Morning News Roundup

Lots to cover today folks, let's get going

• The death toll in the Mumbai terrorist attacks of yesterday now stands at 200. Reports as to who is responsible for the carnage are still conflicting - I've heard Al Qaeda and read Kashmiri militant groups. Personally speaking, although this multiple coordinated attacks is a Kashmiri tactic used previously, it's also reminiscent of the 7/7 strike in London last summer. I'm leaning towards Kashmiri militants, potentially with AQ aid. I'll definitely keep an eye on this as it develops, along with any reports of potential Indian reprisals.
• Perhaps more momentously, at least in the short-term, Hezbollah has had the same "Eureka" moment that Hamas had a few weeks ago, and kidnapped some Israeli soldiers. Calling it a declaration of war, Israel's dispatched troops and armor, in conjunction with airstrikes, into Lebanon. Already, seven IDF soldiers have been killed. Hamas leaders have claimed that the Israeli incursion into Lebanon will strengthen their bid to exchange terrorists in Israeli prisons for the capture Israeli soldiers; somehow I doubt that. Unsurprisingly,

  Jubilant residents of south Beirut, a stronghold of Hezbollah, and Palestinians in the Ein el-Hilwa refugee camp fired their guns in the air and set off firecrackers for more than an hour after the capture of the Israeli soldiers was announced.

  Again, I'll be interested to see how things proceed, but the Israelis need to clearly communicate that they won't negotiate with these fools,and indeed will make it costly for both them and their constituents to meddle with the Israeli state. For our part, we should put significant pressure on Syria and Iran to disavow these terrorists; especially Syria might be inclined to do so, as they could be next on the Israeli target list.
• Rumor has it Bush may exercise his first veto on a stem cell bill due to be passed by the Senate soon. That they intend to pass it despite the veto threat (and despite perhaps the absence of a overriding majority coalition) is I think an election-year ploy designed to give Bush a bump with the base and embattled moderates a chance to stand apart from the President.
  
• In a similar vein, I continue to hear rumors that the House will see some sort of movement on a minimum wage hike, but as of yet, nada. Of course I'll keep you informed!
• The Post claims that Calderon would accept a partial recount in his narrow Mexican victory, but AMLO continues to borrow dialogue from the Al Gore playbook and refuse to concede, while criticizing Calderon for his visible moves towards assuming the presidency, such as putting together a transition team. Isn't that what you do when you won? (Also, WSJ apparently says that no fraud was visible in the video tapes that AMLO says claimed fraud, but I don't have access to the article).
  

So not as much as I thought but some pretty momentous stuff.