The News Crawler

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Last Update: Monday, January 11, 2010	Click here for Yesterdays Edition

World Headlines
Afghanistan Attacks kill 8 purported CIA employees, 5 Canadians in Afghanistan...Schoolboys and CIA Operatives Dead in Afghanistan Nato fails to secure Russian help Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen fails to gain any commitment from Russia to help win the war against the Taliban Afghan member of parliament killed by police Wasteful Spending By Private Contractors In Afghanistan Climbs To $1 Billion Afghans sceptical of Karzai’s new cabinet Karzai keeps US favourites in new cabinet Audit raps US antidrug effort in Afghanistan The State Department’s internal watchdog yesterday criticized the agency’s nearly $2 billion antidrug effort in Afghanistan for poor oversight and lack of a long-term strategy New Taliban video shows captive US soldier Karzai offers half-baked reform Two of most corrupt ministers gone but cabinet still dominated by warlords. Iraq Iran ex-rebels defy police orders to quit Iraq camp Disarmed Iranian rebels and their families defied Iraqi police instructions on Tuesday to leave a camp near the border which the government has ordered closed, an AFP correspondent reported. Predator drone download by Iraqi insurgents wasn't 'hacking' Iraq, Iran show -down over oil well Iran seizes Iraqi oil well, triggers troop buildup near border as tensions rise. Twin Iraq attacks kill 23, provincial governor wounded...Bombs kill eight in Baghdad, northern Iraq Iraq set to be second in oil league table Iraq is on course to overtake Iran as the holder of the world’s second-largest proven oil reserves, solidifying its position as the energy industry’s new frontier in the scramble to secure fresh resources Iraq to double its oil exports to china in 2010 No boon for U.S. firms in Iraq oil deal auction Critics said the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq said was driven by oil, but United States oil majors were largely absent from an Iraqi auction of oil deals snapped up instead by Russian, Chinese and other firms. Neocons Must Be Pissed; China and Russia Are Getting the Sweet Oil Deals in Iraq Bomb Kills Maliki Ally Ahead of Holiday Attacks in Iraq killed at least 20, including an ally of Prime Minister Maliki, as religious-tinged violence ticked up ahead of a Shiite holiday. Pakistan Blackwater 'hired' Pak's intelligence, army officers: Khwaja Pakistan court orders men's ears, noses hacked off A court in Lahore, Pakistan, has ordered that two men have their noses and ears chopped off, after the two were convicted of doing the same to a young woman US forces mounted secret Pakistan raids in hunt for al-Qaida PAKISTAN: Blast rocks Shiite parade in Karachi, at least 43 killed Blast near Pakistani minister's home, 20 dead Taliban Blow Up Pakistan Girls' School: Official The Americas Chavez Launches National Police in Violent Venezuela Slaying Of Drug War Hero's Family Shocks Mexico Assailants on Tuesday gunned down the mother, aunt and siblings of a marine killed in a raid that took out one of Mexico's most powerful cartel leaders 4 held in revenge attack on Mexican hero’s family Bolivia to leagalize growing of coca plants Report says 225,000 Haiti children work as slaves Operation Mexico: Secret Argentine Rendition Program Illuminated by Declassified Documents Washington, DC - As the case of "Operation Mexico"—death squad murders, disappearances and rendition efforts by the Argentine secret police—is presented to a court in Rosario, Argentina, the National Security Archive today posted a selection of records that corroborate the testimony of the only surviving witness, Jaime Dri. The documents were provided to a tribunal of five judges yesterday by Archive analyst Carlos Osorio who testified that "the records reveal how the Argentine dictatorship conducted its campaign of transnational terror in the 1970's." Ecuador says U.S. helped Colombia plan '08 bombing U.S. intelligence from inside Ecuador was used to plan a 2008 bombing by Colombian troops that killed a top FARC guerrilla chieftain inside Ecuadorean territory, the government said on Thursday. Chavez says US drone violated airspace, orders shoot-down Africa Nigeria rebels 'attack pipeline' If confirmed, the assault would be the first since a truce was called in October.NIGERIA: Dozens are killed in clashes between Islamists and police Lockheed secures Morocco contract US defence group Lockheed Martin wins a contract worth $841.9m to supply Morocco with 24 F-16 fighter aircraft	Middle East Air Strike in Yemen Kills 30...Obama Ordered U.S. Strike on Yemen Terrorists...US missiles said to kill Yemen civilians....U.S Kill 63 Civilians, 28 Children in Yemen Air Strikes....In Yemen, Saudi jets bomb civilian areas ...Lieberman: The U.S. Must Pre-Emptively Act In Yemen....2 people die in a blast in Yemen....Fresh fighting in Yemen ignites refugee crisis Imam Tied to Fort Hood Shooter "Killed" A radical Muslim preacher linked by U.S. intelligence to a gunman who killed 13 people at a U.S. Army base is believed to have died in a Yemen airstrike on al Qaeda militants Radical Yemeni Cleric Believed Unhurt in Airstrike...Did US-aided airstrike target cleric tied to Ft. Hood shooter Blast rocks southern Beirut At least one person reported killed in explosion near office of Hamas official. Beirut car bomb 'targets Hamas'...Hamas: 2 members dead in Lebanon blast Israeli Organ Harvesting Scandal Revealed Israel to pour new funds for West Bank settlements Russian-made rocket fired on southern Israel Holocaust survivor stages hunger strike for Gaza An 85-year-old Holocaust survivor was among a group of grandmothers who began a hunger strike in Cairo on Monday to protest against Egypt's refusal to allow a Gaza solidarity march to proceed. New Protests in Iran New Iran Protests Turn Deadly, Police Reportedly Kill Four Demonstrators...Top Iranian Dissident Cleric Dies....Iran Bans Memorials For Dissident Cleric In Wake Of Violence It wasn't Just A One Dayer In Tehran, Huge Protest Today Outside Islamic Azad University....Video Purportedly Shows Iranian Police Vehicle Running Over Protester...Incredible video from Iran....Basij Bikes Set On Fire (Plus Dozens More Raw Videos From The Riots In Iran)...Iranian Protesters Attack Police Vehicle...Iranian Protesters Take Over A Police Station And Set It On Fire (Graphic) Mousavi Nephew Dies in Streets of Tehran....Iranian Police Claim Mousavi's Nephew Was Assassinated....Body Of Mousavi's Slain Nephew Taken From Hospital, Family Says...Iran oppostion leader Mir Hossein Mousavi 'flees Tehran'....[Iranian] Parliament calls for arrest of Moussavi, two other opposition leaders BBC says Persian service being jammed The BBC said Monday that its Persian television signal was being jammed, adding that it was continuing to broadcast into Iran. Iran hardliners call for killing rivals at rallies MKO admits involvement in Iran's protests The MKO, listed as a terrorist group in Iran, Iraq, Canada, and the US, has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly attacks against Iranian government officials and civilians over the past 30 years Europe Putin launches new Russia oil route to Asia France to continue using stolen Swiss bank data France has said that it will still use client data information stolen by a former employee of HSBC in Geneva to pursue cases of tax evasion, despite French authorities agreeing on Monday to return the data to Switzerland. Removed Times UK story on Trafigura: Big profits from a very dirty business encourages corruption and broken treaties, 18 Jul 2009This PDF file presents a story published by Times UK on July 18th 2009 on the toxic-waste dumping of commodities giant Trafigura on the Ivory Coast of Africa. According to a September 2009 UN report, the dumping drove 108,000 people in the Ivory Coast to seek medical attention. The story has been removed from the Times pages[1], and an apology been posted[2] on Sep 4th 2009. UKRAINE: Gazprom says Kiev faces "serious problems" paying for gas Russian oil giant Gazprom said it believes Ukraine will have difficulties paying for gas shipments, prompting fears of a possible repeat of the New Year gas row between the two countries that led to supply cuts throughout Europe. Black economies shore up states, says study Unofficial, or “shadow”, economies can help shield European countries during a recession – but illicit activity has to be on a sizeable scale, according to a report by Germany’s Deutsche Bank Asia Philippine clan killed at least 200: rights chief A Muslim clan accused of a political massacre last month killed at least 200 other people during its rule over a southern Philippine province, the nation's human rights commissioner said on Wednesday. U.S. Missionary Illegally Marches Into North Korea An American missionary carrying a letter for the North Korean dictator crossed illegally Hackers Steal South Korean-US Military Secrets; North Korea Suspected China's Hu to unveil key Turkmenistan gas pipeline Chinese President Hu Jintao is set on Monday to inaugurate a landmark pipeline to transport Turkmen gas across Central Asia into China's energy-hungry industrial centres. China recovery gathers strength China shows further signs of economic recovery with industrial output surging and its export slump easing. Indonesia army 'killed Balibo Five' Retired officer says reporters were shot deliberately during East Timor invasion. China Finds $35 Billion in Fraud by Officials The report on misused or embezzled government funds showed how widespread corruption has become.
US Headlines
Court: Microsoft violated patent; can't sell Word Drug giant General Electric uses libel law to gag doctor Judge holds Pentagon in contempt A federal court has held the Defense Department in contempt after officials at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, failed to videotape the testimony of a Yemeni detainee as ordered. Canada Bans Most Carry-On Luggage... Watch: What Scanners See... Detection Equipment Underutilized... Linkins: New Round Of Religious Profiling Promotion... What's Missing? ...US 'stopped Dutch installation of full body scanners'...Screening Machines May Need To Be Replaced ICE Agents' Ruse Operations ICE agents regularly impersonate civilians--OSHA inspectors, insurance agents, religious workers--in order to arrest longtime US residents who have no criminal history. Stem cells help cure blindness A stem cell treatment developed in Newcastle has restored good vision to eight people who had lost sight in one eye Colorado ski resort 'legalizes pot' Relaxed marijuana laws take effect Jan. 1st, but no toking on the slopes. Selling Drugs to Fund Terror: al-Qaeda Linked to Cocaine Trafficking Xmass panty bomber Airplane attack called terrorism Initial 'firecracker' story incorrect; Suspect claims al Qaeda connections.Al-Qaida Linked To Attempted Detroit Plane Bombing.....Officials: Only Failed Detonator Saved Flight.......Al-Qaida Claims Responsibility For Attack...Al Qaida Reportedly 'Groomed Mutallab In London'... Suspect Is Son Of Prominent Nigerian Banker ....Obama: 'Systemic Failure' Resulted In Terror Plot....Suspect was on terror list, but not no-fly list.....Obama urges review of terror watch-list....Detroit explosive common, easily detectible....US Has Known About Suspect For At Least Two Years.. Egyptian Media Indicated Threats From Yemeni Al-Qaeda... Detroit Was Celebrating Christmas 'Mitzvah Day' With Muslims And Jews 'Underwear bomb' photo surfaces Abdulmutallab had six inch explosive packet stitched into crotch. Investigators: Northwest Bomb Plot Planned by al Qaeda in Yemen The plot to blow up an American passenger jet over Detroit was organized and launched by al Qaeda leaders in Yemen who apparently sewed bomb materials into the suspect's underwear before sending him on his mission Suspect was barred from UK Was Secret TSA Screening Manual Posted Online By a Temp? Congress probes TSA today about who posted the document. Economy Only 4% get mortgage help Fannie, Freddie Freed From Caps on Government Assistance for Three Years The U.S. Treasury Department will remove the caps on aid to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for the next three years, to allay investor concerns that the companies will exhaust the available government assistance. Audit: Taxpayers lose big on AIG, auto bailouts as Administration extends $700 billion fund Study: Politically-Connected Banks Were More Likely To Get Bailed Out Goldman Sachs played bigger role in AIG trades: report Goldman Sachs Group Inc played a bigger role in fueling the mortgage bets that crippled American Insurance Group Inc than has been publicly disclosed, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. Taxpayers to help with the rent at Goldman’s new office tower Goldman Sachs, Others Sold Bad Debt To Clients While Betting Against It Opec indicates $70-$80 oil price target The Opec oil cartel has given the strongest indication yet it aims to keep oil prices at $70-$80 a barrel next year as it tries to support the economic recovery Opec agrees to keep oil quotas Petroleum producers meeting in Angola hope restrictions will maintain prices. Is war necessary for progress? Pt2 Robert Pollin: It's not war that creates technological development, it's the state investment Kaufman warns of commodities bubble A bubble has formed in commodities as "speculative fervor" returns to markets after the global financial crisis, veteran Wall Street economist Henry Kaufman said on Monday.	Disinfectants 'train' superbugs Disinfectants used to curb the spread of bacteria could effectively train them to become resistant to antibiotics, research suggests. Chimps use tools to cut up food....Wild chimps found to be using cleavers, anvils to cut up volleyball-size fruits. Pentagon Nominee Promises Embed Policy Review to Prevent 'Ratings' Douglas Wilson, who is expected to be confirmed as the new assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that he was opposed to rating reporters as "friendly" or "negative" when considering embed requests. Politics Michele Bachmann's Family Farm Got $250,000 In Federal Subsidies Obama orders creation of declassification center Obama orders creation of declassification center By Michael D. Shear President Obama created by executive order Tuesday a National Declassification Center to oversee efforts to make once-secret government documents public. The order comes as part of Obama's promise to push government to err on the side of disclosure as it tackles the need to keep certain information from the public. Obama plan could limit secret documents from WW2 and Cold War Guantanamo Closure Delayed By Another Full Year Two al Qaeda Leaders in Yemen Released by U.S. (in 2007) from Guantanamo Full-time employees cost less Pentagon can save money by replacing contractors, report says. American Mercenaries? Brian Ross investigates the alleged use of private contractors in combat. Health Care Industry Stocks See Double-Digit Growth Since Death Of Public Option As Health Bill Advances, Few Changes Seen for Millions Sen. Obama in debate: Mandates bad - President Obama now: Mandates good. Nation's Largest Nurses Group: Senate Bill 'Could Actually Exacerbate Health Care Crisis' Treasury draws $936m from JPMorgan warrants US taxpayers reaped $936m from the sale of warrants in JPMorgan Chase, in a move that will sever financial links between the government and the lender and ease public anxiety at last year’s bail-out of the banking sector Audit: Taxpayers lose big on AIG, auto bailouts as Administration extends $700 billion fund Fannie, Freddie Freed From Caps on Government Assistance for Three Years The U.S. Treasury Department will remove the caps on aid to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for the next three years, to allay investor concerns that the companies will exhaust the available government assistance. Senator acts to revive 9/11 Saudi suits Arlen Specter seeks overturn of ruling requiring State Dept. sign-off. In a sign that the bitter litigation between victims of the 9/11 attacks and the government of Saudi Arabia is far from over, Sen. Arlen Specter yesterday introduced legislation that would overturn court rulings barring lawsuits that contend the desert kingdom helped cause the terrorism. SENATE PASSES HEALTH CARE BILL 60-39 Majority Pushes Legislation Through David Simon On Health Care Bill: "Only One Thing Can Make People This Stupid, And That's Money" We live in an oligarchy. The mother's milk of American politics is money, and the reason they can't reform financing, the reason that we can't have public funding of elections rather than private donations, the reason that K Street is K Street in Washington, is to make sure that no popular sentiment survives. You're witnessing it now with health care, with the marginalization of any effort to rationally incorporate all Americans under a national banner that says, "We're in this together." Senator Lindsay Graham on the real health care problem - 'African American Revised Senate health bill cuts deficit: CBO Drug data mining ban unlikely in Senate health bill A Democratic proposal to ban the collection of doctors' prescription records for marketing purposes is unlikely to be included as part of the Senate's overall health reform bill, a Senate staff member said on Monday.
Connecticut
Conn. considering lawsuit if Nebraska gets money Gov. M. Jodi Rell has asked the state attorney general to sue the federal government if Nebraska receives extra Medicaid money in the final version of federal health care reform legislation. Rell To Sell 32-Acre Long Island Sound Property With Spectacular Views; More Than 60 Other Properties For Sal Linda McMahon bolsters her conservative bona-fides by winning the backing of a leading family values lawmaker Linda McMahon's pollster under investigation in New Hampshire Program Review Staff Recommends Sunday Alcohol Sales; Long-Running Battle At The Capitol Over Alcohol Taxes Three-Time Convicted Rapist, Ransome Lee Moody, Being Released; Made Remarkable Speech In Court in May 2002 In an eloquent monologue that prompted the judge to describe him as bright and articulate, Moody described how the correctional system had not solved his problems and said he did not know how to act in a free society. Day care programs in line for $547G Three city infant and toddler day care programs, including one based at a homeless shelter for women and children, are expected to receive $547,000 in federal stimulus funds. Census: Conn. to keep 5 congressional seats Agencies say roadblocks hinder regional cooperation Lawmakers recently talked up benefits of regional solutions to cut the cost of governing, but said they have received complaints that an administrative policy does not allow regional districts to seek their own federal funding. Misclassification of workers at Patterson Club sparks protest The red notices posted on the chain-link fence in front of the new $17 million clubhouse at 1118 Cross Highway are stop-work orders issued for the violation of state labor laws. Blumenthal Calls For Ban On Outdoor Wood Furnaces Where there's smoke, there's fire — and, these days, a growing number of state residents fed up with their neighbors' outdoor, wood-burning furnaces. Woe Is Us: Study Says Nutmeggers Are Very Unhappy Are we really the second unhappiest state in the union? Two Men Shot Near Pizza Restaurant in New Haven CT DOT Launches Real-time Interactive Highway Traffic Map Connecticut Earmarks Matching Funds To Help Small Businesses With New Products	Listening to real-life tales of woe: Local patients, health professionals speak up for reform Conn. labor agency overwhelmed by jobless claims Bridges, clogging drop state roads to 37th in ranking Connecticut ranks low in the cost-effectiveness of its highway system because of deficient bridges and congestion, despite ranking high in spending to keep them in shape. Husky program hands doctors the reins A new health care plan that returns medical decisions to the physician, rather than insurance companies, is open for Husky clients in Greater New Haven and the Hartford area. Lieberman: The United States Must Pre-Emptively Act In Yemen Sen. Joseph Lieberman, (I-Conn) a renowned hawk and one of the foremost champions of the invasion of Iraq, warned on Sunday that the United States faced "danger" unless it pre-emptively acts to curb the rise of terrorism in Yemen. Connecticut health officials say 67,400 doses of a swine flu vaccine being recalled by drugmaker MedImmune were distributed in the state. Connecticut wants rollback on credit card interest Claiming credit card companies are raising consumers’ interest rates and fees before the CARD Act takes effect in February, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal Wednesday asked the chairman of the Federal Reserve to intervene and roll back certain increases. 2 AT&T subsidiaries hit with wage and hour suits The New York City law firm, representing about 200 AT&T employees from Connecticut in a class action lawsuit for alleged violations of state and federal wage and hour provisions, has filed similar litigation against two of the company’s subsidiaries. Frustration For Families After Acquittal Of Detective In a peaceful call for justice, family members of two men shot by a city police detective in May of 2005 assembled in front of city hall Thursday to reflect on a jury's decision this week to acquit the detective of manslaughter and assault charges. Denial Of Stimulus Funds For Acela Won't Affect Springfield-New Haven Initiative, Advocates Say Federal officials won't approve using high-speed rail stimulus money to improve the Acela system, but that decision doesn't damage the Springfield-to-New Haven line's separate chance for funding, several rail advocates said Thursday. Conn. Offers Grants To Small Manufacturers Connecticut Gears Up To Lobby Washington For Railroad Seed Money
United States
Security Issues U.S. froze $2 billion held for Iran in Citibank: report Chicagoan Said to Have Helped Terrorists Target Nuclear Plant EFF: Bush admin. spied illegally Lawsuit: Government used monitoring techniques considered unlawful. Army General Backs Off: No Court Martial For Pregnant Soldiers Top US Intelligence Officials Feuding, White House Tries To Settle Dispute Security Officials: Airport Confusion Keeps Terrorists Guessing Somali arrested at airport with chemicals, syringe Canada Bans Most Carry-On Luggage... Watch: What Scanners See... Detection Equipment Underutilized... Linkins: New Round Of Religious Profiling Promotion... What's Missing? ...US 'stopped Dutch installation of full body scanners'...Screening Machines May Need To Be Replaced First case of extremely drug-resistant TB found in US, other killer diseases return Who's running the TSA? No one, thanks to Sen. Jim DeMint Courts Citigroup sued over EMI purchase Terra Firma, EMI's owner, sues Citigroup saying the bank "misrepresented facts" during the record company sale in 2007. Judge says Lehman can pump $100 million into bank unit A U.S. bankruptcy judge said Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc could inject another $100 million into its Aurora Bank unit so that it does not fall below the required regulatory capital level. BP oil refinery workers in Texas win damages of $100m DNA sampling upheld for all felony suspects A federal judge refused Wednesday to block a voter-approved California law requiring anyone arrested on a felony charge to provide DNA samples Federal prosecutions hit record high 9 percent jump in FY2009; driven by cases against immigration violators. Judge calls gangs deadlier than detainees The chief judge of the federal court in Washington told lawyers yesterday that domestic street gangs are more deadly than some Guantanamo Bay detainees who could face trial in US courts Federal judge could be 8th impeached It’s not the lifestyle of a typical federal judge: five or six vodka cocktails during lunch; gambling with borrowed money; Texas judge refuses bid to make child porn users pay damages Education Los Angeles teachers' union sues school district over charter plans. Chicago High School Paper's Story Pulled Over Prescription-Drugs Concerns Officials at a suburban Chicago high school have pulled a story from the student newspaper over concerns about an article on prescription drugs. Drug War CDC: 69% of cocaine seized on borders cut with cancer drug Anthrax fears over heroin batches A heroin user is treated in a hospital in Cumbria for suspected Anthrax poisoning, leading to fears that contaminated batches of the drug are circulating.	Greed Captain pleads guilty to pilfering $700k An Army captain pleaded guilty Monday to charges that he stole nearly $700,000 from the U.S. government while serving in Iraq. NYC Former Mailroom-Union Head Charged with Embezzling More Than $200K Media Taibbi, Kuttner Debate Health Care Bill On "Bill Moyers" Journalists' Group Slams NBC For Practicing 'Checkbook Journalism' Secret mobile phone code cracked Computer hackers say they have cracked and published the secret code that protects 80 per cent of the world’s mobile phones, leaving more than 3bn people vulnerable to having their calls intercepted Facebook draws criticism for privacy changes Police/Prison Prison population to have first drop since 1972 Claim of Giant Online Bank Heist The FBI investigates a cyber hacking that reportedly targeted Citigroup. NYPD ordered to release race info on shooting victims Civil Rights Walmart Sued for Secret Bathroom Surveillance Tired Of Waiting, Native Americans Buy Back Their Old Land Supporters of popular Brooklyn bar try to handcuff eminent domain ruling Defenders of Freddy’s Bar & Backroom in Brooklyn are so eager to support the establishment against a recent eminent domain ruling that they’re practicing handcuffing themselves to the bar. Protest slogan on home pits zoning laws against free speech A North Carolina man and the ACLU are suing Cary, N.C., after the town told him to remove a protest slogan he had painted on the side of his home. He says it's a free-speech issue, but the town argues he's breaking local zoning laws. Environment First Solar opens largest California solar power station Kidnapped Colombian governor found with throat slit EPA Delays Announcement on Regulating Coal Ash Mercury emissions rise in Illinois Tribune Watchdog: Mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants is increasing in Illinois even as it declines nationwide, a troubling trend for the state because emissions of the toxic metal tend to fall back to earth close to the source. Fresh spill at Exxon Valdez site creates massive oil slick Michigan asks US Supreme Court to act in Asian carp flap Michigan's attorney general takes aim at Illinois canal that, many worry, could be Asian carp's entree to the Great Lakes. He petitioned the Supreme Court Monday to intervene quickly. Global warming skepticism is fueled by public relations, author says In the book 'Climate Cover-Up: The Crusade to Deny Global Warming,' James Hoggan says the campaign to create skepticism about climate change is 'by far and away the biggest public relations campaign that I've ever seen.' Oceans becoming nosier thanks to pollution: report

Science	History Resources
Enigmatic Antarctic mountains mapped 'Ghost mountains' buried in ice revealed by radar, lasers, gravitation. PTSD is chemical change in brain US scientists in 'dark matter' clue US scientists have reported detecting signals that could indicate the presence of dark matter Scientists 'decode' memory making Scientists believe they have uncovered one of the mechanisms that enable the brain to form memories Nearly 1 percent of US children have autism, report indicates Roughly 1 of every 110 children in the United States has been diagnosed with autism, with boys at least four times more likely than girls to suffer from the developmental disorder, according to a federal study released yesterday that served as a rallying cry for scientists and activists.	BOOK: BIN LADEN NEARLY KILLED PRES. CLINTON IN '96
Politics	Political Resources
Feds pursuing more lawyers, campaign violation links in Rothstein Ponzi case Who got money from Stanford? Allen Stanford showered money on lawmakers in both major parties -- reaping access and friendship. Here are some of the names. Bloggers blacklisted at Palin book signing Photog denied entry to AK event; banned on list 'with photos to identify them.' Rep. stole voter data before defecting to GOP: Dems The Alabama Democratic Party issued a statement Wednesday accusing Griffith's political consultancy, Main Street Strategies, of downloading "sensitive voter identification data that was the property of the Alabama Democratic Party." Report finds 'imprudent spending' at Postal Service The U.S. Postal Service spent more than $792,000 "without justification" on meals and events in one five-month period even as it reported losing $3.8 billion this year, the agency's inspector general says in a report. New proposal would pay Americans a percent of carbon permits Under a proposal to be introduced Friday by Washington state Sen. Maria Cantwell, 75 percent of the money raised by auctions of federal carbon permits to polluters would be rebated to U.S. citizens. The amount could be $1,100 annually for a family of four. The proposal has bipartisan backing New New Deal: House passes sweeping financial regulation Senate SENATE DEMS REACH 60 VOTES FOR HEALTH REFORM Hypocrite McCain Denied Sen. Dayton "30 Seconds" To Continue During Iraq War Debate Treasury/Federal Reserve/Bailouts/SEC/IRS An IRS Audit... for Being Too Poor? SEC cracks down on how companies are governed U.S. companies will have to disclose their compensation practices and board members' qualifications under rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday. Former Prosecutors Call For AIG To Release Internal Emails The three of us, as experienced investigators and prosecutors of financial fraud, cannot answer these questions now. But we know where the answers are. . FDIC Strangely Resembling A Private Investor Geithner: Job growth should resume by springtime Wells Fargo Repays $25 Billion in Bailout Funds GMAC Said to Discuss Getting More Than $3 Billion in Extra Government Aid SEC charges four with insider trading The US crackdown on insider trading widened as the Securities and Exchange Commission accused four people, including former employees of Lazard and TPG, of trading improprieties involving some of the decade’s biggest deals SEC strengthens pay disclosure rules US companies will have to provide much more information on the pay of their executives and the background of their boards under reforms passed by regulators Credit Suisse to pay US more than $500 million over sanctions Swiss bank Credit Suisse has reached a deal with the US Treasury to pay 536 million dollars in compensation for illegal financial dealing with countries such as Iran. Budget and Taxes 'Party' Time at the FAA: Critics Question $5 Million Gathering Beats being at work, an FAA manager said as 3,600 meet; an excuse to party?	Health Insurance How The Health Reform Proposals Would Affect Five Different Americans David Brooks prefers single-payer to status quo Conservative columnist David Brooks expressed support Sunday for a system of health care otherwise demonized in the press by the right wing. "I wouldn't mind a single-payer. Frankly I prefer a single-payer to what we have now," Brooks told ABC's Jake Tapper. SNOWE WILL FILIBUSTER HEALTH REFORM Tanning salons burned over proposed health care tax Stakeholders in Health Insurance Reform Debate Gave Big to Senators After nearly a year of debate, months of negotiations and major lobbying blitzes, the U.S. Senate on Christmas Eve passed their version of the major health insurance reform legislation. The final vote was 60-39. All 60 members of the Democratic caucus voted in favor of the plan, while no Republican senators backed the bill. At Least 278 Former Congressional Aides Lobbied On Health Care, Over $600 Million Spent... Health Industry Stocks Hit 52-YEAR High On Friday... Three big differences between House and Senate healthcare bills Defense Spending Pentagon Zombifies Pigs to Save Soldiers Project stops bleeding by "de-animating" pigs. Humans could be next. US to 'simulate' technically impossible attack by Iran Nuke lab blew up building with 'Civil War-like' cannon: report GITMO/Bahgram/CIA-Blacksites 6 Detainees Are Returned to Yemen Confirmed: CIA ran at least two black sites in Lithuania Break up the CIA, former Reagan intel staffer argues Former Guantanamo detainees fuel growing al-Qaeda cell How CIA fell victim to gambler's con Software developer claimed to have discovered al-Jazeera broadcasts used to contact terrorists in US Obama DANNY GLOVER: I See NO Difference Between BUSH And OBAMA Policies “He may be just a different face, and that face may happen to be black—and if it were Hillary Clinton, it would happen to be a woman,” says Danny Glover. “But what choices do they have within the structure?” White House Helped Kill Drug Imports House US Congress frets over anti-Americanism on TV in Mideast The US House of Representatives Tuesday adopted a bill asking the US president to report to Congress on incitement to anti-American violence on television networks in the Middle East. Lawmakers adopted the measure in a decisive 395-3 vote. The bill asks the US president to report, six months after the text has passed, "on anti-American incitement to violence in the Middle East, and for other purposes." "For years, media outlets in the Middle East have repeatedly published or broadcast incitements to violence against the United States and Americans," the bill read. USA: House of Representatives passes Iran petrol sanctions bill The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved sanctions legislation aimed at forcing Iran to freeze its nuclear programme by depriving the Islamic republic of gasoline.
Economy	Click for Economic Statistics	Financial Crisis for Beginners
At Top Subprime Mortgage Lender, Policies Were An Invitation To Fraud New home sales in US down 11.3% Ford Offers Buyouts, Early Retirement To All 41,000 UAW Workers Oil price climbs above 77 dollars Larger than expected drop in energy stockpiles cause rise. War on Wall Street as Congress Sees Returning to Glass-Steagall Census Finds Rise in Foreign Workers Nearly one in six American workers is foreign-born, the highest proportion since the 1920s, according to a census analysis released Monday US to impose tariffs on imported Chinese steel pipes	Naked access" now 38 percent of U.S. trading: report A report says that 38 percent of all U.S. stock trading is now done by firms that have "naked sponsored access" to markets, the controversial trading practice said to imperil the marketplace, and which faces a regulatory crackdown. UBS won't sue former bosses on subprime, U.S. tax UBS AG will not sue its former bosses after risky bets on subprime mortgages and a strategy of helping U.S. clients dodge taxes by hiding money in secret accounts brought the Swiss bank to its knees. US JOBLESS CLAIMS DIP TO 15-MONTH LOW Krugman: 'Reasonably High Chance' Economy Will Contract Next Year Recession has driven new consumers to Wal-Mart Movie-goers make 2009 a record box office year

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Petraeus sees shift in Al Qaeda's Iraq tactics Fewer foreign volunteers are making it into Iraq to fight with Al Qaeda against the U.S.-backed government but the group has switched to fewer but more deadly attacks, U.S. General David Petraeus said on Sunday. Ukraine to sell $550 million of arms to Iraq Blasts target churches in Mosul SEAL pleads not guilty in Iraq detainee case Mentors hired, fired in discreet fashion The Pentagon’s Joint Forces Command fired a former top U.S. commander in Iraq from his role as paid adviser to the military after he publicly criticized the Bush administration’s conduct of the Iraq war General: Iraq must be fair to Sons of Iraq A top American commander called on the Iraqi government to take care of tens of thousands of unemployed anti-al-Qaida Sunni fighters Iraqi Kurd gas victims sue Dutchman for damages A Dutch court began hearing a suit Wednesday filed by 16 Iraqi Kurds seeking compensation from a businessman who sold chemicals to Saddam Hussein's regime. At least 5 Shiite pilgrims killed in Baghdad	Army general bans pregnancies 'Lawful order' forbids US forces in northern Iraq from reproducing Pregnant Iraq Personnel Could Face Court-Martial: Army General Bans Pregnancy Iraq, Shell ink deal on supergiant Majnoon field Federal Court to study lawsuit against Maliki and Shahristani December 22 LUKOIL says it intends to invest billion of dollars in Iraq oil field LUKOIL Russian oil Company Leonid Fedun said that the company intends to invest billion of dollars in the Iraqi oil field which it won the rights to develop at the beginning of this week. Iraq to resume pumping oil from Kirkuk towards Ceyhan today Iraq's deputy oil minister Abdul Karim Al Luaibi said that Iraq expects to resume oil exports from Kirkuk to Turkey today. The pipeline was shut Saturday by sabotage, he added. Earlier on Saturday, Kirkuk oil flow towards Ceyhan Turkish port was halted. It is to be noted that November flow rate was Iraq Oil Ministry signs deals with foreign companies Iraq's Oil Ministry initialed a deal on Tuesday with China National Petroleum Company (CNPC), Total and Petronas for Halfaya, the latest deal it has inked that it hopes will turn Iraq into a major global exporter. The Halfaya oilfield, in southern Iraq, has estimated reserves of 4.1 billion
Middle East	Map of the Middle East
Iran <Click for video and history> Iranian Describes Militia Abuse, Claims He Helped Rig The Presidential Election Iran jails ex-government figure An Iranian court jails a former government spokesman who crossed over to the opposition. Iranians 'release three Belgians' Iran frees three Belgians held since October for entering a prohibited area, Iranian media say. Iranian crowd stops execution and frees convicts Intel Report Says Iran Seeking To Smuggle Raw Uranium Ayatollah Khamenei's Jet Checked, Iran Supreme Leader May Flee To Russia If Necessary Iran's Revolutionary Guard tightens grip In post-election crackdown, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has taken a new leading role by tightening its control over levers of state power and stifling dissent. Kazakhstan denies uranium deal with Iran Report: Bin Laden wife, children under house arrest in Iran Ahmadinejad to Diane Sawyer: 'Smoking Gun' a U.S. Fabrication Ahmadinejad tells Diane Sawyer document detailing nuke bomb plans is fake US Agents Hold Suspected Iran-Bound Helicopter Federal agents in Texas impound, investigate U.S.-made helicopter suspected headed for Iran U.S. Intelligence Found Iran Nuke Document Was Forged Egypt Muslim Brotherhood elects council Egypt denies building 'Gaza wall' Authorities deny Israeli reports of underground wall to block Palestinian tunnels.	Israel Palestinians condemn Israeli raid Palestinian leaders condemn Israel's killing of three suspected militants in the West Bank as a "dangerous escalation". Netanyahu says building settlements will be resumed in West Bank Israel settlements: rabbis say soldiers' loyalty to God trumps army orders West Bank: Israeli Settler Killed An Israeli man was shot to death in the West Bank on Thursday. A little-known militant group identifying itself as a faction of the Fatah movement of the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, claimed responsibility for the attack, in an e-mail message to journalists. Israel Radio identified the victim as a 45-year-old resident of a nearby Israeli settlement. Israeli policy leaves family stranded Israel refuses to renew permit for Palestinian man to return to his home Israeli troops kill Palestinians Six deaths reported in two separate incidents, three in Gaza, the other in the West Bank.\ Other Jordan's king appoints new PM Kurds, Turkish nationalists clash in Istanbul Clashes erupted in Istanbul's busy Beyoglu district on Sunday as around 200 Kurds protesting at the closure of a leading Kurdish party clashed with Turkish nationalists and police, Turkish media reported. PKK claims responsibility for army attack Kurdish rebels of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) claimed responsibility for the attack on Monday targeting an army patrol in northern Turkey. The attack killed seven Turkish soldiers and seriously wounded three others. Yemen Somalis 'forced into Yemen war' Hundreds of Somali refugees are being forced at gunpoint to join rebel fighting in north Yemen, a Somali diplomat has told the BBC.
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
Afghan Killing Bares a Karzai Family Feud A youth’s murder has set off bitter divisions among President Karzai’s relatives in Afghanistan and the United States, with charges of a cover-up by Afghan officials. Afghan training a challenge for US marines NATO: Taliban commander killed Afghan army 'in need of US funds' 8 Americans Killed in Afghan Bomb Attack The Opportunity Cost Of Afghanistan: Vulnerable To Terrorism At Home	Suicide bombing in Afghanistan kills 2 policemen Xe aims for a piece of expanding Afghan contracts As the United States builds up its military presence in Afghanistan, private contractors are flocking there in even greater numbers. And Xe, the company formerly known as Blackwater, is in the hunt to get a share Fighters 'sent to Afghan Taliban' A senior Pakistani Taliban commander has said he has sent thousands of fighters into neighbouring Afghanistan to counter the rising level of US troops. 10 Civilians, Including 8 Children, Killed In Afghanistan Air Raid

Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
U.S. believes Pakistan nuclear arms are secure: Gates Suicide bombers kill five in northwest Pakistan Pakistan officials: Suspected US missiles kill 3 Pakistan denies rumors of a coup	Bomber kills 5 at Shiite gathering in Pakistan Pakistan clerics 'poison attack' Several senior Pakistani religious leaders are admitted to hospital after falling ill from eating contaminated sweet meats. Will Pakistan military go after Taliban in North Waziristan? Kashmir suicide bomber kills 10
North&South Asia	Map of Asia
Thailand seizes arms on plane from North Korea Leading Chinese Dissident Gets 11-Year Prison Term India police ambushed by Maoists Church plan to recruit two-year-olds Document seen by the Guardian says action is needed to shore up number of children in Church of England South Korea wins nuclear contract A South Korean consortium wins a contract to build four nuclear reactors in the United Arab Emirates. China's Ant Tribe: millions of unemployed college grads Despite China's fast-growing economy, many Chinese college grads are struggling to find jobs or scraping by on meager salaries. Beijing worries that this new group - the "Ant Tribe" - could pose a threat to political stability.	Uzbeks vote in parliamentary poll Election set to hand all the seats in parliament to supporters of the president. Raid on Philippines communist camp World Bank to lend Vietnam $500m...Vietnam to buy Russian submarines Burma to buy Russian MiG planes Five sentenced to death by China Five more people are sentenced to death for the violence in China's Xinjiang region in July, bringing the total to 22. China decks the malls for Christmas shopping Stores in China have embraced Christmas with music and decorations to celebrate what has become a major shopping holiday. US rules out climate aid for China
Europe	Map of Europe
China blocks US press at climate meet Briton guilty of trans-Atlantic airline bomb conspiracy A British man was found guilty on Wednesday of conspiring with the ringleader of a suspected al Qaeda plot to blow up transatlantic airliners bound for North America using liquid explosives. French farmers lay hay in protest Angry protestors surround the presidential palace to protest falling food prices. Violence erupts during Athens march Protesters commemorating teenager's killing last year clash with Greek police. Google book service 'broke law' French court orders internet search engine to remove extracts of hundreds of books. Russia to curb speculative capital inflows Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says Moscow will moderately step up efforts to curb speculative capital, while gradually moving its economy to a free float rouble exchange regime Russia to modernise nuclear arsenal Dmitry Medvedev makes announcement during wide-ranging televised end-of-year interview. France to bring in bank bonus tax	Swiss geologist on trial for causing earthquakes The Swiss head of a geothermal drilling company appears in court in Basel accused of causing earthquakes. Russian church: Homosexuality is personal choice The head of the Russian Orthodox Church said Wednesday that although the church views homosexuality as a sin, gays should not face discrimination. Russian president urges police reform President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday ordered reform of the country's Interior Ministry, saying it was a necessary response to police abuses that have angered Russians and eroded public trust in the government. Islamists claim killing of Russian priest An Islamist militant group based in Russia's North Caucases has claimed the killing last month of an Orthodox priest who was an outspoken critic of Islam. Russia: Why Kremlin still pursues banished oil tycoon Khodorkovsky In Russia, where public support for Kremlin attacks on oil tycoon Khodorkovsky is waning, there are two starkly different narratives. But both sides agree he was singled out for punishment. RUSSIA: Top court annuls arrest of Khodorkovsky co-accused Russia’s Supreme Court overturned this Wednesday a 2003 decision to arrest Platon Lebedev, the business partner of oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky (photo), after finding several violations in the politically-charged case.
Africa	Map of Africa
Somali pirates seize Greek tanker near Seychelles US curbs African trade benefits US President Barack Obama stops Madagascar, Guinea and Niger from receiving trade benefits for a year due to a lack of progress. Dutch release Somalia 'pirates' A group of suspected Somali pirates held on a Dutch warship will be freed because no country wants to prosecute them. Al Qaeda ‘claims’ kidnappings of Frenchman and three Spaniards Mortar attack on MPs in Somalia	Al-Qaeda group claims kidnappings Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb says it is holding Europeans seized in Mali and Mauritania. Libya bomber's health 'worsens' The condition of the Lockerbie bomber has deteriorated, with cancer spreading throughout his body, it is confirmed.Lockerbie Bomber Had Secret Swiss Bank Account Bloody clashes in central Nigeria At least 30 people are killed in clashes between herders and farmers in Nigeria's central Nasarawa State.
The Americas	Map of North America and South America
Mexico turns to navy to bolster flagging drug war Mexicans in drug war city call on army to leave Thousands of people dressed in white demanded soldiers leave Mexico's most violent city on Sunday, accusing troops of provoking a surge in drug-war killings and running protection rackets.Drug-related violence, bombings kill 50 in Mexico Drug war abuses by Mexican army rise sharply Canada OKs major PetroChina oil sands investment Canada's Industry Minister Tony Clement said he had approved a 1.7 billion dollar acquisition by PetroChina of two Athabasca Oil Sands Corporation projects in northeastern Alberta province.	Colombia says Mexico capo death weakens cartel ties The death of Mexican drug lord Arturo Beltran Leyva will help disrupt trafficking ties between Mexican cocaine gangs and their Colombian counterparts, the Andean country's police chief said on Friday. Venezuelan discontent over power cuts Colombia denies using spy drones Colombia rejects Venezuela's claims that it used unmanned drones built with US technology to spy on a military base Colombia's FARC captures governor, proves it's not a spent force.... Body of kidnapped Colombian governor found