Shorter Question Everything

By xxxevilgrinxxx | Published: November 5, 2009

Palestine
Palestinians may have to abandon the goal of an independent state if Israel continues to expand Jewish settlements and the United States does not stop it, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Wednesday. It may be time for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to “tell his people the truth, that with the continuation of settlement activities, the two-state solution is no longer an option,” Erekat told a news conference. This comes as the General assembly is expected to back a resolution endorsing the Goldstone report on alleged war crimes committed during the Gaza conflict last January.

US: Minot AFB
There’s a new wing commander at Minot Air Force base. Col. Douglas Cox is the new commander of the 5th bomb Wing. Col. Cox took over the wing after Col. Joel Westa was relieved of command on Friday. Westa was removed due to the Air Force losing confidence in his ability to command. Col. Cox says he is ready to lead the 5th bomb wing knowing that perfection is the standard. The new commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base said his first priority is to make sure the wing is ready for inspections. Col. Douglas Cox began Monday as the top officer of the bomb wing.

France and Latin America
France is pursuing further arms sales in Latin America after its extensive weapons deal with Brazil and is hoping to persuade Argentina to become its next big customer for military hardware.

Canada
Bill C-391: The future of the long gun registry could be decided today, as a private member’s bill to kill the registry goes to a vote in the House of Commons. Conservative MP Candice Hoeppner says she’s close to having enough opposition support to kill the registry. She says she has commitments from eight Liberal and New Democrat MPs to support Bill C-391 to scrap the decade-old registry.

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe looks set to escape any punishment over its trade in blood diamonds after a ruthless lobbying campaign by the Mugabe regime that has included threats and intimidation of a key witness at an international summit in neighbouring Namibia.

Ecuador and Colombia
Ecuador and Colombia are inching towards restoring diplomatic ties that was severed last year on the heels of a cross-border raid by the Colombian military into Ecuador’s territory. The announcement was made Tuesday by Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Fander Falconi and his Colombian counterpart, Jaime Bermudez.