This afternoon, a man arrested in connection with a plot that planned bombings against two Washington embassies and targeted the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States pleaded not guilty to various charges. more ›

A gas leak earlier today inside the Cuban Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy caused part of 16th Street NW to be closed between Euclid St. and Columbia Rd. The road has since reopened and Washington Gas Co. was on the scene to address the leak. more ›

We had to read through this article from Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail three times before we decided it wasn't necessarily an elaborate prank. According to reporter Paul Koring, it seems that during a two-day military conference set to convene at the Embassy of Canada in Washington Sept. 23-24, Canadian officials plan to stage a mock Afghan village in the courtyard of the embassy, in which they will set off a series of fake explosions. The pyrotechnical spectacle is apparently intended as a demonstration of Canadian military might, and especially their troops' activities in Afghanistan. The paper reports that American military officials, U.S. Congressmen and Afghan experts are expected to attend the conference. Here's what they'll be treated to:

The mock village, complete with a small souk and peopled by nearly a dozen Afghan actors, will be created in the courtyard of the Canadian embassy, halfway between the Capitol and the White House. A handful of Canadian soldiers and, Col. Martin hopes, U.S. Marines will arrive to "see the village leader" just as the IED blows up, "critically injuring" at least one Afghan, who will get immediate first aid from a Canadian medic. more ›

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Last night Cultural Tourism DC threw a party with Ambassador of Morocco Aziz Mekouar to give invited guests a taste of Moroccan cuisine, music and culture. There are loads of other events still planned as part of the Passport DC festival, which runs through May 17. Unfortunately the Morocco event last night couldn't be held in the Embassy of Morocco because the building isn't currently open, but the Arts Club of Washington made for a fine substitute. more ›