CAR bombs mainly targeting Shia-majority areas of Iraq killed at least 48 people yesterday, security and medical officials said, taking the July death toll to more than 780.
More than 3000 people have been killed in violence since the beginning of the year, according to AFP figures based on security and medical sources.
Yesterday, 11 car bombs hit nine areas of Baghdad, seven of them Shia-majority, while another exploded in Mahmudiyah to the south of the capital.
Five more hit three towns south of Baghdad. The attacks wounded at least 226 people.
The violence came a day after attacks killed 14 people, among them nine Kurdish police who died in a suicide bombing in the northern town of Tuz Khurmatu.
Militants have carried out two highly co-ordinated operations in recent days, highlighting both their growing reach and the rapidly declining security situation.
Late on Wednesday, 150 militants attacked the northern town of Sulaiman Bek, drawing security forces away from the main highway in the area. About 40 militants then broke off, set up a checkpoint on the highway and executed 14 Shia truck drivers.
The highway killings were reminiscent of the darkest days of Sunni-Shia sectarian bloodshed in Iraq in 2006-2007, when thousands of people were killed because of their religious affiliation or forced to abandon their homes under threat of death.
Lingering tensions between Sunnis and Shi'ites have been inflamed by persistent violence in Iraq and the civil war in neighbouring Syria, and there are growing fears the country is slipping back towards all-out sectarian conflict.
Iraq's Sunnis accuse the Shia-led government of marginalising and targeting their community, including through unwarranted arrests and terrorism charges.
In addition to security issues, the government is also failing to provide adequate services such as electricity and clean water while corruption is widespread.
Scores were reported dead across Afghanistan Monday amid a pair of bombing attacks in southern Afghanistan and two military operations in the eastern part of the country. As many as 14, most of them civilians, died in separate bombing attacks in Zabul and Kandahar provinces, local officials said. A further 12 were injured in the southern Afghanistan attacks.
In the first incident, a police official, two guards and six pedestrians were killed by a roadside bomb in southern Zabul province, deputy provincial governor Mohammad Jan Rasolyar said. Twelve civilians, mostly children, were wounded in that explosion, which struck in a residential area Sunday evening, he said. But the presidential office put the death toll higher, at 11.
"According to Zabul provincial governor office, 11 of our compatriots were martyred and 12 others injured," President Hamid Karzai's office said in a statement. In adjacent Kandahar province, a mother was killed along with her two daughters when a roadside bomb placed by Taliban insurgents went off Monday, the governor's spokesman said. "The incident took place this morning in Spin Boldak district, in which a woman, with her two ... daughters (aged 14 and 15), were killed," Javed Faisal told dpa.
Karzai's office condemned the attacks, saying culprits of attacks during the holy month of Ramadan will be responsible before God. Meanwhile, 83 Taliban fighters were killed and 18 arrested in two ongoing operations launched by the Afghan national security forces, part of an ongoing Afghan national army and national police operation in Logar and Nangarhar provinces. "These operations are being carried out by the Afghan forces without any assistance from the international troops," Zahir Azimi, spokesman of Defence Ministry was quoted by the statement. He also said three army soldiers were also killed in the operation.
UNITY, Maine —There's no need for a Maine soldier who's deploying to Afghanistan to send letters home to his mother. That's because she's deploying at the same time -- and in the same unit.
Spc. Andrew Parker and his mother, Spc. Holly Parker, expect to deploy soon with the Maine National Guard. Andrew Parker told WABI-TV that it's "comforting" and Holly Parker called it a "source of pride."
The two from Unity are among nearly 200 soldiers from the 133rd Engineering Battalion deploying in August.
Sgt. 1st Class Randal Parker, father and husband, said he's used to being the one leaving for deployment. He said he's happy they'll have each other while on duty in a foreign land.
Quote by Raine:
Wth?
Quote by Raine:
Wth?
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Wth?
??
Quote by Raine:The song parady -- set to Maniac only they sang Weeniac. It was, uhm --Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Wth?
??
not Audra from Minneapolis' best attempt.
Quote by Raine:The song parady -- set to Maniac only they sang Weeniac. It was, uhm --Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
Wth?
??
not Audra from Minneapolis' best attempt.
@nprscottsimon The heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.
Quote by Raine:
I just heard this announced on the newsbreak. I had been following he's poignant beautiful and heartbreaking tweets about his mothers last days.Scott Simon is an incredible person.@nprscottsimon The heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
I just heard this announced on the newsbreak. I had been following he's poignant beautiful and heartbreaking tweets about his mothers last days.Scott Simon is an incredible person.@nprscottsimon The heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.
He is! He is a very nice man. Mrs Mondo really liked him. Cokie Roberts & Susan Stamberg, not so much. Scott Simon used to have lemon yellow undies. Long story....
Quote by wickedpam:
*sigh* back to everyone wanting all their stuff done first - screw the work I actually have to do for my actual boss for a big 7/11 kick off that has to be done for Thursday(that 10-12 pages from scratch). But no, the same crap that we've submitted to Giant for months without them authorizing it has to be done AGAIN! and for Wednesday.
*end rant*
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by wickedpam:
*sigh* back to everyone wanting all their stuff done first - screw the work I actually have to do for my actual boss for a big 7/11 kick off that has to be done for Thursday(that 10-12 pages from scratch). But no, the same crap that we've submitted to Giant for months without them authorizing it has to be done AGAIN! and for Wednesday.
*end rant*
oh and to put the friggin cherry on the cake - certain people in this office now NO sense of humor and can't determine when someone is trying to be funny and sarcastic
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by wickedpam:
*sigh* back to everyone wanting all their stuff done first - screw the work I actually have to do for my actual boss for a big 7/11 kick off that has to be done for Thursday(that 10-12 pages from scratch). But no, the same crap that we've submitted to Giant for months without them authorizing it has to be done AGAIN! and for Wednesday.
*end rant*
oh and to put the friggin cherry on the cake - certain people in this office now NO sense of humor and can't determine when someone is trying to be funny and sarcastic
That's a sour cherry.
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
I just heard this announced on the newsbreak. I had been following he's poignant beautiful and heartbreaking tweets about his mothers last days.Scott Simon is an incredible person.@nprscottsimon The heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.
He is! He is a very nice man. Mrs Mondo really liked him. Cokie Roberts & Susan Stamberg, not so much. Scott Simon used to have lemon yellow undies. Long story....
His tweets on his mother dying were so amazing. She had emergency surgery a couple of weeks ago, and just -- he went to her ICU and never left.
Have you reached out to him on Twiter, Mondo?
Quote by Mondobubba:
@nprscottsimon But as my mother said, the nice thing about being a Chicagoan is that she'll continue to be able to vote on Election Day.
Quote by Mondobubba:
Reached out to Mr Simon. :sniff: Damn dust.
Then, she half-turned to look at them. "What's the most egregious example of sexism you've seen on set?"
"Some actor dude once said chicks couldn't drive cars," Michelle scoffed. "I was like, 'Move over.'"
The audience laughed a little. Sexism! Girls can drive cars. Silly sexist actor boys. No one in the audience was like them.
"One time a crew member started hitting on me when I was tied to a bed for a scene," Tatiana Maslany offered. "I was young. I was just starting out. I couldn't get away."
Less laughter now from the audience.
"Once a guy on set kinda beat the shit out of me during a fight scene," Katee Sackhoff said. "He said he thought I could 'take it.'"
No laughter now. Lots of squirming. The guy beside me was checking Twitter.
"He's lucky I wasn't there," Michelle said. "That kind of thing makes my blood boil."
Silence.
As the moderator started wrapping things up, apologizing for having to leave "right as things were getting good," Michelle leaned forward to her mic again.
"We gotta start writing," she said again. She meant women. "Writing, and directing, and producing the kind of content we want to see. Because otherwise, nothing's gonna change."
Quote by wickedpam:
Not usually at Micelle Rodriguez fan but she is indeed a "Woman Who Kicks Ass"
Michelle Rodriguez Made Me Cry at Comic-ConThen, she half-turned to look at them. "What's the most egregious example of sexism you've seen on set?"
"Some actor dude once said chicks couldn't drive cars," Michelle scoffed. "I was like, 'Move over.'"
The audience laughed a little. Sexism! Girls can drive cars. Silly sexist actor boys. No one in the audience was like them.
"One time a crew member started hitting on me when I was tied to a bed for a scene," Tatiana Maslany offered. "I was young. I was just starting out. I couldn't get away."
Less laughter now from the audience.
"Once a guy on set kinda beat the shit out of me during a fight scene," Katee Sackhoff said. "He said he thought I could 'take it.'"
No laughter now. Lots of squirming. The guy beside me was checking Twitter.
"He's lucky I wasn't there," Michelle said. "That kind of thing makes my blood boil."
Silence.As the moderator started wrapping things up, apologizing for having to leave "right as things were getting good," Michelle leaned forward to her mic again.
"We gotta start writing," she said again. She meant women. "Writing, and directing, and producing the kind of content we want to see. Because otherwise, nothing's gonna change."
Quote by Raine:I have liked her for a while, I;m not a fan of her movies. I'm really glad you shared this Mala.Quote by wickedpam:
Not usually at Micelle Rodriguez fan but she is indeed a "Woman Who Kicks Ass"
Michelle Rodriguez Made Me Cry at Comic-ConThen, she half-turned to look at them. "What's the most egregious example of sexism you've seen on set?"
"Some actor dude once said chicks couldn't drive cars," Michelle scoffed. "I was like, 'Move over.'"
The audience laughed a little. Sexism! Girls can drive cars. Silly sexist actor boys. No one in the audience was like them.
"One time a crew member started hitting on me when I was tied to a bed for a scene," Tatiana Maslany offered. "I was young. I was just starting out. I couldn't get away."
Less laughter now from the audience.
"Once a guy on set kinda beat the shit out of me during a fight scene," Katee Sackhoff said. "He said he thought I could 'take it.'"
No laughter now. Lots of squirming. The guy beside me was checking Twitter.
"He's lucky I wasn't there," Michelle said. "That kind of thing makes my blood boil."
Silence.As the moderator started wrapping things up, apologizing for having to leave "right as things were getting good," Michelle leaned forward to her mic again.
"We gotta start writing," she said again. She meant women. "Writing, and directing, and producing the kind of content we want to see. Because otherwise, nothing's gonna change."
Quote by Raine:
Mondo -- what is you twitter name?
Quote by wickedpam:
Hey, I follow D'va Grrl and The Mary Sue on FB, they bring the awesome Geek Girl word
Quote by Raine:I think I'm talking about the Fast and furious movies.Quote by wickedpam:
Hey, I follow D'va Grrl and The Mary Sue on FB, they bring the awesome Geek Girl word
I'm still reading the link -- it's intense.
Quote by Raine:I have liked her for a while, I;m not a fan of her movies. I'm really glad you shared this Mala.Quote by wickedpam:
Not usually at Micelle Rodriguez fan but she is indeed a "Woman Who Kicks Ass"
Michelle Rodriguez Made Me Cry at Comic-ConThen, she half-turned to look at them. "What's the most egregious example of sexism you've seen on set?"
"Some actor dude once said chicks couldn't drive cars," Michelle scoffed. "I was like, 'Move over.'"
The audience laughed a little. Sexism! Girls can drive cars. Silly sexist actor boys. No one in the audience was like them.
"One time a crew member started hitting on me when I was tied to a bed for a scene," Tatiana Maslany offered. "I was young. I was just starting out. I couldn't get away."
Less laughter now from the audience.
"Once a guy on set kinda beat the shit out of me during a fight scene," Katee Sackhoff said. "He said he thought I could 'take it.'"
No laughter now. Lots of squirming. The guy beside me was checking Twitter.
"He's lucky I wasn't there," Michelle said. "That kind of thing makes my blood boil."
Silence.As the moderator started wrapping things up, apologizing for having to leave "right as things were getting good," Michelle leaned forward to her mic again.
"We gotta start writing," she said again. She meant women. "Writing, and directing, and producing the kind of content we want to see. Because otherwise, nothing's gonna change."
I could have sat there for hours listening to them. And the thing was, it wasn't like they weren't saying anything I hadn't heard before, even from actresses in interviews. But I was part of a captive audience full of guys who were now probably feeling a shred of the same kind of discomfort that women experience every day of their lives. And God, God, it felt good.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:I think I'm talking about the Fast and furious movies.Quote by wickedpam:
Hey, I follow D'va Grrl and The Mary Sue on FB, they bring the awesome Geek Girl word
I'm still reading the link -- it's intense.
Oh I can't stand them - just plain out stupid.
Yeah, I've been wanting to go to a Con for a while cause I thought it was so open and accepting but apparently not if your female.
Quote by Raine:That makes me sad.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:I think I'm talking about the Fast and furious movies.Quote by wickedpam:
Hey, I follow D'va Grrl and The Mary Sue on FB, they bring the awesome Geek Girl word
I'm still reading the link -- it's intense.
Oh I can't stand them - just plain out stupid.
Yeah, I've been wanting to go to a Con for a while cause I thought it was so open and accepting but apparently not if your female.
What I do appreciate is that the author of the piece is talking about the subtle sexism that industry doesn't address. It's really a great piece of writing.
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:I have liked her for a while, I;m not a fan of her movies. I'm really glad you shared this Mala.Quote by wickedpam:
Not usually at Micelle Rodriguez fan but she is indeed a "Woman Who Kicks Ass"
Michelle Rodriguez Made Me Cry at Comic-ConThen, she half-turned to look at them. "What's the most egregious example of sexism you've seen on set?"
"Some actor dude once said chicks couldn't drive cars," Michelle scoffed. "I was like, 'Move over.'"
The audience laughed a little. Sexism! Girls can drive cars. Silly sexist actor boys. No one in the audience was like them.
"One time a crew member started hitting on me when I was tied to a bed for a scene," Tatiana Maslany offered. "I was young. I was just starting out. I couldn't get away."
Less laughter now from the audience.
"Once a guy on set kinda beat the shit out of me during a fight scene," Katee Sackhoff said. "He said he thought I could 'take it.'"
No laughter now. Lots of squirming. The guy beside me was checking Twitter.
"He's lucky I wasn't there," Michelle said. "That kind of thing makes my blood boil."
Silence.As the moderator started wrapping things up, apologizing for having to leave "right as things were getting good," Michelle leaned forward to her mic again.
"We gotta start writing," she said again. She meant women. "Writing, and directing, and producing the kind of content we want to see. Because otherwise, nothing's gonna change."
Sexism in fandom? No way!
Joss Weadon writes fantastic, amazing strong women characters. Lemme see, Buffy, Zoe Washburn, River Tam, Echo. They all kick some serious ass.
Quote by wickedpam:
uh oh - geek girls broke the blog
Quote by wickedpam:
Did ya'll ever read or hear Wil Wheaton Explain to a Newborn girl what is means to be a nerd?
It's Awesome
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:I have liked her for a while, I;m not a fan of her movies. I'm really glad you shared this Mala.Quote by wickedpam:
Not usually at Micelle Rodriguez fan but she is indeed a "Woman Who Kicks Ass"
Michelle Rodriguez Made Me Cry at Comic-ConThen, she half-turned to look at them. "What's the most egregious example of sexism you've seen on set?"
"Some actor dude once said chicks couldn't drive cars," Michelle scoffed. "I was like, 'Move over.'"
The audience laughed a little. Sexism! Girls can drive cars. Silly sexist actor boys. No one in the audience was like them.
"One time a crew member started hitting on me when I was tied to a bed for a scene," Tatiana Maslany offered. "I was young. I was just starting out. I couldn't get away."
Less laughter now from the audience.
"Once a guy on set kinda beat the shit out of me during a fight scene," Katee Sackhoff said. "He said he thought I could 'take it.'"
No laughter now. Lots of squirming. The guy beside me was checking Twitter.
"He's lucky I wasn't there," Michelle said. "That kind of thing makes my blood boil."
Silence.As the moderator started wrapping things up, apologizing for having to leave "right as things were getting good," Michelle leaned forward to her mic again.
"We gotta start writing," she said again. She meant women. "Writing, and directing, and producing the kind of content we want to see. Because otherwise, nothing's gonna change."
Sexism in fandom? No way!
Joss Weadon writes fantastic, amazing strong women characters. Lemme see, Buffy, Zoe Washburn, River Tam, Echo. They all kick some serious ass.
I used to want to channel Buffy as my inner ass kicker but I think I've changed that to Zoe - she is completely amazing!
Quote by Raine:Not at all -- I'm actually contemplating this. IT sorta reminds me about the very low numbers of women in IT.Quote by wickedpam:
uh oh - geek girls broke the blog
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
Did ya'll ever read or hear Wil Wheaton Explain to a Newborn girl what is means to be a nerd?
It's Awesome
If George Takai is the internet's cool uncle, the Wil Wheaton is the internet's cool cousin.
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..
Does this mean corporations are dolphins too?
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Not at all -- I'm actually contemplating this. IT sorta reminds me about the very low numbers of women in IT.Quote by wickedpam:
uh oh - geek girls broke the blog
girls aren't told they can be in that field. I know my cousin isn't, although she is told she is a good athlete (I don't see it but her parent's do ) Anyway, when she was little she loved CSI and we even got her "foresnic" type CSI toys - she loved them - finger printed everyone and would go find evidence. Now she never talks about anything and I was recently told Facebook is so old, she's only on Instagram. So we've gone from at least kind of connecting at humans to only communicating with pictures and videos.
so my point (after the tangent) as she got older it seems her parents deemed sports more important then science
“the most sordid, opportunistic thing I’ve ever heard.â€