Twin car bombings kill at least 80

KIRKUK, Iraq -- Twin suicide car bombings exploded within 20 minutes of each other in Iraq's north today, killing at least 80 people and wounding around 150 in attacks targeting a Kurdish political office and an outdoor market, police said.

The attacks in Kirkuk began around noon when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-packed truck near the concrete blast walls of the headquarters of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the party of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

The explosion blasts a 30-foot-deep crater in the pavement and collapsed part of the roof of the one-story PUK office.

Soon after, the second bomber attacked the Haseer market, 700 yards away, destroying stalls and cars, said Kirkuk police Brig. Sarhat Qadir.

The market is frequented by Kurds in Kirkuk, a city where tensions are high between the Kurdish and Arab populations. At least 80 people were killed and about 140 wounded, said police Brig. Burhan Tayeb Taha.

The attack is believed to be the deadliest suicide bombing in Kirkuk -- 180 miles north of Baghdad -- where violence tends to be on a smaller scale of shootings, roadside bombs and kidnap-slayings, often linked to the struggle between the city's Kurds and Arabs. Today's blast came just over a week after one of the Iraq conflict's deadliest suicide attacks hit a village about 50 miles south of Kirkuk, killing more than 160 people.

Iraqi officials have said Sunni insurgents are moving further north to carry out attacks, fleeing U.S. offensives in and around Baghdad, including in the city of Baqouba, a stronghold of extremists on the capital's northwestern doorstep.

Meanwhile, U.S. troops launched a new offensive south of Baghdad aimed at stopping weapons and fighters from moving into the capital, the military said today.

The statement did not say where the new sweep, codenamed Marne Avalanche, is tak-ing place.

The military also announced today that an American soldier died from wounds received yesterday in a bombing in Ninevah province, northwest of Kirkuk.

Violence appears to have eased in Baghdad in recent weeks -- but attacks, including deadly car bombs, happen daily.

A string of attacks this morning in the capital killed at least 14 people.

In the deadliest, a roadside bomb exploded as an Iraqi army patrol passed in the city's northeast outskirts, killing five soldiers and wounding nine, an army officer said.

Two car bombs struck, one driven by a suicide bomber who struck a police checkpoint on a major road leading to a major Interior Ministry building inside the Green Zone. Two policemen were killed and seven people wounded, a police official said.

A parked car bomb went off in the central district of Karradah, exploding near Masbah Square, killing one person, wounding three others and leaving nearby shops burned, a police official said. Yesterday, a car bomb went off about a half-mile away, killing 10 people.

Other deaths in Baghdad were caused by mortars, shootings and roadside bombs, according to police officials. Also, 22 bullet-riddled bodies were found dumped in various locations of Baghdad, apparently the latest victims of sectarian violence, police said. All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the reports.

A group of 24 Iranians escaped from detention in an Iraqi police station in the southern town of Badra this week, police in the town said. They broke out Saturday evening, and while four were quickly recaptured, the remainder may have fled across the nearby border, a police officer in the nearby city of Kut said.

The Iranians had been detained on suspicion of illegally entering the country, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. Thousands of Iranians enter Iraq -- particularly the Shiite heartland in the south -- for pilgrimage and business, but the U.S. also accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guards of organizing Shiite militants into cells and arming them to attack U.S. and Iraqi forces.

Meanwhile, parliament convened today as Iraqi politicians tried to end a pair of boycotts of the legislature -- by Sunni legislators and by Shiite lawmakers loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr -- that are holding up work on crucial reforms sought by Washington.

In Washington, today, former Rep. Lee Hamilton, co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group, said he's "extremely doubtful" that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will be able to secure the country and allow American forces to leave any time soon.

"There is no chance that the Iraqi forces could take over at any time, or certainly by the first of the year," Hamilton said in a nationally broadcast interview. "All of the support efforts, logistical and medical and so forth, they are not close to being able to meet," Hamilton said.

"The most important is inclusivity," he added. "That is making sure that you include all elements of Iraqi society in the government," he said. "They're not close at all. The president gave them a satisfactory rating. But all they've done is create a committee" to work on a host of legislative issues aimed at completing the transition from the Saddam Hussein era.

"I am extremely doubtful about it. He's had quite a bit of time now. He's known exactly what he's had to do. He hasn't done it. His rhetoric is pretty good. His performance is pretty bad," Hamilton said in an interview with on NBC's "Today" show.

The former Democratic congressman from Indiana, long a major player in foreign affairs issues, was interviewed on the same day that al-Maliki told NBC News in an interview that he now believes Iraqi forces will be ready to secure the country on their own by the end of the year.

Hamilton's comments also came at a time when, at home in the United States unity within the Republican Party on Iraq is frayed, although holding up so far. But more pressure is being applied in this area as lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties float proposals in the Senate to get U.S. troops out of Iraq soon.

Democrats will try again this week to set a deadline for the reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq.

On the GOP side, two moderate Republicans with respected foreign policy credentials have proposed their own hurry-up initiative, winning a polite but clear rejection from the White House.

President Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, said "No" when asked yesterday whether Bush could live with the proposal by Sens. John Warner of Virginia and Richard Lugar of Indiana.

He said the administration's "very orderly process" for reviewing its Iraq plans, keyed on a mid-September appraisal of progress, should be allowed to play out without preconditions.

"They've done a useful service in indicating the kinds of things that we should be thinking about," Hadley said of the senators. "But the time to begin that process is September."

The Senate's Democratic leadership also is cool to the Warner-Lugar proposal, but for different reasons. Democrats favor tougher steps to restrict Bush's options, but need more Republicans to peel away from Bush before they can prevail.

The two GOP senators said nothing in their proposal would bind Bush to a withdrawal timetable or throw the September review off track. But it does suggest patience is running thin with Bush's course of action even among some Republicans who have been behind him.

"The president will have to make some changes and I'm confident the president will do so," Warner said.

Democratic Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, a presidential contender, predicted enough Republicans would defect from the White House line on Iraq in the months ahead to enable the Democratic majority to overcome delaying tactics in the Senate and ultimately override any Bush veto.

Democrats are coordinating a week of maneuvering that will call to account the small but growing number of wavering Republicans.

One Democratic measure last week, which sought to influence troop deployments, fell four votes short of the 60 needed to advance.

Lugar and Warner said their proposal asks that Bush start thinking now about different options and seek to boost diplomacy. They cited an over-stretched military and growing terrorist threats around the world.

But that does not mean an abandonment of a U.S. presence in Iraq, they said.

"This nation of ours has got to remain in that area," Warner said, pointing to the United States' "vital security interests" involving Middle East oil and relations with Israel.

Hadley appeared on ABC's "This Week," "Fox News Sunday," CBS' "Face the Nation" and CNN's "Late Edition." Warner spoke on ABC; Biden on CNN.

source : www.yorkdispatch.com

Low Car Loans – You Reap As You Sow

Look no further. Low interest car loans or low car loans are here to puff away all your blues in the wind. All human beings have the same aspirations. Each one of us has nearly the same desires. Everybody wants a good home, a good car and a good job, which fulfills all the needs. Once we have that, we aspire to possess better things than all that we already have and envy the ones who are above us, in one way or the other. The car market is no different. The car zooming past us always looks better than the one we are driving. The gleaming angles of shiny, suave cars in the showroom bewitch us even more. It is hard to resist, and we more often than not pull away that hand from the purse, as we know that these mean machines are beyond our reach. Now, you do not have to sulk in despair any more. You can always take a low car loan to fulfill your desires.

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Low car loans or low interest car loans are available for individuals with good credit rating of above 680. You too can try to improve your ranking to secure a car loan at low interest rates. However, you need not worry even if you do not have a good credit because bad credit auto loans are available for people with not so good credit. No credit auto loans are also available. Before taking an auto loan, it would be a good idea to compare the interest rates and other costs using an online car loan calculator.

source : www.americanchronicle.com

Ford Motor Argues News will Sell Volvo

Ford Motor Argues News will Sell Volvo

DETROIT – Ford Motor Co argues news mentioning the company will sell its(the business unit Volvo. Ford ascertains up to now there is no at all negotiation with other party to sell automotive company in Swedia.

Before All The Sunday Times, by citing source in London, reports on that Ford Motor Co will sell Volvo. But, has not been obtained certainty when the sale will be realized. The same thing also written by The New York Times.

However, mouthpiece Ford Tom Hoyt to Associated Press ( AP), Monday ( 16/7/2007), argues all speculations about sale of Volvo. “ Which I know, we do not make negotiation with whoever to talk about future Volvo,” says Hoyt.

Rumors about sale of this Volvo arises after company being based on in Detroit releases ownership of share in sport car factory Aston Martin Luxury at March with the price of USD848 million. Ford at December have also finalized its(the restructuring program for the price of USD23,4 billion. The that is one other causing the company notes loss.

Ford acquisition Volvo from company Swedia Volvo AB by 1999 with value USD6,45 billion. Last month, Ford express will do review to position of automotive company becoming its(the group releasing brand Jaguar and Land Rover, where speculation circulating Ford will stop sale with brand.

Again in opportunity interviewed that is the side of Ford ascertains will not sell Volvo. “ Volvo is part of which is not locked out of Ford,” assertive of Hyot.

source : okezone.com

Produce Of Mercedes SUV Rising 4-5 %

Produce Of Mercedes SUV Rising 4-5 %

FRANKFURT - Global sale of Mercedes sport type utility vehicle ( SUV) experiences growth equal to 5 gratuity.

Rainer Schmueckle, Chief Operating Officer Mercedes as borrowed ideas from situs Indiatimes, Minggu ( 15/7/2007) tells that growth of average of SUV reachs 4 until 5 gratuity per year. Mercedes Car Group, premium division DaimlerChrysler sells 86500 units SUV at first semester of this year. Where its(the 35 % rendered from United States market ( ACE).

Mercedes produces type SUV in Alabama AS 200000 units every year. The year 2006, the factory only produces 173000 units. Mercedes produces approximant of all its(the SUV type in AS.

Produce of model CLK convertible will be transferred its(the contract from Karmann to Mercedes. CLK is produced in Bremen, Jerman. Its(the model will be renewed in the year 2010 coming. Bremen also will produce new GLK small offroader at September 2008. GLK will be produced 80000 units per month.

Mercedes also active does research in introducing new machines of high tech for application to every its(the car. Thomas Weber, researcher team leader Daimler Chrysler tells that [his] side will cooperate with other company to develop newest automotive technologys. Daimler Chrysler has cooperated with BMW to develop car is having machine hybrid and cooperates with Volkswagen Audi to develop diesel technology. Company also active does research and expansion to various states. Thinks 1000 stafves Reserch and Development Daimler Chrysler beyond Germany to realize the plan.

source : okezone.com

India, Heaven Produce Of Small Car World

India, Heaven Produce Of Small Car World

SRIPERUMBUDUR - Cheap, efficient of fuel, and multi purpose is character from car small car hatchback that is recently is liked India public even world.

This opportunity seen by automotive company of world to produce and markets type small car. Not only domestic marketing, the companys also makes India as bases produce of vehicle to be exported to various states. No wonder if the existing of India becomes one of the biggest automotive industrial state in world.

Hyundai Motor Co has produced all model Atoz in Sriperumbudur , South India. Even its(the plan Hyundai model Getz also will be produced over there. From the factory, Hyundai has exported Atoz to 67 states. Starts from finite Sri Lanka of Mexico.

October this year, Hyundai ends factory both. The factory is targeted melipatgandakan production able to until 600000 units per year. Most of compact car produced the is sold with the price of USD7000.

“ We have target of produce and marketing that is clear and India is bases state produce of we are for type small car. All type car small car Hyundai will be diperoduksi here,” says Heung Soo Lheem, Chief Executive Hyundai India as borrowed ideas from situs Associated Press ( AP), Sunday ( 15/7/2007).

Suzuki Motor Corp mastering share Maruti Udyog Ltd also will export 200000 units in the year 2010 coming. Head Of Suzuki India tells that its(the company and the biggest company partner in its(the India has invested USD2 billion to realize target of the export.

Meanwhile, local automotive company of Tata Motor Ltd has developed small car at the price of USD2500. Although cheap car, but the side of Tata guarantees that its(the product has fulfilled international security and safety standard. Cooperates with Fiat, the cars will come on the market South America.

Renault nor maun under developed. Although its(the action is spelled out members has just in India, Renault do not want to fail with strong competitor predominated by Maruti, Hyundai, and Tata. Renault produces sedan Logan and its(the hatchback model in India. Recently, Renault announces its(the cooperation with Nissan Motor and Mahindra & Mahinra to produce other model in India. Car at the price of special USD3000 to be exported to Europe market.

General Motor also starts produces small car in India, including compact model Chevy Spark. This car sold with the price of USD7200.

Honda Motor has built new factory in westside India. The factory will produce hatchback premium sedan. Meanwhile, Toyota Motor and Volkswagen will announce its(the cooperation proximo to produce car in India.

Now, many planning other automotive companies steps on its(the foot/feet in India. Automotive analyst of JD Power and Associates predicts sale of car will come near 2 million units in the year 2012 coming. Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers diction of Indian car export meingkat would be finite fivefold becomes 1 million units in the year 2010. In this fiscal year, India has exported 193000 mobile units.

source : okezone.com