News Round Up - 10 Sep 06

At Home. NASA launches Shuttle Atlantis on Sunday with its primary mission to install a solar panel on the International Space Station. Star Trek marks its 40th anniversary. Meanwhile on a personal note, Unleaded gasoline dropped to $2.28/gal here.

Iran. Last ditch nuclear talks continue in Vienna. Iran still states that it will not suspend nuclear enrichment. So what are they talking about?

Afghanistan. NATO defense chiefs meeting in Warsaw agreed they needed an additional 2000-2500 Troops to be able to rid the south of Taliban. In addition, NATO chiefs wanted troop restrictions lifted from certain member nations. The Taliban have lost well over 300 troops in the last week since Operation Medusa kicked off.

Iraq. Iraq Shiite pilgrims celebrate festival without casualties in Karbala. While attacks occurred on some processions enroute to Karbala, the event itself with millions of pilgrims in Karbala went off without a hitch. Again this is significant because only Iraqi forces secured Karbala. This milestone shows the strength of Iraqi forces over the last year and lend to their credibility.

Lebanon. IDF continues to find and destroy Hezbollah bunkers in Southern Lebanon as this video at Vital Perspective shows.