Death tolls rises to 179 in Italian Earthquake

Rescue workers continue to search for survivors in the rubble caused by an earthquake yesterday that hit the mountainous central region of Italy yesterday. Hardest hit was the medieval town of L’Aquila where even the town’s hospital was demolished, forcing doctors and nurses to treat patients outside in the cold and rain. At least 1,500 are injured and more than 17,000 have been left homeless, Guardian.

Up to 3,000 Tamils participate in ongoing protest at London’s Parliament. many have threatened to jump into the Thames. The protesters are asking Britain to demand the UN Security Council issue a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Sri Lanka, where military forces have fought the Tamil Tiger rebel group for three decades. This may be the final push in the conflict. According to UN figures, 2,800 have been killed and thousands more injured in the increased fighting of the past two months, BBC News.

Michigan State loses to North Carolina in the NCAA basketball tournament, Voice of America.

North Dakota Flood Waters Level Off

Falling short of the predicted maximum height of 43 feet, the Red River in Fargo, North Dakota is believed to have peaked, USA Today.

Suspects arrested in Pakistan mosque bombing. Two men have been arrested in connection with the attack which killed at least 51 people in Jamrud, Pakistan on Friday, CNN.

George Galloway, a member of the British Parliament, has been barred from entering Canada by the Canadian federal government. Galloway is slated to appear in Toronto, Mississagua, Ottawa and Montreal this week for a speaking tour. He has said he will attempt to cross the border and organizers are prepared to broadcast his speeches via telephone if Galloway is denied entry. Canada considers Galloway a terrorist and a supporter of a terrorist organization. Galloway gave $45,000 as well as humanitarian goods to the Hamas government, a Palestinian socio-political group that controls Gaza. Though declared a terrorist organization by Israel, Canada, the European Union and the United States, Hamas won a majority in democraticly held elections in 2006, Globe ad Mail.

Another avalanche takes the life of a snowmobiler. The incident occurred near Golden, British Columbia, Globe and Mail.

Villanova squeaks into the Final Four in college basketball’s NCAA tournament. Villanova defeated Pittsburgh 78-76 Saturday night. Scottie Reynolds scored the final two points for Villanova with five-tenths of a second left in the game, New York Times.