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Netherlands closing prisons, lack criminals

Hope, but No Advances, in China-U.S. Climate Talks Congressional delegation says five days of discussions did not yield substantial progress.....China Is Said to Plan Strict Gas Mileage Rules New Chinese fuel economy rules would be even more stringent than the United States standards that President Obama is seeking to impose.

BUSH He strongly defended his Troubled Asset Relief Program as crucial to preventing capital markets from freezing up, which he said would have led to another Great Depression. He noted that he remains "a free market guy." Bush was asked what he thinks about conservative pundits who claim the Obama administration's fiscal policies are opening the door to socialism. "I've heard talk about that," he said. "I think the verdict is out. I think people are waiting to see what all this means."

Did Clinton Help Cause The Financial Crisis? Then there’s the argument from the left that I shouldn’t have signed the bill that got rid of the Glass-Steagall law because that enabled banks and investment banks in effect to merge their functions. And then there’s the argument that I make, which is that I should have raised more hell about derivatives being unregulated. I believe the last one is by far the most valid …

10 Sleazy Ways That Goldman Sachs Distracted Us While Pocketing Billions from the Treasury

Top GOP Senator Repudiates Gingrich, Limbaugh Comments About Sotomayor: "It's Terrible" One of the top Republicans in the Senate, John Cornyn, is repudiating recent comments by Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich which claimed that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is a racist.

Nader: McAuliffe offered me money to pull out of key states In the volume, she and Nader allege that McAuliffe personally called and offered a sum of money to enhance the Nader campaign in 31 states if he would pull out of 19 key Democratic battlegrounds.

Who Are the Shadow Warriors? Countries Are Getting Hit by Major Military Attacks, and No One Is Taking Credit In Syria, Sudan and elsewhere there have been violent attacks that no country has claimed responsibility for. A dark new trend in warfare.

Iraq abuse photos depict torture, rape A former U.S. general said graphic images are among the photos of Iraqi prisoner abuse that President Barack Obama's administration does not want released. Pentagon denies report Iraq prison photos show rape

Sen Graham said torture photos depict 'rape'

Firm That Helped CIA Develop Torture Methods Vanishes

Pequot to close amid investigation Wilton-based Pequot Capital Management, once the world's largest hedge fund company, will be liquidated by founder Arthur Samberg because a federal insider-trading investigation has cast a cloud over

Crisco fined $4G for election miscues State Sen. Joseph Crisco was slapped with a $4,000 civil penalty by the state Elections Enforcement Commission Wednesday for signing the names of his 2008 re-election campaign’s treasurer and deputy treasurer on an application for public funds.

Conn. officer charged in drug case to retire A Connecticut police officer arrested in a drug case is retiring under a settlement with Norwich officials.

67 Judges To Lose Jobs Amid Reforms With the state's embattled probate court system on the brink of bankruptcy, the state Senate approved major reforms Wednesday night that will cut the number of probate judges from 117 to 50.

Special Ed Teacher, Board of Ed Sued for $50 Million The families of three autistic children, who were allegedly abused by their special education teacher, have filed lawsuits against the teacher and the New Britain Board of Education.

Molotov Cocktail Tossed, Kids Scared But Safe Imagine getting a call at work from your three children who say someone threw a homemade flammable device through a window and your house is on fire.

Do the Uninsured Drag Us All Down? You would be shocked to know how much you pay to cover others.

Does Obama Have a Double Standard on Earmarks? If the Administration is serious about curbing pet projects, why are there 9,000 of them in the new spending bill passed by the House?

12% Of Mortgages Are Late Or In Foreclosure
Loan Problems Expected To Last Another Year

U.S. durable goods orders rise New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods saw their biggest gain in 16 months in April and fewer workers filed for new jobless benefits last week, according to data on Thursday that suggested the deep recession was abating.

Pentagon says U.S. commander killed in Falluja

Iraqi Websites Filtered Following Iranian Regime Dictates In a clear indication of meddling in Iraq’s internal affairs, the Iranian regime has filtered websites belonging to Iraqi politicians who have expressed views against its meddling in Iraq or in favor of the Iranian opposition

Five Sadrists Acquitted in Nassiriya Five members of Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr’s movement have been acquitted by the Criminal Court in Nassiriya city

Peshmerga Confirms Responsibility for Protecting Borders of the Region Without Approaching the City Minister of the protection forces of Kurdistan Region (Peshmerga), said that his troops are in charge of protecting the borders of the region only, without approaching the cities or the polling stations on the day of the parliamentary elections

Iraq: 2 Iraqis Killed, 4 Wounded

Six Iraqi Kurds Stand for the Presidency of Iraq's Kurdistan Region

Car Bomb Kills 4, Wounds 10 in Baghdad

The Ministers of Energy of Turkey, Syria and Iran Will Discuss the Project of Linking Electricity in Baghdad Next Wednesday

Turkish Military Says Its Warplanes Hit Terrorist Group In Iraq's North A military spokesman said the warplanes had made "a direct hit" on the group of terrorists in Avasin-Basyan region near the Iraqi border.

Moussavi tells of 'hands' behind Khatami defamation Moussavi, who was speaking at the Urumiyeh University on Wednesday, dismissed controversial reports that Khatami, a former president of Iran, insulted Azeri Iranians in a recently-released video footage.Presidential hopeful Mir-Hossein Moussavi says allegations that his vocal supporter, Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, has insulted ethnic groups are "baseless lies"

On the Road in Iran After Obama videotaped a Persian New Year's message for the Iranian people, reiterating his offer of unconditional talks, most Western commentators interpreted Khamenei's lengthy and defiant response as a slap in the face. But what would have been most significant to any Iranian listening was a passage at the very end of the speech, when Khamenei said, "If you change, our behavior will also change."

28 people die in Afghanistan battles In Afghanistan, 28 people were killed in air raids, Battles and attacks in different regions of the country. In fact, a government official and 3 of his children were killed near the borders with Pakistan.

Our New Super-Embassy in Pakistan is a Gross Example of How the U.S. Chooses Security Over Aid

Pakistan seeks English version of Mumbai evidence Pakistan is seeking an English translation of information India provided about November's militant attacks in Mumbai in order to begin prosecutions of suspects, a government spokesman said on Thursday.

Multiple Blasts in Pakistan After Taliban Warning

Multiple bombs exploded in two Pakistani cities on Thursday, just hours after the Taliban issued an extraordinary warning for people to evacuate cities.

Market bombs kill five, injure 70, in Pakistan

Somalia

Somalia: one week in hell – inside the city the world forgot It's good times now," he told me when we met a few weeks ago. "We are only getting four to six gunshot casualties a day. That's very good." He pointed at the blackboard covered with his neat white handwriting: it recorded that 86 patients were undergoing treatment. "During the Ethiopian war [2007-08] we had 300 in this hospital."

Congo

Your Computer is Killing the Congo The metals used to make your cell phone, iPod and laptop are fueling a horrific war. Can you do anything to stem the trade of blood minerals?

The Dark Side of Plan Colombia

60 Haitian migrants taken captive by smugglers Armed smugglers took more than 60 Haitian migrants captive aboard an overloaded boat during a thwarted U.S. Coast Guard operation, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince said Thursday.

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Netherlands closing prisons, lack criminals Hope, but No Advances, in China-U.S. Climate Talks Congressional delegation says five days of discussions did not yield substantial progress.....China Is Said to Plan Strict Gas Mileage Rules New Chinese fuel economy rules would be even more stringent than the United States standards that President Obama is seeking to impose. BUSH He strongly defended his Troubled Asset Relief Program as crucial to preventing capital markets from freezing up, which he said would have led to another Great Depression. He noted that he remains "a free market guy." Bush was asked what he thinks about conservative pundits who claim the Obama administration's fiscal policies are opening the door to socialism. "I've heard talk about that," he said. "I think the verdict is out. I think people are waiting to see what all this means." Did Clinton Help Cause The Financial Crisis? Then there’s the argument from the left that I shouldn’t have signed the bill that got rid of the Glass-Steagall law because that enabled banks and investment banks in effect to merge their functions. And then there’s the argument that I make, which is that I should have raised more hell about derivatives being unregulated. I believe the last one is by far the most valid … 10 Sleazy Ways That Goldman Sachs Distracted Us While Pocketing Billions from the Treasury Top GOP Senator Repudiates Gingrich, Limbaugh Comments About Sotomayor: "It's Terrible" One of the top Republicans in the Senate, John Cornyn, is repudiating recent comments by Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich which claimed that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is a racist. Nader: McAuliffe offered me money to pull out of key states In the volume, she and Nader allege that McAuliffe personally called and offered a sum of money to enhance the Nader campaign in 31 states if he would pull out of 19 key Democratic battlegrounds. Who Are the Shadow Warriors? Countries Are Getting Hit by Major Military Attacks, and No One Is Taking Credit In Syria, Sudan and elsewhere there have been violent attacks that no country has claimed responsibility for. A dark new trend in warfare. Iraq abuse photos depict torture, rape A former U.S. general said graphic images are among the photos of Iraqi prisoner abuse that President Barack Obama's administration does not want released. Pentagon denies report Iraq prison photos show rape Sen Graham said torture photos depict 'rape' Firm That Helped CIA Develop Torture Methods Vanishes	Zakaria: What You Know About Iran is Wrong Everything you know about Iran is wrong, or at least more complicated than you think. Take the bomb. The regime wants to be a nuclear power but could well be happy with a peaceful civilian program (which could make the challenge it poses more complex). What's the evidence? Well, over the last five years, senior Iranian officials at every level have repeatedly asserted that they do not intend to build nuclear weapons. Iraqi Websites Filtered Following Iranian Regime Dictates In a clear indication of meddling in Iraq’s internal affairs, the Iranian regime has filtered websites belonging to Iraqi politicians who have expressed views against its meddling in Iraq or in favor of the Iranian opposition Obama meets Palestinian leader Abbas Israeli settlements are expected to top the agenda in talks between Barack Obama and Mahmoud Abbas at the White House. Israel Rebuffs U.S. on Settlements Mr. Netanyahu's spokesman Mark Regev said Thursday that the prime minister won't change his long-held position that building should be allowed to continue in existing settlements as part of "natural growth." Israel kills Hamas commander The Palestinian militant Hamas movement says Israeli forces shot dead a leader of its military wing near Hebron in the West Bank. Hamas gives fighters total freedom to avenge death of militant The Dark Side of Plan Colombia Somalia: one week in hell – inside the city the world forgot It's good times now," he told me when we met a few weeks ago. "We are only getting four to six gunshot casualties a day. That's very good." He pointed at the blackboard covered with his neat white handwriting: it recorded that 86 patients were undergoing treatment. "During the Ethiopian war [2007-08] we had 300 in this hospital." Your Computer is Killing the Congo The metals used to make your cell phone, iPod and laptop are fueling a horrific war. Can you do anything to stem the trade of blood minerals? FBI planning a bigger role in terrorism fight Bureau agents will gather evidence to ensure that criminal prosecutions of alleged terrorists are an option. The move is a reversal of the Bush administration's emphasis on covert CIA actions Our New Super-Embassy in Pakistan is a Gross Example of How the U.S. Chooses Security Over Aid
Connecticut
Pequot to close amid investigation Wilton-based Pequot Capital Management, once the world's largest hedge fund company, will be liquidated by founder Arthur Samberg because a federal insider-trading investigation has cast a cloud over Rell offers revised Conn. budget with more cuts Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell unveiled a revised budget Thursday that includes an additional $1.3 billion in spending cuts over two years. Crisco fined $4G for election miscues State Sen. Joseph Crisco was slapped with a $4,000 civil penalty by the state Elections Enforcement Commission Wednesday for signing the names of his 2008 re-election campaign’s treasurer and deputy treasurer on an application for public funds. Conn. officer charged in drug case to retire A Connecticut police officer arrested in a drug case is retiring under a settlement with Norwich officials.	67 Judges To Lose Jobs Amid Reforms With the state's embattled probate court system on the brink of bankruptcy, the state Senate approved major reforms Wednesday night that will cut the number of probate judges from 117 to 50. Special Ed Teacher, Board of Ed Sued for $50 Million The families of three autistic children, who were allegedly abused by their special education teacher, have filed lawsuits against the teacher and the New Britain Board of Education. Molotov Cocktail Tossed, Kids Scared But Safe Imagine getting a call at work from your three children who say someone threw a homemade flammable device through a window and your house is on fire.
United States
Security Issues FBI planning a bigger role in terrorism fight Bureau agents will gather evidence to ensure that criminal prosecutions of alleged terrorists are an option. The move is a reversal of the Bush administration's emphasis on covert CIA actions Russia accuses US of exaggerating Iran missile threat Cartels use kids to breach U.S. border Drug cartel members are using a variety of fronts and subterfuges - from fake tamale stands to child decoys - to gather intelligence about enhanced U.S. border security and exploit weaknesses to send in people and drugs, according to a new report obtained by The Washington Times Gates: No reason to build up US troops in Korea While worrisome, North Korea's nuclear and missile tests have not reached a crisis level that would warrant additional U.S. troops in the region, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said. Who Are the Shadow Warriors? Countries Are Getting Hit by Major Military Attacks, and No One Is Taking Credit In Syria, Sudan and elsewhere there have been violent attacks that no country has claimed responsibility for. A dark new trend in warfare. Corporate Greed Miss. companies sold illegal Chinese engines Three Mississippi companies are accused in a federal lawsuit of illegally importing and selling more than 78,000 small engines made in China. Solving the Immigration Problem Means Addressing the Realities of Corporate Globalization The current immigration crisis stems from deeper U.S. policy failures that must be addressed.	Pharmaceutical Tylenol May Come With Liver Warning Pharma co. to pay $95M for overcharging the homeless Immigration A Latino Walmart? In Houston, Walmart has just opened its first "Super Mercado de Walmart," which is targeted directly at Latino customers. Juan Tornoe, a Hispanic marketing consultant, explains how Walmart and other companies are effectively marketing towards this fast growing population Media News For Sale? Online Journalism Fees May Return Executives at major news companies are arriving at the consensus that they will simply have to find a way to charge people who read their articles online. But, as several newspapers have learned, it's not such a simple sell. Police Video contradicts BART cop's testimony Defense witnesses testimony refuted by video in Oscar Grant shooting death. NY officer acquitted for body slam that broke woman's jaw Study finds half of men arrested test positive for drugs Half of the men arrested in 10 U.S. cities test positive for some type of illegal drug, a federal study found.

Science
Aviation biofuel proves itself in tests, but is there Initial flight tests have found that jet fuel made partly of camelina, algae or other bio-feed stocks can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes by more than 50 percent, doesn't affect performance and presents no technical or safety problems, a top Boeing official said Thursday. enough? World's undiscovered gas and oil is largely north of Arctic Circle, geologists say
Politics
Nader: McAuliffe offered me money to pull out of key states In the volume, she and Nader allege that McAuliffe personally called and offered a sum of money to enhance the Nader campaign in 31 states if he would pull out of 19 key Democratic battlegrounds. Taxes National sales tax idea getting fresh look With budget deficits soaring and President Obama pushing a trillion-dollar-plus expansion of health coverage, some Washington policymakers are taking a fresh look at a moneymaking idea long considered politically taboo: a national sales tax. Bailouts 10 Sleazy Ways That Goldman Sachs Distracted Us While Pocketing Billions from the Treasury Accountants, Washington Helping Banks Fluff Profits Did Clinton Help Cause The Financial Crisis? Then there’s the argument from the left that I shouldn’t have signed the bill that got rid of the Glass-Steagall law because that enabled banks and investment banks in effect to merge their functions. And then there’s the argument that I make, which is that I should have raised more hell about derivatives being unregulated. I believe the last one is by far the most valid … BUSH He strongly defended his Troubled Asset Relief Program as crucial to preventing capital markets from freezing up, which he said would have led to another Great Depression. He noted that he remains "a free market guy." Bush was asked what he thinks about conservative pundits who claim the Obama administration's fiscal policies are opening the door to socialism. "I've heard talk about that," he said. "I think the verdict is out. I think people are waiting to see what all this means." GM Taxpayers Could Lose Billions in General Motors Revamp News Flash: Car Dealers are Republicans (It's Called a Control Group, People)A memo that is currently picking up traction in the conservative blogosphere is that the list of dealerships to be shut as a result of Chrysler's bankruptcy contains a disproportionate number donors to Republican candidates. There have been furious efforts to prove this contention by looking up campaign contributor lists at the Huffington Post, Open Secrets, and other places. There is just one problem with this theory. Nobody has bothered to look up data for the control group: the list of dealerships which aren't being closed. It turns out that all car dealers are, in fact, overwhelmingly more likely to donate to Republicans than to Democrats -- not just those who are having their doors closed.	Supreme Court Outrages accusation of the day Tancredo: La Raza is "a Latino KKK without the hoods or the nooses" It's Only Outrageous When She Says It Justice Scalia: Courts "Make Law" ... Justice Alito On Immigrant Background: "I Do Take That Into Account" When Ruling Abortion rights groups concerned about Sotomayor's stance Obama's Supreme Court nominee has little record on issues related to Roe vs. Wade. Top GOP Senator Repudiates Gingrich, Limbaugh Comments About Sotomayor: "It's Terrible" One of the top Republicans in the Senate, John Cornyn, is repudiating recent comments by Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich which claimed that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is a racist. Health Insurance Do the Uninsured Drag Us All Down? You would be shocked to know how much you pay to cover others. GITMO/Abu Gharab/Bagram Iraq abuse photos depict torture, rape A former U.S. general said graphic images are among the photos of Iraqi prisoner abuse that President Barack Obama's administration does not want released. Pentagon denies report Iraq prison photos show rape Sen Graham said torture photos depict 'rape' Obama Admin Asks Judge To Block Abuse Photos Firm That Helped CIA Develop Torture Methods Vanishes Secret cables may show doctors monitored CIA torture Al Qaida Interrogation Cookies: All It Took To Soften Abu Jindal Fascinating piece coming in tomorrow's TIME magazine. Reporter Bobby Ghosh writes, "The most successful interrogation of an al-Qaeda operative by U.S. officials required no sleep deprivation, no slapping or 'walling' and no waterboarding. All it took to soften up Abu Jandal, who had been closer to Osama bin Laden than any other terrorist ever captured, was a handful of sugar-free cookies." BUSH RE-ENTERS TORTURE DEBATE In his largest domestic speech since leaving the White House in January, Bush told an audience in southwestern Michigan that after the September 11 attacks, "I vowed to take whatever steps that were necessary to protect you." Federal Reserve Geithner Hopes China Will Decrease Exports
Obama
Obama administration supports a timeout on road building in national forests The U.S. Forest Service will announce a "timeout" on new road-building and other development in designated roadless areas of national forests today, sources say, prolonging a seesaw battle over a policy first announced in the waning days of the Clinton administration. Hope, but No Advances, in China-U.S. Climate Talks Congressional delegation says five days of discussions did not yield substantial progress.....China Is Said to Plan Strict Gas Mileage Rules New Chinese fuel economy rules would be even more stringent than the United States standards that President Obama is seeking to impose. Brenda Lee, Reporter, Dragged Kicking And Screaming From Near Air Force One Airport security officers carried the woman away by the feet and arms as she protested her removal. She was then allowed to leave. She said the letter she had written was opposing gay marriage.	Obama meets Palestinian leader Abbas Israeli settlements are expected to top the agenda in talks between Barack Obama and Mahmoud Abbas at the White House. US to host next G20 world meeting The White House confirms that the US will host the next G20 summit of world leaders in September Does Barack Obama believe in gay marriage? I think he probably is. A colleague surprised me by saying he didn't think so. There appears to be no hard evidence that Obama has any good friends who are gay. And there was this weird business from the campaign trail. Does Obama Have a Double Standard on Earmarks? If the Administration is serious about curbing pet projects, why are there 9,000 of them in the new spending bill passed by the House?
Economy
Record continuing unemployment Benefits rise to 6.78M, largest total on records dating back to 1967. Higher Interest Rates Spur Economic Concerns The interest rate on a 30-year mortgage jumped by a quarter point Wednesday, and the rate on a 10-year Treasury bond is up more than half a point over the past two weeks. The increase complicates the Fed's task of encouraging a recovery.	12% Of Mortgages Are Late Or In Foreclosure Loan Problems Expected To Last Another Year U.S. durable goods orders rise New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods saw their biggest gain in 16 months in April and fewer workers filed for new jobless benefits last week, according to data on Thursday that suggested the deep recession was abating.

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Pentagon says U.S. commander killed in Falluja Iraqi Websites Filtered Following Iranian Regime Dictates In a clear indication of meddling in Iraq’s internal affairs, the Iranian regime has filtered websites belonging to Iraqi politicians who have expressed views against its meddling in Iraq or in favor of the Iranian opposition Five Sadrists Acquitted in Nassiriya Five members of Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr’s movement have been acquitted by the Criminal Court in Nassiriya city Peshmerga Confirms Responsibility for Protecting Borders of the Region Without Approaching the City Minister of the protection forces of Kurdistan Region (Peshmerga), said that his troops are in charge of protecting the borders of the region only, without approaching the cities or the polling stations on the day of the parliamentary elections	Iraq: 2 Iraqis Killed, 4 Wounded Six Iraqi Kurds Stand for the Presidency of Iraq's Kurdistan Region Car Bomb Kills 4, Wounds 10 in Baghdad The Ministers of Energy of Turkey, Syria and Iran Will Discuss the Project of Linking Electricity in Baghdad Next Wednesday Turkish Military Says Its Warplanes Hit Terrorist Group In Iraq's North A military spokesman said the warplanes had made "a direct hit" on the group of terrorists in Avasin-Basyan region near the Iraqi border.
Middle East
Iran Zakaria: What You Know About Iran is Wrong Everything you know about Iran is wrong, or at least more complicated than you think. Take the bomb. The regime wants to be a nuclear power but could well be happy with a peaceful civilian program (which could make the challenge it poses more complex). What's the evidence? Well, over the last five years, senior Iranian officials at every level have repeatedly asserted that they do not intend to build nuclear weapons. Tehran or Bust A journey through the heart of Iran Iran says it boosts uranium enrichment capability President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran has boosted its capacity to enrich uranium, another sign of anti-Western defiance by the leader seeking re-election in a vote next month. Moussavi tells of 'hands' behind Khatami defamation Moussavi, who was speaking at the Urumiyeh University on Wednesday, dismissed controversial reports that Khatami, a former president of Iran, insulted Azeri Iranians in a recently-released video footage.Presidential hopeful Mir-Hossein Moussavi says allegations that his vocal supporter, Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, has insulted ethnic groups are "baseless lies" On the Road in Iran After Obama videotaped a Persian New Year's message for the Iranian people, reiterating his offer of unconditional talks, most Western commentators interpreted Khamenei's lengthy and defiant response as a slap in the face. But what would have been most significant to any Iranian listening was a passage at the very end of the speech, when Khamenei said, "If you change, our behavior will also change." Iran mosque bombing kills 15 Child-Executions Debate Roils Iran Vote As Iranians prepare to elect their next president on June 12, a range of civil-liberties issues -- from juvenile executions to the freedom to blog -- have become hot topics. Journalist says she falsely confessed to spying Journalist Roxana Saberi, who spent four months in an Iranian prison on espionage charges, said in her first in-depth interview that she initially confessed to being a spy but later recanted.	Lebanon IMF denies reports it negotiated with Hezbollah Emirates Property Scandal Hits Dubai, Media Silenced A major property development firm with links to the ruling family of the UAE city-state, and the firm's marketing agency, are accused by investors, many of whom are UK citizens, of obtaining millions of pounds through the use of false construction photographs. Turkey Police round up PKK supporters in multiple raids Police and gendarmerie forces on Thursday detained 35 people, including teachers and union members, on suspicion of ties to the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in raids across the country. Six soldiers killed, 11 injured in PKK landmine trap Six soldiers were killed yesterday morning and 11 others wounded when a remote-controlled land mine exploded in Hakkari, near the country's border with Iraq, security sources have said. Israel/Palestine Israeli cabinet to consider loyalty oath for citizens – including Arabs Israel kills Hamas commander The Palestinian militant Hamas movement says Israeli forces shot dead a leader of its military wing near Hebron in the West Bank. Hamas gives fighters total freedom to avenge death of militant Hamas decries prison time for charity members A senior Hamas official criticizes the prison sentences handed down by a U.S. court to members of a Muslim charity that sent aid to the militant Palestinian group Israel Rebuffs U.S. on Settlements Mr. Netanyahu's spokesman Mark Regev said Thursday that the prime minister won't change his long-held position that building should be allowed to continue in existing settlements as part of "natural growth."
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
28 people die in Afghanistan battles In Afghanistan, 28 people were killed in air raids, Battles and attacks in different regions of the country. In fact, a government official and 3 of his children were killed near the borders with Pakistan.
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Our New Super-Embassy in Pakistan is a Gross Example of How the U.S. Chooses Security Over Aid Pakistan seeks English version of Mumbai evidence Pakistan is seeking an English translation of information India provided about November's militant attacks in Mumbai in order to begin prosecutions of suspects, a government spokesman said on Thursday.	Multiple Blasts in Pakistan After Taliban Warning Multiple bombs exploded in two Pakistani cities on Thursday, just hours after the Taliban issued an extraordinary warning for people to evacuate cities. Market bombs kill five, injure 70, in Pakistan
Europe
Germany Ex-German hostage to pay flight costs former hostage must pay the German government euro12,640 ($17,630) to cover the cost of a helicopter it chartered to bring her part of the way home after her release by Colombian rebels, a court ruled Thursday.	Netherlands Netherlands closing prisons, lack criminals Brittan Expenses scandal claims more MPs
Africa
Somalia Somalia: one week in hell – inside the city the world forgot It's good times now," he told me when we met a few weeks ago. "We are only getting four to six gunshot casualties a day. That's very good." He pointed at the blackboard covered with his neat white handwriting: it recorded that 86 patients were undergoing treatment. "During the Ethiopian war [2007-08] we had 300 in this hospital."	Congo Your Computer is Killing the Congo The metals used to make your cell phone, iPod and laptop are fueling a horrific war. Can you do anything to stem the trade of blood minerals?
The Americas
The Dark Side of Plan Colombia 60 Haitian migrants taken captive by smugglers Armed smugglers took more than 60 Haitian migrants captive aboard an overloaded boat during a thwarted U.S. Coast Guard operation, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince said Thursday.

Tehran or Bust A journey through the heart of Iran