The News Crawler

Estimate of Chronically Hungry Passes 1B

Drone attacks inside Pak having effect: US The US drone attacks inside Pakistan were ''having an effect'' but Washington and Islamabad will decide whether to continue the strikes, which have been unpopular in the country, a top American official has said.

Official: Intel predicts rising Afghan violence U.S. intelligence suggests that violence in Afghanistan will rise through 2009 despite the Obama administration's new strategy for combatting the Taliban and shoring up the Afghan government, a top intelligence official said Friday. Violence in Afghanistan has steadily risen for the past three years as the ousted Taliban has staged a comeback

TARP has $134.5B left, Treasury says Treasury projects a balance of $134.5B of the original $700B in the federal TARP program to aid banks

AT&T to start sending copyright warnings AT&T Inc., the nation's largest Internet service provider, will start sending warnings to its subscribers when music labels and movie studios allege that they are trafficking in pirated material, according to an executive.

Dismissal of lawsuit over Sudan strikes upheld An appeals court on Friday upheld a decision to dismiss a $50 million lawsuit against the United States over President Bill Clinton's 1998 decision to order missile strikes in Sudan

Trustee Agrees to Sell Part of Madoff's Business Trustee overseeing Madoff liquidation agrees to sell trade operation to raise money for claims Madoff UK offices in fraud probe

Subprime Swindlers Work A New Angle: Rescue Scams

IRS: Castroneves owes $2.3 million in taxes The IRS says Brazilian race driver and "Dancing With The Stars" winner Helio Castroneves (EHL'-ee-oh kas-troh-NEH'-vehz) owes more than $2.3 million in taxes.

Bill would improve vets insurance benefits

Senator seeks to ratify nuclear test ban pact The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry, said on Friday he had begun laying the groundwork for Senate ratification of a global pact banning nuclear tests.

Congress eyes tax on health benefits Faced with mounting budget deficits and the enormous cost of reforming the nation's health-care system, Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill are expressing increasing openness to an idea that once seemed unthinkable—taxing some health-care benefits.

Fisher admits Fed missed oncoming crisis The Federal Reserve failed to spot the global financial crisis ahead of time, but its aggressive rescue efforts should soon stem the decline in growth, Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher said on Thursday.

Without Pay, Iraqi Sunni Fighters Threaten to Quit Iraqi Sunni fighters who turned against al-Qaida threaten to quit unless government pays them

Friday: 3 Iraqis Killed, 1 Wounded

Iranian opposition to be relocated in Iraq Iraq plans to move members of an Iranian opposition group from a camp north of Baghdad to remote areas elsewhere in the country as it steps up efforts to rid itself of a major source of tension with Tehran, a top government official said yesterday.

Jihadi dispute points to deeper radicalism among youths A leading jihadi theologian - and adviser to the late leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq - is under fire for moderating his views.

Sunnis U.S. called allies in Iraq rebel after their leader's arrest Sunni militants staged a violent uprising in central Baghdad Saturday after Iraqi forces detained a leader of the Sons of Iraq, a mostly Sunni paramilitary force that until recently had received salaries from the United States and is now on the Iraqi government payroll.

If Hamas Stops Firing Missiles at Israel, Israel Will Not Harm Its Leaders According to Palestinian sources, Israel and Hamas have come to an agreement whereby Israel will not harm Hamas leaders if Hamas stops firing missiles into Israeli territory.

Saturday: 6 Iraqis Killed, 16 Wounded

Arabic website reports deal on British hostages Kidnappers of five British men held hostage for nearly two years say they have struck a deal that would trade the foreigners for several detainees now in American military detention, according to an Arabic news website

Clashes between Iraq forces and Sunni guards kill 3 Hours of clashes between Iraqi security forces and Sunni Arab neighborhood guards killed three people and wounded eight in Baghdad on Saturday, a medical source in a nearby hospital said.

Kurd sees 'very bad signals' from Baghdad Masrour Barzani, the Kurdish region's security chief, criticizes the failure so far to implement an article of the Iraq Constitution concerning control of oil-rich Kirkuk.

Iraq Issues Ultimatum to Mojahedeen-e Khalq: Leave the Country or Be Banished to Desert Iraqi national security advisor Muwaffaq Al-Rubai'i has reiterated his call to the Iranian opposition organization Mojahedeen-e Khalq to leave Iraq voluntarily. Otherwise, he said, the government would consider relocating the organization

UN suggests power-sharing for Kirkuk

Pakistani forces kill 26 militants in Mohmand region

Pakistanis doubt the effectiveness of more U.S. aid As the U.S. and the World Bank announce more funds for the shaky Pakistan government, people say it won't make a difference without some reforms.

Why do Pak politicians trot off to Dubai? Why do Pakistan's top politicians hold meetings in Dubai or London whenever there is a political crisis in the country

Taliban abduct 11 Pakistani policemen Taliban militants kidnapped 11 Pakistani policemen on Sunday in an attack on a security post in the Khyber region on the Afghan border, a government spokesman said.

Philippines partially gives in to kidnappers' demand The Philippines pulled about 800 police and militiamen out of a cordon surrounding kidnappers holding three Red Cross workers on a remote southern island on Saturday, partially giving in to the Islamist militants' demands.

Hong Kong teens arrested for making bombs Three Hong Kong teenagers have been arrested for possession of explosives, and tests were being made to determine if the material was the same type used in the deadly 2005 London subway bombings.

N.Korea charged U.S. reporters with spying

Lost radioactive material found in NW China Chinese authorities on Saturday said they have found a potentially lethal radioactive nuclear material that went missing during a demolition of a cement plant in northwest China

France seals African uranium deals Mining agreements highlight of President Sarkozy's visit to Central and West Africa.

Gas tanker hijacked by Somali pirates released

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Headlines	Click here for Yesterdays Edition
Estimate of Chronically Hungry Passes 1B Drone attacks inside Pak having effect: US The US drone attacks inside Pakistan were ''having an effect'' but Washington and Islamabad will decide whether to continue the strikes, which have been unpopular in the country, a top American official has said. Official: Intel predicts rising Afghan violence U.S. intelligence suggests that violence in Afghanistan will rise through 2009 despite the Obama administration's new strategy for combatting the Taliban and shoring up the Afghan government, a top intelligence official said Friday. Violence in Afghanistan has steadily risen for the past three years as the ousted Taliban has staged a comeback TARP has $134.5B left, Treasury says Treasury projects a balance of $134.5B of the original $700B in the federal TARP program to aid banks AT&T to start sending copyright warnings AT&T Inc., the nation's largest Internet service provider, will start sending warnings to its subscribers when music labels and movie studios allege that they are trafficking in pirated material, according to an executive. Dismissal of lawsuit over Sudan strikes upheld An appeals court on Friday upheld a decision to dismiss a $50 million lawsuit against the United States over President Bill Clinton's 1998 decision to order missile strikes in Sudan	Report: Israel used unmanned drones to attack Sudan convoys The Israel Air Force used unmanned drones to attack secret Iranian convoys in Sudan that were trying to smuggle weapons to Palestinian militant organizations in the Gaza Strip, the London-based Sunday Times reported Sunday Multinationals Oppose Obama Proposal on Foreign Earnings Tax A laundry list of multinational corporations and trade associations signed on to a letter Tuesday opposing a foreign earnings tax pitched by President Barack Obama in his budget blueprint. The measure is now under consideration by lawmakers. TYT: Why Did President Obama Rephrase The Marijuana Question? Waterboarding Of CIA's First High-Value Captive Led To False Leads Doctors' Association Sues Insurers for Health Care Price-Fixing The suit accuses WellPoint of artificially lowering payments to doctors and overcharging patients for millions of dollars in unpaid claims. 'GhostNet' permeates Web Report: Massive spying system loots electronic documents world-wide Spanish Court Weighs Criminal Investigation Over Torture For 6 Former Bush Admin Officials Pinochet judge weighs criminal probe of Bush 'torture lawyers'; Warrants 'highly probable'
Connecticut
Conn. pols weigh updates to reflect GPS advances Connecticut School Bans Physical Contact Connecticut AG Tells Bernanke To Block AIG Division Bonuses Planned For 2010 Connecticut's attorney general urged Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Friday to block an additional $232 million in bonuses scheduled to be delivered to AIG Financial Products employees next March — plans confirmed by AIG officials during a state legislative hearing Thursday. Conn loses more than 14,000 jobs in February Connecticut's labor department says more than 14,000 people lost their jobs in February, pushing the unemployment rate to 7.4 percent. Oil company sues Stamford man who fights gas prices Bridgeport gasoline supplier has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the head of a Stamford group from communicating with a Derby gas station owner about whether the supplier overcharged him. AT&T union workers rally Hundreds of AT&T workers staged rallies across the state Saturday, with job security and benefits as their main concerns	Lawmakers Consider Statute Of Limitations Extension On Thursday, lawmakers considered a proposal that would extend the statute where material evidence is found that could not reasonably have been discovered before, giving victims over 48 three years from the discovery to bring civil claims Members of Conn. religious group arrested Two members of a religious group have been released after promising they won't camp out on public property in Plainfield. Operation Fuel wants discounted utility rates A nonprofit emergency fuel assistance organization wants Connecticut lawmakers to consider developing a discounted rate program for low income families. Phishing scammer faces sentencing A Romanian citizen is facing sentencing as the first foreign defendant convicted of a "phishing" scheme that prosecutors say obtained personal information from Internet users to steal more than $1 million.
United States
Critics Call Freedom Tower Name Change Unpatriotic Wire Creator Predicts Surge In Corruption As Newspapers Decline Spanish Court Weighs Criminal Investigation Over Torture For 6 Former Bush Admin Officials Pinochet judge weighs criminal probe of Bush 'torture lawyers'; Warrants 'highly probable' Marines cause artillery rumbling at NC post Residents living near Fort Bragg can blame the Marines Corps for thunderous booms that shake houses and rattle dishes Soldier sentenced for refusing to deploy A soldier from Fort Wainwright has been sentenced to nearly six months in a military prison for his refusal to go to Iraq. New Kan. law: Before abortions, offer ultrasounds Teen Takes Aim at Google With a Giant #@$% You'll never guess what Rory McInnes did to make his house stand out on Google Earth. KFC's pothole proposal: Asphalt with that? In an effort to help with the nation's seemingly endless pothole problem, fast food giant KFC is offering to patch cities' potholes for free, leaving behind a stenciled symbol of their work. Dismissal of lawsuit over Sudan strikes upheld An appeals court on Friday upheld a decision to dismiss a $50 million lawsuit against the United States over President Bill Clinton's 1998 decision to order missile strikes in Sudan How insurers secretly blacklist millions with common ailments Trying to buy health insurance on your own and have gallstones? You'll automatically be denied coverage. Rheumatoid arthritis? Automatic denial. Severe acne? Probably denied. Most people know insurance companies won't insure people for pre-existing conditions. But usually confidential documents on the insurance companies' own Web sites reveal the startlingly lengthy list of common ailments that will get you an automatic denial. 'Magic' tax refund loans prey on working poor, critics say Consumer advocates say the quickie tax-refund loans Magic Johnson is advertising prey on the working poor. Judge sets resentencing for Enron's Skilling Petraeus denies systematic torture during Bush era	'GhostNet' permeates Web Report: Massive spying system loots electronic documents world-wide Would You Trust a Condom Made in China? Ala.-based Alatech may close when U.S. govt. condom contract goes overseas Moyers and Greider discuss 'A New Way Forward Three Mile Island, the NRC and Obama Thirty years after the Three Mile Island partial meltdown, the real nuclear power threat is the relicensing of old plants. Deeper anthrax shots could cut side effects From now on, military health workers will shove that needle a little deeper when administering anthrax vaccinations — but that extra pinch should prevent more pain later. Doctors' Association Sues Insurers for Health Care Price-Fixing The suit accuses WellPoint of artificially lowering payments to doctors and overcharging patients for millions of dollars in unpaid claims. Spokane residents smuggle suds over green brands The quest for squeaky-clean dishes has turned some law-abiding people in Spokane into dishwater-detergent smugglers. They are bringing Cascade or Electrasol in from out of state because the eco-friendly varieties required under Washington state law don't work as well. Spokane County became the launch pad last July for the nation's strictest ban on dishwasher detergent made with phosphates US judge orders Iran to pay $25M for Hamas killing A federal judge is ordering Iran to pay $25 million plus interest to the family of an Israeli soldier kidnapped and executed by Hamas in 1994. Waterboarding Of CIA's First High-Value Captive Led To False Leads 350 jobs up for grabs in Google Internet search major Google is hiring for more than 350 positions worldwide, including over 20 in India, even as the entity is trimming its workforce in the U.S. Army billed Vet $3,000 for wounds Aging baby boomers get ready to squeeze savings, health care system With the first wave of baby boomers now into their 60s, the United States is getting grayer by the day.Just how gray, you ask? According to Dr. William Delaney, executive medical director of the Seifert and Ford Community Health Center of Danbury Hospital, 12 percent of Americans are 65 and older AT&T to start sending copyright warnings AT&T Inc., the nation's largest Internet service provider, will start sending warnings to its subscribers when music labels and movie studios allege that they are trafficking in pirated material, according to an executive. Feds sue Dish Network over do not call complaints The nation's second-largest satellite TV provider - Dish Network - is being sued by the government for alleged violations of the national Do Not Call Registry.
Madoffed
Trustee Agrees to Sell Part of Madoff's Business Trustee overseeing Madoff liquidation agrees to sell trade operation to raise money for claims Madoff UK offices in fraud probe Subprime Swindlers Work A New Angle: Rescue Scams IRS: Castroneves owes $2.3 million in taxes The IRS says Brazilian race driver and "Dancing With The Stars" winner Helio Castroneves (EHL'-ee-oh kas-troh-NEH'-vehz) owes more than $2.3 million in taxes.

Science
Crabs 'sense and remember pain' Research on hermit crabs indicates that they not only suffer pain but also retain a memory of it. Brain cortex thinning linked to inherited depression The brains of people with a family history of depression look different and work differently than those of others, according to a study that offers insight into the disease's progression.	Study: Stem cell treatment effective in heart patients Kidney stones in youths on the rise Doctors are puzzling over what seems to be an increase in the number of children with kidney stones, a condition some blame on children's love of cheeseburgers, fries, and other salty foods
Politics
Bill would improve vets insurance benefits Senator seeks to ratify nuclear test ban pact The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry, said on Friday he had begun laying the groundwork for Senate ratification of a global pact banning nuclear tests. Congress eyes tax on health benefits Faced with mounting budget deficits and the enormous cost of reforming the nation's health-care system, Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill are expressing increasing openness to an idea that once seemed unthinkable—taxing some health-care benefits. Treasury secretary says market won't solve problem Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner defended his approach to fixing the country's economic mess Sunday, saying "the market will not solve this" while disclosing a bailout fund for battered banks has $135 billion left and might need more Financial regulators missed the big picture, big problems To help understand why the Obama administration is pushing for greater financial regulation, it may help to examine the case of Orange County's Ameriquest Mortgage Co., whose dizzying rise was followed by a monumental crash. Opposition to Obama fuels Sen. Vitter's resurgence His party may have taken a severe beating in last year's elections but Republican Sen. David Vitter's political career, once seemingly crippled by a sex scandal, appears to be on the rebound as he takes on a high-profile role of being critical of congressional Democrats and President Barack Obama. Companies Pretty Up Prices to Win Stimulus Projects Low bids for stimulus-financed public works projects offer value to the taxpayer, but some warn that states should be on the lookout for artificially low estimates Some Banks Seek To Repay Bailout Money Bank of America CEO Kenneth Lewis has said he wants to begin repaying in April the roughly $45 billion the company received from the federal bailout. Saskia Scholtes, who covers U.S. financial services for the Financial Times, discusses the banks that are seeking to repay the bailout funds. GM CEO forced out as U.S. readies autos aid General Motors Corp Chief Executive Rick Wagoner resigned under pressure from the Obama administration on Sunday as the government prepared to announce a second bailout for the company and its smaller rival Chrysler LLC	Proposal would let non-citizens vote A bill opening the door to immigrants and other non-citizens to vote in municipal elections is getting a frosty reception in some quarters. Financial overhaul plan draws GOP opposition The Obama administration's aggressive plan for strict scrutiny of hedge funds and other freewheeling investors, part of the biggest expansion of financial restraints since the Great Depression, is drawing instant opposition from Republican lawmakers and the rules' targets. And skeptics are questioning whether the new rulebook would work anyway. How the Senate voted on a national service bill The 79-19 roll call by which the Senate voted Thursday to triple the size of the AmeriCorps and broadly expand incentives for students and seniors to give back to their communities.... Democrats, GOP duel over small business taxes Few small businesses would see a tax increase under President Barack Obama's budget plan. But those companies in line for higher taxes employ the most workers and could be hit hard Treasury secretary says market won't solve problem TARP has $134.5B left, Treasury says Treasury projects a balance of $134.5B of the original $700B in the federal TARP program to aid banks A Lesson on Health Care From Massachusetts President Obama aims to lower costs, but Massachusetts focused on expanding access first Is The Time Right For Economic Patriotism? The government is pushing executives of bailed-out firms to give up bonuses. It's also looking for investors to buy up toxic bank assets. And U.S. automakers want Americans to buy domestic cars. Do such appeals to economic patriotism make sense? Government should offer incentives for homes to go green Fisher admits Fed missed oncoming crisis The Federal Reserve failed to spot the global financial crisis ahead of time, but its aggressive rescue efforts should soon stem the decline in growth, Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher said on Thursday.
Obama
TYT: Why Did President Obama Rephrase The Marijuana Question? Blago list included Senate hopefuls A list of people targeted for contributions by former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign committee included four possible candidates for appointment to President Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat, according to a published newspaper report. Report: U.S. mulling Obama-Assad meeting The United States is considering arranging a meeting between President Barack Obama and Syrian President Bashar Assad, a United Arab Emirates-based newspaper reported on Saturday Obama: Some friendships strained since taking over Thomas Jefferson once described the presidency as "unceasing drudgery" and said the job caused him to lose friends daily. Multinationals Oppose Obama Proposal on Foreign Earnings Tax A laundry list of multinational corporations and trade associations signed on to a letter Tuesday opposing a foreign earnings tax pitched by President Barack Obama in his budget blueprint. The measure is now under consideration by lawmakers.	Obama moves to fill 3 more slots at Treasury Did Iran Really Reject Obama's Overture? The real story behind the U.S. media's 'told-you-so' response to President Obama's New Years message to Iran. Obama limits stimulus lobbying President Barack Obama says lobbyists pushing for projects in the stimulus package can't utter a word about them to administration officials. Lobbyists are hardly staying mum about this latest affront and are looking for ways to cope with the extraordinary speaking ban. Cheney Slammed Obama To Israelis In Run-Up To Gaza War WATCH: Petraeus Rejects Cheney Comments Biden rules out lifting Cuban embargo In his first official visit to Latin America, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Saturday the White House wants the region to play a more active role in organizations such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and ruled out lifting the embargo on Cuba. Obama: We're watching rising rivers President Obama said his administration plans to keep a close watch on and help fight the rising waters in the Dakotas and Minnesota.
Economy
Housing, other indicators point to a possible turnaround A surprise increase in housing sales nationally and locally is one of several indicators that the economy could be nearing a turnaround, experts said. Meltdown 101: Rising savings could slow recovery The personal savings rate, which was hovering near zero just a year ago, is now at the highest level in more than a decade as a severe recession causes Americans to tighten their belts	The new blood diamonds? First there were "blood diamonds," the gems that fueled conflict and human rights abuses in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Then there was "conflict cocoa," the chocolate source that's harvested by children and funds civil war in Ivory Coast. Now concern is rising about the minerals that go into common consumer electronics. Could that be a BloodBerry or a Conflict Cell in your pocket?

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Without Pay, Iraqi Sunni Fighters Threaten to Quit Iraqi Sunni fighters who turned against al-Qaida threaten to quit unless government pays them Friday: 3 Iraqis Killed, 1 Wounded Iranian opposition to be relocated in Iraq Iraq plans to move members of an Iranian opposition group from a camp north of Baghdad to remote areas elsewhere in the country as it steps up efforts to rid itself of a major source of tension with Tehran, a top government official said yesterday. Jihadi dispute points to deeper radicalism among youths A leading jihadi theologian - and adviser to the late leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq - is under fire for moderating his views. Sunnis U.S. called allies in Iraq rebel after their leader's arrest Sunni militants staged a violent uprising in central Baghdad Saturday after Iraqi forces detained a leader of the Sons of Iraq, a mostly Sunni paramilitary force that until recently had received salaries from the United States and is now on the Iraqi government payroll. If Hamas Stops Firing Missiles at Israel, Israel Will Not Harm Its Leaders According to Palestinian sources, Israel and Hamas have come to an agreement whereby Israel will not harm Hamas leaders if Hamas stops firing missiles into Israeli territory.	Saturday: 6 Iraqis Killed, 16 Wounded Arabic website reports deal on British hostages Kidnappers of five British men held hostage for nearly two years say they have struck a deal that would trade the foreigners for several detainees now in American military detention, according to an Arabic news website Clashes between Iraq forces and Sunni guards kill 3 Hours of clashes between Iraqi security forces and Sunni Arab neighborhood guards killed three people and wounded eight in Baghdad on Saturday, a medical source in a nearby hospital said. Kurd sees 'very bad signals' from Baghdad Masrour Barzani, the Kurdish region's security chief, criticizes the failure so far to implement an article of the Iraq Constitution concerning control of oil-rich Kirkuk. Iraq Issues Ultimatum to Mojahedeen-e Khalq: Leave the Country or Be Banished to Desert Iraqi national security advisor Muwaffaq Al-Rubai'i has reiterated his call to the Iranian opposition organization Mojahedeen-e Khalq to leave Iraq voluntarily. Otherwise, he said, the government would consider relocating the organization UN suggests power-sharing for Kirkuk
Middle East
Israeli military in anthrax row Experts find "grave ethical failures" in 1990s' experimental anthrax tests on soldiers. Israeli army disperses protest in West Bank town Israeli army disperses protest in West Bank town Hamas frees rival Fatah leaders in Gaza Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip released three leaders from the rival Fatah faction of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, hours after they were arrested for questioning, Fatah officials said on Saturday. Two Islamic Jihad conspirators jailed Court sends members of Israeli-Arab terror cell that planned to murder IAF pilots and scientists to prison. Anti-tank missile fired at IDF patrol Settlers attack police dressed as Arabs Police spokesman says settlers threw stones, tried to run disguised officers over near W. Bank outpost Medvedev: No nuclear trade-off with US Russia won't increase pressure on Iran even if US cancels deployment of European defense system Lebanon: Incident between a UNIFIL Vehicle and Hizbullah Operatives According to a report on the Lebanese website www.nowlebanon.com, a vehicle of the UNIFIL Polish contingent, deployed in southern Lebanon, lost its way and ran into Hizbullah operatives near the Litani river. Saudi Al-Qaeda Operative Surrenders A senior Al-Qaeda operative who served as a commander on the Syrian-Iraqi border surrendered to the Saudi authorities. According to security sources, the operative has extensive information about Al-Qaeda cells recruiting members Ahmadinejad and Assad: Our Camp Is Winning In a telephone conversation, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad that the enemies were getting weaker by the day, and that the strong Iranian-Syrian camp would win. One killed, seven wounded in Turkey vote violence	Report: Israel used unmanned drones to attack Sudan convoys The Israel Air Force used unmanned drones to attack secret Iranian convoys in Sudan that were trying to smuggle weapons to Palestinian militant organizations in the Gaza Strip, the London-based Sunday Times reported Sunday Media allege corruption in massive Israel-India arms deal Allegations of possible illegalities in a massive arms deal between Israel and India have surfaced over the weekend in the Indian media. The size of the deal between the Indian Ministry of Defense and Israel Aerospace Industries, estimated at $1.5 billion, had grown to allow for the payment of commissions, which is illegal in India, said the press there Fatah man hid Hamas official from Israel Hamas spokesman: The Fatah member provided me with shelter, logistical support during Cast Lead. PA dismantles W. Bank youth orchestra Israeli Arab who conducted concert for Holocaust survivors in Holon last week banned from city Chechen Shot Dead in Dubai A Chechen was shot dead on Saturday and Dubai Police say it may have been an assassination. Saudi prince questions king's deputy appointment A brother of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has started a rare public debate over the succession by questioning the appointment of the kingdom's interior minister as second deputy prime minister-a position that would normally place him second in line to the throne. Fatah Sources in Lebanon: Zaki Was Targeted for Assassination Fatah sources in Lebanon assessed that it was Palestinian Ambassador to Lebanon 'Abbas Zaki who had been targeted in the assassination attempt that killed his deputy Kamal Medhat. Pentagon chief favors sanctions to press Iran
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
Russia 'to aid Afghan fight' Moscow says it will increase co-operation with the Nato military alliance. Afghan war to take years, Obama declares Europe Offers Police And Cash, But Not Troops America's European allies pledged Friday to send more police trainers and cash to Afghanistan, but shied away from deploying more troops on a long-term basis in response to a renewed U.S. push to end the war. Lieberman backs Obama's anti-Taliban plan Taliban leader looks to reclaim Afghanistan, U.S. says Mullah Mohammed Omar is reconsolidating power, say administration officials, and a new U.S. strategy in Afghanistan aims to thwart his plans. An additional 4,000 troops will deploy for training.	Official: Intel predicts rising Afghan violence U.S. intelligence suggests that violence in Afghanistan will rise through 2009 despite the Obama administration's new strategy for combatting the Taliban and shoring up the Afghan government, a top intelligence official said Friday. Violence in Afghanistan has steadily risen for the past three years as the ousted Taliban has staged a comeback U.S. seeks support on Afghan plans at Hague forum The United States is expected to seek international support for its renewed commitment to defeat Islamist militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan at a U.N. conference in the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Pakistani forces kill 26 militants in Mohmand region Pakistanis doubt the effectiveness of more U.S. aid As the U.S. and the World Bank announce more funds for the shaky Pakistan government, people say it won't make a difference without some reforms. Why do Pak politicians trot off to Dubai? Why do Pakistan's top politicians hold meetings in Dubai or London whenever there is a political crisis in the country Taliban abduct 11 Pakistani policemen Taliban militants kidnapped 11 Pakistani policemen on Sunday in an attack on a security post in the Khyber region on the Afghan border, a government spokesman said.	Al-Qaeda Commander Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid Criticizes Pakistani State-Supported Jihadists, Threatens India: "Mujahideen Will Retaliate With Attacks on Indian Economic Interests That Will Lead Them to Bankruptcy, Just Like the U.S. is Going Bankrupt Toda Drone attacks inside Pak having effect: US The US drone attacks inside Pakistan were ''having an effect'' but Washington and Islamabad will decide whether to continue the strikes, which have been unpopular in the country, a top American official has said.
Asia
Ex-Khmer Rouge Still Dominate Regions of Cambodia China turns to Buddhism to calm Tibet, Taiwan tensions The Beijing-backed Panchen Lama addressed an international Buddhist audience in English on Saturday, as officially atheist China turned to Buddhism as a balm for internal unrest and international tensions. Gates says US can do nothing about NKorean missile The U.S. can do nothing about North Korea's plans to launch a rocket even though it's a step toward developing an intercontinental ballistic missile that could carry a nuclear warhead, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said. China uses abortion pill to cut gerbil population Forestry officials in far western China have resorted to scattering abortion pills near gerbil burrows in a bid to halt a rodent plague threatening the desert region's fragile ecosystem, state media said Wednesday.' US 'will not shoot down' N.Korea missile	Philippines partially gives in to kidnappers' demand The Philippines pulled about 800 police and militiamen out of a cordon surrounding kidnappers holding three Red Cross workers on a remote southern island on Saturday, partially giving in to the Islamist militants' demands. Hong Kong teens arrested for making bombs Three Hong Kong teenagers have been arrested for possession of explosives, and tests were being made to determine if the material was the same type used in the deadly 2005 London subway bombings. N.Korea charged U.S. reporters with spying Lost radioactive material found in NW China Chinese authorities on Saturday said they have found a potentially lethal radioactive nuclear material that went missing during a demolition of a cement plant in northwest China
Europe
200 Children Identified As Potential Terrorists In Britain Once-safe tax havens feeling international heat Germany smashes 'global new deal' Ahead of G20, British plans for global stimulus ambushed by Merkel.	Bosnia’s jobless rate at 43 percent and risingFourteen years after Bosnia's devastating 1992-95 war, the economy is still a wreck. Experts warn that it could get even worse.
Africa
France seals African uranium deals Mining agreements highlight of President Sarkozy's visit to Central and West Africa. Gas tanker hijacked by Somali pirates released
The Americas
Mexican court rules no trial for ex-president A Mexican court on Thursday upheld a ruling that exempted former president Luis Echeverria from facing genocide charges for his alleged involvement in a 1968 student massacre U.S. freezes Venezuelan 'parallel market' account Venezuela's foreign exchange market was thrown into turmoil Thursday after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration obtained a court order freezing a Bank of America account handling a large percentage of ''parallel market'' business	Colombian Authorities Break Up Plot to Assassinate IAPA President Labor Victory in Guadeloupe After Six-Week Strike Reverberates Across French Caribbean and France US-born ex-Guyanese president dies at 88 Janet Jagan, a Chicago native who became Guyana's first white and first female president, died on Saturday, a government official said. She was 88.