The News Crawler

Frontline exposes scandal involving billions of dollars in bribes hidden by Tony Blair government As the global financial downturn continues and pressure for profits increases on corporations across the world, a small group of lawyers in the U.S. Justice Department is pursuing an aggressive crackdown against an international business tactic -- bribery -- which the World Bank says amounts to as much as a trillion dollars a year in payments

U.S. military concedes Afghan civilian casualties The U.S. military has conceded that troops under its command in Afghanistan killed a group of civilians in an operation this week, not militants as earlier reported.

CDC covered up high lead levels in D.C. drinking water

Extremist Web sites are using U.S. hosts Reliable service and anonymity provided by U.S. Internet companies attracts anti-American groups, including the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

America's al Qaeda effort lacking, official warns The nation's chief counterterrorism official says despite a "seriously diminished" threat to the homeland, the U.S. government is still not properly organized to support the "team" effort needed to defeat al Qaeda. "This is a team sport, but the structures are not organized to support the team," says Mike Leiter.

CIA: Contractors will not interrogate

In Dramatic Rescue Operation, Navy Snipers Shot And Killed Three Pirates... One Captured... Captain Phillips Uninjured... President Obama Authorized Operation... Commander: Killing Of Pirates 'Could Escalate Violence' In The Region... WATCH: Phillips, Right After His Rescue, Thanking Navy Personnel... WATCH: Phillips Family Reacts To News... AP: Obama Passes First National Security Test With "No Drama" Handling Of Crisis

Conn. air cargo company ordered to pay $8 million A federal agency has ordered a Connecticut-based air cargo carrier to pay nearly $8 million to nine former employees.

Rell Backs Off Siphoning From Client Security Fund

Report: Ethanol raises cost of nutrition programs The increased use of ethanol could cost the government up to $900 million for food stamps and child nutrition programs, a congressional report says.

A New Way Forward: Protests Scheduled Across the Country Calling on Banks to Nationalize, Reorganize, Decentralize

3 foreign carriers to pay fines in cargo probe Three more foreign carriers have agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to fix prices in the air cargo industry, and they will pay a total of $214 million in fines, U.S. prosecutors said Thursday.

With Jobs Scarce, Soldiers Re-Enlist

Tax Sugary Drinks, Kids Get Thinner: Yale Prof American kids are getting fat but a Yale professor thinks they might not be so wide around the middle if it cost more to buy soda than something that does not have sugar added.

Extremist Web sites are using U.S. hosts Reliable service and anonymity provided by U.S. Internet companies attracts anti-American groups, including the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

6 most unusual tax deductions From deducting clarinet lessons to claiming a kidnapped child as a dependent, here are some of the oddest provisions of the tax code.

War Is A Racke tby Major General Smedley Butler
WAR is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small "inside" group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes. In the World War a mere handful garnered the profits of the conflict. At least 21,000 new millionaires and billionaires were made in the United States during the World War. That many admitted their huge blood gains in their income tax returns. How many other war millionaires falsified their tax returns no one knows.

Fox News seizes upon 'Tea Party' protests

Iowa Approves $2 Million for Algae Fuel Project

Dionne Warwick, Sinbad Make List Of California Tax Evaders

Trustee wants $150 million back from Madoff client The trustee overseeing the liquidation of Bernard Madoff's business has sued to retrieve $150 million paid out to one of the fallen financier's clients last fall.

TOP US GENERAL: WE MAY HAVE TO IGNORE IRAQ DEADLINE

Lawsuit: Firms sold poison gas ingredients to Iraq Three companies illegally sold materials to Saddam Hussein's regime in the 1980s for making chemical weapons that were used to carry out attacks against thousands of Iraqi Kurds and ultimately caused scores of chronic ailments, according to a federal lawsuit.

Iraq: Al-Qaeda 'Afghanistan Iraq' Base Discovered An Iraqi security source has announced the discovery of an Al-Qaeda training base named "Afghanistan Iraq" in the Al-Anbar province. The base has human skulls positioned at its entrance.

Iraq suicide attacker kills 9 at anti-Qaeda militia HQ (AFP) A suicide bomber dressed in military uniform infiltrated a gathering of US-allied Sunni fighters who were waiting to be paid, killing nine people and wounding dozens south of Baghdad on Saturday.

5 US Soldiers Killed In Iraq... Deadliest Attack Against US Forces In 13 Months

Six years after Iraq invasion, Jordan still playing host to thousands of Iraqi refugees

Iraqi Sadrist cleric slams 'political' arrests A senior Iraqi Shiite cleric on Friday condemned a spate of "political" arrests of members of the Sadr movement and warned rivals they could expect similar treatment in the future.

Arrests Deepen Iraqi Sunnis’ Bitterness Sunni Awakening Council members are besieged from all sides: attacked by bombers, arrested by the government and, some feel, abandoned by the Americans who recruited them

Egypt to question 'Hezbollah plotters' further Egypt's public prosecutor ordered on Thursday that 49 people held for plotting attacks on behalf of Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah be kept in custody for a further 15 days, a judicial source said.

Polish president approves Afghan mission increase Poland's president has approved the government's request to increase the country's military force in Afghanistan by 400 troops.

Allies Ponder How to Plan Elections in Afghanistan Nearly half the country is a danger zone, raising a difficult question: How can it hold presidential elections in less than five months?

'Pak military more inclined towards fundamentalist view' Pakistan's military over the years has become more inclined towards ''Islamic fundamentalist view'', which should be a deep cause of concern for the US, a top Republican leader has said.

China executes 2 for attack before Olympics

Maoists kill 5 policemen in east India before rally

128 dead in Sri Lanka's 'no-fire zone' At least 128 civilians have died and more than 700 have been injured in three days of shelling in the last remaining pocket of Tamil Tiger resistance in Sri Lanka, according to reports from inside the "no-fire zone".

Argentina halts social separation wall The Argentinian government is demanding a halt to construction of a controversial social "separation wall" intended to block off a well-heeled residential neighbourhood from a poor district on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, in an episode that is turning into a national scandal.

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Last Update: Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Headlines	Click here for Yesterdays Edition
Frontline exposes scandal involving billions of dollars in bribes hidden by Tony Blair government As the global financial downturn continues and pressure for profits increases on corporations across the world, a small group of lawyers in the U.S. Justice Department is pursuing an aggressive crackdown against an international business tactic -- bribery -- which the World Bank says amounts to as much as a trillion dollars a year in payments U.S. military concedes Afghan civilian casualties The U.S. military has conceded that troops under its command in Afghanistan killed a group of civilians in an operation this week, not militants as earlier reported. CDC covered up high lead levels in D.C. drinking water Extremist Web sites are using U.S. hosts Reliable service and anonymity provided by U.S. Internet companies attracts anti-American groups, including the Taliban and al-Qaeda. America's al Qaeda effort lacking, official warns The nation's chief counterterrorism official says despite a "seriously diminished" threat to the homeland, the U.S. government is still not properly organized to support the "team" effort needed to defeat al Qaeda. "This is a team sport, but the structures are not organized to support the team," says Mike Leiter. CIA: Contractors will not interrogate In Dramatic Rescue Operation, Navy Snipers Shot And Killed Three Pirates... One Captured... Captain Phillips Uninjured... President Obama Authorized Operation... Commander: Killing Of Pirates 'Could Escalate Violence' In The Region... WATCH: Phillips, Right After His Rescue, Thanking Navy Personnel... WATCH: Phillips Family Reacts To News... AP: Obama Passes First National Security Test With "No Drama" Handling Of Crisis	U.S. recession to end in H2 but unemployment to rise: survey The U.S. economy is set to emerge from recession in the second half of this year as consumer spending and the housing sector recover, but unemployment will rise well into 2010, according to a survey. 'Genocide' Is A Matter Of Opinion During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama called the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians by Turkey in 1915 "genocide." Host Scott Simon notes, however, that to the Turkish parliament this week he referred to it only as "the terrible events of 1915." Congresswoman wants answers on KBR contract A New Hampshire congresswoman said the Pentagon has failed to justify giving a new, $35 million contract to a company whose electrical work on U.S. facilities in Iraq has been criticized as shoddy and unsafe. Tax Sugary Drinks, Kids Get Thinner: Yale Prof American kids are getting fat but a Yale professor thinks they might not be so wide around the middle if it cost more to buy soda than something that does not have sugar added. Archbishop: Priests abused 'thousands' NYT: Squatters call foreclosures home Advocacy groups are moving people into vacant homes, some in secret, others openly, as civil disobedience. Report: Ethanol raises cost of nutrition programs The increased use of ethanol could cost the government up to $900 million for food stamps and child nutrition programs, a congressional report says. More POW claimants than actual POWs Some of the much-admired recipients of POW benefits apparently don't deserve them, according to data released by VA to The Associated Press.
Connecticut
(Sen) Dodd Rallies to Union's Side to Oppose F-22 Budget Cuts Conn. woman charged with collecting Katrina cash A Connecticut federal grand jury has indicted a New Britain woman accusing her of falsely claiming she was a victim of Hurricane Katrina. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro Pushes Measure On Food Safety Conn. local officials say summer tax hikes likely Officials in nearly three-quarters of Connecticut municipalities polled in a recent survey said they expect to raise property taxes this summer if they do not receive significantly more state aid, and more than half said they also would be likely to cut programs and lay off workers. Blumenthal Questions Hartford Courant, Fox 61 Alliance Attorney General Richard Blumenthal released a letter today that he has sent to Tribune Co. chairman and CEO Sam Zell, raising legal concerns about WTIC-TV, Channel 61, moving operations into the Hartford Courant building on Broad Street. Conn. air cargo company ordered to pay $8 million A federal agency has ordered a Connecticut-based air cargo carrier to pay nearly $8 million to nine former employees. Rell Backs Off Siphoning From Client Security Fund	NU To Build Electric Car Charging Stations In Connecticut Berlin-based Northeast Utilities announced plans today to build New England's first network of charging stations for electric cars in Connecticut and Massachusetts over the next two years. Wealthy man avoids prison for food stamp fraud A Connecticut man whose family used government food stamps while he had access to hundreds of thousands of dollars has pleaded guilty in exchange for avoiding prison. Conn. eyes limits to on-campus credit card offers A growing number of Connecticut lawmakers are calling for more regulations on how companies market credit cards at colleges. Gov. Rell Calls For $67.3 Million More In Cost Reductions Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Tuesday that she no longer wants to tap $2 million from a special state fund that for 10 years has reimbursed clients ripped off by their attorneys. Conn. consumer chief: No jurisdiction on AIG bonuses Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell said on Thursday he has no jurisdiction under state law over $165 million in bonuses that American International Group paid its employees
United States
CIA: Contractors will not interrogate 'RNC Eight' terrorism charges dropped Advisory firm urges shareholders vote "no" on Citigroup Report: Ethanol raises cost of nutrition programs The increased use of ethanol could cost the government up to $900 million for food stamps and child nutrition programs, a congressional report says. A New Way Forward: Protests Scheduled Across the Country Calling on Banks to Nationalize, Reorganize, Decentralize Utah Finds Surprising Benefits In 4-Day Workweek Utah last summer became the first state to mandate a four-day workweek for its employees. A recent assessment of the program found the expected energy cost savings haven't materialized, but there have been unexpected boosts to productivity and worker satisfaction. NYT: Squatters call foreclosures home Advocacy groups are moving people into vacant homes, some in secret, others openly, as civil disobedience. More POW claimants than actual POWs Some of the much-admired recipients of POW benefits apparently don't deserve them, according to data released by VA to The Associated Press. CDC covered up high lead levels in D.C. drinking water At 1 Lutheran church, gay, partnered and preaching Brad Froslee was installed as pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church at a special Sunday service attended by dozens of his fellow pastors, as well as Froslee's proud parents and grandmother, all devoted lifelong Lutherans. Black man's killing by police shakes La. town For 73 years before his killing by a white police officer, Bernard Monroe led a life in this northern Louisiana town as peaceful as they come - five kids with his wife of five decades, all raised in the same house, supported by the same job. Chinese drywall poses potential risks At the height of the U.S. housing boom, when building materials were in short supply, American construction companies used millions of pounds of Chinese-made drywall because it was abundant and cheap. Autoworkers' pensions in peril General Motors pensions may be 'garbage' with $16 billion at risk. VA confiscated reporter's gear as he worked on critical story	US courts put corporations on notice over human rights Health agency covered up lead harm (withheld evidence-tap water caused lead poisoning in kids) Proposed Nev. prostitution tax dies on panel vote Archbishop: Priests abused 'thousands' 3 foreign carriers to pay fines in cargo probe Three more foreign carriers have agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to fix prices in the air cargo industry, and they will pay a total of $214 million in fines, U.S. prosecutors said Thursday. America's al Qaeda effort lacking, official warns The nation's chief counterterrorism official says despite a "seriously diminished" threat to the homeland, the U.S. government is still not properly organized to support the "team" effort needed to defeat al Qaeda. "This is a team sport, but the structures are not organized to support the team," says Mike Leiter. With Jobs Scarce, Soldiers Re-Enlist Tax Sugary Drinks, Kids Get Thinner: Yale Prof American kids are getting fat but a Yale professor thinks they might not be so wide around the middle if it cost more to buy soda than something that does not have sugar added. Extremist Web sites are using U.S. hosts Reliable service and anonymity provided by U.S. Internet companies attracts anti-American groups, including the Taliban and al-Qaeda. 6 most unusual tax deductions From deducting clarinet lessons to claiming a kidnapped child as a dependent, here are some of the oddest provisions of the tax code. War Is A Racke tby Major General Smedley Butler WAR is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small "inside" group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes. In the World War a mere handful garnered the profits of the conflict. At least 21,000 new millionaires and billionaires were made in the United States during the World War. That many admitted their huge blood gains in their income tax returns. How many other war millionaires falsified their tax returns no one knows. Fox News seizes upon 'Tea Party' protests Iowa Approves $2 Million for Algae Fuel Project
Madoffed
Dionne Warwick, Sinbad Make List Of California Tax Evaders Trustee wants $150 million back from Madoff client The trustee overseeing the liquidation of Bernard Madoff's business has sued to retrieve $150 million paid out to one of the fallen financier's clients last fall.

Politics
GOP Congressman: I Have A List Of Socialists A campaign to censure Rep. Michele Bachmann over her remarks has been launched. More fuzzy math? How GOP estimates carbon tax impact Congressional Republicans are trying to convince consumers that the White House and Democratic lawmakers will raise their taxes every time people flick on a light switch Congresswoman wants answers on KBR contract A New Hampshire congresswoman said the Pentagon has failed to justify giving a new, $35 million contract to a company whose electrical work on U.S. facilities in Iraq has been criticized as shoddy and unsafe. Is AIG Spending Too Much on Public Relations?The troubled insurance giant has four p.r. firms working to protect its image. Should taxpayers be paying for them?	New Jersey bank returns money from bailout fund A New Jersey bank has become the sixth bank to repay emergency assistance it received from the federal government. Failed Nuclear Funding Measure Reinserted into Senate Budget Bill Employee Free Choice Act US business leaders won't be laughing if comedian Al Franken wins the legal wrangle keeping from taking his seat in the US Senate. He may be the deciding vote in over-riding Republican objections New Bill Would Let Obama Snoop In Computer Files New Cybersecurity Act stirs controversy
Obama
White House: Obama 'absolutely' stands behind effort to throw out warrantless wiretap suit DoD to force some Bush holdovers out with ethics pledge Ayatollah sees Obama sincere in Muslim message One of Shia Islam's highest religious authorities praised on Wednesday the "sincerity" of U.S. President Barack Obama's message to the Muslim world and predicted a positive outcome for his approach to Iran Madoff Can Be Forced Into Bankruptcy, Judge Rules 'Genocide' Is A Matter Of Opinion During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama called the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians by Turkey in 1915 "genocide." Host Scott Simon notes, however, that to the Turkish parliament this week he referred to it only as "the terrible events of 1915."	CNN Reporter Asks About Obama's "Bow" Obama releases Reagan records President Barack Obama is ordering the release of nearly a quarter of a million pages of records from the Reagan White House that were kept from the public during a lengthy review by President George W. Bush. U.S. announces PLO office waiver during Obama Passover seder Around the time that President Barack Obama hosted the first-ever Passover seder at the White House on Thursday, his administration announced that it had signed a waiver allowing the Palestine Liberation Organization to maintain its office in Washington In Defense of Obama's Saudi Bow President Obama definitely bowed down when he shook the hand of Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud at the G-20 in London last week. Despite the continuing outrage of conservatives, what Obama did was entirely appropriate, too.
Economy
U.S. February trade gap narrows to lowest since 1999 U.S. recession to end in H2 but unemployment to rise: survey The U.S. economy is set to emerge from recession in the second half of this year as consumer spending and the housing sector recover, but unemployment will rise well into 2010, according to a survey. Majority of Unemployed Americans Are Not Receiving Benefits A look at the percentage of unemployed workers not receiving unemployment benefits.	Buffett loses top credit rating US financier Warren Buffett's holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, has lost its top credit rating from agency Moody's. Jobless claims ease, trade gap narrows sharply (Reuters) The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, government data showed on Thursday, but was still at levels indicating the labor market's contraction has yet to hit bottom

Iraq	Map of Iraq
TOP US GENERAL: WE MAY HAVE TO IGNORE IRAQ DEADLINE Lawsuit: Firms sold poison gas ingredients to Iraq Three companies illegally sold materials to Saddam Hussein's regime in the 1980s for making chemical weapons that were used to carry out attacks against thousands of Iraqi Kurds and ultimately caused scores of chronic ailments, according to a federal lawsuit. Iraq: Al-Qaeda 'Afghanistan Iraq' Base Discovered An Iraqi security source has announced the discovery of an Al-Qaeda training base named "Afghanistan Iraq" in the Al-Anbar province. The base has human skulls positioned at its entrance. Iraq suicide attacker kills 9 at anti-Qaeda militia HQ (AFP) A suicide bomber dressed in military uniform infiltrated a gathering of US-allied Sunni fighters who were waiting to be paid, killing nine people and wounding dozens south of Baghdad on Saturday.	5 US Soldiers Killed In Iraq... Deadliest Attack Against US Forces In 13 Months Six years after Iraq invasion, Jordan still playing host to thousands of Iraqi refugees Iraqi Sadrist cleric slams 'political' arrests A senior Iraqi Shiite cleric on Friday condemned a spate of "political" arrests of members of the Sadr movement and warned rivals they could expect similar treatment in the future. Arrests Deepen Iraqi Sunnis’ Bitterness Sunni Awakening Council members are besieged from all sides: attacked by bombers, arrested by the government and, some feel, abandoned by the Americans who recruited them
Middle East
Iran alleges foreign-funded plot to undermine government The cyber-crimes unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced today that it had uncovered a Dutch-funded plot to use the Internet to undermine the Islamic Republic, Iranian news media reported Saturday. Palestinian Christian housing faces Israeli encirclement Residents of a Palestinian Christian housing project in the West Bank village of Beit Sahour say Israel is encircling their community with a security road to separate them from a nearby Jewish settlement. 'Iran behind Hezbollah bid to strike Egypt targets' Egypt: We thwarted $2 million transfer to Hamas Iran claims control of 'nuclear cycle' Next step is to build power plants without help of foreigners. Black Imam Breaks Ground in Mecca Sheik Adil Kalbani became the first black man to lead prayers in Mecca after being chosen by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia Iran hangs 3 men for deadly mosque bombing -- Iran hanged three men on Friday for their involvement in a bombing inside a packed mosque that killed 14 people nearly a year ago, the official IRNA news agency reported Egypt to question 'Hezbollah plotters' further Egypt's public prosecutor ordered on Thursday that 49 people held for plotting attacks on behalf of Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah be kept in custody for a further 15 days, a judicial source said.	Palestinians call on Canada to cancel scroll exhibition The Palestinian Authority demanded this week the cancellation of an exhibition of Dead Sea Scrolls, which it said were stolen by Israel from Palestinian territories, Canadian media reported. 'Russia won't press Iran for America' Blogger becomes casualty of Iran cyber-wars A showdown has been building for years in Iran, with bloggers and social network sites becoming the main outlet for everything from hard-edged political dissent to underground videos and music. New Bid to Find Missing Ex-F.B.I. Agent Sectarian Tensions Rise In Persian Gulf Region In eastern Saudi Arabia, a Shiite cleric recently said the oil-rich province should secede from the kingdom if discrimination against Shiites continues. And just next door in the island nation of Bahrain, Shiites are protesting almost nightly against their Sunni rulers. Saudi rapist 22nd convict beheaded this year Hezbollah's political evolution Hezbollah – the party of God, in Arabic – was notorious throughout the 1980s for being an extremist militant organisation involved in a string of kidnappings targeting westerners in the 1980s. But since the early 1990s, the Lebanese Shia fundamentalist group has slowly engaged in the Lebanese post-civil war political process, while retaining its military wing, the Islamic Resistance, to fight Israel's occupation of South Lebanon.
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
U.S. military concedes Afghan civilian casualties The U.S. military has conceded that troops under its command in Afghanistan killed a group of civilians in an operation this week, not militants as earlier reported. Afghan 'Rape Law' Will Not Go Into Effect DOJ: Courts could harm Afghan effort Obama's effort to pursue a new strategy against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban could be jeopardized.	Polish president approves Afghan mission increase Poland's president has approved the government's request to increase the country's military force in Afghanistan by 400 troops. Allies Ponder How to Plan Elections in Afghanistan Nearly half the country is a danger zone, raising a difficult question: How can it hold presidential elections in less than five months?
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
'Pak military more inclined towards fundamentalist view' Pakistan's military over the years has become more inclined towards ''Islamic fundamentalist view'', which should be a deep cause of concern for the US, a top Republican leader has said.	New conditions incorporated into Pakistan aid bill Suspected U.S. missile attack in Pakistan kills3
Asia
China executes 2 for attack before Olympics Maoists kill 5 policemen in east India before rally 128 dead in Sri Lanka's 'no-fire zone' At least 128 civilians have died and more than 700 have been injured in three days of shelling in the last remaining pocket of Tamil Tiger resistance in Sri Lanka, according to reports from inside the "no-fire zone".	Protesters Force Thailand To Cancel ASEAN Summit Thailand has declared a state of emergency in the town of Pattaya, where more than 1,000 anti-government protesters crashed through a high-profile meeting of Asian leaders. The political unrest has caused officials to cancel the summit, and leaders have been evacuated from Pattaya by helicopter. The protesters, meanwhile, are declaring victory.
Europe
French reject internet piracy law French politicians reject a bill proposing to throw offline those caught downloading music illegally three times. Russia to buy Israeli spy drones Russia is buying pilotless spy aircraft from Israel in hopes of improving its own unmanned drones after a poor performance in the war against Georgia last August, Russian news agencies quoted a top military official as saying Friday. US Warships Block Help For Pirates Holding US Captain Hostage	Frontline exposes scandal involving billions of dollars in bribes hidden by Tony Blair government As the global financial downturn continues and pressure for profits increases on corporations across the world, a small group of lawyers in the U.S. Justice Department is pursuing an aggressive crackdown against an international business tactic -- bribery -- which the World Bank says amounts to as much as a trillion dollars a year in payments
Africa
Officials: Pirates, terrorists not linked directly Pirates recapture US hostage after escape attempt Four men accused of taking part in 1994 Rwandan genocide win battle against extradition Pirates want $2 million for American hostage: source Should U.N. Step Into Pirate Fray?	FBI in hostage talks with Somalis Pirates hijack Italian tugboat Retired Officer: Piracy Threat 'Overstated' Four Somali pirates are holding hostage an American ship captain, Richard Phillips, on a life boat. Recently, retired Navy Cmdr. John Patch wrote an article for Proceedings about the overall threat of piracy. He believes it is both over-hyped and confused with terrorism
The Americas
Canada asks Russia for training-mission notice Cuban militant Posada indicted on new charges Anti-Castro Cuban militant Luis Posada Carriles faces new criminal charges. Posada, a former CIA operative and U.S. Army soldier, was accused Wednesday of 11 counts in a superceding indictment. The new charges include perjury and obstruction of a federal proceeding	Argentina halts social separation wall The Argentinian government is demanding a halt to construction of a controversial social "separation wall" intended to block off a well-heeled residential neighbourhood from a poor district on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, in an episode that is turning into a national scandal.