South Korea reported on Saturday that North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles off its eastern coast. The launches are a violation of U.N. resolutions and come on Fourth of July in the United States, perhaps serving as a message.

I thought I would share my blog post on Independence Day:

http://mattwion.blogspot.com/2009/07/independence-day.html

It is a little reflection on our our founding fathers' battle for freedom continues in our day.

When Sarah Palin appeared at the GOP convention last year she was hailed as the future of the party. Then of course, we heard her give her infamous interviews. We were not impressed. Now it seems matters are even worse for Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin is not only announcing that she will not run for reelection, but that she is resigning as governor!

Pakistani intelligence officials say a suspected U.S. drone (unmanned aircraft) fired missiles on Taliban and al-Qaida hideouts in the South Waziristan tribal region Friday, killing at least 10 people.

A 6.0 earthquake struck Friday morning in the Gulf of California off the western coast of Mexico, the U.S. Geological Survey reports.

Air New Zealand is taking a previously unheard of step in their advertising and in-flight safety videos. Their workers are appearing completely naked, with body paint passing for uniforms and strategically placed seat belts and flight props, such as beverage carts and luggage, as well as discreetly modest camera angles, taking care of the rest. Air New Zealand's naked commercials represent their practice of having no hidden fees.

About 4,000 U.S. Marines descended on Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan Thursday, launching the first major operation under U.S. President Barack Obama's new strategy to stabilize the country.

Most people think of California when they think of earthquakes. However, other parts of the U.S. have faults as well, including Delaware, which experienced an earthquake today.

The Constitutional Court of Germany has today suspended the process of ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, calling for a law guaranteeing the rights of the German Parliament. The constitutional judges have confirmed that the Treaty was "compatible with the Basic Law (the German Constitution), but they felt that the parameters were still lacking.

A coastal town of Viareggio in Italy saw one of the biggest train derailment in its history last night. A freight train derailed and the carriages exploded. Russian state TV says the train was passing at 90 KM/H, which is a speed two times higher than the regulations allow for these trains passing through stations.

Officials say one survivor, a child, has been rescued. The bodies of three other people were also recovered. Yemenia Airways crashed in the Indian Ocean early this morning.