BLACKSBURG, Va. – A graduate student from China was decapitated with a kitchen knife in a campus cafe at Virginia Tech by another graduate student who knew her, police said Thursday.

Xin Yang, 22, was killed Wednesday night after arriving at the campus from Beijing on Jan. 8 to begin studying accounting, Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum said.

Her accused attacker, 25-year-old Haiyang Zhu of Ningbo, China, knew the victim but no motive for the slaying has been determined, Flinchum said. School records showed that Haiyang was listed as one of Xin’s emergency contacts.

Haiyang was charged with first-degree murder and was being held without bond at the Montgomery County Jail. His attorney, Stephanie Cox, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Haiyang and Xin had been having coffee in a cafe in the Graduate Life Center, where Xin was living. About seven other people who were in the coffee shop told police that the two hadn’t been arguing before the attack.

Police received two 911 calls shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday, Flinchum said, and were on the scene in a little more than a minute to take Haiyang into custody.

Flinchum said Haiyang was not known to the campus police or to the university team that deals with mentally disturbed students.

University officials said Haiyang arrived on campus last fall and was a Ph.D. student in agricultural and applied economics.

The stabbing was the first killing on campus since a mass killing on campus in 2007, when a student gunman shot 32 people and then took his own life.

“An act of violence like this brings back memories of April 16,” university President Charles Steger said. “I have no doubt that many of us feel especially distraught.”

University spokesman Larry Hincker said a campus alert system put in place after the mass shootings by Seung-Hui Cho in 2007 sent out messages to 30,000 subscribers by e-mail, text messages and telephone voice mails Wednesday night.

Because a suspect was in custody, the messages were sent out as notifications rather than as emergency alerts, he said.

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine offered condolences to the campus.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Xin Yang today — and with the broader Virginia Tech community,” he said in a statement. “The tragic attack on campus this week has no doubt revived terrible memories for countless members of the Hokie family.”

This happened last night!

Seven people watched Zhu decapitate Yang with a kitchen knife in the school cafe! And no one made an attempt to stop this?

More from Roanoke.com

When Virginia Tech authorities arrived Wednesday night at a cafe inside the Graduate Life Center, they found a decapitated female victim who had arrived on campus just two weeks ago and a young man they have now charged with killing her.

Authorities, including Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum, outlined some of the gruesome details of Wednesday night’s murder on campus at a press conference this morning.

They said Xin Yang, a 22-year-old graduate student from Beijing, arrived Jan. 8 to begin her studies in accounting at the Pamplin College of Business. She lived in the graduate life center.

Haiyang Zhu, 25, a graduate student from China, was charged late Wednesday with first-degree murder and is being held without bond. He is a Ph.D. graduate student majoring in agricultural and applied economics. He began his studies at Virginia Tech at the start of the 2008 fall semester. Tech officials said the victim and suspect knew each other and Yang listed Zhu as an emergency contact.

Flinchum said the two were sitting at a table at the Au Bon Pain cafe in the Graduate Life Center when the disturbance began. There were seven witnesses to the events and two called 911 at 7:06 p.m.

When authorities arrived less than two minutes later, they discovered Yang’s dead body, Zhu and a large kitchen knife that they believe is the murder weapon. Zhu did not resist arrest. There is no record of him being called to the attention of Tech or Blacksburg police or the university’s threat assessment or CARE team before Wednesday.

Classes were not canceled today and the graduate life center is open. The windows and glass doors of Au Bon Pain are blocked from the inside and the cafe is closed.

Holy crap!

Hat Tip: The Jawa Report

Drudge Report

At 735 pm, (Chief Justice) Roberts administered the oath of office again to President Obama in the map room.

Robert Gibbs said the White House counsel, Greg Craig, believes the oath was fine Tuesday, but one word was out of sequence so they did this out of a “an abundance of caution.” “We decided it was so much fun…” Obama joked while sitting on a couch.

Obama stood and walked over to make small talk with pool as Roberts donned his black robe. “Are you ready to take the oath?” Roberts asked. “I am, and we’re going to do it very slowly,” Obama replied.

Oath took 25 seconds. After a flawless recitation, Roberts smiled and said, “Congratulations, again.” Obama said, “Thank you, sir.”

(There was a) smattering of applause. “All right.” Obama said. “The bad news for the pool is there’s 12 more balls.”

Now, it’s official.

Breaking News…

Developing…

Ted Kennedy before President Obama’s Oath of Office.

UPDATE 1: Politico.com

Ted Kennedy was taken out of the Statuary Hall luncheon after suffering an apparent seizure — a few minutes after Sen. Robert Byrd was removed in his wheelchair under the supervision of medical personnel.

Byrd was conscious and had been having trouble eating, according to a witness.

Kennedy, who underwent brain cancer surgery last year, was taken to the Rayburn room. A police radio picked up a call for paramedics to help someone stricken with a seizure, according to Politico’s Patrick Kennedy.

Robert Byrd did not collapse, just had trouble eating.

UPDATE 2: ABC News.com

Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., who is battling a brain tumor, was taken away from the congressional luncheon in convulsions.

Kennedy was at a table with Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and others, and was taken out of the room. President Barack Obama went out of the room with him, but he is back in the luncheon room now.

Obama just spoke to the luncheon about Kennedy, appearing extremely sober:

“First of all, I know that while I was out of the room, concern was expressed about Teddy,” Obama said. “He was there when the Voting Rights Act passed. And, along with John Lewis, was a warrior for justice. And so I would be lying to you if I did not say that right now a part of me is with him. And I think that is true for all of us. This is a joyous time, but it’s also a sobering time. And my prayers are with him and his family and Vicki.”

There are also reports that Sen. Byrd, D-W.Va., who is very close to Kennedy, was also taken out of the room. Byrd was conscious when he was taken from the room. The two have been friends for a very, very long time.

An ambulance could be seen driving from the U.S. Capitol.

I hope Ted Kennedy is alright.

UPDATE 3: Hot Air is reporting that Kennedy did have a seizure, and that Byrd became emotional over seeing Kennedy struggle.

UPDATE 4: Fox News is reporting that Senator Kennedy is getting better at the hospital.

UPDATE 5: Politico.com

President Obama comments on Senator Kennedy’s collapse.

Rush Limbaugh talked about this prayer and it is now posted on Drudge Report:

Benediction at Obama ’s inauguration, Rev. Joseph Lowery:

‘Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around… when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen. Say Amen’…

I thought racism was finally conquered today?

UPDATE 1: Hot Air has the video

I would like to add, “Green is mean.”

Ha!

UPDATE 2: Michelle Malkin says that Reverend Lowery’s poem is part of a song. The text of the song is on Malkin’s website.

This keeps getting weirder.

As an admirer of Martin Luther King Jr., as a Conservative, and as an American and Puerto Rican, I am proud of my nation as we celebrate President Barack Obama as America’s 44th President, and our nation’s first Black President.

It is a sea of humanity!

President Bush and Mrs. Bush meet President Obama and Mrs. Obama.

Hat Tip: Hot Air

UPDATE 1: Around the blogs…

ACE OF SPADES HQ is liveblogging the event!

Gateway Pundit asks, ” 8 Years Ago Who Would Have Guessed Iraq Would Be a Democracy Today?”

Ed Morrissey at Hot Air writes: Goodbye, Mr. Bush.

JammieWearingFool has an article stating that Americans hope Barack Obama is like Ronald Reagan.

Michelle Malkin has an “Obamedia Orgy Watch”!

UPDATE 2: Check out Denzel Washington!

He was waiting early this morning for the festivities to start.

Also, check out the scene last night.

Politico.com has extensive coverage of the inauguration.

UPDATE 3: Perez Hilton asks if you like Mrs. Obama’s dress.

A little liveblogging of my own:

“Hail to the Chief” is played for the last time in honor of President Bush.

UPDATE 4: Instapundit has a column stating that Dick Cheney has been the most pro-gay Vice President in U.S. history.

Instapundit also has a column about the hopes and fears for Obama’s presidency.

UPDATE 5: Barack Obama’s inauguration speech will be 18 to 20 minutes long. He worked on it for two days, though it will not be a long speech.

UPDATE 6: Rick Warren is given light applause before praying.

Pastor Warren speaks of Obama’s father and of Dr. King.

Pastor Warren says we are all united by freedom and justice for all.

Pastor Warren asks G-d for forgiveness for all Americans when we fail and sin.

Pastor Warren asks G-d for help in creating prosperity and fostering peace around the world.

Pastor Warren prays the Lord’s prayer.

UPDATE 7: Aretha Franklin sings, “My Country Tis of Thee.”

UPDATE 8: Vice President Joe Biden takes the Oath of Office.

UPDATE 9: President Barack Obama takes the Oath of Office.

President Obama thanks President Bush for his service. The crowd applauds.

Pajamas Media is drunkblogging the event.

Dred Scott was elected America’s 44th President.

UPDATE 10: Hope and Change!

breitbart.tv

Obama flubs the Oath of Office. Must be nerves.

The Speech. I liked it.

UPDATE 11: Dear President Obama from The Tygrrrr Express.

UPDATE 12: Ed Morrissey writes: Good luck, Mr. President.

UPDATE 13: Thumbs up from Sasha!

UPDATE 14: President Bush is headed back to Texas.

Also, the Dow Jones is down 212 points, and oil is up $2.30 to $38.81 and climbing.

Coincidence?

UPDATE 15: Michelle Malkin writes:

11:43am Eastern. Obama is announced: “The president of the United States, Barack H. Obama.”

No Hussein, except for the Oath of Office.

UPDATE 16: The Hand of History.

Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry reports to CNN that a suicide bomber has killed seven civilians near the German Embassy in Kabul

Breaking News…

Developing…

UPDATE 1: Reuters.com

KABUL (Reuters) - A suicide car bomb exploded outside the German embassy and a U.S. base in the Afghan capital, Kabul, Saturday, killing three civilians, witnesses said.

A sewage tanker and several cars were burning at the scene and there were bloodstains on the road as police loaded the bodies onto the back of a pick-up truck and ferried several wounded to nearby hospitals, a Reuters witness said.

The blast was a result of a suicide attack, an Interior Ministry spokesman said, but he could not confirm the number of casualties.

The bomber struck on a road lined with high concrete blast barriers that runs between the German embassy and Camp Eggers, the headquarters of a U.S. unit that trains the Afghan army and police.

Four U.S. military personnel at the base suffered non-life threatening injuries from shattered windows and debris, but the perimeter walls were not penetrated, a spokesman said.

Spokesmen for the German embassy were not immediately available for comment.

Taliban militants, fighting to overthrow the Western-backed Afghan government and drive out foreign troops, have launched hundreds of suicide attacks in the last two years, but most of the victims are Afghan civilians.

While Taliban influence has spread from their traditional heartlands in the south and east to areas closer to the capital, there were fewer attacks inside Kabul last year than in 2007 with many more police checkpoints throughout the city.

President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to make Afghanistan a foreign policy priority after he comes to office Tuesday and is expected to approve the doubling of U.S. troops in the country from the 30,000 at present.

Reinforcements cannot come soon enough.

Israel National News

The so-called “Iranian Unit” of Hamas has been destroyed, according to Gaza sources cited Thursday by the Haaretz daily. The sources said most of the unit’s 100 members were killed in fighting in the Zeytun neighborhood of Gaza City.

The terrorists had been trained in infantry tactics, the use of anti-tank missiles and the detonation of explosives, among other skills, by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard at Hizbullah camps in Lebanon’s Beka’a Valley, as well as sites in Iran.

The IDF Southern Command has reportedly stepped up ground operations in Gaza, in anticipation of a ceasefire declaration in the near future. Senior officers said Thursday that there are probably no more than a few days until the end of the fighting.

Hamas: We Didn’t Expect It.

Two captured terrorists interviewed by Maariv/NRG say that Hamas was not expecting Israel’s response to the escalation in missile attacks on Israeli targets that preceded Operation Cast Lead.

One of them, a 52-year-old victim of a premature detonation who had already done time in an Israeli jail, said:

“Hamas took a gamble. We thought, at worst Israel will come and do something from the air - something superficial. They’ll come in and go out. We never thought that we would reach the point where fear will swallow the heart and the feet will want to flee. You [Israel] are fighting like you fought in ‘48. What got into you all of a sudden?”

The second terrorist, a 21-year-old, said Hamas brought order to Gaza, but also brought fear. He noted that it was dangerous in Gaza for non-Hamas members, citing an instance of his being beaten and another in which he saw a friend killed when he went to get gas. “Now they’re all gone,” he said. “There have been no Hamasniks in the streets since the start of the campaign.”

Wow!

The Israeli Defense Forces are going for the jugular.

They are going to destroy Hamas.

Keep kicking ass, IDF.

Hat Tip: Instapundit

UPDATE 1: Ed Morrissey at Hot Air adds:

This comes as a severe blow to the prestige of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, as well as Hezbollah. If their best can’t stand up for a week against the IDF, then their own enemies will look at their military as much less of a deterrent against action. Since their nuclear program appears close to fruition, this is the wrong time to send that kind of message about Iranian capabilities.

Ha’aretz also reports that Hamas badly miscalculated the effect of their renewed missile attacks on Israel. After watching the Olmert government in action in 2006 against Hezbollah and the political reaction to it, they assumed Israel would just return fire by air and cause “superficial” damage to their organization. Surprise!

Really, what got into Israel was the narrowing options for dealing with Hamas. They’ve tried just about everything, including cease-fires and the aforementioned air strikes, with no success. Invasion and absolute confrontation was about all they had left short of complete surrender. If Hamas leadership had paid attention, they might have realized this.

The Israelis are widely expected to bring the offensive to a halt in the next few days, but I’m not certain they will. They’re starting to do tremendous damage to Hamas both in Gaza and worldwide. They have restored the reputation for their military efforts that got damaged in 2006. The IDF and Israeli government should consider completing the rout of Hamas rather than worry about timetables at this point.

Sweet. Exactly what I said, but with better sentence structure.

Again, the IDF should just go for the jugular against Hamas and set an example if Hezbollah thinks about attacking Israel again.

Drudge Report:

OBAMA SKIPPED BUSH GOODBYE?

At 8 pm, just as pres bush began his farewell speech peotus obama left blair house for the 30 second drive to equinox restaurant on connecticut and I st.

Pool is holding outside… DEVELOPING…

Interesting.

And a bit disappointing.

President Bush has done everything to help Barack Obama with a seamless transition, and Obama cannot even watch the address or attend the event.

UPDATE 1: Pat Dollard

As his predecessor, President Bush, said his final goodbyes to America on national television, President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle dined at the DC restaurant, Equinox Thursday night.

CBS News’ Maria Gavrilovic, who waited outside the restaurant, reports that there is no indication whether or not Mr. Obama was watching President Bush’s farewell remarks.

The President-elect departed the Blair house, located right across the street from the White House podium from which the president spoke, minutes before President Bush commenced.

A host at the restaurant tells CBS News’ that the President-elect stopped by the only television in the high end establishment, a small screen at the bar, and watched for “a minute or two.” The source said he did not notice what Mr. Obama was watching but that “no” it was not for an extended period of time.

No one from Obama’s transition team has responded to CBS News’ inquiries as to whether he was watching the address.

CBS News’ Bill Plante describes Equinox as, “a sophisticated new American food from award-winning chef Todd Grey and a clientele of Washington insiders.”

The first of many EPIC FAILS for Barack Obama.

Here are some excerpts that have been released before the speech:

My Way

WASHINGTON (AP) - Reflecting on two tumultuous terms in the White House, President George W. Bush defended his tenure in a farewell address Thursday, arguing that he followed his conscience and always acted in the best interests of the nation. “You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made, but I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions,” Bush said, according to excerpts of his prime-time speech released in advance by the White House.

Bush called the inauguration of Obama, the first black president, a “moment of hope and pride” for America.

“Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose story reflects the enduring promise of our land,” he said in wishing the best to Obama, incoming first lady Michelle Obama, and their two daughters.

Bush’s presidency began with the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil and ends with the worst economic collapse in three generations.

“Even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the broad horizon ahead,” Bush said with his trademark optimism. “I have confidence in the promise of America because I know the character of our people. This is a nation that inspires immigrants to risk everything for the dream of freedom. This is a nation where citizens show calm in times of danger and compassion in the face of suffering.”

“Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks,” said Bush, whose performance has drawn low public approval ratings for months. “There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I have always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right.”

Bush also prodded the nation to lead the cause of freedom and maintain its “moral clarity” in what he described as a choice between good and evil.

“I have often spoken to you about good and evil,” he added. “This has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two there can be no compromise.”

On national security, he highlighted his administration’s efforts to equip the nation with new tools to monitor terrorists, freeze their finances and foil their plots. But he also acknowledged some of his controversial policies, including the terrorist surveillance program and harsh interrogation of suspected terrorists.

“There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions, but there can be little debate about the results,” said Bush, who also reiterated his belief that spreading human liberty and freedom offers an alternative to extremism. “America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil.”

Reflecting on Sept. 11, Bush warned Americans not to become complacent about the threat from terrorists.

“As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11, but I never did,” Bush said. “Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our nation. And I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe.”

Touting his domestic record, Bush said he has presided over higher standards in public schools, a new Medicare prescription drug benefit, lower income taxes, added help for people suffering from drug addiction, and the appointment of two justices to the Supreme Court.

“We have faced danger and trial, and there is more ahead,” Bush said as he passed off a huge set of challenges to Obama. “But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals, this great nation will never tire, never falter, and never fail.”

Hot Air is liveblogging the event.

UPDATE 1: President Bush after September 11, 2001.

We can still hear you, President Bush.

Right down the middle!

President Bush was strong when the Nation needed him most.

UPDATE 2: Full text of President Bush’s speech on Politico.com.

UPDATE 3: Video of President Bush’s speech.

Thank you, President Bush.

NEW YORK (AP) - A US Airways plane crashed into the frigid Hudson River on Thursday afternoon after striking a bird that disabled two engines, sending 150 on board scrambling onto rescue boats, authorities say. No deaths or serious injuries were immediately reported.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown says the US Airways Flight 1549 had just taken off from LaGuardia Airport enroute to Charlotte, N.C., when the crash occurred in the river near 48th Street in midtown Manhattan.

Brown says the plane, an Airbus 320, appears to have hit one or more birds.

A law enforcement official said that authorities are not aware of any deaths and that the passengers do not appear to be seriously injured. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the rescue was still under way.

The plane was submerged in the icy waters up to the windows. Rescue crews had opened the door and were pulling passengers in yellow life vests from the plane. Several boats surrounded the plane, which appeared to be slowly sinking.

Government officials do not believe the crash is related to terrorism.

“There is no information at this time to indicate that this is a security-related incident,” Homeland Security spokeswoman Laura Keehner said. “We continue to closely monitor the situation which at present is focused on search and rescue.”

Witnesses said the plane’s pilot appeared to guide the plane down.

“I see a commercial airliner coming down, looking like it’s landing right in the water,” said Bob Read, who saw it from his office at the television newsmagazine “Inside Edition.”

“This looked like a controlled descent.”

New York City firefighters and the U.S. Coast Guard are responding to the crash.

“I saw what appeared to be a tail fin of a plane sticking out of the water,” said Erica Schietinger, whose office windows at Chelsea Piers look out over the Hudson. “All the boats have sort of circled the area.”

The plane took off at 3:26pm and crash landed onto the Hudson River at 3:29pm.

All the people on board the plane are safe, but could be suffering from hypothermia.

Breaking News…

Developing…

UPDATE 1: breitbart.tv

Live video from MSNBC.

Developing…

UPDATE 2: breitbart.tv

Eyewitness says that this was a “incredibly controlled landing”.

UPDATE 3: Birds were sucked into the jet engine and brought down the plane.

WRBC

NEW YORK (AP) - A US Airways plane has crashed into the Hudson River next to New York City, sending passengers fleeing for safety in the frigid waters.

A spokesman for US Airways says a flock of birds hit the jet and disabled two engines. The jet was bound for Charlotte, North Carolina when it crashed landed in the Hudson River.

Passengers could be seen standing on the plane’s wings as boats and rescue crews converged on the craft. New York City firefighters are responding to the crash. It’s not clear if there are injuries.

The plane lifted off from LaGuardia Airport at 3:26 p.m. and went into the water just moments later. Witness Barbara Sambriski, a researcher at The Associated Press, said she thought, “Why is it so low?” And then, she says, “splash, it hit the water.”

No terrorism. (But the geese are Canadian, so, who knows.)

UPDATE 4: breitbart.tv

Aviation expert discusses how bird strikes can be “horrific”.

UPDATE 5: breitbart.tv

Ferry boats rush into help the stranded passengers.

UPDATE 6: The men on the plane rescued the women and children first by helping them get on the incoming ferries.

The captain of the plane stood on the wing until all the passengers were on the ferry.

UPDATE 7: More amazing pictures of the passengers standing on the wings of the airplane.

UPDATE 8: breitbart.tv

A passenger describes that they lived through a miracle.

UPDATE 9: Michelle Malkin reports that “everyone prayed”.

G-d heard those prayers.

UPDATE 10: The hero of the day - Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger!

CNN identifies the pilot of Flight 1549 as Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger.

This is providential: Sullenberger heads up an aviation safety firm. He is a United States Air Force veteran.

He walked the plane twice to make sure no passengers were left behind.

Thank you, Captain Sullenberger.

Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin

UPDATE 11: AllahPundit at Hot Air says that the plane was not in the air for a long time (90 seconds?), and that is why the plane is intact.

Also, the plane has been moved next to a pier, and it is still floating in the water!

Again, all passengers and crew are safe.