The News Crawler

The News Crawler
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Last Update: 05/27/2009	Click here for Yesterdays Edition

Headlines
What's What?: Iran has enough nuclear fuel to make bomb: U.S. The United States believes Iran has stockpiled enough nuclear fuel to make a bomb, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said on Sunday....Iran "not close" to nuclear weapon: Gates Iran is not close to having a nuclear weapon, which gives the United States and others time to try to persuade Tehran to abandon its suspected atomic arms program, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Sunday. U.S. deaths spike in Afghanistan U.S. deaths in Afghanistan increased threefold during the first two months of 2009, after thousands more troops deployed and commanders ramped up winter operations. U.S. Job Losses Probably Swelled, Manufacturing Sank as Economy Worsened The U.S. probably hemorrhaged jobs in February at an even faster clip as the world’s largest economy sank to new depths, economists said before reports this week. Texas-Sized Fraud Spreads To 131 Countries The alleged rip-off by billionaire banker R. Allen Stanford has investors scrambling. No one's sure where he is today, but investors want to know if they'll ever see their money again. Legislation to Overhaul Rockefeller Drug Laws Moves Ahead Swiftly	Tax evasion puts focus on Swiss bank secrecy The pursuit of tax cheats by U.S. and European authorities may not spell the end of legendary secret bank accounts in Switzerland, Pakistan ISI top boss met Osama aide: TV report NEW DELHI: One of the top bosses of Pakistan's intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has held talks with Osama bin Laden’s key aides in Miram Shah in Pakistan’s restive federal administered tribal Area, according to Times Gates: Iraq withdrawal plan unlikely to change Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he thinks it is "fairly remote" that conditions in Iraq will change enough to alter significantly President Barack Obama's plan to withdraw U.S. troops. Report: Iran Stole Marine One Specs An Internet security company says Iran has taken advantage of a computer security breach to obtain engineering and communications information about presidential helicopter Marine One, according WPXI, NBC's affiliate in Pittsburgh 'Ethical' stem cell creation hope The ability to create stem cell treatments without using embryos is a step closer, say researchers. Illegal-immigrant population dips
Connecticut
Connecticut Plans Direct Deposit, Debit Cards For Unemployment Benefits Decline in newspapers renews idea of nonprofits As sharp revenue reductions put the future of many U.S. newspapers in doubt, one idea gaining attention is the conversion of newspapers into tax-exempt nonprofits supported by large endowments. National Report Finds Connecticut's Foreclosure Laws Protect Homeowners A national consumer advocacy group has released a report that examines foreclosure laws across the country. Connecticut is one of two states that offer homeowners protection against so-called fast track foreclosures according to the National Consumer Law Center in Boston. DOT Chief Pushing Light Rail As Connecticut's Best Way To Go Throughout the winter, new strategies for improving Connecticut's transportation system have been surfacing at the Capitol: Extend commuter train service to Rhode Island and Massachusetts; build light rail in Stamford; reconstruct aging freight rail lines In Case of Emergency… North Branford Considers Civilian Crisis Team Dodd says state to get $2.9 billion aid package, plus grants, from stimulus Across Connecticut, mayors, first selectmen, Gov. M. Jodi Rell, state lawmakers, businesses, nonprofit organizations and others are all asking the same question about the massive economic stimulus plan passed by Congress this month:	DeLauro, DaRos praise infrastructure project First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos wore his smiley-face tie Saturday to match the smile on his face as he and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro celebrated a $75 million construction project to open the notorious bottleneck of the Exit 53 area off Interstate-95. Tax Breaks Entice "Jerry Springer Show" to Connecticut Madoff scandal victims ask Connecticut to strengthen rules for investment managers Some Connecticut victims of the Bernard Madoff financial scandal urged state lawmakers Friday to enact stronger state standards for investment managers, including a required test, to help prevent future illegal schemes. Coach's Salary, Team's Value Debated Even The Great Calhoun Is Not Untouchable": Lieberman: 'Injustice' for DC residents must end Lieberman Pushes for Free Online Access to Court Docs Connecticut, NBC negotiating to bring TV studio Who gets the most pay from your taxes? A community's ability to pay, more than the demands of the job, determine the wages paid to public employees
United States
Porn In America: Conservatives Are The Biggest Consumers Court Upholds Anonymity On The Internet Tenn. offer to offset carbon tax credited in deals Tennessee's unusual commitment to cover the cost of any future carbon tax for green companies that make major investments is being credited for luring two big solar energy developments worth more than $2 billion. CIA Denies Helping Nazi Adolf Eichmann A new book charges the CIA knew Eichmann's alias and address. Hollywood Boom: Movie Industry Surges As Americans Seek Silver-Screen Lining Calif. case highlights use of mosque informants (AP) The revelation that the FBI planted a spy in a Southern California mosque was explosive news in a Muslim community that has long suspected the government of even broader surveillance. Washington state to allow `dignity' deaths (AP) Terminally ill patients with less than six months to live will soon be able to ask their doctors to prescribe them lethal medication in Washington state.	Nation of Islam Minister Sees `Universal' Approach Top Nation of Islam minister envisions `universal' approach to religion Snoop Dogg appears at Nation of Islam meeting As U.S. jobs disappear, students and graduates look overseas Ambassador: Review Bush-era decisions for Haitians Storm-battered Haiti will continue stalling most deportations of its citizens until the Obama administration decides whether to grant it protected status that will allow Haitians to stay in the U.S. temporarily, the Haitian ambassador said this week. Some nonprofits can't touch their money Supreme Court upends tribal and federal understandings of IRA The Supreme Court has ruled in Carcieri v. Salazar that tribes not under federal jurisdiction as of 1934 cannot follow a longstanding land into trust process administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The ruling, which results from a suit involving the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island, is at odds with many tribal, federal and legal understandings of the Indian Reorganization Act. Security Issues Illegal-immigrant population dips Army Recruitment in FY 2008: A Look at Age, Race, Income, and Education of New Soldiers Each year NPP compiles these data into geographical areas by zip code, county, and state, and offers them on its searchable online NPP Database. Designating Non-Profits As Terrorist Organizations Without Due Process Undermines Security And Humanitarian Aid, Say Groups Questions Raised Anew About Religion in Military Recent incidents are reviving questions about whether a pro-Christian culture permeates the armed forces. States' Budget Woes Will Outlast Recession Kan. May End Death Penalty to Save Money
Madoffed
Texas-Sized Fraud Spreads To 131 Countries The alleged rip-off by billionaire banker R. Allen Stanford has investors scrambling. No one's sure where he is today, but investors want to know if they'll ever see their money again. Nobel Laureate Wiesel Was A Madoff Client Nobel Peace prize winner and Nazi death camp survivor Elie Weisel invested millions of dollars from his charitable foundation - and his own money as well - with the fraudulent money manager Bernie Madoff Stanford's James Davis Declines to Cooperate in SEC Fraud Investigation James M. Davis, the second-highest ranking executive at the Stanford Financial Group of companies, refused to cooperate in the U.S. investigation of an alleged $8 billion Ponzi scheme at the firms

Science
'Ethical' stem cell creation hope The ability to create stem cell treatments without using embryos is a step closer, say researchers. Roll-Up Solar Cells Printed Like Money Printing presses normally used to make Australian dollar bills produced solar power cells in a trial near Melbourne last week. The giant machines arranged and stamped flexible solar panels onto plastic film	Carbon dioxide emissions could last millennia, expert says Until now, most discussion of climate change has been about what scientific evidence shows is likely to happen between now and 2100. However, scientific research shows that the carbon dioxide gas released from burning fossil fuels lasts in the atmosphere much longer than mere decades.

Politics
$5,000 in donations to Charlie Crist called illegal by feds A foreign national employed by a top Florida Republican fundraiser has been indicted in California, accused of steering illegal campaign contributions to Gov. Charlie Crist and three presidential candidates. Legislation to Overhaul Rockefeller Drug Laws Moves Ahead Swiftly	S.C. to reject U.S. funds, sees strings Days after President Obama singled out a run-down school in South Carolina as a reason the federal government needs to get involved, Gov. Mark Sanford says the government's monopoly over public schools is the real problem
Obama
Report: Iran Stole Marine One Specs An Internet security company says Iran has taken advantage of a computer security breach to obtain engineering and communications information about presidential helicopter Marine One, according WPXI, NBC's affiliate in Pittsburgh Obama: I Work for Americans, Not Lobbyists WATCH Joint Chiefs Chairman: I Don't Know Where Obama Got War Cost Numbers	Some cases where Obama's policies are like Bush's Some cases in which actions by the Obama administration have tracked policies of former President George W. Bush: Gates: Obama wants all points of view, unlike Bush `OBAMA READY TO TALK 'GLOBAL NEW DEAL' WITH UK PM; SECURITY FOR FAMILIES IN 'EVERY COUNTRY'...`
Economy
U.S. Job Losses Probably Swelled, Manufacturing Sank as Economy Worsened The U.S. probably hemorrhaged jobs in February at an even faster clip as the world’s largest economy sank to new depths, economists said before reports this week.

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Jack Straw's Commons statement on his decision to block release of cabinet minutes The full text of Jack Straw's Commons statement announcing his decision to block the release of cabinet minutes relating to the invasion of Iraq Scottish oil company Ramco Energy agrees joint venture with Iraqi government Gates: Iraq withdrawal plan unlikely to change Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he thinks it is "fairly remote" that conditions in Iraq will change enough to alter significantly President Barack Obama's plan to withdraw U.S. troops. Iraq Press Roundup Iraq veterans transition to life at home Unemployment & Low Pay in Afghanistan & Iraq Bolster Insurgency UK to start pulling out troops from Iraq Iran pushes Iraq to close MKO camp Camp Ashraf, which came under Iraqi control Jan. 1, is home to militants who Iran and Iraq say should be expelled. The MKO is on a US list of terrorist groups	Iraq government welcomes US plans to withdraw combat troops by August A secret network of safe houses and escape routes is saving gay Iraqis from execution Last summer, the coordinator of a Baghdad safe house, Bashar, was gunned to death in his local barber's shop by an Islamist hit squad. Previously, five gay activists who organised another Baghdad safe house were massacred. Iraqi Shiites protest local vote in tense province (AP) About 2,000 Shiites staged their first significant street protests against provincial election results Sunday, marching in tense Diyala province. Kurds Demand U.S. Remain In N. Iraq Kurdistan has demanded that the U.S. military remain in northern Iraq to prevent a takeover by the Baghdad government. Kurdish officials said the Kurdistan Regional Government has sent messages to Washington that called for U.S. troops to remain in the north until a resolution of territorial and oil disputes with Baghdad. Sunday: 3 Iraqis Killed, 3 Wounded
Middle East
Another rocket lands south of Ashkelon Israeli arrested on suspicion of being recruited by Hizbullah 28-year-old man from Jezreel Valley allegedly enlisted during Hajj pilgrimage, suspected of trying to pass sensitive information to organization. Iran has enough nuclear fuel to make bomb: U.S......Iran "not close" to nuclear weapon: Gates Saudi Arabia has abandoned municipal elections due this year Four years ago this month Saudi Arabia, one of the world's most conservative absolute monarchies, took a cautious step towards democracy by holding local government elections – the first in more than 40 years. Academic arrested in Ergenekon investigation A university instructor who had been detained as part of the investigation into Ergenekon, a clandestine terrorist organization	American Journalist Arrested In Iran Reporter Roxana Saberi, who has reported from Tehran for NPR News and other news organizations, was detained by Iranian authorities Jan. 31. The last time her family spoke with her was Feb. 10, 2009. Iran sought Turkey's help to mend links with US Turkish prime minister tells Guardian of Tehran's request for intercession with Bush administration Chechen Slain in Turkey A former Chechen rebel has been shot dead in an apparent contract hit in Turkey, Attorney General considers indicting Olmert Israel's attorney general notified Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday that he plans to indict him on suspicion he illicitly took cash-stuffed envelopes from a Jewish-American businessman. Iran says OPEC has no plan to cut production
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
US resists Karzai poll date call The US says it prefers an August date for elections in Afghanistan, despite President Hamid Karzai's call for an April poll.Afghans accuse Karzai of election 'sabotage' U.S. deaths spike in Afghanistan U.S. deaths in Afghanistan increased threefold during the first two months of 2009, after thousands more troops deployed and commanders ramped up winter operations. Militants gun down pro-gov't religious leader in S. Afghanistan No groups or individuals have claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban militants fighting the Afghan government often target pro-government elements	Three soldiers killed in Afghan blast and fourth dies in Britain Mexico: U.S. Must Stop Gun Trade At Border Afghanistan offers cash for 'terrorist' tip-offs Many in Afghanistan oppose Obama's troop buildup plans Profile: Hamid Karzai Since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, many western governments came to regard Hamid Karzai as the face of a new, democratic Afghanista Taliban Out, but How to Prevent Return?
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
U.S. missile strikes kill 9, Pakistani officials say New deadline for US hostage in Pakistan A suspected separatist group holding an American U.N. worker in Pakistan said Sunday it would kill him in four days if the government does not release more than 1,000 prisoners. Pakistani officers helped plan Mumbai attacks, says India More serving Pakistani army officers may be named as conspirators in the Mumbai terror attacks, according to officials dealing with the case, after an 11,509-page charge sheet identified two high-ranking Pakistani military personnel who directed militants during the three-day killing spree. Pakistan ISI top boss met Osama aide: TV report NEW DELHI: One of the top bosses of Pakistan's intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has held talks with Osama bin Laden’s key aides in Miram Shah in Pakistan’s restive federal administered tribal Area, according to Times Pakistan Christians nervous about Sharia law enforcement Christians in Pakistan voiced serious concerns about government allowing Islamic laws to be enforced in certain terrorist prone areas noting that while not many Christians directly live in the affected areas there are thousands that live nearby To stem terror in Pakistan, US looks beyond military Washington is seeking to build the Pakistani state and its economy as a way to wean the country from Islamic extremism. Zardari not to restore judiciary: Rashid Army Recruitment in FY 2008: A Look at Age, Race, Income, and Education of New Soldiers	Swat cleric sets sharia deadline Cleric threatens fresh protests unless Islamic courts are established by March 15. Pakistani cleric seeks prisoners' release in Swat A radical Muslim cleric, acting as a peacemaker in Pakistan's Swat valley, threatened on Sunday to launch a protest unless the government and the Taliban release their prisoners. PAKISTAN: TEARGASSED STUDENTS AFTER BUS ATTACK Pakistan wants more time to mull over Peace Pipeline plan Pakistan has called for receiving more time to mull over Peace Pipeline project, said Iranian oil minister’s special envoy for peace pipeline Christian Woman Kidnapped In Pakistan By Muslim Gunmen Report: 5 security forces personnel kidnapped in NW Pakistan A paramilitary commander and his four body guards were kidnapped Sunday in the northwestern Pakistani district of Swat Pakistan in the frame over Bangladesh uprising Officials yesterday filed murder cases against 1,000 border security guards of the Bangladesh Rifles as reports emerged in India and Bangladesh of a Pakistan-based plot to destabilise the new government of prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Pak army kills seven Talibans in Kohat Extraordinarily difficult to find Osama: US army chief Taliban could take over Karachi: Pak media Taliban has 'huge caches' of weapons and ammunition, says the report.
Asia
China's lunar probe lands on Moon 1,000 guards charged in massacre Bangladeshi police charged more than 1,000 border guards with murder and arson Sunday after a bloody mutiny in the capital left as many as 148 people dead or missing, most of them army officers.	Special tribunals to try Bangladesh mutineers Special tribunals will try paramilitary mutineers who killed at least 80 people, mostly army officers, as more than 70 others remain missing on Sunday after the uprising, government and military officials said.
Europe
Tax evasion puts focus on Swiss bank secrecy The pursuit of tax cheats by U.S. and European authorities may not spell the end of legendary secret bank accounts in Switzerland, Nationalists 'lead' in Basque polls Exit polls show Nationalists holding narrow majority over Socialists in Basque Country.	Serbian spy's trial lifts cloak on his CIA alliance As Milosevic's intelligence chief, Jovica Stanisic is accused of setting up genocidal death squads. But as a valuable source for the CIA, an agency veteran says, he also 'did a whole lot of good.
Africa
Uncertainty as Sudan awaits president's arrest Many hope that the International Criminal Court's genocide case against President Omar Hassan Ahmed Bashir will lead to reform. But an arrest warrant, expected Wednesday, could also ignite more violen 120 Al-Qaeda-Linked Militants Killed, Over 300 Arrested in Algeria	Somali rebels reject ceasefire Attackers blow up part of Bissau armed forces HQ Attackers armed with rocket-propelled grenades attacked the headquarters of Guinea-Bissau's armed forces on Sunday, destroying part of the building, witnesses said.
The Americas
Smuggling Route Goes Through Ecuador To U.S. Last June, Ecuador's president tried to turn his belief that borders should be open into reality. He announced that anyone from anywhere could visit Ecuador without a visa. Overnight, Chinese began arriving by the dozens. They apparently were hoping to use Ecuador as a springboard to the United States by tapping into the nation's vast human-smuggling business. Gates says US military can help Mexico in drug war Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the U.S. is in the position to provide more help to Mexico in the fight against drug cartels operating near the U.S. border. Mexico: U.S. Must Stop Gun Trade At Border Mexico blames the U.S. for arming the world's most powerful drug cartels, a complaint supported on Friday by a U.S. government report that found nearly all of Mexico's escalating drug killings involved weapons from north of the border.	Guadeloupe inches closer to strike-ending deal Negotiators hailed progress in labor talks Thursday but still fell short of a deal to end a general strike that has paralyzed the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe for 37 days. Banker claims to be political prisoner of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez With Force, Mexican Drug Cartels Get Their Way Drug traffickers forced the Ciudad Juárez police chief out of office, highlighting the strength of the outlaws. Chavez to send troops to another rice-processing plant Mexican police attacked by suspected cartel hitmen Clashes in Nicaragua show Sandinistas control the streets Scores were injured during opposition protests across the country Saturday.