Since most people probably missed the news headlines for today, a quick summary with some captions that the stations seem to be omitting. It’s been a heavy news day.
Updates: More info on several events added behind the cut (0005 PST)
In Israel today: A leader of Islamic Jihad killed by IDF forces in Gaza, some other casualties, and a suicide bombing at a bus stop in central Israel (about halfway between where my grandparents live) that killed 4 people. As a side note, if you watch the TV news you may get the impression that the latter was retaliation for the former – no, they’re uncorrelated. Both were in planning for some amount of time.
(Incidentally, the Israeli defense minister gave some more details about the IJ guy – apparently a “mega-strike” was in the works, at the ticking time bomb level, and the only way to stop it was to gib him. No further details at the moment, but my hunch is that this is closely associated with whatever it was that’s been prompting the high alerts in the US lately – which appear to be more than the usual “just for safety’s sake we’ll sound the alarm” nonsense. We may have just narrowly missed something really horrific.)
In Pakistan: Another attempt on PM Musharraf’s life, the second in 2 weeks. Some people just don’t make friends easily. 14 people killed, Musharraf escaped unharmed.
In Africa: A chartered flight from Benin to Beirut crashed shortly after takeoff. Over 90 dead, 24 survivors known at this time.
In China: An explosion in near Chongqing in Sichuan, in southwestern China, at a natural gas mine released a cloud of toxic gas, killing essentially the entire village in the area. Current casualties are 191 dead, over 400 wounded. Investigation to follow; proper safety procedures may not have been followed.
On Mars: The Mars Express made it into orbit, but there’s been no signal back from the Beagle II Lander yet. Ground control will try to contact it again over the next two days.
Update: At 0527 local time a magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit the southeastern Iranian city of Bam. Details are still coming in, but heavy casualties are reported.
Update: As of 1030 PST, estimates in Bam are reaching 4,000 dead, 30,000 injured.
Update: As of 1115 PST, the latest number from the Iranian government is 15,000 dead.
Yonatan Zunger’s Blog 
Wow. I hate to admit it, but my first reaction the news of the earthquake was to consider the name of the city and chuckle. Bam! doh.