In the News: Feb-09

Military chief caps add'l troops to Afghan at 30K - 9 Feb 2009 at 3:05pm - FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- No more than an estimated 30,000 additional troops will be sent to Afghanistan as the U.S. ramps up forces there, the nation's top military officer told soldiers Monday.

Oregon soldier's death is under investigation - 9 Feb 2009 at 2:34pm - WASHINGTON -- Army criminal investigators have opened a probe into the death of an Oregon soldier who was electrocuted while swimming in Iraq at a U.S.-operated base.

Sen. Leahy proposes truth panel on Bush era abuses - 9 Feb 2009 at 2:18pm - WASHINGTON -- The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is proposing a "truth commission" to investigate abuses of detainees, politically inspired moves at the Justice Department, and whole range of decisions made during the Bush administration.

Four U.S. soldiers killed by suicide car bomb in Iraq - 9 Feb 2009 at 1:59pm - The military says four American soldiers and an interpreter have been killed in a suicide car bombing in northern Iraq.

Kyrgyz vote on closing U.S. base delayed - 9 Feb 2009 at 1:08pm - A Kyrgyz lawmaker says parliament will delay a vote for at least a week on whether to close a key U.S. air base until the Central Asian nation receives aid promised by Russia.

Or until it can be seen whether a favorable counteroffer from the U.S. is forthcoming?

IRAQ: Foot-and-mouth disease infects livestock in Basra - February 09, 2009 8:48:49 AM BAGHDAD, 8 February 2009 (IRIN) - A local official in Basra Province, 600km south of Baghdad, said on 7 February that there has been an outbreak in the province of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, in particular cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, camelids and deer.

IRAQ: Minister of women’s affairs tenders resignation - February 09, 2009 8:48:49 AM BAGHDAD, 9 February 2009 (IRIN) - Nawal al-Samaraie, minister for women's affairs, tendered her resignation on 3 February, saying she lacked the resources to implement her plans to help improve women's lives.

Thought for the day:
Money alone sets all the world in motion. -Publilius Syrus (~100 BC)