The News Crawler

Despite Scandals, Madison Police Chief Will Be Well-Paid Upon Retiring

No More Peeking at Your Baby People can no longer peek at their baby to be, unless it's for medical or diagnostic purposes. A new law signed by Gov. Rell Thursday bans unnecessary ultrasounds.

Time Warner Cable charges for a service it doesn't provide I've always admired the way phone companies charge a monthly fee for people not to be listed in a phone book. I mean, talk about chutzpah -- charging customers to not receive a service they didn't even ask for in the first place.

Civil Rights

One-Armed Woman Sues Abercrombie The popular U.S. clothing retailer defends employment practices, again.

Dealing With a Morally Bankrupt Boss? How to stick to your values when dealing with an unethical employer.

Minnesota union files unfair labor practice charges against Walmart United Food & Commercial Workers Local 789 filed charges against Walmart Wednesday, alleging the world's largest retailer violated the National Labor Relations Act by engaging in unfair labor practices at its St. Paul store. Workers at the Midway store and many other locations in Minnesota and other states are engaged in a union organizing campaign. The complaint, filed with the National Labor Relations Board, states that on or about June 11 and following, employer representatives conducted captive audience meetings with workers. They claimed they could easily acquire a list of authorization card signers at any time and that union supporters would not continue to be employed by Walmart, the complaint says.

What the 40th anniversary of Stonewall means This week marks the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, which ushered in the modern gay rights movement. We should celebrate it as we would any other civil-rights landmark.

Rite Aid Workers Fight for a Union

Drug War

Canada is 'hub' for illegal drug shipments

Education

PTA Welcomes First Male President The Parent-Teacher Association, better known as the PTA, has been around for 113 years. But on Sunday, for the first time, a man became president of the organization. His name is Chuck Saylors, and he's got a message: Today, when most families have two working parents, dads need to be just as involved in their kids' schools as moms. Saylors talks to host Guy Raz about being a "first."

For modest earners, relief repaying student loans

UN Asked to Probe CIA Rendition Human rights groups are asking United Nations officials to investigate the case of an Italian citizen and victim of the "extraordinary rendition" program of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency who is currently being held in a Moroccan prison based on a confession coerced from him through torture.

Time Line of Big Pharma's Legislative Influence

Specter Backs Public Health Care Option Sen. Arlen Specter told a boisterous crowd of union activists today that he backs a public health insurance option as part of the health care overhaul Congress is debating. "I know you are very interested in the public component and I think Senator Schumer has the right idea about having a public component," Specter said at a rally held at the Capitol City Brewery near Union Station.

White House open to new tax on health benefits

How to get help in a hurry in the ER Average waiting time in ER in 2008 was four hours and three minutes -- a 27-minute increase in nationwide average wait times since 2002.

Blue Dog Bark Backed by Insurers There's a particular breed of lawmaker on Capitol Hill that is pushing hard against a public health care plan, much to the delight of two seriously moneyed special interest groups--insurers and pharmaceuticals. They're the Blue Dogs: moderate, vocal and funded in part by the industries trying to protect their bottom line.

Wiretaps

Bush Administration Tipped Off Corrupt GOP Rep. To Wiretap: Officials

Federal Reserve/Bailouts

Bernanke: Says Didn't Pressure Bank of America Over Merrill Deal

GE Uses Loophole To Become "Biggest Beneficiary" Of Key Bank Rescue Program

Obama Administration Trying To Close Loophole

W.H. says it would veto F-22 funds Obama likely to veto any defense bill that includes money for additional F-22 fighter jets

U.S. and Russia Differ on a Treaty for Cyberspace The Kremlin’s call for an international treaty to protect computer security is a likely topic for discussion during President Obama’s visit to Moscow next week

Thursday: 19 Iraqis Killed, 91 Wounded

Saturday: 1 Iraqi Killed, 7 Wounded

Sunday: 5 Iraqis Killed, 21 Wounded

Iraq: 200 die in week of blasts at Shiite targets

Oil firms to scramble for Iraq deals on live TV A Chinese firm's bid to buy the gas-guzzling Hummer car brand will be blocked on environmental grounds, according to Chinese state radio

(Iraqi) Oil syndicates union warns foreign companies against signing investment licenses “These licensees are illegal because the Parliament has not yet approved the oil and gas law, as it touches upon Iraqis’ sovereignty and makes the foreign oil companies control the Iraqi oil through long-run contracts and deprives the government from controlling the most important economic sector in Iraq,” the chairman told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

Did toxic chemical in Iraq sicken GIs? Look at three men: one sick, one dying, one dead. What they have in common is they were National Guard soldiers on the same stretch of wind-swept desert in Iraq in 2003. These soldiers and hundreds of other Guard members from Indiana, Oregon and West Virginia were protecting workers hired by a subsidiary of the giant contractor, KBR Inc., to rebuild an Iraqi water treatment plant

A Withdrawal in Name Only On November 17, 2008, when Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker signed an agreement for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, citizens from both countries applauded. While many were disappointed about the lengthy timeline for the withdrawal of the troops, it appeared that a roadmap

Wounded Iraq war vet loses home ... but not hope

Motorcycle bomb kills 13, wounds 45 in Baghdad Thirteen people were killed and 45 were wounded when a small parked motorcycle detonated early Friday in a crowd of young men in the Bab al Sheikh neighborhood in downtown Baghdad, Iraqi police said.

Top General: Iran Continues To "Interfere" In Iraq

6 killed, 7 wounded in Iraq car bombs

Iraq wrestles with corruption so deep it is strangling reconstruction "I paid US$800 ($1240) to get my job," says Ahmed Abdul, a technician working for Karada municipality in Baghdad. "People know this is wrong, but there is no way round it." In Iraq corruption is pervasive at every level. "Corruption...

U.S. Commander Says Iraq Forces Ready

Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein bluffed about WMDs fearing Iranian arsenal, secret FBI files show

Lebanon

Army warning follows Beirut unrest Woman shot dead as supporters of rival political factions clash in Lebanese capital.

Pro-west PM takes over in Lebanon

U.S. reverses Afghan drug policy Washington is to dramatically overhaul its Afghan anti-drug strategy, phasing out opium poppy eradication,

Karzai calls on Taliban to vote Afghan president urges anti-government fighters to vote in August elections.

Pakistan police in Karachi gunfight Five men with alleged links to Taliban leader killed in country's commercial capital.

Bounty for Pakistani Taliban leader Islamabad offers $615,000 reward for capture of Baitullah Mehsud among other fighters.

Pakistanis kill 20 militants in raid, bombings

THAILAND'S TEACHERS TARGETED

Dozen jailed over China landslide Officials sentenced for role in industrial landslide that killed 277 people in 2008.

Philippine militants kill 7 policemen, 2 soldiers Suspected al-Qaida-linked militants killed seven policemen in an ambush Sunday after their comrades shot to death two government soldiers in a separate attack in the southern Philippines, security officials said.

Uranium gives NKorea second way to make bombs

Google 'investigating' China block Disruption to service comes after China accuse search giant of linking to pornography.

Turks increasingly turn to Islamic extremism Al Qaeda's reliance on Arabs is altering as recruits from Turkey and Turkic-speaking areas of Central Asia form a recent wave of trainees, experts say.

N.K. Threatens 'Fire Shower' of Nukes NKorea vows to enlarge atomic arsenal, warns of 'fire shower of nuclear' attack

Teens 'still fear knife crime' One in 10 teenagers in knife crime "hotspots" targeted by the government say they still have to carry a weapon to feel safe, a Newsbeat poll says.

Gazprom seals $2.5bn Nigeria deal Gazprom signs a $2.5bn deal with Nigeria's NNPC, which could boost Russia's control over European energy supplies.

Global reach of Spain's courts curtailed Spanish parliament passes law to limit judges from taking cases of torture or war crimes in other countries. Is this a blow for universal justice?

Eta suspects arrested near Paris

US sends weapons to Somalia Report comes as al-Shabaab fighters amputate limbs of alleged thieves in Mogadishu

Somali Pirates Release a Ship's Crew Somali pirates release Belgian ship's crew after ransom paid

Kenyan extra-judicial assassination Gitobu Imanyara Parliamentary death threats, 10 Jun 2009

African al-Qaeda 'killed' US man

Kenya officials defy big car ban A BBC spot-check finds Kenyan politicians ignoring a directive to give up their luxury cars and limit themselves to a single vehicle

The News Crawler
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Last Update: Thursday, July 02, 2009

Headlines	Click here for Yesterdays Edition
World Headlines
Click here for Updates from Iran Updated July 1 12am Click here for Updates from Honduras Updated July 1 12am Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein bluffed about WMDs fearing Iranian arsenal, secret FBI files show Iraq: 200 die in week of blasts at Shiite targets oil prices could surge if Iran crisis worsens UN Asked to Probe CIA Rendition Human rights groups are asking United Nations officials to investigate the case of an Italian citizen and victim of the "extraordinary rendition" program of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency who is currently being held in a Moroccan prison based on a confession coerced from him through torture. African al-Qaeda 'killed' US man Gazprom seals $2.5bn Nigeria deal Gazprom signs a $2.5bn deal with Nigeria's NNPC, which could boost Russia's control over European energy supplies. N.K. Threatens 'Fire Shower' of Nukes NKorea vows to enlarge atomic arsenal, warns of 'fire shower of nuclear' attack Taliban bomber kills 2 troops in Pakistani Kashmir Taliban kill 12 Pakistani soldiers in ambush U.S. reverses Afghan drug policy Washington is to dramatically overhaul its Afghan anti-drug strategy, phasing out opium poppy eradication, Karzai calls on Taliban to vote Afghan president urges anti-government fighters to vote in August elections.	American's how-to guide to toppling dictatorships Excerpts from the book "From Dictatorship to Democracy," a guide to nonviolent resistance written by retired American scholar Gene Sharp and being cited by some Iranian protesters: Right-Wing Israeli Extremists Using Gay Rights to Justify Incursions Into Arab Villages Japan attacks Citigroup standards Japan has punished US bank Citigroup for what it calls lax policies to protect against money laundering. Honduras president ousted in coup Venezuelan, Cuban, and Nicaraguan Ambassadors to Honduras Kidnapped European Union and Latin American Presidents Condemn Coup d’état in Honduras U.S. says Zelaya is the only president of HondurasThe two officials also reiterated earlier U.S. statements that condemned the Honduran military's takeover and called for a return to the democratic rule of law and a peaceful resolution of the crisis through dialogue. Palestinian woman gets 20 years' hard labour for helping Israel Divorced, unemployed and only 21 years old, she was one of the few Palestinian women convicted of treason. Her crime: collaboration with the Israeli security services Army warning follows Beirut unrest Woman shot dead as supporters of rival political factions clash in Lebanese capital.
US Headlines
GE Uses Loophole To Become "Biggest Beneficiary" Of Key Bank Rescue Program Obama Administration Trying To Close Loophole Judge: Holding Prisoner in Gitmo "Defies Common Sense" Senate Approves Cigarette, Business, Estate Tax Hikes and Spending Cuts; Higher Income Tax on Couples Over $500,000 Supreme Court Rejects 9/11 Victims Claim Against Saudi Arabia Court gave baseball 1922 pass on antitrust laws Football may be the nation's most popular sport, but baseball is the favored game with the Supreme Court, which gave the national pastime an exemption from antitrust laws in 1922.Thirty-five years later, the court refused to grant one to the National Football League Supreme Court says criminal defendants can challenge forensic experts Minority justices warn that the guilty 'will go free on the most technical grounds.' Nestle Refused Info To FDA, Report Claims Complaint Logs, Pest-Control Records Never Sent; Company Recently Recalled Cookie Dough EXCLUSIVE-PART 4: FBI Ignored Compelling Evidence of bin Laden Role Osama Bin Laden had made no secret of his intention to attack the U.S. military presence in Saudi Arabia. He had been calling for such attacks to drive it from the country since his first fatwa calling for jihad against Western "occupation" of Islamic lands in early 1992. CBS News Story on a new 911 investigation Supreme Court Rules For White Firefighters, Reverses Sotomayor The Supreme Court has ruled that white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing a decision that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor endorsed as an appeals court judge.	What you need to know about the US climate bill Cap-and-trade? Offsets? Pollution credits? The climate bill passed Friday by the House tackles global warming with new limits on pollution and a market-based approach to encourage more environmentally friendly business practices. But what exactly do the proposed rules mean, and how would they work?... Will $1.2 Million a Day Convince Congress to Buy Big Pharma's Rx for Change? The pharmaceutical and health products industry has long been the top dog on K Street. Since 1998, the industry has spent more than $1.6 billion on federal lobbying. Last year alone, it spent more than $234 million — a sum that translates into roughly $125,000 every hour that Congress was actually in session. 'We dump sick people,' ex health insurer admits Minnesota union files unfair labor practice charges against Walmart United Food & Commercial Workers Local 789 filed charges against Walmart Wednesday, alleging the world's largest retailer violated the National Labor Relations Act by engaging in unfair labor practices at its St. Paul store. Workers at the Midway store and many other locations in Minnesota and other states are engaged in a union organizing campaign. The complaint, filed with the National Labor Relations Board, states that on or about June 11 and following, employer representatives conducted captive audience meetings with workers. They claimed they could easily acquire a list of authorization card signers at any time and that union supporters would not continue to be employed by Walmart, the complaint says. Rite Aid Workers Fight for a Union National Review vs The Nation: US as the Global Cop In part two of a three-part series, Chris Hayes of The Nation debates Reihan Salam of the National Review over the proper role of the US military in the world. WATCH: CNN Interviews Pastor Whose Church Performed Controversial "Gay Exorcism"
Connecticut
WATCH: CNN Interviews Pastor Whose Church Performed Controversial "Gay Exorcism" Church Reported to State for Gay Exorcism Video Connecticut mentoring group says teen tormented over being gay. Supreme Court Rules For White Firefighters, Reverses Sotomayor The Supreme Court has ruled that white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing a decision that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor endorsed as an appeals court judge.	ACLU backs the Bridgeport Diocese Despite Scandals, Madison Police Chief Will Be Well-Paid Upon Retiring No More Peeking at Your Baby People can no longer peek at their baby to be, unless it's for medical or diagnostic purposes. A new law signed by Gov. Rell Thursday bans unnecessary ultrasounds.
United States
Security Issues National Review vs The Nation: US as the Global Cop In part two of a three-part series, Chris Hayes of The Nation debates Reihan Salam of the National Review over the proper role of the US military in the world. NYPD terrorism expert: Hezbollah more dangerous than al Qaeda “Hezbollah at the strategic level, with its state sponsors, more or less decided not to attack the United States interests directly in the continental United States at all,” he said in a speech to the Washington Institute for Near East Affairs. “But our assessment is, if they ever change their minds, they have the capacity to inflict terrible damage on the United States, and I worry about that a lot. We haven’t seen it yet, but I don’t like to be in a position where our defense lies in the strategic decision of a terrorist organization.” 2 in Ariz. bombing case had ties to supremacists US passes million swine flu cases Officials estimate at least a million Americans have had swine flu, with 127 deaths, but many cases were mild. EXCLUSIVE-PART 4: FBI Ignored Compelling Evidence of bin Laden Role Osama Bin Laden had made no secret of his intention to attack the U.S. military presence in Saudi Arabia. He had been calling for such attacks to drive it from the country since his first fatwa calling for jihad against Western "occupation" of Islamic lands in early 1992. American's how-to guide to toppling dictatorships Excerpts from the book "From Dictatorship to Democracy," a guide to nonviolent resistance written by retired American scholar Gene Sharp and being cited by some Iranian protesters: Feds squabble over military's border role A proposal to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to counter drug trafficking has triggered a standoff between the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security. Arizona moves to allow concealed guns in bars Nestle Refused Info To FDA, Report Claims Complaint Logs, Pest-Control Records Never Sent; Company Recently Recalled Cookie Dough Courts 2 indicted in Arizona diversity office bombing Twin brothers from Illinois have been indicted in a 2004 mail bombing that injured Scottsdale's diversity director in his office. Prosecutor: 5 of 'Jena 6' expected to enter plea The five remaining defendants in the racially charged "Jena Six" case will appear in court Friday and are expected to enter a plea, a spokesman for the district attorney's office said. Scotus dismisses English-deficient students' case An English-language immersion class failed Miriam Flores, her mother contended. Supreme Court says criminal defendants can challenge forensic experts Minority justices warn that the guilty 'will go free on the most technical grounds.' Coach Sues Mom Over ‘Pedophile’ E-mail and Wins Pedophilia is nothing to take lightly. And calling someone one, or “one step away from being one” can get you in trouble if there is no evidence that she is Court gave baseball 1922 pass on antitrust laws Football may be the nation's most popular sport, but baseball is the favored game with the Supreme Court, which gave the national pastime an exemption from antitrust laws in 1922.Thirty-five years later, the court refused to grant one to the National Football League Bombshell: BART cop called Oscar Grant 'n----r' One of the police officers called Grant a “bitch ass n—er” before Grant was killed. Supreme Court Rejects 9/11 Victims Claim Against Saudi Arabia	Greed Madoff ordered to forfeit over $170 billion Sentenced To 150 Years In Prison... WATCH: Victims Speak Out At Sentencing Japan attacks Citigroup standards Japan has punished US bank Citigroup for what it calls lax policies to protect against money laundering. Coca-Cola's Troubling History: Drug Addicts, Nazis and MLK's Condemnation Time Warner Cable charges for a service it doesn't provide I've always admired the way phone companies charge a monthly fee for people not to be listed in a phone book. I mean, talk about chutzpah -- charging customers to not receive a service they didn't even ask for in the first place. Media Fox News Apologizes For Identifying Sanford as Democrat CBS News Story on a new 911 investigation Civil Rights One-Armed Woman Sues Abercrombie The popular U.S. clothing retailer defends employment practices, again. Dealing With a Morally Bankrupt Boss? How to stick to your values when dealing with an unethical employer. Minnesota union files unfair labor practice charges against Walmart United Food & Commercial Workers Local 789 filed charges against Walmart Wednesday, alleging the world's largest retailer violated the National Labor Relations Act by engaging in unfair labor practices at its St. Paul store. Workers at the Midway store and many other locations in Minnesota and other states are engaged in a union organizing campaign. The complaint, filed with the National Labor Relations Board, states that on or about June 11 and following, employer representatives conducted captive audience meetings with workers. They claimed they could easily acquire a list of authorization card signers at any time and that union supporters would not continue to be employed by Walmart, the complaint says. What the 40th anniversary of Stonewall means This week marks the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, which ushered in the modern gay rights movement. We should celebrate it as we would any other civil-rights landmark. Rite Aid Workers Fight for a Union Drug War Canada is 'hub' for illegal drug shipments Education PTA Welcomes First Male President The Parent-Teacher Association, better known as the PTA, has been around for 113 years. But on Sunday, for the first time, a man became president of the organization. His name is Chuck Saylors, and he's got a message: Today, when most families have two working parents, dads need to be just as involved in their kids' schools as moms. Saylors talks to host Guy Raz about being a "first." For modest earners, relief repaying student loans

Science
New Solar Power Plants May Threaten Scarce Desert Water Resources CBS News: EPA May Have Suppressed Report Skeptical Of Global Warming	World's oldest instrument dates to 35,000 years ago
Politics
Senate Military tribunals in Defense bill Senate Approves Cigarette, Business, Estate Tax Hikes and Spending Cuts; Higher Income Tax on Couples Over $500,000 Senate panel OKs funds for imprisoning illegal immigrants House Dennis Kucinich Calls Out The Military On Their Manipulation Of Teens! Through Video Games House OKs Major Climate Change Bill What you need to know about the US climate bill Cap-and-trade? Offsets? Pollution credits? The climate bill passed Friday by the House tackles global warming with new limits on pollution and a market-based approach to encourage more environmentally friendly business practices. But what exactly do the proposed rules mean, and how would they work?... Major provisions of House climate and energy bill Wife Of Mich. Congressman Pleads Guilty To Bribery Detroit City Council member Monica Conyers, the wife of powerful Democratic congressman John Conyers, pleaded guilty Friday to accepting cash bribes in exchange for supporting a sludge contract with a Houston company. State Politics WATCH: Sanford Whacked Fellow Politician For Violating "Oath To His Wife" Sanford To Reimburse State For Trip GITMO/Abu Ghraib/Bahgram/Blacksites Judge: Holding Prisoner in Gitmo "Defies Common Sense" Some Detainees in Prison Indefinitely? AP sources: Obama order considered to keep some Guantanamo detainees confined in US, overseas WH denies indefinite detention plans UN Asked to Probe CIA Rendition Human rights groups are asking United Nations officials to investigate the case of an Italian citizen and victim of the "extraordinary rendition" program of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency who is currently being held in a Moroccan prison based on a confession coerced from him through torture. Justice Dept. Backs Some Constitutional Rights For Detainees	Health Insurance 'We dump sick people,' ex health insurer admits Will $1.2 Million a Day Convince Congress to Buy Big Pharma's Rx for Change? The pharmaceutical and health products industry has long been the top dog on K Street. Since 1998, the industry has spent more than $1.6 billion on federal lobbying. Last year alone, it spent more than $234 million — a sum that translates into roughly $125,000 every hour that Congress was actually in session. Healthcare industry spends $1.4M - a day - on lobbyists Members of U.S. House Financial Services Committee snapped up or dumped bank stocks as bottom fell Time Line of Big Pharma's Legislative Influence Specter Backs Public Health Care Option Sen. Arlen Specter told a boisterous crowd of union activists today that he backs a public health insurance option as part of the health care overhaul Congress is debating. "I know you are very interested in the public component and I think Senator Schumer has the right idea about having a public component," Specter said at a rally held at the Capitol City Brewery near Union Station. White House open to new tax on health benefits How to get help in a hurry in the ER Average waiting time in ER in 2008 was four hours and three minutes -- a 27-minute increase in nationwide average wait times since 2002. Blue Dog Bark Backed by Insurers There's a particular breed of lawmaker on Capitol Hill that is pushing hard against a public health care plan, much to the delight of two seriously moneyed special interest groups--insurers and pharmaceuticals. They're the Blue Dogs: moderate, vocal and funded in part by the industries trying to protect their bottom line. Wiretaps Bush Administration Tipped Off Corrupt GOP Rep. To Wiretap: Officials Federal Reserve/Bailouts Bernanke: Says Didn't Pressure Bank of America Over Merrill Deal GE Uses Loophole To Become "Biggest Beneficiary" Of Key Bank Rescue Program Obama Administration Trying To Close Loophole
Obama
President Obama on Energy Bill: "Make No Mistake, This Is a Jobs Bill" Standing in the Rose Garden this afternoon, President Obama called for the House of Representatives to pass the energy bill written by Reps. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Ed Markey, D-Mass., calling Friday's roll call a "vote of historic proportions" that would likely be close because of "misinformation that's out there that suggests there is somehow a contradiction between investing in clean energy and our economic growth."	W.H. says it would veto F-22 funds Obama likely to veto any defense bill that includes money for additional F-22 fighter jets U.S. and Russia Differ on a Treaty for Cyberspace The Kremlin’s call for an international treaty to protect computer security is a likely topic for discussion during President Obama’s visit to Moscow next week
Economy	NEW Click for Economic Statistics
Oil prices could surge if Iran crisis worsens Bank Crisis Through The Ages Each financial crisis in American history has brought sweeping changes and pledges that bank failures will be averted in the future. Planet Money's Chana Joffe-Walt and Alex Blumberg take a tour of financial regulation through the ages.	GM says bankruptcy sale delay would kill suppliers Capitalism, IMF and World Bank under fire at U.N. Stocks in U.S. Climb as Oil Exceeds $70 a Barrel, Treasury Yields Decline

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Thursday: 19 Iraqis Killed, 91 Wounded Saturday: 1 Iraqi Killed, 7 Wounded Sunday: 5 Iraqis Killed, 21 Wounded Iraq: 200 die in week of blasts at Shiite targets Oil firms to scramble for Iraq deals on live TV A Chinese firm's bid to buy the gas-guzzling Hummer car brand will be blocked on environmental grounds, according to Chinese state radio (Iraqi) Oil syndicates union warns foreign companies against signing investment licenses “These licensees are illegal because the Parliament has not yet approved the oil and gas law, as it touches upon Iraqis’ sovereignty and makes the foreign oil companies control the Iraqi oil through long-run contracts and deprives the government from controlling the most important economic sector in Iraq,” the chairman told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. Did toxic chemical in Iraq sicken GIs? Look at three men: one sick, one dying, one dead. What they have in common is they were National Guard soldiers on the same stretch of wind-swept desert in Iraq in 2003. These soldiers and hundreds of other Guard members from Indiana, Oregon and West Virginia were protecting workers hired by a subsidiary of the giant contractor, KBR Inc., to rebuild an Iraqi water treatment plant	A Withdrawal in Name Only On November 17, 2008, when Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker signed an agreement for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, citizens from both countries applauded. While many were disappointed about the lengthy timeline for the withdrawal of the troops, it appeared that a roadmap Wounded Iraq war vet loses home ... but not hope Motorcycle bomb kills 13, wounds 45 in Baghdad Thirteen people were killed and 45 were wounded when a small parked motorcycle detonated early Friday in a crowd of young men in the Bab al Sheikh neighborhood in downtown Baghdad, Iraqi police said. Top General: Iran Continues To "Interfere" In Iraq 6 killed, 7 wounded in Iraq car bombs Iraq wrestles with corruption so deep it is strangling reconstruction "I paid US$800 ($1240) to get my job," says Ahmed Abdul, a technician working for Karada municipality in Baghdad. "People know this is wrong, but there is no way round it." In Iraq corruption is pervasive at every level. "Corruption... U.S. Commander Says Iraq Forces Ready Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein bluffed about WMDs fearing Iranian arsenal, secret FBI files show
Middle East
Israel/Palestine Hamas leader rejects "freak" Israel offer of state Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal denounced on Thursday an Israeli offer of a demilitarized Palestinian state as a "big prison" and said only armed struggle could restore Palestinian rights Right-Wing Israeli Extremists Using Gay Rights to Justify Incursions Into Arab Villages Gay Pride marches are being exploited by rabidly homophobic extremists who plan to parade through Arab towns, asserting their "Jewish pride." Palestinians want to build settlements "We're not collaborators and we're not terrorists. We just want to work," laborers say Israel pushing restitution resolution Delegation to Holocaust Era Assets Conference calls on Eastern Europe to help resolve matter. Prisoners Shackled, and Hidden Away The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel has accused the Israeli security forces of deliberately shackling Palestinian prisoners in a painful and dangerous manner, amounting to a form of torture. Kidnapped Israeli Soldier To Be Transferred To Egypt, Say Europeans Palestinian woman gets 20 years' hard labour for helping Israel Divorced, unemployed and only 21 years old, she was one of the few Palestinian women convicted of treason. Her crime: collaboration with the Israeli security services	Lebanon Army warning follows Beirut unrest Woman shot dead as supporters of rival political factions clash in Lebanese capital. Pro-west PM takes over in Lebanon Turkey Turkey Rethinks the Kurdish Question Recent overtures by Turkey towards Kurds within and beyond its borders signify a major policy shift from Ankara. Domestically, Turkish president Abdullah Gul has declared the Kurdish question to be the "country's most pressing problem", while... Turkey boosts flow of Euphrates River to Iraq by over 50 percent
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
U.S. reverses Afghan drug policy Washington is to dramatically overhaul its Afghan anti-drug strategy, phasing out opium poppy eradication, Karzai calls on Taliban to vote Afghan president urges anti-government fighters to vote in August elections.	MRAP trucks: Afghan savior or boondoggle? The vehicle saved soldiers in Iraq. Now it's getting a $2 billion makeover for Afghanistan. Taliban Militants Kill 7 Afghan Police
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Pakistan police in Karachi gunfight Five men with alleged links to Taliban leader killed in country's commercial capital. Bounty for Pakistani Taliban leader Islamabad offers $615,000 reward for capture of Baitullah Mehsud among other fighters. Pakistanis kill 20 militants in raid, bombings	Taliban bomber kills 2 troops in Pakistani Kashmir Taliban kill 12 Pakistani soldiers in ambush Lashkar cell in Mumbai aided 26/11 terrorists: BBC probe Pakistan remains among top 10 'failed states'
Asia
THAILAND'S TEACHERS TARGETED Dozen jailed over China landslide Officials sentenced for role in industrial landslide that killed 277 people in 2008. Philippine militants kill 7 policemen, 2 soldiers Suspected al-Qaida-linked militants killed seven policemen in an ambush Sunday after their comrades shot to death two government soldiers in a separate attack in the southern Philippines, security officials said. Uranium gives NKorea second way to make bombs	Google 'investigating' China block Disruption to service comes after China accuse search giant of linking to pornography. Turks increasingly turn to Islamic extremism Al Qaeda's reliance on Arabs is altering as recruits from Turkey and Turkic-speaking areas of Central Asia form a recent wave of trainees, experts say. N.K. Threatens 'Fire Shower' of Nukes NKorea vows to enlarge atomic arsenal, warns of 'fire shower of nuclear' attack
Europe
Politkovskaya case retrial ordered The Russian Supreme court overturns acquittal of three men charged over journalist's murder. N Ireland loyalists give up arms UK and Irish officials confirm move by mainly Protestant groups as part of the peace process. Teens 'still fear knife crime' One in 10 teenagers in knife crime "hotspots" targeted by the government say they still have to carry a weapon to feel safe, a Newsbeat poll says.	Gazprom seals $2.5bn Nigeria deal Gazprom signs a $2.5bn deal with Nigeria's NNPC, which could boost Russia's control over European energy supplies. Global reach of Spain's courts curtailed Spanish parliament passes law to limit judges from taking cases of torture or war crimes in other countries. Is this a blow for universal justice? Eta suspects arrested near Paris
Africa
US sends weapons to Somalia Report comes as al-Shabaab fighters amputate limbs of alleged thieves in Mogadishu Somali Pirates Release a Ship's Crew Somali pirates release Belgian ship's crew after ransom paid Kenyan extra-judicial assassination Gitobu Imanyara Parliamentary death threats, 10 Jun 2009	African al-Qaeda 'killed' US man Kenya officials defy big car ban A BBC spot-check finds Kenyan politicians ignoring a directive to give up their luxury cars and limit themselves to a single vehicle
The Americas
Honduras Honduras president ousted in coup Venezuelan, Cuban, and Nicaraguan Ambassadors to Honduras Kidnapped European Union and Latin American Presidents Condemn Coup d’état in Honduras U.S. says Zelaya is the only president of HondurasThe two officials also reiterated earlier U.S. statements that condemned the Honduran military's takeover and called for a return to the democratic rule of law and a peaceful resolution of the crisis through dialogue. Video: El ejército toma las calles de la capital de Honduras UPDATE: Honduran President Says He Was 'Brutally Kidnapped' By Military First Overthrow In Central America In 16 Years... "Protests Erupt, Gunshots Heard" Newly Appointed Honduran Leader Resists Pressure To Step Down: 'Nobody Scares Us'	Chavez accuses U.S. of coup role as ties restored Indigenous governor assassinated in Colombia Mexico Shootout Kills 12