The News Crawler

Terror inmates may be released in US: intel chief (AFP) President Barack Obama's intelligence chief confirmed Thursday that some Guantanamo inmates may be released on US soil and receive assistance to return to society.

Al-Qaeda Infiltrating Security Forces in Iraq, Sources Say The Awakening Movement is key to stability, but sources tell TIME that its ranks have been infiltrated by the nascent insurgency

Nearly 7 in 10 major U.S. arms programs over budget Nearly 70 percent of the Pentagon's 96 major weapons-buying programs were over budget in 2008 for combined cost growth of $296 billion above original estimates, congressional auditors said in an annual report released on Monday

Citing Failed War on Drugs, Former Seattle Police Chief Calls for Legalization of Marijuana and All Drugs Norm Stamper is a thirty-four-year police officer who retired as Seattle’s chief of police in 2000. He now supports the legalization of marijuana and an advisory board member of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and a speaker for the 10,000-member Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

UBS Ousts Top Banker Who Served U.S. Clients The bank said the executive formerly in charge of secret offshore accounts for wealthy Americans had been placed on paid leave.

The Executive Who Brought Down AIG Joseph Cassano made more than $300 million at the firm he virtually bankrupted.

283 Bases, 170,000 Pieces of Equipment, 140,000 Troops, and an Army of Mercenaries: The Logistical Nightmare in Iraq

Separate bombings hit Iraq civilians bomb planted in a car in Al Ghadir District wounded four civilians. In Basra, six people were killed and seven others were wounded in a bomb explosion targeting an oil facility protection patrol

U.S.-allied Sunnis alarmed at crackdown Leaders of U.S.-backed Sunni paramilitary organizations said Monday they feared that a crackdown against one of their groups in Baghdad may be part of a purge of their ranks by the Shiite-led government before American troops pull out of Iraq

4 Injured in Mosul Blast Four persons, including a cop, were wounded in a car bomb blast that ripped through southeastern Mosul city, a local security source said on Saturday.

3 Workers Killed, 15 Injured in Iraq's Diyala At least three construction workers were killed and 15 others injured on Monday in a bike bomb explosion in Baquba, the capital city of Diyala province, a provincial police source said.

Gays sentenced to death in Iraq: report Executions to begin next week, Britain-based Iraqi-LGBT reveals.

Freed Iraqi detainee vows to keep fighting Americans

Security developments in Iraq on March 31

Al-Qaeda Infiltrating Security Forces in Iraq, Sources Say The Awakening Movement is key to stability, but sources tell TIME that its ranks have been infiltrated by the nascent insurgency

Iraq: Police station targeted in suicide attack Police station targeted in suicide attack (AKI) - At least eight people have been killed and 38 wounded in a truck bomb blast on Tuesday in the restive northern Iraqi city of Mosul, capital of the Nineveh province. "The toll from the truck bomb blast that targeted a police headquarters in al-Mahatta area has reached 38 wounded, including 17 cops, and seven dead," said Iraqi news agenc

Why has violence resurged in Baghdad? Some say that violence resurgence in Baghdad is due to the release of prisoners from Bucca prison without referring their files to Iraq investigation apparatus

US soldier guilty in killing of 4 Iraqis in 2007

Spokesman in Behalf of the U.S. Army Confirms the Increase in the Size and Capabilities of Iraqi Security Forces

The Injury of Six Persons Due to Two IED Explosion in Fallujah An official security source at the command of the police of Fallujah have announced the wounding of six policemen on today-Sunday, in the explosion of two IEDs at Al-Fahilat district to the south-east of Fallujah

Iraqi Troops Order Sunni Group to Turn in Weapons After Gunbattles Iraqi troops using loudspeakers ordered members of an armed Sunni neighbourhood group in Baghdad to turn in their weapons on Sunday after the arrest of their leader sparked fierce gunbattles with American and Iraqi troops.

Rebellious Awakening Council in Baghdad Is Disarmed, Officials Say

Iraq guerrillas turn to Russian grenades

Iran Uses UAVs In Iraq Iran has been using unmanned aerial vehicles for reconnaissance missions in Iraq. U.S. officials said the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has been using UAVs to spy on Iraqi and U.S. military facilities in Iraq

British troops begin Iraq pullout British forces officially started to withdraw from Iraq on Tuesday, signalling the end of six years of military operations that began with the US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. U.K. Hands Control of Southern Iraq to U.S. Troops (Update3)

Iraq starts policing borders with unmanned planes Iraq has started flying unmanned aircraft or drones along its borders to stop foreign fighters and arms entering through neighboring countries, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday

Pa. pesticide maker vows steps to protect lions The Philadelphia-based manufacturer of a pesticide blamed by conservationists for the poisoning deaths of lions in Kenya says it's taking "aggressive action" to prevent misuse of the product, halting sales to the country and trying to buy back supplies.

Report: U.S. warned Sudan before attack on Gaza convoy The U.S. warned the Sudanese government that weapons were being smuggled into the Gaza Strip through its territory ahead of a recent attack on a Gaza-bound arms convoy, which foreign media has attributed to the Israel Air Force, the pan-Arab daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat reported Monday

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Terror inmates may be released in US: intel chief (AFP) President Barack Obama's intelligence chief confirmed Thursday that some Guantanamo inmates may be released on US soil and receive assistance to return to society. Al-Qaeda Infiltrating Security Forces in Iraq, Sources Say The Awakening Movement is key to stability, but sources tell TIME that its ranks have been infiltrated by the nascent insurgency Nearly 7 in 10 major U.S. arms programs over budget Nearly 70 percent of the Pentagon's 96 major weapons-buying programs were over budget in 2008 for combined cost growth of $296 billion above original estimates, congressional auditors said in an annual report released on Monday Citing Failed War on Drugs, Former Seattle Police Chief Calls for Legalization of Marijuana and All Drugs Norm Stamper is a thirty-four-year police officer who retired as Seattle’s chief of police in 2000. He now supports the legalization of marijuana and an advisory board member of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and a speaker for the 10,000-member Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.	Why Is Obama Backing Bank of America in Court? Now that the Obama administration is a shareholder, will it protect the interests of the bank or those of targeted by its predatory practices? Article in Al-Qaeda E-journal: "How to Withstand Interrogation" The last issues of Sada Al-Malahim, the e-journal of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, featured a three-part article titled "Gaining Victory over the Interrogators," aimed at teaching the mujahideen how to cope with the psychological techniques The Executive Who Brought Down AIG Joseph Cassano made more than $300 million at the firm he virtually bankrupted. U.S. Pension Insurer Shifted to Stocks Ahead of Sept. Plunge Former Cheney Aide Suggests That Hersh’s Account Of ‘Executive Assassination Ring’ Is Certainly True
Connecticut
Conn. lawmakers delay discussion of marijuana bill Conn. man crosses Atlantic in rowboat A Stamford man has completed a nearly 3,000-mile trek across the Atlantic Ocean in a rowboat. Heist nets more than $90,000 in cigarettes Milford police say more than $90,000 in cigarettes were stolen over the weekend from a local business that supplies items to convenience stores.	Gov. Rell Opposes Marijuana Decriminalization Conn. reviews updates to habeas claim laws A legal procedure that some Connecticut officials say is being routinely abused by inmates is under review Suit over gas gouging claims A Connecticut gasoline supplier is suing the head of an industry group who told a gas station owner that the supplier was overcharging him.
United States
U.S. Pension Insurer Shifted to Stocks Ahead of Sept. Plunge Citing Failed War on Drugs, Former Seattle Police Chief Calls for Legalization of Marijuana and All Drugs Norm Stamper is a thirty-four-year police officer who retired as Seattle’s chief of police in 2000. He now supports the legalization of marijuana and an advisory board member of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and a speaker for the 10,000-member Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Danish investors buy Adirondack land The Nature Conservancy says it's selling 92,000 acres of Adirondack forest land to a Danish pension fund committed to environmentally responsible forestry Peacekeepers-for-Hire? Not so Fast, Critics Warn Is the U.N. willing to emulate the U.S. model of engaging private defense and security firms in dealing with issues of war and peace? Local government Katrina loans could be forgiven Noam Chomsky on the economy and democracy Pt2 GM CEO Reportedly Gets $20 Million Retirement Package Former Cheney Aide Suggests That Hersh’s Account Of ‘Executive Assassination Ring’ Is Certainly True Federal judge blocks charges in Pa. 'sexting' case (AP) A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked a prosecutor from filing child pornography charges against three northeastern Pennsylvania teenagers who appeared in racy photos that turned up on classmates' cell phones.	Callers describe atmospheric disturbance (bright light loud sound Va.-Md.-NC) "I Made Major Mistakes" - Ex-Seattle Police Chief Admits Response to 1999 WTO Protests Was Too Heavy-Handed We speak with Norm Stamper, the police chief of Seattle during the 1999 WTO protests, when police responded to protests by firing teargas and rubber bullets into the mostly peaceful crowd. The protests resulted in 600 arrests and in the eventual failure of the WTO talks. Stamper resigned soon afterward. Computer mega-worm poised to hit April 1 The fast-moving Conficker computer worm, a scourge of the Internet that has infected at least 3 million PCs, is set to spring to life in a new way on Wednesday — April Fools' Day ADL slams Louis Farrakhan for 'bigoted' comments on Israel lobby The Anti-Defamation League lashed out at Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan on Monday for remarks he made earlier this month in which he accused "the Israeli lobby" of controlling the government Immigrants from Haiti should be allowed to stay in the U.S. President Barack Obama recently issued an order that allowed Liberian immigrants to stay temporarily in the United States. Immigrants from Somalia, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras have also been granted TPS in recent years. Why are immigrants from Haiti, a disaster-wracked country that is the poorest in the hemisphere, less deserving? Nigeria: Halliburton - FG Asks U.S. to Name Indicted Citizens Will the Persecution of Political Prisoner Sami Al-Arian Finally Come to an End? The trial and imprisonment of the university professor has been capricious, inept and overtly racist every step of the way. Number of Hazardous Dams in the U.S. Shoots Up Since 2003 The number of high hazard dams needing repair in the U.S. more than tripled since 2003.
Madoffed
UBS Ousts Top Banker Who Served U.S. Clients The bank said the executive formerly in charge of secret offshore accounts for wealthy Americans had been placed on paid leave. The Executive Who Brought Down AIG Joseph Cassano made more than $300 million at the firm he virtually bankrupted.

Science
Study: Range of pharmaceuticals in fish across US Grey matter - action video games offer eyesight boost, study says Playing action video games can boost an aspect of an adult's eyesight, US research shows.
Politics
Is a tobacco tax increase fair? GM CEO Forced To Resign By White House… GOP Rep: "When Will The Wall Street CEOs Receiving TARP Funds Summon The Honor To Resign?"... READ THE PLAN Nearly 7 in 10 major U.S. arms programs over budget Nearly 70 percent of the Pentagon's 96 major weapons-buying programs were over budget in 2008 for combined cost growth of $296 billion above original estimates, congressional auditors said in an annual report released on Monday Let Spy Laws Fade into the Sunset, Group Urges One of the nation’s leading legal rights groups is calling on the U.S. Congress to make major changes in the USA Patriot Act to reverse parts of the hurriedly passed law that have been found unconstitutional or have been abused to collect information on innocent people. US backs warranties for GM, Chrysler New GM CEO: Bankruptcy may be best Kucinich: $3.6b in Merrill Lynch bonuses 22x larger than AIG Virginia Senator Pushes For Prison Reform Sen. Jim Webb introduced legislation last week establishing a blue-ribbon commission to retool the nation's prison system. The Virginia Democrat talks to host Jacki Lyden about the bill and why he feels the criminal justice system has to change Kids Do the Darndest Things: Joe Biden's Cocaine Dilemma The allegations about Ashley Biden offer her father a chance to join the millions who challenge the irrationality of our drug laws OBAMA: CHRYSLER NOT TOO BIG TO FAIL AUTO STATE POLITICIANS: WHERE'S THE "TOUGH LOVE" FOR WALL STREET?	GAO use fraud-reporting program on stimulus funds Congressional investigators are asking Americans to report waste and fraud associated with the Obama administration's stimulus law A Guide to Tracking Auto Influence The connection between the automotive industry, the administration and Congress is more than just a shared interest in putting the economy on the track to recovery, however. Automakers and dealers have spent money on campaign contributions and lobbying to make sure they get the tune-up they need to survive. Private Medicare plans get new rules The Obama administration Monday placed new curbs on private insurance plans that are popular with seniors in Medicare, but have been criticized for marketing abuses and high costs to the government US names religious freedom violators On its final working day in office, the Bush administration re-designated eight countries as severe violators of religious freedom but waived possible sanctions against Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan NRA clout shapes policy agenda When Democrats acted last month to give the District of Columbia long-denied voting rights in Congress, the powerful gun lobby saw a target too good not to take a shot at. States aren't spending funds to improve communications for emergency workers Nearly $1 billion intended to improve the ability of emergency workers to talk to each other has been sitting in the federal Treasury for 18 months. Terror inmates may be released in US: intel chief (AFP) President Barack Obama's intelligence chief confirmed Thursday that some Guantanamo inmates may be released on US soil and receive assistance to return to society.
Obama
Why Is Obama Backing Bank of America in Court? Now that the Obama administration is a shareholder, will it protect the interests of the bank or those of targeted by its predatory practices? US agrees to release another Gitmo detainee The Obama administration has agreed to release another Guantanamo detainee, but officials aren't saying yet where he'll go. Obama should save the banks, not the bankers, Pt.3 U.S., Iranian diplomats have brief, 'cordial' meeting	Obamas Are Personally Paying For White House Renovations Obama administration OKs release of Yemeni doctor from Guantanamo The U.S. government on Monday agreed to release a Yemeni surgeon -- who reportedly treated al Qaeda wounded at Tora Bora in Afghanistan TYT: Obama Treating Union Contracts Differently Than Wall St. Contracts?
Economy
OPEC head Angola eyes oil prices at $75 in 2009 Oil prices could reach $75 per barrel in 2009 despite a the economic crisis, OPEC president Angola said on Monday, adding that compliance by the 12-member group with the agreed cuts remained at around 80 percent.	Dow dives 200+ points on GM, Chrysler woes World stocks take turn for worse

Iraq	Map of Iraq
283 Bases, 170,000 Pieces of Equipment, 140,000 Troops, and an Army of Mercenaries: The Logistical Nightmare in Iraq Separate bombings hit Iraq civilians bomb planted in a car in Al Ghadir District wounded four civilians. In Basra, six people were killed and seven others were wounded in a bomb explosion targeting an oil facility protection patrol U.S.-allied Sunnis alarmed at crackdown Leaders of U.S.-backed Sunni paramilitary organizations said Monday they feared that a crackdown against one of their groups in Baghdad may be part of a purge of their ranks by the Shiite-led government before American troops pull out of Iraq 4 Injured in Mosul Blast Four persons, including a cop, were wounded in a car bomb blast that ripped through southeastern Mosul city, a local security source said on Saturday. 3 Workers Killed, 15 Injured in Iraq's Diyala At least three construction workers were killed and 15 others injured on Monday in a bike bomb explosion in Baquba, the capital city of Diyala province, a provincial police source said. Gays sentenced to death in Iraq: report Executions to begin next week, Britain-based Iraqi-LGBT reveals. Freed Iraqi detainee vows to keep fighting Americans Security developments in Iraq on March 31 Al-Qaeda Infiltrating Security Forces in Iraq, Sources Say The Awakening Movement is key to stability, but sources tell TIME that its ranks have been infiltrated by the nascent insurgency Iraq: Police station targeted in suicide attack Police station targeted in suicide attack (AKI) - At least eight people have been killed and 38 wounded in a truck bomb blast on Tuesday in the restive northern Iraqi city of Mosul, capital of the Nineveh province. "The toll from the truck bomb blast that targeted a police headquarters in al-Mahatta area has reached 38 wounded, including 17 cops, and seven dead," said Iraqi news agenc	Why has violence resurged in Baghdad? Some say that violence resurgence in Baghdad is due to the release of prisoners from Bucca prison without referring their files to Iraq investigation apparatus US soldier guilty in killing of 4 Iraqis in 2007 Spokesman in Behalf of the U.S. Army Confirms the Increase in the Size and Capabilities of Iraqi Security Forces The Injury of Six Persons Due to Two IED Explosion in Fallujah An official security source at the command of the police of Fallujah have announced the wounding of six policemen on today-Sunday, in the explosion of two IEDs at Al-Fahilat district to the south-east of Fallujah Iraqi Troops Order Sunni Group to Turn in Weapons After Gunbattles Iraqi troops using loudspeakers ordered members of an armed Sunni neighbourhood group in Baghdad to turn in their weapons on Sunday after the arrest of their leader sparked fierce gunbattles with American and Iraqi troops. Rebellious Awakening Council in Baghdad Is Disarmed, Officials Say Iraq guerrillas turn to Russian grenades Iran Uses UAVs In Iraq Iran has been using unmanned aerial vehicles for reconnaissance missions in Iraq. U.S. officials said the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has been using UAVs to spy on Iraqi and U.S. military facilities in Iraq British troops begin Iraq pullout British forces officially started to withdraw from Iraq on Tuesday, signalling the end of six years of military operations that began with the US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. U.K. Hands Control of Southern Iraq to U.S. Troops (Update3) Iraq starts policing borders with unmanned planes Iraq has started flying unmanned aircraft or drones along its borders to stop foreign fighters and arms entering through neighboring countries, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday
Middle East
Israeli Railways fires Arabs workers State-owned Israel Railways says it has fired around 40 Israeli Arabs after deciding only military veterans could do their jobs. Hezbollah says not to carry out operation outside Lebanon	Article in Al-Qaeda E-journal: "How to Withstand Interrogation" The last issues of Sada Al-Malahim, the e-journal of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, featured a three-part article titled "Gaining Victory over the Interrogators," aimed at teaching the mujahideen how to cope with the psychological techniques
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
U.S. will put $40 million toward running Afghan elections US launches new fight against Afghan drug trade American authorities are planning a broad new campaign against terrorist financing networks in Afghanistan, sending in dozens of federal drug enforcement agents to help stem the country's massive opium trade, the Associated Press has learned. McCain sees more NATO help, but not troops, in Afghanistan Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has thrown his support behind President Barack Obama's approach to Afghanistan and believes Obama will succeed in getting European nations to contribute more resources to the fight, although he doubts those will be in the form of more troops	U.S. 'Reserves Right' to Raid Pakistan Gen. Petraeus tells FOX News all options are on the table as U.S. steps up terror fight Taliban vows more Pakistan bloodshed Pakistan court restores opposition gov't in Punjab Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday restored the provincial government of a main opposition leader in the country's most powerful province, easing political turmoil. 10 Afghan Security Forces Killed in Attacks Insurgent attacks and a roadside bomb kill 10 Afghan security force members
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Pakistan: 4 Police Academy Attackers Killed Pakistani police say retaking academy from gunmen Watch Live TV: Terrorists strike Lahore, 800 cadets taken hostage Armed terrorists attacked a police academy and have taken hostages	Militants give bloody show of strength Heavily armed militants on Monday stormed a police training school in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, killing at least 30 people. The audacious raid follows directly on US President Barack Obama's warning that Pakistan is the new theater in the Afghan war
Asia
North Korea rocket shown on launch pad Sri Lanka says 39 rebels killed in fighting At least 39 Tamil Tiger rebels have been killed in land and sea battles on Sri Lanka's northeast coast as an army offensive moves forward in a bid to end 25 years of civil war, the military said Monday.	Khmer Rouge Trials May Expose US, China In China, job seekers are resorting to plastic surgery Filipino militants set time for hostage beheading
Europe
Putin: Russian automaker may get bailout Chechen Murdered in Dubai was Wanted Back Home He was once Chechnya's most powerful military leader and last year challenged the rule of the country's president.
Africa
Pa. pesticide maker vows steps to protect lions The Philadelphia-based manufacturer of a pesticide blamed by conservationists for the poisoning deaths of lions in Kenya says it's taking "aggressive action" to prevent misuse of the product, halting sales to the country and trying to buy back supplies. Report: U.S. warned Sudan before attack on Gaza convoy The U.S. warned the Sudanese government that weapons were being smuggled into the Gaza Strip through its territory ahead of a recent attack on a Gaza-bound arms convoy, which foreign media has attributed to the Israel Air Force, the pan-Arab daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat reported Monday	Tanzania train wreck 'deliberate' Police in Tanzania suspect a deadly train crash was caused deliberately to steal petrol, as they make seven arrests Arab leaders back 'wanted' Bashir Arab leaders end an annual summit by rejecting the arrest warrant issued for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on war crimes charges
The Americas
Mexico's Calderon rules out joint raids with US Mexican President Felipe Calderon said Monday he's ruled out joint raids with the United States aimed at stemming drug cartel violence along their border