Politics

Rumors are circulating in the United States capital of Washington that President Bush has declared a "secret, informal war" on Iran and Syria, according to a pair of blogs written by apparent Washington insiders. "Washington intelligence, military and foreign policy circles are abuzz today with speculation that the President, yesterday or in recent days, sent a secret Executive Order to the Secretary of Defense and to the Director of the CIA to launch military operations against Syria and Iran," blogger and think-tank fellow Steven Clemons wro

Three Canadian MPP by-elections have been announced Wednesday in the province of Ontario for the ridings of: Burlington, Markham, York South-Weston. The ridings have been vacant for many months due to the Municipal elections. Most candidates are already nominated and have started campaigning. Only residents over age 18 can vote in the riding they live in. On Sept. 28 2006, Former Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Cam Jackson resigned to run for mayor of Burlington and won on November 13, 2006. On Sept. 25, 2006, Former Lib

President Bush gave a speech that unveiled a "surge" strategy plan for the Iraq War. His plan involves sending 21,500 more troops into Iraq. He and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki have sent benchmarks for the Iraqi government to accomplish. These benchmarks include increasing the Iraqi Army's size and appointing a head general of the army and two deputy generals. The increase in troops would be used to occupy areas after they have been cleared from insurgents. Republicans on the Armed Services Committee voiced support for the plan. “To my

Mustafa Osman Ismail, Sudan's Presidential Advisor, opened the possibility of allowing some United Nations peacekeepers into its troubled Darfur region. Ismail admitted that the African Union Commander in Darfur could request non-African troops if he decides that current troop numbers are not sufficient. This would allow forces from organisations such as the UN to send troops there at the Commander's request. When asked whether this would lead to UN troops in Darfur, Ismail replied "You are right." While the region is currently overseen by 7,0

Prince Laurent of Belgium, the youngest son of King Albert II of Belgium, has been questioned last night by the federal police and is attending today's court session in Hasselt in a marine fraud case that has gripped Belgian media since last December. He arrived in a Smart car and was accompanied by his lawyer and former politician Fred Erdman. The case turns around funds of the Belgian Navy that have been used to beautify the Prince's villa in Tervuren. The Prince is expected to testify this afternoon. In total, € 2.2 million was supposedly d

The Pentagon has confirmed that US forces began an on-going operation of airstrikes in southern Somalia on Monday, and that the attacks, targeted at Islamic militia, are continuing. Somalia's president had earlier said that the United States was pursuing suspects of the 1998 United States embassy bombings. It is believed that the militants are sheltering the suspects. An attack against Ras Kamboni — a remote island near the Kenyan border, represents the first American involvement in the tumultous country since the the 1993 operation that resul

Stanislaw Wielgus, the Archbishop of Warsaw, resigned yesterday after admitting to have worked for the secret police of Poland during the operation of the Communist government. At a mass in Warsaw Cathedral, the Archbishop was to have marked his formal installation. Instead, he tendered his resignation. The resignation came at the request of Pope Benedict XVI, who had appointed Wielgus one month previously. The reaction to the resignation is mixed. Polish President Lech Kaczyński, who attended the service, applauded the resignation. Wielgus'

Previously Wikinews published an article where New Zealand politician, Honourable Peter Dunne claimed that the Honourable Doctor Nick Smith was the worst behaved politician in the House, "by a country mile". Gabriel Pollard (Nzgabriel), accredited Wikinews reporter, asked Hon Dr Smith what he thought of Hon Dunne ranking him the worst behaved politician. Hon Dr Smith did not respond to the e-mail when the story was first published, but now has. Hon Dr Smith said that Hon Dunne's way of assessing the behaved politicians is flawed. Hon Dunne on

Canada's first sextuplets, four boys and two girls, were born on the weekend of January 6th 2007 at the B.C. Women's hospital in Vancouver. The first baby was delivered vaginally, while the following 5 had to be removed by emergency caesarean section. Dr. Liz Whynot, the Women's Hospital president said the first baby was delivered around 8:30 p.m. Saturday night, with the others born early Sunday. Whynot said the parents "... understand there is a lot of public interest in the birth of their babies, they are feeling overwhelmed. So they're

Egypt intends to launch an international initiative to fight misuse of the internet. This statement was made by Egypt's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs Abdel Aziz Seif el-Nasr. The idea lies in implementing a long-term international cooperation plan that concerns suppressing the activity of criminals and other groups that use World Wide Web for promoting their interests. Abdel Aziz Seif el-Nasr stated that soon Egypt will take necessary steps to present the idea on the international arena. He also outlined the fact that the plan fo

Toxic chemicals were found in four Canadian politicians after they volunteered to have their blood tested as part of Environmental Defense's report titled Toxic Nation on Parliament Hill. The federal politicians that were tested are: Environment Minister Rona Ambrose, Health Minister Tony Clement, NDP Leader Jack Layton, and Liberal Environment Critic John Godfrey. Godfrey at number 55 had the highest total number of pollutants followed by Health Minister Tony Clement and Jack Layton at 54 and Environment Minister Rona Ambrose at 49. They w

Canadian PM Stephen Harper will shuffle his cabinet today at 11:00 a.m. ET. The replacing cabinet ministers will be sworn in at a ceremony in Rideau Hall, the Governor General's official residence in Ottawa, the nation's capital. Harper is scheduled to make a statement at 12:30 p.m today at 24 Sussex Drive], the Prime Minister's residence. The shuffle could involve five (some sources say seven) cabinet ministers. Environment minister Rona Ambrose will likely be replaced. Canadian media speculated that Treasury Board President John Baird will