The News Crawler

All terrorist networks have safe haven in Pakistan: Gates All major terrorist networks have a safe haven in Pakistan to operate creating a big "problem" to the US war against terror, defence secretary Robert Gates has said.

Obama: US should reach out to Taliban moderates

Mileage tax gains in Congress, but White House isn't sold Despite opposition from the White House, a proposal to tax motorists on the number of miles they drive each year is gathering speed on Capitol Hill.

In many states, cost is slowly killing death penalty

Real News report on "The cost of empire" Miriam Pemberton: US government spending $100B annually to maintain 1000 foreign military bases

Judges Receptive to Padilla Lawsuit Against John Yoo Even with the Obama Justice Department on the side of John Yoo, the former Bush administration deputy assistant attorney general at the Office of Legal Counsel, a federal judge hearing former enemy combatant Jose Padilla’s lawsuit against Yoo on Friday seemed wary of dismissing the case, The New York Times reports

State colleges and universities are seeing an increase in enrollment

Corrections: More Safety For Less Money Two decades ago, Connecticut politicians hewed to the "get tough on crime" line in a big way. The state spent more than $1 billion on new or expanded prisons from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. The result was some improvement in public safety, to be sure, but also a huge and expensive penal system. Today, the Department of Correction has 7,000 employees and an annual operating budget of almost $700 million.

Warming may be key to saving bats from white-nose syndrome Placing heated boxes in caves to keep hibernating bats warm when they wake prematurely may help stave off mortality from white-nose syndrome, the mysterious disease decimating bat populations in the Northeast, researchers said this week.

Rell's Stimulating Web Plan The buzzword of 2009 -- okay, second to toxic asset -- is transparency. And Gov. Jodi Rell has been busy using her HTML skills to code a new website to show off where federal stimulus dollars are flowing

US and Russia seek 2009 arms deal

Is the Future Going Down the Drain? Baby Boomers Going Bust Millions of boomers born into the dawn of the largest economic expansion in history are being forced to re-imagine their retirement futures.

Between Iraq and a hard place: Law keeps reservist from getting paid Ganado's Kirk Fowler patrolled the banks of a river in Iraq. Insurgents staged ambushes at the edge of a dozen nearby alleyways.

New Iraq oil strategy attempts to walk political fine line Falling oil prices will force Iraq to cut back on military spending, leaving questions about whether it can handle tasks such as protecting oil platforms in the Gulf once the American pullout is complete, a top U.S. commander said, Chelsea J. Carter reports for The Associated Press.

British commander in Iraq declares 'mission accomplished'

Oregon veteran disabled by Iraq's 'Agent Orange' Dust coated the Oregon Army National Guardsmen's combat boots and caked their skin as they protected Halliburton KBR contractors restoring oil flow in Iraq

Bombs kill 15 amid political crisis in Pakistan The bombings, coming days after gunmen attacked Sri Lanka's visiting cricket team

Bombs kill 15 in Pakistan; US drone reported down Three separate bombings killed 15 people in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday, while authorities investigated reports that a pilotless U.S. drone crashed elsewhere in the militant-plagued region bordering Afghanistan.

Pakistan militants shoot down drone: officials

Clinton pledges continued support for Pakistan US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged on Saturday that the Barack Obama administration would continue its support for Pakistan

Identity of two more Mumbai attackers traced to Pakistan The probe into Mumbai terror attacks has led investigating agencies to ascertain the real identity of wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba militants Abu Al Qama and Zarar Shah. Both of them are residents of Pakistan.

Former Pakistan captain sees "foreign element" in cricket attack Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan believes a "foreign element" could be involved in this week's attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, according to an interview published Saturday.

Pakistan says knows US hostage's kidnappers Pakistan has identified the kidnappers of an American UN official being held captive and surrounded the area, a minister said, as a deadline to kill the hostage was extended.

Official: Suicide bomber kills 4 in NW Pakistan

Govt frees 12 Taliban prisoners in Swat

Pak adept at playing games: US ex-intelligence officer

Sudan's Bashir Calls Aid Groups 'Thieves'

Mugabe Allies Intensify Bid to Take Farms of Whites

Sudan's president warns foreigners in Darfur

Kenya rights body: pattern of official killings Kenya's top human rights group charged Friday that the slaying of two activists was part of a pattern of assassinations of people who made allegations about police death squads.

Those hallways led to cells where around 2,000 political prisoners were held and tortured during the 1971-1978 military rule under General Hugo Banzer.

US military chief backs counter-insurgency for Mexico

The News Crawler
Free Free Local Business Advertising Available
Last Update: Monday, March 09, 2009	Click here for Yesterdays Edition

Headlines
All terrorist networks have safe haven in Pakistan: Gates All major terrorist networks have a safe haven in Pakistan to operate creating a big "problem" to the US war against terror, defence secretary Robert Gates has said. Obama: US should reach out to Taliban moderates Mileage tax gains in Congress, but White House isn't sold Despite opposition from the White House, a proposal to tax motorists on the number of miles they drive each year is gathering speed on Capitol Hill. In many states, cost is slowly killing death penalty Real News report on "The cost of empire" Miriam Pemberton: US government spending $100B annually to maintain 1000 foreign military bases Judges Receptive to Padilla Lawsuit Against John Yoo Even with the Obama Justice Department on the side of John Yoo, the former Bush administration deputy assistant attorney general at the Office of Legal Counsel, a federal judge hearing former enemy combatant Jose Padilla’s lawsuit against Yoo on Friday seemed wary of dismissing the case, The New York Times reports	Iran was 'helpful' to US in Afghanistan: Clinton US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has acknowledged that Iran was "helpful" to the United States in Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11 and after the Taliban were thrown out of Kabul. Underemployment Rate Almost 15 Percent The underemployment rate has now reached nearly 15 percent, as millions of Americans struggle to find work. Generals Go Public With PTSD After Iraq Trauma Army Generals Aren't Known For Talking About Their Feelings. Father disputes Army's suicide finding in daughter's death A father combs through the evidence, looking for answers to a case already closed by the military. He says she was raped and shot. Other women's cases are also being challenged. Will Obama Pull the Plug on the War on Drugs? More significantly, Obama flatly stated that “the war on drugs has been an utter failure.” Iran says ready to cooperate with U.S. on Afghanistan
Connecticut
The peanut peril Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) have set out several ideas on this, and a couple deserve particular attention. The Food and Drug Administration should have the power to order product recalls when there is evidence of danger, rather than waiting on manufacturers to issue voluntary recalls. State colleges and universities are seeing an increase in enrollment Corrections: More Safety For Less Money Two decades ago, Connecticut politicians hewed to the "get tough on crime" line in a big way. The state spent more than $1 billion on new or expanded prisons from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. The result was some improvement in public safety, to be sure, but also a huge and expensive penal system. Today, the Department of Correction has 7,000 employees and an annual operating budget of almost $700 million. Warming may be key to saving bats from white-nose syndrome Placing heated boxes in caves to keep hibernating bats warm when they wake prematurely may help stave off mortality from white-nose syndrome, the mysterious disease decimating bat populations in the Northeast, researchers said this week. Rell's Stimulating Web Plan The buzzword of 2009 -- okay, second to toxic asset -- is transparency. And Gov. Jodi Rell has been busy using her HTML skills to code a new website to show off where federal stimulus dollars are flowing	Committee formed to select US attorney for Conn. Connecticut's two U.S. senators have formed an advisory committee to screen candidates for U.S. attorney, U.S. marshal and other coveted federal positions. Man due in court for illegal possession of ape The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection began investigating him at that time and learned that he did not have and has never had a permit Connecticut Researchers Expect To Benefit From Stem Cell Decision President Barack Obama is expected to reverse the ban on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, a move that could particularly pay off for Connecticut, researchers here say. Conn. considers no-excuse absentee ballots A Connecticut legislative committee has endorsed a measure that would allow any registered voter to use an absentee ballot upon request. Conn. considers end to zone gasoline pricing A Connecticut legislative committee has endorsed a proposal to prohibit fuel distributors from charging varying amounts to gas stations based on their location. Rell Seeks Series Of Fee Increases With the state facing a massive budget deficit, citizens from virtually every walk of life will be paying higher fees starting in July under a proposal by Gov. M. Jodi Rell.
United States
US Govt may take oil royalty fight to Supreme Court Company shares $9 million with employees Readiness of some rebuilt levees questioned With the spring flood season fast approaching, the Army Corps of Engineers insists the earthen levees that were overwhelmed by the Mississippi River last summer are rebuilt and ready. Some people who depend on the levees aren't so sure. EPA to reconsider North Carolina pollution limits request The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will reconsider a request by North Carolina to hold 11 neighboring states to tighter air-pollution standards Judges Receptive to Padilla Lawsuit Against John Yoo Even with the Obama Justice Department on the side of John Yoo, the former Bush administration deputy assistant attorney general at the Office of Legal Counsel, a federal judge hearing former enemy combatant Jose Padilla’s lawsuit against Yoo on Friday seemed wary of dismissing the case, The New York Times reports.	Sweden’s ‘Mr. Fix-It’ Bank Bailout May Be Model for US, UK 10 Similarities Between Ultra-Conservative Republicans and Nazis Republicans often talk about (white) Americans as though they´re God´s chosen people, the only people who matte FBI raids target 'Taliban' gang in East Palo Alto, San Jose .. US and Russia seek 2009 arms deal Is the Future Going Down the Drain? Baby Boomers Going Bust Millions of boomers born into the dawn of the largest economic expansion in history are being forced to re-imagine their retirement futures. Ark. doc arrested after large weapons cache found A doctor who had been sanctioned by Arkansas' medical board was arrested after federal agents found grenades, grenade launchers and more than $1 million worth of machine guns in and around his home. But authorities said Friday the arrest is not tied to a recent bombing that critically wounded the board's chairman. Founder of prison-based terrorist group sentenced to 16 years Kevin James, founder of Jam'iyyat Ul-Islam Is-Saheeh, a terrorist group that targeted the U.S. government and supporters of Israel, pleaded guilty in 2007 of conspiring against the United States. FBI raid on food charity raises questions Lawsuits coupled with an FBI raid at the headquarters of a national food charity has raised accusations of financial mismanagement at the nonprofit. Police: Ill. pastor deflected gunshot with Bible (AP) A pastor shot and killed during his Sunday sermon deflected the first of the gunman's four rounds with a Bible, sending a confetti-like spray of paper into the air in a horrifying scene that congregants initially thought was a skit, police said. In many states, cost is slowly killing death penalty
Madoffed
Swiss minister rejects US demand for UBS data: report Switzerland rejects US demands that the country's largest bank UBS should hand over the data of 52000 US clients, Switzerland to Look Into Tax Evasion Cooperation Switzerland says it will look for ways to improve cooperation with US, others on tax evasion UK arrest over KBR bribe case British police arrest a London lawyer accused of moving millions of dollars in bribes to Nigeria to win contracts for a US firm. Cops: Fraud paid for 400 pairs of shoes A former bookkeeper embezzled $9.9 million, forcing her company to make layoffs as she bought 400 pairs of shoes that she kept in a room-sized closet decorated with a crystal chandelier and a plasma television, authorities claim

Science
Planet-Hunter Satellite Rockets Into Space Kepler, $600 million satellite, blasts off on voyage to find other Earths.	Hubble Captures Stunning Views of Mammoth Stars
Security Issues
Cybersecurity official quits, blasts NSA power grab A top federal cybersecurity official resigned this week in a letter sharply critical of what he described as a power grab by the National Security Agency. 4 arrested in Nevada probe of anti-government group Experts call for SOCOM, CIA to share personnel Special Forces soldiers and Central Intelligence Agency operatives could soon be moving seamlessly between the military and intelligence realms if Congress follows advice it received Tuesday. Anti-government group members arrested for money laundering Four members of an anti-government movement, known as the "Sovereign Movement," have been arrested after a three-year investigation by the Nevada Joint Terrorism Task Force on allegations of money laundering, tax evasion and possessing unregistered machine guns. Arrests of illegal immigrants crossing U.S.-Mexico border drop sharply	Generals Go Public With PTSD After Iraq Trauma Army Generals Aren't Known For Talking About Their Feelings. Guantanamo got worse after US election: ex-detainee A freed Guantanamo prisoner has said conditions at the US detention camp in Cuba have worsened since President Barack Obama was elected, claiming guards wanted to "take their last revenge" 2 recruiting bosses fired after suicide probe Two leaders of the Houston Recruiting Battalion have been replaced and disciplinary actions may be possible up to brigade level after an investigation into the suicides of four soldiers in the battalion. Father disputes Army's suicide finding in daughter's death A father combs through the evidence, looking for answers to a case already closed by the military. He says she was raped and shot. Other women's cases are also being challenged. Real News report on "The cost of empire" Miriam Pemberton: US government spending $100B annually to maintain 1000 foreign military bases
Politics
Pressure may mount to know who got AIG bailout blns FDIC Bill Attempt To Bypass TARP battle Those funds would be distinct from the contentious $700 billion financial-sector bailout, which lawmakers are loathe to expand. New Wave Of Federally-Backed Mortgages Go Bad Without A Single Payment Stimulus raises state sovereignty issues Republican lawmakers from more than 20 states across the country are willing to take federal funding, but only on their terms. New law creates tax break hide-and-seek Michael and Kathy Hale are losers in America's new, and often vexing, game of tax break hide-and-seek. Pentagon's Unwanted Projects in Earmarks When President Obama promised Wednesday to attack defense spending that he considers wasteful and inefficient, he opened a fight with key lawmakers from his own party. Top U.S., European Banks Got $50 Billion in AIG Aid	Broadcasters take FCC’s white spaces decision to court Specter Facing Pressure To Abandon Republican Party Before 2010 Election Congressional Data Mining: Coming Soon? How a little-noticed provision in a House spending bill could revolutionize news. Mileage tax gains in Congress, but White House isn't sold Despite opposition from the White House, a proposal to tax motorists on the number of miles they drive each year is gathering speed on Capitol Hill. McCain: GM Should Declare Bankruptcy General Motors, the nation's largest automaker, should stop receiving bailout money and declare bankruptcy, Sen. John McCain and another top GOP leader said Sunday. Official Quits Amidst Fraud Scandal Darrel Dochow allowed IndyMac bank to cook its books, investigators say.
Obama
Obama Proposes Overturning Bush’s ‘Right to Conscience’ Rule Obama: Crisis Is A Time Of "Great Opportunity" Obama Chides Holder For Comments On Race Obama nominates 3 to key Treasury posts President Barack Obama has chosen three people to join the senior ranks of the Treasury Department, where a slow pace of hiring has put the agency on the defensive.	Will Obama Pull the Plug on the War on Drugs? More significantly, Obama flatly stated that “the war on drugs has been an utter failure.” Obama lawyers argue to drop Yoo torture suit Holder vows to restore DOJ civil rights While in Alabama, Holder says he wants to end “the scourge of racial profiling.”
Economy
Underemployment Rate Almost 15 Percent The underemployment rate has now reached nearly 15 percent, as millions of Americans struggle to find work. Recession on track to be longest in postwar period	‘Gas OPEC’ to hold landmark meeting in Doha Historically Dismal: Job Cuts Scrape Levels Not Seen in Fifty Years February expected to be single biggest month of job cuts since 1949 Price of gasoline continues to edge upward

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Security developments in Iraq, March 7 Iraqi women suffer 'silent emergency': aid agency Women in Iraq are trapped in a "silent emergency", victims of poverty and insecurity, an aid agency said on Sunday, International Women's Day. Fort Hood soldier dies in Iraq from mortar attack Between Iraq and a hard place: Law keeps reservist from getting paid Ganado's Kirk Fowler patrolled the banks of a river in Iraq. Insurgents staged ambushes at the edge of a dozen nearby alleyways. New Iraq oil strategy attempts to walk political fine line Falling oil prices will force Iraq to cut back on military spending, leaving questions about whether it can handle tasks such as protecting oil platforms in the Gulf once the American pullout is complete, a top U.S. commander said, Chelsea J. Carter reports for The Associated Press. British commander in Iraq declares 'mission accomplished' Oregon veteran disabled by Iraq's 'Agent Orange' Dust coated the Oregon Army National Guardsmen's combat boots and caked their skin as they protected Halliburton KBR contractors restoring oil flow in Iraq PM calls for reforms in handing out posts Iraq's prime minister called Saturday for an end to the practice of distributing top government jobs along religious and ethnic lines, saying the system leads to weakness and mismanagement.Iraqi PM calls for stronger, non-sectarian govt Iraq seeks oil production cut to spur prices Suicide bicyclist kills 28 in Baghdad	Iraqi army to get US battle tanks Ford opens Iraq facility Iraq fraud claims prolong poll feud Election commission takes centre-stage in battle over ballot-rigging allegations. Iraq’s election commission is fighting back against claims that it failed to take account of grave violations in tightly contested provincial polls Iraq's Unspeakable Crime: Mothers Pimping Daughters Iraq Press Roundup UN official notes Iraq massive violations UN General Assembly President, Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann urged the Human Rights Council to investigate “massive human rights violations” in Iraq. Iran's biggest consignment for Iraqi power plant to be installed soon The consignment includes parts to be used in the construction of a 320-megawatt gas power plant in the Sadr city near Baghdad. The consignment will cross the border into Iraq through the Mehran crossing Civilian contractor from Michigan killed in Iraq Iraq arrests men accused as neo-Baathists Iraqi forces have arrested seven men accused of trying to revive Saddam Hussein's banned Baath party Friday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 4 Iraqis Wounded Saturday: 1 US Soldier, 11 Iraqis Killed; 20 Iraqis Wounded US says 12,000 troops to leave Iraq by September (AP)
Middle East
Iran and Hamas back Sudan's Bashir US Army document describes Israel as 'a nuclear power' New Questions about Ex-FBI Agent Missing in Iran Iran was 'helpful' to US in Afghanistan: Clinton US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has acknowledged that Iran was "helpful" to the United States in Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11 and after the Taliban were thrown out of Kabul. Russian FM: Make Middle East nuclear weapons-free zone Turkey: 375 PKK rebels killed and wounded The Turkish military reported that around 375 rebels from Kurdistan Workers Party were killed and wounded since October 2008 due to Turkish shelling on their positions in northern Iraq. Iran test-fires new missile: media Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad will resign The U.S.-trained economist secured large aid donations for the Palestinian cause. He said he was stepping down in an attempt to revive a Fatah-Hamas power-sharing deal U.S. administration understands Turkey's stance on 1915 incidents, Turkish FM Turkey's foreign minister said on Saturday that the current U.S. administration perceived Turkey's opinion and sensitivity regarding the incidents of 1915.	Israel launches airstrikes into Gaza Israel launched airstrikes into Gaza on Saturday, responding to a series of rockets fired by Hamas the day before Turkey: PKK surrenders on the rise Ergenekon a personal threat, says PM Erdoğan The prime minister claimed he has been threatened by the alleged Ergenekon gang from inside and outside the country Two more arrested as part of Ergenekon ... Turkish court arrests journalist, writer under Ergenekon probe Right-Wing, Anti-Arab Lieberman Likely To Be Israel's Next Foreign Minister Israel closes Mauritania embassy Israel closes its embassy in Mauritania - one of just three Arab League members to have recognised the Jewish state. Ex-Israeli president to face rape charges Egyptian FM: Iran Trying To Divide Arab Countries Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit has accused Iran of attempting to sow division among the Arabs, and to recruit Arab countries for its aims, including for reducing pressure on it over its nuclear program Obama plans to visit Turkey, a NATO ally with important role on Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
Security developments in Afghanistan, March 7 US 'not winning in Afghanistan' Police Seizes arms and Alcoholic Beverages in Kabul More casualties are likely in Afghanistan - expert Guantanamo prisoner tells of dark Afghan prison A former prisoner at Guantanamo Bay says his worst months in custody were spent in a dark prison in Afghanistan, where he says he was shackled in uncomfortable positions for days on end and blasted with constant loud music which made sleep impossible. Patrol kills 2 Afghan police who opened fire A joint Afghan-coalition patrol killed two Afghan policemen who opened fire on their team in northeastern Afghanistan, the coalition said in a statement Sunday. Afghan President Calls On Iran To Launch Joint Satellite During a meeting with the director of the Iranian broadcasting authority, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai proposed that Iran, Afghanistan, and the other countries in the region operate a joint satellite.	Obama: US should reach out to Taliban moderates Karzai Says He Could Rule Months Beyond His TermAfghan president agrees to delayed vote, suggests extending his own term 12 killed in Afghan violence Afghans protest U.S. raid that killed 4 Afghan demonstrators blocked the path of a U.S. military convoy in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday after an overnight U.S. raid killed four Afghans and wounded two, an official and protesters said China's thirst for copper could hold key to Afghanistan's future In this Taliban stronghold in the mountains south of Kabul, the U.S. Army is providing the security that will enable China to exploit one of the world's largest unexploited deposits of copper, earn tens of billions of dollars and feed its voracious appetite for raw materials. 2 Taliban fighters killed, 1 wounded in Afghanistan Iran says ready to cooperate with U.S. on Afghanistan
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Bombs kill 15 amid political crisis in Pakistan The bombings, coming days after gunmen attacked Sri Lanka's visiting cricket team Bombs kill 15 in Pakistan; US drone reported down Three separate bombings killed 15 people in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday, while authorities investigated reports that a pilotless U.S. drone crashed elsewhere in the militant-plagued region bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan militants shoot down drone: officials Clinton pledges continued support for Pakistan US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged on Saturday that the Barack Obama administration would continue its support for Pakistan Identity of two more Mumbai attackers traced to Pakistan The probe into Mumbai terror attacks has led investigating agencies to ascertain the real identity of wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba militants Abu Al Qama and Zarar Shah. Both of them are residents of Pakistan. All terrorist networks have safe haven in Pakistan: Gates All major terrorist networks have a safe haven in Pakistan to operate creating a big "problem" to the US war against terror, defence secretary Robert Gates has said. Former Pakistan captain sees "foreign element" in cricket attack Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan believes a "foreign element" could be involved in this week's attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, according to an interview published Saturday. Pakistan says knows US hostage's kidnappers Pakistan has identified the kidnappers of an American UN official being held captive and surrounded the area, a minister said, as a deadline to kill the hostage was extended. Official: Suicide bomber kills 4 in NW Pakistan Govt frees 12 Taliban prisoners in Swat Pak adept at playing games: US ex-intelligence officer	LeT names new leaders, to focus on Kashmir Pakistan, China gang up to block India's UNSC entry India is at serious odds with China and Pakistan in the UN General Assembly on the expansion of the UN Security Council. Pakistan bats for religion as secularism loses out"I don't want to die looking like a mullah," Bhutto whispered, just an hour before a hangman's noose snapped the neck of Pakistan's former PM Fear of death stalks Pakistan women in Swat Terrified, locked up at home and courting death if they go out alone, women oppressed by Taliban extremists in Pakistan's Swat valley have nothing to celebrate on International Women's Day. Pakistan has lost control of jihadists: US expert The November attack on Mumbai by Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) has underlined that Islamabad has lost control of its jihadists, a leading US security analyst says. Pakistan sees local link to cricket team attack Britain's foreign secretary urged Pakistan's feuding president and opposition leader to unite to focus on the "mortal threat" the country faces from Islamist militants, days after the danger was underscored by a bloody ambush on a visiting cricket team. Police: Car bombing kills 8 people in Pakistan A bomb-laden car exploded Saturday in northwest Pakistan as police tried to pull a body from it, authorities said, killing seven police and a bystander as international fears grow over security and political stability in the nuclear-armed country Pakistan was safer under Musharraf: Former CIA official A former CIA official, who headed its Bin Laden unit, says the Lahore terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricketers is a direct result of the West's insistence on replacing Pervez Musharraf with a democratically-elected president in Pakistan. Pakistan Asserts Fragile Control of Remote Area The Pakistani military is claiming victory over the Taliban in Bajaur, but experts say the militants may merely be waiting for an opportunity to return.
Asia
Sri Lanka's Tamil militant group surrenders weapons Unrest fears loom at China congress China offers Taiwan peace talks Premier says China "ready to create conditions" to end cross-strait hostilities. Negroponte backs China in G8 (AFP) Former senior US diplomat John Negroponte said Friday it was unfathomable to exclude China from the Group of Eight, despite US opposition to expanding the elite club of rich nations.	Riot Police Use Tear Gas to Break Up Protests in Malaysia Sri Lanka says its forces kill 32 Tamil rebels FBI to help Bangladesh probe border guards' mutiny A team from the FBI will assist Bangladeshi police investigating last month's bloody mutiny by border guards that killed more than 70 people -- mostly army officers, a government minister said Sunday.
Europe
Russia Publishes Soviet Famine Documents Russia has issued the first of three volumes of documents on the Soviet Union's catastrophic famine of the early 1930s. Russian officials claim the widespread starvation was the result misguided Kremlin policies, but in Ukraine the famine is considered an act of genocide. US army 'had opportunities to grab Mladic' For fifteen years he has been Europe's most wanted man - the Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic - alleged architect of the deaths of up to 7,500 men and boys at Srebrenica, and commander of the siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War.	MI5 ‘colluded in scalpel torture’ SECRET MI5 memos reveal how the intelligence service colluded in the torture of a British resident and former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Merrill Lynch looking at "irregularity" in trading Merrill Lynch said on Friday it had discovered an "irregularity" in its London trading positions and the Financial Times reported that a Merrill trader had been suspended over a suspected $400 million loss. Two British Military Personnel Shot Dead in Northern Ireland EU sees Khodorkovsky trial as test of Russian president
Africa
Sudan's Bashir Calls Aid Groups 'Thieves' Mugabe Allies Intensify Bid to Take Farms of Whites Sudan's president warns foreigners in Darfur Kenya rights body: pattern of official killings Kenya's top human rights group charged Friday that the slaying of two activists was part of a pattern of assassinations of people who made allegations about police death squads.	Official: suicide bomber kills 2, self in Algeria Madagascar officers launch mutiny Officers in a military camp near Madagascar's capital mutiny refusing to take any more orders from the government. Crash That Killed Zimbabwe PM's Wife Appears To Have Been Accident
The Americas
US man among decapitated victims in Tijuana Morales’ Retaliation Against Bolivian TV Network The Bolivian government of Evo Morales is imitating that of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela. Hidden cells reveal Bolivia's dark past Those hallways led to cells where around 2,000 political prisoners were held and tortured during the 1971-1978 military rule under General Hugo Banzer. US military chief backs counter-insurgency for Mexico	Vatican Defends Excommunicating Mother, Doctors Of 9-Year-Old Girl Who Had Abortion After Being Raped Sex attacks blight lives of Haitian girlsAn online petition has been launched by Amnesty International to protest at Haiti's high incidence of rape, often of young girls by gangs of armed men, that was first highlighted in 2006 when UN workers discovered that up to half of the women living in the capital Port-au-Prince's vast slums had been the victims of rape. Since then the government, which only made rape a crime in 2005, has taken little or no action to hunt down the offenders, among whom are said to be police officers