The News Crawler

Mexican cartels traffick drugs to Italian mafia via Texas Europe-bound cocaine shipments move through Dallas Drugs command higher prices on the continent

UK unveils 50% top tax rate

Textbooks bogged down in Afghanistan Millions of new textbooks promised and paid for by the U.S. and other foreign donors have not been delivered to schools in Afghanistan, The Associated Press has found. Other books were so poorly made they are already falling apart.

Pentagon Has Seen ‘Astounding’ Rise in Iraq-Related Bribe Cases Pentagon criminal investigators have seen an “astounding” increase since fiscal 2004 in the number of bribery probes over the spending of Iraq reconstruction funds, a U.S. official said.

Lieberman Tells Russian Newspaper: U.S. Will Accept Any Israeli Decision The Obama Administration will put forth new peace initiatives only if Israel wants it to, said Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman

Meltdown losses of '$4 trillion' The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that potential losses from the credit crunch could reach $4 trillion

Banks Lobbying Furiously Against Credit Card Abuse Legislation

FBI's Newest 'Most Wanted' Terrorist Is American

Warrantless Vehicle Searches Are Limited in 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

Several Towns Warned To Boil Drinking Water The Department of Public Health urges residents in several Connecticut towns to boil their drinking water for one minute before consuming it.

Wind power project The city of New Haven breaks ground Tuesday on a small wind turbine project at Long Wharf.

Connecticut Treasurer Opposes Lewis at BofA Connecticut’s state treasurer has become the latest disgruntled Bank of America shareholder to slap down the bank’s chairman and chief executive, Kenneth D. Lewis.

Connecticut considers day of honour for Canadians

Pentagon takes back veteran pay job from Lockheed The U.S. Defense Department announced on Monday it was taking back responsibility for billions of dollars in pay and benefits for veterans, a task handled since 2002 by Lockheed Martin Corp , the Pentagon's No. 1 contractor by sales.

Warrantless Vehicle Searches Are Limited in 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

Oakland hires private security Seen as cheaper than police, Oakland will try private firm for violent area.

'First real trial' about Katrina under way A lawsuit claiming that the Army Corps of Engineers made the flooding worse starts today.

Study: More undergrads rely on private loans A study finds the number of college students taking out private student loans has risen sharply in recent years.

Weapons get smaller, deadlier at China Lake A 5-pound missile the size of a loaf of French bread is being quietly tested in the Mojave Desert north of Los Angeles as the military searches for more deadly and far more precise robotic weapons for modern warfare

Bush-Era Rule Grants FBI Unprecedented Investigative Powers Veterans groups and conservatives roared last week when news broke that the FBI was targeting veterans in a broad probe of extremist groups. But little noise was made in December, when the Bush administration quietly granted the FBI wide-ranging authority to investigate individuals or groups, regardless of whether they are suspected of criminal activity.

Firm Is Facing New Questions Over Pensions Steven Rattner’s private investment company, Quadrangle, is facing a widening investigation into corruption in public pension funds — and fighting for its future.

US biologists say 3 pesticides harm salmon Federal biologists say three pesticides commonly used by farmers threaten the survival of many Pacific salmon and steelhead listed as threatened or endangered species in the West.

Chris Hill Is the New U.S. Ambassador to Iraq The Senate, which overcame a meager attempt yesterday by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kans.) to stop Chris Hill’s nomination to be ambassador to Iraq, just voted to confirm the new top diplomat to Baghdad. Here’s Sen. John Kerry’s (D-Mass.) statement:

Sunday: 14 Iraqis Killed, 28 Wounded

Monday: 19 Iraqis Killed, 11 Wounded A suicide bomber disguised as an Iraqi policeman killed three officers and wounded eight US soldiers and a civilian on Monday, in the third such attack on security forces in just over a week.

The PKK Declares Its Preparation for Attending the Kurdistan Parties’ Conference The Foreign Affairs official for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, Ahmed Denise, have announced the readiness of his party to attend the Kurdistan parties’ conference.

8 Ansar al-Sunna Gunmen Detained in Touz Khormato Policemen captured eight gunmen members of the Ansar al-Sunna group in the district of Touz Khormato on Monday, a security source in the district said.

Iraq Plans Offensive Against Remnants Of Al-Qaeda

Tensions rise in Iraq's Mosul amid Kurdish boycott Tensions between Kurds and Sunni Arabs are rising in Iraq's volatile northern city of Mosul and the surrounding province following local elections in January which saw Sunni representation jump dramatically.

Report: Iraqi militia kills gays with anal glue torture

Court hears Iraq torture claims The High Court hears claims that British troops tortured and killed civilian detainees in Iraq.

Uneasy calm for Iraq, Kurdish troops in disputed area U.S. Colonel Ryan Gonsalves' soldiers were already on their way to their new post in Baghdad when he got news his brigade was being diverted to Iraq's tense city of Kirkuk.

Oil Leaks in Large Amounts in Baiji

Iraq Kurds Discovered 3-4 Bln Barrels Oil-minister

Iraq's Doctors Trickle Home As Attacks Decline

Iraqi General Hails Arrest of al-Qaeda Kids In one of the most bizarre triumphs for the Iraqi security forces, General Abdelamir al-Zaidi revealed today that four children under the age of 14 were successfully captured by Iraqi special forces units in and around the northern city of Kirkuk.

IED Attack Foiled in Falluja Police forces on Monday foiled an improvised explosive device (IED) attack that targeted a policeman’s house in downtown Falluja city.

8 U.S. Soldiers Wounded in Baaquba Explosion – MNF

Blackwater guards still at work in Iraq despite lacking license to operate Armed guards from the security firm once known as Blackwater Worldwide are still protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq, even though the company has no license to operate there and has been told by the State Department its contracts will not be renewed two years after a lethal firefight that stirred outrage in Baghdad.

Security developments in Iraq, April 22

Blackwater out of Iraq? No, Not Yet

Jordan to build 995-mile railway Train will connect Amman with Syria in the north and port city of Aqaba at the Red Sea.

Egyptians win the right to drop religion from ID cards Rights activists say the decision on a case brought by Bahais is an historic first step towards a more inclusive definition of Egyptian identity.

U.S., Tajikistan reach Afghan transit deal

U.S. sees big progress in eastern Afghanistan U.S. and NATO forces are close to achieving "irreversible momentum" in their battle with insurgents in eastern Afghanistan, a senior commander said on Wednesday.

Pak Taliban invite bin Laden to settle in Swat Militant group's spokesperson says al-Qaeda leader is their brother.

Taliban Territory Growing In Pakistan Taliban militants in Pakistan's Swat Valley have extended their grip to a neighboring northwest district, officials say, patrolling roads and broadcasting radio sermons.

Refugees overwhelm camps in Sri Lanka Military enters no-fire zone and frees civilians Tamil Tigers ignore deadline to surrender

Name Not on Our List? Change It, China Says

Untold numbers of Chinese have characters in their names that a new system for ID cards cannot process

Troops kill suspected militants in India

Hecklers booted from Durban II UN expels group that disrupted Iranian president; students hold demo at Swiss Embassy in Tel Aviv.

German trial begins for 4 accused in terror plot Four men charged over a foiled plot to attack American and other targets in Germany were motivated by hatred of the U.S. and aspired to emulate the scale of Sept. 11, prosecutors said as their trial opened Wednesday.

UK unveils 50% top tax rate

Police: 3 soldiers shot dead in Chechnya

Four hostages held by al-Qaida released Officials in Mali today said two Canadian diplomats and two European tourists who had been held hostage by al-Qaida's north African wing have been released.

Women in Somali city must cover up or go to jail Women in Somalia's third-largest city, Baidoa, have been ordered to wear Islamic dress starting this week or face jail time, according to a resident and Somali media reports.

U.S. Mulls Striking Somali Terrorist Training Camps The Obama administration is watching more than just pirates in Somalia. Officials have been tracking a Somali terrorist group and are weighing whether to strike some of its training camps. The fear is that the group, al-Shabab, could join forces with al-Qaida and target the U.S.

Venezuelan mayor 'seeking asylum' A Venezuelan mayor who says President Hugo Chavez is persecuting him on trumped-up corruption charges has gone to Peru, that nation's foreign minister said Tuesday.

Bolivian president rejects requests for plot info Bolivian President Evo Morales on Tuesday rejected requests from the governments of Ireland, Croatia and Hungary seeking information about the deaths of three of their citizens whom Bolivia accuses of plotting to assassinate Morales.

Wider Drug War Threatens Colombian Indians Indigenous groups have been displaced by armed men seeking control of regions coveted in the drug trade.

Ecuador orders US diplomat out

Mexican cartels traffick drugs to Italian mafia via Texas • Europe-bound cocaine shipments move through Dallas
• Drugs command higher prices on the continent

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Headlines	Click here for Yesterdays Edition
Mexican cartels traffick drugs to Italian mafia via Texas Europe-bound cocaine shipments move through Dallas Drugs command higher prices on the continent UK unveils 50% top tax rate Textbooks bogged down in Afghanistan Millions of new textbooks promised and paid for by the U.S. and other foreign donors have not been delivered to schools in Afghanistan, The Associated Press has found. Other books were so poorly made they are already falling apart. Pentagon Has Seen ‘Astounding’ Rise in Iraq-Related Bribe Cases Pentagon criminal investigators have seen an “astounding” increase since fiscal 2004 in the number of bribery probes over the spending of Iraq reconstruction funds, a U.S. official said. Lieberman Tells Russian Newspaper: U.S. Will Accept Any Israeli Decision The Obama Administration will put forth new peace initiatives only if Israel wants it to, said Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman Meltdown losses of '$4 trillion' The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that potential losses from the credit crunch could reach $4 trillion Banks Lobbying Furiously Against Credit Card Abuse Legislation FBI's Newest 'Most Wanted' Terrorist Is American Warrantless Vehicle Searches Are Limited in 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court Ruling	Senate investigation: CIA had methods ready before it had the OK or even a prisoner Intelligence and military officials under the Bush administration began preparing to conduct harsh interrogations long before they were granted legal approval for doing so — and weeks before the CIA had captured its first high-ranking terrorist suspect, Senate investigators have concluded. CIA Exempt On Torture, But Not Lynndie England Obama's decision not to prosecute CIA agents for torture has incited bitter debate. It's also raised questions about punishment already meted out to those low-ranking soldiers like Lynndie England, convicted in the 2004 abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib prison. U.S. Soldiers Deeply Split Over Detainee Treatment, Senate Report Reveals A report on military interrogations reveals sharp debates about the morality of harsh techniques. Scientists Claim CIA Misused Work on Sleep Deprivation The CIA cited a German study in concluding that sleep-deprived inmates would not feel "severe" pain. But the author of the study is crying foul REPORT: BUSH ADMIN. SOLICITED TORTURE 'WISH LIST,' ORDERED 'COMMUNIST' TACTICS 'First real trial' about Katrina under way A lawsuit claiming that the Army Corps of Engineers made the flooding worse starts today.
Connecticut
Rell: Year's Deficit Tops $1 Billion Rell Sets Aside $14 Million For Energy Programs Gov. M. Jodi Rell is directing $14 million from the state's emission allowance auctions to a mix of entities that work on energy conservation and clean energy programs Rell may change funding sources A regional environmental group, which has its Connecticut headquarters in New Haven, said the results of a letter-writing and petition drive show state residents don’t want cuts to the Department of Environmental Protection’s budget. Failure to promote white firefighters draws Supreme Court scrutiny Conservative justices showed sympathy for white firefighters who were passed over for promotion. The court's liberal wing suggested that New Haven officials may have acted reasonably. After an hour-long oral argument, most signs hinted at a close decision later this year. Connecticut Religious Groups want gay marriage exemptions The Roman Catholic Church is heading a coalition in Connecticut arguing for religious exemptions for those who oppose same-sex marriage. The exemption would cover local officials and also business owners and professionals such as therapists, The Hartford Courant reported Tuesday.	Capitol Rally Urges Decriminalization Of Marijuana Holding signs that said "Honk if you love pot" and "No cuffs for cannabis," dozens of spirited demonstrators on the lawn of the state Capitol rallied Monday for a bill seeking to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. Blumenthal seeks measures to fight prostitution and pornography on Craigslist In a letter to sent today to Craigslist officials, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal outlined “strong and specific” measures to fight prostitution and pornography on Several Towns Warned To Boil Drinking Water The Department of Public Health urges residents in several Connecticut towns to boil their drinking water for one minute before consuming it. Wind power project The city of New Haven breaks ground Tuesday on a small wind turbine project at Long Wharf. Connecticut Treasurer Opposes Lewis at BofA Connecticut’s state treasurer has become the latest disgruntled Bank of America shareholder to slap down the bank’s chairman and chief executive, Kenneth D. Lewis. Connecticut considers day of honour for Canadians
United States
Pentagon takes back veteran pay job from Lockheed The U.S. Defense Department announced on Monday it was taking back responsibility for billions of dollars in pay and benefits for veterans, a task handled since 2002 by Lockheed Martin Corp , the Pentagon's No. 1 contractor by sales. Warrantless Vehicle Searches Are Limited in 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court Ruling FBI's Newest 'Most Wanted' Terrorist Is American Oakland hires private security Seen as cheaper than police, Oakland will try private firm for violent area. 'First real trial' about Katrina under way A lawsuit claiming that the Army Corps of Engineers made the flooding worse starts today. Teen made $50,000 smuggling drugs Sitting in high school, math and history lessons never captured Danny Santos' imagination. The drug-fueled streets of the Texas-Mexico border provided his education, and he was an excellent student. KBR Memos on Violence May Undercut Defense in Iraq-Driver Cases KBR Inc., the largest U.S. military contractor in Iraq, received warnings about escalating violence and then sent six civilian drivers to their deaths in a battle zone in April 2004, said families of the men suing the company. Va. whistleblower loses bid for reinstatement The Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of a fired bank executive who blew the whistle on alleged shoddy accounting practices and wants his job back The Story of Mitchell Jessen & Associates: How a Team of Psychologists in Spokane, WA, Helped Develop the CIA's Torture Techniques Ex-manager at NJ company sentenced to nearly 6 yrs A former plant manager at a New Jersey pipe plant was sentenced Monday to nearly six years in prison in a federal investigation into worker safety violations and pollution of the Delaware River. Study: More undergrads rely on private loans A study finds the number of college students taking out private student loans has risen sharply in recent years. Weapons get smaller, deadlier at China Lake A 5-pound missile the size of a loaf of French bread is being quietly tested in the Mojave Desert north of Los Angeles as the military searches for more deadly and far more precise robotic weapons for modern warfare Deaths Of Polo Horses Prompt Criminal Probe Investigators have opened a criminal probe into whether someone poisoned a Venezuela team's 21 polo horses. The animals died Sunday during preparations for a match in the sport's top championship in Florida, officials said Tuesday Lockheed says F-35 classified data not breached The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin Corp, its top supplier, discounted a Wall Street Journal report that cyber spies had stolen secrets of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft being built for the United States and nearly a dozen allies Bush-Era Rule Grants FBI Unprecedented Investigative Powers Veterans groups and conservatives roared last week when news broke that the FBI was targeting veterans in a broad probe of extremist groups. But little noise was made in December, when the Bush administration quietly granted the FBI wide-ranging authority to investigate individuals or groups, regardless of whether they are suspected of criminal activity. Army officer: Report cites Abu Ghraib 'scapegoats' An Army Reserve brigadier general demoted because of prisoner abuses at the Abu Ghraib facility in Iraq says a new Senate report Fort Detrick disease samples may be missing FDA Loosens "Morning After" Pill Rules GM to shut many US plants up to 9 weeks Man Arrested for Criticizing Police in E-Mail to Louisiana Paper Rice delivered OK to waterboard as Bush's adviser The Army investigates itself again Why is the Army sending sick troops back into combat? You won't learn the answer from a new internal report. U.S. Soldiers Deeply Split Over Detainee Treatment, Senate Report Reveals A report on military interrogations reveals sharp debates about the morality of harsh techniques.	1970s lifestyle 'protects planet' Getting back to the slim, trim days of the 1970s would help to cut carbon emissions and tackle climate change, researchers say. The New Arms Race: Searching for Ammo Gun shops nationwide say they can't keep ammunition on the shelves. Calling 911 After a Car Crash May Cost You States look to ban "crash taxes," that cover cost of emergency responders. Judge to Rule if President Can Illegally Spy on Americans Judge: Free Press reporter can protect sources 10 years later, myths about Columbine persist If you recall that two unpopular teenage boys from the Trench Coat Mafia sought revenge against the school jocks by shooting up Columbine High, you're wrong. But you're not alone. Journalist and book author Dave Cullen said the myths about what happened this day 10 years ago were so widely reported that they have been hard to take back. Report: Hackers break into Pentagon's fighter jet project REPORT: BUSH ADMIN. SOLICITED TORTURE 'WISH LIST,' ORDERED 'COMMUNIST' TACTICS Federal judge hears challenge to Iraq war Opponents of the Iraq war say former President George W. Bush overstepped his authority when the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003 Hanford Nuclear Reservation: A Look at the Nation's Most Polluted Nuclear Weapons Production Site Radiation Exposure from 50 Years of Uranium Mining Continues to Affect Spokane Indian Reservation Lennar named in Chinese-made drywall lawsuit Homebuilder Lennar Corp. disclosed on Monday it has been named in a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of homeowners who bought houses built with Chinese-made drywall and claim it emits gasses that make people sick. Lawyer: USS Cole familes to get at least $200K Nearly nine years after 17 sailors were killed in a terrorist attack on the USS Cole, some relatives of the victims are set to receive at least $200,000 each from Sudan, a lawyer said Tuesday. Mental damage from CIA tactics is disputed The conclusion in recently released Justice Department memos that CIA interrogation techniques would not cause prolonged mental harm is disputed by some doctors and psychologists, who say that the mental damage incurred from the practices is significant and undeniable. 2 charged in threats against UCLA research scientists Two animal rights activists have been charged with threatening and harassing UCLA scientists who use animals in their research, according to a Los Angeles County grand jury indictment unsealed Monday. Drug Industry To Push Health Care For The Poor Time Warner Retreats From Internet Use Charge Time Warner appears to have backed away from a plan to charge customers according to how much they use the Internet. FBI workers accused of spying on dressing room Two FBI workers are accused of using surveillance equipment to spy on teenage girls as they undressed and tried on prom gowns at a charity event at a West Virginia mall. Judge orders review of FBI records on several Muslim groups in United States federal judge said on Monday he will review records of FBI inquiries into several Muslim groups and activists who claim they have been unfairly spied on and questioned. Scientists Claim CIA Misused Work on Sleep Deprivation The CIA cited a German study in concluding that sleep-deprived inmates would not feel "severe" pain. But the author of the study is crying foul Texas SEC official accused of hitting police Police in Fort Worth say a top SEC official prosecuting Texas billionaire R. Allen Stanford's fraud case has been accused of assaulting an officer. Four Corners marker story In an April 20 story about the location of the Four Corners marker, The Associated Press erroneously reported that the monument is 2.5 miles west of where it should be. Instead, according to Dave Doyle of the National Geodetic Survey, the monument marking the intersection of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah is about 1,807 feet east of where it should have been placed in 1875. Doyle says the monument's location has been legally adopted by all the states as the official corner
Madoffed
Firm Is Facing New Questions Over Pensions Steven Rattner’s private investment company, Quadrangle, is facing a widening investigation into corruption in public pension funds — and fighting for its future.

Science
Astronaut Farmers Attempt Moon Crops Entrepreneurs hope to send mini-greenhouse on lunar probe. US biologists say 3 pesticides harm salmon Federal biologists say three pesticides commonly used by farmers threaten the survival of many Pacific salmon and steelhead listed as threatened or endangered species in the West.
Politics
Menendez To Geithner: Stop Bailed-Out Banks From Hiking Credit Card Rates Harman Asks DOJ to Release Wiretap Transcripts Hoping to clear her name in the wake of allegations that she made a deal with a suspected Israeli agent to advance her position in Congress, Rep. Jane Harman backtracks on denials of wiretap story 'Very same' torture defenders ignored 9/11 warnings Treasury completes $29.8B boost to AIG rescue GOP still using disputed data Rep. Mike Pence defends use of a controversial cost estimate on a Dem global warming proposal. CIA Exempt On Torture, But Not Lynndie England Obama's decision not to prosecute CIA agents for torture has incited bitter debate. It's also raised questions about punishment already meted out to those low-ranking soldiers like Lynndie England, convicted in the 2004 abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib prison. Senate investigation: CIA had methods ready before it had the OK or even a prisoner Intelligence and military officials under the Bush administration began preparing to conduct harsh interrogations long before they were granted legal approval for doing so — and weeks before the CIA had captured its first high-ranking terrorist suspect, Senate investigators have concluded. Geithner Says No New Cash Is Needed for Bank Bailouts Obama Wins On Halting F-22s, More Fights Loom	Coleman Launches ANOTHER Legal Appeal In Franken Race U.S. Senate Approves New Top Antitrust Chief. TARP cop: 20 criminal probes Watchdog overseeing $700 billion bailout reveals his progress reviewing how money has been spent and calls for changes to prevent fraud Bank Bailout May Hurt Taxpayers, Be Open To Fraud US senator pushes for armed teams aboard ships Feinstein wrote to President Barack Obama last week urging him to deploy armed teams aboard such ships ''until the international community can implement appropriate measures to stop the growing threat of piracy in the area. Chris Hill Is the New U.S. Ambassador to Iraq The Senate, which overcame a meager attempt yesterday by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kans.) to stop Chris Hill’s nomination to be ambassador to Iraq, just voted to confirm the new top diplomat to Baghdad. Here’s Sen. John Kerry’s (D-Mass.) statement: National parks getting $750 million National parks are getting $750 million in federal economic stimulus money to chip into a to-do list that includes repairing Banks Lobbying Furiously Against Credit Card Abuse Legislation
Obama
Obama proposes $100 billion U.S. loan for IMF President Barack Obama on Monday proposed a $100 billion U.S. loan to the International Monetary Fund to boost the IMF's resources and urged a bigger stake in the IMF for emerging powers. WATCH: New Obama, Chavez Video Emerges: A Tense Scene? Obama leaves door to open to prosecutions over Bush-era interrogations WATCH: CNBC's Kudlow: Obama, Chavez Handshake Was 'Boyz In The Hood'-Style In A Shift, Obama Doesn't Plan To Reopen NAFTA Talks Intel director: High-value info obtained The Obama administration's top intelligence official says "high value information" was obtained in interrogations that included the harsh methods approved by former President George W. Bush Obama announces plan to lease federal waters for clean energy	Saving federal money the easy way Cut a latte or two out of your annual budget and you've just done as much belt-tightening as President Barack Obama asked of his Cabinet on Monday. Obama signs service bill, says volunteers needed Lieberman Tells Russian Newspaper: U.S. Will Accept Any Israeli Decision The Obama Administration will put forth new peace initiatives only if Israel wants it to, said Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman Obama welcomes his first Arab leader to White House After meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II, he emphasized his commitment to Palestinian statehood – a top concern among Arabs. New antitrust relief for newspapers opposed The Obama administration on Tuesday rejected new immunity from antitrust laws for teetering newspapers struggling to compete with Internet providers of news, entertainment and advertising
Economy
Meltdown losses of '$4 trillion' The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that potential losses from the credit crunch could reach $4 trillion Japan's exports dive 46 percent in March Japan's exports continued to slump in March, hit by declining shipments of autos and electronics, underlining a grim outlook for the world's second-largest economy as it struggles to climb out of recession.	No price hike on 2010 Prius; cheaper model to come GM may skip $1B bond payment due to exchange offer General Motors says it may not make a $1 billion bond payment on June 1 if it doesn't finish a debt-for-equity exchange by then.

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Sunday: 14 Iraqis Killed, 28 Wounded Monday: 19 Iraqis Killed, 11 Wounded A suicide bomber disguised as an Iraqi policeman killed three officers and wounded eight US soldiers and a civilian on Monday, in the third such attack on security forces in just over a week. The PKK Declares Its Preparation for Attending the Kurdistan Parties’ Conference The Foreign Affairs official for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, Ahmed Denise, have announced the readiness of his party to attend the Kurdistan parties’ conference. 8 Ansar al-Sunna Gunmen Detained in Touz Khormato Policemen captured eight gunmen members of the Ansar al-Sunna group in the district of Touz Khormato on Monday, a security source in the district said. Iraq Plans Offensive Against Remnants Of Al-Qaeda Tensions rise in Iraq's Mosul amid Kurdish boycott Tensions between Kurds and Sunni Arabs are rising in Iraq's volatile northern city of Mosul and the surrounding province following local elections in January which saw Sunni representation jump dramatically. Report: Iraqi militia kills gays with anal glue torture Court hears Iraq torture claims The High Court hears claims that British troops tortured and killed civilian detainees in Iraq. Uneasy calm for Iraq, Kurdish troops in disputed area U.S. Colonel Ryan Gonsalves' soldiers were already on their way to their new post in Baghdad when he got news his brigade was being diverted to Iraq's tense city of Kirkuk.	Oil Leaks in Large Amounts in Baiji Iraq Kurds Discovered 3-4 Bln Barrels Oil-minister Iraq's Doctors Trickle Home As Attacks Decline Iraqi General Hails Arrest of al-Qaeda Kids In one of the most bizarre triumphs for the Iraqi security forces, General Abdelamir al-Zaidi revealed today that four children under the age of 14 were successfully captured by Iraqi special forces units in and around the northern city of Kirkuk. IED Attack Foiled in Falluja Police forces on Monday foiled an improvised explosive device (IED) attack that targeted a policeman’s house in downtown Falluja city. 8 U.S. Soldiers Wounded in Baaquba Explosion – MNF Blackwater guards still at work in Iraq despite lacking license to operate Armed guards from the security firm once known as Blackwater Worldwide are still protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq, even though the company has no license to operate there and has been told by the State Department its contracts will not be renewed two years after a lethal firefight that stirred outrage in Baghdad. Security developments in Iraq, April 22 Pentagon Has Seen ‘Astounding’ Rise in Iraq-Related Bribe Cases Pentagon criminal investigators have seen an “astounding” increase since fiscal 2004 in the number of bribery probes over the spending of Iraq reconstruction funds, a U.S. official said. Blackwater out of Iraq? No, Not Yet
Middle East
Iran President Urges Full Defense for US Reporter Iranian president says US journalist convicted of spying should get full defense in appeal V Barak purchases U.S. system to intercept Gaza rockets Turkish police detain 19 in Al-Qaida raids World Bank: Israelis get four times more water than Palestinians Senior Saudi Cleric Calls Spread Of Shi'a 'Dangerous' Prominent Saudi Scholar Bans Attacks on Jewish Websites, Says Al-Qaeda Operations Aren't Jihad Ex-Iranian Guards chief to run for president A moderate conservative who led Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday that he will become the latest challenger to incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the Iranian presidency in June Four army members arrested in arms cache probe Ten people, including four military officers currently on active duty, were arrested yesterday as part of an investigation into Ergenekon, a clandestine terrorist organization, 146 of whose suspected members are currently facing trial for plotting to overthrow the government. Israel Defence Force says it fought Gaza war in line with international law	Jordan to build 995-mile railway Train will connect Amman with Syria in the north and port city of Aqaba at the Red Sea. Egyptians win the right to drop religion from ID cards Rights activists say the decision on a case brought by Bahais is an historic first step towards a more inclusive definition of Egyptian identity. 'Racist incidents on the rise in Israel' Report by Arab advocacy group Mossawa says attacks on Israel Arab citizens up 10-fold in past year. Kuwaiti Parliamentary Candidates Arrested For Anti-Gov't Incitement In the past two weeks, the Kuwaiti authorities have arrested three parliamentary candidates for criticizing the royal family and senior government officials and inciting against the government Turkey calls back ambassador to Canada Turkey recalled its ambassador to Canada, an official said Wednesday, after government ministers there reportedly took part in an event that labeled the Ottoman-era killings of Armenians as genocide. Torture Tape Implicates UAE Royal Sheikh Kuwait politician who called to normalize Israel ties quits parliament race
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
Kazakhstan snubs NATO games in support for Russia Textbooks bogged down in Afghanistan Millions of new textbooks promised and paid for by the U.S. and other foreign donors have not been delivered to schools in Afghanistan, The Associated Press has found. Other books were so poorly made they are already falling apart.	U.S., Tajikistan reach Afghan transit deal U.S. sees big progress in eastern Afghanistan U.S. and NATO forces are close to achieving "irreversible momentum" in their battle with insurgents in eastern Afghanistan, a senior commander said on Wednesday.
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Pak Taliban invite bin Laden to settle in Swat Militant group's spokesperson says al-Qaeda leader is their brother. Taliban Territory Growing In Pakistan Taliban militants in Pakistan's Swat Valley have extended their grip to a neighboring northwest district, officials say, patrolling roads and broadcasting radio sermons.	Pakistan arrests two Afghan terrorist suspects Kerry: Administration lacks 'real strategy' for handling Pakistan Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman says no adequate plan for Pakistan
Asia
Refugees overwhelm camps in Sri Lanka Military enters no-fire zone and frees civilians Tamil Tigers ignore deadline to surrender Name Not on Our List? Change It, China Says Untold numbers of Chinese have characters in their names that a new system for ID cards cannot process Troops kill suspected militants in India	Sri Lanka rebels: 1,000 civilians die in govt raid India pays $1.6 bn for warship, Russian wants more Ageing aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov was to be delivered in 2008. 'Low-key' Taiwan leader seeks US arms (AFP) Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou appealed Wednesday to the United States to sell it jet fighters and support its entry into global organizations, promising he would try not to annoy rival China.
Europe
UBS seeking to drop accounts for undeclared EU cash: report Swiss bank UBS, under pressure from an international campaign against tax evasion, wants to drop accounts for undeclared cash from Europe Union clients, Sonntagszeitung newspaper reported on Sunday. Russia detains Georgian for "spying" U.S. unlikely to revise missile defense plans: Russian minister U.K.: All terror suspects arrested in raids released British police say all 12 suspects arrested in anti-terror raids earlier this month have been released without charge.	Hecklers booted from Durban II UN expels group that disrupted Iranian president; students hold demo at Swiss Embassy in Tel Aviv. German trial begins for 4 accused in terror plot Four men charged over a foiled plot to attack American and other targets in Germany were motivated by hatred of the U.S. and aspired to emulate the scale of Sept. 11, prosecutors said as their trial opened Wednesday. UK unveils 50% top tax rate Police: 3 soldiers shot dead in Chechnya
Africa
Four hostages held by al-Qaida released Officials in Mali today said two Canadian diplomats and two European tourists who had been held hostage by al-Qaida's north African wing have been released. Women in Somali city must cover up or go to jail Women in Somalia's third-largest city, Baidoa, have been ordered to wear Islamic dress starting this week or face jail time, according to a resident and Somali media reports. U.S. Mulls Striking Somali Terrorist Training Camps The Obama administration is watching more than just pirates in Somalia. Officials have been tracking a Somali terrorist group and are weighing whether to strike some of its training camps. The fear is that the group, al-Shabab, could join forces with al-Qaida and target the U.S.	Kenyan Town Strikes Back Against Its Tormenters Townspeople said they were sick of living under the thumb and threat of the Mungiki, a secretive group that is part street gang, part Mafia. Somalia asks for help in setting up coast guard Somalia's foreign minister urged the international community on Wednesday to help its fledgling government set up a coast guard to fight the rampant piracy that has disrupted shipping in one of the world's busiest waterways.
The Americas
Troops end Jamaica airliner hostage siege Passengers were reportedly taken hostage on a charter flight at a Jamaican airport. Dwyer went to Bolivia on 'training course' (Evo Morales assassination plot interrupted) The 49-year-old was killed with Mr Dwyer in a Santa Cruz hotel last Thursday. A veteran of the Balkans conflict, he has been described as the leader of the group of alleged mercenaries the Bolivians say were plotting to kill their president, Evo Morales. The nature of Mr Dwyer’s work, and what the group were doing in Santa Cruz, remains unclear. Hugo Chavez Hugo Chavez promised "revolutionary" social policies, and constantly abused the "predatory oligarchs" of the establishment as corrupt servants of international capital. This populist leader, who never missed an opportunity to address the nation, once described oil executives as living in "luxury chalets where they perform orgies, drinking whisky".	Venezuelan mayor 'seeking asylum' A Venezuelan mayor who says President Hugo Chavez is persecuting him on trumped-up corruption charges has gone to Peru, that nation's foreign minister said Tuesday. Bolivian president rejects requests for plot info Bolivian President Evo Morales on Tuesday rejected requests from the governments of Ireland, Croatia and Hungary seeking information about the deaths of three of their citizens whom Bolivia accuses of plotting to assassinate Morales. Wider Drug War Threatens Colombian Indians Indigenous groups have been displaced by armed men seeking control of regions coveted in the drug trade. Ecuador orders US diplomat out Mexican cartels traffick drugs to Italian mafia via Texas • Europe-bound cocaine shipments move through Dallas • Drugs command higher prices on the continent