The News Crawler

The News Crawler
Free Free Local Business Advertising Available
Last Update: Sunday, March 22, 2009

Headlines	Click here for Yesterdays Edition
Chalmers Johnson - The Coming End Of The American Empire (1 of 8) Court upholds dismissal of charges in Haditha case The appeals court backs a judge's dismissal of war crimes charges against Marine Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani in the 2005 killing of 24 civilians in the Iraqi town. Appeals Court Refuses To Revisit Decision Ordering Defense Dept To Release Prisoner Abuse Photos The Obama administration, which has not taken a position on the litigation, has 90 days to appeal to the Supreme Court if it chooses to challenge the September order. Foreign companies would get majority stake in Iraq oil and gas projects Iraq's new government for the first time is proposing to give foreign oil companies a majority stake in projects to develop oil and gas fields in an effort to greatly expand production at a time of falling oil prices. IRS, USDA crack down on wealthy subsidy recipients The Internal Revenue Service and the Agriculture Department are cracking down on millionaires who receive farm subsidies by mistake. What is So Scary About Workers Organizing? Chris Kromm, Gene Carroll and others discuss what is driving the real fear of the Employee Free Choice Act. GAO: Reforming DOD weapon buys will be challenging The Pentagon's system for buying large weapon projects has wasted billions of taxpayer dollars, and efforts to reform it will be difficult, according to a congressional investigator and a top Defense Department official.	US intercepts ballistic missile in Hawaii test The military says its ground-based mobile missile defense system has successfully shot down a medium-range ballistic missile during a test in Hawaii. Video shows fired Conn. officer beating suspect A video released this week by a central Connecticut police department shows a former officer pummeling an unresisting suspect with his fists in an expletive-laced beating that ends with the lawman shouting, "That was me being gentle Nationwide Protests Against AIG, Citi, BofA: Send In Your Reports We want your help to report on the protests that will be held this Thursday in over 100 locations across the country (protest locations listed at www.TakeBackTheEconomy.org).We are having our tea parties here in Connecticut- this Saturday, March 21st in Ridgefield, CT (10:00am, corner of Main and Bailey) and again on the 28th for Stamford, CT (10:00am, corner of Borad and Bedford). Fed to launch $1.2 trillion for economy With the country sinking deeper into recession, the Federal Reserve launched a bold $1.2 trillion effort Wednesday to lower rates on mortgages and other consumer debt, spur spending and revive the economy. Army wants to end 'stop loss' by 2011 The Army will substantially reduce use of the unpopular practice of holding troops beyond their enlistment dates, defense and congressional officials said Wednesday.
Connecticut
Conn. teacher made boy eat from garbage Conn. lawmakers reconsider wage law cited by AIG Connecticut lawmakers said Tuesday they hope to change a state law that's being partially blamed by insurance giant American International Group as a reason for paying $165 million in retention bonuses to executives. AIG's Legal Reasoning For Bonuses Is "A Joke'' Nationwide Protests Against AIG, Citi, BofA: Send In Your Reports We want your help to report on the protests that will be held this Thursday in over 100 locations across the country (protest locations listed at www.TakeBackTheEconomy.org).We are having our tea parties here in Connecticut- this Saturday, March 21st in Ridgefield, CT (10:00am, corner of Main and Bailey) and again on the 28th for Stamford, CT (10:00am, corner of Borad and Bedford). I will be thinking of you all out there on the left coast while I attend our parties here. Wife divorcing ex-CEO: $43 million not enough Former United Technologies Corp. chief executive George David and his wife are doing battle in Hartford in a divorce trial that shines light on the couple's extravagant lifestyle. Trimming the cost of a North Branford Brush Fires Erupt In North Branford Conn. federal judge: prison sentences no deterrent A Connecticut federal judge says that handing down hefty prison sentences doesn't have any impact on reducing drug dealing	Blumenthal Sues Custom Basements Of Connecticut Connecticut School Officials See Possible Flaws In Federal Stimulus Aid The strings attached to nearly a quarter-billion dollars of federal stimulus aid could drive Connecticut schools to launch new summertime and after-school initiatives at the same time they're slashing classroom programs and laying off teachers, educators warned at a conference Tuesday. CT Lawsuit Could Have Huge National Impact A lawsuit brought by New Haven firefighters could mean trouble the Obama Administration. Dodd: 'I'm Giving Back AIG Cash' Sen. Dodd says he will give back campaign contributions related to the AIG bonus debacle, as he takes a pounding in the press. DEP: We Must Chop Trees To Plant Others The Department of Environmental Protection feels the heat from residents about cutting down trees to plant chestnut seedlings Sen. Dodd: Treasury Insisted On Weakening Bonus Provision Bad Economy Equals Increased Crime in CT Video shows fired Conn. officer (Pig) beating suspect A video released this week by a central Connecticut police department shows a former officer pummeling an unresisting suspect with his fists in an expletive-laced beating that ends with the lawman shouting, "That was me being gentle
United States
Feds Probe Islamist Extremists' Recruiting in San Diego Leaked Memo: EPA Planning Historic Action on Global Warming in April The Growing Clout of Atheists and Non-Believers Mobilized by the theocratic bombast of Bush-era Republicans, America's growing number of atheists are pushing for greater recognition. Ulysses S. Grant is remembered as a champion of civil rights Grant "was the last president before Dwight D. Eisenhower to send federal troops to the South to protect the right of blacks to vote." He also destroyed the earliest version of the Ku Klux Klan, Felzenberg says, and signed the Civil Rights Act of 1875. Court upholds dismissal of charges in Haditha case The appeals court backs a judge's dismissal of war crimes charges against Marine Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani in the 2005 killing of 24 civilians in the Iraqi town. New Jersey Sues Over Its Lehman Losses The state contends that fraud and misrepresentation at the bank Lehman Brothers had caused the state’s public pension fund to lose $118 million. Mexican tariffs on 90 US products begin Thursday U.S. exports ranging from fruits and vegetables to toilet paper and deodorant will be subject to Mexican tariffs of 10 to 20 percent beginning Thursday in retaliation for the Obama administration's cancellation of a cross-border trucking program. Mexican tariffs will cost Oregon 'millions' Widow: Moonshiner took his life to avoid prison Famed Appalachian moonshiner Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, whose incorrigible bootlegging ways were as out of step with modern times as his hillbilly beard and overalls, took his own life rather than go to prison for making white lightning, his widow says. Dallas principal accused of pitting students against each other in bare-knuckle brawls WATCH: White People Are Terrifying: "Daily Show" Takes On New Face Of Crime Feds to pursue charges against GOP operative (NH phonejamming)	Drywall from China blamed for problems in homes Appeals Court Refuses To Revisit Decision Ordering Defense Dept To Release Prisoner Abuse Photos The Obama administration, which has not taken a position on the litigation, has 90 days to appeal to the Supreme Court if it chooses to challenge the September order. US Judges revise policy to avoid ethical conflicts US intercepts ballistic missile in Hawaii test The military says its ground-based mobile missile defense system has successfully shot down a medium-range ballistic missile during a test in Hawaii. VA to look into effects of 'burn pits' on veterans The Department of Veterans Affairs says it will study the effects of toxic emissions from burning trash at military installations in Iraq and Afghanistan on veterans, even after the Department of Defense has concluded no long-term effects exist. Chalmers Johnson - The Coming End Of The American Empire (1 of 8) Army wants to end 'stop loss' by 2011 The Army will substantially reduce use of the unpopular practice of holding troops beyond their enlistment dates, defense and congressional officials said Wednesday. Army reviews troop use after Ala. shootings The Army said Wednesday it opened an inquiry into whether federal laws were broken when nearly two dozen soldiers were sent to a south Alabama town after 11 people died in a shooting spree last week. Army suicides blamed on long deployments Fannie plans bonuses of up to $611K for 4 execs Judge: Merrill bonus info must be disclosed Alleged al-Qaida sleeper agent denied release An alleged al-Qaida sleeper agent held for nearly six years without being charged must remain behind bars as the criminal case against him continues, a judge ruled Wednesday. Google to release energy-saving tools Google is soon to roll out free software which allows consumers to track their home electricity use and improve energy efficiency in a bid to help mitigate global warming. DOJ sues Union Pacific over pot found on rail cars The Justice Department is suing Union Pacific, seeking more than $37 million in penalties for allegedly allowing rail cars to be used to smuggle drugs across the border between the U.S. and Mexico. Feds to ease restrictions on 'American Taliban' Group says files show US knew of Guatemala abuses The U.S. government knew that top Guatemalan officials it supported with arms and cash were behind the disappearance of thousands of people during a 36-year civil war, declassified documents obtained by a U.S. research institute show Texas Judge Rules Inmate Who Plucked Out Own Eye And Ate It 'Crazy' But Sane Chief of KBR’s government division quits abruptly Citigroup Said to Commit $10 Million for New Executive Suite Former State Department Official Says United States Knew Many Gitmo Prisoners were Innocent Ky. officials accused of election-rigging scheme A judge, school superintendent and county clerk in southeastern Kentucky have been indicted on charges they extorted money from political candidates so they could bribe voters in a scheme to rig several elections, authorities said Thursday.
Madoffed
Prosecutors Want Over $30 Million from Madoff Sons Madoff Accountant Friehling Charged With Fraud The charges against David Friehling, 49, come as federal authorities turn their attention to those who they believe helped Madoff fool 4,800 investors into thinking that their longtime investments were growing comfortably each year. Former Bush aide gets 30 months in prison A former Bush White House aide was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on Wednesday for stealing nearly $600,000 from a government-funded program that promotes democracy in Cuba... U.S. Extends Its Inquiry of Offshore Tax Fraud Authorities have widened their criminal investigation into UBS concerning offshore tax fraud to include lawyers and accountants who worked with the bank. NY lawyer Dreier indicted for money laundering High-profile New York lawyer Marc Dreier, under house arrest on charges of running an investment fraud involving as much as $700 million US charges for Colombian accused in pyramid scheme A man charged in Colombia with orchestrating a giant pyramid scheme that bilked people out of hundreds of millions of dollars now faces money laundering charges in the United States. Whistleblower exposes insider trading program at JP Morgan Top feds scouring WaMu files for evidence of fraud\Miami man convicted of bilking 600 people of $126M

Science
Chernobyl 'shows insect decline' Insurers that aren't wasting taxpayer $ Add dust to stratosphere to cool Earth? Scientist says it could come to that	Chimps 'armed' with clubs raid beehives to gorge on sweet honey Footage reveals how chimps armed with clubs plunder beehives for honey. Silenced drug study creates uproar
Politics
US Agency Says It Failed to See Some AIG Flaws US: GOVT TO 'WIND DOWN' AIG 'IN ORDERLY WAY' Historian: GOP small government talk is hollow PROVISION TO REIN IN AIG BONUSES WAS STRIPPED IN SECRET Senators blast Treasury over Cuba trade limits A group of U.S. senators has complained that the Treasury Department is not easing trade with Cuba as called for under new legislation, according to a letter released on Tuesday. Bank of America CEO says bank might pay back TARP funds early Dems announce bill to tax bonuses Credit unions fight off 'punitive' act As Dems push to expand a banking law, a battle brews over the rewrite of the Community Reinvestment Act. Diebold admits all versions delete ballots Franken wants Coleman to pay his legal costs Fed to launch $1.2 trillion for economy With the country sinking deeper into recession, the Federal Reserve launched a bold $1.2 trillion effort Wednesday to lower rates on mortgages and other consumer debt, spur spending and revive the economy. Bill Introduced to End Mandatory Minimums in All Drug Cases What is So Scary About Workers Organizing? Chris Kromm, Gene Carroll and others discuss what is driving the real fear of the Employee Free Choice Act. TARP head: Bush OK'd AIG Bonuses Palin joins other GOP governors in rejecting stimulus money Attorney General Issues New Freedom Of Information Act Guidelines AIG won't name executives, citing death threats Attacking the rich but not capitalism In an Ideas piece, Zelizer says history is filled with leaders who acted against bad corporate behavior	The Top 10 Craziest Sex Laws in America Laws are supposed to protects us, but when the government decides to get in our pants, some crazy stuff goes down. AIG chief requests employees return at least half of bonuses Senators announce bipartisan plan to tax bonuses Two key senators have announced a plan to levy steep excise taxes on employee bonuses paid by companies that receive government bailout money Fed buying $300B in Treasuries The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday it would buy $300 billion of long-term Treasurys over the next six months in order to try and get credit flowing more freely again. Treasury knew of bonuses in advance GAO: Reforming DOD weapon buys will be challenging The Pentagon's system for buying large weapon projects has wasted billions of taxpayer dollars, and efforts to reform it will be difficult, according to a congressional investigator and a top Defense Department official. Pro-gun Democrats oppose new assault weapon ban Kellogg's CEO calls for major food safety reforms Kellogg's CEO says the nation's food safety system needs a major overhaul in the wake of the salmonella outbreak linked to peanuts. It Was Bush, GOP That Opposed Executive Compensation Caps 13 firms receiving federal bailouts have unpaid taxes, congressman says Thirteen firms receiving federal bailouts owe more than $220 million in unpaid federal taxes IRS, USDA crack down on wealthy subsidy recipients The Internal Revenue Service and the Agriculture Department are cracking down on millionaires who receive farm subsidies by mistake. Chris Hill, Cont'd David Petraeus, top Iraq commander Gen. Raymond Odierno, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates are frustrated by the delay by Republicans Hill confirmed as US ambassador Treasury urged no tax on bonuses
Obama
President Obama, Why Did You Pay Blackwater $70 Million in February? White House computer chief reinstated after raid President Barack Obama's computer chief was reinstated Tuesday from a leave he was put on after an FBI raid at his old job. At the same time, the White House labeled as a "youthful indiscretion" a misdemeanor theft the man committed at age 21. Vets irate at Obama's insurance proposal Obama Abandons Proposal for Veterans to Use Private Insurers for Combat Injuries Obama Urges Door-To-Door Canvassing For His Budget (VIDEO) Obama taps Russia specialist for arms control post U.S. President Barack Obama has chosen Rose Gottemoeller, a specialist in Russian defense and nuclear issues, for a key arms control post ahead of negotiations with Moscow, the White House said on Tuesday. Obama's Approval Rating Slips, But GOP Hits New Low Fed Failed To Tell Obama Admin About AIG Bonuses For Months Fire Geithner First Before the government can heal America’s recession wounds, it’s going to have to inflict a few of its own. Our Treasury secretary has got to go.	Dem Centrists Plan To Block Obama On Climate Change, Health Care US to sign UN gay rights declaration The Obama administration will endorse a U.N. declaration calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality that then-President George W. Bush had refused to sign, White House caves on plan to make vets use insurance Sources: U.S. to add agents on Mexico border The Obama administration is preparing to send federal agents to the Southwest border as reinforcements in the fight against Mexican drug cartels WH: Cell-site records not protected by law Administration says Fourth Amendment doesn't apply to certain mobile info. EXCLUSIVE: Obama's $500,000 book bonanza As he empathized with recession-weary Americans, President Obama arranged in the days just before he took office to secure a $500,000 advance for a children's book project, a disclosure report shows. Bush Law Continued Obama vowed to reverse Bush's excesses. But his resistance to judicial oversight and constitutional restraint may render his promises unenforceable. Administration Plans to Loan $5B to Auto Parts Manufacturers
Economy
Oil retreats towards $48 after U.S. stock build Dollar slides after US Fed plan The dollar falls against all major currencies after the US Federal Reserve announced $1.2 trillion stimulus plan. Oil ends over $50 a barrel	Caterpillar lays off 2,454 workers in 3 states U.S. mortgage applications spike on refinance demand U.S. consumer prices rose in February Wall Street Turns Lower After Unemployment Report

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Police finds Iraqi soldier body The body of an Iraqi soldier with gunshot wounds in the head and the chest was found in Al Kiyara District, Mosul police reported. In central Mosul, another soldier was killed due to an attack on an army checkpoint while gunmen killed a university student in the region of new Mosul. Iranian Website: MKO Operatives Secretly Transferred To European Country The Iranian website Tabnak reports that 64 operatives from the Iranian opposition Mojahedeen-e Khalq organization have been secretly transferred from Iraq to a European country, on Jordanian aircraft, without the Iraqi government's knowledge. Baghdad's water still undrinkable 6 years after invasion U.S. Combat Deaths at Six-Year Low in Iraq It's year No. 6 of Iraq war Foreign companies would get majority stake in Iraq oil and gas projects Iraq's new government for the first time is proposing to give foreign oil companies a majority stake in projects to develop oil and gas fields in an effort to greatly expand production at a time of falling oil prices. Security developments in Iraq, March 19 Judge allows detainee to sue contractor A federal judge has rejected a defense contractor’s claims that it cannot be sued by torture victims at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Top Sunni Arab official assassinated in Baghdad Many Iraqis held by US to go free (AP)	Central Bank Adviser: Iraq is Committed to the Policy of Liberalization of Current Accounts The Iraqi Central Bank's adviser stated on Monday, that Iraq was committed to liberating current accounts of payments balance, which have no restrictions on foreign transfers, except anti-money laundering and crime funding and terrorism, stating that Iraqi dinar holder has the right to act freely. Three Iraqis killed in unrest: Police In Mosul, Iraq's Insurgency Refuses to Be Tamed Iraq's third largest city remains a hot-bed for al-Qaeda-affiliated insurgents. What is feeding the war there? Iraq to build $1bn power plant A senior Iraqi electricity official has said that his country is planning to tender a power plant at a cost of $1bn as part of its efforts to combat the acute shortage in power in the country. Iraq will hold talks with JP Morgan and the World Bank for a $2bn loan to finance the project. Mass grave found during oil search in Iraq A mass grave containing dozens of victims of a failed uprising against Saddam Hussein after the 1991 Gulf War was discovered during oil exploration work in Iraq on Thursday, an official said. Wednesday: 12 Iraqis Killed, 12 Wounded Thursday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 2 Wounded Talabani expects Kurds to lay down arms Iraqi President Jalal Talabani expected Kurds to lay down weapons. Radical newspaper quoted President Talabani as saying that Kurdish political groups in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Europe will jointly call on Kurdistan Workers Party to end armed conflict
Middle East
Israeli Army Spies on Draft Dodgers Israeli army spies on women who dodge draft by claiming religious exemption. Syria's Assad praises Obama, wants meeting Study cautions against relying on Arab kingdom U.S. policymakers should not assume Saudi Arabia will "act in lockstep" with the United States in countering Iran's influence in the Arab world, a Rand Corp. report said Tuesday. Egypt nabs two Hamas officials trying to slip $850,000 into Gaza 'Israel may drop bid to incorporate own know-how into F-35 fighter' Israel is close to dropping an effort to put its own electronic warfare know-how into Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter IAEA succession battle shapes nuclear agency's future A succession battle over the once-obscure leadership post of the world's arms control watchdog could affect attempts to persuade Iran to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure and shape the direction of nuclear nonproliferation efforts for the next four years. Court OKs destroying terrorist's home Supreme Court rejects appeal by father of Husam Dwayat, who killed 3 Israelis in bulldozer rampage Report: IDF chief gave U.S. fresh intel on Iran nukes program American sources told the Saudi newspaper Al-Watan that Israel Defense Forces chief Gabi Ashkenazi provided fresh intelligence to the United States concerning Iran's nuclear facility in Arak during his visit to Washington earlier this week, according to Israel Radio Iranians now use Chaharshanbe Suri to show the government their wrath Despite all the crackdowns over the past 30 years by the Islamic Republic, the ritual is still observed by an increasing number of people who go on to the streets to sing the traditional song: "Give me your fiery red colour and take back my wintry sallowness." Turkey to translate Quran into Kurdish Israelis round up Hamas politicians in West Bank Israeli troops detained 10 Hamas politicians from the occupied West Bank on Thursday in what the Islamist faction called a punitive round-up following Israel's failure to retrieve a captive soldier. Report: Iran financed Syrian nuke plans	Reports: Russia confirms Iran missile contract Russian news agencies cited a top defense official Wednesday as confirming that a contract to sell powerful air-defense missiles to Iran was signed two years ago, but saying no such weapons have yet been delivered. Man blows himself up in failed Yemen attack: source A suicide bomber blew himself up near Sanaa airport on Wednesday, apparently to target a convoy of South Koreans investigating an al Qaeda suicide that killed four Korean tourists this week, a security source said. Who are the deadly terrorists Israel refuses to release for Shalit? Egyptian-brokered negotiations over a deal for the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit hit an impasse this weekend after Israel refused to free all 450 long-serving Palestinian prisoners sought by Hamas Bin Laden calls for infiltration of Jordan as way to 'liberate al-Aksa' MEMRI's director of the Jihad and Terrorism Studies Project tells 'Post' there's been "something going on in Jordan" in recent months. Lieberman has Arabs worried Incoming government shaping up to become the "most extremist gov't in Israel's history U.S. plans soon to ease ban on contacts with Iran The Obama administration, in a sign of thawing ties with Iran, is likely soon to relax restrictions on contacts between U.S. diplomats and Iranian officials, said a source close to the matter. Another recording allegedly of Gen. Tolon leaked to media A second voice recording allegedly belonging to a former 1st Army Corps commander who is a suspect in the case against Ergenekon, a clandestine terrorist network charged with plotting to overthrow the government, began circulating on various Web sites yesterday, with the former general directing strong criticisms against some members of the military. Ergenekon general planned coup rallies when in office Gaza deaths dog Israeli military Media reports indicate Israeli soldiers killed civilians during Gaza offensive. 'Top-ranked Iranian defector tipped US on Syrian nuke plans' US official denies report of Iranian ties to Syrian facility, says there's "strong reason" to believe only North Korea was involved.
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
NATO says 4,000 extra troops needed for Afghan poll Iran official: US ties don't affect Afghan unrest An improvement in Iran's relationship with the United States would have no effect on Afghanistan's Taliban militancy or the country's booming drug trade, an Iranian diplomat said Tuesday. 7 suspects held, 1 slain in Afghanistan attacks Authorities repeat allegations that the February attacks involved a foreign intelligence service, seen as a reference to Pakistan. NATO says 4,000 extra troops are needed for the presidential vote. Obama considers expanding Afghan security force: report (Reuters) U.S. President Barack Obama is considering a plan that would double the size of Afghanistan's security force to about 400,000 troops and police officer to stabilize the nation, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. Security developments in Afghanistan, March 18	Senior Taliban Commander Killed In Kandahar Province 29 Militants Killed In Kapisa Province At least 29 militants were killed during a joint operation by Afghan and international forces in Afghanistan’s northeastern Kapisa province NATO says 4,000 extra troops needed for Afghan poll Afghanistan says Kabul strikes planned in Pakistan Afghanistan's intelligence agency said Wednesday that last month's attacks on government buildings in Kabul were planned and directed from Pakistan, saying seven Afghans have been arrested. Afghan Legislator Killed in Bomb Attack A powerful remote-controlled roadside bomb killed an Afghan legislator and four others between Kandahar and Helmand provinces, officials said.
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Pakistan: Al-Qaida, Taliban are not in Baluchistan the Pakistan government does not believe Taliban or al-Qaida officials have moved from the tribal border region to Pakistan's southwestern-most province and would oppose expanding U.S. drone strikes there, a government official said Wednesday Pakistan calls for abolishing big powers’ UN veto right Calling the veto rights of the five official nuclear powers on the UN Security Council “non-democratic” and against the principle of sovereign equality of member states, Pakistan has called for abolishing this special privilege. Security developments in Pakistan, March 18 Pakistan's supreme court rejects review petition against Sharif brothers' disqualification US asks India to pull back troops from Pak border	Mush agreed to shift stand on Kashmir in 2006? Former President General Pervez Musharraf was ready to give up Islamabad's traditional stand on Kashmir during secret talks with India in 2006 in order to regain credibility to Pakistan army post 9/11, a US analyst has said. Bomb damages NATO equipment in Pakistan: police Pakistan: Kidnappers want $2m to free Canadian journalist Pakistan: Al-Qaida, Taliban are not in Baluchistan The Pakistan government does not believe Taliban or al-Qaida officials have moved from the tribal border region to Pakistan's southwestern-most province and would oppose expanding U.S. drone strikes there, a government official said Wednesda
Asia
Filipino who accused Marine of rape changes story A Filipino woman whose accusations of rape led to the conviction of a U.S. Marine has altered her testimony and emigrated to the United States, saying she was no longer certain that a crime took place, a lawyer said Wednesday. Case packed with TNT found in Tibet capital: report Chinese spy who defected tells all A veteran Chinese intelligence officer who defected to the United States says that his country's civilian spy service spends most of its time trying to steal secrets overseas but also works to bolster Beijing's Communist Party rule by repressing religious and political dissent internally.	3 Red Cross hostages survive Philippine clashes Three Red Cross hostages survived two days of fierce jungle clashes that killed three marines and up to seven al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf captors in the southern Philippines, officials said Wednesday. Chinese government denies Coca Cola's bid to buy juice company Reporting from Shanghai -- In the first major test of China's new anti-monopoly law North Korea 'holds US reporters' North Korean troops arrest at least one Korean-American journalists near the border with China, South Korean media say.
Europe
UK to reveal secret agents' interrogation methods Britain agreed on Wednesday to publish for the first time the guidance it gives intelligence agents when questioning suspects held overseas, following a series of torture allegations. Millions stage protests in France Russian planes again fly over U.S. Navy ships Russian military aircraft flew just 500 feet over two U.S. Navy ships this week as the ships participated in a joint military exercise with South Korea in the Sea of Japan, according to U.S. military officials.	Homemade bomb explodes outside Greek MP's office Russia bans baby seal hunting Russia said Wednesday it was banning the hunting of baby harp seals, weeks after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin reportedly called the hunt a "bloody industry. Signs of Tension Between Putin and Medvedev? Former President Putin handpicked his successor, but whispers in Moscow suggest friction between protÉgÉ and patron 'Large-scale' Russian nuke re-armament
Africa
'Bin Laden wants Ahmed out' Al-Qaeda's Osama bin Laden has called on radical Islamists in Somalia to oust new President Sharif Sheik Ahmed, says an audio tape posted on the internet. Madagascar leader axes land deal Madagascar's new leader axes a controversial deal for a South Korea firm to lease a vast tract of land to grow food crops. Africans reject Madagascar leader	Why the Somali-American Terrorist Threat May Be Overblown A group of missing Somali-Americans has sparked fears, but officials downplay the terrorism risk US orders diplomats to leave Madagascar
The Americas
Exlusive Interview with El Salvador's New President on Ending 130 Years of Oligarchy and Military Rule Historical Archives Lead to Arrest of Police Officers in Guatemalan Disappearance Following a stunning breakthrough in a 25-year-old case of political terror in Guatemala, the National Security Archive today is posting declassified U.S. documents about the disappearance of Edgar Fernando Garca, a student leader and trade union activist captured by Guatemalan security forces in 1984 'Targeted shootings' of gays in Jamaica	U.S. official: Iran increasing pro-Hezbollah activity in South America Iran is increasing its activity in Latin America and the Caribbean, including actions aimed at supporting the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, a top U.S. military commander said on Tuesday Argentine president aims at Lockheed Martin President Cristina Fernandez announced Tuesday she will send Congress a bill to nationalize defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp.'s aircraft maintenance facility in central Argentina. Venezuela calls for mayor arrestThe Venezuelan government calls for the arrest of prominent mayor and key opposition leader