News – Generic News
I don’t know what to highlight. It’s all annoying for the most part. So I’ll just present it as I made it initially.
Iraq
US troops launched a barrage of mortar and tank fire at targets in Saddam Hussein’s home town of Tikrit yesterday, in a new and more aggressive shift in military strategy.
Troops from the US 4th infantry division early yesterday fired at buildings thought to have been used by insurgents. There were 38 coordinated attacks, including one in which troops used a 500lb satellite-guided bomb to hit a suspected guerrilla hideout.
Later, the troops paraded through the streets in Abrams tanks in a rare show of force.
You decide what you think of this. You already know what I think.
Israel/Palestine
Two Israelis are killed by a Palestinian gunman. An Israeli lockdown of the area prevents children from going to school. A purported 200 of the youths respond by throwing stones at the Israelis. And a raid in Rafah leads to a gun battle with militants. 7 wounded, 3 houses destroyed.
More and more Palestinians are going online. Considering the physical difficulties of keeping in touch at times, this is hardly surprising.
The EU speaks up, condemning the fence and urging Israel to avoid the civilian casualties and extra-judicial killings. And, despite what Sharon says, they also noted Israel’s right to exist. I think the persecution complex doesn’t fit Sharon and Israel, it’s a mutual broawl situation between them and Palestine. Israel is the larger, stronger of the two.
Afghanistan
Mullah Mohammed Omar remains uncaught after two years of US presence in Afghanistan. Some also claim he remains quite firmly in control of Taliban operations in Afghanistan.
After more deaths among their staff, the UN is pulling 30 staff out of east and south Afghanistan temporarily.
Korea
Rummy, in S. Korea, likened Iraq’s situation to Korea’s. So we’re going to be there for fifty years? I’m sure that’s not what he meant, but still. Lets stop playing with analogies and show the results already.
Turkey
Their officials have said they have a link between the attacks on two synagogues in Istanbul and Afghanistan, suggesting alQueda/Bin Laden involvement.
A musing of the Istanbul attacks and their significance in the wide scheme. In a way, true enough and worth consideration.
UK
Bush and Blair vs. 10k of angry protestors? Place your bets, people.
US
The energy bill makes it through the senate. Now for the House.
The British detainee held by the US in Guantanimo has a souvenir of his two years there. New depression. That’s a slap tot eh claim of detainee wellbeing in the prison camp. The camp will be a topic of conversation between Bush and Blair, though I doubt anything will change about it.
The flu season is getting started early. So should those who get the shot. Especially in Texas and Colorado, both the more prominently hit.
John Allan Muhammad has been found guilty. The only question now is if he will live his life behind bars or die. And does the jury’s acceptance of Muhammad’s control over Malvo mean that the boy could walk?
Slate reads Howard Dean’s new book so you don’t have to!
General
More info on RFID tags. Did you know they’re easy to foil?
Today’s Papers has an analogy on the mutual fund scandal, US reassessment of illicit weapon assumptions, a dose of info on the Medicare bill and more.
Amusements
Create a snowman
Kerri’s Big Invention
I didnt’ see that in the bible
Mixing of hobbies
What White Castle drive thru is all about