The latest news on Lebanon, Palestine, Afghanistan, Immigration, Zimbabwe, the Georgia-Russia conflict, the Olympics and select Editorials.

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Lebanon. Bomb blast rocks north Lebanon "At least 11 people die in explosion near a military bus in a busy Tripoli street." Lebanese city rocked by bus bomb"An explosion close to a bus in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli kills at least 11 people including off-duty soldiers." Lebanese city rocked by bus bomb "At least 11 people have been killed by a blast in the centre of the Lebanese city of Tripoli, the military says. Security officials said a bomb went off close to a bus whose passengers included a number of off-duty soldiers." 18 killed, 40 wounded as bomb ravages Lebanese city of Tripoli "Explosion occurs near a bus carrying civilians and soldiers; no immediate word on who is responsible."

Afghanistan. Aid workers killed in Afghanistan "Three female international aid
workers have been killed in an ambush in southern Afghanistan, according to a provincial governor." Aid women killed in Afghanistan "Three female international aid workers have been shot dead along with their Afghan driver near Kabul.The women worked for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). It said one was Canadian, another was British-Canadian and the third was Trinidadian-American." Lebanon Bomb Kills at Least 10 People "There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which may have been aimed at the military."

Immigration. Ill and in Pain, Detainee Dies in U.S. Hands "Complaints of inadequate care have drawn scrutiny to the network of jails where the government holds people while deciding whether to deport them." Ottawa to ease immigration rules for workers, students"Plan aims to retain skilled employees."

Zimbabwe. 'Deal reached' in Zimbabwe talks "Zimbabwe's president has reached a deal with a breakaway faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in power-sharing talks that could lead to the formation of a government, according to a ruling party official." Mugabe rival 'needs to reflect' "Talks on power-sharing in Zimbabwe have adjourned to give opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai time to reflect, South Africa's president has said."

Georgia-Russia. Violence flares in Georgian town "There are reports of looting in the Georgian town of Gori, where Russian tanks are out on the streets despite a truce." Russia calls off assault in Georgia "The presidents of Georgia and Russia agreed early today on a framework that could end the war that flared up here five days ago, after Russia reasserted its traditional dominance of the region." Georgia Says Russian Attack Continues in Spite of Accord"Georgia on Wednesday accused Russia of attacking and occupying the central Georgian city of Gori, in flagrant defiance of an agreement struck only hours earlier." Russia relations sure to suffer, but no one knows how much "Experts agree that Russia's invasion of Georgia has dealt a serious blow to relations between Moscow and the United States. But the extent of the damage won't be known until Moscow makes clear whether it will cooperate in a European-led peace initiative." Georgian-Russian hostilities spill over to beach volleyball "Georgia beat Russia in women's beach volleyball Wednesday, to the delight of the Chinese crowd. But animosity boiled over after the match, when the Russian competitors refused to acknowledge that their side actually lost to Georgia. Alexandra Shiryaeva, one of the two Russian players, sneered that both Georgian players are native-born Brazilians."

Olympics. Phelps breaks Olympic gold record US swimmer Michael Phelps broke the record for Olympic gold medals won by taking his 10th and 11th in a double victory on Wednesday. Five Golds for Phelps, Three to Go "Michael Phelps collected his fourth and fifth gold medals, becoming the career leader in Olympic golds with 11." China win first women's team gold China overcame an injury-ravaged United States team to clinch their first women's team gymnastics Olympic title. Cheng Fei fell from the balance beam but China still beat the world champions by 2.375 points, while 2004 champions Romania settled for bronze. Grace, Pathos and Ethics Mix "Women's gymnastics at the Olympics always lifts or breaks your heart. Today, it did both."

Editorial. The Drums of Change (Washington Post) "More than Russia's invasion, China's Olympics challenge democratic values." Day Laborers and Home Depot (New York Times) "Los Angeles's proposed ordinance to require more orderly hiring sites for day laborers is a small measure that makes a huge amount of sense."