Free Republic

France said a formerly terrorist-free Iraq has seen as "explosion" of terrorism since the war, as the United States rallied support for a rejigged UN resolution to bolster reconstruction efforts. And while Iraq's interim government was to take a major bow on the international stage at the United Nations, the diplomatic flurry made little or no impression on the ground in Iraq where and Americans and Iraqis continue to die on a daily basis. Three US soldiers were killed in a span of hours Wednesday as the Americans pressed their drive to root out resistance to their nearly six-month-old occupation....

Henri d'Orleans, count of Paris and rival pretender to the throne of France, is banned from using the ancient royal name of Bourbon because it was abandoned by his family in the 17th century, France's high court of appeal ruled. The decision scuppered Orleanist hopes of reclaiming the dynastic title, which will now remain with the senior branch of the royal house -- represented by Louis Alphonse de Bourbon, duke of Anjou and the other contender for the throne. The Cour de Cassation confirmed a lower court answer to a plea lodged by the 70 year-old count of Paris shortly...