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Dangerous gun battles have interrupted a major religious festival in Iraq this week which draws hundreds of thousands to the holy city of Karbala. The fighting has left over 50 dead with another 200 reportedly wounded. Troops have been called into Karbala to establish order while worshipers have been ordered to leave the city for their own safety. Miltias loyal to the radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, have been accused of causing the violence while Sadr has denied any involvement and asks for calm. Sadr City in Baghdad has also seen increased violence with reports of five dead.President George W. Bush warned Tuesday that retreating from Iraq could embolden Iran to develop atomic weapons and therefore begin a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Just hours before his announcement, Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad (the President of Iran) stated that his country was ready to fill a "power vacuum" that was being created with the growing U.S. influence within the region. President Bush went on to acc

A roadside bomb has killed the governor of the Muthanna province in Iraq on Monday. On the same day a number of men in a group of SUVs kidnapped a senior government minister on a Baghdad street. The attack that killed a governor is the second in less than a week which has been caused by a rise of violence in southern Iraq as Shiite Muslims battle for control of the area. Shiite Muslims are battling for the area, which is rich in oil, as local elections quickly approach. Analysts agree that the violence will only escalate as political factions across the country attempt to gain a place in a newly formed government.It has been announced today that a major database run by the Pentagon that monitors suspicious activity around US military bases will be shut down. Critics of the system, known as TALON, have cited that the database is used against peaceful antiwar protesters. The system is set to shut down on September 17, not because of criticism but instead because of its declining usefulne

A roadside bomb has killed the governor of the Muthanna province in Iraq on Monday. On the same day a number of men in a group of SUVs kidnapped a senior government minister on a Baghdad street. The attack that killed a governor is the second in less than a week which has been caused by a rise of violence in southern Iraq as Shiite Muslims battle for control of the area. Shiite Muslims are battling for the area, which is rich in oil, as local elections quickly approach. Analysts agree that the violence will only escalate as political factions across the country attempt to gain a place in a newly formed government.It has been announced today that a major database run by the Pentagon that monitors suspicious activity around US military bases will be shut down. Critics of the system, known as TALON, have cited that the database is used against peaceful antiwar protesters. The system is set to shut down on September 17, not because of criticism but instead because of its declining usefulne

The death toll from a major earthquake that hit Peru late Wednesday night has reached 450 and continues to grow as emergency workers and volunteers begin sifting through the rubble searching for survivors. The earthquake, which was of an 8.0-magnitude toppled countless homes, churches and other buildings in Peru's central coast. Rescuers can be seen across the area rushing by citizens who are standing on the side of the road next to the bodies of family, friends and neighbors, waiting for directions on what to do with the mass number of deceased. A road near the epicenter of the quake was severely damaged and caused fuel tanks and merchandise trucks to overturn, coating the roads in dangerous chemicals and products. Hospitals across the region are overrun with the injured which are believed to be too numerous to even guess a total.The death toll from Tuesday's four suicide bombings in Iraq has reached past 500 according to reports Wednesday. Iraqi Army and Mosul police earlier report

The death toll from a major earthquake that hit Peru late Wednesday night has reached 450 and continues to grow as emergency workers and volunteers begin sifting through the rubble searching for survivors. The earthquake, which was of an 8.0-magnitude toppled countless homes, churches and other buildings in Peru's central coast. Rescuers can be seen across the area rushing by citizens who are standing on the side of the road next to the bodies of family, friends and neighbors, waiting for directions on what to do with the mass number of deceased. A road near the epicenter of the quake was severely damaged and caused fuel tanks and merchandise trucks to overturn, coating the roads in dangerous chemicals and products. Hospitals across the region are overrun with the injured which are believed to be too numerous to even guess a total.The death toll from Tuesday's four suicide bombings in Iraq has reached past 500 according to reports Wednesday. Iraqi Army and Mosul police earlier report

A total of four suicide bombers attacked Kurdish Yazidi communities in Iraq today killing at least 175 people and injuring an additional 200 at nearly simultaneous explosions. The death toll is the second highest in Iraq since November when 215 people were killed by car bombs and mortar fire in Sadr City. At least 30 homes were destroyed in the bombings which were aimed at Yazidis which are members of an ancient and primarily Kurdish religion that idolizes an angel creature that both Christians and Muslims identify as the devil. The mayor of Sinjar, a town near the attacks, attributes the attacks to Al-Qaida: "This is a terrorist act and the people targeted are poor Yazidis who have nothing to do with the armed conflict," he said. "Al-Qaida fighters are very active in this area near the Syrian border."Another attack in Iraq killed 10 today when a suicide bomber blew up a bridge north of Baghdad in an attempt to disrupt an American supply route. The bridge in question has been attacked

A total of four suicide bombers attacked Kurdish Yazidi communities in Iraq today killing at least 175 people and injuring an additional 200 at nearly simultaneous explosions. The death toll is the second highest in Iraq since November when 215 people were killed by car bombs and mortar fire in Sadr City. At least 30 homes were destroyed in the bombings which were aimed at Yazidis which are members of an ancient and primarily Kurdish religion that idolizes an angel creature that both Christians and Muslims identify as the devil. The mayor of Sinjar, a town near the attacks, attributes the attacks to Al-Qaida: "This is a terrorist act and the people targeted are poor Yazidis who have nothing to do with the armed conflict," he said. "Al-Qaida fighters are very active in this area near the Syrian border."Another attack in Iraq killed 10 today when a suicide bomber blew up a bridge north of Baghdad in an attempt to disrupt an American supply route. The bridge in question has been attacked

Karl Rove announced today that he would be resigning later this month on August 31st. Rove will leave his White House chief of staff position as one of the few remaining members of George W. Bush's original cabinet members that followed him to the White House in 2001. He is known as a bare-knuckle politician who holds the title of being Bush's longest-serving and closest aide. During the announcement today Rove's voice broke many times, betraying the obvious emotional undertow that the announcement had. George W. Bush stood behind his aide the entire time, patting him on the back encouragingly.A bridge that was currently under construction in central China collapsed today killing 14 and injuring 22. The bridge, which spanned the Jiantuo River, was built as a terrorist attraction. Construction workers were removing scaffolding from the structure when it randomly collapsed on Monday. 65 people remain missing from the collapse, most of which were local farmers who had been recruited to

Karl Rove announced today that he would be resigning later this month on August 31st. Rove will leave his White House chief of staff position as one of the few remaining members of George W. Bush's original cabinet members that followed him to the White House in 2001. He is known as a bare-knuckle politician who holds the title of being Bush's longest-serving and closest aide. During the announcement today Rove's voice broke many times, betraying the obvious emotional undertow that the announcement had. George W. Bush stood behind his aide the entire time, patting him on the back encouragingly.A bridge that was currently under construction in central China collapsed today killing 14 and injuring 22. The bridge, which spanned the Jiantuo River, was built as a terrorist attraction. Construction workers were removing scaffolding from the structure when it randomly collapsed on Monday. 65 people remain missing from the collapse, most of which were local farmers who had been recruited to

A U.S. attack in Baghdad has left over 30 people dead in Sadr City, a slum section of the capital that is heavily populated by Shiites. The strike was aimed at a militia group believed to be hiding in the area that has connection to Iran. Twelve suspects have been arrested during the raid while an additional 11 dead and 15 wounded. Hospitals in the area claim that numerous civilians have been killed yet U.S. military denies this, saying that only militants were among the dead, though the attack was largely aerial. Baghdad is currently experiencing an influx of Shiite pilgrims trekking to a mosque in the area for a yearly ritual.A major storm hit New York City early this morning drenching the region in torrential rains that poured into the subway transit system, effectively paralyzing the city. Major intersections were flooded, causing land transportation to lock down while electricity was cut off to thousands of homes for the bulk of the day. The storm also caused a tornado that whippe

A U.S. attack in Baghdad has left over 30 people dead in Sadr City, a slum section of the capital that is heavily populated by Shiites. The strike was aimed at a militia group believed to be hiding in the area that has connection to Iran. Twelve suspects have been arrested during the raid while an additional 11 dead and 15 wounded. Hospitals in the area claim that numerous civilians have been killed yet U.S. military denies this, saying that only militants were among the dead, though the attack was largely aerial. Baghdad is currently experiencing an influx of Shiite pilgrims trekking to a mosque in the area for a yearly ritual.A major storm hit New York City early this morning drenching the region in torrential rains that poured into the subway transit system, effectively paralyzing the city. Major intersections were flooded, causing land transportation to lock down while electricity was cut off to thousands of homes for the bulk of the day. The storm also caused a tornado that whippe

A total of four U.S. soldiers have been killed over the weekend from two separate roadside bombs. One U.S. convoy was struck when a roadside bomb exploded south of Baghdad, killing three soldiers. The other solider died when a roadside bomb exploded on Monday. The type of roadside bombs are supposed to be provided to Shi-ite militias by Iran. An additional four soldiers died in the Diyala providence on Monday due to car bombs. This brings the total number of U.S. troops killed in the first six days of August to 21. Since the initial invasion in 2003 the total number of killed soldiers has reached 3,682.A U.S.-led coalition base in southern Afghanistan was attacked today by 75 Taliban militants in a frontal attack that led to over 20 Taliban deaths. The attack came as a surprise considering that the Taliban and similar militias normally strike via suicide bombings, car bombs or even the occasional mortar bomb. Attacking at the front gates is a sign that the Taliban is getting more bold

A total of four U.S. soldiers have been killed over the weekend from two separate roadside bombs. One U.S. convoy was struck when a roadside bomb exploded south of Baghdad, killing three soldiers. The other solider died when a roadside bomb exploded on Monday. The type of roadside bombs are supposed to be provided to Shi-ite militias by Iran. An additional four soldiers died in the Diyala providence on Monday due to car bombs. This brings the total number of U.S. troops killed in the first six days of August to 21. Since the initial invasion in 2003 the total number of killed soldiers has reached 3,682.A U.S.-led coalition base in southern Afghanistan was attacked today by 75 Taliban militants in a frontal attack that led to over 20 Taliban deaths. The attack came as a surprise considering that the Taliban and similar militias normally strike via suicide bombings, car bombs or even the occasional mortar bomb. Attacking at the front gates is a sign that the Taliban is getting more bold

One of the men responsible for the terrorist attack at Glasgow Airport on June 30th died today following complications due to him dousing his body in gasoline and lighting himself, causing 90% of his body to be seriously burned. The man's name was Kafeel Ahmed, a 27-year-old who may have been the driver that rammed his Jeep into the terminal in Glasgow. Ahmed was an engineer with a degree in design and technology from Bangalore, India. His death is considered a loss mainly because of his possible ability to reveal other terrorist cell members. Besides that, good riddance.Seven women and one child were murdered and mutilated in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique this week. According to country officials the practice of murdering, mutilating and exhuming bones has become widespread for use in witchcraft rituals. Currently the black market is centered around selling points in Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The governor of Cabo Delgado says that the murderers kill their victims and

The Sunni Accordance Front, which is responsible for representing the Sunni minority in Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government, quit the Iraqi cabinet today. Five cabinet members and their Deputy Prime Minister walked away from the Iraq ruling body, plunging the country into chaos. So far over 70 people have been killed by suicide bombers across Baghdad today. This move is seen as a boycott but President Maliki has assured U.S. President George W. Bush that discussions between the two sides will continue despite the mass resignation. The Sunni Accordance Front has cited security differences as the reason for leaving, saying that Maliki's government has refused to grant them more power to protect their population.Of the seventy killed today, 50 died as a result of a suicide bomber who packed a fuel truck with explosives and detonated himself inside the truck at a petrol station. 60 other civilians were injured in the blast which tore its way through the Mansour district of Baghdad

After 38-years the British Army is leaving Northern Ireland after having supported the police in their longest military operation ever. Flash back to nearly forty years ago and Northern Ireland was riddled with fierce clashes between Republican gunmen and British forces. British troops were initially sent to Northern Ireland in 1969 to help stop rebellions that were a response to civil rights infractions caused by Catholic and Protestant differences in opinion concerning Britain's role in the area. The period of time that resulted in the death of 3,600 people's deaths has been known as "The Troubles". At least Britain knows how to pull out of situation eventually. Does that mean we have over 30 years left in Iraq?Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has been visiting with Russian officials which has caused a major change in Russian connection to the Islamic group known as Hamas. Last month Hamas took over Palestianian territories such as the Gaza Strip in an effort to over throw the gove

The Iraqi parliament went into summer recess today after having stalled on discussions regarding a set of laws that the US has been pushing. Washington believes that the set of laws before the Iraqi branch of government, if passed, would establish stability in the country and lessen the need for foreign occupation. "We do not have anything to discuss in the parliament, no laws or constitutional amendments, nothing from the government. Differences between the political factions have delayed the laws," Kurdish lawmaker Mahmoud Othman told Reuters. The Iraqi parliament is playing ignorant to the laws, which makes me wonder if the entire situation is being manipulated by different factions. US constituents could have made up the situation to give citizens at home a belief that change is forthcoming, Iraqi's may be playing coy to buy time for better options. Either way, nothing is changing.Rebuilding Iraq has come to a halt since American factions began bombing the area years ago. The US a

The United States will be announcing major arms deals later this week that center around creating ties in the Middle East in order to combat Iran's growing influence in the area. The deals are expected to be worth at least $20 billion, the most important of which will supply weapons to Saudi Arabia as well as five other oil-rich Persian gulf states. The deals are also expected to supply 10-year military aid packages to Israel and Egypt.Iraq's soccer team won the Asian Cup today which prompted celebrations complete with gunfire and a death toll. Stray bullets killed four and injured seventeen so far.Director of National Intelligence, Mike McConnell is asking Congress for greater power overseas due to a heightened threat of attacks on American soil. McConnell sent a letter to a congressional committee that stated that he hoped Congress "will be able to act immediately . . . to provide the legislative changes needed to protect the nation in this period of heightened threat." Yet another

A car bomb in a Shiite neighborhood in Baghdad exploded today, killing 25 and wounding dozens of others. The explosion took place during rush hour and caused the decimation of a large number of stores that line the area. The attack seems to have been a response to Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno's statement that "significant success" had been retained by forces in Baghdad and the Diyala Province. Obviously some people don't agree.An aviation weekly report has stated that surgeons and other astronauts have allowed other space travelers to fly while seriously intoxicated. Drunk astronauts...now we finally know what really happened on Apollo 13. Also in space news, a NASA employee sabotaged a computer due at the Space Station today. The wires he cut, on purpose, are being fixed and should pose no threat to astronauts. So far, no word on who or why.Stock markets across the globe fell today amid fears concerning the effects of higher global interest rates on company profits, takeovers and loa

Airports in San Diego, Milwaukee, Houston and Baltimore have been put on alert for potential terrorists who could be doing dry-runs testing to see what they can get onto an airplane. The July 20th bulletin was sent out following multiple incidents where passengers were caught with "wires, switches, pipes or tubes, cell phone components and dense clay-like substances," including block cheese. Since last September four questionable seizures have taken place, where a passenger (of either sex) managed to raise the attention of security guards for carrying odd combinations of parts that they had questionable reasons for. For some reason these incidents have gone unnoticed by national media and the bulletin warning potential danger is being treated as a normal occurrence.The largest Sunni political group in Iraq has made a list of demands that if not met will cause the group to boycott the national government. The threat comes on the heels of the national government's inability and in fact