Suicide bombings were becoming more common in the capital, even in broad daylight in crowded areas where security was present.

CNN: Excerpt: Inside Blackwater's mission in Afghanistan

If this "sungrazing" comet survives intact, it should emerge from the near-miss even brighter than before, and could be lighting up our skies through January 2014 - perhaps even in broad daylight.

BBC: Comet Ison caught on film by Deep Impact craft