The News Crawler

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Last Update: Monday, June 15, 2009

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Site News!!! Just added The Young Turks Radio Show to the News Video Section. Also, new section for Free TV, as well as Free National Radio Free CT FM/AM ,and Free Internet Radio. CIA Secrecy on Drone Attacks Data Hides Abuses The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s refusal to share with other agencies even the most basic data on the bombing attacks by remote-controlled unmanned predator drones in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal region, combined with recent revelations that CIA operatives have been paying Pakistanis to identify the targets, suggests that managers of the drone attacks programmes have been using the total secrecy surrounding the programme to hide abuses and high civilian casualties. Suit: Blackwater operating illegally in Iraq after contract Seizure of US government bonds from two Japanese men in Italy raises questions There have been new developments with regards to the story of US$ 134.5 billion in US government bonds seized by Italy’s financial police at Ponte Chiasso on the Italian-Swiss border, which AsiaNews reported four days ago. News about it initially made it to the front page of many Italian papers, but not of the international press. Since yesterday though, some reports have published by English-language news agencies. And some commentators are starting to link the story to reports in US press dating back to 30 March. Senators held stock in bailed-out banks Nearly half of Banking Committee had stock in bailed out companies. HOUSE TO DEBATE AUDITING THE FED After months of activism and lobbying by Congressman Ron Paul’s supporters, House Resolution 1207, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, will move out of committee to be debated by the full House of Representatives. In a show of cross-party unity, Ohio Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich became the bill’s 218th co-sponsor, pushing it over the threshold for debate in Congress. Senators Who Opposed Anti-Smoking Bill Got Top Dollar From Tobacco Industry New Tool in the War Against Drugs: Anti-OD Kits Texans Sue KBR, Halliburton Over War-Zone Burn Pits Oregon National Guard Members Sue KBR for Toxic Exposure Shepard Smith Says His Email Is Becoming "More And More Frightening" (VIDEO) Fox News' Shepard Smith's pretty well known -- and oft praised -- for the way he can size up a news event and expose his own authentic concern without seeming mawkish or phony. And in the wake of today's shooting at the Holocaust Museum, Smith went on the air today to talk about the emails he's been receiving for "the past few months," and how they've been getting "more and more frightening."	Afghanistan Cracks Down On Alcohol Consumption Afghanistan al-Qaida leader says group needs cash Al-Qaida's top commander in Afghanistan urged Turkish Muslims in a new audio message to send money to militants fighting coalition troops in the country, saying they are low on funds. Ahmadinejad has large lead in Iran vote Early results showed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad holding a sizable lead over his rivals in Iran's presidential election Friday, the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported. However, both Ahmadinejad and his chief rival, reformist candidate Mir Hossain Moussavi, were claiming victory. Iran Interior Ministry Claims Ahmadinejad Landslide... All Rallies Banned... "Cyber-Strikes" Block Text Messages, Anti-Government Websites Possible Protests Saturday... Tehran Police Begin "Maneuver" To Maintain Security... Mousavi's Supporters: "If There Is Cheating, Iran Will Blow Up"... Report: Mousavi Huddles With Supreme Leader Khamenei... MOUSAVI ADVISER: "IT'S A COUP" VIDEO: Violence Rages In Iran... Police Beat Protesters, Journalists... Reports Of Some Dead LATEST UPDATES: Mousavi Reportedly Under House Arrest... Cell Phone Service Down... White House Statement... Ahmadinejad Attacks Foreign Media American Medical Association Trying To Torpedo Health Care Reform Again Indeed, the role played by AMA throughout health care reform battles past has often been primarily as the defender of the status quo. In 1935, fears of an AMA backlash helped persuade Franklin Roosevelt's advisers to drop a health care article from the Social Security package -- fearful that the opposition would sink the legislation altogether. American Medical Assn. Backtracks From Opposition To Obama Health Plan.....Doctor: I Just Quit The AMA Firms, Governments Funded Over 22,000 Pentagon Trips A new released database shows Pentagon employees took than 22,000 trips paid for by foreign countries, private corporations and other sources between 1998 and 2007. The Center for Public Integrity says the visits cost more than $26 million dollars and often involved interests paying for officials who could make decisions benefiting those picking up the tab. The biggest travel funder was the medical industry, which footed the bill for more 8,700 trips worth over $10 million dollars. Coal Ash Spills Too Dangerous To Reveal To Public, Says DHS Debt Collectors Harass Daughter Over Dead Mother's Bills
Connecticut
Conn. AG loses first round in flight fight Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has lost the first round in his challenge to a federal plan that routes more large planes over southwestern Connecticut. APNewsBreak: Dodd boosts value of cottage Records show the value of Sen. Christopher Dodd's vacation cottage in Ireland has more than doubled to nearly $660,000.	Connecticut's Clean Energy Sector Growing But Lags Behind Nation Blumenthal wants to fine AT&T Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is calling on utility regulators to hit A&T with more than $1 million in fines for failing to meet state standards for repair of traditional phone service since 2001.
United States
California 50 Days From Collapse ... Schwarzenegger Threatens Government Shutdown Security Issues Coal Ash Spills Too Dangerous To Reveal To Public, Says DHS Six arrested in suspected plot to attack G8: report WHITE SUPREMACIST OPENS FIRE AT HOLOCAUST MUSEUM Alleged Museum Shooter Has Disturbing History Wrote Book "Kill The Best Gentiles," Tried To Kidnap Federal Reserve Officials DHS Report Warned Against Anti-Semitic Violence Fox News Reporter: Scandalized DHS Report Needs Second Look Holocaust Museum shooter James Von Brunn's ex-wife says his racism 'ate him alive' (abusive drunk) Federal Informant Opens Up On Alleged Museum Shooter Had Lost Social Security, "Living Hand To Mouth," Personal Emails Increasingly Violent Von Brunn's Ex-Wife: He May Have Wanted To Die Fox host defends DHS report on right-wing extremists “For the second time in as many weeks” Smith stated, “a crime scene reminds me of a memo … from the government, warning, ‘Look out for crazy extremists out there about to go do weirdness.’” ACLU seeks records on 'suspicionless' laptop searches The American Civil Liberties Union is attempting to discover the degree to which Constitutional protections are being violated by a US government policy allowing border officials to search the laptops and other electronic devices of travelers even in the absence of any reason for suspicion. Army Orders Bases to Stop Blocking Twitter, Facebook, Flickr Firms, Governments Funded Over 22,000 Pentagon Trips A new released database shows Pentagon employees took than 22,000 trips paid for by foreign countries, private corporations and other sources between 1998 and 2007. The Center for Public Integrity says the visits cost more than $26 million dollars and often involved interests paying for officials who could make decisions benefiting those picking up the tab. The biggest travel funder was the medical industry, which footed the bill for more 8,700 trips worth over $10 million dollars. Oregon National Guard Members Sue KBR for Toxic Exposure DOD official indicted for giving secrets to China Texans Sue KBR, Halliburton Over War-Zone Burn Pits Police WATCH: Cop Gets 40 Months For Beating Man In Wheelchair Cops say legalize drugs Courts Teen with 47 IQ gets 100 years for child sex abuseA teenager who has profound mental disabilities was sentenced to 100 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges in a sex abuse case involving his 6-year-old neighbor.	Corporate Greed Debt Collectors Harass Daughter Over Dead Mother's Bills Media Sarah Palin attacks David Letterman over 'sexually-perverted' joke Shepard Smith Says His Email Is Becoming "More And More Frightening" (VIDEO) Fox News' Shepard Smith's pretty well known -- and oft praised -- for the way he can size up a news event and expose his own authentic concern without seeming mawkish or phony. And in the wake of today's shooting at the Holocaust Museum, Smith went on the air today to talk about the emails he's been receiving for "the past few months," and how they've been getting "more and more frightening." WWF Guy Jim Cornette Goes IN Deep On Republicans & Right Wingers Pt. 1 O'Reilly Wonders If Holocaust Shooting Is Newsworthy Scarborough Claims He Didn't Criticize DHS Report, But He Did Gay Issues Gay TX mayor joins lover in Mexico Resigns on inauguration day because illegal immigrant lover couldn't remain in US. Woman's prison had 'butch wing' Women who 'looked gay' kept separate, verbally harassed by staff. Christian group sues for right to burn gay teen novel Obama Admin Defends Federal Gay Marriage Ban In Court Filing We just got the brief from reader Lavi Soloway. It's ~~pretty~~ despicable, and gratuitously homophobic. It reads as if it were written by one of George Bush's top political appointees. I cannot state strongly enough how damaging this brief is to us. Obama didn't just argue a technicality about the case, he argued that DOMA is reasonable. That DOMA is constitutional. That DOMA wasn't motivated by any anti-gay animus. He argued why our Supreme Court victories in Roemer and Lawrence shouldn't be interpreted to give us rights in any other area (which hurts us in countless other cases and battles). He argued that DOMA doesn't discriminate against us because it also discriminates about straight unmarried couples (ignoring the fact that they can get married and we can't Unions Anti-union attacks 'on the rise' Violent attacks on trade union members are increasing, the International Trade Union Confederation says. Hungry for a Better Education: Teachers, Parents Lead Hunger Strike Protesting Cuts, Layoffs at LA Schools War on Drugs New Tool in the War Against Drugs: Anti-OD Kits Khat vs. Coffee: Taxi Drivers' Wake-Me-Up or Terrorist Drug Threat? E. African taxi drivers in Washington, DC may see their stimulant of choice outlawed because, well, it's not American -- or something. For hundreds, if not thousands, of years, residents of the Horn of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula have partaken of khat, an evergreen plant native to the region. When the fresh leaves of the plant are chewed, they produce a mild stimulating effect. Friends of the plant liken the high to the buzz achieved from drinking strong coffee; foes, typically in law enforcement, are more apt to liken it to an amphetamine high.

Science
Is the Wind Dying Down? New research suggests global warming may be reducing wind speeds. Swine flu 'not stoppable,' WHO says Technology Advances, Price Retreats Spur New Solar Ventures	FDA: "Magic Touch" Hand Sanitizer Full Of "Disease-Causing Bacteria" Scientists find whales more endangered in Exxon, BP and Rosneft oil areas
Politics
Senate Coleman Ordered To Pay Franken $95K By Minnesota Court Senators Who Opposed Anti-Smoking Bill Got Top Dollar From Tobacco Industry Senate Passes Historic Anti-Smoking Bill The Senate struck a historic blow against smoking in America Thursday, voting overwhelmingly to give regulators new power to limit nicotine in the cigarettes that kill nearly a half-million people a year, to drastically curtail ads that glorify tobacco and to ban flavored products aimed at spreading the habit to young people. House Ron Paul on marijuana, prohibition, and personal freedom John Stossel's interview with Ron Paul. Ron talks about the failed War on Drugs, public perceptions , and solutions for returning to a sane policy in handling this issue. Congress guts renewable energy bills Effort to gains votes exempts industries from meeting Obama's goals HOUSE TO DEBATE AUDITING THE FED After months of activism and lobbying by Congressman Ron Paul’s supporters, House Resolution 1207, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, will move out of committee to be debated by the full House of Representatives. In a show of cross-party unity, Ohio Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich became the bill’s 218th co-sponsor, pushing it over the threshold for debate in Congress. Kucinich Rips Ken Lewis For Duping Shareholders Frank Pushing Bill To Legalize Medical Pot Federal Reserve/Bailouts Senators held stock in bailed-out banks Nearly half of Banking Committee had stock in bailed out companies. E-mails show U.S. pressured BofA to buy Merrill Lynch Internal Bank of America documents and e-mails among federal banking regulators show that federal officials leaned on the bank to go ahead with the purchase of Merrill Lynch in December even after bank officials had second thoughts. The feds even threatened to remove Ken Lewis, BofA's CEO, if he failed to go through with the $50 billion deal. Pelosi, Cantor, Top Congressmen Invested In Bailed-Out Firms John Boehner, Ron Paul And Dennis Kucinich Come Together: Audit Fed Fifty-one Democrats have joined 156 Republicans so far to back HR 1207. A similar bill sponsored by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) also has momentum and is on pace for a congressional hearing soon in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, where Kucinich is a subcommittee chairman Fed lost $5.3 billion on Bear Stearns, AIG The Federal Reserve lost $5.25 billion in the first quarter on the securities it acquired with last year's bailouts of Bear Stearns and insurer American International Group Inc. Seizure of US government bonds from two Japanese men in Italy raises questions There have been new developments with regards to the story of US$ 134.5 billion in US government bonds seized by Italy’s financial police at Ponte Chiasso on the Italian-Swiss border, which AsiaNews reported four days ago. News about it initially made it to the front page of many Italian papers, but not of the international press. Since yesterday though, some reports have published by English-language news agencies. And some commentators are starting to link the story to reports in US press dating back to 30 March.	Supreme Court PICK George H.W. Bush: GOP Sotomayor Attacks "Not Right" Health Insurance American Medical Association Trying To Torpedo Health Care Reform Again Indeed, the role played by AMA throughout health care reform battles past has often been primarily as the defender of the status quo. In 1935, fears of an AMA backlash helped persuade Franklin Roosevelt's advisers to drop a health care article from the Social Security package -- fearful that the opposition would sink the legislation altogether. American Medical Assn. Backtracks From Opposition To Obama Health Plan.....Doctor: I Just Quit The AMA Download the Kennedy healthcare bill here The Hill has obtained what appears to be a draft version of the healthcare bill Sen. Edward Kennedy's (D-Mass.) Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is planning to mark up later this month. Kennedy Health Care Reform Bill Released -- Help Us Read Through It Questions Over Lobbyist Meetings Complicate Health Care Negotiations GITMO/Abu Gharab/Bagram Bush: I Want to Close Gitmo and Try them in U.S. Courts (June 21, 2006) - Responding to Liz Cheney Gitmo Detainee Records Show "Shocking" Weight Loss Four Guantanamo Uighurs Released, Headed To Bermuda US frees Guantanamo detainee seized when a teenager - An African detainee held at the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay since he was a teenager has been released without charge US hid Bermuda Gitmo deal Official: US deliberately did not tell London in advance; Saudis accept 3 detainees. Death Penalty US: Death Row Case Embodies Systemic Flaws, Critics Say his conviction on Aug. 21, 1991, Troy Davis has been engaged in an exhaustive legal battle for his exoneration and release from death row. His efforts have garnered international support from organisations and figureheads such as Amnesty International, the European parliament, Desmond Tutu, and Pope Benedict XVI. Other Issues Deficit Soars $189 Billion – Just in May The federal budget deficit rose by $189 billion in May alone, according to a new Treasury Department report, and now stands just shy of $1 trillion so far in fiscal 2009. Robert Gates To GOP Leaders: You're Putting Us At Risk I’ve obtained a copy of the letter, which was sent to GOP leaders John Boehner and Mitch McConnell and Dem leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, though the obvious targets are the Republicans, who have opposed the IMF funding. Gates and Clinton significantly up the stakes, saying that the IMF funding would reduce the threat of terrorism. U.S. Chamber of Commerce joins fight against Buy American A major U.S. business group has joined Ottawa in pushing the Obama administration to loosen Buy American purchasing restrictions that have shut many Canadian companies out of lucrative U.S.
Obama
US appoints executive paymaster The US appoints a "pay czar" to review executive compensation packages for firms that have received government bail-outs. Obama Asserts Support For Public Health Care Plan More Forcefully Than Ever "I also strongly believe that one of the options in the exchange should be a public insurance option," Obama declared, in what was one of his most forceful statements of support since the health care debate began. "And the reason is not because we want a government takeover of health care. I've already said, if you've got a private plan that works for you, that's great. But we want some competition. If the private insurance companies have to compete with a public option, it will keep them honest and it will help keep their prices down." Cyberdefense Plan Poses Threats To Privacy President Obama has said that the new cyberdefense strategy he unveiled last month will provide protections for personal privacy and civil liberties. But senior Pentagon and military officials say that Mr. Obama’s assurances may be challenging to guarantee in practice, particularly in trying to monitor the thousands of daily attacks on security systems in the United States that have set off a race to develop better cyberweapons.	Wright Says 'Jews' Keeping Him From Obama President Barack Obama's controversial former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, is blaming "them Jews" for keeping him from speaking to the president. Jeremiah Wright On Jews And Obama: "I Misspoke" Obama Gives Up On Bringing Released Gitmo Inmates To U.S. White House Browbeats Dem Freshmen On War Money: "You'll Never Hear From Us Again" The White House is playing hardball with Democrats who intend to vote against the supplemental war spending bill, threatening freshmen who oppose it that they won't get help with reelection and will be cut off from the White House, Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) said Friday Obama Fires Controversial Inspector General Without much notice, the president fired Inspector General Gerald Walpin, saying he no longer had confidence in him. Obama Tax Plans Seen Raising $50B Less Than Forecast
Economy	NEW Click for Economic Statistics
Most banks still weakening, analysis shows Mortgage rates hit highest since Nov. Americans' net worth shrinks $1.33 trillion in 1Q Fed: signs that recession easing, US mood improving	New jobless claims drop; retail sales rise Better data on jobs, retail sales lift stocks Report: 'Green' job growth surges in US, Minnesota

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Iraqis Press For Referendum That Could Force Accelerated Withdrawal Tuesday: 3 Iraqis Killed, 17 Wounded Wednesday: 39 Iraqis Killed, 79 Wounded Thursday: 11 Iraqis Killed, 29 Wounded Friday: 11 Iraqis Killed, 23 Wounded Over 64,000 Cancer Cases Reported in 5 Years More than 64,000 cancer cases have been reported in Iraq throughout the past five years, the Iraqi Constitutional Rights and Freedoms Observatory revealed on Sunday Southern Iraq Car Bomb Kills 30 TV Station Stirs Sectarian Tensions Over the last few weeks a Sunni satellite television station based out of the Gulf has begun attacking Shiites during its broadcasts raising new fears about sectarian tensions. 7 Arrested over Nassiriya Bombing Gitmo detainees sent to Iraq, Chad US Marines out of Iraq by Spring 2010: General The US Marines will withdraw from Iraq in the spring of 2010, the commandant of the elite force said Thursday, signaling the end of a mission that once faced a fierce Sunni insurgency	Al-Naqshabandiya Group Claims Responsibility for Shooting Down U.S. Drone in Kirkuk 2 Gunmen Killed While Planting Bomb in Kirkuk Iraqi Judge Releases American Contractors Held In Connection With Death Sniper Wounds Cop in Mosul Baghdad Tears Down Security Barriers Security may still be unpredictable, but officials in the Iraqi capital are planning to tear down Baghdad's network of concrete barriers and razor wire in the coming months as a measure of reconciliation creeps through its neighbourhoods. Suit: Blackwater operating illegally in Iraq after contract US likely to release insurgent accused of killing five US soldiers Female Suicide Bombers: Tamil Tiger Teenage Girl Led the Way The sudden emergence of female suicide bombers in Iraq in 2007 shocked a country already inured to violence. From late 2007 to late 2008 there were 33 female suicide bombings. In the four preceding years there had been only two or three. Iraqi Killed, US Soldier Wounded in Baghdad Blast
Middle East
Israel/Palestine Hamas: Fatah raids disrupting talks Abbas if Israel refuses two-states solution there will be nothing left to negotiate upon Hamas Members Planning ‘Major Attack’ Seized in Nablus Palestinian security forces have seized several Hamas members in the West Bank, claiming they are planning a major attack on Palestinian Authority facilities.... Palestinians Help Rescue Jewish Settlers After Car Crash IDF troops exchange fire with gunmen near Gaza border Palestinian police arrest 36 Hamas supporters in West Bank Palestinian security forces arrested 36 Hamas supporters, many of them professors and students, the Islamic militant group said Thursday, signaling a widening crackdown by Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas MasterCard Accused of Backing "Extreme Settlers” An Israeli peace organization has launched an international campaign against MasterCard to protest the eviction of Palestinians from a village in East Jerusalem Israel pushes out its own people \| Dimi Reider Netanyahu's insistence on the term 'Jewish state' signals a rejection of Israeli Palestinians as rightful citizens. Whenever Barack Obama speaks of the Middle East these days, there's one thing that worries "senior Israeli officials" most. "He didn't say 'Jewish state'," they mutter to reporters. "He had all the time to say these two words, and didn't. Why didn't he?" Israel says completes its fuel pipeline for Gaza Leaked: Netanyahu's Conditions For Supporting A Palestinian Statehood Syria U.S. kills militant said linked to Iran's Quds Force The U.S. military on Wednesday said an airstrike in western Afghanistan killed a militant commander with reported links to Iran's elite military Quds Force. An Afghan official said fighting elsewhere killed 30 Taliban. The airstrike Tuesday in the western province of Ghor targeted a warlord named Mullah Mustafa, whom the U.S. military said was responsible for attacks on a nearby highway. The military said 16 of Mustafa's men were also killed. The U.S. said Mustafa commanded about 100 fighters and "reportedly had connections to" the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force Yemen Some Pakistan Qaeda Fighters Now in Yemen and Somalia	Lebanon 'Israel garbled Lebanon phone networks' Lebanese telecommunications minister says probe shows disturbances began 3 days before elections. Hizbullah: 2 Israeli sisters arrested in Beirut Turkey Ergenekon's brain and psychological warfare The most striking element in the Ergenekon case is the merciless psychological war being conducted along with it. Iran Iran Elections Bring Street Parties, Hip-hop Iran's election brings street parties and renewed hopes for reformers. IAEA: Ahmadinejad election rival launched Iran nuclear program International Atomic Energy Agency documents revealed that Iran began its secret nuclear program during the tenure of Mir Hossein Mousavi - the opposition leader running against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. ... North Korea, Iran Working Together To Develop Missiles, Says US General Ahmadinejad has large lead in Iran vote Early results showed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad holding a sizable lead over his rivals in Iran's presidential election Friday, the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported. However, both Ahmadinejad and his chief rival, reformist candidate Mir Hossain Moussavi, were claiming victory. Iran Interior Ministry Claims Ahmadinejad Landslide... All Rallies Banned... "Cyber-Strikes" Block Text Messages, Anti-Government Websites Possible Protests Saturday... Tehran Police Begin "Maneuver" To Maintain Security... Mousavi's Supporters: "If There Is Cheating, Iran Will Blow Up"... Report: Mousavi Huddles With Supreme Leader Khamenei... MOUSAVI ADVISER: "IT'S A COUP" VIDEO: Violence Rages In Iran... Police Beat Protesters, Journalists... Reports Of Some Dead LATEST UPDATES: Mousavi Reportedly Under House Arrest... Cell Phone Service Down... White House Statement... Ahmadinejad Attacks Foreign Media How Iranian Political System Works ...The supreme leader is the highest ranking political and religious authority in the country. He appoints the chiefs of posts such as the commanders of the armed forces, chief judges, prosecutors as well as six of the Islamic jurists who sit on the 12-member Guardian Council. Oman Pirates expand to Oman's waters A cargo vessel is hijacked by suspected Somali pirates off Oman - the first such attack in the area, Nato says.
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
Afghanistan Cracks Down On Alcohol Consumption Kyrgyzstan Insists U.S. Base to Close Kyrgyzstan appeared to rebuff on Thursday an appeal by President Obama as Washington sought to retain an American air base used for the war in Afghanistan Military takes on illegal lumber trade in Afghanistan American military units in Afghanistan's Kunar province are targeting what officials say is one of the most lucrative methods of funding insurgent groups: smuggling timber. Huge rise in Afghan Taliban attacks 40 Taliban killed in Afghan operations: officials	U.S. fights an information war in Afghanistan With unusual speed, officials release a video of a grenade attack to counter accusations against U.S. soldiers. The accusation was damning: U.S. soldiers were said to have tossed a grenade into a crowd of Afghans in the eastern province of Kunar on Tuesday, killing two civilians and wounding five to 50 others. Afghanistan al-Qaida leader says group needs cash Al-Qaida's top commander in Afghanistan urged Turkish Muslims in a new audio message to send money to militants fighting coalition troops in the country, saying they are low on funds.
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Gunship backing for Taliban fight Helicopter gunships are sent to a district in north-western Pakistan where hundreds of tribesmen are fighting the Taliban. Pakistan shells 'Taliban hideout' The Pakistani army begins shelling Taliban hide-outs in Bannu in the country's northwest, officials and local people say. What They Saw: Eyewitnesses To Huge Hotel Bombing Speak CIA Secrecy on Drone Attacks Data Hides Abuses The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s refusal to share with other agencies even the most basic data on the bombing attacks by remote-controlled unmanned predator drones in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal region, combined with recent revelations that CIA operatives have been paying Pakistanis to identify the targets, suggests that managers of the drone attacks programmes have been using the total secrecy surrounding the programme to hide abuses and high civilian casualties.	Pakistani general's home attacked Commando-Style Assaults Show Pakistani Militants Know Sophisticated Tactics Kashmir Kashmir women 'were murdered' Students in Indian-administered Kashmir hold further demonstrations to protest against the rapes and murders of two women. Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden hiding in Pakistan, CIA says US adopts Pakistan's stance on Kashmir The US said on Thursday that it wants the Kashmir issue resolved in line with the aspirations of the people of Kashmi
Asia
China State media praises Shanghai gays Chinese state media praise Shanghai's gay pride festival in a sign of new official acceptance of homosexuality Israeli team dates 18,000-year-old pottery in China Find of world's oldest know ceramic work shows hunter-gatherers may have also been pottery-makers. Chinese government to require censorship software in all PCs India The Indian Behind The Mumbai Attack	Australia Australia PM warns race vigilantes Rudd says racial violence and reprisal attacks "equally unacceptable". Australia flu 'may tip pandemic' A four-fold jump in Australia's swine flu infections could spark a WHO pandemic announcement, experts warn. Koreas North Korea, Iran Working Together To Develop Missiles, Says US General
Europe
Brittan U.K. Police Accused of Waterboarding Drugs Suspects Italy Gaddafi invites Rome's Jewish leaders to visit - on Shabbat Meeting opportunity for Libyan Jews to make claim for land they lost when they relocated to Italy after 1967 massacres and expulsion. Italian police arrest 6 in anti-terror raids Italian police arrested six people Thursday in raids on a group of suspected radical leftists who were allegedly planning a terror attack, authorities said. Two Hizbullah men nabbed in Azerbaijan Police: Operatives carried Iranian passports, had plan to bomb Russian radar, Baku Jewish center.	Russia Top Russian Caucasus judge killed A top judge is shot dead in the latest act of violence to shake the Russian republic of Ingushetia Russia snubs U.S. call to consider hosting radar Russia on Thursday spurned an offer from the United States to participate closely in its planned European anti-missile system, instead urging Washington to drop its proposals and start afresh. Russia asserts presence in energy-rich Arctic Russia will rebuild its Soviet-era network of polar stations and use its icebreaker fleet to help support its claim to the vast resources of the Arctic, the Kremlin's point man for Arctic issues said Wednesday. No democracy needed for Russia, says ruling party think-tank greater democracy because the financial crisis requires strong leadership, a think-tank close to the ruling party United Russia has said in a report Explosions hit west Georgia town
Africa
Somalia Thousands of refugees flee fighting in Somalia The UN says more than 100,000 have now been displaced. Two Islamist militias may have joined forces for a new offensive. Some Pakistan Qaeda Fighters Now in Yemen and Somalia Chad Gitmo detaine sent to Chad	Mali Malian al-Qaeda hunter shot dead A senior Malian military intelligence officer who was investigating al-Qaeda in North Africa has been shot dead in the northern city of Timbuktu. Sudan Sudan allows some aid groups to return Aid organizations were expelled in March after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Omar Hassan Ahmed Bashir.
The Americas
Mexico Violence and Drug Trafficking in Mexico Day after day, Mexico is home to more and more victims of drug trafficking and organized crime. In 2008 alone, 6,290 murders were attributed to fighting between the factions of organized crime. These factions are fighting for control over the drug routes to the United States, the world's biggest consumer of drugs Central America Bullets don't stop Guatemala green activist Yuri Melini was shot seven times by an assailant nine months ago. The outspoken champion of environmental causes has made many enemies, and gained recognition too.	South America Terror link to Air France crash? Two passengers' names match those of Al Qaeda suspects, reports say. But experts caution that it's too early to tell if the link is legitimate. Disputed Peru land laws suspended Peru's parliament suspends two land laws that triggered deadly clashes between police and indigenous Amazonian protesters. Venezuela calls Coca-Cola Zero harmful, bans sale Venezuela's health ministry has banned the sale of Coca-Cola Zero, claiming the no-calorie soft drink contains harmful ingredients. UN expert says Haitian children working as slaves A U.N. human rights expert says Haiti is suffering a ''modern form of slavery'' in the widespread use of children as house laborers.