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Last Update: Friday, January 22, 2010 |
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World Headlines
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Afghanistan
Afghan president's new Cabinet picks include controversial figure President Hamid Karzai drops one warlord and three associates of a former militia commander from his list, but a new nominee has been linked to an insurgent leader. New Afghan Cabinet Picks Still Generate Resistance Displeasure over the new nominees could prolong the stalemate that has left Afghanistan without a fully functional government since the presidential election. Powerful Warlord Rejected for Afghan Cabinet Afghanistan’s parliament has rejected the powerful warlord Ismail Khan for a new term as the country’s energy minister US-Led Forces Accused of Executing Schoolchildren in Afghanistan In Afghanistan, hundreds have taken to the streets of Kabul and elsewhere to protest the US killing of civilians. The incident that has sparked the most outrage took place in eastern Kunar on December 27th, when ten Afghans, eight of them schoolchildren, were killed. According to the Times of London, US-led troops dragged innocent children from their beds and shot them during a nighttime raid.THOUSANDS OF AFGHANS PROTEST KILLINGS OF CHILDREN: 'DEATH TO AMERICA!' Suicide bombing at CIA camp in Afghanistan likely revenge attack by Taliban warlord - a former ally....Suicide Bomber Who Killed CIA Employees Was Invited On Base, Not Searched ....Jordanian double-agent killed CIA officers perpetrator of Afghan attack was supposed to infiltrate al-Qaida The suicide bombing on a CIA base in Afghanistan last week was carried out by a Jordanian doctor who was an al-Qaida double agent Jordan wanted CIA bomber to help find al-Qaida figure....2 Blackwater Guards Among Dead At Afghan CIA Base...Official: Bomber in CIA attack was doctor Iraq Moussa:Iraq-Iran oil crisis major issue Arab League Secretary General Amro Moussa affirmed in a press conference that Al Fakka oil well crisis is a major and dangerous issue. Moussa held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki and head of Iranian Shora Council Ali Larijani in this regard. A senior Iraqi official confirmed Barazani, Top U.S. Commander Discuss Security Coordination The president of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, Massoud al-Barazani, has met with the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. Raymond Odierno, to discuss security cooperation between U.S. troops, the Iraqi army and the Peshmerga forces. Iraq Cabinet ratifies all oil contracts (Tony Blair's Communications Chief) Alastair Campbell had Iraq dossier changed to fit US claims Iraq bars 14 politicians, parties from election Fourteen Iraqi politicians and parties linked to Saddam Hussein's Baath party have been barred from taking part in March elections, in a blow for efforts towards national reconciliation. Iraq to Begin Oil Shipping Iraq plans to begin crude oil shipping operations in March as it prepares to export larger volumes of crude in the future, the head of Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organisation said. No U.S. war deaths in Iraq in December Why Iran's kidnap squad struck The Quds force runs overseas intelligence operations for the Iranian government. And the Iranian regime's motives for the abduction can be confirmed: retaliation for the arrest of key Iranians in Iraq by the United States Iraq confiscates arms in private security crackdown (military contractors) Pakistan Pakistan Suicide Bomber Kills 75 At Volleyball Tournament The Americas U.S. drug cartel crackdown misses the money Every day, criminals shove proceeds from U.S. drug sales in their shoes, tape it to their torsos, stash it under dashboards — or just wire it electronically to Mexico. It all adds up to $25 billion a year. Mexico seizes alleged drug lord Police arrest brother of cartel leader shot dead by troops....Staged photos of slain drug lord stir controversy Images of Arturo Beltran Leyva's corpse covered with blood-stained peso notes and jewelry raise concerns that law enforcement is adopting the tactics of hit men. An inquiry is underway. ....Will the violent death of Mexican drug lord Arturo Beltran Leyva bring more bloodshed? Mexican Drug Cartel Stitches Rival's Face Onto Soccer Ball US denies Chavez claim that jets intercepted American plane Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said Friday he sent two F-16 jets to intercept and escort a US military plane out of the South American nation's airspace, a claim denied by US officials. Venezuela begins 2010 with electricity rationing Evo Morales, the Best Ally of the Middle Class Just five years ago, an alliance between an indigenous leader and Bolivia's small but influential middle class seemed virtually impossible. Black activists launch rare attack on Cuba about racism Arrest warrants issued for Honduran military high command Asia China hits at US missile sales to Taiwan Beijing has denounced the sale of advanced air defence missiles by the US to Taiwan, the first arms deal involving Taipei to be completed under Barack Obama, the US president BURMA: China’s Oil, Gas Pipelines Recipe for Abuse, Warn Activists China’s growing dependence on military-ruled Burma to meet its energy demands is poised to take concrete form when, according to activists, work commences in the coming months on the construction of oil and gas pipelines. CLIMATE CHANGE: Water Is the Missing Link in Copenhagen When the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) announced the grim news that 2009 is likely to rank in the top 10 warmest on record, the U.N. agency also stressed last week the widespread water-related calamities caused by global warming. |
Middle East Gunmen Kill 7 at Egypt Church After Christmas Mass Yemen Source: U.S. Lenient With Houthis – So As Not To Anger Iran A high-ranking Yemeni diplomatic source in Cairo has claimed that the U.S. is refraining from dealing harshly with the Houthi rebels, in order not to anger Iran. Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al-Kirbi denied that the U.S. attacked Al-Qaeda ... Fox News leads in coverage of Schalit story The Prime Minister's Office denies using the US network to bypass censor. Israel opens second banned highway to Palestinians before Mitchell visit Israel high court overturned a ban on Palestinian use of a highway that cuts through the West Bank ahead of a visit by US Middle East Envoy George Mitchell next week 'Hamas-Iran alliance harms Palestinians' Fatah official says Islamist group has turned Palestinian cause into "cheap card in Iran's hands." Israel to Build 700 Apartments in E. Jerusalem Israeli pleads guilty to leaking classified U.S. documents An Israeli lawyer and left-wing activist who worked as a linguist for the FBI has pleaded guilty to leaking classified documents to a blogger who posted the information online US Arms Used for War Crimes in Gaza What Israel Can Teach the World About Airport Security Israel harvested organs in '90s without permission Body parts taken from Israeli soldiers, Israeli citizens, Palestinians. Iran protests reported US Navy incident Iran sent a letter to the U.N. protesting what it called an unlawful attack by the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf that caused an Iranian fishing boat to sink Taiwan Firm: China Got Iran Part With Nuke Uses A Taiwanese company agreed to a request from a firm in China to procure sensitive components with nuclear uses, then shipped them to Iran, the firm’s head said Friday. Such transactions violate U.N. sanctions imposed on the Middle Eastern nation. "Dealing with Iran" Robert Baer author and former CIA operative Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes former CIA operative Robert Baer for a discussion of his book on Iran--The Devil We Know... Foreigners 'among Iran arrests' Spy chief says detainees had been leading "psychological war" against Tehran. Iranian Website: Iran Can Jam U.S. Radar Systems Iran Shielding Nuclear Efforts in Tunnel Mazes Iran has shielded its infrastructure from attack in dense rock and further obscured the scale and nature of its nuclear effort, complicating the West’s military calculus. Chinese Evade U.S. Sanctions on Iran Chinese companies banned from doing business in the U.S. for allegedly selling missile technology to Iran continue to do a brisk trade with American companies, according to an analysis of shipping records. Europe Italian riots spark debate over racism An army of bulldozers Monday in Rosarno in southern Italy began crushing the immigrants' makeshift barracks. BBC PROBE CASTS DOUBT ON LOCKERBIE EVIDENCE A BBC investigation has cast doubt on key evidence in the case against the Libyan convicted of blowing up a US jet over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988, the broadcaster said Wednesday. Colombian FARC rebels, al-Qaeda joining forces to smuggle cocaine into Europe, says DEA Germany knows nothing of alleged CIA murder plot The German government said on Monday it knew nothing about a magazine report that the CIA had planned a secret operation to kill a German-Syrian in Hamburg linked to the September 11 attacks Czech Republic legalizes drugs Various amounts of numerous substances become legal as of Jan. 1. Northern Ireland's largest Protestant militia surrenders weapons France to introduce body scans for US-bound passengers Police killed in Dagestan attack Car bomber detonates explosives after being rammed by police jeep at gate of traffic depot Bomb set off near Greek parliament Explosion rattles Athens after warning allegedly placed to local paper. Bomb suspect "reached out" to UK militants: report UBS data release 'violated law' Swiss financial regulator FINMA violated the law by authorising UBS to hand over details of 300 clients to US authorities, a Swiss court has ruled. On 18 February 2009, FINMA decided to allow UBS to transfer client data to the US BBC Airing Guantnamo Guard/Detainee ReunionAfrica Ugandan lawmaker refuses to pull 'kill the gays' bill Somali militants force WFP exit The UN's World Food Programme suspends its operations in large parts of southern Somali because of threats from Islamist militants. 1M Somalis Face Starvation as WFP Suspends Food Aid |
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US Headlines |
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US Schools are More Segregated Today than in the 1950s Nuclear Waste Pools in North Carolina EPA Sets Strict New Smog Limits Missouri's yoga enthusiasts go to the mat over sales tax The state, which views the discipline as strictly recreational, has levied a 4% tax on studio owners and instructors. But yogis say their pastime should be exempt as a spiritual pursuit. US lifts HIV/Aids immigration ban Raw Story makes 'censored' list Report on Mike Connell's death called the 12th most censored story of 2009. Karl Rove’s chief IT consultant, Mike Connell—who was facing subpoena in connection with 2004 Presidential election fraud in Ohio—mysteriously died in a private plane crash in 2008. Connell was allegedly the central figure in a longstanding plot to electronically flip votes to Republicans. Top 25 Censored Stories for 2010 H&M, Wal-Mart DESTROY Unused Clothing Instead Of Giving To Shelters Lawsuit: Goldman Sachs bonuses bigger than its earnings A lawsuit filed against investment bank Goldman Sachs by a shareholder alleges that the company spent more money on corporate bonuses than it earned in 2008. Apartheid lawsuit goes forward against Ford, GM, IBM In a move that will serve as a warning to corporations that aid governments in flagrant abuses of human rights, a federal judge in Manhattan has allowed a lawsuit to go forward against IBM, General Motors, Ford and other corporations over their roles in South Africa's three-decade-long apartheid policy Judge slams Bank of America Charged with lying to investors, BoA tries to use media reports as evidence. Why UBS Whistleblower Who Exposed Tax Evasion Is 'The Only One Going To Jail' A former banker for the Swiss giant UBS who blew the whistle on the biggest tax-evasion scheme in US history is preparing to head to prison tomorrow to begin serving a forty-month federal sentence. Bradley Birkenfeld first came forward to US authorities in 2007 and began providing inside information on how UBS was helping thousands of Americans hide assets in secret Swiss accounts Judge throws out Blackwater guards' charges in Iraqi deaths The judge did not rule on the substance of the charges against the security guards, but instead decided that prosecutors had wrongly relied on what the guards told State Department investigators shortly after the incident. As government contractors, the Blackwater employees were required to speak to an investigator after a shooting. U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina said that the use of these statements -- which were given with a promise of immunity -- violated the defendants' rights against compelled self-incrimination. Bomber says in video that he shared U.S. secrets A Pakistani TV station airs video purportedly showing the Jordanian who bombed a CIA outpost telling a Taliban leader that he gave U.S. and Jordanian intelligence to fellow militants. 'Information overload' for US spy agencies? Analysts say US intelligence officials are hampered by their own vast bureaucracy.CIA promises to change Following bomb attempt, Director Panetta orders faster intel dissemination. Review criticises US intelligence Barack Obama receives an initial report into the failures of agencies in the foiled Christmas attack Pentagon calls spy critique "irregular" The Pentagon expressed surprise on Tuesday at the irregular way in which the U.S. military's intelligence chief in Afghanistan aired his criticism of spy agencies Lessons learned from 9/11 terrorist attacks? The attempted Christmas Day bombing of a commercial airliner has renewed questions of whether the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission have been taken seriously. U.S. scanners went unused at Nigeria airport The U.S. gave Nigeria four full-body scanners for its international airports in 2008 to detect explosives and drugs, but none were used on the man suspected of trying to blow up a jetliner. Science New findings on dark energy back discarded Einstein theory Scientists have found that dark energy, the force thought to be accelerating the expansion of the universe, may be doing the same thing to local groups of galaxies. That bolsters Einstein's idea of a 'cosmological constant.' Dark matter 'beach ball' unveiled The halo of dark matter surrounding our galaxy is shaped like a "squashed beach ball", according to astronomers. Hubble Telescope Captures Earliest Photo Of Universe Radiation Fears From Full-Body Scans? Privacy, not radiation exposure, should be concern, say experts. Economy Surging ocean of greed' on Wall St. Moyers, guests attack financial industry's 'credibility gap' on PBS. U.S.: Poorest Families Face Widening Housing Gap Sandy Weill, Former Citi CEO, Has Trophy That Reads 'Glass-Steagall Shatterer' Glass-Steagall -- the legislation that required commercial and investment banking institutions to remain separate -- was the key piece of legislation that helped Citigroup morph into the banking behemoth it has become. By extension, it helped Weill's net worth skyrocket. Is China headed for a big real estate bubble? Bernanke Says Low Rates Didn't Cause House Bubble; Regulation Best Answer Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the central bank’s low interest rates didn’t cause the past decade’s housing bubble and that better regulation would have been more effective in limiting the boom. THE LOST DECADE: Zero Net Job Creation Since Dec. 1999 BANKS TO BOMBARD CUSTOMERS WITH NEW FEES IN 2010 Monopoly Capitalism Is the Root of All of America's Problems The Problem With Derivatives Last week, the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), a Washington nonprofit group, wrote to House Agriculture committee chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), warning him that he was in danger of gutting his own bill. The bill in question supposedly aims to regulate derivatives, the complex financial products that some people believe bear part of the blame for the financial crisis Reasonably High Chance' the Economy will Contract NEW YEAR, SAME WALL STREET Too Big To Fire? 92% Of Managers At Top Bailout Recipients Are Still In Same Jobs |
BORDER
SECURITY FOUND OUT ABOUT ACCUSED BOMBER DURING FLIGHT...Officials
Decided To Question Abdulmutallab In Detroit Airport security 'not effective' - 29 Dec 09 Later that year he warned a Northwest flight from Amsterdam to the US could become the target of an attack. U.S.: Suspect gave 'actionable' intel The FBI attained "actionable intelligence" from bombing suspect Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab in the first hours after his arrest on Christmas Day, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. Christmas plot suspect says 20 others in training, US media say The suspect in the botched Christmas Day attack on a US-bound plane, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, revealed during interrogation that 20 other Muslim men were being trained to blow up jetliners, a US broadcaster reported on Friday. How to Avoid Another Waco: Keeping the Peace in 10-Year Standoff with Armed Family Compound John Joe Gray has been in a standoff for 10 years, raising the question of when it's worth risking bloodshed to enforce the law. Officials Hid Truth About Immigrant Deaths in Jail Airlines: New rules keep passengers in seats Some airlines were telling passengers on Saturday that new government security regulations prohibit them from leaving their seats beginning an hour before landing...Obama Orders Surge In Air Marshal Force By February 1....U.S. Issues Tighter Airport Security Rules, All Passengers From 14 'Countries Of Interest' Will Be Patted Down And Have Carry-Ons Searched US Spends Ten Times More On Afghanistan Than Airport Security Secret chemicals raise health risks Pressure is building on lawmakers to make it more difficult for manufacturers to cloak the types of chemicals in their products. Politics FEDERAL RESERVE SEEKS TO BLOCK RELEASE OF U.S. BAILOUT SECRETS GEITHNER'S NEW YORK FED PUSHED AIG TO KEEP SWEETHEART DEALS SECRET....Geithner-led Federal Reserve Bank pressed AIG to Withhold Swap Info from Public...TYT: Tim Geithner Tried to Cover Up Money Going to Top Banks Bailed out Banks and America’s Wealthiest Cheat IRS Out of Billions Bank Bailout Recipients Spent to Defeat Labor On October 17, 2008, three days after Bank of America Corporation received $25 billion in federal bailout funds, they hosted a conference call to organize opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). Participants, including AIG, were urged to persuade their clients to send “large contributions” to groups working against the EFCA, as well as to vulnerable Senate Republicans who could be used to help block the passage of the pro labor bill that would make it easier for employees to organize into unions. Judge throws out most evidence against Guantanamo detainee who claims coercion in Afghanistan A federal judge has tossed out most of the government's evidence against a tarrorism detainee on grounds his confessions were coerced, allegedly by U.S. forces, before he became a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay. Pentagon: 20% of Freed Gitmo Prisoners Engage in Militant Activity
CIA
SAID TO ORDER BLACKWATER MURDER OF
9/11 SUSPECT
Reliance on contractors sparks oversight concerns The growing number of contractors in Afghanistan is outpacing the ability to oversee them, raising concerns that the waste and fraud that marred the U.S. mission in Iraq will be repeated, lawmakers said Thursday.... McCaskill says put cameras in the House and Senate for health care debate House Democratic Leaders Respond to Questions Regarding C-SPANs Letter on Health ....The C-SPAN Lie - Health Care Debate Live on TV? Prices Soar on Drugs Prices for a small but growing number of brand-name drugs have risen more than twofold in recent years as drug makers seek to squeeze greater profits out of often small-selling but vital medicine Amish families exempt from insurance mandate GOP Rep. Says Single-Payer Health Care 'Works' Congress Invested in Defense Contracts The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics has calculated that more than 151 members of Congress have up to $195 million invested in major defense contractors that are earning profits from the US military occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Newsweek: White House Advisor Briefed In October On Underwear Bomb Technique Former Bush officials avoid publicly supporting Obama’s policies out of fear of ‘Cheney’s circle.’ Obama Appoints Transgender Woman To Commerce Post OBAMA'S SECOND MORTGAGE PLAN A BUST Obama mulls 'fee on banks': reports Harry Reid Apologizes For 'No Negro Dialect' Comment....Republicans call on Senator Reid to quit post The Republican Party chief called on Senator Harry Reid on Sunday to step down as Senate majority leader over racial comments about President Barack Obama Obama: No sackings over bomb plot US president takes blame for intelligence failures but Yemen, Britain and Nigeria pass buck over their roles Roll Call: How they voted on drug imports plan The 51-48 roll call Tuesday by which the Senate rejected a plan that would allow Americans to import low-cost prescriptions from abroad. Sixty votes were needed to pass the measure GOP TO OPPOSE INDEPENDENT CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY Steele: Bush Was ‘Right’ To Wait Six Days To Respond To Shoe Bomber, But Obama Was Still Too Slow First of all, Steele is being disingenuous in making it seem like yesterday was the first time Obama commented on the attack. In fact, one of conservatives’ main criticisms was that President Obama waited 72 hours before publicly commenting on the incident (even though he had been actively consulting with his national security experts, who were speaking with the press). |
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Connecticut |
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Murphy pushing to update ‘Buy American’ laws A Connecticut
congressman is among a group of federal lawmakers hoping to update
the country’s “Buy American” laws to help struggling manufacturers. Conn. ends state income tax filing by phone Connecticut's state tax department has eliminated its once-popular Telefile service, which let people complete their state income tax returns by telephone. State Board Of Education Discourages So-Called Tracking In Schools The State Board of Education voted Wednesday to oppose the longtime practice of tracking students by academic ability, saying it funnels a disproportionate number of low-income and minority students to less challenging classes that hurt their chances to succeed. More Residents Turning To State For Food And Medical Care Former CEO Of Haven Healthcare Pleads Guilty To Fraud Raymond Termini, former CEO of the troubled Haven Healthcare nursing home chain, pleaded guilty Tuesday to misusing millions of dollars in a pair of fraudulent schemes that could send him to prison for 15 years. 13-Year Old Boy Arrested In New Haven Shooting New Haven: Man Fatally Shot In Head Sunday 6 Overnight Attacks A 19-year-old Northford man said six males “approached” him on Exchange Street around 10:20 p.m. A fight broke out. He was stabbed five times in the back; his lung collapsed.Lieberman's Approval Ratings Tank In Connecticut Sheriffs: Who Needs 'Em?...Connecticut Marshals Make Millions Serving Foreclosure Papers ... |
Conn. Police: Ex-Bush Lawyer Tried to Kill
Wife
A onetime top attorney to former President George W. Bush is accused of trying to kill his wife at their Connecticut home by beating her with a flashlight and choking her. Conn. limits on-campus credit card marketing For credit card marketers, getting the attention of students on many Connecticut campuses will soon be much harder than offering free pizza slices, T-shirts or baseball hats. FEC seeks more information on McMahon spending The Federal Election Commission wants more detail about how Republican U.S. Senate candidate and former World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. CEO Linda McMahon spent more than $567,000 during the startup of her campaign. Conn. official asks court to keep campaign program Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz on Tuesday urged a federal appeals court to reverse a recent decision that struck down Connecticut's public campaign financing program, saying it is too late to change the rules for candidates with an August primary looming. Dodd, D-Conn., to retire from Senate; AG to run Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says he will seek to succeed fellow Democrat Christopher Dodd in the U.S. Senate.Blumenthal to run for Dodd's Senate seat Dodd's departure good for banks? Bank-friendly Sen. Tim Johnson next in line to head banking cmte. |
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| United States | ||
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Honor Tax’ created in Northern California to recognize tribal
residents
In Northern California, local activists
have launched what they’re calling an
“honor tax.” It’s a project organized
around the idea of paying a token sum of
money to the tribal people who
originally occupied the land as a way of
opening a dialogue with the area's
current residents. FSRN's David
Brooksher reports
Security Issues White Power USA: The Rise of Right-Wing Militias in AmericaFACT: "Bush Administration incompetence and negligence made possible the September 11 attacks."
Man Charged With Posing as Secret Service Agent
Federal authorities have arrested and
charged a man for entering U.S. Health and Human Services
headquarters by posing as a U.S. Secret Service agent who needed
to meet with Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Terrorism Mind-reading systems could change air security A would-be terrorist tries to board a plane, bent on mass murder. As he walks through a security checkpoint, fidgeting and glancing around, a network of high-tech machines analyzes his body language and reads his mind. Ann Coulter: Full Body Scanners Are Useless, Can't Stop 'Foreskin' and 'Anus' Bombs....Child Porn Fears Block Under 18s From Full-Body Scanners 2 arrested in investigation of NYC bomb plot Two men were arrested Friday in the investigation of a bomb plot targeting New York City that previously led to charges against a Colorado airport driver. US' racial profiling measures irk Muslim community 13 of 14 countries in the US watch list are Muslim nations Military Suicide Rate Of Veterans Increases SignificantlyUS preparing military for possible Iran conflict Mike Mullen: Though we want to avoid confrontation with Teheran, we're readying for many contingencies. Consumer Protection Safety of Beef Processing Method Is Questioned (injecting beef with ammonia)....Yummy! Ammonia-Treated Pink Slime Now in Most U.S. Ground Beef You're not going to believe what millions of Americans have been eating the last few years (Thanks, Bush! Thanks meat industry lobbyists!). Nasal swine flu vaccine recalled over potency Taser's newest weapon: Mobile phone monitoring The phone application, called "Mobile Protector," allows a parent to screen a child's incoming and outgoing calls and messages, block particular numbers and even listen in on a conversation. Panty Bomber Union: All in-air flights should have been informed The federal Transportation Security Administration failed to notify most airborne flight crews of the failed Christmas Day terrorist attack on a U.S.-bound plane, an airline pilots union said Wednesday. Napolitano: System Worked Like 'Clockwork ' After Terror Attempt, Not So Sure About Before Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told Jake Tapper on "This Week" that "everything went according to clockwork" in how passengers, crew and the government reacted to the attempted bombing of Flight 253. Suicide bomber radicalized by US foreign policy: Reports....Yemen: Plane bomb suspect met with radical cleric Detroit explosive common, easily detectible The explosive device used by the would-be Detroit bomber contained a widely available - and easily detected - chemical explosive that has a long history of terrorist use, according to government officials and explosive experts Al Qaeda Group Used Underwear Bomb Before Bomber detonated underpants in attack on Saudi counterintel chief, but killed only self. U.S. officials investigate Somali case for links to Detroit incident Last month a man allegedly carrying chemicals and a syringe was arrested before boarding a plane in Mogadishu. Similar items were allegedly used in the attempted bombing Christmas Day. Courts Supreme Court to weigh NFL and antitrust laws The justices will consider whether the pro football league is shielded from such laws; a ruling in the NFL's favor could let it raise ticket prices and limit player salaries.
$24 billion lawsuit filed against Credit Suisse Property owners at four
struggling and bankrupt resorts in Idaho, Montana, Nevada and the Bahamas have
filed a $24 billion federal lawsuit against Credit Suisse Group, saying the
banking giant gave predatory loans to the resorts' investors as part of a scheme
to take over the properties.
Judge Lifts Some Limits on Tobacco Ads and Labels A federal judge in Kentucky issued a mixed ruling Tuesday in the first major challenge to a federal law regulating tobacco. Judge allows wild horse roundup in Nevada The Obama administration said Wednesday it is going forward with a contentious plan to round up about 2,500 wild horses in Nevada Judge rules for Ringling Bros. in elephant case A federal judge Wednesday ruled in favor of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in a case brought by animal rights activists who accused the circus of abusing elephants Court: Vatican Bank can't be tried in U.S. for storing Nazi loot. Court spectator sues judge for drug-testing him ‘on a hunch’ A Tennessee judge who ordered a court spectator to submit to a drug test based "on a hunch" is being sued for infringing on the spectator's constitutional rights. The lawsuit says Judge Moore was publicly censured by the Tennessee Supreme Court last May over the incident, and was ordered "to never violate a person’s constitutional rights as he did to the plaintiff." California judge to put landmark gay marriage case on YouTube A federal judge ruled Wednesday that video of the case challenging California’s Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage can be shown on YouTube. Proceedings are set to start Monday....Supreme Court blocks broadcast of trial on Calif. ban of gay marriage Calif. judge orders police to return man's 60 pounds of pot No right to bear unlicensed machine guns, federal court says Tennessee State Guard commander Richard Hamblen said it's his Second Amendment right as part of a militia to convert assault rifles into fully automatic weapons. The Sixth US Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed.
New Agent Orange ruling could cost
Veterans Administration millions The
cost of war -- on veterans' health and
taxpayer wallets -- will loom a little
larger in the new year when the
Department of Veterans Affairs issues a
final rule to claim adjudicators to
presume three more diseases of Vietnam
veterans, including heart disease, were
caused by exposure to Agent Orange.
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Media TSA ditches journo subpoenas Had pressured bloggers into revealing who leaked security procedures doc Union mocks Limbaugh's 'love' of socialized medicine "The treatment I received here was the best that the world has to offer," he said of services rendered at Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu.Hawaii, however, is the closest thing the United States has to socialized medicine. Limbaugh’s ‘Dandy’ Health Care Provided By Union Nurses Broadcasters' Woes Could Spell Trouble for Free TV Assailed by cable and the Web, broadcast TV looks to build a new business model Beyoncé and the $2m gig for Colonel Gaddafi's waster son Did Beyoncé not have any idea about who was paying for her services? None other than Hannibal Gaddafi, the out-of-control son of the Libyan leader
Comcast, FCC take net neutrality dispute to
court The Federal Communications
Commission staked out new ground nearly
three months ago when it began drafting
rules that would require Internet providers
to give equal treatment to all data flowing
over their networks....
Police/Prison
Houston police film drone spy-jet test
KPRC news in Houston recently filmed a secret
experiment by law enforcement agencies including the Dept. of
Homeland Security of a drone intended to spy on Americans. Police: 3 people shot at St. Louis factory NBA Teammates Drew Guns On Each Other In Locker Room Despite recession, crime keeps falling 2 guards shot in Las Vegas federal building At least two U.S. marshals were wounded Monday when a gunman opened fire in the lobby of a federal building Phoenix kidnappings decline Abductions in Phoenix, known as America’s kidnapping capital, were on track to decrease modestly in 2009, and police attributed the expected decline to better efforts at targeting the drug and immigrant smugglers who are committing a majority of those crimes. Accused Holocaust Museum Gunman Dies in Prison Policeman Suspended For Having Sex In Church During Service Civil Rights Canadian Muslim refused entry into US Ayat Manna, 25, of Dartmouth, said she thinks she was picked out of the crowd Monday night because she wears a Muslim headscarf. She said U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents questioned her for four hours, fingerprinted her and then escorted her out of the airport. MT legalizes doctor-assisted suicide State Supreme Court ruling makes Montana 3rd state in US to legalize euthanasia. Army imprisons soldier for lyrical hip hop 'threats' Native American Rights Under Assault Civil rights hero caught in corruption probe to begin serving sentence Bobby DeLaughter -- the prosecutor who secured the conviction in the infamous Medgar Evers Mississippi murder case -- is himself now headed to prison 12% of kids sexually abused in government custody Christians assail transgender woman Group: Obama appointee is 'the normalization of sexual deviancy'. U.N. Still to Accredit Its First U.S. LGBT Group Environment It's manatee vs. military in pending habitat ruling Dreemgreen recognizes that every person makes an impact on our environment. Instead of relying on governments and corporations to make environmentally friendly changes, we take the power into our own hands. dreemgreen.net is updated daily to stay current with our ever changing environment. On dreemgreen.net you'll find information about our environment, and things you can do to help improve it. Intelligence Images of Climate Change The C.I.A. is releasing intelligence data to top scientists so they can better study environmental change. Above, a satellite image of the East Siberian Sea. New York's Attorney General: Asian carp will hurt Great Lakes industry 2 tribes fight wind turbines to protect sacred sites, rituals U.S.: Aging Coal Plants Still a Fixture in South As governments negotiate future greenhouse gas emissions in Copenhagen, a recent report from Environment America has highlighted the problem of the United States' older coal-fired power plants, which generated nearly three-quarters of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from power plants in 2007. Rachel Maddow Interviews Bob Barker on Whaling Incident, Animal Overpopulation Drug War Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, a Seattle Democrat who said that she "wanted to start a strong conversation about the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana." Under her bill, marijuana would be sold in Washington state's 160 state-run liquor stores, and customers, 21 and older, would pay a tax of 15 percent per gram. Dickerson said the measure could eventually bring in as much to state coffers as alcohol does, more than $300 million a year. Graphic guide to injecting heroin causes controversy in New York The best evidence for that can be found in Portugal: they decriminalized all drugs about five years ago and have subsequently seen cuts of about 50% in addiction and addiction-related crime.
US:
Reconsidering
War on Drugs
As the war
on drugs
moves closer
to home and
a new
administration
presents new
ideas
Education S.D. college students protest at governor's office San Diego City College students were escorted out of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Front Street office Monday afternoon after they staged a sit-in during the morning to protest recent budget cut Mich. High School Students in Trouble for Twin Towers Shirts At least nine Detroit area high school juniors are in trouble for wearing sweat shirts bearing a design that evokes the terrorist attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center's Twin Towers. |
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| Science | History Resources | |
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Top 10 Medical Events Of The Decade Scientists say dolphins should be treated as 'non-human persons' Scientists say dolphins should be treated as 'non-human persons' Dolphins have been declared the world’s second most intelligent creatures after humans NASA’s newest telescope discovers 2 unidentifiable objects NASA’s new planet-hunting telescope has found two mystery objects that are too hot to be planets and too small to be stars. NASA Captures Comet Being 'Eaten' By The Sun Study finds medication of little help to patients with mild, moderate depression Cell Phones May Protect Brain From Alzheimer's Millions of us use cell phones every day. Now a new study finds that the electromagnetic waves typically emitted by cell phones may prevent, and even reverse Alzheimer's Are Anti-Depressants Over-Prescribed? A new study suggests the drugs affect only severely depressed patients. |
Thousands Of Previously Restricted Nixon Documents To Be Released | |
| Politics | Political Resources | |
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Cash Strapped Hawaii Can't Afford
Congressional Election
George H. W. Bush Gets Heckled in a Restaurant Democrats seek to shorten primaries, rein in superdelegates Lawmaker wants military trial for alleged bomber The leading Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee says the Nigerian man accused of attacking an airliner as it approached Detroit should be tried by a military tribunal rather than a civilian court.... Mike Parry, Minnesota State Senate Candidate, Defends Racist Twitter Message Last week, Minnesota State Senate candidate Mike Parry scrubbed from his Twitter account messages calling President Obama a "power hungry arrogant black man" and linking Democrats to pedophiles. Steele uses racial epithet to argue that the GOP doesn’t need to be more moderate: ‘Honest Injun on that.’ Our platform is one of the best political documents that’s been written in the last 25 years. Honest Injun on that. It speaks to some core conservative principles on the value of family, faith, life, economics. Those principles don’t change. “Injun” is a derogatory, offensive racial epithet used against Native Americans that has widely fallen out of favor. It’s ironic that Steele chose that particular phrase when talking about why the GOP’s core principles are still relevant. Senate
CNN's Rick Sanchez Aggressively Confronts Sen. Ensign on Ethics
Issues
Dorgan shocks with retirement One of the top advocates of Native American issues in Congress rocked Washington Jan. 5, announcing he will not run for re-election. Sen. McCain Calls on Justice Dept. to Appeal Blackwater Massacre Case House Fannie, Freddie now a 'public utility' Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) says lenders now a 'public utility' after bailout. Obama TSA nominee misled Congress about accessing confidential records The White House nominee to lead the Transportation Security Administration gave Congress misleading information about incidents in which he inappropriately accessed a federal database Obama criticized on airline incident when Bush wasn't Eight years ago, a terrorist bomber's attempt to blow up a trans-Atlantic airliner was thwarted by passengers and revealed gaping holes in airline security only months after the Sept. 11 attacks. But President George W. Bush, then on vacation, made no public remarks for six days about the so-called shoe bomber, Richard Reid, and there were virtually no complaints from the media or Democrats
State Department says Cuba has detained US
citizen
Just What Did Obama's Executive Order Regarding INTERPOL Do? President's executive order earlier this month on International Criminal Police Organization has spurred accusations on the conservative blogosphere. Lobbying |
Health Insurance Obama Tells House Dems He Wants Health Care 'Cadillac Tax' Unions Rally to Oppose a Proposed Tax on Health Insurance Mayo Clinic in Arizona to Stop Treating Some Medicare Patients The Mayo Clinic, praised by President Barack Obama as a national model for efficient health care, will stop accepting Medicare patients as of tomorrow at one of its primary-care clinics in Arizona, saying the U.S. government pays too little. Seniors worry about Medicare Advantage cuts Insurers constantly caution seniors that their Medicare Advantage perks such as hearing aids, dental payments and even gym memberships will fizzle if Democrats get their way and cut government subsidies for them Arnold Switches On Health Reform: 'Trough Of Bribes, Deals And Loopholes' California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger withdrew his support for President Obama's health care plan today, making him one of the latest politicians to express displeasure with the deals and concessions Democrats have made in order to secure enough votes for the legislation Defense Spending 'Bush sold Arab states arms in violation of deal with Israel' Lawmaker urges NATO to consider arms for Georgia A senior Republican senator is urging the Obama administration and European allies to consider rearming Georgia, an action that would inevitably upset Russia Gates proposes $2 billion for unstable countries Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates proposes a major overhaul of the way the Pentagon and State Department do nation-building with the aim of stabilizing strife-ridden countries. GITMO/Bahgram/CIA-Blacksites
Yoo: 'I had to write'
torture memos
Yoo says he had
no choice but to craft memos
supporting torture.
RIGHTS-US: Guantanamo Prisoners Not "Persons" In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal Monday to review a lower court's dismissal of a case brought by four British former Guantanamo prisoners against former Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the detainees' lawyers charged Tuesday that the country's highest court evidently believes that "torture and religious humiliation are permissible tools for a government to use". Court says US can stay mum about Guantánamo surveillance Court sets new rules for legal challenges at Guantánamo A federal appeals court in Washington ruled against a cook who worked for an Al Qaeda-linked group and was challenging the legality of his detention. The ruling clarified the ground rules for future habeas corpus cases brought by Guantánamo detainees. Treasury/Federal Reserve/Bailouts/SEC/IRS AIG Internal Emails Reveal Worries Over Company's Future As Early As 2007 US Treasury injects 3.8 bln dlrs into ailing GMAC IRS too busy to talk to 30% who call for help Government to give GMAC another $3.8 billion The government is providing a fresh $3.8 billion cash infusion to stabilize GMAC Financial Services as it struggles with hefty losses in its home mortgage unit. |
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| Economy | Click for Economic Statistics | Financial Crisis for Beginners |
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Joe Biden: Why America Needs Trains Home of ‘The Wire’ fears return of the blight The subprime fallout threatens urban renewal in Baltimore, writes Sarah O’Connor Taiwan considers reimposing US beef ban The US is ‘deeply concerned and disappointed’ over the plan by Taiwanese legislators to reinstate a ban on US beef imports that Washington and Taipei had agreed to lift just two months ago Manufacturing grows at fastest pace in 3 years California Lawyer Refuses To Pay BofA Credit Card, Threatens To Sue Ben Pavone told Bank of America in a letter last week that he refuses to pay off his credit card debt until the bank lowers his interest rate. And, he added, if they try to ruin his credit, he'll sue 'em. Morgan Stanley to defer bonuses Morgan Stanley, the second-biggest U.S. securities firm, plans to defer at least 65 percent of year-end bonuses for its top 30 executives to blunt criticism over pay Google wants to buy, sell electricity in US Internet search giant Google is seeking government authority to buy and sell electricity in the United States, a further expansion of its operations aimed at boosting renewable energy. |
Colorado's minimum wage becomes 1st in US to
drop
More cities review corporate tax breaks Year kicks off with jumping energy prices Find A Community Bank Near You... Banks Introduce New Fees To Compensate for Stricter Regulations Unemployment-Claims Data Signal Job Gains Are Near Contrarian Investor Sees Economic Crash in China James Chanos, who predicted Enron’s collapse, insists that the economic boom in China is headed for a fall. Unemployment figures dash hopes for growth in US economy U.S.: Poorest Families Face Widening Housing Gap Hat in hand, U.S. turns to India to create jobs BusinessWeek: States are wooing anyone with hiring plans — even if that means going to the same bunch that have been responsible for hundreds of thousands of jobs going overseas. |
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| Iraq | Map of Iraq | |
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UK denies Iraqi freed in return for hostage
The UK’s foreign office denies that the handing over of an Iraqi
insurgent by the US to the Baghdad government was linked to the
release of Peter Moore, the British IT consultant held hostage
in Iraq since May 2007
Iraq Will Sue Blackwater Guards Iraqi Prisoners ‘Were Sexually Humiliated by Female British Soldier’ (Sexual Abuse Routine by JFIT) Seven killed in Iraq blasts targeting anti-terror chief Iraq frees Shiite militant in exchange for Briton, followers say High-level Iraqi officials refuse to confirm the release of Qais Khazali, which had been billed as a key step before his group would hand over Peter Moore, an abducted Briton who was freed last week. |
U.S. Transferred
Detainee Before
Hostage ReleaseThe U.S. turned
over Qais al-Khazali,
one of the
suspected
leaders of a
Shiite insurgent
group believed
to be behind the
kidnapping of
Peter Moore, to
Iraqi
authorities.
Iraq Hostage Was Given A Playstation By Captors Iraqi governor hit in twin blasts At least 24 people die in two suicide blasts in the Iraqi city of Ramadi, with the provincial governor wounded. Iraq to Switch US Oil Pricing Benchmark Iraq is likely to switch the benchmark for pricing its crude exports to the United States to a sour crude index from NYMEX US light sweet crude futures, the head of state oil marketing said yesterday. |
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| Middle East | Map of the Middle East | |
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Iran
<Click
for video and history> Iran repression: 'When men saw women being beaten they snapped' Ayatollah Khamenei Loves Caviar And Vulgar Jokes, Defector Claims Turkmenistan, Iran set to open new gas pipeline
Iran Accuses Five of Warring Against God At least five protesters arrested during
anti-government demonstrations will be tried on charges that
carry the death sentence.
Iranian Opposition Leader's Car Shot At Iran University Professors Denounce Crackdown Iran university professors denounce crackdown in letter to supreme leader. Iran and Iraq hold border talks Iran cites 60 groups as 'soft war' agents Iranian report: 5 Ashura protesters could face death penalty Iranian Patrol Detains 2 Iraqi Fishermen in Shatt al-Arab An Iranian patrol on Tuesday detained two Iraqi fishermen in Shatt al-Arab, according to an official source in al-Fao.. 30 Iranian mothers arrested at peaceful gathering, group says Iran Warns West It Will Make Its Own Nuclear Fuel Turkey Turkey to carry on building controversial Ilisu dam on Tigris Turkey will carry on with its controversial Ilisu dam project on the Tigris and has secured credit from three Turkish banks for financing, Environment Minister Veysel Eroglu said. Western export credit insurers earlier said they had renounced the project because it did not meet World Bank standards Turkey wants the remains of old St Nick Turkey will ask for the return of the bones of Saint Nicholas, who Father Christmas is modelled on, from their display in Italy, local media reported on Friday. Yemen Since the summer of 2009, hundreds have been killed and tens of thousands displaced by clashes between government troops and north-western rebels belonging to the Zaidi sect, a branch of Shia Islam in the mainly Sunni country. The conflict has acquired a regional dimension, with the Yemeni authorities accusing Iran of backing the rebels, while the rebels accuse Saudi Arabia of supporting the Yemeni government.US steps up 'aid' to Yemen Sharply increasing military, econ. help to fight 'growing threat from al-Qaeda.' Embassies shut after 'Yemen lost track of arms trucks' ...U.S. Embassy Reopens in Yemen Yemen Security Forces Clash With Al-Qaida, Embassies Remain Closed...Missing arms spark Yemen alert' Yemen Opposes Any US Troops In Terror Fight Yemen uses “combating terrorism” to crack down on media US military intervention could strengthen Qaeda: Yemen 'Yemen's child soldiers go to war' YEMEN: Govt security forces launch offensive against al Qaeda Yemen says more than 30 Qaeda suspects held Saudi Arabia VP Urges Saudi King to Put an End to Offences Against Shiite Cleric Iraq’s Shiite Vice President Adel Abdulmahdi has called on King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to immediately intervene to put an end to what he described as “offences” by some Saudi preachers against top Shiite Cleric Ali al-Sistani. |
Israel
What Israel Can Teach the World About Airport Security Apropos, in a similar vein, after 9/11, when, on American flights, we were being handed plastic cutlery, flights from Israel continued to use stainless steel. Israel was less concerned with the symbols of apparent security -- the "Mickey-Mouse stuff," as someone called it -- and more focused on what constituted its real elements. In fact, speaking of marshals, in 2001, Richard Reid, who was later to become the notorious shoe bomber, flew on El Al. According to a CBS news report, while the Israelis didn't have enough on him at the time to keep him off the plane, they were suspicious. They examined everything before he boarded and then, for good measure, placed a marshal in the adjoining seat. If he was on a scouting mission, he got the point and looked elsewhere. U.S. not opposed to Israel pumping more funds into settlements Turkey President: I'll visit Israel only after life in Gaza improves Israel to Build New Israeli-Only Highway in West Bank Israel to Pay U.N. $10.5 Million for Gaza Damage Galloway in fresh Gaza convoy plea UK politician again urges Egypt to allow aid convoy access to Gaza through Red Sea port Are IDF dogs trained to pounce all who say 'God is great' in Arabic? The Israel Defense Forces has not denied allegations that it trains its canines to attack anybody heard saying Allah Hu Akbar, Arabic for 'God is great Eiland calls to establish 'US of Jordan' Fmr. nat'l security adviser's vision of Jordan would include East Bank, W. Bank and the Gaza Strip. Are Taliban descendants of Israelites? Government scholarship awarded to scientist researching DNA link with remote Afghani tribe. Hamas preparing 'offensive' tunnels Majority of Israelis oppose gender-segregated buses Ninety percent of country's Jewish adults support elimination or limitation of sex-segregated lines. Lieberman: No peace deal in next 10 to 20 years Foreign Minister also rules out Turkish mediation in peace negotiations with Syria. Pro-Israeli lobby sues Hamas in Belgium Mashaal, Haniyeh among those targeted by lawsuit filed on behalf of 15 Gaza periphery residents. Lebanon LEBANON: Hip-hop Kindles Hopes in Destroyed Refugee Camp The hip-hop beats ringing through the muddy, unlit streets of this burnt-out Palestinian refugee camp seem incongruous. But the rhymes are camp-grown - and courageous. Lebanon asks US to reverse ban on Hezbollah TV Lebanese President Michel Sleiman has urged the United States to reverse a decision to ban the Hezbollah television channel, Al-Manar, during talks with US Senator John MCain. EgyptEgypt building iron wall on Gaza border to stop tunnel smuggling
Egypt deports
British MP
Galloway Syria
Syria: All Israeli PMs since '91 have agreed to Golan pullout |
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| Afghanistan | Map of Afghanistan | |
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French Journalists, Guides Missing In Afghanistan Blast Injures Governor of Afghanistan's Khost 14 Taliban fighters die while booby-trapping a mini-truck. Afghans agree to take over U.S. prison at Bagram Afghan Official: Blast Kills 2 Children Afghan official says blast kills 2 children, wounds 3 U.S. soldiers. West repeating mistakes of the past in Afghanistan says ex-commander Major-General Andrew Mackay, who led British troops in southern Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008 and who resigned his post in September, said earlier this week that the armed forces engaged in the fight for Afghanistan had failed to understand the culture and motivations of the Afghan people and had failed to adapt to modern conflict. |
CIA takes on expanded role on front
lines Even as the CIA. expands its
role in Afghanistan, it is also playing
a greater role in quasi-military
operations elsewhere, including Pakistan
and Yemen.
US Spies In Afghanistan 'Clueless,' 'Ignorant,' Intelligence
Chief Says
Retired General Predicts 300-500 Casualties Per Month From Afghanistan War POLITICS: U.S. Silent About Taliban Guarantee Offer on al Qaeda The Barack Obama administration is refusing to acknowledge an offer by the leadership of the Taliban in early December to give "legal guarantees" that it will not allow Afghanistan to be used for attacks on other countries. |
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| Pakistan | Map of Pakistan |
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Gun Battle Rages in
Kashmir Gun battle between
Indian security forces
and suspected Islamic
militants is still
continuing in Srinagar.
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Pakistan soldiers raid hospital Pakistani soldiers have raided a
hospital in South Waziristan, killing at least four suspected
militants, the military says. Suspected US Drones Kill 13 In Pakistan: Officials...US drone attack kills four in Pakistan: officials |
| North&South Asia | Map of Asia |
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INTERNET: 5,000 arrested for internet pornography in 2009 Beijing has announced that 5,000 people were arrested in 2009 for Internet pornographic violations. China maintains strict censorship of the Internet, an effort that has become known as the "Great Firewall of China".
Japan's Only Double Atomic Bomb Survivor Dies Indian Man's Burnt Remains Found On Rural Australian Road Vietnamese Court Convicts Dissident of Subversion Vietnamese court sentences democracy activist to 5.5 years for subversion Philippines massacre: Commission to take on 100 private armies A government-appointed group began working Thursday to disband 132 militias used by politicians to intimidate rivals, after one allegedly killed 57 people in a southern Philippines massacre. Critics worry that only opposition figures' armies will be broken up. 15 injured in latest Hong Kong acid attack Glaciers in southern China receding rapidly, scientists say Japan to come clean on secret nuke deals with US Tajikistan earthquake leaves 20,000 homeless Most throw cold water on China warming theory But some historical meteorologists suggest that China has prospered during periods when temperatures are higher than normal and that climate change may not be a bad thing after all. |
Kazakhstan claims to be biggest uranium
miner Kazakhstan said it had overtaken
Canada and Australia to become the world’s
biggest uranium miner as nations rich in the
resource ramp up production to sell into a
resurgent nuclear power industry
Backlash against Rogue Chinese Investors Alarms Beijing China Turns Rehab Into a Punishing Ordeal The minimum stay is two years, involving abuse and forced labor without any drug treatment, say former inmates and substance abuse professionals. Above, Yu Jingtao, a social worker who distributes clean needles. Churches Attacked in Malaysian ‘Allah’ Row Three Christian churches were attacked as tensions rose after the government allowed Christians to use word “Allah” to signify God. Above, people gathered at a mosque to protest the ruling. Vietnam orders gold-trading floors shut by end-March Vietnam, where many people see gold as a safe haven against economic uncertainty, has ordered public gold-trading floors shut by March 31 because they rest on a "fragile foundation". 2 more churches in Malaysia firebombed in 'Allah' row..4th church bombed in Allah dispute Hong Kong acid attack wounds 30 Thousands Demand Democracy in Hong Kong Thousands march in the Chinese territory to demand swifter implementation of universal suffrage. |
| Europe | Map of Europe |
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Bomb found in van in N Ireland
Lorry packed with components to make 1,000lb device
discovered under flyover between Belfast and Dublin
Moscow's Mayor Attempts To Control Snowfall
Iceland Leader Vetoes Bank Compensation for
Foreigners The decision by
Iceland’s president to not sign into law a bill to
compensate Dutch and British depositors for billions
lost in a bank collapse could have important
consequences.
Plane suspect 'recruited in London' Yemen says Nigerian man accused of Christmas Day attack was recruited by al-Qaeda in UK. Russia imposes minimum vodka price Russia on Friday imposed a new minimum legal price for vodka in a bid to hinder the sale of cut-price black market moonshine blamed for the deaths of thousands of Russians every year. Northern Ireland Leader Steps Down After Wife's Affair With TeenPORTUGAL: Parliament legalises same-sex marriage, but not adoption |
Police Foil Attack Against Danish Mohammed
Cartoonist
Finland shootings leave six dead French Panel: Tax Google to Fund the Arts French Panel: Tax Google to Fund the Arts Islamic states condemn attack on Danish cartoonist Russian 'YouTube cop' in fraud case Officer who used video to allege abuses by police force is charged with embezzlement. French public debt hits new high SWITZERLAND: Police Smash School for Undocumented Migrants The Zurich police have raided and demolished an autonomously run school where undocumented migrants held language classes. The raid came as the Swiss government admitted that its harsh treatment of undocumented asylum- seekers has partly failed, and following an announcement that it is again planning a revision of federal asylum law. |
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Somali Pirates Hijack Two Ships A cargo ship and a chemical tanker have both been hijacked by pirates in
the perilous waters off the coast of Somalia,
bringing to four the number of ships seized in the
past week, officials said Saturday.
Al-Qaeda branch in 'Sahara Emirate'An offshoot of al-Qaeda has emerged in the deserts of North Africa, claiming 'Sahara Emirate Soccer Team Attacked in Angola Gunmen in Angola opened fire on a bus carrying Togo to the African Cup of Nations, killing three. The team pulled out of the tournament. |
Madagascar Security Uses Tear Gas On
Protesters
Three Saudis die in Niger attack Three Saudi tourists are killed and three more wounded in an attack by unidentified gunmen in Niger, local officials say.
Libya's coup: Turning militants against Al Qaeda
Kadafi's government is touting its success in
persuading the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group to
renounce Osama bin Laden's tactics.
A nation the West once considered a major sponsor of
terrorism may have pulled off a groundbreaking coup
against Al Qaeda: coaxing a group once strongly
allied with Osama bin Laden to renounce its onetime
partner as un-Islamic.
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| The Americas | Map of North America and South America |
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BOLIVIA DEMANDS
EX-PREFECT
EXTRADITION FROM US
Chávez, Morales Lash Out at Wealthy North GUATEMALA: Lynching, Another Face of Impunity After a bus driver was shot to death in Sololá, a city in southwestern Guatemala, an angry mob captured two men and one woman suspected of committing the crime, beat them and burnt them alive in the central plaza. Ancient Mayans Likely Had Fountains and Toilets N.Y. congressman sought Chavez's help for disgraced banker Stanford
Three years before Allen Stanford's worldwide banking network collapsed, he called on U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., to help when the president of his bank in Venezuela publicly questioned whether Stanford was orchestrating a fraud. Meeks then asked Venezuela President Hugo Chavez to open a criminal investigation of the former Stanford executive.
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Venezuela captures bigger drug haul in 2009 Venezuela reported
on Saturday 60 tonnes of drugs were confiscated in 2009, an 11
percent bigger haul than the previous year, and said anti-narcotics
efforts had improved since it ended cooperation with the United
States. Q&A: Report on Massacre of Native Protesters in Peru Biased, Says Head of Inquiry The coordinator of the commission convened by the Peruvian government to clarify a June massacre of 33 indigenous protesters and police near the Amazonian town of Bagua refused to sign the final report, which he says is biased. Argentina sacks central bank chief President's action follows official's refusal to use currency reserves to pay off national debt. Chile copper miners strike over pay State-owned mining giant revises wage offer as walkout raises metal's market price. |