The News Crawler

The News Crawler
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Last Update: Tuesday, June 02, 2009

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Site News!!! Just added section of economic statics including market indexes, interest rates, and unemployment rates. U.S. Census sparks feud over the counting of illegal immigrants A national Latino clergy group wants 1 million to boycott the count in an effort to press for legalization. But immigrant activists decry the plan. In a high-stakes battle that could affect California's share of federal funding and political representation, immigrant activists are vowing to combat efforts by a national Latino clergy group to persuade 1 million illegal immigrants to boycott the 2010 U.S. Census. Would Joint Action on Online Pricing Violate Antitrust Laws? Participants in Thursday's under-the-radar meeting hosted by the Newspaper Association of America with the nation's top newspaper executives maintain that price wasn't discussed. Still, it begs the question: Can newspapers collectively decide to put content behind a paywall? And if so, would that violate antitrust laws? Unemployment in U.S. Probably Surpassed 9%; Job Losses Threaten Spending Unemployment in the U.S. probably surpassed 9 percent in May for the first time in more than 25 years, underscoring forecasts that the economy will be slow to pull out of the worst recession in half a century, economists said before a report this week. Obama Admin Refuses To Release Secret Documents In Wiretapping Case The Obama administration insists it has no obligation to provide access to a top secret document in a wiretapping case, setting up a showdown next week with the judge who ordered it released. Lawmakers Use Taxpayer Money To Buy TVs, Digital Cameras, Luxury Cars Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings spent $24,730 in taxpayer money last year to lease a 2008 luxury Lexus hybrid sedan. Ohio Rep. Michael Turner expensed a $1,435 digital camera. Eni Faleomavaega, the House delegate from American Samoa, bought two 46-inch Sony TVs. Court docs: GOP election judge bought votes with OxyContin Bishop and [elections official William] Stivers also used OxyContin to buy votes at the direction of [School Superintendent Douglas] Adams in 2002, former Manchester assistant police Chief Todd Roberts told investigators, according to another court document. Revenue-Hungry States Raising Taxes On Their Wealthiest Residents Passport Now Needed at Borders Stricter requirements when coming from Mexico, Canada could thwart travel plans.	Director Of Rep. Tancredo's Anti-Immigrant Group Assaulted African-American Woman.....TYT: Racist Conservative Karate Chops Black Woman! (Bonus Interview In Summary) Infomercial Attacking Obama's Health Care Plan Backed by 'Swift Boat' Financer But a major new national attack-ad campaign has the potential to put a dent in Obama's plans, with millions of dollars coming from one of the backers of the "Swift Boat" attacks that wounded John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election. Canada's 'Prince of Pot' at war with US drug war Psychedelic rock booms through The Vapour Lounge. In the store, young and some not-so-young people smoke pot through a variety of devices. And owner Marc Emery stands in the middle of it all, proclaiming his goal of defeating the U.S. war on drugs. Iran 'helped US bomb Taliban' Ex-Bush officials: Iran gave away locations of Taliban military units in Afghanistan. U.S. vows to keep using 'state secrets' defense The Obama administration has informed a federal judge it will continue to invoke the "state secrets" privilege in a legal battle with an Islamic charity suspected of funding terrorism. Abu Ghraib Rape and Abuse Photos Were Not the Ones Obama Wants to Suppress After All Turns out the story from the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph that the photos the Obama administration is refusing to release, despite a court order to do so, are not the same ones that Maj. Gen. Antonia Taguba said depict brutal rapes of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. At least, so says Mark Benjamin at Salon and now White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. General Petraeus Says U.S. Violated Geneva Conventions - What Will Cheney and Rush Say? US slams recent attacks in Iran Province governor says "terrorists" responsible for mosque attack were hired by US. 9/11 families angered by US support for Saudis Relatives of Sept. 11 victims say they're angry that the Justice Department is supporting the Saudi royal family's bid to be removed from a 9/11 lawsuit Drug Czar's Pot-Potency Claims Go Up In Smoke Gay mayor's illicit love shakes a Texas town Joseph Lown, the popular mayor, suddenly resigned last week after revealing he had fallen madly in love with an illegal immigrant. That was the first revelation; the second was that his new partner was another man.
Connecticut
Conn. updates law on certain veterans' service More Connecticut veterans of a little-known Persian Gulf mission now will qualify for benefits. Rell Ready To Roll With Keno, But Are Legislators? Get ready for Keno. You might have a beverage and play the game on a video touch-screen at the end of the bar at one of Connecticut's fine neighborhood establishments. You might win a few bucks, or, more likely, drop a few - which could add up to an estimated $60 million by the end of the year in revenue for the state. Senate Votes To Remove Rell's Power Over U.S. Senate Vacancy In another controversial bill, the Senate Democrats voted early Friday morning to remove Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell's power to appoint a U.S. Senator in case of a vacancy Officials debate AT&T standard State regulators have issued a draft decision in which they acknowledge that AT&T Inc. has failed to meet a state standard for phone repair since 2001, but agree with the company’s claim that the standard’s relevance should be re-examined. Shays says embezzlement may go back further than last campaign Former U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays says he believes the embezzlement uncovered in his last campaign may go back further than the last election cycle. Connecticut Foreclosures Set New Record Foreclosures and seriously delinquent home loans in Connecticut broke another record in the first quarter, as job losses deepened and more borrowers with prime mortgages fell behind in their payments.	Conn. Senate votes to open health insurance plan The Connecticut Senate has sent Gov. M. Jodi Rell a bill that opens the state's employee and retiree health insurance plan to municipalities, small businesses and nonprofit agencies. Two Recently-Fined Democrats, Gaffey And Crisco, Are Absent As Senate Debates And Rejects Creation Of A New Ethics Panel Suddenly missing, when the ethics proposal came up, were the two Democratic senators whose recent conduct has raised prominent ethical questions -- Thomas Gaffey of Meriden and Joseph Crisco of Woodbridge. Church vs. State A Catholic Diocese is suing mad after being told it must register with the State as a lobbyist. Pedophilia is "Human Nature," Sex Offender Says Before Jeffrey Brisson, 30, was sentenced to 45 years in prison and 25 years of special parole for the sexual assault of children who had been placed in his care, he defended pedophilia as “human nature”... Saltwater fishing license could soon be required John Massengill, 63 and recently retired from his job as a pipe fitter, spends a lot of his new free time fishing. Possible Assisted Suicide In Connecticut Connecticut police are investigating the death of an elderly Middlebury that might be linked to assisted suicide group. Middlebury police chief Richard Guisti says he received information from police in Georgia that the woman's death in November could be tied to a right-to-die organization, the Final Exit Network.
United States
19th century black Medal of Honor winner finally gets burial in Arlington Mays [who won the Medal of Honor in 1890] left the Army in 1893 and many years later applied for a federal pension. But he was denied. He was committed to an Arizona state hospital that cared for the mentally ill, tuberculosis patients and the indigent. Abortion Doctor Shot to Death in Church.....Doc was targeted by Fox News, abortion foes rejoice online...Recent Cases Of Abortion-Related Violence Katrina Hurricane Katrina victims to be evicted -- again the Federal Emergency Management Agency has decided to enforce a June 1 date — originally established by the Bush administration — for the eviction of several thousand victims of Hurricane Katrina who are still living in temporary trailers after nearly four years. FEMA working to move Gulf Coast trailer-dwellers The only thing keeping Gerard Rigney from getting back into his home is the FEMA trailer in his front yard. Gay Marriage Maya Angelou calls for marriage equality “To love someone takes a lot of courage,” the 81-year-old said in an interview with the newspaper. “So how much more is one challenged when the love is of the same sex and the laws say, ‘I forbid you from loving this person’?” Gay mayor's illicit love shakes a Texas town Joseph Lown, the popular mayor, suddenly resigned last week after revealing he had fallen madly in love with an illegal immigrant. That was the first revelation; the second was that his new partner was another man. Gay Activists, Black Ministers Seek Common Ground African-American ministers were vocal supporters of Proposition 8, which barred same-sex marriage in California. Now that D.C.'s city council has voted to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, gay rights activists hope to rally the city's black ministers to their side. Security Issues Military Companies Vying For Billions In Cyberwarfare Defense Contracts US doubles funds for Agent Orange cleanup The United States government has doubled its funding for dealing with the environmental and health consequences of its wartime use in Vietnam of the toxic herbicide There's No Drug Crime Wave at the Border, Just a Lot of Media Hype The national media have invented a drug-related rise of border violence that officials and local journalists say just isn't happening. New ID rules begin June 1 for Mexico, Canada trips New rules requiring passports or new high-tech documents to cross the United States' northern and southern borders are taking effect Monday, as some rue the tightening of security and others hail it as long overdue. Soldiers accused of photographing showers Several soldiers from the Virginia National Guard are under investigation for allegedly taking pictures of female soldiers in the shower during pre-deployment mobilization training. US debuts super laser system that burns as hot as a star Police Black NYPD shooting victim was off-duty cop Drug Czar's Pot-Potency Claims Go Up In Smoke US House Committee on Government Reform: Everything Secret Degenerates: The FBI use of murderers as informants, internal version, 2004 WATCH: Bizarre Fight Breaks Out Between Paramedics, Highway Patrol After Traffic Stop	Corporate Greed TVA appeals judge's ruling to clean up emissions TVA has appealed a federal judge’s ruling that its air emissions are a nuisance in North Carolina and should be cleaned up sooner rather than later The Credit Score You Get Is Not The One Lenders See Knowing how important credit history is when applying for a mortgage, Beverly and Richard Palmer went online to check the couple's credit reports and credit scores to see where they stood. Immigration U.S. Census sparks feud over the counting of illegal immigrants A national Latino clergy group wants 1 million to boycott the count in an effort to press for legalization. But immigrant activists decry the plan. In a high-stakes battle that could affect California's share of federal funding and political representation, immigrant activists are vowing to combat efforts by a national Latino clergy group to persuade 1 million illegal immigrants to boycott the 2010 U.S. Census. Media AP: "Pennsylvania Newspaper Runs Ad Calling for Obama Assassination" Would Joint Action on Online Pricing Violate Antitrust Laws? Participants in Thursday's under-the-radar meeting hosted by the Newspaper Association of America with the nation's top newspaper executives maintain that price wasn't discussed. Still, it begs the question: Can newspapers collectively decide to put content behind a paywall? And if so, would that violate antitrust laws? Murdoch Acknowledges: Printed Newspaper May Go Away Wikipedia Bans Scientologists From Site Taxes Revenue-Hungry States Raising Taxes On Their Wealthiest Residents Critics Attack Delaware As Tax Haven Leap in U.S. debt hits taxpayers with 12 percent more red ink in 2008 -- Before Obama! The latest increase raises federal obligations to a record $546,668 per household in 2008, according to the USA TODAY analysis. That's quadruple what the average U.S. household owes for all mortgages, car loans, credit cards and other debt combined. Courts 9/11 families angered by US support for Saudis Relatives of Sept. 11 victims say they're angry that the Justice Department is supporting the Saudi royal family's bid to be removed from a 9/11 lawsuit US man fined in Israeli spy case An elderly former employee of the US army is fined, but spared jail, for passing classified documents to Israel in the 1980s. Despite No Links to Violence, Founders of Muslim Charity Sentenced to Lengthy Terms for Donations to Needy Palestinians in Occupied Territories five founders of the Holy Land Foundation, once the nation’s largest Muslim charity, have received prison terms of up to sixty-five years on charges of supporting the Palestinian group Hamas Marshals Service says threats against judges mushrooming A man who says cops sodomized him with a baton erupted in anger Thursday when asked if his $220 million suit against the city is a money grab. "I'm angry," Michael Mineo told reporters outside Brooklyn Federal US judge refuses to dismiss 'Day of Prayer' suit A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit that claims the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled this week the case brought by the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation can move forward with discovery.

Science
Volcanic Eruption Caused Ancient Mass Extinction, Study Says One of the Earth’s largest extinctions was likely caused by a massive volcanic eruption that occurred in what is now southwest China more than 260 million years ago	Yale Study: Harmed Ecosystems Do Recover Immune therapies finally working against cancer
Politics
Court docs: GOP election judge bought votes with OxyContin Bishop and [elections official William] Stivers also used OxyContin to buy votes at the direction of [School Superintendent Douglas] Adams in 2002, former Manchester assistant police Chief Todd Roberts told investigators, according to another court document. Senate Lawmakers Use Taxpayer Money To Buy TVs, Digital Cameras, Luxury Cars Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings spent $24,730 in taxpayer money last year to lease a 2008 luxury Lexus hybrid sedan. Ohio Rep. Michael Turner expensed a $1,435 digital camera. Eni Faleomavaega, the House delegate from American Samoa, bought two 46-inch Sony TVs. Contractor tied to Murtha suspended A Pennsylvania defense contractor who got millions of dollars in congressional earmarks from Representative John P. Murtha has been blocked from doing business with the Navy amid allegations of fraud. Director Of Tancredo's Anti-Immigrant Group Assaulted African-American Woman.....TYT: Racist Conservative Karate Chops Black Woman! (Bonus Interview In Summary) Dem Lawmakers Ask Fed To Curb Overdraft Abuses Healthcare NBC & Meet the Press: Don't Air Rick Scott's Phony "Documentary" This Sunday, following Meet the Press, a 30-minute advertisement attacking health care reform is set to air on NBC in Washington, DC. The ad is by former hospital CEO Rick Scott and his group "Conservatives for Patients' Rights." Rick Scott has a track record of deceit. Scott's previous ads contained blatantly false statements and misleading excerpts of interviews with health care professionals. Join us in telling NBC not to run this phony "documentary" this Sunday. Supreme Court Sotomayor's Stance on Roe v. Wade Clarence Thomas On Walking In Another's Shoes Among the charges thrown at Sonia Sotomayor by her conservative critics, the argument that she and the President who nominated her to the Supreme Court would elevate empathy over law has proven the most contentious. In large part this is because her judicial record suggests quite the opposite; but mainly because nearly every recent Republican appointee to the Court has stressed, at one point or another, that their cultural and even ancestral roots do have an effect on their jurisprudence. Sotomayor Pick Sparks Low-Level Race War In GOP Steele: Republicans Need To Stop "Slammin' And Rammin'" On Sotomayor Republicans Aim To Clip Invective Of Right Wing Attacks On Sotomayor Could Hurt GOP, Party Leaders Say While some prominent conservative activists are hurling epithets at President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee, more and more Republicans are telling them to chill out and "grow up," or they risk damaging the party's chances of expanding its reach to women and Latinos. The Roots Of Judicial Activism With the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, the phrase "judicial activism" is in the air again. Kermit "Kim" Roosevelt III, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and author of The Myth of Judicial Activism: Making Sense of Supreme Court Decisions, talks about what "judicial activism" means. For the past 50 years, it has been an accusation slung primarily at liberals. Are conservative judges equally "activist" at times? GOP Senator Graham Breaks With Gingrich, Limbaugh: Sotomayor Is Not "Racist"	Health Insurance Two Dems Want to Scrap Employer-Based Health Care Ron Wyden and Jim Cooper's reform plan has bipartisan support, but is it too radical for Congress? GITMO/Abu Ghraib/Bahgram/CIA Black sites GENERAL DENIES 'RAPE PHOTOS' STORY White House Alerts Reporters: 'Important Please Read' "The photographs in that lawsuit, I have not seen," Taguba told Salon Friday night. The actual quote in the Telegraph was accurate, Taguba said -- but he was referring to the hundreds of images he reviewed as an investigator of the abuse at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq -- not the photos of abuse that Obama is seeking to suppress. Justice: Uighurs free to leave Gitmo, not allowed in US Petraeus Says U.S. Violated Geneva Conventions - What Will Cheney and Rush Say? Levin: Memos don't show what Cheney says they do Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, says former Vice President Dick Cheney's claims -- that classified CIA memos show enhanced interrogation techniques like waterboarding worked -- are wrong. EU should decide on Gitmo inmates Italy's interior minister insisted Saturday that any decision to accept Guantanamo inmates must be unanimously made by members of the European Union and expressed worry the suspected terrorists might move easily through the union's loose borders. For all the debate about interrogation, little research exists The heated debate in recent weeks about harsh interrogation treatments at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere highlights what some scientists have been warning the U.S. for years: that almost no research exists to tell interrogators the best way to get information out of suspected terrorists. Identity of men on CIA rendition flights to British island revealed Two terror suspects who were flown by the CIA to the British territory of Diego Garcia and later allegedly tortured have been named and evidence about their treatment has been revealed for the first time. Mohammed Madni and Shaykh al-Libi are identified in evidence prepared for the Commons foreign affairs committee by Clive Stafford Smith, director of the human rights group Reprieve. Abu Ghraib Rape and Abuse Photos Were Not the Ones Obama Wants to Suppress After All Turns out the story from the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph that the photos the Obama administration is refusing to release, despite a court order to do so, are not the same ones that Maj. Gen. Antonia Taguba said depict brutal rapes of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. At least, so says Mark Benjamin at Salon and now White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Some Guantánamo detainees to get laptops These captives already get to order fast-food takeout from the base and have access to a phone booth for weekly calls. Now some 17 Uighur Muslims awaiting a nation to grant them asylum are about to go high-tech, with laptops and web training. Environment Cap-and-trade won't cut it, Pt.2 Payal Parekh: Thanks largely to carbon offsets, new bill won't begin to reduce US emissions until 2027 "We All Live in the Coal Fields": West Virginians Step Up Protests as EPA OKs New Mountaintop Removal At least thirty people were arrested in West Virginia Saturday as protesters marked a new phase of Operation Appalachian Spring, a campaign to end mountaintop removal mining.
Obama
Infomercial Attacking Obama's Health Care Plan Backed by 'Swift Boat' Financer But a major new national attack-ad campaign has the potential to put a dent in Obama's plans, with millions of dollars coming from one of the backers of the "Swift Boat" attacks that wounded John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election. US asks Australia to take Uighurs The Obama administration asks Australia to accept a group of Chinese Muslim detainees waiting to be freed from Guantanamo Bay prison camp. Barack Obama's great uncle criticises him over Buchenwald visit "I was quite surprised when the whole thing came up and Barack talked about my war experiences in Nazi Germany. We had never talked about that before," he said, adding that he enjoyed a "warm and friendly relationship" with his great nephew, though he was not part of his inner circle. The first time they discussed his participation in the war was when Mr Obama wrongly said during the campaign that Mr Payne had "liberated" Auschwitz. Opponents swiftly pointed out that had been done by the Red Army. U.S. vows to keep using 'state secrets' defense The Obama administration has informed a federal judge it will continue to invoke the "state secrets" privilege in a legal battle with an Islamic charity suspected of funding terrorism.	Obama Admin Refuses To Release Secret Documents In Wiretapping Case The Obama administration insists it has no obligation to provide access to a top secret document in a wiretapping case, setting up a showdown next week with the judge who ordered it released. US transport boss: Spain's trains are US' model Spain's bullet train system is a model to follow as America plans how to spend the money the government is injecting to stimulate the economy, the U.S. transportation secretary said Saturday. Obama creates post to oversee cyber security America has failed for too long to protect the security of its computer networks, President Obama said yesterday, announcing he will name a new cyber czar to press for action. State Department Anti-Iran militia faces terrorist designation The State Department is seriously considering placing a shadowy anti-Iranian militant group on its terrorism list, a move that would send a conciliatory signal to Iran as the Obama administration is trying to restart diplomatic talks, according to US officials.
Economy	NEW Click for Economic Statistics
GM's UAW Members Approve Contract Amendments That May Ease Bankruptcy Exit General Motors Corp. U.S. employees represented by the United Auto Workers ratified an agreement that may save the automaker $1.3 billion annually and facilitate a quick exit should GM file for bankruptcy. US recession 'could be easing' Contraction in economy less than feared, US commerce department says. Oil prices continue rally to $66	US welcomes GM-Opel deal US said there is no financial commitment by its government under the Opel agreement. Unemployment in U.S. Probably Surpassed 9%; Job Losses Threaten Spending Unemployment in the U.S. probably surpassed 9 percent in May for the first time in more than 25 years, underscoring forecasts that the economy will be slow to pull out of the worst recession in half a century, economists said before a report this week.

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Friday: 1 US Soldier, 20 Iraqis Killed; 36 Iraqis Wounded Kurds entangling U.S. in border conflicts The Iraqi Kurdish administration in northern Iraq is running out of time as it faces growing international pressure to rein in rebel forces operating from inside its borders. Unease as Iraqis prepare to take over in cities Iraqis fear that Sunni and Shiite extremists are laying low waiting for the Americans to pull back and won't wait long to mount a challenge. Ex-Iraqi official arrested on way out of country Iraq's former trade minister, who resigned this month amid accusations of corruption, was arrested by security forces as he was trying to leave the country, officials confirmed to CNN.	Saturday: 7 Iraqis Killed, 2 Wounded Rehabilitating the Sons of Iraq \| James Denselow If the Sunnis are marginalised from the political process, instead of fighting al-Qaida they may revert to supporting them Sunday: 2 US Soldiers, 5 Iraqis Killed; 5 Iraqis Wounded Audio tape denies capture of Iraq insurgent leader The man purporting to be Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the head of the Islamic State of Iraq, issued the usual litany of militant rhetoric against the Wes
Middle East
Israel/Palestine Israeli PM goes off on US lawmakers 'What the hell do they want from me,' Netanyahu allegedly told confidante. Israel Threatens to Outlaw Palestinian Memory Israel is set to approve a radical new bill that threatens to legalize discrimination against its sizable Arab minority for the first time.The bill, approved this week by the ministerial committee for legislation, would make it illegal to relate to the creation of the state of Israel on May 15, 1948, as a day of mourning, thereby banning Arab Israeli citizens from marking what Palestinians call the Nakba – their "Great Catastrophe." Abbas's forces kill Hamas militant in raid A Hamas militant was killed and two Palestinian policemen were injured in exchanges of gunfire in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Sunday, Palestinian security officials said. Police shut Jerusalem theatre Israeli police shut down a Palestinian theatre in East Jerusalem preventing the closing event of a literature festival. Hamas says Fatah arrests 22 of its activists Hamas Islamists said on Saturday Fatah forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrested 22 of their activists in the West Bank. Settlers, leftists clash near West Bank village of Safa Clashes erupted on Saturday between settlers and left-wing activists who were trying to help Palestinians with agricultural work near the village of Safa in the West Bank Israel throws out proposed 'loyalty law' The Israeli government on Sunday threw out a proposal aimed at minority Arabs to require an oath of loyalty to Israel as a Jewish state or risk losing their citizenship, dealing a blow to the country's ultranationalist foreign minister, who spearheaded the proposal. THE GRANDCHILDREN OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS FROM WORLD WAR II ARE DOING TO THE PALESTINIANS EXACTLY WHAT WAS DONE TO THEM BY NAZI GERMANY (some photos are disturbing) Study: France is ignoring EU rules on arms sales to Israel, new study reports Lebanon Hezbollah: Iran to support Lebanon Nasrallah says Tehran would help supply Lebanon's army if his coalition is elected Lebanon charges four Israel spies Hizbullah raises alert ahead of drill UNIFIL, Lebanese army deploy 25,000 soldiers along Israeli border in preparation for IDF exercise. Hezbollah did it: Der Spiegal and the Rafic Hariri assassination Women candidates sidelined in Lebanon vote "It took us 50-plus years to get to 4.7 percent representation in parliament, and I can't imagine how long it will take to reach equality." Infamous terrorist flees to Lebanon An FBI official says a master bomb maker who once targeted commercial airliners and was suspected of aiding the Iraq insurgency has fled to Lebanon.	Saud Arabia Killer beheaded, put on display in Saudi Arabia The Saudi Interior Ministry asserted that Al-Anzi's body was displayed as a warning that those involved in similar crimes would suffer the same fate, the press agency reported. Emirates Bahrain's Shiites push for rights Bahrain's Shiites say they're seeking equality in a country where they are the majority, but their demands are seen by many Sunnis as a stalking horse for Tehran's regional ambitions. Iran Ahmadinejad Campaign Office Attacked By Gunmen Iran blames Sunni extremists, U.S. for deadly mosque bombing -- Iranian authorities are blaming the United States and Sunni Muslim extremists for the bombing of a mosque Thursday Iran hangs three over mosque blast Officials say trio had helped orchestrate Thursday's bombing that killed 25 people. Iran candidate backs women's rights Iran candidate backs women's rights Think tank accuses Ahmadinejad of distorting facts A moderate think tank led by Iran's former top nuclear negotiator accused President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of distorting facts about the country's nuclear program to depict himself as a hero and improve his chances in the upcoming election. Azerbaijan seen as new front in Mideast conflict - Los Angeles Times Officials say they foiled a plot by Hezbollah and Iran to bomb the Israeli Embassy in revenge for the 2008 slaying of Imad Mughniyah. Anti-terrorism officials fear a new militant hub. It happened in Baku, transforming the capital of Azerbaijan into a battleground in a global shadow war. Justice Served: Killing Mughniyah - TIME Iran calls in Pakistan envoy over mosque bomb Iran summoned Pakistan's ambassador over the deadly bombing of a mosque in the southeast after Sunni rebels reportedly claimed responsibility, the official IRNA news agency reported on Saturday. Iran Holds Aid Worker Silva Harotonian on Espionage ChargesThe State Department asserts the charges are without merit. Iran Holds Aid Worker Silva Harotonian on Espionage Charges Bomb found, defused aboard Iranian plane Security personnel defused a homemade bomb found on an aircraft during a domestic flight in Iran late on Saturday, Iranian media said, two days after a mosque bombing killed 25 people
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
Iran 'helped US bomb Taliban' Ex-Bush officials: Iran gave away locations of Taliban military units in Afghanistan. Taliban keep grip on kidnapped Canadian Canadian journalist Beverly Giesbrecht, who after converting to Islam became know as Khadija Abdul Qahhar, was kidnapped by a "good" Taliban leader late last year. A ransom of US$740,000 was agreed, but then the price shot up when the Pakistani bureaucracy became involved. Now Khadija is ill, but her captors are not budging	'Taliban killed' in Afghan province At least 35 fighters killed in clashes with patrol convoy, US military says. Two British soldiers killed in Afghanistan explosion 18 Taliban killed in western Afghanistan fighting Homes for disabled in Afghanistan A housing scheme for people left disabled by the three decades of violence in Afghanistan is completed in Kabul.
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Pakistan army 'regains' Swat city Taliban pushed out of Mingora after several days of fighting, military says. Pakistan: Corpses lie exposed in retaken Swat town Hafiz Saeed in protective custody, LHC told He said the evidence against these leaders could only be produced in-camera. He said Saeed’s party was allegedly involved in last year’s Mumabi terror attack. The bench inquired why India was not bound to follow the UN resolution on the Kashmir issue. The attorney general replied the matter concerned India, and he was no one to comment on it.	Russia ready join Iran-Pa.0 Pakistan gas pipeline - Report Russian business daily Kommersant reported that Russia is ready to join the proposed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline in a bid to divert Iranian gas away from European markets to avoid it competing with Russian gas. 10000 men protecting Pakistan's Nuclear assets
Asia
China Hundreds in China protest to mark Tiananmen Hundreds marched through Hong Kong on Sunday to mark the upcoming 20th anniversary of China's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters at Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989 Australia 'Race' attacks spark Indian rally At least 2,000 Indian students and supporters protest in Australia over attacks which they say are racially motivated.	India 20,000 killed in Sri Lanka conflict More than 20,000 civilians were killed in the final months of Sri Lanka's civil war -- nearly three times previous estimates, The Times newspaper in Britain reported Friday.
Europe
Brittan Somali piracy a boost for London's shipping insurers Russia Russia Shells A Village, Accidentally Warship accidentally fires on village near St Petersburg during military exercises. Russia opens WMD disposal plant A partly US-funded factory opens in Siberia to decommission vast stocks of chemical weapons held by Russia. Old dissidents still a voice in Russia, but fading They would meet in secret, terrified of a KGB knock on the door. They laboriously typed out banned publications. Many ended up in prison, labor camps and exile.	Georgia Several injured in Georgia clashes Activists and police injured in Tbilisi as protests against president turn violent. South Ossetia holds election Vote expected to strengthen breakaway Georgian province's pro-Russin president. Germany Why Germans are starting to strike – like the French Day-care workers are on strike this week as Germany's model labor union system shows signs of unraveling.
Africa
Sudan Doctors group: Rape is common against Darfur women A survey of dozens of women who fled violence in Darfur found that a third of them reported or showed signs of rape, and revealed a widespread fear of sexual violence in their refugee camp in Chad, a human rights group reported Sunday.	Mozambique says dozens missing after blasts Dozens of former guerrillas are missing after a series of blasts at a munitions base at their headquarters in the center of the Somalia Armed groups 'threaten all Somalia' Foreign minister calls for help in fighting al-Shabab group and its allies.
The Americas
Canada's 'Prince of Pot' at war with US drug war Psychedelic rock booms through The Vapour Lounge. In the store, young and some not-so-young people smoke pot through a variety of devices. And owner Marc Emery stands in the middle of it all, proclaiming his goal of defeating the U.S. war on drugs. Israeli UAV fights drugs in El Salvador Heron flies more than 10 missions, including over 100 hours in support of counter-drug surveillance. Chavez cuts TV show amid row with famous writer Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez cancels his TV show, Alo Presidente, amid a row with writer Mario Vargas Llosa. Israel to attend Americas summit to counter Iran clout Israel’s deputy foreign minister will attend the annual summit of the Organization of American States next week in a bid to counter the so-called Iran’s growing influence in Latin America, an official said on Saturday	Man Who Tracked Che For The CIA Awarded $1B In Lawsuit Dozens escape in Peru jailbreak At least 44 prisoners break out of a jail in Peru and flee into a remote northern jungle region, officials say. Venezuela to charge anti-Chavez TV president Pfizer in talks with Venezuela on factory closing Officials with drugmaker Pfizer Inc. have been talking with Venezuela's trade minister after the government there said it might temporarily take over a Pfizer medicine factory that is closing, the company said Thursday