The News Crawler

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Last Update: Wednesday, May 27, 2009

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I'm Still Tortured by What I Saw in Iraq -I should have felt triumphant when I returned from Iraq in August 2006. Instead, I was worried and exhausted. My team of interrogators had successfully hunted down one of the most notorious mass murderers of our generation, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq and the mastermind of the campaign of suicide bombings that had helped plunge Iraq into civil war. But instead of celebrating our success, my mind was consumed with the unfinished business of our mission: fixing the deeply flawed, ineffective and un-American way the U.S. military conducts interrogations in Iraq. I'm still alarmed about that today. The UN says it's the biggest movement of people since Pakistan ... It's an exodus on an almost biblical scale Admiral Mullen: Iraq withdrawal 'on track' Job Losses Up In 44 States US JOBLESS RATE MAY SOON TOP EUROPE'S Judge threatens Obama w/sanctions U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker of San Francisco warned the Obama administration on Friday of severe sanctions if it does not comply with the court’s order to turn over a secret document an Islamic group says proves they were illegally spied upon. Government Experiments on U.S. Soldiers: Shocking Claims Come to Light in New Court Case They say government scientists messed with their minds. Now, veterans who were the subject of top-secret experiments want answers. Halliburton Chief Denies Company Still Tied to KBR Halliburton Co. CEO Dave Lesar today dismissed suggestions by a shareholder that the 2007 spinoff of its former subsidiary KBR was a ruse and that Halliburton's recent agreement to pay most of KBR's legal fines in a federal bribery case was an example... Contractors say Blackwater supplied forbidden guns The material was uploaded under names of famous teenage celebrities such as Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers. Many started with footage of children's videos before groups of adults performing graphic sex acts appeared on screen. Human Rights Attorney Vince Warren: Obama's "Preventive Detention" Plan Goes Beyond Bush Admin Policies	FBI DIRECTOR admits pot doesn't kill. In this instance, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) gets Mueller to admit that marijuana has never killed anybody, then smashes into tiny bits the decades-old "gateway drug" argument Afghan anti-drug effort a failure: US admiral NATO has failed to stem vast opium trade that helps finance Taliban insurgents. Kerry Backs Pelosi: CIA Lied To Me About Contras And Cocaine North Branford: Teenager Killed In 1-Car Crash Conn. farms selling shares to survive Griffins have farmed the fields of this small northern Connecticut town for more than 350 years. But none of them might have worried as much as Harrison and Carol Griffin over this question: Would they be, after nine generations, the last of their line working the soil in Suffield? Credit-card bill: What it does, what it doesn't do \| csmonitor.com Among the things the legislation does not do: No cap on interest rates or fees. It does not put a maximum on the interest rates or fees that credit-card companies can charge consumers. Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson says Dick Cheney borders on treason Keith Olbermann interviews Colin Powell's former Chief of Staff, Lawrence Wilkerson. KO and Wilkerson discuss the cynicism of Dick Cheney's speech and how Cheney knows that an attack on the U.S. and/or a deepening of the financial crisis would help the Republicans because they can blame it on Obama. Wilkerson says this borders on treason. Powell Aide: "Cheney Kept Some Things From the President" Fear of prosecution led to Cheney speech, daughter says Paper: Cheney lied repeatedly in speech Spanish Judges Target High-Ranking US Officials In Human Rights Investigation Gates to Cadets: Question Authority Mr. Gates said he would not "pretend that there is not risk" to standing up to higher-ranking officers. "But that does not make taking that stand any less necessary for the sake of our Army and our country," he said. Popular Texas Mayor Resigns For Gay Immigrant Love
Connecticut
AT&T Poised For Battle With Cable Cos. An epic battle for your television service is beginning to unfold as Connecticut's cable TV companies try to fend off an unlikely upstart — AT&T.	CT man guilty in FDIC retirement scheme Rell Vows To Veto Measure Abolishing Death Penalty
United States
Liberty University Rejects Democratic Club On "Moral" Grounds Popular Texas Mayor Resigns For Gay Immigrant Love Toxic Homes: Florida Hit Hard by Chinese Drywall DETROIT'S PAPER CAPER Traffic, Sales Up Since City's Papers Dropped Home Delivery Contractors say Blackwater supplied forbidden guns The material was uploaded under names of famous teenage celebrities such as Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers. Many started with footage of children's videos before groups of adults performing graphic sex acts appeared on screen. Minutemen Leader Ordered To Pay $135,000 Burn before reading: Omnivore's Dilemma a banned book? According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, the book was dropped from the common reading list for incoming freshman. The university is citing budget constraints as the reason, but those seems dubious at best. After all, Washington State, a well known agriculture school, has already purchased 4,000 copies of the book. 6th grader's Harvey Milk project blocked by school Natalie Jones, a 6th grader, was told by her principle that she would be unable to present her presentation on Harvey Milk because of the "sensitive matter". The ACLU is calling this censorship and looking to file a lawsuit if the school district does... Halliburton Chief Denies Company Still Tied to KBR Halliburton Co. CEO Dave Lesar today dismissed suggestions by a shareholder that the 2007 spinoff of its former subsidiary KBR was a ruse and that Halliburton's recent agreement to pay most of KBR's legal fines in a federal bribery case was an example... Early retirements increase sharply Social Security claims up 25%, as laid-off workers try to ease pain. Mullen: Military to comply if gay ban changes' Government Experiments on U.S. Soldiers: Shocking Claims Come to Light in New Court Case They say government scientists messed with their minds. Now, veterans who were the subject of top-secret experiments want answers. Explosion Rocks NYC Starbucks Supervised Drug-Injection Facilities in New York? Yes We Should (and Can)! If we're serious about real drug reform, let's create a space where users can take their drugs in a sterile, safe environment.	VIRUS hits FBI networks. NYT Reporter Casts Doubt On Own Claim That 1 In 7 Detainees "Returned" To Jihad 'Black box' idea travels to cars Does your newly licensed teenager drive too fast? Do you worry when he or she takes your car to hang with friends you haven't met? Are you spending a small fortune to insure your novice driver? Pornographic videos flood YouTube "I will only send you into harm's way when it is absolutely necessary, and with the strategy, the well-defined goals, the equipment and the support that you need to get the job done," the president told more than 1,000 graduates during a sun-splashed ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Leilani Neumann found guilty in Wausau faith-healing homicide case Jurors have found Leilani Neumann guilty of causing her daughter’s death by failing to provide medical help for the 11-year-old girl she knew was seriously ill. Fake Boobs, Donald Trump and Miss USA: Why Do Trashy Beauty Pageants Still Exist? Gates to Cadets: Question Authority Mr. Gates said he would not "pretend that there is not risk" to standing up to higher-ranking officers. "But that does not make taking that stand any less necessary for the sake of our Army and our country," he said. Spanish Judges Target High-Ranking US Officials In Human Rights Investigation FBI lured dimwits into terror plot The arrest of petty crooks over a plan to target Jews has put the use of sting operations under fire “This whole operation was a foolish waste of time and money,” claimed Terence Kindlon, a defence lawyer who represented the last terror suspect to be tried in New York state. “It is almost as if the FBI cooked up the plot and found four idiots to install as defendants.” Girlfriends say informant gave NY 'terrorists' weed, money Terror plotter David Williams did it for me, says sick brother Lord McWilliams N.Y. terror suspects have rap sheets The four men accused of plotting to bomb New York synagogues and shoot down military airplanes with missiles are down-and-out ex-convicts living on the margins in a faded industrial city. S.E.C. Seeks to Limit Stock Trades by Its Workers FDA: Pistachio plant knew some nuts were tainted
Madoffed
3 charged in $200m Ponzi scheme

Science
Did Asteroids Really Do in the Dinosaurs? Two studies challenge the theory that asteroids wiped out the dinos.
Politics
In speech, Cheney hits 9/11 25 times.....Text of Cheney's speech on national security‎ - This was the world in which al-Qaida was seeking nuclear technology and A.Q. Khan was selling nuclear technology on the black market. We had the anthrax attack from an unknown source. We had the training camps in Afghanistan and dictators like Saddam Hussein with known ties to Mideast terrorists. Text of President Obama's speech on national security‎ - I know some have argued that brutal methods like waterboarding were necessary to keep us safe. I could not disagree more. As commander in chief, I see the intelligence. I bear the responsibility for keeping this country safe. And I categorically reject the assertion that these are the most effective means of interrogation. What's more, they undermine the rule of law. They alienate us in the world. They serve as a recruitment tool for terrorists, and increase the will of our enemies to fight us, while decreasing the will of others to work with America. Video President Obama: Speech on National Security and Torture This is part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Reid Shifts On Gitmo After Obama Speech U.S. to rely more on scientists for air rules: EPA Fear of prosecution led to Cheney speech, daughter says Exclusive: The lie Cheney told about A.Q. Khan Paper: Cheney lied repeatedly in speech TWO BUSH OFFICIALS FIRE BACK AT CHENEY Two top Bush-era officials on Friday rejected ex-vice president Dick Cheney’s scathing criticism of US President Barack Obama, saying the country’s national security was not in jeopardy. Obama Vs. Cheney: How The Pundits Called The Fight Well, we hope everyone enjoyed today's foreign policy showdown! Because that's what it was, apparently! At least that's what the media's been saying. Who knows? It's so hard to know what to believe anymore! Why, before today, I was under the distinct impression that Barack Obama was going to be discussing foreign policy as a popular elected leader, charged with the duty of running that policy, whereas Dick Cheney was a retiree speaking for a fee in front of a room full of cronies. The two do not seem to be, well...equivalent! And yet, here is how Chuck Todd greeted fellow newsman David Gregory today, after this mano-a-mano had concluded Video: We tortured 34 prisoners to death,,,64 more are being investigated. Dick Cheney Continues To Lie About Torture Feingold: 'Prolonged detention' could create 'future Guantanamos' 9/11 commissioner slams Bush for not reacting to warnings Finally declassified by the Bush administration amid public and political pressure in April 2004, the PDB from Aug. 6, 2001 said, "The FBI is conducting approximately 70 full-field investigations throughout the U.S. that it considers bin Laden related." The PDB also said that the CIA and the FBI at the time were investigating a call to the U.S. embassy in the United Arab Emirates three months earlier saying that "a group of bin Laden supporters was in the U.S. planning attacks with explosives." House Considers Bills To Equalize Federal Crack And Powder Cocaine Sentencing Detainee interrogations increasingly outsourced Petraeus Tells RFE/RL That Recent Gitmo, Interrogation Moves Will 'Help' (U.S. efforts in Iraq-Af) Judge threatens Obama w/sanctions U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker of San Francisco warned the Obama administration on Friday of severe sanctions if it does not comply with the court’s order to turn over a secret document an Islamic group says proves they were illegally spied upon. Are Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads Doomed? Pharmaceutical companies and media outlets are nervously watching for signs that Democrats may limit consumer advertising of prescription drugs	CNN poll: Dick Cheney's approval rating going up Wouldn't you know it: seems like former Vice President Dick Cheney's 'reasons for torture tour' is starting to soften up the American public. Sorta like they did to detainees, except less painful and more persistently annoying. Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson says Dick Cheney borders on treason Keith Olbermann interviews Colin Powell's former Chief of Staff, Lawrence Wilkerson. KO and Wilkerson discuss the cynicism of Dick Cheney's speech and how Cheney knows that an attack on the U.S. and/or a deepening of the financial crisis would help the Republicans because they can blame it on Obama. Wilkerson says this borders on treason. Powell Aide: "Cheney Kept Some Things From the President" Palin Rejects Stimulus Funds, Dares Legislature To Override Veto Senators keep $100b for IMF in war funds U.S. Sets Aside $1 Billion For Swine Flu Vaccine GM Borrows Another $4 Billion From Treasury House Debates 10 Cent Gas Tax Increase Today Fitzgerald: Fight crime by hiring felons U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald stood before a room packed with business officials Thursday and asked them to do something they probably have never considered: Hire felons. U.S. wants to resume migration talks with Cuba Bush criticized by former 9/11 commission member A former member of the 9/11 Commission criticizes former President George W. Bush in a new book for not responding to pre-attack intelligence on Osama bin Laden's intentions Credit-card bill: What it does, what it doesn't do \| csmonitor.com Among the things the legislation does not do: -No cap on interest rates or fees. It does not put a maximum on the interest rates or fees that credit-card companies can charge consumers. -Disputes don’t go to court. It does not do away with the requirement that consumers with a dispute against their credit card companies take it to arbitration, rather than to the courts. Arbitration decisions typically favor credit-card companies, consumer groups say. Interchange fees. The highly controversial issue of “interchange fees” was deferred to a study by the US Government Accountability Office. Retailers wanted Congress to regulate the fees charged to merchants every time a consumer uses a credit card for payment, eating into their profits. These omissions signal that “the banks still have residual power on Capitol Hill,” says Ed Mierzwinski, a consumer advocate with US PIRG in Washington. “Those are things we’ll need to do in the future. It’s still a great bill, though.” It's time for boards to limit CEOs' compensation The touchy subject of executive pay was in the news again last week as Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation that would give shareholders more sway over how much the CEO takes home. Law protects renters from foreclosure evictions Buried in a housing law signed this week by President Obama are protections that will help renters stay in their homes after their landlord has been foreclosed on. Why Did U.S. Interrogators ‘Soften Up’ the Uighurs for the Chinese Government? While the Republicans in Congress are up in arms about the possibility that a handful of Uighurs will be released into the United States, it’s worth noting that these Chinese Muslims could have some disturbing stories to tell about their treatment at Guantanamo Bay.
Obama
Obama Signs Sweeping Credit Card Reform Bill US State Department Diplomatic Recommendations for Shepherd Hijacking, 21 Jan 2009US diplomatic recommendations for the highjacking of a $200M US flagged chemical tanker by seperatists/pirates. Note that the offered recommendations include "sink ship" and "let the UK, China or Australia pay the ransom". Obama Naval Academy Commencement Speech: President Speaks To Military Graduates Obama "confident" GM can thrive after restructuring Gay US diplomats to get full benefits for partners Obama Aides: Cheney Is Just Rehashing Old Bush Administration Fight Human Rights Attorney Vince Warren: Obama's "Preventive Detention" Plan Goes Beyond Bush Admin Policies	Obama's Terror Speech: "We Will Be Ill-Served By The Fearmongering" OBAMA STRIKES Bush 'preemption'.President Obama continued to reverse his predecessor's policies this week by undoing a controversial Bush administration rule known as "preemption" that used federal regulations to override state laws on the environment, health, public safety and other issues. Obama, in a memorandum to federal agency heads issued late Wednesday, said his administration should undertake regulations preempting state laws in rare instances and "only with full consideration of the legitimate prerogatives of the states and with a sufficient legal basis for preemption." WHITE HOUSE TO GM: PREPARE FOR BANKRUPTCY
Economy
Job Losses Up In 44 States US JOBLESS RATE MAY SOON TOP EUROPE'S Regulators Seize Florida's BankUnited... Biggest Bank Failure This Year U.S. Steel Hurt by Chinese Pipe Imports, ITC Says	Some lessons from history on our financial crisis History tells us that the mortgage mess and the financial crisis that ensued had its start in unsound mortgage-lending practices that sprang from a laudable goal -- to increase home ownership

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Questions Raised Over Plan To Withdraw US Troops From Major Iraqi Cities By June 30 Baghdad Roadside Bomb Kills 3 US Soldiers Thursday: 3 US Soldiers, 28 Iraqis Killed; 72 Iraqis Wounded Friday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 9 Wounded Saturday: 1 US Soldier, 2 Americans, 13 Iraqis Killed; 11 Iraqis Wounded Sunday: 24 Iraqis Killed, 39 Wounded Spanish judge charges US soldiers over murder A Spanish judge revived murder charges against three US soldiers over the killing of Telecinco Spanish television cameraman Jose Couso and Reuters cameraman Ukrainian Taras Protsyuk during the shelling of Palestine Hotel in Baghdad in 2003. Iraq's disgraced trade minister expected to step down Iraq's trade director, who made history last week as the first government minister ever forced to answer corruption charges before a nationwide television audience, is expected to resign before a no confidence vote in the Iraqi parliament on Tuesday, a top party official said Saturday. Admiral Mullen: Iraq withdrawal 'on track' Gender issues worsen Iraq's medical woes Anbar province is so conservative that a man would rather have his pregnant wife die in labor than be touched by a male nurse Iraq to restore citizenship to thousands who fled to Iran At least 22 dead in Iraq violence	Ex-Soldier Spared Death Penalty For Iraq Murders Iraq arrests Al Qaeda linked network A senior official reported on Thursday that Al Qaeda linked religiously extremist group that was arrested has confessed receiving financial support from Syria. The network has recruited a woman suicide bomber who blew herself up inside Imam Moussa Al Kazem (A.S) shrine last April. US Holds Journalist Without Charges In Iraq 2 Americans killed in Baghdad An American was found dead in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, the U.S. military said Saturday, the apparent victim of a slaying that occurred at a time when blast walls are coming down and Iraqi forces are assuming greater control. Eighteen US soldiers confirmed with swine flu in Kuwait Former Senior Interrogator In Iraq: Cheney Is Wrong Some Iraqi Women Play A Secret Game During the height of the violence in Anbar province in 2006, a group of women began gathering in secret to practice their passion: handball. They played in abandoned schools despite threats from strictly religious Sunni insurgents. They still play in decrepit buildings with antiquated equipment, but now they're aiming for a championship in a national tournament. Turkey boosts Euphrates flow after Iraq complaints Turkey has increased the flow of water in the Euphrates river by opening sluices upstream after Iraq complained its farmers faced an imminent crisis, Iraq's water resources minister said on Sunday.
Middle East
Israeli troops kill Gaza fighters Soldiers shoot dead two men, allegedly carrying explosives, near crossing point. Saudi Terrorist Rehab Latino Gang Accused Of Targeting Blacks In California... 147 Gang Members Indicted Egypt arrests 7 terror attack suspects Authorities identify group responsible for February bombing in Cairo as Palestinian Islamic Army. 'Israeli assassination of Nasrallah would set region ablaze' Israel is planning to assassinate the head of the southern Lebanon-based Shi'ite militia Hezbollah, a development which would "set the region ablaze," one of the group's deputies told an Arab language newspaper on Friday. Jerusalem will never be divided, Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu affirmed that Jerusalem will stay Israel’s capital and will "never be divided". Netanyahu said that only Israeli sovereignty over a united Jerusalem would ensure free religious practice and access to holy sites by the three major faiths. Israel Removes Illegal Settler Outpost in West Bank The move was a possible gesture by the Israeli government to President Obama after his first meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamas turns to mud to fight Israel's economic blockade With Israel refusing to allow building materials across the border, the Hamas-led government in Gaza is pushing a new plan to replace thousands of homes destroyed by Israel's winter military offensive: mud-brick buildings.	Syria rejects Israel talks offer Damascus reiterates its calls for an Israeli commitment to restore the Golan Heights Hassan Nasrallah - 'Israeli spies' must die The Hezbollah leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, calls for the execution of anyone found guilty of spying for Israel. Prominent Egyptian dissident burned in attack Ayman Nour, one of the few liberal campaigners for democracy in Egypt, spent nearly four years in prison after challenging the country's longtime president. 2 terrorists trying to plant bombs killed in gunfight along Gaza border Netanyahu: We'll build only in existing settlements Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rebuffed U.S. calls to impose a freeze on all settlement activity in the West Bank, setting the stage for friction with President Barack Obama. ... Outrage Over Torture Video Goes Unheard In UAE A video screened at a congressional hearing earlier this month has sparked opposition to an agreement between the United Arab Emirates and the Obama administration to develop nuclear energy. It shows a member of the royal family of the UAE brutalizing an Afghan man. But while the case has provoked outrage here in the U.S., it's barely been reported in the UAE's tightly-controlled media. Internet Sites Blocked by Iranian Government Hezbollah denies report about Hariri assassination Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group denied a report by a German magazine linking it to the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, saying Sunday that it was an attempt to tarnish its image before parliamentary elections.
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
The Military Hides Under the Skirts of Women to Justify War in Afghanistan The Pentagon portrays Afghanistan as a moral battle to "protect" its women. Afghan women tell another story: more war equals suffering. US troop surge in Afghanistan 'could push Taliban into Pakistan'	Ex-Taliban claims abuse at Gitmo, Bagram As one of the right-hand men to Taliban leader Mullah Omar, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef was one of the first Taliban leaders arrested when the United States began military operations in Afghanistan. Taliban attack district in NE Afghanistan
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Pakistan Generals Say Taliban on the Run Suffering Swat Valley residents say fighting has cut off access to food, water. Deadly car bomb in Pakistan city A car bomb kills at least six people and injures about 70 in the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar, police say. The UN says it's the biggest movement of people since Pakistan ... It's an exodus on an almost biblical scale	Canada Denies Lifting Arm Sales Ban To Pakistan Anti US protests in Pakistan The rally was organised on the day Pakistan's military seized several key areas in the Swat Valley's Taliban-held main town of Mingora, Pakistan ready to 'phase out' nukes While concerns over the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal remain high, Islamabad says it is ready to 'phase out' its nuclear weapons
Asia
Arrests in Chinese slavery case Police in eastern China have arrested 10 people suspected of beating mentally disabled people forced to work as slaves in brick factories. China stuck in 'dollar trap' China's official foreign exchange manager is still buying record amounts of US government bonds, in spite of Beijing's increasingly vocal fear of a dollar collapse, according to officials and analysts... Tamil Tigers admit leader is dead	North Korea Says It Conducted Successful Nuclear Test Insurgency takes toll on both Buddhists, Muslims Thailand -- The young Muslim man says he watched helplessly as soldiers broke his father's bones and punctured his lungs with vicious kicks. After seven hours of relentless torture, the Muslim religious leader died cradled in his lap N. Korea fires missiles to threaten U.S. spy planes: official
Europe
Georgia mutiny suspect shot dead Georgian police have shot dead a man suspected of playing a key role in a mutiny at a military base earlier this month, officials say.	Georgia Shoots 3 Men Wanted in Rebellion
Africa
Deadly battles in Somali capital Scores of casualties as government tries to push al-Shabab fighters out of capital. Civilians caught in Somalia fighting, 39 dead Suicide car bomber kills 7 in Somalia, residents flee Italian ship arrests 9 pirates off Somalia	Rebels rush to Mogadishu, residents fear more bloodshed Somali gunmen 'renounce piracy' Around 200 Somali pirates are reported to have renounced piracy at a meeting in northern Somalia. Members of the group met local leaders and Somali expatriate
The Americas
Mexican prisoners walk out of jail Director, guards arrested for suspected complicity in drug-linked mass escape. Venezuelan TV owner's business raided Government agents Thursday night raided a car dealership business here owned by the main owner of Globovision, an all-news television station that President Hugo Chávez has been threatening to close in recent days.	Venezuela mulls takeover of local Pfizer plant Venezuela's government may take temporary control of a shuttered medicine plant that belongs to Pfizer Inc. , a top official said Friday, suggesting that the New York-based company should resume production. Canada Convicts Rwandan Man For Genocide A Rwandan man was found guilty of war crimes during his country's 1994 genocide, becoming the first person convicted under a new Canadian law that allows residents to be tried for crimes committed abroad.

Explosion Rocks NYC Starbucks

The UN says it's the biggest movement of people since Pakistan ... It's an exodus on an almost biblical scale

Anti US protests in Pakistan The rally was organised on the day Pakistan's military seized several key areas in the Swat Valley's Taliban-held main town of Mingora,

Pakistan ready to 'phase out' nukes While concerns over the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal remain high, Islamabad says it is ready to 'phase out' its nuclear weapons