The Human Cost of the Coalition Forces in Iraq

I was shocked to read the high figures relating to the deaths of US soldiers inj Iraq and checked the British Army statistics to see how they compare-:

As at 22 September 2007, a total of 170 British Armed Forces personnel or MOD civilians have died serving in Iraq since the start of the campaign in March 2003.

Of these, 133 are classed as Killed in Action or Died of Wounds (109 are classed as Killed in Action and 24 are classed as Died of Wounds sustained from Action).

37 are known to have died either as a result of illness, non-combat injuries or accidents, or have not yet officially been assigned a cause of death pending the outcome of an investigation

For the period from 1 January 2006 to 31 August 2007:

Centrally available records show that:

• 278 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK Field Hospitals and categorised as Wounded in Action, including as a result of hostile action.
  
• 1,908 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK Field Hospitals for Disease or Non Battle Injuries.
  
• 34 UK personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
  
• 59 UK military and civilian personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
  
• 1,155 UK military and civilian personnel were aeromedically evacuated from Iraq on medical grounds, whatever the reason.

Source -MOD

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishCasualties.htm

Fortunately the figures are nowhere near as high as the US army fatalities but every life lost is tragic waste. As no end appears to be in sight it is a sad fact that these statistics will increase.

Colin Mcrae 1968 -2007

Very sad to hear about the death of Colin Mcrae today.

A facility to leave condolences has been opened on his website

A legend and an inspiration. God bless

Colin Mcrae Official Website

Arctic Ice (Bulletin Repost)

MySpace.com: Read Bulletin

Madeleine McCann 'died of sleeping pill overdose' | NEWS.com.au

Madeleine McCann 'died of sleeping pill overdose' | NEWS.com.au

Make Poverty History

Ricky Gervais Clip 3

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Madonna and Britney face beheading

Myspace.com Blogs:anna7897 MySpace Blog

New 6.2 earthquake strikes Sumatra - CNN.com

BREAKING.......


New 6.2 earthquake strikes Sumatra - CNN.com

Indonesian earthquake

An earthquake which registered 8.2 on the Richter Scale hit the coast of Sumatra today and triggered a small tsunami. An official at Indonesia's meteorological agency said gauges measured a wave surge of one meter after the first quake. The agency said the big quake's epicentre was 159 km (99 miles) southwest of Bengkulu, a remote area of mountains and forests. It was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks, including a magnitude-6.6 quake that briefly triggered a second tsunami alert in Indonesia. Authorities from Malaysia and Sri Lanka issued independent warnings, as did India for the Andaman and Nicobar islands, and Australia for Christmas and Cocos Islands. Early reports suggest that 10 people are dead and 100 injured.

2nd Earthquake hits Sumatra

BREAKING....Indonesia news....South Sumatra hit by 2nd eathquake measuring 6.1 on richter scale. This follows report that a small tsunami has hit the town of Pandang following an earlier earthquake.....MORE FOLLOWS....

There are no longer any tsunami warnings in force following 2nd earthquake

2nd Earthquake hits South Sumatra

BREAKING....Indonesia news....South Sumatra hit by 2nd eathquake measuring 6.1 on richter scale. This follows report that a small tsunami has hit the town of Pandang following an earlier earthquake.....MORE FOLLOWS

Myspace.com Blogs:anna7897 MySpace Blog

Myspace.com Blogs:anna7897 MySpace Blog

ITN news are reporting the following.

TSUNAMI WARNING INDONESIA



As far as I can understand a small tsunami has hit the Indonesian coast of PANDANG. I am trying to confirm this story and wil update ASAP.....



MORE FOLLOWS.......

Anita Roddick 1942 -2007

In Memory of Anita Roddick who died yesterday from a brain haemorrhage.

She was a remarkable lady and a true inspiration for women. She was a pioneer in raising environmental awareness through her success as founder of The Body Shop. She paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps, as a business woman and social conscience campaigner.

Anita Roddick - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Dame Anita Perella Roddick, DBE (23 October 1942 – 10 September 2007)["

Scotsman.com News - UK - Social workers scrutinise McCann twins as evidence dossier given to prosecutor

Scotsman.com News - UK - Social workers scrutinise McCann twins as evidence dossier given to prosecutor

'Police Match Madeleine DNA To Hire Car' - Links

'Police Match Madeleine DNA To Hire Car' |Sky News|Home

DNA sample in McCanns’ car ‘has 100% match to Madeleine’ - Times Online


Madeleine McCann: the key questions - Times Online

Is TV dead?

This is an interesting debate, I wonder if broadcasting and media technology will advance and adapt to a new format? The following question asked by Mike Butcher of Media Bites is true and just about sums up the quality of content whch is being churned out on a regular basis

Fundamental thing about TV is attention. Ofcomm says that people are watching fewer DVDs. They are ad skipping. People are downloading off of BitTorrent. What does TV do about this? It's having to come up with stuff like Big Brother.


TV Un-festival: Is TV dead? The Podcast from Guardian Unlimited: Organ Grinder#more#more

Are the McCann's guilty?

I would be interested to know what people think about the Madeleine McCann investigation. I will be putting together an article to weigh up the evidence and theories surrounding the latest developments. If anyone would like to comment or contribute their thoughts or feelings I would be very grateful. You can remain anonymous if you prefer.

Daily Express: The World's Greatest Newspaper :: News / Showbiz :: Madeleine: 'We can prove parents did it'

McCanns arrive back in the UK

The parents of missing four year old Madeleine McCann have arrived back in the UK. Portuguese authorities have said that they may have to return to Portugal at any time. The investigative process could take up to one year before any charges are brought about.

McCann case - Both parents named as official suspects

In a bizarre twist both parents of missing four year old Madeleine McCann, have been declared as official suspects in the ongoing investigation into the diappearance of their daughter. The dramatic development has unfolded over the last 24 hours following a period of intense questioning of both Kate and Gerry McCann by Portuguese detectives. No charges have been brought and no arrests have been made however both parents will have to attend a court hearing within the next 48 hours in order for police to present their evidence. No bail conditions have been attached at present but it is unlikely that the McCanns will be able to leave Portugal in the near future. As a result of their status of arguida or official suspect the couple are banned from speaking to the media.

Gerry McCann left Portimao Police Station at approx 12.10 am accompanied by his solicitor Carlos Pinto de Abreu following 8 hours of intense questioning. As he stood for photographs looking pale and exhausted his solicitor read a brief statement firstly in Portuguese announcing his clients change in staus, from witness to arguido. Portuguese police are yet to make any further official statement, both parents deny any involvement into the diappearance of their daughter. This shocking revelation comes on day 127 following Madeleine's disappearance on May 3rd 2007.

Madeleine McCann - Brief Summary of Key Events

Four year old Madeleine McCann went missing from an apartment in Praia de Luz, Portugal on May 3rd 2007. She was on a family holiday with her parents Kate and Gerry and brother and sister, twins 2 years old Sean and Amelia. The children had been left alone in the apartment while their parents ate with friends at a nearby Tapas bar. Among them were Dr Russell O'Brien and his wife Jane Tanner, who have two young children; Matthew Oldfield, a doctor, and his wife Rachael; Dr Fiona Payne and her husband David, a senior research fellow at Leicester University, and Mrs Payne's mother, Dianne Webster

The alarm was raised when Kate McCann carried out a routine check on her children and discovered Madeleine was missing from her bed. An intense search was carried out and Portuguese police launched an investigation into the possible abduction of Madeleine.

On May 14th Police launched a search at the home of English man Robert Murat, just 100 yards from where Madeleine was snatched. Mr Murat was taken in for questioning, but was not formally arrested. He was later named as the only arguido or official suspect in the case but no charges have yet been brought against him.





The McCanns embarked on a media campaign which toured Europe highlighting the disappearance of Madeleine, even meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. Celebrities including J.K. Rowling and David Beckham made public appeals that helped the family raise more than £1 million.


Today a second arguida has been identified by the Portuguese police. The family of Kate McCann have reported that Kate is the second official suspect. She was questioned for 11 hours yesterday and a further 5 hours today before being released without charge. Gerry McCann is still being interviewed by police at Portimao police station.

Police Accused of trying to offer Kate McCann A Deal

The family and friends of Kate McCann have hit out at suggestions that Kate was someway involved in the disappearance of her daughter Madeleine. They have accused the Portuguese police of trying to offer a deal to Kate. Gerry McCann's sister, Philomena, told ITV news; "They tried to get her to confess to having accidentally killed Madeleine by offering her a deal through her lawyer - 'if you say you killed Madeleine by accident and then hid her and disposed of the body, then we can guarantee you a two-year jail sentence or even less,'

Gerry McCann also defended his wife before being interviewed by the Portuguese police this afternoon. On the Web site http://www.findmadeleine.com, Gerry McCann said any suggestion "that Kate is involved in Madeleine's disappearance is ludicrous." A former spokesman for the family, Clarence Mitchell also spoke to the Associated Press. The McCann's "continue to deny absolutely they had anything to do" with their daughter's disappearance, Mitchell said. He said Kate McCann had found the police questioning "gruelling and very intense", but she's remaining strong and determined to prove that they had nothing to do with their daughter's disappearance and they are innocent victims of the crime".