Devastation in Gaza as Israel wages war on Hamas

 Certainly, here's a rewritten version:

"In Gaza, widespread devastation unfolds as Israel engages in conflict with Hamas. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas commended the remarkable decision made at the UN General Assembly on Friday, which supported the reevaluation of Palestine's full UN membership by the UN Security Council.

Expressing gratitude to the nations that endorsed the resolution, Abbas stated in a release that this move is 'in accordance with international law and reflects the global consensus in condemning the occupation and its offenses, as well as grave violations of international legitimacy.'

Abbas emphasized, 'Building on this vote, the State of Palestine will continue its efforts to attain full membership in the United Nations through a Security Council decision.'

He urged the US to reconsider its opposition and to endorse the Palestinian Authority's complete UN membership.

Highlighting the significance of the vote, which also granted the Palestinian Authority additional rights within the UN framework without full membership, Abbas portrayed it as a restoration of faith in international legitimacy and law, crucial for regional peace."

Syrian conflict putt al terrorist group militants nearer to Europe: Britain

Syria a 'game changer' for Britain terror threat, warns main office intelligence chief.

The Syrian conflict has become a “profound game changer” and poses the largest terror threat to the United Kingdom and Europe for a decade, the house Office’s terror chief has warned.

The conflict in Asian country has brought al terrorist group fighters nearer to Europe and in larger numbers than ever before, deeply ever-changing the character of the act of terrorism threat, Britain's high security official aforementioned on Wednesday.

Syria could be a terribly profound game-changer, Farr told a security conference in London. "The blunt truth is there square measure additional individuals related to al Qaeda and AQ-associated organizations currently in operation in Asian country than there ever are before that near Europe.

Charles Farr aforementioned there square measure thousands of al-Qaeda-inspired fighters currently in operation within the war torn country with several desirous to attack the united kingdom and different Western nations.

He aforementioned there has ne'er been numerous teams and fanatics coupled to the phobia organization therefore near Europe.

Britons square measure among them and also the worry is that they have already or can come back to the United Kingdom bent organizing atrocities here.

Hundreds and presumably thousands of al Qaeda-linked individuals had been drawn to the two-year-old rising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, aforementioned Charles Farr, Director General of Britain's workplace for Security and Counter-Terrorism.

Groups in Asian country plan to attack Europe and clearly during this chaotic atmosphere have each the aptitude and also the suggests that to try to therefore exploitation, amongst others, returning foreign fighters WHO square measure returning to Europe, he told the conference.
They square measure in operation at Associate in Nursing intensity that is unique since the events in Iraq in 2005/2006, in different words the height of the Iraqi terrorist threat. They’re a lot of nearer to America, in a lot of larger numbers, Associate in nursing fighting with intensity we've got not seen before.

However, the minister stopped in need of commenting directly on the case or criticizing the Guardian newspaper, which revealed the leaks.

The Breaking News of the Al-Qaida's second in command

US officials have said they were targeting Abu Yahya al-Libi in Monday's strike in Khassu Khel village in the North Waziristan tribal area and were 'optimistic' he was among those killed.

The Associated Press of Peshawar, Pakistan — Pakistani intelligence officials say they have evidence al Qaeda's second in command was in a house hit by a U.S. drone strike but they do not know whether he was killed.

U.S. officials have said they were targeting Abu Yahya al-Libi in Monday's strike in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal area and were "optimistic" he was killed.

Pakistani intelligence officials said Tuesday militants and local residents reported al-Libi was in the house. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the issue' sensitivity.

A local Taliban chief said al-Libi's guard and driver were killed, but the al Qaeda commander was not there. The Taliban commander spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being targeted.

U.S. officials have said they were targeting Abu Yahya al-Libi in Monday's strike in Khassu Khel village in theNorth Waziristan tribal area and were "optimistic" he was among those killed. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the classified nature of the drone program.

If al-Libi is confirmed killed, he would be the latest in the dozen-plus senior commanders removed in the clandestine U.S. war against al-Qaida since Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden last year.

Us Memorial Day, Topic War, and Dead

Us Memorial Day only On Memorial Day, President Barack Obama will attend an anniversary ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It's a long custom for presidents to honor the nation's war dead. However, it's a sure bet that he will not honor millions of casualties of war who are not remembered--their families will never be called "Gold Star Families," even though war killed their soldiers. That's because many veterans come home alive but are so morally injured that they kill themselves because war destroyed their core moral identity and stole their will to live. 

Memorial Day is the time when pundits and politicians alike stand and proclaim, "One life lost is one too many." Despite their best intentions, the statement is a hollow cliche that reflects a world as we want it to be versus the realities of the world as it is.

U.S. President Barack Obama plans to honor the country's war dead by spending the Memorial Day holiday Monday with veterans and their families, as communities across the nation host their own festivities.

The president will visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as well as Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington, where soldiers have placed American flags on nearly 260,000 graves.

The first large-scale observance of what was originally called Decoration Day took place at the cemetery in 1868, three years after the bloody Civil War that killed more than 600,000 people.

 It is an empty response that lacks eloquence and true understanding. It falls desperately short in its attempt to honor those who have laid down their lives for their country or pay tribute to their families who have truly sacrificed for our nation. But what does it all mean in the context of sacrifice, commitment and dedication? A life lost impacts a family, their friends, comrades and the community they represent. One life represents so much more than a number; it is reflective of a community, a county, a state and our nation. 

We never dreamed anything could happen to her. We thought she was safe, teaching aerial gunnery, trying to do the right thing. She believed in it so much, said Bagot, who lives in Uptown New Orleans now.

Historians from the National World War II museum recently recorded Bagot’s memories in order to feature Germaine’s story among those of service members lost during the war.

The fallen will be remembered this Memorial Day during the museum’s annual tribute, which includes concerts of patriotic music and a memorial ceremony, said Clem Goldberger of the World War II Museum.

Our military has always answered the call of our nation. Service members take an oath to "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic," which embodies the ideals of America. They acknowledge the gravity with "so help me God." Some go on to pay the ultimate sacrifice that transcends human logic. Everyone who serves gives some, while some give all.

When Germaine Laville turned 16 in 1938, her family and friends celebrated in the yard of their home in Plaquemine. It was May, and her younger sister, Betty Bagot, now 86, still remembers the pink roses blooming on the arbors.

Six years later, loved ones gathered again in honor of Germaine, nicknamed Bebe, but this occasion was sad. A member of the Marine Corps Women’s Reserves, she died in a fire in June 1944 while teaching at the Marine Air Base in Cherry Point, N.C. She was 22.

The war touched every aspect of life. “I went to LSU. There were no men, just women and 4Fs,” she said, referring to men who were ineligible to serve. Food and supplies were rationed, although with so many children and a garden on their property, no one went hungry.

“My brothers loved sugar and ketchup, and we never had enough of that,” Bagot said. “Of course, nylon stockings were a no-no and cigarettes were pathetic — you couldn’t get the kind you wanted.”

Bagot remembers the family was sitting at supper when the phone call came from the Plaquemine Western Union office. Germaine had been teaching when the building caught fire. She escaped, but ran back inside when she heard a call for help from a fellow Marine. She perished in the fire.

The whole town of Plaquemine turned out for the funeral. “It was a beautiful funeral. They even had an honor guard,” Bagot said, weeping.

Germaine was precocious. She skipped a grade and headed to LSU at 17, joining the sorority Alpha Chi Omega. She graduated at 20, eager to join the war effort on behalf of her family because the boys were all too young.

Pakistani troops-135 missing in avalanche

Pakistani soldiers are digging for a second day to find 135 people buried by a massive avalanche that engulfed a military complex near the Indian border.

Military officials said Sunday they have not recovered any bodies over 24 hours after the avalanche occurred. They are sending more heavy equipment to help with the effort.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The disaster occurred at the entrance to the Siachen Glacier, a mountain battleground where Pakistani and Indian troops have faced off for decades.

The army has said at least 124 soldiers and 11 civilian contractors were missing under some 21 meters (70 feet) of snow.

Pakistani soldiers dug into a massive avalanche in a mountain battleground close to the Indian border on Saturday, searching for at least 135 people buried when the wall of snow engulfed a military complex.

Pakistani soldiers carry supplies Feb. 19 in Pakistan's Dir district. An avalanche smashed into a Pakistani base on Saturday.

More than 12 hours after the disaster at the entrance to the Siachen Glacier, no survivors had been found.

"We are waiting for news and keeping our fingers crossed," said army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas.

Hundreds of troops, sniffer dogs and mechanical equipment were at the scene, but were struggling to make much headway into the avalanche, which crashed down onto the rear headquarters building in the Gayari sector early in the morning, burying it under some 21 meters (70 feet) of snow, Abbas said.

"It's on a massive scale," he added. "Everything is completely covered."

The military said in a statement that at least 124 soldiers and 11 civilian contractors were missing.

Siachen is on the northern tip of the divided Kashmir region claimed by both India and Pakistan.

The accident highlighted the risks of deploying troops to one of the most inhospitable places on earth.

The thousands of troops from both nations stationed there brave viciously cold temperatures, altitude sickness, high winds and isolation for months at a time. Troops have been deployed at elevations of up to 6,700 meters (22,000 feet) and have skirmished intermittently since 1984, though the area has been quiet since a cease-fire in 2003. The glacier is known as the world's highest battlefield.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed his shock at the incident, which he said "would in no way would undermine the high morale of soldiers and officers."

The headquarters in Gayari, situated at around 4,572 meters (15,000 feet) is the main gateway through which troops and supplies pass on their to other more remote outposts in the sector. It is situated in a valley between two high mountains, close to a military hospital, according to an officer who was stationed there in 2003.

"I can't comprehend how an avalanche can reach that place," said the officer, who didn't give his name because he is not authorized to speak to the media. "It was supposed to be safe."

More soldiers have died from the weather than combat on the glacier, which was uninhabited before troops moved there.

Conflict there began in 1984 when India occupied the heights of the 78-kilometer (49-mile)-long glacier, fearing Pakistan wanted to claim the territory. Pakistan also deployed its troops. Both armies remain entrenched despite the cease-fire, costing the poverty-stricken countries many millions of dollars each year.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since the partition of the subcontinent on independence from Britain in 1947. Two of the wars have been over Kashmir, which both claim in its entirety.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will sit down to lunch with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Sunday in the highest-level meeting on each other's soil in seven years as the nuclear-armed foes seek to normalize relations.

Relations have warmed since Pakistan promised its neighbor most favored nation trade status in 2011, although a $10 million bounty offered by Washington for a Pakistani Islamist blamed for the 2008 attacks on Mumbai stirred old grievances.

At the lunch meeting the two leaders are expected to focus on trade, where progress has been made, leaving more intractable problems, such as Kashmir, to lower officials.

"The Prime Minister will talk only about issues related to trade, education and culture this time," a government source with knowledge of the itinerary told Reuters.

On Saturday, an avalanche buried 124 Pakistani soldiers and 11 civilians near the 6,000-metre Siachen glacier in Kashmir, known as the world's highest battlefield. India and Pakistan fought two wars over Siachen and hundreds have died there, mostly from the inhospitable conditions.

Suicide explosives Car Bomber in Baghdad

An explosives-packed Car bomber suicide killed at least 32 people and injured about 60 in a predominantly Shia Muslim district of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

 

A security official told Reuters the bomber had initially attempted to attack a police station.

Attacks in Iraq have risen since US troops left last month, with 16 people killed in attacks on Thursday.

Police officials said the blast occurred at 11:00 a.m. in the predominantly Shiite neighborhood of Zafaraniyah, where mourners had gathered for the funeral of a person killed the day before. They said 65 people were wounded in the attack, including 16 policemen.

Hospital officials confirmed the death toll.

Across Iraq, at least 200 people have been killed in a wave of attacks by suspected insurgents since the beginning of the year, raising concerns that the surge in violence and an escalating political crisis might deteriorate into a civil war.

The blast occurred as mourners passed by an outdoor market headed toward a hospital in Baghdad's Zafarniya district to recover the bodies of three relatives shot the night before in the western part of the city, the officials said.

The violence has raised concerns about the ability of Iraqi security forces to ensure order, particularly after the United States withdrew troops at the end of 2011.

The situation has been further inflamed with a political bloc loyal to radical, anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr calling for the dissolution of parliament and early elections.

Friday's blast is the second deadliest single attack in Iraq this month.

The last U.S. soldiers left the country Dec. 18.

Suicide blast at Afghan police HQ

Suicide blast at Afghan police HQ

A suicide car bomber struck outside police headquarters in the southern Afghan city of Lashkar Gah, officials said that’s Twelve policemen and a child were killed.

The attack came days after control of security in the city, the capital of Helmand province, passed from British to Afghan forces as part of a process that will see all foreign combat troops leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

Experts question the ability of Afghan soldiers and police to protect their country against attacks from the Taliban, who claimed responsibility for the latest blast, and other insurgents.

The interior ministry confirmed the death toll and vowed the attack would not prevent the police from battling the Taliban, leaders of a 10-year insurgency raging across the country.

In a statement on their website, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in Helmand, one of the most dangerous provinces in Afghanistan and a key focus of the war for international troops.

The Taliban also claimed responsibility for that attack in a statement. Anti-government forces frequently target convoys supplying the foreign and Afghan militarizes.

Best friend honored

 "Bangladesh Freedom Honor''

Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971. "Bangladesh Freedom Honour" that’s Former Indian premier Indira Gandhi was yesterday conferred.

Her daughter-in-law also president of India's ruling Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, received the posthumous award from Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman on behalf of Indira Gandhi at a ceremony in Bangabhaban.

Indira Gandhi is the first among the foreign friends of Bangladesh to be conferred the highest state honour.

Her heartfelt thanks for the honour, Sonia recalled the tumultuous days of 1971 when her mother-in-law took a firm stance to side with the Bangalee people fighting to establish their own country.

"There can be no honour higher than the one conferred for the freedom of an oppressed people and the birth of a great nation," she said.

She said she came to Bangladesh not just to visit another country.

"Memories and emotions flood my mind. My husband and I were present at the airport along with Indira Ji amid massive crowds on the historic morning on January 10, 1972, when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was welcomed in Delhi on his way to his newly free country," recalled Sonia.

"On Bangabandhu's request, she withdrew the Indian soldiers within three months of Bangladesh's independence. That was a unique gesture of Mrs Indira Gandhi," PM Hasina said.

Indira Gandhi during Bangladesh's struggle for liberation. Both Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sonia Gandhi saw the pictures with curiosity.