The News Crawler

Citigroup's Profit Greeted With Skepticism Ending a five-quarter losing streak, Citigroup reported profits of $1.6 billion during the first three months of 2009. But there were questions about how the banking giant achieved the positive results.

U.S. bank lending drops in February despite bailouts: report Banks that received the most U.S. government aid made or refinanced 23 percent less in new loans in February, than in October 2008, when the U.S. Treasury launched its Troubled Asset Relief Program, the Wall Street Journal said, citing its own analysis of Treasury Department data.

The Bankers Who Warned About 'Too Big To Fail' In their 2004 book, Gary Stern and Ron Feldman, top executives at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, cautioned the world about systemic financial risk and the need for more oversight. They admit to a fleeting sense of "I told you so."

As Costs Fall, Companies Push to Raise Internet Price Cable Internet providers want to implement tiered pricing to charge more for heavy use, despite steady profits and the companies’ falling costs.

Texas company: We want nation's radioactive waste A Texas company is signaling its intent to turn a rural county near New Mexico into the home of the only dump in the United States that disposes of all classes of low-level radioactive waste from around the country.

Conn. pols weigh updates to reflect GPS advances Addicted to that GPS navigation system? On Connecticut roads, that might make you a lawbreaker.

Blumenthal calls for probe of electric generation, massive refund to ratepayers Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today asked a federal regulator to compel electric generators to pay back New England ratepayers for electricity that was paid for

Students want guns allowed on campus Students at two Connecticut universities are pushing for the right to carry guns on campus.

Illegal immigrants detained, then freed to work After 11 years of living illegally in the United States, it was not until Gerardo Arreola Gonzalez was nearly deported that he finally received permission to work here.

Army Recruiting Standards Rise As Economy Falls

Factories dumping drugs into sewage

Tons of released drugs taint US water

Court Blocks Bid To Expand Drilling Off Alaska

Pentagon closes 'propaganda' office Office responsible for coordinating DoD info campaigns abolished.

Veterans focus of FBI extremist probe Iraq, Afghan vets lumped in with white supremacists, extremists.

Court turns down challenge to jury's use of Bible The Supreme Court has turned away a challenge from a death row inmate in Texas who claimed his constitutional rights were violated by jurors who consulted a Bible during deliberations.

Homeland Security leaders defend memo on veterans Top Department of Homeland Security officials on Sunday defended an agency intelligence assessment warning that veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan could be susceptible to recruitment by right-wing extremists, though one said it should have been "more tightly written and presented."

'Dancing' star, Indy driver acquitted on tax evasion Brazilian race car driver and "Dancing With The Stars" champ Helio Castroneves was acquitted Friday of most charges that he worked with his sister and lawyer to evade more than $2.3 million in U.S. income taxes.

Merkin got Madoff warning years ago A former employee of hedge fund manager J. Ezra Merkin claims Merkin was warned about Wall Street swindler Bernard Madoff years before losing tens of millions of dollars of investors' money in Madoff's Ponzi scheme, according to court papers unsealed Friday.

U.S. stem cell proposals forbid funds for cloning

Geithner sees no new banking crisis: report U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner does not see a second wave of banking collapses and the government is ready to support capital-raising when needed, a Japanese newspaper said on Sunday.

Why We Should Indict the Torture Memo Writers Failure to prosecute could leave the impression that the law can play favorites and that the options differ depending on your station in life.

JPMORGAN CEO: IRAQ PARTLY TO BLAME FOR FINANCIAL CRISIS

Former AG Alberto Gonzales Dropped The Probe Because He Wanted Her Help Defending Warrantless Wiretapping

Draft of stem cell research guidelines unveiled The Obama administration released a draft of guidelines for federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research Friday.

Friday: 1 Marine, 8 Iraqis Killed; 19 Iraqis Wounded

Saturday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 7 Wounded

Oil Dispute Threatens Iraqi Economy Fears are rising that parliament’s failure to pass an oil law may worsen the effects of the global economic crisis on Iraq. Without a law the development of the country’s oil capacity remains restricted, limiting Iraqi output and revenues.

Success Of Iraqi Monetary Policy Disputed A senior Iraqi banker says the country's Central Bank has successfully calmed erratic currency fluctuations and sharply reduced inflation.

Gangland-style slays alarm Iraq Iraq is creating a military task force to battle gangland-style crime after thugs with silencer-fitted weapons slew at least seven people during a brazen daylight...

KBR Memos May Undermine Company Defense in Iraq-Convoy Lawsuits KBR Inc. , the largest U.S. military contractor in Iraq, sent six civilian drivers to their deaths in a battle zone in April 2004 hours after warnings of escalating violence, according to families of the men suing the company.

Turkish police charge 51 Kurds with terror links (AFP) Fifty-one people arrested in a police swoop on Kurdish separatists were charged with belonging to a terrorist organisation on Saturday and remanded in custody, a court source said.

Blackwater out of Iraq? No, not yet (AP) Armed guards from the security firm once known as Blackwater Worldwide are still protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq, even though the company has no license to operate there and has been told by the State Department its contracts will not be renewed two years after a lethal firefight that stirred outrage in Baghdad.

Suicide bomber kills 3 policemen in Iraq

Raid under way in Falluja, this time led by Iraqis

2 Cops Killed, Injured in Attack in Mosul

Iraqis Will Be 100% Responsible for mid-Euphrates Security – Commander

‘Terror’ Attacks Killed 7,473 Iraqis in 2008

18 Killed, 50 Wounded in Habaniya Suicide Attack Casualties of the suicide bombing attack that took place at al-Habaniya base rose to 18 deaths and 50 injuries, a medic from the Ramadi Hospital said on Thursday, estimating the death toll is likely to rise as 10 of the wounded are in a critical condition

Security developments in Iraq, April 20

Iraq Elects Parliament Speaker After Nearly 4 Months of Delay...Iraq elects outspoken Maliki critic as new House speaker

Saudi senior Al-Qaeda figure arrested in Iraq (AFP) A Saudi accused of being a senior Al-Qaeda leader in southern Iraq has been arrested in the port city of Basra along with three of his aides, an Iraqi army official told AFP on Saturday.

Two children killed in blast targeting father (AFP) Two girls under the age of 12 were killed in Iraq on Monday when a sticky bomb targeting an army officer exploded outside their home as he left for work, police said.

Supreme Court mulls legal immunity for Iraq (AFP) Several US Supreme Court justices expressed doubt Monday at filing lawsuits against the current Iraqi government in US courts for abuses committed under the former Saddam Hussein regime.

5 suspected militants killed in Afghanistan NATO-led forces and Afghan troops killed three suspected militants during a raid Saturday in central Afghanistan, where insurgent attacks have spiked this year, officials said. At least two other militants died in an airstrike in the south.

U.S. helps snare top Afghan drug lords Afghan operations have led to the arrests of seven of Afghanistan's most wanted drug lords and revealed the growing involvement of the Taliban in turning opium into heroin and morphine, Pentagon and Drug Enforcement Administration officials said. U.S. and Afghan counternarcotics teams last month demolished a poppy bazaar in the southern Helmand province — an open market where traffickers sold seeds to grow top-quality opium and chemicals to turn raw opium into heroin. The raid killed more than 40 Taliban militants in an eight-hour firefight, in which authorities recovered hundreds of suicide vests, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons

Freed Red Mosque cleric defiant A hardline cleric delivers a defiant Red Mosque sermon, his first since being freed from detention over the 2007 siege.

SWAT cleric terms democracy un-Islamic Hardline cleric Sufi Muhammad, who played a key role in enforcing Islamic law in Pakistan's restive northwestern SWAT valley, said on Sunday that there is no room for democracy in Islam and it contravenes the Quran.

Pakistan arrests sixth suspect in Mumbai attacks

Senior Taliban commander escapes Pakistan airstrike

China, Kazakhstan sign $5B loans-for-oil deal China announced a $5 billion loans-for-oil deal Friday with the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan, Beijing's fourth such arrangement in two months to secure foreign energy for its booming economy.

The Philippines: Islamic Rebels Free Red Cross Worker

Communist party surges as Japan's economy withers

France holds Eta 'military chief' The top military leader of the Basque separatist group Eta is arrested in south-west France, the Spanish authorities say.

Khodorkovsky refuses to enter plea on new charges Imprisoned former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky refused Monday to enter a plea in his new trial, saying the embezzlement and money-laundering charges against him are so vague he can't even respond to them.

Chavez 'to restore US ambassador'

Bolivia's Morales: US conspiring against him...Obama denies U.S. involvement in alleged plot against Bolivian president

Bolivia gang 'fought in Balkans' Two alleged mercenaries suspected of plotting to kill Bolivia's president fought in the 1990s Balkan wars, officials say.

Bolivia anti-drug chief: Cocaine processing rising Cocaine production is on the rise in Bolivia, with Colombian and Mexican cartels hiring intermediaries to process the locally made coca paste there rather than exporting it, says Bolivia's top anti-drug officer

Chile indicts ex-officers in Pinochet-era killings A retired army general and two other officers have been indicted in the killing of 14 dissidents in the early days of the 1973-90 dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet.

The News Crawler
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Headlines	Click here for Yesterdays Edition
Citigroup's Profit Greeted With Skepticism Ending a five-quarter losing streak, Citigroup reported profits of $1.6 billion during the first three months of 2009. But there were questions about how the banking giant achieved the positive results. U.S. bank lending drops in February despite bailouts: report Banks that received the most U.S. government aid made or refinanced 23 percent less in new loans in February, than in October 2008, when the U.S. Treasury launched its Troubled Asset Relief Program, the Wall Street Journal said, citing its own analysis of Treasury Department data. The Bankers Who Warned About 'Too Big To Fail' In their 2004 book, Gary Stern and Ron Feldman, top executives at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, cautioned the world about systemic financial risk and the need for more oversight. They admit to a fleeting sense of "I told you so." As Costs Fall, Companies Push to Raise Internet Price Cable Internet providers want to implement tiered pricing to charge more for heavy use, despite steady profits and the companies’ falling costs. Texas company: We want nation's radioactive waste A Texas company is signaling its intent to turn a rural county near New Mexico into the home of the only dump in the United States that disposes of all classes of low-level radioactive waste from around the country.	Exxon Mobil tops Fortune 500 Exxon Mobil shoved aside Wal-Mart Stores to retake the top place on the Fortune 500, proving that Big Oil was king of the economy last year. Unemployment climbs in 46 states California jobless rate highest since beginning of WWII: 11.2%. CIA torture exemption 'illegal' President Obama's decision not to prosecute CIA agents who engaged in torture violates international law, a UN expert says. Why We Should Indict the Torture Memo Writers Failure to prosecute could leave the impression that the law can play favorites and that the options differ depending on your station in life. Pentagon closes 'propaganda' office Office responsible for coordinating DoD info campaigns abolished. CIA Waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed 183 Times In One Month... Abu Zubaydah 83 Times In One Month njured war zone contractors fight to get care They're crucial to U.S. military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but civilian workers wounded on the job must battle an insurance system marked by long delays and high costs, an investigation finds. WATCH Ahmadinejad's Anti-Israel Tirade Spurs Western Walk-Out At Conference
Connecticut
Conn. gov allots $14 million for energy programs Gov. M. Jodi Rell is directing $14 million from the state's emission allowance auctions to a mix of entities that work on energy conservation and clean energy programs. Rell Never Says Never on Potential Income Tax Increase Connecticut loses 7,100 jobs in March Little Connecticut Love for Dodd Senator Christopher Dodd has raised a lot of money for his 2010 campaign... just not any from our state. Troopers Say Weigh Station Cuts Threaten Security As Connecticut lawmakers tighten the budget belt, State Troopers are worried some proposed cuts could jeopardize public safety. Troopers oppose plans put forth by both Governor M. Jodi Rell and majority... Dodd taps Wall Street money for re-election Wealthy Wall Street executives may be outcasts to some Americans, but not to Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd. 3,500 business closings Nearly 3,500 businesses in the state closed from January to March, the highest first quarter number since the state began tracking closures in 2000, Connecticut Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz said.	Dodd Gets $44,000 In Campaign Contributions From Payday Loan Industry U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd , who has won praise from consumer groups for taking on credit card providers over predatory lending practices, has collected thousands of dollars in donations from people affiliated with the so-called payday loan industry. CT treasurer authorized to borrow $700M The State Bond Commission has authorized Connecticut's treasurer to sell up to $700 million in bonds to raise cash to pay off this fiscal year's bills. Conn. pols weigh updates to reflect GPS advances Addicted to that GPS navigation system? On Connecticut roads, that might make you a lawbreaker. Blumenthal calls for probe of electric generation, massive refund to ratepayers Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today asked a federal regulator to compel electric generators to pay back New England ratepayers for electricity that was paid for Students want guns allowed on campus Students at two Connecticut universities are pushing for the right to carry guns on campus.
United States
Aryan Nations recruiting again in northern Idaho The Aryan Nations has returned to northern Idaho with what it is calling a "world headquarters" and a recruitment campaign. Trial Begins for Anti-Transgendered Hate-Crime Murder Illegal immigrants detained, then freed to work After 11 years of living illegally in the United States, it was not until Gerardo Arreola Gonzalez was nearly deported that he finally received permission to work here. Army Recruiting Standards Rise As Economy Falls Factories dumping drugs into sewage Tons of released drugs taint US water Ex-CIA chiefs slowed ‘torture memos’ release The Obama administration's release of classified memos on harsh CIA interrogations was delayed in part because of strenuous objections from four former intelligence directors. F.B.I. and States Vastly Expand DNA Databases The expansion of DNA collection to include millions of people who have been arrested or detained but not convicted is raising privacy concerns As Costs Fall, Companies Push to Raise Internet Price Cable Internet providers want to implement tiered pricing to charge more for heavy use, despite steady profits and the companies’ falling costs. Court Blocks Bid To Expand Drilling Off Alaska Pentagon closes 'propaganda' office Office responsible for coordinating DoD info campaigns abolished. Veterans focus of FBI extremist probe Iraq, Afghan vets lumped in with white supremacists, extremists. Court turns down challenge to jury's use of Bible The Supreme Court has turned away a challenge from a death row inmate in Texas who claimed his constitutional rights were violated by jurors who consulted a Bible during deliberations. Homeland Security leaders defend memo on veterans Top Department of Homeland Security officials on Sunday defended an agency intelligence assessment warning that veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan could be susceptible to recruitment by right-wing extremists, though one said it should have been "more tightly written and presented." Federal Judge Rejects Obama DOJ’s Argument for Hiding Evidence in Wiretapping Case While most of us were still reading or recovering from the latest batch of gruesome torture memos released by the Justice Department last week, bmaz at Emptywheel learned and reported that U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker issued his ruling in the al-Haramain warrantless wiretapping case. In his order, Judge Walker rejects the government’s latest attempt to defy the court, hide the evidence of warrantless wiretapping, and begin an interlocutory appeal to the Ninth Circuit. What 420 Means: The True Story Behind Stoners' Favorite Number US Marine arrested at Logan A US Marine was arrested today at Logan International Airport after federal airport screeners discovered a gun, bomb-making material Consumers start feeling higher costs of clean fuel Judge orders Bush to testify in lawsuit Spy plane shows worth as flood-fighting tool	CIA Director Asked to Preserve Secret Prisons Gitmo lawyer wants evidence kept, says William Fisher Texas company: We want nation's radioactive waste A Texas company is signaling its intent to turn a rural county near New Mexico into the home of the only dump in the United States that disposes of all classes of low-level radioactive waste from around the country. State finds clinic reused supplies on patients More than 5,000 patients at a South Dakota urology clinic may have been exposed to hepatitis and HIV after the facility reused single-use medical products on them, state health officials said Injured war zone contractors fight to get care They're crucial to U.S. military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but civilian workers wounded on the job must battle an insurance system marked by long delays and high costs, an investigation finds. Fox is the fast food of cable news programs No one should take from Fox News’ high ratings that ratings alone means that what it broadcasts is the truth. It is a bit like saying if McDonald’s is the most popular restaurant, it must mean its food is healthy. Desert clash in West over solar potential, water A westward dash to power electricity-hungry cities by cashing in on the desert's most abundant resource - sunshine - is clashing with efforts to protect the tiny pupfish and desert tortoise and stinginess over the region's rarest resource: water. CIA Waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed 183 Times In One Month... Abu Zubaydah 83 Times In One Month America's Underinsured Are Swelling There's a growing class of Americans known as the "underinsured." These are people who have health insurance, but whose medical bills make up more than 10 percent of their annual income. The Bankers Who Warned About 'Too Big To Fail' In their 2004 book, Gary Stern and Ron Feldman, top executives at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, cautioned the world about systemic financial risk and the need for more oversight. They admit to a fleeting sense of "I told you so." ACLU threatens suit over gay web filtering 107 Tennessee schools filter web sites that 'cater to gay issues.' CIA interrogators inflated suspect's importance: NYT Senior CIA officials ordered the first use of waterboarding and other harsh treatment on an al Qaeda prisoner despite interrogators' belief that the prisoner had already told all he knew, The New York Times reported on Saturday 11 nations open naval warfare exercises off Fla. Navies from the United States and 10 other countries on Monday launched two weeks of war exercises off Florida's Atlantic coast that will include training in combating piracy and drug smuggling U.S. slaps sanctions on alleged terror leader The United States imposed financial sanctions Monday on an alleged terror leader accused of trying to carry out attacks Despite heavy recruitment, CIA still short on bilingual staff Just 13% of CIA employees speak a foreign language, according to CIA data provided at USA TODAY's request. You Would Pay for Any CIA Interrogator’s Legal Defense There’s no shortage of criticism directed at President Obama’s disinclination to prosecute CIA interrogators for torture, a position he’ll surely reiterate during his visit later this afternoon to CIA headquarters. Salon’s Glenn Greenwald objected to the Obama administration’s position, and he also rounded up similar objections from Keith Olbermann, Jonathan Turley, John Dean and Bruce Fein. (The United Nations special rapporteur for torture said failure to prosecute would violate U.S. treaty obligations.) But an additional wrinkle is that a provision in a 2005 law means that the American taxpayer would foot the bill for any legal fees incurred by a CIA interrogator in a torture-related civil action or criminal case.
Madoffed
'Dancing' star, Indy driver acquitted on tax evasion Brazilian race car driver and "Dancing With The Stars" champ Helio Castroneves was acquitted Friday of most charges that he worked with his sister and lawyer to evade more than $2.3 million in U.S. income taxes. Merkin got Madoff warning years ago A former employee of hedge fund manager J. Ezra Merkin claims Merkin was warned about Wall Street swindler Bernard Madoff years before losing tens of millions of dollars of investors' money in Madoff's Ponzi scheme, according to court papers unsealed Friday.

Politics
Texas Senate OKS stimulus money for unemployment Little Guantanamo" - Secretive "CMU" Prisons Designed to Restrict Communication of Jailed Muslims and Activists with Outside World With little public scrutiny, the Bush administration opened two secretive prisons in Indiana and Illinois known as Communication Management Units, or CMUs, that are designed to severely restrict prisoner communication with family members, the media and the outside world. Dozens of Muslim men are still being held at the CMUs, as well as other prisoners, including environmental and animal rights activists. We speak with attorneys for two men being held there, as well as a reporter covering the story. U.S. stem cell proposals forbid funds for cloning Geithner sees no new banking crisis: report U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner does not see a second wave of banking collapses and the government is ready to support capital-raising when needed, a Japanese newspaper said on Sunday. Why We Should Indict the Torture Memo Writers Failure to prosecute could leave the impression that the law can play favorites and that the options differ depending on your station in life. JPMORGAN CEO: IRAQ PARTLY TO BLAME FOR FINANCIAL CRISIS Former AG Alberto Gonzales Dropped The Probe Because He Wanted Her Help Defending Warrantless Wiretapping	U.S. to put conditions on TARP repayment: report Strong banks will be allowed to repay federal bailout funds, but only if such a move passes a test to determine whether it is in the national economic interest, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing a senior U.S. administration official. Reporter: Wiretapping oversight nonexistent Cap-and-Trade: All Pain, No Gain Higher energy prices. Lost jobs. Strained household income. Minimal environmental benefits. Lose-lose U.S. bank lending drops in February despite bailouts: report Banks that received the most U.S. government aid made or refinanced 23 percent less in new loans in February, than in October 2008, when the U.S. Treasury launched its Troubled Asset Relief Program, the Wall Street Journal said, citing its own analysis of Treasury Department data. Congress may split tanker award despite Gates' "no" U.S. lawmakers are puzzled by a Pentagon estimate that it would cost $7 billion extra to split a potential $35 billion refueling plane contract between two bidders, and say they may still move forward on such a plan despite Defense Secretary Robert Gates' vehement opposition. Sources: Wiretap Recorded Rep. Harman Promising to Intervene for AIPAC On Dec. 21, 2005, in the midst of a firestorm of criticism about the wiretaps, Harman issued a statement defending the operation and slamming the Times, saying, "I believe it essential to U.S. national security, and that its disclosure has damaged critical intelligence capabilities."
Obama
CIA torture exemption 'illegal' President Obama's decision not to prosecute CIA agents who engaged in torture violates international law, a UN expert says. Obama to regulate 'pollutant' CO2 The US government is to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, having decided they pose a danger to human health and well-being. Draft of stem cell research guidelines unveiled The Obama administration released a draft of guidelines for federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research Friday. U.S. May Convert Banks’ Bailouts to Equity Share Obama administration officials say the approach will allow them to shore up the nation’s banking system without seeking more money from Congress. Obama would regulate new 'bubbles' Obama is bracing Americans for a recovery different than any in recent memory. No taxpayer money for any bank "black hole": Obama U.S. President Barack Obama said on Sunday that stress tests for the country's top banks would show some need more public help than others, but he vowed not to pour taxpayer money into a "black hole." WH pushing to reinstate gun ban A top National Rifle Association official said the Obama administration is using the increased publicity surrounding drug cartels in Mexico as an opportunity to push for reinstating the ban on semi-assault weapons. "They're trying to piggyback this whole phony issue on the back of the tragedy in Mexico," said Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the gun-rights group, on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. In a speech in Mexico last week, President Obama -- who on the campaign trail called for the ban, which expired in 2004, to be reinstated	Obama dismayed by Iran sentence President Obama is "deeply disappointed" by an eight-year sentence given to an Iranian-American journalist for spying. U.S. to boycott U.N. racism conference Interior won't challenge rule on guns in national parks The Obama administration said Friday it will not appeal a federal court ruling that prohibits carrying loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges. Obama says he'll cut wasteful programs Emanuel makes it clear: No US prosecution of Bush officials Summers: Obama will support 'credit card bill of rights' Obama has confidence in auto task force head The White House said on Friday President Barack Obama had full confidence in Steven Rattner, the head of his auto task force who has been linked to a probe into an alleged pension kickback scheme Sarkozy calls Obama weak, 'not always up to standard' Gingrich raps Obama on Chavez summit greeting Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich charged Monday that President Barack Obama's cordial greeting with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez sends a poor message to enemies of America. Obama says reaching out to enemies strengthens US Barack Obama's mission to Latin America was about goodwill, and he came home claiming progress, backed by leaders from the region who took a liking to his here-to-listen style. But the real test awaits. U.S. can avoid bank nationalizations: White House
Economy
Oregon and Michigan push past 12% jobless Citigroup posts first profitable quarter since 2007 The banking giant earned $1.6 billion in the first three months of 2009, benefiting from a surge in bond issuance. Citigroup's Profit Greeted With Skepticism Ending a five-quarter losing streak, Citigroup reported profits of $1.6 billion during the first three months of 2009. But there were questions about how the banking giant achieved the positive results. California unemployment rate reaches 11.2% Best Buy cuts wages, jobs	Exxon Mobil tops Fortune 500 Exxon Mobil shoved aside Wal-Mart Stores to retake the top place on the Fortune 500, proving that Big Oil was king of the economy last year. Unemployment climbs in 46 states California jobless rate highest since beginning of WWII: 11.2%. Men bear the brunt of US jobs lost The US recession has opened up the biggest gap between male and female unemployment rates since records began in 1948, as men bear the brunt of the economy's contraction. Men have lost almost 80 per cent...maybe its cause women get paid less.

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Friday: 1 Marine, 8 Iraqis Killed; 19 Iraqis Wounded Saturday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 7 Wounded Oil Dispute Threatens Iraqi Economy Fears are rising that parliament’s failure to pass an oil law may worsen the effects of the global economic crisis on Iraq. Without a law the development of the country’s oil capacity remains restricted, limiting Iraqi output and revenues. Success Of Iraqi Monetary Policy Disputed A senior Iraqi banker says the country's Central Bank has successfully calmed erratic currency fluctuations and sharply reduced inflation. Gangland-style slays alarm Iraq Iraq is creating a military task force to battle gangland-style crime after thugs with silencer-fitted weapons slew at least seven people during a brazen daylight... KBR Memos May Undermine Company Defense in Iraq-Convoy Lawsuits KBR Inc. , the largest U.S. military contractor in Iraq, sent six civilian drivers to their deaths in a battle zone in April 2004 hours after warnings of escalating violence, according to families of the men suing the company. Turkish police charge 51 Kurds with terror links (AFP) Fifty-one people arrested in a police swoop on Kurdish separatists were charged with belonging to a terrorist organisation on Saturday and remanded in custody, a court source said. Blackwater out of Iraq? No, not yet (AP) Armed guards from the security firm once known as Blackwater Worldwide are still protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq, even though the company has no license to operate there and has been told by the State Department its contracts will not be renewed two years after a lethal firefight that stirred outrage in Baghdad. Suicide bomber kills 3 policemen in Iraq	Raid under way in Falluja, this time led by Iraqis 2 Cops Killed, Injured in Attack in Mosul Iraqis Will Be 100% Responsible for mid-Euphrates Security – Commander ‘Terror’ Attacks Killed 7,473 Iraqis in 2008 18 Killed, 50 Wounded in Habaniya Suicide Attack Casualties of the suicide bombing attack that took place at al-Habaniya base rose to 18 deaths and 50 injuries, a medic from the Ramadi Hospital said on Thursday, estimating the death toll is likely to rise as 10 of the wounded are in a critical condition Security developments in Iraq, April 20 Iraq Elects Parliament Speaker After Nearly 4 Months of Delay...Iraq elects outspoken Maliki critic as new House speaker Saudi senior Al-Qaeda figure arrested in Iraq (AFP) A Saudi accused of being a senior Al-Qaeda leader in southern Iraq has been arrested in the port city of Basra along with three of his aides, an Iraqi army official told AFP on Saturday. Two children killed in blast targeting father (AFP) Two girls under the age of 12 were killed in Iraq on Monday when a sticky bomb targeting an army officer exploded outside their home as he left for work, police said. Supreme Court mulls legal immunity for Iraq (AFP) Several US Supreme Court justices expressed doubt Monday at filing lawsuits against the current Iraqi government in US courts for abuses committed under the former Saddam Hussein regime.
Middle East
More Turks in 'coup plot' charges Eight people are charged in Turkey over an alleged plot to topple the government - making 150 in total. Report: Hezbollah cell in Egypt planned to recruit Israeli Arabs Egypt uncovers 5 smuggling tunnels near Gaza border Second Kassam rocket in 24 hours hits w. Negev Egypt state daily: Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah tried to overthrow Mubarak A lengthy piece published on Saturday in Egypt's official daily slams Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah, accusing them of attempting to overthrow the regime of President Hosni Mubarak Secret Cameras at Internet Cafes in Saudi Arabia Saudi Interior Ministry [under Prince Na'if, who was recently appointed as a second deputy prime minister, placing him third in the ruling hierarchy] has required Internet cafés to install secret cameras and provide written registry of names ... Palestinians face dire water shortage: WB Iran orders probe of jailed US journalist's case Iran's judiciary ordered a full investigation Monday into the case of an American journalist imprisoned for allegedly spying for the U.S. and allowed the woman's parents to visit her for the first time since she was sentenced to eight years in prison Lib Dem donor linked to Israeli arms One of the Liberal Democrats' most generous donors has been accused of accepting tens of millions of pounds in kickbacks from an arms deal between an Israeli company and the Indian government. WATCH Ahmadinejad's Anti-Israel Tirade Spurs Western Walk-Out At Conference	Iran says its military might help regional security President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Saturday a strong Iranian military would help preserve stability in the Middle East, as Iran marked its armed forces' day with a parade that appeared more muted than in the past. PA cop shoots Hamas lawmaker in Nablus Hamed Bitawi lightly wounded when PA security officer opens fire on him; Hamas vows retaliation. Thousands protest arrests in coup plot People marched to the mausoleum of secular Turkey's founder on Saturday to protest the arrests of secularists accused of involvement in an alleged plot to topple the Islamic-rooted government. Bomb-throwing Palestinian shot A 16-year-old Palestinian was fatally shot by Israeli troops after throwing firebombs at the gate of a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, Israeli officials said Saturday Suspect in Hariri assassination arrested in Dubai One of the suspects in the assassination of a former Lebanese prime minister has been arrested in Dubai, an Arab diplomat said. Thousands protest arrests in coup plot Thousands of people marched to the mausoleum of secular Turkey's founder on Saturday to protest the arrests of university professors and others accused of involvement in an alleged plot to topple the Islamic-rooted government. Israeli settlers claim Golan Heights 'forever' (AFP) A light drizzle falls on visitors watching stunning views of the Golan unfold before them as settlers go all out to promote the territory Israel seized from Syria in war in 1967.
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
State Department reviewing Dyncorp after death The State Department is investigating DynCorp International, which conducts police training in Afghanistan, over its handling of an employee who died of a possible drug overdose and has ordered the major U.S. contractor to replace its senior project managers. Karzai objects to direct U.S. talks with Taliban Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday said U.S. efforts to tame the growing Taliban insurgency through negotiations would fail unless his government agreed to such talks. Russia ups presence at Kyrgyzstan base Russia has announced plans to increase the number of aircraft at its air base in Kyrgyzstan, adding to the number of troops it has there while the United States begins a pullout from its own air base in the country.	5 suspected militants killed in Afghanistan NATO-led forces and Afghan troops killed three suspected militants during a raid Saturday in central Afghanistan, where insurgent attacks have spiked this year, officials said. At least two other militants died in an airstrike in the south. U.S. helps snare top Afghan drug lords Afghan operations have led to the arrests of seven of Afghanistan's most wanted drug lords and revealed the growing involvement of the Taliban in turning opium into heroin and morphine, Pentagon and Drug Enforcement Administration officials said. U.S. and Afghan counternarcotics teams last month demolished a poppy bazaar in the southern Helmand province — an open market where traffickers sold seeds to grow top-quality opium and chemicals to turn raw opium into heroin. The raid killed more than 40 Taliban militants in an eight-hour firefight, in which authorities recovered hundreds of suicide vests, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Freed Red Mosque cleric defiant A hardline cleric delivers a defiant Red Mosque sermon, his first since being freed from detention over the 2007 siege. SWAT cleric terms democracy un-Islamic Hardline cleric Sufi Muhammad, who played a key role in enforcing Islamic law in Pakistan's restive northwestern SWAT valley, said on Sunday that there is no room for democracy in Islam and it contravenes the Quran. Pakistan arrests sixth suspect in Mumbai attacks Senior Taliban commander escapes Pakistan airstrike	Suicide bomb hits Pakistan police A suicide attack kills 27 people and injures dozens more at a police checkpoint in north-western Pakistan, police say. U.S. drone hits militant camp in Pakistan A missile fired on Sunday by a pilotless U.S. drone struck a militant camp in Pakistan's South Waziristan region on the Afghan border but there were no reports of casualties, security officials said. Clerics: Spread Shariah to all Pakistan Officials: Violence kills 12 in northwest Pakistan
Asia
China, Kazakhstan sign $5B loans-for-oil deal China announced a $5 billion loans-for-oil deal Friday with the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan, Beijing's fourth such arrangement in two months to secure foreign energy for its booming economy. The Philippines: Islamic Rebels Free Red Cross Worker Communist party surges as Japan's economy withers	Jackie Chan's China remarks prompt backlash Action star Jackie Chan's comments wondering whether Chinese people "need to be controlled" have drawn sharp rebuke in his native Hong Kong and in Taiwan. India successfully launches spy satellite RISAT -2 Unemployed Japanese workers try farming
Europe
Dozens die in Russia insurgency New figures show dozens of people have died in unrest in Russia's Ingushetia region just as peace is declared in Chechnya. Toyota workers block production at French plant A court on Friday convicted 9 workers at Caterpillar France of hampering the freedom to work and 11 others of illegally occupying company grounds, and ordered them all fined euro200 ($265) each time they repeat such actions to protest layoffs. Britain walks out of conference as Ahmadinejad calls Israel 'racist'	France holds Eta 'military chief' The top military leader of the Basque separatist group Eta is arrested in south-west France, the Spanish authorities say. Khodorkovsky refuses to enter plea on new charges Imprisoned former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky refused Monday to enter a plea in his new trial, saying the embezzlement and money-laundering charges against him are so vague he can't even respond to them.
Africa
Dutch forces free pirate captives Dutch troops halt a Somali pirate attack on a tanker and free 20 people, but another ship is captured, this time a dredger. Zimbabwe bank raided private accounts Zimbabwe's central bank governor admitted today that he took hard currency from the bank accounts of private businesses and foreign aid groups without permission, saying he was trying to keep his country's cash-strapped ministries running.	Pirates released in latest sea attack NATO forces rescued 20 fishermen from pirates who launched the latest attack in the Gulf of Aden Saturday, but let the Somali hijackers go because they had no authority to arrest them.
The Americas
Bolivia gang 'fought in Balkans' Two alleged mercenaries suspected of plotting to kill Bolivia's president fought in the 1990s Balkan wars, officials say. Chavez gesture makes obscure book a hit Mexico says 8 killed in attack on police convoy Fidel Castro say U.S. embargo against Cuba must go Canadian accused of trying to export nuke parts A Canadian man has been charged with trying to export nuclear technology to Iran, his native country, police said Friday. Few turn out in Haiti for delayed Senate election Clear-plastic ballot boxes were nearly as empty as Port-au-Prince's unusually deserted streets Sunday as few voters turned out for Senate elections in which candidates from a major populist party were not allowed to run.	Chavez 'to restore US ambassador' Bolivia's Morales: US conspiring against him...Obama denies U.S. involvement in alleged plot against Bolivian president Bolivia gang 'fought in Balkans' Two alleged mercenaries suspected of plotting to kill Bolivia's president fought in the 1990s Balkan wars, officials say. Bolivia anti-drug chief: Cocaine processing rising Cocaine production is on the rise in Bolivia, with Colombian and Mexican cartels hiring intermediaries to process the locally made coca paste there rather than exporting it, says Bolivia's top anti-drug officer Chile indicts ex-officers in Pinochet-era killings A retired army general and two other officers have been indicted in the killing of 14 dissidents in the early days of the 1973-90 dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet.