Iraq - Hundreds dead in stampede

At least 841 people have been killed and 323 injured, many of them women and children, after Shiite pilgrims stampeded while on a bridge near a mosque in northern Baghdad today. Witnesses said there was panic after screams there was a suicide bomber. [CNN]
[14:06 GMT 31/08/2005]

Katrina - massive devastation & over 50 dead

New Orleans woke up today to a scene of devastation. Flooding has swept across much of the city and the destruction to buildings is widespread. At least 50 have died, but a full assessment has not yet been made. New Orleans' Mayor, Ray Nagin said the flooding was in excess of 6 metres in places and that the death toll was 'significant'. Fifteen people were said to have died in one apartment building alone. The city has not only been hit by wind and floods but also by fires and looting. [BBC]

Estimates of damage wrought by the storm are between $9 and 26 billion. Fuel prices are likely to rise after the knock on effect of the cut in oil production. The price of a barrel of oil increased to more than $70 over the weekend, compounded too by an oil workers strike in Ecuador and further attacks on pipelines in Iraq. OPEC says oil price rises are 'unjustified',

Two rigs in the Gulf were adrift after the hurricane had passed, and another hit a bridge. Some refineries were shut down, including a massive complex at Baton Rouge. The ongoing damage to the infrastructure is unclear. Oil stocks were up helping European markets, but the outlook for the consumer looks bleak as pump prices rise. The knock on effect to airline costs and high street prices may also follow.

The US is not the only country hit by flooding this month. Flooding has also affected parts of Beijing, China [Yahoo News]. Over 900 people have been killed in flood waters in the country, so far this year. Twenty seven of China's thirty one provinces have been hit since May. And many parts of eastern Europe have been particularly hard hit by floods. Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Romania, Georgia and Croatia have all been hit in recent days, and more than 40 have died [BBC].
[12:04 GMT 30/08/2005]

Katrina leaves destruction in its wake

Hurricane Katrina has now been downgraded to a Category 2 as it moves north through the state of Mississippi. The 170 Km/h winds are still considered dangerous, but the worst is over. Air traffic was seriously disrupted. Four major airports closed in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and others along the east of the US were seriously disrupted with delayed flights and stranded passengers. Major flooding is affecting many parts of the southern states and there are tornado alerts in several parts of Louisiana and Mississippi. All that remains for many is to assess the damage and pick up the pieces. There are no reports of any injuries or deaths.
[18:04 GMT 29/08/2005]

Katrina makes landfall

As Katrina made landfall it had reduced to a category 4 storm. But with wind speeds of 216 Km/h a great deal of damage was expected. CNNi provided live coverage from CNN USA. Sky News, BBC 24 and ITN here in the UK was only showing sporadic coverage. As heavy rain descends, even the the Superbowl was beginning to leak.
[14:04 GMT 29/08/2005]

Louisiana braces itself as Katrina closes in

Emergency services are on standby as hurricane Katrina nears the cost of the southern states. The storm is expected to make landfall on Monday. The Sports Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana has been handed over to some 10,000 people, made refugees by the enforced evacuation. The size of the storm headed their way has astounded many residents. One Florida resident said, “The bloody size of it” and added that heavy rain had followed him on a journey along the Tampa arm. [NOAA graphic] When the storm final hits not only will the news cameras be trained on the action, but so too will many webcams. [New Orleans Webcam List]
[23:55 GMT 28/08/2005]

Hurricane Katrina - Oil production down 30%

As hurricane Katrina increased to a category 5 and headed towards the US coast, states of emergency were declared. “We cannot stress enough the danger,” the President said today and urged citizens to “follow instructions”. And with wind speeds in excess of 282 Km/h, and gust measured at 380 Km/h, the danger was clear. Thousands have fled low lying areas along the coast and a forced evacuation was being carried out in New Orleans. Storm surges of a predicted 8 metres may swamp New Orleans, 70% of which lies below sea level. Roads were described as gridlocked as freeways filled with motorists escaping the city. But caught in the midst are thousands of tourists. Many were unable to rent cars, book hotel rooms or even fly out due to the grounding of all air traffic. Emergency procedures have been established for those trapped in the city. Oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico have cut their production by more than a third as many workers have evacuated to the mainland, according to CNN . The Gulf provides as much as 25% of US oil consumption.
[19:36 GMT 28/08/2005]

Iraq - Sunnis likely to reject constitution

Iraq is falling into further political crisis after another deadline came and went without any resolve to Iraq’s new constitution. One US commander, speaking on the BBC, fears increased violence if Sunnis see themselves as not having a voice. The likelihood of a complete rejection of the constitution seems ever more possible. Three deadlines have passed. Federalism is the main sticking point for the Sunnis which make up some 20% of the population. De-ba’athification is also a concern for many, as it may affect many of the Sunnis who have had close ties to the Ba’ath Party in the past. A truck driver was killed when he was caught in an IED attack on a US military convoy. At least eleven people have been killed in attacks across the country according to various reports [Yahoo News] . The US death toll stands at 1,874. Added to that are nearly 200 coalition servicemen bringing the overall number to 2,068, [Iraq Casualties.org]. Over 250 contractors have died in the same period.
[17:24 GMT 26/08/2005]

World weather wrap

Weather has dominated the news in the past 48 hours with floods and storms being seen in many parts of the world. Florida has been hit by Hurricane Katrina. At least 4 have died and the state remains on high alert [CNN]. In Europe, flooding has swept through low lying valleys in Switzerland making many homeless and destroying property worth millions of Euros. Other countries badly hit include Germany, Austria and Bulgaria [BBC]. Meanwhile, Portugal is cooling off after huge forest fires swept through vast swathes of countryside. The fires have killed 15 and destroyed 180,000 hectares of land and taken in its wake at least 100 homes [BBC]. And India has banned blamed recent flooding in some regions on plastic bags. Maharashta has subsequently banned the use and sale of plastic bags and one state official said. “Mumbai and other areas suffered because of the misuse of plastic bags”, said Chief Minister Vilastrao Deshmukh. Floods in the region caused 1000 death and widespread destruction [BBC].
[16:12 GMT 26/08/2005]

Bush - "We will stay on the hunt"

President George W. Bush on Wednesday

President George W. Bush spoke in Nampa, Idaho today. Speaking to military families he praised their sacrifice in the ‘War on Terror’ and repeated his determination to “stay on the hunt until the terrorist has nowhere to hide.” His wife had apparently asked him to keep the speech short. However, President George W Bush then went on to talk for more than 30 minutes. He may have spoken for a great deal longer but CNN cut away.

“After our nation was attacked on September 11th 2001, air crews of the 366th wing flew more than 1000 combat missions over the skies of Afghanistan. In the war on terror you are bringing justice to our enemies and honour to the uniform, our country is grateful to your service” he said in the opening minutes of his address. After two minutes of praise for the people of Idaho, the Mayor “fill the potholes” and generals, colonels “Our nation is engaged in a global war on terror that effects the safety and security of every American. From Iraq and Afghanistan and across the world we face dangerous enemies who want to harm our people. Folks who want to destroy our way of life. And throughout our nation’s history whenever freedom has been threatened, America’s turned to the national guard. From the war of independence to today’s War on Terror the national guard has defended this country with courage and determination. I’m proud to be the Commander in Chief”
Honouring their unique service he said, “You’re the only part of the armed forces that serve both the state and the country…As you protect us from natural disasters you protect us from terrorist threats…”
A rapturous applause followed his praise for the Idaho military and the sacrifices given. But, the war on terror was not over, he warned, “They are planning new attacks on our citizens. On September 11th we saw the future that the terrorists envisaged. I made a decision to confront emerging threats before they are realized and if you harbour a terrorist, you are just as guilty as a terrorist… we will stay on the offence. To withdraw from Afghanistan, Iraq and the broader Middle East would only embolden the terrorists…we will stay, we will fight and we will win the war on terror”
“This is a different kind of war,” he said. The enemy does not line itself up on borders as in the past, but hid in our midst, “attacking us before retreating to hide in the shadows.”
“In a free society it is impossible to protect from every type of threat, so the only way to get the terrorist is to go to where they live…we’re determined, we are relentless and we will stay on the hunt until the terrorist has nowhere to hide…History has proved … that democracies do not fight their neighbours, we are laying the foundations of peace”
[18:13 GMT 24/08/2005]

Iraq - street battles in Baghdad

Two police and three civilians were killed in gun battles in western Baghdad today. Insurgents attacked several checkpoints and a car bomb was also detonated CNN reported. At least 30 people were said to be injured. On Tuesday a suicide bomb killed 7 near Baquba, including 2 Americans. Iraq is at a crucial turning point as the final deadline to resolve constitutional issues nears ever closer.
[15:11 GMT 24/08/2005]

Peru - plane crash kills 40

A plane has crashed in Peru killing at least 40, Sky News has reported. Conflicting reports have been given throughout the evening, but it is believed the Peruvian plane went down in heavy storms near Pucallpa. There are reports that 20 passengers have survived the crash.
[23:04 GMT 23/08/2005]

Iraq - Sunnis reject new constitution

“No to federalism, yes to a united Iraq” – these were the shouts in the street protests after the draft constitution was handed in last night. The rejection of the new constitution came from the Sunni population and their parliamentary representatives. Many feel they have been sidelined by the majority Shi’ite government and that oil profits will not be shared evenly. Three or four days have been set aside to resolve the ‘stumbling blocks’ [BBC] or ‘sticking points’ [Sky News]. Deadlock leading to increased power struggles seem ever more likely, with the few Sunni representatives that exist becoming less relevant in a factionalized Iraq. The lack of a Sunni voice only fuels the insurgency further. And the risk of civil war nears ever closer behind it.
[21:06 GMT 23/08/2005]

Bush defends 'War on Terror'

Speaking in Utah today, President Bush has set his determination to continue operations in Iraq and Afghanistan until the mission was accomplished. “We’ve lost 1,864 members of our armed forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 223 in Operation Enduring Freedom,” he said, “Each of these men and women have left grieving families and loved ones back home.” But, he said, “We owe them something. We will finish the task they gave their live for.” He also made clear who the enemy was. “Terrorists like bin Laden and his ally Zarqawi are trying to turn Iraq into what Afghanistan was under the Taliban…” [BBC]
But some were not placated. “How many more soldiers have to die before we say enough is enough” Cindy Sheehan, a protester who has laid siege to the president’s holiday ranch over recent days, said on a televised Anti-war advertisement. [meetwithcindy.org / Wikipedia ]
[00:00 GMT 23/08/2005]

Beirut hit by large explosion

An explosion has hit a car park under a shopping centre in Beirut in Lebanon. The explosion near a Starbucks cafe was said to be in a Christian area of the town. Three people have been injured according to Lebanese sources and the Red Cross.
[21:01 GMT 22/08/2005]

Iraq Constitution submitted

The main draft of the Iraq Constitution has been submitted to the Iraqi parliament. The proceedings commenced just before midnight in Baghdad. "In the name of the Iraqi people I open the National Assembly" said Hachim Al-Hasani, the Iraqi National Assembly speaker. He went on to announce that he had received a draft constitution, "but there are some points that are still outstanding and need to be worked out in the next three or four days" he said. But, there was determination amongst leaders and "we will try to reach consensus," he added.
The outstanding points were not immediately given. But in a press conference, he said federalism had been one of the areas of difficulty. "De-ba'athification" was also an issue causing problems. Oil production "would be done by the regional and central government" said Hachim Al-Hasani.
[20:24 GMT 22/08/2005]

Menezes death - Brazilian officials meet UK police

Brazilian officials today arrived in London to meet with Metropolitan Police officials in order to ask questions surrounding the police shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes. It is clear who they will meet but Sky News suggest a meeting with Metropolitan Police Chief, Ian Blair, is possible. Some family members are due to hold a vigil outside Downing Street. A public inquiry has been demanded by the family and supporters and a letter is being handed into No. 10 later today. There have also been demands for the resignation of Sir Ian Blair over the death of the Brazilian. Some newspaper reports are suggesting that CCTV footage from Stockwell Station were wiped. The tapes were taken by police following the incident on the 22nd July, but later returned them saying they were blank. Sky News said this afternoon that it was “not only difficult but virtually impossible to obtain clarification” from New Scotland Yard. Transport workers deny that the CCTV system was not working. A senior transport spokesman is reported as saying, “There was nothing wrong with the cameras, the tapes are replaced every night as a matter of course…after the incident the police took the tapes away. When they brought them back to us three or four days later, they said, ‘These are no good to us, they’re blank’…”
A spokesman for Tube Lines, a private firm which carries out maintenance on the London Underground, also said the CCTV was in working order. “We are not aware of any faults on the CCTV cameras at that station on that day. Nothing of that nature has been reported to us.”
Without CCTV footage, any inquiry will have to rely on witness statements.
Controversy also the surrounds an offer of money to the de Menezes family. The Metropolitan police denied they had made an offer of £600,000. Earlier the family had released statements saying they will not be bought off. Matozinho and Maria de Menezes said last week, “We will not be bought off, this is about justice.” Deputy Asst Commissioner John Yates was reported to have visited the family two weeks ago.
Meanwhile Tony Blair on his holiday in Barbados said he supported the Chief Commissioner. The PM has been on holiday at his previously undisclosed holiday location since the beginning of August, leaving John Prescott in charge. No 10 had refused to give details of his holiday plans due to security issues. But this weekend the Prime Minister attended a veterans’ memorial service on the island and a 'news blackout' was lifted, ending speculation.

The police investigations into the London attacks have proceeded slowly since the capture of the 21/7 suspects. No-one has yet been arrested in connection with the 7/7 attacks. And of 39 people arrested in connection with the 21/7 failed attacks, 14 have been charged with various offences.
[19:43 GMT 22/08/2005]

War on Terror - attacks in Iraq & Afganistan

In Afghanistan, four US soldiers were killed over the weekend by a roadside bomb. This brings the total to 228 coalition dead since hostilities began in 2001. Seventy four have died this year alone. [Afghanistan casualties 2005 / Afghanistan casualties 2001-2005] In Iraq, a bomb killed several police and civilians in Baghdad on Monday. On Sunday a US soldier was killed by an IED in Samarra whilst on patrol. Three others were injured, one later died from his injuries. Oil exports resumed in Basra Monday. Operations had been halted after attacks earlier the same day [Al-Jazeera] And the BBC reported 11 Pakistani oil workers were released today, a week after their kidnapping. They were taken as they made their way to Baghdad from the southern oil fields. More than 257 attacks on Iraq’s oil infrastructure since March 2003 [Iraq Pipeline Watch]
And the deadline approaches for the Iraqi government to finalize the new Iraqi Constitution. Oil and federalism are said to be the main stumbling blocks. But George W. Bush said today, "The constitution is a difficult process that involves debate and compromise. We know this from our own history. The constitutional convention was home to political rivalry and regional disagreements. The constitution our founders produced has been amended many times over. So Americans understand the challenges facing the framers of Iraq’s new constitution. We admire their thoughtful deliberations. We salute their determination to lay the foundation for lasting democracies amid the ruins of a brutal dictatorship."
The deadline expires at midnight local time [20:00 GMT] for the delivery of the Constitution.
[19:34 GMT 22/08/2005]

9/11 suspect jailed

Mounir al-Motassadeq has been sentenced to 7 years for terror related offences in Germany today. He is said to have been a part of the so called ‘Hamburg Cell’, three of which were part of the 9/11 attacks in New York. Motassadeq is alleged to have teamed up with Mohamed Atta [believed to have flown flight AA-11 into the north tower of the World Trade Centre], Marwan al Shehhi [believed to be on flight UA-175 which hit the south tower] and Ziad Jarrahi [who was on flight UA-93 which crashed in Pennsylvania]. He had been accused of maintaining bank accounts of these three and of attending a terror training camp in Afghanistan. An earlier conviction and sentencing of 15 years had been quashed on appeal. Evidence from other terror suspects in US custody had been used in the case but the defence had no opportunity to cross examine. As a result of this and other technicalities, Motassadeq was released on bail. Ramzi Binalshibh who has been in US custody since his capture in Pakistan in 2002, had told prosecutors that he as well as the three pilots were part of the cell. Further evidence was introduced by Andreas Schultz, a lawyer for victims’ families, said to connect Motassadeq with a Tunisian bomb attack in April 2002. However, the court found him guilty only of “belonging to a terror cell”. He was not convicted of being directly complicit to the 9/11 attacks and was declared not guilty to 3,000 counts accessory to murder. Mr Udo Jacob, Motassadeq’s lawyer said there would be an appeal, “My client is not a terrorist, it is important for the whole world to know that. The only other man to face a trial in connection with the 9/11 attacks was acquitted earlier this year. Abdelgani Mzoudi was released after US authorities failed to make witnesses available to German authorities. Two other alleged members of the Hamburg cell, Said Bahaji and Zakariya Essabar, are still on the run. [Washington Post / New York Times /BBC ]
[20:54 GMT 19/08/2005]

Discovery returns to Florida

The Space Shuttle Discovery has made its final journey home to Florida. It flew out of Edwards Airforce base in California on the back of a Boeing 747 at 08:30 local time [15:30 GMT]. There will be two fuel stops, at Oklahoma and Louisiana, before arriving at Kennedy Space Centre on Saturday. All shuttle missions are on hold until at least 2006 as NASA attempt to determine the problems associated with shedding foam from the space shuttle's external fuel tank. [CNN]
[16:58 GMT 19/08/2005]

Rocket attack fails to hit US ships

Three rockets believed to have been targeted at US Navy ships in the Red Sea were fired from a warehouse in Jordan, Friday morning. It is unclear who is responsible, but a group with links to al Qaeda has claimed responsibility via a website. The claim by the Abdullah Azzam Brigades could not be verified. They group has previously claimed responinsibity for several terror attacks including the recent Egyptian hotel bombings in Shaam el-Sheik which killed 64. The warehouse was rented by an Iraqi and two Jordanians, according to CNN. One of the Katyusha missiles hit an industrial zone, killing 1 Jordanian soldier and injuring another. The other two hit a military hospital and a perimeter fence near Eilat Airport, Israel. US ships quickly departed the area following the attacks which were launched at 08:45 local time [05:45 GMT]. The rocket attacks along with an oil refinery in Venezuela pushed up the price of oil on world markets. The average price per barrel this year stands at $53, and the future looks bleak as many say the average price will reach $60 per barrel by the end of the decade. [CNN report]
[16:36 GMT 19/08/2005]