The News Crawler

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Search the News Yesterdays Edition Last Update: January 2

Connecticut
Connecticut Bank Is Drawn Into Madoff Scandal According to the lawyers, their clients believed for more than a decade that they had an account at the Westport National Bank, a division of Connecticut Community Bank in Westport, from which they had received statements for many years. Early last week, they learned their money had actually been entrusted to Mr. Madoff Strapped businesses try worker furloughs to lower inventories Other United Technologies companies in Connecticut, including Pratt & Whitney, the jet-engine maker in East Hartford, which employ a large number of people ... Death of a Dream Brazilian immigrants are leaving Connecticut's recession for a better life back home Report on highway tolls pending A government panel is expected to receive a report later this month on whether tolls should return to Connecticut's highways. ... Rell, lawmakers discuss federal stimulus plan	Regulators discipline Bristol Hospital Connecticut regulators have disciplined Bristol Hospital after state inspections revealed various violations. In one case, a patient received 10 times the ordered dose of a medication. In another instance, a man was severely burned in an MRI machine. Was whole economy a Ponzi scheme? One point, highlighted by Tim Lee of the consultancy pi Economics in Stamford, Connecticut, is that the $50 billion headline figure is about as inflated as ... Clean contracting, hospice coverage among new laws Key provisions of a state contracting reform law and mandated Medicaid coverage for hospice services are among a handful of new laws that took effect on Thursday. Rell, Democratic Congressional Delegation In Sync On Stimulus Package
United States
Exploiting nature to cut mosquitoes' life short Old mosquitoes usually spread disease, so Australian researchers figured out a way to make the pests die younger — naturally, not poisoned. Madoff's assets to be kept secret The US Securities and Exchange Commission, which sued Bernard Madoff last month for allegedly directing a $US50 billion ($71 billion) fraud, is to withhold public access to a list of his assets filed on Wednesday. Judge rules dead miner's family entitled to benefits (killed in the Crandall Canyon Mine collapse) Stolen Madoff statue returned with note attached A statue stolen last month from Wall Street financier Bernard Madoff's Florida home has been returned undamaged, and with a note attached. End of the Year Brings A Burst of Settlements With Justice Department companies are seeking more favorable terms before the new administration arrives. The climate for business settlements could grow more harsh when Obama appointees seize the reins	Citigroup Agrees To Limit Exec. Pay coming from the $45 billion bailout from the federal government Citigroup Inc. on Wednesday said it would place strict limits on management's compensation, including no severance for its top five executives. Federal judges lose bid for pay raises Steel Industry, in Slump, Looks to U.S. Stimulus The steel industry, a bellwether for the state of the nation’s economy, is looking to the government for a huge investment program: up to $1 trillion over two years. The party's over as US government seizes control of Citigroup expenses Unemployment insurance: A safety net in need of repair The benefits awaiting America's unemployed are outdated Sharp fall in hybrid vehicles sales as US tightens belt Madoff case to steer financial lawsFindings to help rewrite regulations

Security Issues
Man accused of leaving Colo. bombs kills himself The threat that shut down this resort town on New Year's Eve was real: Police said Thursday that four packages in holiday wrapping held dangerous bombs made of gasoline and cell phones parts and came with notes warning of "mass death." Muslim family taken off plane for seat remarks A Muslim family removed from an airliner Thursday after passengers became concerned about their conversation say AirTran officials refused to rebook them, even after FBI investigators cleared them of wrongdoing.	Stores responsible for crowd control, police say Rope lines, numbered tickets and walkie-talkies for store employees could help control frenzied bargain-hunters, police said in a report issued after a Wal-Mart worker was killed in a Black Friday stampede. So much for loyalty to the Presidency...`MILITARY TIMES Poll: Troops wary about Obama...`
Politics
Congress gets a New Year’s raise The U.S. economy is in recession, 10.3 million Americans are unemployed and jobs are being shed at a rate unseen since the Nixon administration Penn's firm resigns Pakistan account Opposition researchers for Clinton's SoS confirmation hearings have just lost a key piece of ammunition.	Coleman Files Another Lawsuit as Recount Nears Deadline In the final hours of the calendar year, Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) filed a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court to stop the sorting of improperly rejected absentee ballots and to centralize the process for counting those ballots. Republicans threaten to delay stimulus
GITMO
Australia says considering Guantanamo prison intake Australia is considering a U.S. request to re-settle inmates from the Guantanamo Bay military prison camp, but would apply strict security screening before
Economy
Oil ends worst year in Nymex history US ECONOMY LOST $6.9 TRILLION IN 2008 $8.4 TRILLION IN BAILOUTS PROMISED

Iraq
Religious liberty in Iraq marked by 'severe abuses' A bipartisan US panel has recommended Iraq be returned to a list of the world's worst violators of religious liberty for the ... Iraqi Kurd leader blames Arabs for growing rift The president of Iraqi Kurdistan urged Arabs to give minority Kurds their political due Wednesday: 2 US Soldiers, 14 Iraqis Killed; 70 Iraqis Wounded Iraq plans to close Iran border camp Decision to shut base used for sabotage sharpens political differences between Baghdad and Washington	Police arrest Shiite cult leader in Iraq Police on Wednesday announced the arrest of a leading figure in a messianic Shiite cult that has battled with Iraqi and U.S. forces. Security developments in Iraq, Jan 1 U.S. teams play support role to Iraqis in Sadr City In most parts of Iraq, U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Custer would probably be with Iraqi soldiers as they distributed leaflets. But Custer isn’t in most parts of Iraq: He’s in Sadr City, and that means he’s not allowed to venture into most of the 44th Iraqi Army Brigade’s area. Round-up of Daily Violence
Middle East
What helped the rise of Hamas? U.S., Israel policies, turns out When Hamas won elections in 2006, the Bush administration was caught off guard. It refused to recognize the results, opposed Arab efforts to craft a Palestinian unity government and pressed Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to confront Hamas. But it provided Abbas with little assistance and Hamas is stronger today than three years ago. Top Hamas leader killed in Gaza airstrike and six of his family The Israeli air force has bombed the homes of two top Hamas military figures, killing at least one of them. Source: Hezbollah studying whether to join Hamas fight The Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist organization is studying whether to join Israel's conflict with Hamas by launching an attack Jordan sends military plane to evacuate injured Gazans Saudis arrest two over Riyadh pro-Gaza protest: report Two activists who attempted to stage a demonstration against the Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip were arrested in the Saudi capital IDF admits to overestimating Gaza rocket severity, but warns worst may be yet to come Initial estimates suggested Hamas would launch up to 200 rockets every day while under IAF fire. HAMAS ROCKETS COULD THREATEN ISRAEL'S NUKE PLANT	`Cracks showing among Israeli leadership...` Israelis Supportive Of Gaza Offensive Only 1 In 5 Polled Want Ceasefire; Support For Politicians Rises As 6-Day Aerial Bombardment Continues Australia called Thursday for peace in Gaza and promised 5 million Australian dollars ($3.5 million) in humanitarian aid to Palestinians caught in the current violence Child casualties mount in besieged Gaza Israel says that militants fire rockets from residential areas and schools — aware that the response may cause civilian casualties. Israel to let foreigners leave Gaza on Friday Israel Drafts YouTube, Netanyahu to Woo World Opinion on Gaza Gaza attack strengthens Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Ramifications of Israel's attack on Gaza are reaching well beyond the tiny Palestinian territory. 'There Is a Limit to Democracy,' Israeli Arabs Warned Media Banned From Gaza as Humanitarian Crisis Escalates No Point in Ceasefire, White House Agrees
Afghanistan
Taliban gunmen ambush, kill 20 policemen Fighters ambushed the home of a government official in Afghanistan, a provincial governor's spokesman said For Afghans, a Price for Everything, and Anything for a Price The state built on the ruins of the Taliban regime now often seems to exist for little more than the enrichment of those who run it.	Troops seize Taliban supplies, 10 arrested Security forces on Thursday arrested 10 suspected Taliban along with their supplies from Kazari area Taliban rockets kill four civilians in Khar Four civilians were killed in Bajaur Agency on Thursday when the Taliban fired rockets at local government offices, an official said.
Pakistan
Govt denies reports of LeT rebel’s confession Pakistan denied reports yesterday that a militant arrested last month had confessed to involvement in the Mumbai attacks, saying no conclusions could be made until investigations are complete Supply line reopens as Khyber Pass is cleared of militants PAKISTAN will reopen the main supply route for Western troops in Afghanistan in the next few days after security forces achieved most of their objectives in an offensive. US wants Mumbai suspects tried in Pakistan, not to call for extradition The US administration is now urging Pakistan to ensure that those responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks are punished inside the country instead of being extradited to India, US sources told Dawn. One killed, 32 wounded in Pakistan New Year celebrations Shots fired during New Year celebrations killed one man and injured at least 32 people in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi, a media report ... Pakistan: nearly 900 suicide bomb victims in 2008 The total number of suicide blasts in Pakistan since 2002 has risen to 140 to date while 56 bombers had struck last year. In one such attack, former prime ... Pakistan, India Swap Lists of Nuclear Facilities Pakistan's Foreign Ministry says it has swapped a list of nuclear facilities with India, as part of an agreement prohibiting attacks on such ... Suspected U.S. drone fires missiles in Pakistan A suspected U.S. drone fired two missiles on Friday in Pakistan's South Waziristan region on the Afghan border, but there was no word on casualties.	US has proof of LeT involvement in Mumbai attacks Even as the Pakistani authorities have so far denied deportation of any fugitives or terror-accused to India, they are under renewed pressure from the US to hand over Zaki Al Rahman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai terror attacks, according to Dawn, a leading newspaper of Pakistan. Security developments in Pakistan 12 Pakistani nationals wanted in Mumbai attack: Police At least 12 Pakistani nationals are wanted for their alleged involvement in funding and assisting the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack. Militant rockets kill four in NW Pakistan, says official Four civilians were killed in northwest Pakistan on Thursday when Taliban militants fired rockets at local government offices in a restive tribal region on the Afghan border, an official said. Pakistan receives $3.1 billion IMF loan Pakistan, so far, received an amount of Rs.3.1 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) out of total loan package of US ... Pakistan’s action against Dawa ‘insufficient’: India Pakistan’s action against the banned Jamaatud Dawa (JD) is ‘insufficient’, Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said in an interview on ... 144 suspects arrested in security forces' operation in Pakistan's ...
Asia
Sri Lanka's military seized a key crossroads in the north from the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels after fierce clashes that killed at least 54 fighters, an official said. 3 blasts in India's northeast leave 5 dead 2 Soldiers Among 4 Killed on New Year's Day in Kashmir Two soldiers and equal number of militants were killed on new year's day in two separate gunfights in restive Kashmir 'Israel-type retaliatory action not for India' Despite mounting outrage over Pakistan's inaction against those who perpetrated the Mumbai terror rampage - that provoked many in India to call ... Coral decline warns of ocean changes: Australian scientists A sharp slowdown in coral growth on Australia's Great Barrier Reef since 1990 is a warning sign that precipitous changes in the world's oceans may be imminent, scientists said Friday. Timeline of the violence in Sri Lanka Five dead, 51 wounded in blasts in India's Assam state At least five people were killed and 51 wounded when suspected separatist rebels carried out three blasts in Guwahati, the main city of India's north-east Assam state	Former Head of Chinese Dairy Pleads Guilty The former chairwoman of one of China’s biggest dairy producers pleaded guilty on Wednesday to selling tainted powdered baby formula and acknowledged for the first time that the company knew of the problem months before alerting local officials Chinese secret intelligence involved in helping Pakistan in Mumbai massacre? Sources in China are eager not to call Pakistan any culprit. The shadow ISI (the unofficial intelligence militia of Kiani) may have received direct help and intelligence from Chinese secret military intelligence in carrying out the Mumbai massacre. Report: China, Vietnam agree on land border Sri Lankan officials: Troops enter rebel capital Sri Lanka's military officials say that their soldiers have entered the Tamil Tiger rebels' de facto capital in the north for the first time in a decade. Australia says it will likely reject a U.S. request to accept detainees from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp for terror suspects.
Europe
Russia, Ukraine say gas dispute won't hurt Europe MOSCOW - Russia made good on its threat to cut off all natural gas supplies to Ukraine on Thursday — but the two uneasy neighbors took great pains to make sure their contract dispute would not leave Europe short of gas just as winter set in.Ukraine to pay Russia $1.5 billion for gas supplies Danish police arrest Palestinian on suspicion of shooting Israelis at shopping mall Timing of shooting raised speculations shooting may be a protest against Israel's campaign in Gaza.	Blazing new year as Paris cars torched By a so-far unidentified group demanding a withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan. ... Monitors withdraw from Georgia The closing procedure will take several months Vatican divorces from Italian law The Vatican will no longer automatically adopt laws passed by Italy, because of possible conflicts with Church principles.
Africa
Somali pirates seize Egyptian ship; Tanker saved CAIRO, Egypt - Somali pirates seized an Egyptian cargo ship and its 28 crewmembers on Thursday while a Malaysian military helicopter saved an Indian tanker from being hijacked in the new year's first attacks by pirates in the dangerous Gulf of Aden. US fails to break Somali Islamists It was the bombing of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania by al-Qaeda in 1998 - attacks that left hundreds dead and thousands wounded - that ...	Sudan flies new jets in show of military muscle Diplomats attending the parade said they saw several missiles and Iranian multi-barreled rocket launchers. Four jet planes Malaysian chopper saves Indian tanker from pirates A maritime official says a Malaysian naval helicopter has saved an Indian ship from pirates in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia. Cholera sickens 30,000 in Zimbabwe the numbers continues to mount.
The Americas
Venezuela slashes US dollar quota The Venezuelan government has cut the official number of US dollars Venezuelans can buy for use abroad from $6000 to $3400 a year. Five dead, 65 wounded, in grenade attack in Colombia At least five people were killed and 65 people were wounded during a New Year's celebration in northern Colombia, police officials said Thursday. Mexico to lift ban on 20 meat plants Mexico has lifted import restrictions on 20 of about 31 US meat plants, reversing bans imposed last week 12 dead in northern Mexico are latest drug war victims	Recession reports - Colombian unemployment rate up by 11% AP reported that Colombia's unemployment rate rose to 10.8% in November 2008 as the world financial crisis slowed economic growth. 5630 Execution Murders in Mexico in 2008: Mexican Drug Cartels During 2008, the narco-war left an historic record of 5630 execution murders in Mexico, in the past four years Bolivia to export duty-free textile to Venezuela Bolivia will export with zero duty the first batch of textile to Venezuela before Jan. 15, President Evo Morales said Thursday. Mexico deports more Guatemalans than US
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Coleman Files Another Lawsuit as Recount Nears Deadline In the final hours of the calendar year, Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) filed a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court to stop the sorting of improperly rejected absentee ballots and to centralize the process for counting those ballots.

Oil ends worst year in Nymex history