Not-so-great moments in campaigning:

We have an American president who visits the families of bereaved Britons and won't visit our own families in this country.
- Gen. Wesley Clark, at last night's Democratic debates

President Bush held a rare meeting Monday with families of fallen soldiers, spending close to two hours hugging and listening tearfully to survivors at a military base that has been among the nation's hardest hit by casualties in Iraq. ... Bush has met one other time with families of fallen soldiers since May 1, when he declared the end of major combat operations.
- Today's Washington Post

 
News of the world: Japan's plans to send forces to aid in the reconstruction of Iraq have hit a snag. Attempts to reach a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Qatar stalled after the host nation requested that the agreement with Japan be kept confidential. The SOFA details, amongst other things, how foreign soldiers are prosecuted in the event of alleged criminal actions. More...

Eduard Shevardnadze's resignation in the face of public anger over rigged elections came as no surprise to Russia, Vladimir Putin said today. More ... and More ... Meanwhile, the country hopes that its economic fortunes, at a low ebb since the end of Soviet rule, will improve with the latest political gains. More ....