The News Crawler

What Obama didn't see in Iraq While United States President Barack Obama's surprise visit hogged the headlines, more important news was circling Baghdad's streets. A reduced sentence for a shoe-thrower sparked jubilation, while moves to bring exiled Ba'athists into the political fold finally hold promise. A bigger problem for the Nuri al-Maliki government lies in the Awakening Councils, as his attempts to quash them may have triggered Monday's six deadly car bombs

For All the Rhetoric, the New Pentagon Budget is No Revolution in Defense Spending The new budget proposed by Defense Secretary Gates is higher than any of the Bush budgets that preceded it.

CIA shuts down its secret prisons The CIA announces that it is no longer operating its network of secret prisons, accused by critics of being used as torture centres.

Cyberspies penetrate electrical grid Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.Has power grid been hacked? U.S. won't say (Reuters)....Unplug electrical grid from 'Net, ex-terror czar Clarke warns

DA: Chinese man plotted to help Iran with nukes A Chinese businessman has been indicted on charges of illegally using New York City banks to help Iran's military agencies buy materials to make nuclear weapons, Manhattan's chief prosecutor said Tuesday.

Former FBI chief defends flow of money to Saudi ambassador $2 billion from an British arms manufacturer to Saudi Arabia's then-U.S. ambassador, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, has come under scrutiny. Louis Freeh defends Bandar on 'Frontline.' Former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh says $2 billion that flowed from a British arms manufacturer to U.S. bank accounts controlled by Prince Bandar bin Sultan, then Saudi ambassador to the U.S., was not a bribe, but was instead part of a complex barter involving the exchange of Saudi oil for British fighter jets.

Judge reinstates fired Guantánamo lawyer A military judge has refused to allow Pentagon officials to dismiss the lead attorney for the last western prisoner at Guantánamo, adding to turmoil for the Canadian's defense on Wednesday as a key deadline approaches.

FEMA housing aid runs out for storm victims May 1 Thanh Nguyen will soon give up the cramped travel trailer that's been her home for more than four years, pack her belongings into an old Toyota Corolla and rely on the kindness of others for a place to live.

FBI raids in Minn. aimed at Africa money transfers Federal agents searched three money-transfer businesses in Minneapolis on Wednesday, carrying away boxes of documents and copying computer hard drives for details of transactions between the U.S. and several African nations

Why Are Army Recruiters Killing Themselves? Persuading young Americans to join a wartime Army is never easy. But the pressures on recruiters in one Texas battalion have been deadly

U.S. objects to involuntary bankruptcy for Madoff U.S. authorities are opposing an effort to force Bernard Madoff into involuntary bankruptcy, a move some bilked clients contend would help ensure the confessed swindler's personal assets will be used to compensate his victims.

Ex-Qwest CEO Nacchio ordered to prison April 14 A judge on Tuesday ordered former Qwest Chief Executive Joe Nacchio to report to prison by noon on April 14 to start a six-year sentence on his insider trading conviction

Companies penalized for hood drawstrings T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and 12 other companies have agreed to pay a total of more than $1 million in civil penalties for failure to report safety hazards promptly, government officials announced Tuesday.

Tuesday: 15 Iraqis Killed, 27 Wounded

Car Bomb in Baghdad's Shiite Area Kills 9 Iraqi police: Car bomb in Shiite neighborhood of Baghdad kills 9, wounds 18

A Journalist Exposed to Beating and Threatening in Basra One of the journalists working in a radio at the province of Basra, have exposed to beating and threatening on yesterday-Tuesday, by some members of the board of directors of the radio station due to work-related problems.

Former Hussein Aide Surfaces; Iraqi Premier Blames Baathists for Bombings An audiotape from the last high-ranking official still at large, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, urges rebellion against the American-backed government.

Wednesday: 10 Iraqis Killed, 27 Wounded

Landmine Clearance Critical to Boost Iraqi Economy

Baghdad, Damascus to Sign Economic Agreements

U.S. To Hand Over Two More Detention Facilities To Iraq

Obama: Time for US to "transition to the Iraqis'

Safety team warns of 'catastrophic' wiring in Iraq A military team sent to evaluate electrical problems at U.S. facilities in Iraq determined there was a high risk that flawed wiring could cause further "catastrophic results" - namely, the electrocutions of U.S. soldiers.

Police: Curfew, door-to-door searches in Fallujah

Iraq to create nuclear energy commission Iraq plans to create an atomic energy agency nearly three decades after Israeli bombers destroyed a reactor being built by the late dictator Saddam Hussein, the government spokesman said on Thursday.

Marine acquitted of murder in Iraq slaying A military jury on Thursday acquitted a Marine sergeant on charges of murdering an unarmed detainee during battle in Fallujah, Iraq

Thursday: 6 Iraqis Killed, 19 Wounded

9/11 relative: Get out of Afghanistan

Several die in Afghanistan bombing At least five people killed in suicide attack on counter-narcotics unit in Helmand.

Afghan rocket attack kills Dutch soldier, wounds 5

Pakistan arrests 5 militants "planning attacks" Pakistani police have arrested five men belonging to an al Qaeda-linked militant group who were planning to attack government offices and the security forces in the city of Karachi, police said on Wednesday.

Pakistan Says U.S. Strike Kills 2 Alleged Militants

Taliban kill Pakistan soldier in ambush: officials

Pakistan cleric slams Zardari over sharia delay A pro-Taliban cleric lashed out at Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday for not ratifying a deal imposing Islamic law in Swat valley, holding him accountable for any return to violence.

'Cuban Five' receive Brazilian human rights medal A Brazilian human rights group says it has awarded a medal to five Cubans imprisoned in the U.S. on espionage charges.

Colombia drugs battle claims 29

Fujimori Found Guilty of Human Rights Crimes

The News Crawler
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Last Update: Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Headlines	Click here for Yesterdays Edition
What Obama didn't see in Iraq While United States President Barack Obama's surprise visit hogged the headlines, more important news was circling Baghdad's streets. A reduced sentence for a shoe-thrower sparked jubilation, while moves to bring exiled Ba'athists into the political fold finally hold promise. A bigger problem for the Nuri al-Maliki government lies in the Awakening Councils, as his attempts to quash them may have triggered Monday's six deadly car bombs For All the Rhetoric, the New Pentagon Budget is No Revolution in Defense Spending The new budget proposed by Defense Secretary Gates is higher than any of the Bush budgets that preceded it. CIA shuts down its secret prisons The CIA announces that it is no longer operating its network of secret prisons, accused by critics of being used as torture centres. Cyberspies penetrate electrical grid Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.Has power grid been hacked? U.S. won't say (Reuters)....Unplug electrical grid from 'Net, ex-terror czar Clarke warns	Treasury To Extend TARP Money To Life Insurers Many of the nation's biggest life insurance companies have been walloped by the credit crisis. Like other industries, they have turned to the government for bailout money Govt. approves plan for new spy satellites The Obama administration on Tuesday approved the purchase of pricey new spy satellites and will buy more commercial imagery from the private sector to plug immediate gaps in satellite coverage. Buying 10 Guns in 1 Hour, With No ID and No Questions Asked Brother of slain Va. Tech student takes part in a terrifying experiment. Why Are Army Recruiters Killing Themselves? Persuading young Americans to join a wartime Army is never easy. But the pressures on recruiters in one Texas battalion have been deadly Do smokers cost society less? Smokers' premature deaths mean less draw on Medicare, pensions: study U.S. mass killers had permits Nearly every gunman in 8 rampages since March 10 had valid gun license
Connecticut
Conn. to get federal money for jobless benefits Authorities say Connecticut will get $29.3 million in extra federal stimulus funds to boost unemployment benefits and job training programs. Joe Lieberman's Love of Lasers Jon Stewart wonders what upside down world sees a defense spending increase as a deep cut.	Activists push for transgender protections Transgendered Connecticut residents and supporters say they are not giving up their fight for specific protections in state laws.
United States
Two dozen charged in alleged gang-led mortgage fraud Two dozen people were indicted on racketeering and other charges for allegedly conducting a wide-ranging mortgage fraud based in San Diego and led by a street gang member, according an indictment unsealed on Tuesday. Vermont Legalizes Gay Marriage, Overrides Governor's Veto Florida Student Arrested by Immigration Three Days After Acquittal on Bomb Charges He had just begun a fast to celebrate his acquittal. Megahed’s attorneys say he now faces deportation proceedings, apparently on the same charges for which he was found not guilty Judge denies new trial to man with IQ of 47 who molested boy For more than six hours Tuesday, as a parade of witnesses testified about the severity of Aaron Hart's mental retardation and his inability to understand his legal rights, the 18-year-old defendant with an IQ of 47 sat silent and shackled in a chair, alternately fidgeting, daydreaming and making faces DA: Chinese man plotted to help Iran with nukes A Chinese businessman has been indicted on charges of illegally using New York City banks to help Iran's military agencies buy materials to make nuclear weapons, Manhattan's chief prosecutor said Tuesday. Former FBI chief defends flow of money to Saudi ambassador $2 billion from an British arms manufacturer to Saudi Arabia's then-U.S. ambassador, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, has come under scrutiny. Louis Freeh defends Bandar on 'Frontline.' Former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh says $2 billion that flowed from a British arms manufacturer to U.S. bank accounts controlled by Prince Bandar bin Sultan, then Saudi ambassador to the U.S., was not a bribe, but was instead part of a complex barter involving the exchange of Saudi oil for British fighter jets. Judge reinstates fired Guantánamo lawyer A military judge has refused to allow Pentagon officials to dismiss the lead attorney for the last western prisoner at Guantánamo, adding to turmoil for the Canadian's defense on Wednesday as a key deadline approaches. Cyberspies penetrate electrical grid Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.Has power grid been hacked? U.S. won't say (Reuters)....Unplug electrical grid from 'Net, ex-terror czar Clarke warns FEMA housing aid runs out for storm victims May 1 Thanh Nguyen will soon give up the cramped travel trailer that's been her home for more than four years, pack her belongings into an old Toyota Corolla and rely on the kindness of others for a place to live. FBI raids in Minn. aimed at Africa money transfers Federal agents searched three money-transfer businesses in Minneapolis on Wednesday, carrying away boxes of documents and copying computer hard drives for details of transactions between the U.S. and several African nations Wikipedia for Spies: The CIA Discovers Web 2.0 Intellipedia, a classified version of Wikipedia, is transforming the way U.S. spy agencies are handling information D.C. Circuit Court Rules Courts Have No Power Over Gitmo Prisoners — Again Yesterday, I wrote about the 17 Chinese Uighurs’ petition to the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruling that the federal courts have no authority to release the prisoners, even if they’ve been wrongfully imprisoned for years. CIA shuts down its secret prisons The CIA announces that it is no longer operating its network of secret prisons, accused by critics of being used as torture centres. Buying 10 Guns in 1 Hour, With No ID and No Questions Asked Brother of slain Va. Tech student takes part in a terrifying experiment.	Va. scientist in China rocket deal to be sentenced A Virginia scientist who pleaded guilty to selling U.S. rocket technology to China and bribing Chinese officials to get a lucrative contract for his company is set to learn his fate. U.S. mass killers had permits Nearly every gunman in 8 rampages since March 10 had valid gun license 'RNC 8' now cause celebre FBI: Man Who Stole Plane Has No "Known Association With Terrorism" LISTEN: Republican Caller Tells Limbaugh: "You're A Brainwashed Nazi" Supreme Court rules against prolonged secret questioning The Supreme Court refused Monday to permit prolonged, secret questioning of crime suspects, ruling that even voluntary confessions may not be used in a federal court if the defendant was held more than six hours before he talked. Media allowed to cover another casualty returning Report: Jesse Jackson Jr. faces ethics probe An independent panel that reviews possible ethical lapses by members of the House of Representatives has launched a preliminary review of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s efforts to be appointed to the U.S. Senate by ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, according to a published report. Do smokers cost society less? Smokers' premature deaths mean less draw on Medicare, pensions: study. Judge voids verdict against Stevens, orders criminal probe of prosecutors judge declares war on withheld evidence In setting aside former Sen. Ted Stevens indictment Tuesday, a federal judge declared war on what he said is an increasingly pervasive government tactic in the administration of American justice: The penchant on the part of federal prosecutors to withhold evidence. SEC proposes steps to control short-selling Pentagon spends $100 million to fix cyber attacks Recession slows some U.S. state income tax refunds Cheney refuses to turn over his records to Bush library Military doctors allegedly pressured to ignore PTSD Howard Zinn on class in America Firm Acted as Tutor as It Sold Risky Deals to Towns Lewisburg, Tenn., like hundreds of small cities, is reeling from reliance on risky bond derivatives that went bad. Bios of prosecutors facing criminal investigation Biographical sketches of six federal prosecutors under investigation for mishandling the trial of former Sen. Ted Stevens. Oldest US nuclear plant gets a new 20-year license The nation's oldest nuclear power plant has been granted a new license allowing it to operate for another 20 year Fox to make reality TV show out of company layoffs The Fox network is making a reality show out of the troubled economy. An upcoming series titled, "Someone's Gotta Go," lets employees of a small business decide which one of their colleagues will be laid off U.S. judge rules apartheid suits can proceed A U.S. judge ruled on Wednesday that lawsuits seeking monetary damages can continue against five large companies accused of aiding South Africa's former apartheid system of racial segregation. Why Are Army Recruiters Killing Themselves? Persuading young Americans to join a wartime Army is never easy. But the pressures on recruiters in one Texas battalion have been deadly The Sad and Scandalous Comeback of Payday Lenders Mike’s excellent story today about the weak reforms of the payday lending industry proposed by onetime industry foe Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) details a disappointing setback for efforts to curb the insidious practice of charging down-on-their-luck consumers loan shark rates for short-term loans. WATCH: Rick Sanchez: Fox News Contributing To Gun Violence Shooting Victims May Receive Citizenship Binghamton massacre victims could be considered citizens at the time of death.
Madoffed
U.S. objects to involuntary bankruptcy for Madoff U.S. authorities are opposing an effort to force Bernard Madoff into involuntary bankruptcy, a move some bilked clients contend would help ensure the confessed swindler's personal assets will be used to compensate his victims. Ex-Qwest CEO Nacchio ordered to prison April 14 A judge on Tuesday ordered former Qwest Chief Executive Joe Nacchio to report to prison by noon on April 14 to start a six-year sentence on his insider trading conviction Companies penalized for hood drawstrings T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and 12 other companies have agreed to pay a total of more than $1 million in civil penalties for failure to report safety hazards promptly, government officials announced Tuesday.

Science
Obama Looking At Cooling Air To Fight Warming Tinkering with Earth's climate to chill runaway global warming is being discussed as a potential option, the president's new science adviser says. Chimpanzees Exchange Meat for Sex	Why Fever Helps Autism: A New Theory Putting forth an intriguing new theory, researchers suggest that damage to a fever-regulating part of the brain may trigger autism
Politics
FDIC Adopts Risk Of Toxic Asset Program, Puts Taxpayer In The Hotseat The Military Industrial Complex in Action: Defense budget plan tough sell on Capitol Hill Defense Secretary Robert Gates' proposed budget, which axes some multibillion-dollar weapons projects, is encountering strong resistance from lawmakers whose districts stand to lose thousands of jobs during a recession. AIG aircraft unit seeks $5 billion Fed credit line: report American International Group Inc's aircraft leasing unit is in talks over a $5 billion credit line from the New York Federal Reserve that could be used to facilitate its sale, the Financial Times reported on its website late on Tuesday. Congressman: We Don’t Negotiate With Terrorists on Land, but We Will at Sea We’re not talking about negotiating where they’ve taken our men and women ashore in their own places there. This is a totally different situation right now, that we have to convince them to let him go … T]he U.S. government would not negotiate with a hostage, if it’s in a — if it’s in a state For All the Rhetoric, the New Pentagon Budget is No Revolution in Defense Spending The new budget proposed by Defense Secretary Gates is higher than any of the Bush budgets that preceded it.	Govt. approves plan for new spy satellites The Obama administration on Tuesday approved the purchase of pricey new spy satellites and will buy more commercial imagery from the private sector to plug immediate gaps in satellite coverage. Absentee ballots widen Franken's Senate lead Democrat Al Franken widened his lead in the Minnesota Senate race to 312 votes on Tuesday as previously rejected absentee ballots were added to the race. Treasury To Extend TARP Money To Life Insurers Many of the nation's biggest life insurance companies have been walloped by the credit crisis. Like other industries, they have turned to the government for bailout money FCC Acting Chairman To Act Boldly On Media Diversity Va. General Assembly Rejects $125M in Stimulus Money Defense Dept. Briefing with Sec. Gates on FY 2010 Defense Budget ... Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was joined at the Pentagon by Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James Cartwright to speak to reporters about defense spending in the Obama Administration's FY 2010 budget.
Obama
Saudi Daily: Obama's Bow To King Shows His Humility In an editorial today, the Saudi daily Al-Riyadh praised the new diplomacy of U.S. President Barack Obama, saying that Obama was building a new stage in international relations. According to the daily, Obama's bow to Saudi King Abdallah Blacks, Women Protest Obama Order On Use Of Union Labor A group of 50 advocacy organizations has asked President Barack Obama to issue an executive order that encourages the hiring and training of minorities, women and low-income residents to work on federal construction projects, particularly those funded by the economic stimulus package. Holder Names New Justice Department Ethics Chief The changing of the guard at the sensitive ethics office comes just after embarrassing revelations of federal attorney misconduct in the prosecution of former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). Obama to seek $83.4 billion for Iraq, Afghan wars President Barack Obama is seeking $83.4 billion for U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, pressing for a war supplemental spending bill like the ones he sometimes opposed when he was senator and George W. Bush was president.	Obama team warns U.S. lawmakers: Expect confrontation with Israel US confirms man plotted to kill Obama Report: Would-be assassin posed as Al-Jazeera employee, planned to stab US president in Turkey. Kal Penn goes from ‘House’ to White House The White House has hired actor Kal Penn as a liaison between President Barack Obama’s administration and Asian constituents. At Gun Show, Conservatives Panic About Obama Obama chooses MADD official to lead safety agency (AP) Why Obama and Gates need Ike to trim the military Former president's warning of a 'military-industrial complex' rings true as Congress pushes back on cuts. Prof. Turley on Obama & Wiretapping - 'Dead Wrong on Unlawful Surveillance' Man freed amid Obama murder 'hoax' Anonymous e-mail sparked arrest of mentally disturbed suspect in Turkey.
Economy
Signs of life emerging in housing sector Housing sales are picking up in some of the hardest-hit markets. Will confidence spread? SEC advances 5 options on short-selling rules Federal securities regulators are considering several ways to place restrictions on traders who bet that stock prices will fall, as investors and lawmakers clamor for brakes on moves they say worsened the market's downturn. US new jobless claims fall US stocks rise on better-than-expected figures and strong bank financial results.	Study: Informal employment at record levels More than half the world's workers - especially women in the world's poorest countries - are in informal jobs with low pay and no protections, and the global economic downturn threatens to push the number even higher, according to a report released Wednesday. GM in "intense" preparations for bankruptcy: source Oil drops back below $50

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Tuesday: 15 Iraqis Killed, 27 Wounded Car Bomb in Baghdad's Shiite Area Kills 9 Iraqi police: Car bomb in Shiite neighborhood of Baghdad kills 9, wounds 18 A Journalist Exposed to Beating and Threatening in Basra One of the journalists working in a radio at the province of Basra, have exposed to beating and threatening on yesterday-Tuesday, by some members of the board of directors of the radio station due to work-related problems. Former Hussein Aide Surfaces; Iraqi Premier Blames Baathists for Bombings An audiotape from the last high-ranking official still at large, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, urges rebellion against the American-backed government. What Obama didn't see in Iraq While United States President Barack Obama's surprise visit hogged the headlines, more important news was circling Baghdad's streets. A reduced sentence for a shoe-thrower sparked jubilation, while moves to bring exiled Ba'athists into the political fold finally hold promise. A bigger problem for the Nuri al-Maliki government lies in the Awakening Councils, as his attempts to quash them may have triggered Monday's six deadly car bombs Wednesday: 10 Iraqis Killed, 27 Wounded	Landmine Clearance Critical to Boost Iraqi Economy Baghdad, Damascus to Sign Economic Agreements U.S. To Hand Over Two More Detention Facilities To Iraq Obama: Time for US to "transition to the Iraqis' Safety team warns of 'catastrophic' wiring in Iraq A military team sent to evaluate electrical problems at U.S. facilities in Iraq determined there was a high risk that flawed wiring could cause further "catastrophic results" - namely, the electrocutions of U.S. soldiers. Police: Curfew, door-to-door searches in Fallujah Iraq to create nuclear energy commission Iraq plans to create an atomic energy agency nearly three decades after Israeli bombers destroyed a reactor being built by the late dictator Saddam Hussein, the government spokesman said on Thursday. Marine acquitted of murder in Iraq slaying A military jury on Thursday acquitted a Marine sergeant on charges of murdering an unarmed detainee during battle in Fallujah, Iraq Thursday: 6 Iraqis Killed, 19 Wounded
Middle East
Saudi arrests 'al-Qaeda members' Saudi Arabia says it has arrested 11 al-Qaeda militants who were planning attacks on police installations, armed robberies and kidnappings. Report: Egypt arrests 7 Israeli Arabs for spying for Hamas, Hezbollah A prominent Islamist lawyer has told the Arabic news channel Al-Jazeera that security forces have detained about 50 Egyptians, Palestinians and Lebanese for alleged ties to the Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas Kremlin to supply PA with new weapons PLO ambassador to Russia sacked for attending photo exhibition in solidarity with Gazans. 'Hametz' snitching campaign launched Self-appointed informers to wander Israel over Pessah, report illicit culinary activity to legal activists. In Egypt, Suspected Hizbullah Members Arrested Egyptian security forces have arrested a group of some 50 people – most of them Egyptians but some Palestinians – suspected of belonging to Hizbullah and of attempting to establish a base for the organization in Egypt. Israeli police shoot motorist Israeli police today shot dead a Palestinian driver they said had tried to attack them during the demolition of a Palestinian home in Jerusalem. Turkish journalist snared in coup plot case	Israeli police kill Palestinian Motorist shot as police demolish home of digger driver who killed three people IDF to impose closure on West Bank ahead of Pesach The Israel Defense Forces announced Monday it was to impose a general closure on the West Bank at midnight ahead of the upcoming Jewish holiday of Pesach Successful Arrow II test could mean continued U.S. funding Israel's successful test Tuesday of the upgraded Arrow II anti-ballistic missile system has made defense officials hopeful that the United States will continue funding the system, which is designed to defend against possible ballistic missile attacks by Iran and Syria Hamas: We'll Decide On Palestinian PM Hamas has announced that it rejects the proposal that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud 'Abbas will put together a unity government, headed by him or by Salam Fayyadh. Hamas states that because it is the largest faction Jewish settlers rampage through West Bank village Dozens of Israelis from a Jewish settlement where a Palestinian killed a youth last week rampaged on Wednesday through a West Bank Arab village, smashing car windows and damaging homes, residents and medics said. Israel transfers $12.5 mln to Gaza (AFP) The Israeli government on Tuesday allowed the transfer of 12.5 million dollars to the besieged Gaza Strip, only a quarter of the amount needed at this stage, Middle East Quartet envoy Tony Blair said.
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
Iranian dream Afghan migrants yearn for better life over border US troops kill five Afghan civilians A provincial governor in south-eastern Afghanistan said yesterday that US-led international troops killed five civilians including two women and a 7-day-old child and wounded two other women in an operation against suspected militants.	9/11 relative: Get out of Afghanistan Several die in Afghanistan bombing At least five people killed in suicide attack on counter-narcotics unit in Helmand. Afghan rocket attack kills Dutch soldier, wounds 5
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Pakistan arrests 5 militants "planning attacks" Pakistani police have arrested five men belonging to an al Qaeda-linked militant group who were planning to attack government offices and the security forces in the city of Karachi, police said on Wednesday. Pakistan Says U.S. Strike Kills 2 Alleged Militants Taliban kill Pakistan soldier in ambush: officials Pakistan cleric slams Zardari over sharia delay A pro-Taliban cleric lashed out at Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday for not ratifying a deal imposing Islamic law in Swat valley, holding him accountable for any return to violence.	Battle kills 5 as Taliban move beyond stronghold Police in Pakistan say at least five people have been killed in a gunbattle with Taliban 5 Killed in Taliban Gunbattle With Pakistan Police Policeman killed in Pakistan riots Riots erupted in southwest Pakistan that left one policeman dead on Thursday, as public anger boiled over following the murder of three Baluch nationalist politicians, officials said. Security developments in Pakistan, April 9
Asia
Up to 80,000 protesters urge Thai PM to quit Fiji coup regime ruled unlawful A Fiji court rules that the military government appointed after a 2006 coup is illegal, and that fresh elections should be called.
Europe
Russian PM Putin earns more than his boss Medvedev, records show Can radon gas leaks predict earthquakes? An Italian researcher says he predicted Monday's quake. Is his claim credible? U.K. Terror Police Arrest 12 In Raids Major MI5 operation against al-Qaeda endangered by security breach	Serbia won't recognize Kosovo independence: president Berlusconi: earthquake victims should view experience as camping weekend Georgians rally against president Tens of thousands of people in Tbilisi call for resignation of president.
Africa
Somali Pirates Hijack Ship With 20 Americans On Board US vessel now back in hands of crew The crew of a U.S.-flag ship seized by pirates off Somalia has retaken the vessel, American officials said Wednesday, but a person contacted aboard the ship said the pirates still held the captain US Warship, Six Other Vessels Headed To The Scene 'Pirates' Strike a U.S. Ship Owned by a Pentagon Contractor, But Is the Media Telling the Whole Story? Reports say the crew of a U.S. cargo vessel seized early today has retaken the ship, but there's more to the story of rising "pirate" attacks.	Somali pirates seize 5 ships Rights groups: Shell funded Nigerian militants, was complicit in executions of activists Albino African seeks Spain asylum The Spanish government considers an asylum request from an albino African who fears he might be killed if sent home. Why the US didn't intervene in the Rwandan genocide After a disastrous peacekeeping mission in Somalia, the US vowed to stay away from conflicts it didn't understand.
The Americas
Fidel Castro meets with 3 visiting US lawmakers Signaling its willingness to discuss improved relations with the U.S., Cuba on Tuesday granted three visiting members of the Congressional Black Caucus the first meeting with Fidel Castro by American officials since he fell ill in 2006. 5 Years After: Portugal's Drug Decriminalization Policy Shows Positive Results In the face of a growing number of deaths and cases of HIV linked to drug abuse, the Portuguese government in 2001 tried a new tack to get a handle on the problem--it decriminalized the use and possession of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, LSD and other illicit street drugs.	'Cuban Five' receive Brazilian human rights medal A Brazilian human rights group says it has awarded a medal to five Cubans imprisoned in the U.S. on espionage charges. Colombia drugs battle claims 29 Fujimori Found Guilty of Human Rights Crimes