedell, died a few hours later after being admitted to the hospital.

News releases

• Gunman killed after shooting 2 Pentagon police – Associated Press via Yahoo News
• Pentagon Shooting Suspect Dies – Huffingtonpost
• Web posts may show motive in Pentagon shooting – NBC News

Blog Posts
• Gunfight Outside Pentagon – mediasteed.com
• Pentagon Shooting – Man Shoots Down 2 Pentagon Officers – blogurs.com