here's a few things I found interesting, in light ofthe recession and failing war in Iraq:
from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7586280.stm
and...
from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7584962.stm
just saw this one, too:
from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7586284.stm
discuss.
The US economy grew at a revised 3.3% annually in the second quarter of 2008, the Commerce Department said, much higher than its first estimate of 1.9%.
and...
Adhamiyah was once at the heart of the Sunni insurgency but this area has been transformed in the past year. The US forces in this Baghdad district now spend most of their time patrolling rather than fighting.
A major shift in security came when local tribesmen began policing the area. The Sons of Iraq - also known as the Tribal Awakening - once fought against the Americans but now they are challenging al-Qaeda.
A major shift in security came when local tribesmen began policing the area. The Sons of Iraq - also known as the Tribal Awakening - once fought against the Americans but now they are challenging al-Qaeda.
just saw this one, too:
Iraq's influential Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, has indefinitely extended a ceasefire being observed by members of his Mehdi Army militia.
In a handwritten statement published on his website, the cleric said anyone who violated the order would not be considered part of the group.
He said the Mehdi Army would carry out unspecified cultural activities instead.
However, he did not say whether the 60,000-strong militia would disarm.
"The Mehdi Army suspension will be valid indefinitely and anyone who does not follow this order will not be considered a member of this group," said the statement.
The anti-American cleric, whose militia has been fighting against the presence of foreign troops in Iraq, also urged his followers to stage peaceful protests on the first Friday of Ramadan every year until US forces left.
Correspondents say the Mehdi Army was once arguably the most powerful Shia military and political movement in Iraq, but it has been seriously weakened after military operations against it.
In a handwritten statement published on his website, the cleric said anyone who violated the order would not be considered part of the group.
He said the Mehdi Army would carry out unspecified cultural activities instead.
However, he did not say whether the 60,000-strong militia would disarm.
"The Mehdi Army suspension will be valid indefinitely and anyone who does not follow this order will not be considered a member of this group," said the statement.
The anti-American cleric, whose militia has been fighting against the presence of foreign troops in Iraq, also urged his followers to stage peaceful protests on the first Friday of Ramadan every year until US forces left.
Correspondents say the Mehdi Army was once arguably the most powerful Shia military and political movement in Iraq, but it has been seriously weakened after military operations against it.
discuss.
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