Part I: This Is What "Last Throes" Looks Like
Report: Iraqi insurgency more confident, coordinated
CNN - A few large groups using sophisticated communications increasingly have come to dominate Iraq's insurgency, a report released Wednesday said.
The report from the International Crisis Group, a nongovernmental organization that tries to solve conflicts, noted the insurgency "no longer is a scattered, erratic, chaotic phenomenon."
"Groups are well organized, produce regular publications, react rapidly to political developments and appear surprisingly centralized," the report said.
It noted the insurgency, a predominately Sunni Arab movement, has grown "more confident, better organized, coordinated, information-savvy."
Part II: This Is What the Human Toll on Americans Looks Like
Knight Ridder -- Equipment can be repaired or replaced. But nothing can replace a father or mother who has been killed in this war, or any war. Nothing can compensate for all the lives shattered when a soldier dies in combat.
In Iraq it is estimated that the human toll includes nearly 1,000 spouses who have been left behind, alone, and more than 2,000 children who have lost a parent to the war.
Nor can you repair or replace what has been lost by hundreds of soldiers severely injured by powerful IED blasts and left double or triple amputees, blind or brain damaged, riddled by shrapnel. For them, and those who love them, life suddenly has become an unending struggle.
Remember them.
Part III: This Is What the Human Toll on Iraqis Looks Like
Iraq death toll 'soared post-war'
BBC - Poor planning, air strikes by coalition forces and a "climate of violence" have led to more than 100,000 extra deaths in Iraq, scientists claim.
A study published by the Lancet says the risk of death by violence for civilians in Iraq is now 58 times higher than before the US-led invasion.
[Note: This old news, from October 2004. Either we stopped counting, stopped caring or stopped posting these kinds of studies. If anyone has newer estimates, please post them.]
Part IV: This Is What the Toll for Halliburton Looks Like
Halliburton hikes dividend, splits stock
2-for-1 split would raise outstanding shares to 2 billion
By August Cole, Feb 16, 2006
MarketWatch - Halliburton Co., coming off a banner year in the energy sector and flush with Pentagon contracts abroad, announced Thursday a series of measures to share the spoils with shareholders.
The Houston-based company said its board of directors approved a two-for-one stock split that would double its shares outstanding to 2 billion. Stockholders must still sign off on the split.
The quarterly dividend for Halliburton stock was also raised 20% to 15 cents a share. The higher payout is set for March 23 for shareholders as of March 2.
A $1 billion share buyback is also in the works, the company said.