7 Top Stories of the week in pictures
Here are the top stories for October 15-21, 2011
Moammar Gadhafi is killed
Celebrations erupted across Libya Thursday, when former leader Moammar Gadhafi was killed following a NATO airstrike. Gadhafi was reportedly trying to flee as rebel fighters overran his last loyal troops in Sirte, Gadhafi’s hometown. Does this vindicate President Obama’s decision to spearhead the air war? Or will he be judged on what happens next?
PHOTO: REUTERS/Esam Al-Fetori
Zanesville, Ohio vs. exotic animals
Citizens of Zanesville, Ohio, witnessed a “hallucinatory scene of slaughter” this week, after an exotic-animal owner opened his cages, then shot himself, leaving police to hunt down 56 wild beasts. Under a “shoot to kill order,” officers killed 18 endangered Bengal tigers, 17 lions, and six black bears. Six animals were captured alive. One — a monkey — was presumed eaten. Police said they put safety first, but did so many animals have to die?
PHOTO: REUTERS/Matt Sullivan
Israel makes a painful prisoner swap with Hamas
After five years in captivity, Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit went home this week. So did 477 Palestinian prisoners, some of whom Israel had been holding for involvement in deadly terrorist attacks. Relatives of bombing victims were appalled. But M.K. Bhadrakumar said at Asia Times that by reestablishing ties with Egypt, which brokered the deal, “Israel has won hands down.”
PHOTO: REUTERS/Ariel Hermoni/IDF
Conflict in the GOP race
With the Republican presidential race looking like a contest between Mitt Romney and Herman Cain, Rick Perry tried to get back in the game, delivering an aggressive jab at Romney over immigration and vowing to replace the tax code with a flat tax. Cain stumbled by suggesting an electrified border fence— not his first blunder. Do their troubles mean Newt Gingrich could become the anti-Romney?
PHOTO: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Occupy Wall Street goes global
American protesters found they weren’t alone — Occupy Wall Street went global, with like-minded demonstrations in 900 cities. Newspapers from Iran to Japan debated whether the movement was an overdue accounting for corrupt banks, or just whining by kids who don’t know what it’s like to work for a living. Meanwhile, the conservative website Big Government said OWS is only getting attention because the liberal press is in cahoots.
PHOTO: REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
Indycar fans lose a hero
Two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon was killed in a 15-car pileup at the IndyCar World Championship in Las Vegas on Sunday. “I’ve never seen such a mess in my entire career,” said IndyCar driver Tony Kanaan. The tragedy served as a reminder that professional racers regularly put their lives on the line, even with improved cars and safety equipment. Is the sport just too dangerous?
PHOTO: REUTERS/Jeff Haynes
Zombies invade American televisions
AMC launched the much anticipated second season of The Walking Dead, about survivors in a zombie apocalypse. The premiere set a new standard, says Hank Steuver in The Washington Post, with just “the right mix of believable terror and goopy gross-out.” Zombie fans also learned that the writers of Zombieland, a 2009 action comedy film, are preparing a TV-series version to debut next year.
PHOTO: Facebook/Zombieland
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