As we await Pres. Barack Obama's announcement about his new plan for the War in Afghanistan, we wanted to know your thoughts. Mr. Obama is expected to increase troop levels by about 35,000 troops. So, here's our question:

President and Mrs Obama hosting Prime Minister and Mrs Singh at a state dinner at the White House today.

(Picture Getty Images)

Pres. Barack Obama's opposition party, the Republicans, won 2 out of the 3 biggest races in Tuesday's election. Some claim it's a sign of waning support for the U.S. president. So, we wanted to know:

Hey there, everyone...

First of all, Hala continues to be off for most of the week. She'll be back, before you head back to your weekend. Isha is manning the later edition of I-Desk, while Hala is on holiday this week.

Now, for the news - It was a busy and deadly weekend in Iraq and Afghanistan. Starting in Iraq, where the country is mourning the deadliest attacks in two years. Well over 100 people were killed in Baghdad, hundreds more wounded. In Afghanistan, helicopter-related deaths ruled the weekend, as more than a dozen NATO servicemembers, most of them American, were killed. So, what's the solution in either country? For Iraq, the U.S. still plans on pulling out, despite the surge in violence after their forces left small towns in June. In Afghanistan, the opposite plan appears to be in play, with U.S. Pres. Barack Obama considering an increase in boots on the ground. Are these the right courses of action?

Now, for the accused war criminal. Radovan Karadzic refused to appear in court Monday - essentially, boycotting his own war crimes trial at the Hague. Karadzic claims he hasn't had enough time to prepare for his trial. Should the judge force him into court? Or, should he grant more time?

Those are the biggest stories we're following right now at the I-Desk... Of course, if that changes, we'll have the latest for you.

See you then!
J the P

U.S. President Barack Obama is dealing with backlash, from some parents, for a school and education speech he's giving today. So, we wanted to know:

Hello everyone...

This is a POST-IDesk edition of the "Today at the I-Desk" blog. We had very little time today, before the programme, to put together a preview.

But, here's what you missed... And, we invite all of your comments on any of the topics.

Off the top of the show, we started with Hillary Clinton's trip to Africa. The U.S. Secretary of State landed in South Africa during the later edition of I-Desk. And, our Nkepile Mabuse helped preview the diplomat's trip, including a possible visit to former South African leader Nelson Mandela.

One of the biggest stories of the day, in terms of instant global impact, was the hacking of Twitter. The way everyone is reacting, you'd think the entire Internet crashed. HAHA. No matter whether you're a member of Twitter or not, the cyber-attack (aka: denial-of-service attack OR D.O.S.) did have a wide-reaching impact. Our Colleen McEdwards joined us from the Newsroom to breakdown the hacking, as well as a quick explanation on what the heck a D.O.S. really is.

Then, breaking news happened! The U.S. Senate confirmed Sonia Sotomayor, as the next Supreme Court Justice. With the confirmation, Sotomayor made history, as the 1st Hispanic justice on the high court. Of course, the confirmation was expected... but, it was a matter of how many opposition senators would vote FOR her. About 15 minutes after the confirmation, Barack Obama spoke from the White House, to give his reaction... And, as always, you saw that LIVE at the I-Desk.

Finally, if you missed the end of the show, you missed a VERY different walk-off (or dance-off) by Isha Sesay and Patrick Snell. The pair waltzed off the set, following a light-hearted story about a woman who enjoys dancing with her horse. Ummm, no comment from this producer.

Hope you enjoyed it... See you Friday, at the I-Desk.
J the P

Hello again, everyone...

First of all, Isha Sesay is pulling double-duty today. So, she'll be presenting both editions of the I-Desk.

On today's rundown, we're expecting to go live to Nigeria, where the bloodshed continues. Hundreds are dead. And, there does not seem to be any end in sight.

Also, a HUGE online search coup by Microsoft and Yahoo. The two major internet companies are joining forces. So, what does that mean for you? And, what does it mean for Google, which has dominated online searches in recent years? Our CNN.com Correspondent, Nicole Lapin, is joining us to help figure things out.

Speaking of the internet, there's an on-going debate raging online about Pres. Barack Obama's birthplace. By all accounts, he was born in Hawaii in 1961. In fact, we have the updated computer printout of his "certificate of live birth" from Hawaii, to prove it. BUT, opponents on the right are raising questions about the legitimacy of those documents. They claim Mr. Obama was born in Kenya, which according to the U.S. Constitution, would not make him eligible to become president. We're bringing you both sides of this heated debate... and, we invite you to comment on it below.

That's it... See you tonight, at the I-Desk.

J the P