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Wednesday

Crowd's Panic on Bridge Kills Hundreds

Some 700 Iraqis are dead following a stampede on a Baghdad bridge. Officials say most of the victims were women and children. They were taking part in a Shiite religious procession when the rumored presence of a suicide bomber prompted a panicked rush across the bridge over the Tigris.

Crowd's Panic on Bridge Kills Hundreds

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Iraqis Vote on Much-Debated Constitution

Sunnis Rush to Meet Voter Registration Deadline

Sunni Muslims, who largely boycotted January's parliamentary elections, are registering in large numbers for an Oct. 15 vote on the draft consitution. Most are expected to vote against it.

Sunnis Rush to Meet Voter Registration Deadline

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Hundreds Trampled to Death in Baghdad Pilgrimage

More than 600 Iraqis are confirmed dead and hundreds others injured after a stampede in Baghdad on Wednesday -- the deadliest single event since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. The stampede occurred after a mortar attack, plus a rumor of a suicide bomber in their midst, spread panic among a crowd of Shiite Muslim pilgrims crossing a bridge. Alex Chadwick gets an update from Christian Science Monitor correspondent Dan Murphy, reporting from Baghdad.

Hundreds Trampled to Death in Baghdad Pilgrimage

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Hundreds Die in Panic on Baghdad Bridge

A rumor that a suicide bomber was in their midst sends a crowd of Shiite faithful at a religious festival into a panic. More than 600 die in the ensuing crush on a bridge, many of them women and children.

Hundreds Die in Panic on Baghdad Bridge

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Tuesday

Closure of Central Asian Air Base Debated

The United States is under pressure to reduce its military presence in Central Asia. An airbase in Uzbekistan is already set to close. American officials say they can make do with another base in neighboring Kyrzygstan, but some experts question that.

Closure of Central Asian Air Base Debated

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Protests in Crawford

A Conversation with Iraq War Activist Cindy Sheehan

Alex Chadwick speaks with Cindy Sheehan, the mother of an Army specialist killed in Iraq who has been staging a weeks-long vigil outside the president's ranch Crawford, Texas. Sheehan is calling on President Bush to explain what "noble cause" her son died for -- and her actions have divided the community of families of U.S. service members who've died in the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

A Conversation with Iraq War Activist Cindy Sheehan

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U.S., Canada Battle over Lumber Tariffs

Tensions are rising between the United States and Canada over tariffs imposed on Canadian lumber. Canadian officials argue the United States is in violation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Some Canadian cabinet ministers suggest they could retaliate against U.S. imports with sanctions.

U.S., Canada Battle over Lumber Tariffs

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Media

Israeli Finance Minister Seeks to Unseat Sharon

Many in Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud Party opposed the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Now former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is stepping forward to challenge Sharon for leadership of the Likud, a move that could significantly alter Israeli politics as the country faces a general election, probably as early as next spring.

Israeli Finance Minister Seeks to Unseat Sharon

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Monday

Slate's War Stories: Iraq's Sunni Problem

A draft Iraqi constitution appears ready to put to voters in a referendum this October. But Sunni leaders have denounced the document, and may try to block its passage. Alex Chadwick speaks with Slate military affairs writer Fred Kaplan.

Slate's War Stories: Iraq's Sunni Problem

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Sunnis Challenge Iraq's New Constitution

Minority Sunni Muslims are challenging the new Iraqi constitution, saying it will lead to more sectarian violence. The charter, outlining a more religious and less centralized Iraq, will be put to the people for an October vote.

Sunnis Challenge Iraq's New Constitution

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Israel's Withdrawal from Gaza

Creating a New Gaza

With the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza complete, attention turns to plans for redevelopment in the area. Nigel Roberts of the World Bank tells Renee Montagne about rebuilding prospects and obstacles to economic recovery.

Creating a New Gaza

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Germany's Elections Hinge on Personalities

German politicians campaigning for September's elections must try to win local votes themselves, while the media is dominated by the personalities and promises of the parties' national leaders. For SPD politicians, their fate is tied to Gerhard Schroeder. For CDU contenders, they're dependent on the success or failure of Angela Merkel.

Germany's Elections Hinge on Personalities

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Iraqis Vote on Much-Debated Constitution

Iraq's President Offers Constitution; Sunnis Protest

Iraq's president calls on the country to accept a new constitution despite protests by the Sunni minority. The draft document was completed on Sunday with the support of Iraq's Shiite-dominated parliament

Iraq's President Offers Constitution; Sunnis Protest

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Vietnam Frees Thousands of Prisoners

The government of Vietnam says it will pardon more than 10,000 prisoners to mark the 60th National Day later this week, the fourth mass release in the past two years. There were no high profile political prisoners released -- just as last time -- nor were any death-row inmates granted amnesty or a reduction in sentence. But 21 foreigners were on the list of those to be released, along with nearly 30 ethnic minority hill people.

Vietnam Frees Thousands of Prisoners

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