A passenger bus hit a landmine in Northern Sri Lanka today, killing at least 63. The Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government have both blamed each other for the incident. The government responded to the incident with aerial strikes in the north. The attacks mark some of the most serious violence since a cease-fire was signed in 2002.

The number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq rose to 2,500 today, the Pentagon announced. The Pentagon also announced that the number of wounded has risen to 18,490. The announcement comes at the same time as Iraqi forces are implementing a major security clampdown in Baghdad and as the Iraqi government is considering a limited amnesty for insurgents, including those who may have conducted attacks on American forces.

Speaking of Iraq, the House is scheduled to hold a vote today on “a nonbinding resolution to hold firm on Iraq and the war on terrorism.” The vote is an effort by House Republicans to show that “Democrats… are prone to waver endlessly about the use of force to protect American ideals.” The resolution has, however drawn criticism from both parties and should provide for some interesting exchanges on the House floor. In an interesting side note, the Pentagon has provided supporters of the war with a “debate prep book” outlining responses to potential criticisms of the conflict.

Finally, from Iraq, the Christian Science Monitor is reporting that the $20 billion the U.S. has dedicated to reconstruction in Iraq is about to run out. Despite the fact that the money is running out, there still remain significant reconstruction needs in the country, including work on electrical generation and public works.

In domestic news, President Bush is scheduled to announce today the creation of a major national monument and wild life sanctuary in Hawaii. The sanctuary will cover 120,000 square miles of water, reefs, and islands. The sancutary is only Bush’s second use of the National Antiquities Act.

And in sports, in golf the US Open began today at the Winged Foot Golf Club just outside of New York City, and in football (soccer), Ecuador beat Costa Rica 3-nil, England plays Trinidad-Tobago and Sweden plays Paraguay. Some of us here at TPM World Headquarters are very sad not to be watching.