“Intelligence officials looked urgently for clues about the identify of the attackers, a crucial unknown as Indian officials charged, without giving details, that "elements in Pakistan" were involved. A tentative rapprochement between the two nuclear-armed rivals could hang in the balance, and a U.S. counterintelligence official cautioned against rushing to judgment on the origins of the militants.”
AP report
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According to ABC News, George W. Bush hopes to be remembered for "liberating" the Iraqi people, according to an interview conducted by his sister for the oral-history organization StoryCorps for the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
Excuse me, but WHAT the frack?? Does he really believe that that is what he did? Oh hell, never mind. This requires an entire separate post over the weekend. But I have to say in response to his statement --- freakin' ludicrous.
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►Senate democrats are preparing health, economic and spending legislation that they hope will land on Obama's desk when he takes office on January 20. Go dems!
“Given the severity of the problems facing the nation, officials on Capitol Hill and in the Obama team say Democrats have put their schedule on fast-forward rather than allowing the usual lull between the start of the new Congress, this time on Jan. 6, and President-elect Barack Obama’s swearing-in two weeks later.
Lawmakers and staff members are already laying the groundwork for a running start, and Congress is scheduled to remain in session once its expanded Democratic majorities are sworn in.”................................................................................................................
►The rumor mill is circulating 'news' that MSNBC host, Chris Matthews, is staffing up for a possible Senate run in Pennsylvania in 2010.
“According to multiple sources, who confirmed the Tip O'Neill staffer-cum-MSNBC host has negotiated with veteran Obama staffers to enlist in his campaign, Chris Matthews is likely to run for United States Senate in Pennsylvania in 2010. Matthews, 62, would run as a Democrat. Arlen Specter, the aging Republican incumbent, will be 80 if he chooses to run for re-election.”
:: How Matthews Can Beat Specter - HuffPo
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►India suspicious of Pakistani involvement in Mumbai terror attacks. Extremely dangerous situation, not only for India and Pakistan, but for the US, particularly considering that these are two nuclear-armed nations with a very volatile relationship..
“Those steps could quickly be derailed, with deep consequences for the United States, if India finds Pakistani fingerprints on the well-planned operation. India has raised suspicions. Pakistan has vehemently denied them.
But no matter who turns out to be responsible for the Mumbai attacks, their scale and the choice of international targets will make the agenda of the new American administration harder.”
Image credit: AP
:: Pakistan’s Spy Chief to Visit India - NYT
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►Google map of Mumbai attack sites.
►Real time updates on Mumbai, via Twitter.
►On Friday, shortly after dawn, and with Indian forces surrounding the building, Indian commandos landed via helicopter on the roof of a Jewish center in Mumbai, and proceeded to clear the building, floor by floor.
“The assault was punctuated by gunshots and explosions from within the building as the forces cleared the building floor-by floor. Elsewhere in the city, commandos scoured two luxury hotels for suspected Muslim attackers still holed up more than a day after a chain of attacks across India's financial center by the militants left at least 119 people dead.”
Image credit: AP
:: Scores killed in Mumbai attacks »Al Jazeera - English
:: Hostages dead at Mumbai Jewish centre, reports say »Guardian - UK
:: Death Toll Hits 143 As Fighting Persists - NYT
:: Brooklyn Rabbi and Wife Caught in Attacks - NYT
:: Indian Commandos Battle Assailants - Washington Post
:: Characteristics of Plot Suggest Attackers Were Trained Outside India, Analysts Say - Washington Post
:: Mumbai Under Siege »SLATE
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►CNN anchor threatened by mob in Mumbai yesterday.
►On Thursday, the Iraqi Parliament ratified an agreement that ends the US role in Iraq. Finally.
“The pact, which still must be approved by Iraq’s three-person presidency council, a move expected in the next few days, sets the end of 2011 as the date by which the last American troops must leave the country.”
:: Iraq's Parliament Approves Security Agreement With United States - Washington Post
