Regional Updates, negative vibes

With the most recent assault by Isarel on Palestine, and more than a hundred killed with barely 1 week, we can only think of how much human rights are being violated by Israel. Countries such as India, Iran and China are condemning the use of force excercised by Israel on Ghaza and are demanding them to stop it. (Click here to sign a petition for a ceasefire) [1]

The Palestine Human Rights Campaign abhors the escalation of attacks and ground incursions Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) against Gaza in recent days. Today the attacks killed 31 Palestinians; including 8 children. Among the civilian casualties are thirteen who were killed INSIDE their homes. In the past five days IOF killed over 100 people have been and approximately 150 injured. At least a third are children according to medical sources and most of the casualties are civilians.

Meanwhile, US warships, a guided missile destroyer and USS Cole have resided on the Lebanese cost last Thursday 28 February. US claims that it is there because they are worried about the situation in Lebanon. Other explanations by other sides declare that they are here because of Syria and Iran. [2]

The United States has ordered a warship to take up position off the coast of Lebanon in a show of support for the country's embattled government.
The deployment of the USS Cole is being seen as a warning to Syria which - along with Iran - backs the opposition.

Lebanon remains without a president. The presidential elections has been postponed 15 times so far, and is due to take place on March 11.[2]

Lebanon has not had a president since 24 November, when pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud left office. Parliament has repeatedly failed to elect a successor amid an ongoing row over candidates.

Bombing at Iraqi parliament kills 8

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD - A suicide bomber blew himself up in the Iraqi parliament cafeteria Thursday, killing at least eight people — including three lawmakers — and wounding dozens in a stunning assault in the heart of the heavily fortified, U.S.-protected Green Zone.

A news video camera captured the moment of the blast...

The explosion came hours after a suicide truck bomb exploded on a major bridge in Baghdad, collapsing the steel structure and sending cars tumbling into the Tigris River, police and witnesses said. At least 10 people were killed.

[...]

The parliament bombing was believed to be the deadliest attack in the Green Zone, the enclave that houses Iraq's leadership as well as the U.S. Embassy, and is secured by American and Iraqi checkpoints.

Click here to read full article. And here to read how "Bush condemned green zone attack".

Warm welcome greets freed British crew

By TARIQ PANJA, Associated Press Writer

ROYAL MARINE BASE CHIVENOR, England - Fifteen Royal Navy crew members freed from Iran enjoyed their first night on English soil Thursday. Amid the relief, champagne and tearful embraces, however, some Britons raised questions about the sailors' conduct and their apparent confessions in captivity.

While much of the country rallied behind the crew's return, others criticized them for offering apologies where none was required — namely for appearing in videos in which they admitted and offered regrets for entering Iranian waters.[1]

While the crew are being criticized for apologizing, Iran is considered to have won this round. Because when suddenly Iran demandes Britain to admit that their crew were in Iranian waters and not in Iraqi waters, even when the crew confessed according to local Iranian media, Blair kept the same attitude, thus Iran calling the british reaction wrong and this will lead for Iran not to free the sailors. A couple of days after, Iran releases the crew, while the crew thanks Iran and apologizes again for being in Iranian waters.

British newspapers' headlines yesterday were not only a rejoice for the crew's coming back home, but questioning whether a deal has been done between Britain and Iran.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted no deal was done to free 15 Royal Navy crew members, as they arrived in the UK after being held in Iran for 13 days.

[...]

British officials also denied that the UK had apologised over the incident.[2]

Finally, whatever said, the fact remains. We cannot rely on what we are being told, apparently we are living in a world of propaganda, and secrecy at the same time, and us the people, follow blindly and think we're smart.

Let's see what they're cooking for us this time. Rumors of US attacks on Iran which were mentioned in a previous post, are also mentioned here [3] (Link provided by a commentator), they also mentioned that at the end of April, US will attack Iran nuclear facilities.

The U.S. is planning to attack Iran’s nuclear reactors and facilities by the end of April.

The Times said that various White House departments have started preparing the speech.·The sources were quoted as saying that U.S. will not resort to a ground attack.

Justification will be presented of course, in case there are attacks, however the main question remainds, would U.S. do such a move, while they're still present in Iraq?

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Several National Guard brigades are expected to be notified soon that they could be sent to Iraq around the first of next year, according to a senior Defense Department official. [4]

[1] AP
[2] BBC
[3] Contre Info
[4] AP

Bomb hits U.S. Embassy convoy in Kabul

By FISNIK ABRASHI, Associated Press Writer

KABUL, Afghanistan - A car bomb exploded near a three-vehicle U.S. Embassy convoy on a busy road in Kabul on Monday, wounding several people, one seriously, officials said.

The blast, witnessed by an Associated Press reporter, badly damaged the front of one black SUV that was shunted to the other side of the road. First aid was administered to at least two people at the scene.

Click here to read full article.

Two months ago, on January 17 2007, an attack also occured of the US Embassy in Greece.

Blast at U.S. embassy called terrorism

By NICHOLAS PAPHITIS, Associated Press Writer

ATHENS, Greece - The U.S. Embassy in Athens came under fire early Friday from a rocket that exploded inside the modern glass-front building but caused no casualties in an attack police suspect was the work of Greek leftists.

[...]

Greece's Public Order Minister said police were examining the authenticity of anonymous phone calls to a private security company claiming responsibility on behalf of Revolutionary Struggle, a militant left-wing group.

[...]

Polydoras said Greece "strongly condemns" the attack.

"We believe it is a symbolic act," he said. "It is an attempt to disrupt our country's international relations."

Click here to read full article.

Camouflage! The little pawns have started being moved. Interesting location.