Wall Street Journal (US)

“Afghan insurgents strike”

Nine foreign soldiers were killed over the weekend, in Afghanistan.

July was dubbed the bloodiest month in eight years, where 75 foreign troops died. The Wall Street Journal wonders why violence is on the rise.

According to the newspaper, it’s because foreign troops are currently pressing deep into Taliban strongholds, in the south of the country. And also, insurgents are trying to intimidate the population, ahead of the presidential elections on August 20.

The Wall Street Journal says the Taliban is getting more and more organised, and have improved techniques to make road side bombs.
 

Such attacks have spiked in recent years. Insurgents reportedly plant these bombs routinely, now using explosives that contain little metal, and are therefore harder to detect.

According to the newspaper, roadside bombs are one of the biggest challenges for foreign troops in Afghanistan.

The International Herald Tribune

“Death follows soldiers home”

According to the International Herald Tribune, the number of suicides in the US Army is at its highest in three decades.

From January to mid-July, authorities have reported 129 suicides.  The newspaper wrote a piece about a 26-year-old soldier, Jacob Blaylock who shot himself last year, during an argument with his girlfriend.

The article says it’s the accumulation of events that pushes soldiers to commit suicide, for example multiple deployments added to financial issues, drug or alcohol abuses, or relationship troubles.

In the case of Blaylock, he was discharged from the army for mental health problems, but was called up again in 2005 and sent to Iraq. He committed suicide two years later.

The Jerusalem Post (Israel)

“Charge FM with bribery, fraud and obstructing justice, police recommend”.

Israeli police have recommended charging the country’s Foreign Minister.

Avigdor Lieberman is suspected of bribery, fraud, money laundering and obstruction of justice.

The Jerusalem Post says that if the Attorney General accepts the police recommendation… Lieberman could decide the fate of his portfolio.

He’s likely to give it to his deputy, the former Ambassador to the US, Danny Avalon.

And if he does, the newspapers says that it will be a step towards peace in the region. Avigdor Lieberman is described as a hardliner, strongly against Palestinians.

If he steps down, analysts say it’ll be easier for Netanyahu to move towards a peace process.

The Independent (UK)

“New El-Nino threatens world”

Forecasters say a new El-Nino is brewing up, and is set to be the second strongest on record.

The Independent goes back on the history of El-Nino. It’s caused by the warming of oceans… And it increases warm and cold extremes, can cause heavier rainfall and increase drought in certain regions.

The article says 2010 is likely to be one of the hottest year on record. 

The Independent (UK)

“All fall down”

The story made a few headlines on Monday, like on The Telegraph, and the Daily Mail.

It’s the world record for the biggest formation of people, in freefall, while facing the ground headfirst.

Some 108 daredevils completed the formation in 40 seconds. They were flying above Illinois, in the United States.