MONDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Afghanistan: “A bomb exploded near a police convoy Monday morning in Herat, the main city in Western Afghanistan, killing at least 10 people and wounding at least 29. The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying that a local police chief had been the target. The attack, less than three weeks before scheduled presidential elections, happened in a busy neighborhood in Herat as children were on their way to school.”
* Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was formally given a second term as Iran’s president today. Under the circumstances, the ceremony was a little awkward.
* And speaking of Iran, officials opened a mass trial over the weekend against more than 100 alleged dissidents. Raise your hand if you think the proceedings will be fair.
* Also in Iran, there are ongoing questions as to the whereabouts of three Americans “believed to have been arrested by Iranian authorities after going on a hiking trip in neighboring Iraq.”
* The days may be numbered for “Cash for Clunkers.”
* Not a bad size settlement: “The Securities and Exchange Commission today said Bank of America Corp. has agreed to pay $33 million to settle charges the Charlotte bank misled investors about bonuses paid to Merrill Lynch & Co. executives.”
* The White House maintains its commitment not to raise taxes on the middle class.
* After 18 years, the remains of Navy Capt. Michael Scott Speicher have been identified and are being returned to the U.S.
* In a move exacerbating tensions, Israeli security forces evicted two more Palestinian families in East Jerusalem yesterday. The U.S. State Department condemned the move.
* Also in Israel over the weekend, a masked gunman killed two, and wounded 11, at a center for gay youth in Tel Aviv.
* It’s good to see the new and expanded G.I. Bill take effect.
* Petty Officer Jonathan Campos was accused of killing Seaman August Provost in late June, and was also facing charges of drug use, larceny, burglary, theft, arson, and unlawful handling of a deceased individual. Campos was found dead in his cell late last week, due to self-inflicted asphyxiation.
* Interesting video from the White House on the letters the president reads every day, and how they arrive at his desk.
* Have I mentioned lately how right-wing Liz Cheney is?
* And there are a lot of questions surrounding the MSNBC/Fox News/GE/News Corp. “truce,” and how it might affect “Countdown.” Keith Olbermann seems likely to address the subject this evening.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
