Plague Killing Off al-Qaeda Terrorists

Plague: Courtesy CDC

40 Al-Qaeda terrorists die in a training camp in Algeria after being infected with plague, also known as the "black death."

The deaths were discovered when security forces found a body beside a road in North Africa.

Plague kills about 50% of infected patients in 4-7 days without treatment, though experts are saying that most of the terrorists do not have the basic medical supplies needed to treat the disease.

al-Qaeda operatives fear the plague has been passed to other terror cells — or Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. one security source cited stated "It spreads quickly and kills within hours. This will be really worrying al-Qaeda."

The al-Qaeda epidemic began in the cave hideouts of AQLIM in Tizi Ouzou province, 150km east of the capital Algiers. The group known as AQLIM (al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb), the largest and most powerful al-Qaeda group outside the Middle East, were forced to turn their camp into a mass grave and fled to Bejaia and Jijel provinces.

A source said: “The emirs (leaders) fear surviving terrorists will surrender to escape a horrible death.”

There are three types of plague: The most common one starts with huge swollen and painful lymph nodes,(AKA “Bubos”) usually in the leg or groin, from a flea bite. Mortality is low if you get diagnosed and treated.

The second type is pneumonic, usually caught from another person who has developed pneumonia as a complication of the plague. This is quickly fatal if not treated.

The third type is “septicemic”, which is usually fatal. This means the lymph node doesn’t slow the plague, and it spread throughout your body, causing “Disseminated intra vascular coagulation” (toxins cause blood to clot, using up all the clotting factor), and as a result you bleed all over: this bruising is one reason it is called the “black” plague.

Aspen Businesses Lose Millions After New Years Eve Celebrations Stopped by Bomber

Aspen bomber Jim Blanning, upset that his home town had gone from a laid-back atmosphere where he was born to a more glamorous and popularized destination for the vacationing elite and wealthy decided to take action by planting four bombs in downtown Aspen.

He sent a letter to newspapers claiming a fifth bomb in a "high-end watering hole," but police only found four bombs, which still caused them to close streets, forcing the closing of Aspens New Years Eve celebrations.

Two of the explosive devices were found at banks and two others on a sled in an alley. Police also said Blanning left notes threatening that Aspen would "pay a horrible price in blood" unless each bank gave him $60,000 in used $100 bills.

The devices consisted of a box in wrapping paper balanced on pizza boxes. Inside were rubber bladders holding 5 gallons of gasoline, a device that appeared to be a cellphone trigger and a mousetrap-type device to stop the explosives from being disarmed.

Though police were uncertain if the devices would have worked, police spokesman Bill Linn said at a news conference, the bomb squad detonated one that "resulted in a pretty big fireball."

Jim Blanning was found dead in his Jeep east of town of an apparent self inflicted gun shot wound.

On Thursday night, the town tried to recapture the magic, and some of the lost dollars, by rescheduling its many parties and shooting off fireworks. However, the police are stating that losses totaled into the millions of dollars.

At the Caribou Club, a swank below-ground restaurant and nightclub a party was planned for 180 guests with a special tasting menu with a price of $750 per plate.

Alex Noronha, manager of the popular bar and restaurant Cantina, said her restaurant and many others will have to refund the hundreds of party tickets they sold -- losing money they were counting on to make up for a lackluster season.

All over town, unused New Year’s Eve decorations still adorned restaurants as managers hoped people would come out for the celebrations they were not able to have the night before, many in Aspen’s service industry are feeling the sting.