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Last Update: Friday, December 18, 2009	Click here for Yesterdays Edition

World Headlines
Afghanistan Rep. Kucinich on Afghanistan War: "We're Acting Like a Latter Day Version of the Roman Empire" $10 million is smuggled out of Afghanistan daily, official says Vietnam Vet, Scholar Andrew Bacevich on Obama War Plan: "The President Has Drawn the Wrong Lessons From His Understanding of the History of War" US to launch new bid to hunt down Bin Laden The United States will launch a new effort to track down Osama bin Laden who is believed to be hiding in the mountains along the Afghan-Pakistan border, a senior US official said. Nothing on Bin Laden in 'years'Sec. Gates gives little hope when pressed on search for long-missing terrorist. Army Times: ‘Trigger-happy’ mercenaries undermine Afghan mission Why Should We Get Out of Afghanistan? Because Imperialism Is a Fool's Game Obama to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan...OBAMA 'WANTS AFGHAN WAR OVER IN 3 YEARS' Governments Pledge Additional Troops NATO said governments from more than 20 of the 43 countries already there promised reinforcements to join the U.S.'s 30,000-troop surge. Karzai to phase out contractors In little-noticed move, says he plans to banish security contractors by 2011. Pakistan Pakistan corruption amnesty expires As amnesty covering President Zardari expires, scores of officials may be prosecuted. US firm 'runs covert Pakistan ops' Blackwater successor running assassination and kidnap programme, magazine says. C.I.A. Is Expanding Drone Assaults Inside Pakistan The White House has authorized an expansion of the C.I.A.’s drone program in Pakistan’s tribal area, to parallel the president’s decision to send more troops to Afghanistan. The Americas Venezuela closes down four banks The Venezuelan government shuts down four private banks, accusing them of financial irregularities. Seventeen more people killed in northern Mexico violence....Seven women murdered in Mexico, one beheaded Hugo Chavez: Israel plans to 'terminate the Palestinian people' Evo Morales Wins Second Term in Bolivia Brazilian Town With Dozens Of Blue-Eyed Twins May Be Work Of Nazi Scientist Asia 4 US teens arrested at military base in Japan Japanese police have arrested four teenagers living on a U.S. military base for allegedly putting a rope across a road that caused a woman to crash her motorbike and suffer a head injury, officials and news reports said Saturday. China derivatives reform hits banks Martial law in Philippine province Restrictions imposed in Maguindanao following last week's killing of 57 people. Over 3,000 gunmen a threat in Philippine province: army Philippine police officers removed Renewed Maguindanao police force opens investigation into election-linked massacre. Maoists lay siege to Nepal capital Former rebels continue protests aimed at pulling down current government.	Middle East Israeli government plans new settlements in East Jerusalem as Palestinians are evicted The Israeli government announced plans to construct an additional 900 housing units in East Jerusalem. Many are condemning the move, including General Ban Ki-moon who said the move threatens Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. President Obama also criticized the announcement and told Fox News that "additional settlement building does not contribute to Israel's security" but instead "embitters the Palestinians in a way that could end up being very dangerous." Carlyle sued by Kuwaiti group over fund prominent Kuwaiti conglomerate is suing the Carlyle Group in a local court, alleging that the US private equity firm misrepresented the safety of its affiliate, Carlyle Capital Corp, a public debt fund that collapsed in March 2008 US holds Iranian for arms dealing Federal prosecutors reveal the US secretly detained an Iranian man who pleaded guilty to plotting to procure and smuggle arms to Iran. Officials cut Tehran Internet access ahead of major protest Iran whistleblower died from drug-laced salad Iran whistleblower died from drug-laced salad By LEE KEATH, Associated Press Writer Lee CAIRO – A 26-year-old doctor who exposed the torture of jailed protesters in Iran died of poisoning from a delivery salad Iraq Iraq government puts off ratifying two oil agreements Iraq government said that it put off ratifying oil two oil agreements till next week. The first with a consortium led by Exxon-Mobil which awards the company development rights over the huge West Qurna oilfield and another agreement with Eni for the Zubair oilfield. The government intends to ratify Iraq January vote 'not possible' Iraq will not be able to hold polls before the end of January as required by the constitution, electoral officials say. Britain 'knew Saddam had destroyed WMD' .....Bush 'raised Iraq issue (three days) after 9/11' Europe Germany's 'Robin Hood banker' gets suspended sentence The manager of a bank branch in Germany who secretly transferred money from rich clients to heavily indebted customers was sentenced to a 22-month suspended jail term on Monday, a court spokesman said.The 62-year-old woman, dubbed the "Robin Hood banker", was found guilty of moving a total of 7.6 million euros (11.4 million dollars) between December 2003 and February 2005, in 117 separate transfers.Her altruistic aim was to prevent clients from seeing their accounts closed for want of funds. Caucasus Islamists claim Russia train bombing Islamists from the North Caucasus have claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing of a Russian passenger train, according to a statement posted Wednesday on a website linked to Chechen rebels. Medvedev urges economic rethink President says Russia must build high-tech economy to end dependence on oil and gas. Story-Why_Swiss_Have_Lowest_Crime_Rate Guns are deeply rooted within Swiss culture – but the gun crime rate is so low that statistics are not even kept. Africa 14 Dead After Suicide Bomb in Somalia Suicide bomber disguised in women's clothing kills 14, including 3 ministers. US backs Guinea mercenary claim The US says its has evidence that South African "military trainers" are in Guinea helping the much-criticised ruling junta. Somalia seeks Afghan-style strategy Somali PM says Obama's Afghan plan could be replicated in his country to restore order.
US Headlines
Millions in U.S. Drinking Dirty Water, Records Show Documents reveal new information about destruction of torture tapes (& Bush WH Role) Study: Cover-Up After Three Alleged Suicides At Guantanamo More than 70 percent fear war costs will distract from domestic concerns Officials: Medicare buy-in on table Democrats working to break an impasse on the government insurance option are considering changes to other parts of the bill, including creating a Medicare buy-in, according to multiple officials familiar with the talks. Dems Who Voted "No" On Health Reform Received $568K From Health Insurers & $377K From Drug Companies In 2009 Blackwater’s Erik Prince to step down; reveals CIA role Blackwater's For the past six years, Prince "appears to have led an astonishing double life," writes Adam Ciralsky. "Publicly, he has served as Blackwater’s CEO and chairman. Privately, and secretly, he has been doing the CIA’s bidding, helping to craft, fund, and execute operations ranging from inserting personnel into 'denied areas'—places US intelligence has trouble penetrating—to assembling hit teams targeting al-Qaeda members and their allies."Is Erik Prince 'Graymailing' the US Government? Did Blackwater's owner speak to Vanity Fair to send a message to the Justice Department about the government secrets he could reveal? Matt Taibbi's 'Obama's Big Sellout': How The White House Is Caving To Wall Street (VIDEO) "[Bob] Rubin probably more than any other person was responsible for the financial crisis by deregulating the economy [while] in the White House. And he had a major role in helping destroy one of the world's biggest company in Citigroup. He has one of the worst tack records you can find, but he was basically the guy who was the architect of the entire Obama policy. Obama put him in charge of everything. " Cornel West: Obama is for big business not the jobless White House Delays Declassification of Old Intelligence Documents Administration officials say the declassification could be delayed by years, the Boston Globe reported Sunday. It would be the third such extension related to the documents, all of which are over 25 years old. President Clinton granted one in 2000 and President George W. Bush did the same in 2003. United States House Ethics Committee investigation summary as withheld by the Washinton Post, Jul 2009...This is a list of all House members under investigation for ethics violations as of July 2009.. A must read. the corruption is unbelievable, even if only half of the allegations are true its pretty discouraging. I encourage you to research each member and each charge. There are some very interesting, and mostly unreported allegations of ethics violations. A computer leak last week, made by a congressional staffer who was later fired, named more than thirty congressmen being investigated this year by either the House ethics committee or the Office of Congressional Ethics. The list contains a substantial number of White lawmakers, but the House ethics committee has not yet launched formal investigative subcommittees with respect to any of them — as it has with the seven African-American members. The nation’s only black senator, Roland Burris of Illinois, is currently under investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee Corporate Jets For Lawmakers OK Again, Says FEC The EPA rules greenhouse gases a public threat States: Federal toxics laws too weak Environmental officials in Maine and a dozen other states say federal laws to protect the public from toxic chemicals are too weak and states instead are leading the way. Transgender Teen: McDonald's Manager Told Me, 'We Do Not Hire F**gots' Quaker group stops certifying marriages until gay marriage legal What the FBI's Murder of a Black Panther Can Teach Us 40 Years Later The legacy of Fred Hampton, who was assassinated under COINTELPRO in 1969, should be our demand that U.S. officials be held accountable when they break the law	C Street politics: The Family sponsors death for homosexuals in Uganda C Street has been a Christian fundamentalist frat house for US congressman and senators. The house, sometimes referred to as the "C Street Complex", is home base for the Family Democrats Contemplate 1970s-era Jobs Program Known as CETA -- the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act -- the program provided direct government funding to hire temporary workers. At its peak in 1978, it had created 725,000 public service jobs and shaved roughly one point off the unemployment figure. Senior counsel to 9-11 Commission claims the government sanitized the record to make itself look good Now that numerous transcripts and tapes have been declassified, however, Farmer draws on them to assail the government’s official depiction of 9/11 as so much public relations flimflam. Drug cartels abandon dollar €500 note soars past $100 as bulk currency of choice for black markets. Administration wants suit against Yoo dismissed The Obama administration has asked an appeals court to dismiss a lawsuit accusing former Bush administration attorney John Yoo of authorizing the torture of a terrorism suspect, Wal-Mart will pay $40m to workers Wal-Mart Stores Inc. , the world’s largest retailer, has agreed to pay $40 million to as many as 87,500 current and former employees in Massachusetts, the largest wage-and-hour class-action settlement in the state’s history Public corruption law faces major Supreme Court challenges The most potent law against public corruption in the United States is in danger of being scaled back or struck down by the Supreme Court. U.S. Attends International Criminal Court Meeting for First Time The Israel Lobby Celebrates Espionage in New York Grant Smith on Israel's theft of US military tech US report sounds China spying alarm Report claims China is stepping up plans to recruit people to spy on US government. Exclusive:Climate skeptic group has extensive ties to ExxonMobil..Nearly $50m on lobbying in last yr CBO report: Stimulus package saved or created as many as 1.6 million jobs Is Belief in God Hurting America? According to a new study, prosperity is highest in countries that practice religion the least. America Without a Middle Class Today, one in five Americans is unemployed, underemployed or just plain out of work. One in nine families can't make the minimum payment on their credit cards. One in eight mortgages is in default or foreclosure. One in eight Americans is on food stamps. More than 120,000 families are filing for bankruptcy every month. The economic crisis has wiped more than $5 trillion from pensions and savings, has left family balance sheets upside down, and threatens to put ten million homeowners out on the street. The Card Game As credit card companies face rising public anger, new regulation from Washington and staggering new rates of default and bankruptcy, FRONTLINE correspondent Lowell Bergman investigates the future of the massive consumer loan industry and its impact on a fragile national economy. THIS IS A MUCH WATCH FOR ALL CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD USERS Exclusive:Climate skeptic group has extensive ties to ExxonMobil..Nearly $50m on lobbying in last yr CBO report: Stimulus package saved or created as many as 1.6 million jobs
Connecticut
Foxwoods Casino Defaults On Its Debt Blumenthal: Tax Charge On Some Energy-Efficiency Products Illegal....Blumenthal Investigating Tamiflu Price-Fixing Charges Doctors, Consumer Groups Take Aim At UnitedHealthcare If UnitedHealthcare acquires the Northeast operations of its smaller competitor Health Net, the larger insurer won't provide enough coverage in rural areas, will control a lopsided share of the Fairfield County medical market, will likely increase premiums and balk at covering needed services, doctor groups and consumer advocates said Monday. SEC Seeks Contempt Order Against MDC's Dibella The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking sanctions — including possible incarceration — against regional sewer czar William A. DiBella, arguing that he has "willfully disobeyed" a court order to pay nearly $700,000 in penalties for taking a sham fee on a state pension investment arranged by convicted state Treasurer Paul Silvester. State Plans To Sue CVS The state plans to file suit against CVS this week, accusing the pharmacy chain of selling expired food products and over-the-counter drugs at 20 or more Connecticut stores over two recent summers, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said Monday Black, Hispanic Parents Say They Don't Feel Welcome In Schools Black and Hispanic parents and community leaders said they often don't feel welcome in schools and expressed frustration with uninterested teachers at the first of several town hall-style meetings Thursday organized by a new coalition of legislators and activists called Campaign LEARN. Conn. power plant agrees to pay $300,000 fine Southington Contractor Facing $50,000 OSHA Fine	2 Conn. cops charged with civil rights violations Pratt & Whitney and Saudi Arabian Airlines Expand EcoPower(R) Engine Was $20M Ponzi scheme stings Conn. U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut said federal agents have arrested a former Wethersfield man accused of bilking investors out of $20 million during a 12-year period. McMahon Senate campaign advisor faces subpoena Linda McMahon's Senate campaign has confirmed that documents of a paid adviser have been subpoenaed by a U.S. Senate committee investigating U.S. Sen. John Ensign. What Exactly Did Sen. Chris Dodd Promise Regarding Campaign Cash from AIG Employees? Top Connecticut Republican and Democratic party officials are battling over what exactly Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) meant earlier this year when he spoke of donating to charity campaign contributions he received from embattled executives at American International Group. State jobless rate hits 8.8% in October Are Low-Income Defendants Being Misinformed By Court System? Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Member Convicted Of Honduras Development Scheme Religious Leaders Urge Lieberman To Drop Opposition To Health Care Public Option Documents Shed Light On Church's Treatment Of Allegations Against Priests
United States
Security Issues Soldier Arrested For Stabbing Two Servicemen To Death Americans turning away from the world as isolationism rises to highest level since Vietnam war Use of social scientists in war criticized A Pentagon program that embeds social scientists with US combat units in Afghanistan and Iraq is a poorly defined effort that operates on shaky ethical ground, a new study on the two-year-old initiative says. YouTube assault video worsens Somali reputation A group of Minneapolis teenagers have found themselves headline news after they published a video of themselves pushing people over in the street. Woman Surgically Altered Her Fingerprints In Order To Sneak Past Immigration Drone aircraft will be used to nab illegal immigrants on California-Mexico border Courts Former civil rights lawyer Lynne Stewart ordered to serve prison sentence In a letter to district judge John Koeltl in September 2006, Stewart wrote that while she did violate government policy limiting communications, she did so only to serve her client. Judge Koeltl, acknowledged Stewart's 30-year career of representing controversial clients saying she provided a "public service, not only to her clients, but to the nation." But he also said prison time was merited because of her "extraordinarily severe criminal conduct." Judge Rejects RNC Bid To End Minority Voter Protections Whistleblower challenges US court ruling The whistleblower central to the US government’s drive to crack down on tax evasion in Switzerland has launched a challenge to have his prison sentence overturned Washington Redskins can keep team name; Supreme Court refuses native Americans' suit Chicagoan Charged With Conspiracy In 2008 Mumbai Attacks In Addition To Foreign Terror FBI informant radio host Hal Turner gets a mistrial "A judge declared a mistrial Monday in the case against a New Jersey blogger accused of making death threats against three federal judges in Chicago because they wrote a ruling supporting gun control," the Associated Press reports. Education Banker wants teacher fired for comment Rips school staff after son's teacher allegedly called bankers 'sleazeballs.' American Revolution Center Releases National Survey Results: 83 Percent of U.S. Adults Fail Test on Nation's Founding For-profit colleges hauling in US aid Students are not the only ones benefiting from the billions of new dollars Washington is spending on college aid for the poor. Second School Paper Gets Burned on Ad for White Supremacists A second high school newspaper has inadvertently published an advertisement promoting the Web site of a white supremacist group US: Social Justice Schools Shape New Wave of Activists While most U.S. public schools are responding to new high-stakes testing requirements by teaching more math and English to the neglect of social studies and civics, a very small minority of schools are pushing forward a different agenda.	Media Microsoft COFEE (Computer Online Forensics Evidence Extractor) tool and documentation, Sep 2009 Magazine publishers creating 'iTunes for magazines': reports Google to limit free news access Google will let newspaper publishers limit the number of articles people can read free through its search engine. Google to offer property service Google has discussed plans to add property for sale to its online mapping service, expected to launch next year. Google OS: End of the hard drive? Google today unveiled more details of Chrome OS, a lightweight, browser-based operating system for netbooks. Yahoo compliance guide for law enforcement, 23 Dec 2008....MySpace.com Law Enforcement Investigators Guide, 23 Jun 2006 Studs Terkel 1912-2008: A Democracy Now! Special Tribute to the Beloved Oral Historian and Broadcaster Microsoft and Yahoo finalise anti-Google agreement Police/Prison CNN finds modern-day slaves in the United States According to the State Department, there are as many as 200,000 forced laborers in the US, with some 17,500 arriving every year. ‘Chaotic’ immigration system leading to wrongful deportations: report Hate crime charge in Tinley Park A suburban Chicago woman allegedly yanked the head scarf of a Muslim woman in Tinley Park store two days after the shootings at Fort Hood. LAPD official: Israeli organized crime on the rise Civil Rights Protestant churches officially apologizes for 17th century Native American massacre "We consumed your resources, dehumanized your people and disregarded your culture, along with your dreams, hopes and great love for this land," the Rev. Robert Chase told descendants from both sides. "With pain, we the Collegiate Church, remember our part in these events." DC Council votes to legalize gay marriage Ex-mayor Marion Barry one of only two to vote against bill among 13 yes votes Gay Marriage Bill Fails In New York Inmate With Low I.Q. Nears Execution in Texas A 44-year-man whose lawyers claim he is mentally retarded is scheduled to be executed Thursday evening in Huntsville, Tex., US Church elects second gay bishop Environment Fears Mount Over Giant Carp Reaching Great Lakes....Chemical war on Asian carp starts tonight A last-ditch effort to contain the spread of the invasive fish into Lake Michigan starts tonight. Drug War Did US law spur Mexico's meth sales? The US slowed production of meth by cutting off key ingredients. But a blow to US methamphetamine labs became a boon to La Familia drug gang in Mexico.

Science
Something in the water is feminizing male fish. Are we next? It’s one thing to worry about pollutants in our freshwater supply. It’s another to find out that all across the country, male fish swimming in some of that water are becoming “intersex,” their male sex organs producing immature female eggs... 13 New Stem Cell Lines Released for Research BIODIVERSITY: Plants Finally Get DNA Barcodes Advances made in genetic profiling could be used to fight illegal timber trading, provide authentication of herbal medicines and map entire food chains, according to experts at a conference of the Mexican Academy of Sciences.	Men's genes 'may limit lifespan' Men carry a gene that allows them to grow bigger than women, but limits their lifespan, research on mice suggests. Man controlled robotic hand with thoughts A group of European scientists said Wednesday they have successfully connected a robotic hand to an amputee, allowing him to feel sensations in the artificial limb and control it with his thoughts. Scientists create robotic hand that allows man to feel sensations
Politics	Political Resources
Sino-US talks fail to bridge differences The US and China pledge to intensify co-operation on the economy, climate change and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, but little concrete progress is made on the issues that divide them Gov't: $98 billion in improper payments made The federal government made $98 billion in improper payments in fiscal 2009, and President Obama will issue an executive order in coming days to combat the problem, his budget director announced Tuesday. Palin's Father: She Left Hawaii Because Asians Made Her Uncomfortable.....Sarah Palin Goes 'Birther': Obama Birth Certificate 'A Fair Question' (VIDEO)....Palin event requests 'English-only' reporters....Man Throws Tomatoes At Sarah Palin, Gets Arrested Senate Grassley admits to living 'off the public tit' Sen. Bunning places second hold on Bernanke: "I will do everything I can to stop your nomination" Sen. Jim Bunning has placed an additional hold on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's nomination to a second term. Bunning's office confirmed that the Kentucky Republican is joining with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who caucuses with Democrats, to seek to block Bernanke's confirmation to a second term atop the Federal Reserve Board. Bernanke has come under fire from lawmakers on the left and the right Max Baucus Nominated Girlfriend For US Attorney Senate Votes to Spare Plaintiffs' Lawyers The Senate has voted to spare plaintiffs' lawyers in medical malpractice cases from a cut in fees. House. Bachmann's District Leads In Foreclosures As She Votes Against Every Major Relief Initiative House Homeland Security Committee faces ethics inquiry Barney Frank Pushes for Regulation Despite Financial Industry Funds Obama Defense official communicated with WH crashers The couple who crashed the Obama administration's first state dinner communicated with a senior Pentagon official about going to the event, but the official denies that she helped the couple get in Congress warned on Fort Hood probe Obama says US federal and military investigation should take precedence. Obama Says No to Creating Jobs through Legalizing Drugs, Gambling or Prostitution Separation of Powers Cited for W.H. Social Secretary The White House on Wednesday invoked the separation of powers to keep Desiree Rogers, President Obama’s social secretary, from testifying on Capitol Hill about how a couple of aspiring reality television show celebrities DOJ Report confirms Bush era civil rights issues No. 2 Justice Department Official Resigning Treasury/Federal Reserve/Bailouts/SEC/IRS BofA's TARP Repayment Puts Pressure on Citi, Wells Citigroup, Wells Fargo face pressure to repay TARP funds after Bank of America quits bailout Geithner Calls for Tightening Derivatives Loopholes U.S. Forecasts Smaller Loss From Bailout of Banks Shock: American Bankers Association Comes Out Against Bank Reform SEC Charges Three Execs At Failed Subprime Lender With Fraud Federal regulators on Monday accused three former top executives of collapsed mortgage lender New Century Financial Corp. of fraud, saying they misled investors and inflated profits as the company's subprime loan business was failing in 2006.	Health Insurance Insurance biz may face scrutiny Senator to file amendment to HCR bill that repeals antitrust exemption. Without public option, health care bill is "worthless," Dean says The Facts About the CBO Report on Health Insurance Premiums Under the U.S. Senate Health Reform Bill, HR 3590 Comcast CEO Endorses Heath Care Reform, Says It Will Put Nation On Path To Prosperity Aetna Forcing 600,000-Plus To Lose Coverage In Effort To Raise Profits Senate Will Vote On Plan To Re-Import Drugs From Canada 47,000 Women Could Die As a Result of the New Mammogram Guidelines Cost-benefit analysis can kill. Scaling back on mammograms, as a government task force suggested, could result in 47,000 unnecessary deaths Senate votes to keep CLASS Act The Senate voted Friday to preserve within its health overhaul bill a long-term care insurance program to help seniors and the disabled avoid nursing homes. AARP defends cuts in Medicare With a Senate showdown looming, the politically potent AARP rode to the rescue of Democrats yesterday, supporting $460 billion in Medicare cuts to help pay for landmark health care legislation. Widow stuck with $161,000 bill for failed cancer treatment Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois denies claims; Cancer Treatment Centers of America sends $161,601.50 bill Defense Spending Prosecutors said family received millions in bribes for Army supply contracts S House Speaker Pelosi opposes possible 'war tax' GITMO/Bahgram/CIA-Blacksites US transfers Guantanamo inmates Two Tunisian Guantanamo inmates have been transferred by the United States to Italy where they will face trial, the Italian justice ministry has announced. Germany Concerned Its Evidence to Be Used to Back Death Penalty in 9/11 Trial Govt. Investigation Confirms ABC News Report on Secret CIA Prison US 'to miss Guantanamo deadline' Obama admits prison will not close by January 2010 despite pledge after inauguration. Obama administration seeks to kill Gitmo lawsuit A 2008 Supreme Court ruling giving Guantanamo Bay prisoners the right to challenge their indefinite detention does not apply in the case of two detainees who committed suicide, the Obama administration says in newly filed court papers Stimulus Anatomy Of A Failed Foreclosure Program Just how badly is President Obama's $75 billion foreclosure program working out? Consider these newly-released numbers: Out of every 100 homeowners who came to JPMorgan Chase for help under the program, just 15 have or will likely receive a permanent payment reduction. Obama: Don't Expect Another Stimulus GOP: Use Unspent Stimulus For War Lobbying Exclusive:Climate skeptic group has extensive ties to ExxonMobil..Nearly $50m on lobbying in last yr
Economy	Click for Economic Statistics	Financial Crisis for Beginners
Low spending marks US holidays Unemployment Up In Almost Half Of All U.S. Cities, SEE The Hardest Hit Areas Cigarette Maker Buys Quit-Smoking Company Factory Orders in U.S. Climb for Sixth Time in Seven Months Amid Recovery Our Chief Industry: War Solar panel costs 'set to fall' OPEC unlikely to alter crude oil output levels Gold soars past $1,200 to new record high Short-term US interest rates turn negative Short-term US interest rates turned negative as banks frantically stockpiled government securities in order to polish their balance sheets for the end of the year Bank Of America Employee Fired After Helping Customers	Major Vanity Fair Profile: Goldman Sachs Can 'Practically Mint Money' And 'Never Loses' Bank lobby lashes out at credit unions The nation’s biggest bank lobby sent Democratic leaders a letter Friday lashing out at credit unions for seeking to expand their lending authority to improve the economy. 25% opt out of banking industry The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Wednesday released groundbreaking survey results that showed more than 25 percent of all households nationwide, or 63 million adults, do not use products or services offered by mainstream, insured financial institutions Home sales rise, but prices still falling.....Home foreclosure crisis shows no sign of abating US sheds 169,000 private sector jobs Hands warns governments on banks Terra Firma chief says US and Europe could face the ‘Japanese problem’ of zero growth unless governments push banks to restructure $7,000bn of leveraged loans Obama warns of ‘double-dip’ danger US President Barack Obama warned the US economy could head into a ‘double-dip recession’ unless urgent steps were taken to rein back America’s mounting levels of public debt

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Mysterious satellite channel broadcasts 'Saddam Channel' (Iraq) The late Iraqi dictator is lauded on a mysterious satellite channel that began broadcasting on the Islamic calendar's anniversary of his 2006 execution. Kirkuk Arabs reject present election law Arab parties in Kirkuk cautioned that passing election law in its present version would affect minorities’ rights in the country. Parties affirmed that they would boycott elections if the law is passed without amendments that guarantee minorities’ right and consider Kirkuk special China agrees to cancel 80% of Iraq debts Army Donates Millions In Gear To Iraq That Could Be Used In Afghanistan....'In Iraq, U.S. Troops Drive In New Yukons, Suburbans, Envoys... In Kandahar They Drive In Broken Down Clunkers' U.S. Forces in Ninewa Violated Security Pact – Official U.S. forces violated the Iraq-U.S. security pact Wednesday night when they patrolled inside a neighborhood in northern Mosul city and arrested citizens without prior notice to the Iraqi forces, a member of the Ninewa Provincial Council said on Thursday. Key Armed Group Egyptian Member Nabbed in Mosul A security force arrested on Thursday a leading member of the self-styled Islamic State of Iraq group during a security operation in eastern Mosul city on Thursday.	Iraq evidence include terrorist confessions Member of Iraq’s External Relations Parliamentary committee Sami Al Askari announced that evidence submitted to UN Chief special envoy to Iraq Oscar Fernandez Taranco include confessions of Baathists and terrorists who were arrested and photos of armed groups crossing Iraqi borders Iraqi MPs: Barazani statements illegal and unconstitutional Iraqi lawmakers described statements by Kurdistan Leader Massoud Barazani about the plan to form a special army as illegal and unconstitutional. Barazani’s statements contradict with the Central Government’s missions stipulated in the Constitution. Kurds want no interference in Kirkuk Blast Near Baghdad School Wounds Many Children Iraqi Turkmen politician killed at his Mosul home Iraq airs confessions of suspects in huge bombings Iraq violence kills eight, including senior anti-terror cop Bomber Kills Commander of Tikrit Anti-riot Force
Middle East	Map of the Middle East
Iran <Click for video and history> British sailors held captive by Iranian navy Five Britons are being held, FCO confirms Yacht may have strayed into Iranian waters 1,000 Days Later: Ex-FBI Agent Robert Levinson Still Missing After Disappearing in Iran Iran denies seizing Nobel medal Tehran rejects claims it confiscated prize awarded to Iranian human rights campaigner. Mothers Arrested Before Opposition Rally In Iran Former vice-president released on bail pending appeal of protest charges Iran cleric: Religious authorities have begun taking control of schools An Iranian cleric said in an interview on Wednesday that religious authorities have started taking control of the country's schools Other Bus explodes in Syria causing casualties Syrian interior minister says deaths in bus explosion due to human error. Abu Dhabi to 'assist' Dubai World Senior official says capital of UAE will aid conglomerate on "case by case basis". (bank bailouts) JORDAN: King Abdullah II dissolves parliament, calls early election Torture is systematic in Egypt 'police state': rights groups Kuwait Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund sells Citigroup stake, banks $1.1 billion in profit Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund said Sunday it booked a profit of $1.1 billion by selling the stake it took in Citigroup Inc. less than two years ago when the banking giant was strapped for cash Yemen Saudi troops 'captured' in Yemen Nine Saudi soldiers have been captured during fighting with Houthi rebels in northern Yemen, the insurgents say. Yemen foils plot to kill Jewish leader' Kuwaiti paper says three armed Shi'ite rebels arrested as they enter Jewish compound in Sana'a. Yemen bans anniversary rally Planned rally by southern separatists to mark British pullout in 1967 prompts crackdown.	Israel Israeli rockets hit Gaza tunnels Israel approves building 900 new housing units In defiance of USA, International community and the whole peace process, Israeli authorities gave preliminary approval to a plan to construct 900 new housing units in West Bank on territory it controlled in 1967 and annexed to Jerusalem Municipality. Trainee Mossad spy 'arrested by Israeli police' A trainee spy for Israel's Mossad secret service is arrested by Tel Aviv police while taking part in a training operation, media say. 'Refuseniks' Pro-settlement soldiers worry Israel's leaders Record number of Palestinians lost Jerusalem IDs in 2008 Israel last year stripped a record number of Palestinians of their Jerusalem residency status, and the accompanying freedom of movement and insurance benefits, government figures revealed on Wednesday. Hamas to introduce death penalty in Gaza for drugs Gaza charity offers $1.4 million for capture of IDF soldiers 'Zionist' Holocaust survivor's lecture canceled 81-year-old's talk was canceled because as a Palmah soldier, he allegedly participated in the massacre of a Palestinian village. 'Arrested youth is serial Arab attacker' Lebanon Hezbollah vows to boost arsenal LEBANON: Anti-aircraft guns fire on Israeli drone that entered airspace, army says Did top Hamas officials discuss the Shalit deal with Nasrallah? Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday met in Lebanon with officials from Hamas' political bureau, with whom he discussed the two Iran-backed militant groups' relations and U.S. policy in the Middle East
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
Karzai set to replace most of his cabinet Sr. Officials: U.S. Forces Will Begin to Leave Afghanistan in July 2011 Taliban expands control of Nuristan Video obtained by Al Jazeera shows fighters in Kamdesh district of eastern Afghan province. Gates: 3,000 extra troops could go to Afghanistan In poll, majority of young adults disapproves of US troop buildup in Afghanistan US may revise Afghan withdrawal date The US has said that it may rethink its plan to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan by July 2011 if conditions on the ground prevent a security handover to the Afghan government Nothing on Bin Laden in 'years'Sec. Gates gives little hope when pressed on search for long-missing terrorist.	Britain to send 500 more troops to Afghanistan US Marines launch large offensive Congressional Afghan researcher 'fired' ACLU spokeswoman says dismissal will be challenged, lawsuit threatened. Taliban claim French bribery ploy Taliban commander says French troops are seeking to pay his forces not to attack them. US unveils extended Bagram prison US military extends and updates its "secret" prison at largest military hub in Afghanistan. Gen. James Jones: 'No Afghanistan withdrawal in 2011' (BBC) The US won't pull out of Afghanistan in 2011. President Obama's top national security adviser Seven soldiers die in Afghanistan

Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
2,600 Bodies Found In Kashmir Graves Taliban leader 'flees Pakistan' One of the most wanted Taliban leaders in Pakistan says he has escaped to Afghanistan and is planning new attacks. Bombings in two Pakistan cities kills 46 people TV footage showed cars and shops on fire in the Moon Market area.	At least 15 militants killed in Pakistan's Swat Valley Suicide blast at Pakistan navy base Pakistan to US: Don't surge in Afghanistan, talk to Taliban Pakistani Taliban claims mosque strike
North&South Asia	Map of Asia
Japan to unveil huge stimulus package 'Black clinics' Beijing's poor rely on illegal medical centres for care India launches ballistic missile India test-fires its intermediate-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, Agni-II, off an island in Orissa state Beijing accused of private enterprise attack China is facing a growing backlash from prominent figures in business and academia over claims that there has been creeping renationalisation in parts of the economy during the last year UN halts funds to China wind farms Controversy over Chinese wind farms and other CDM projects will intensify calls for the system to be overhauled at Copenhagen climate summit China defence website gets 2 mln hack attacks: report The website of China's defence ministry has been hacked more than two million times since it was launched three months ago, state media said on Wednesday.	Bloody festival in Nepal Protests as Nepal stages huge animal sacrifice event Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf a hit on Dhaka streets Roadside booksellers touting their wares in the heavy traffic of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, find an unusual best-seller- Hitler's Mein Kampf. Even More Journos Confirmed Dead in Philippines Massacre Philippine authorities, under intense public pressure to make arrests in the country's worst election massacre, said Wednesday they are investigating a member of a powerful clan allied with the government along with four police commanders. Officials recovered six more bodies Wednesday, bringing the death toll in Monday's attack on an election caravan to 52, including 18 journalists. Japanese researchers film rare baby fish 'fossil' INDIA: ‘Glacier Man’ Vows to Build More Artificial Glaciers He is well known as India’s ‘glacier man’, but for 74-year-old retired government civil engineer, Chewang Norphel, accolades have made little dent in his quiet determination to build more high-altitude water conservation systems, or ‘artificial glaciers’, to beat the lack of water from receding Himalayan glaciers.
Europe	Map of Europe
Swiss bishops criticize country's ban on construction of minarets The bishops of Switzerland said the country's ban on the construction of minarets, the Muslim prayer towers, represents an obstacle to interreligious harmony Ukraine to ensure Europe gas flows Assurance from president comes as Russia confirms Kiev has paid November gas bill. Tens of thousands stage anti-Berlusconi protest in Rome U.S. to stop counting new missiles in Russia Goldmine of black market in Russian data Confidential information gathered by Russian law enforcement or government agencies: from arrest records to bank account details are openly on offer in some markets Western investor’s lawyer dies in Moscow jail A lawyer representing William Browder, a foreign investor barred from Russia, has died while in custody after being arrested almost a year ago on charges of tax evasion	Russian textbooks attempt to rewrite history A new Russian history book for schools, approved by the Putin Government, glosses over Stalin’s Terror and other truths. Germany warns US on market bubbles Germany’s new finance minister has echoed Chinese warnings about the growing threat of fresh global asset price bubbles, fuelled by low US interest rates and a weak dollar Medvedev criticises United Russia practices Russian president Dmitry Medvedev harshly criticised Russia’s hegemonic United Russia political party for allowing dirty election practices at the party’s annual congress in St Petersburg, calling its methods ‘backwards’ and saying it must ‘get rid of bad political habits’ Fake drugs trade on the rise: EU Bloggers jailed in Azerbaijan
Africa	Map of Africa
Rwanda joins the Commonwealth Rwanda joined the Commonwealth on Sunday, becoming only the second country which was not formerly a British colony to be admitted to the group. Somali priates hijack oil tanker Libya to try Swiss businessmen Pair charged with tax evasion and immigration violations amid diplomatic row. Officials outline new human rights violations in Darfur 22 killed as suicide bomber hits Somali graduation	Somali Pirates Hijack $20M of Oil Going to US Somali woman stoned to death Divorcee executed after confessing to having had sex with 29-year-old unmarried man. Dutch navy arrests Somali pirates A Dutch warship is holding 13 Somali pirates who attempted to hijack a cargo ship south of Oman. Nigerians jailed in Dutch 'voodoo curse' trial Two Nigerians accused of using voodoo curses to force about 140 Nigerian girls into prostitution in Europe were sentenced to jail terms of four and and four-and-a-half years. GUINEA: Assassination attempt was a thwarted coup, says Junta
The Americas	Map of North America and South America
Brazilian Town With Dozens Of Blue-Eyed Twins May Be Work Of Nazi Scientist Women Ski Jumpers Grounded A Canadian judge allows the International Olympic Committee to trump Canadian equal rights law and keep women ski jumpers out of the Vancouver Olympics World Bank agrees Mexico loan The World Bank approves a $1.5bn loan to support Mexico's economic stimulus packages. Venezuela blows up two bridges along Colombia border Brazil Jews decry 'exclusion' from college entrance exam Brazilian Jewish teenagers this week protested what they called their "exclusion" from a national exam for high school graduates set to take place on Shabbat, after a Brazilian court said providing Jews with an alternative date would "undermine equality	Honduras: More Evidence of Election Fraud Activist's killing angers Mexicans Protesters accuse Canadian company of involvement in anti-mining activist's death. Chile urges 'caution' in spying row Presidential aide dismisses spying allegations by Peru, saying "Chile doesn't spy". Chavez hails 'Carlos the Jackal' Venezuela's Hugo Chavez defends "Carlos the Jackal" and world leaders he says are wrongly considered "bad guys". Child slaves Servitude and abuse for Haiti's poor youngsters CHILE: Spanish judge investigating Pinochet widow's finances BRAZIL: 'Quilombos' Keep Black Cultural Identity Alive A black community in the southern Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro is trying to maintain its cultural heritage on 287 hectares granted to it by the government in 1999 as part of reparations to the descendants of slaves.