I'd predict Europe would soon be experiencing regular blackouts as their dependancy grew with regard to solar power.

Looks like the end has finally come. Not good though, but at least its over.

Until the next time it happens, this won't be the last of it, sadly.

http://news.msn.com/world/18-dead-as...t-on-gas-plant

So much for it being a heavily fortified compound :hmm2:

You know Jim, everyone is questioning how the Algerians responded to this incident. I was reading an article on MSN and it looks like the Algerians took a page out of the Russian handbook on how to deal with hostage takers. here's the quote-

"An international outcry mounted over the Algerians' handling of the crisis. Experts noted that this is how they have always dealt with terrorists.
"It's the Russian training for dealing with terrorism," said Matieu Guidere, a longtime expert on al-Qaida and Algeria. "The message is: We will terrorize the terrorists. ... This is clear. The life of hostages is nothing in the balance."

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2...gas-field?lite

Well it was certainly effective in one context if just a bit costly in another.

Once hostage takers are prepared to give up their own lives I reckon the authorities quickly run out of options.

Just noticed this follow up article....apparently it is thought that some of the terrorists have been captured alive.

There are still some hostages unnacounted for:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21110274

Its going to be a while before this is all sorted out. And who knows how forthcoming the Algerians will be once the dust settles.

I think they'll be under immense pressure internationally to bring justice to a swift conclusion.

I think Algeria is also sending a message to anyone inside their country, who harbor thoughts of an Islamic takeover,it is going to be dealt with in a very harsh manner.

The same message they have been sending for a couple of decades then.

Quite possibly.

The body count and number of terrorists captured keep changing but up to now this is the Algerian count:

37 foreigners of 8 nationalities and 1 Algerian dead

29 terrorists killed and 3 captured

5 hostages still missing

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21127646

The body count gets worse everyday. All this carnage, and what has changed. Nothing.

Some things are bound to have been changed
I bet BP will have changed its special bonus payments to people who work in places like this.