Politics

U.S. Commander sees Increase in Muslim Attacks

U.S. Commander Reports Increase in Muslim Attacks
Ambush bombers struck Wednesday in the center of Baghdad and in the tense Sunni Muslim area west of the capital, as the commander of American forces reported an increase in attacks against occupation troops. The Baghdad attack caused light casualties, a U.S. officer at the scene reported. Witnesses said four Americans were carried away on stretchers after a strike on a three-vehicle convoy on the western end of the flashpoint city Fallujah, but there was no comment from U.S. officials. Residents cheered and looted one of the vehicles.

Muslims Kill Another American
as US Rallies for Funds
Another US soldier has been killed in Iraq as the United States called on reluctant nations to donate generously to the war-ravaged country at a conference this week in Madrid. The latest deadly attack, which took to 104 the number of US soldiers killed in Iraq since major hostilities were declared over on May 1, followed messages attributed to America's fugitive foes Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. US President George W Bush, meanwhile, said the messages would only strengthen his resolve to fight terrorism. On the reconstruction front, US officials have stepped up their bid to secure more funds for rebuilding Iraq ahead of the two-day donors conference which opens in Spain on Thursday.

Dubya Drops In
AirForce One touched down at Canberra's Fairbairn air base at 9.46pm last night, bringing US President George W.Bush to Australia for a whirlwind 21-hour tour. In an unusual move, John Howard and wife Janette climbed the stairs of the 747 to greet Mr Bush and wife Laura inside, rather than on the tarmac. The couples emerged together a few minutes later, waving to waiting media and the security detail - no ordinary members of the public were allowed near the air base.

Sniper Suspect Ends Stint As Own Lawyer
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Sniper suspect John Allen Muhammad changed his mind Wednesday and stopped acting as his own lawyer at his trial after only one day of cross-examining witnesses. Circuit Judge LeRoy F. Millette Jr. informed the jury of Muhammad's decision after a half-hour conference at the judge's bench. Jonathan Shapiro and Peter Greenspun, who had been advising him on standby since his decision Monday, returned to their former roles as his defense lawyers.

Neo-Nazi Runs For Mayor of
Idaho Town 'To Get My Word Out'
HAYDEN, Idaho -- The people of Hayden can't seem to rid themselves of neo-Nazi Richard Butler. The founder of the Aryan Nations lost his compound outside of town to bankruptcy several years ago, but moved into a Hayden house bought by a supporter. Now Butler is running for mayor of this town of 9,000, linking Hayden in the public mind once more with his anti-Semitic, white-separatist views. Posted by Editor at October 22, 2003 01:41 PM