The News Crawler

Conn. sees record business closures

Connecticut Has Solid Chance Of Receiving Funds For New Haven-Springfield Rail As Connecticut tries to grab a share of $8 billion in stimulus funds to build a high-speed rail system, the competition will be severe.

Pratt Workers Show Solidarity to Save Jobs Pratt & Whitney workers rallied to keep nearly 1000 local jobs from moving south or overseas.

Post office cited by GAO as a troubled agency The Government Accountability Office on Tuesday added the Postal Service to its list of high-risk federal agencies in need of change.

Home Sign: 'Hispanics Keep Out'

Atlanta close to tearing down last housing project The nation's bulldozer attack on crime and poverty will soon make Atlanta - home of the first public housing development - the first major city to eliminate all of its large housing projects.

Three Bombs Thrown Onto Track At Gay Games

Police

Accused Israel spy hints at FBI anti-Semitism in AIPAC probe He was arrested, subjected to humiliating interrogations, accused of spying for Israel, lived under the specter of a 13-year prison term and sold everything he owned to pay for his legal defense. But Lawrence Franklin, 63, a former senior officer in the U.S. Air Force, an intelligence expert, university professor and senior official in the U.S. administration, did not crack.

Colin Powell: I've Been Racially Profiled "Many Times"

Figure in NJ corruption scandal found dead at home A political consultant who was one of 44 people arrested last week in New Jersey's massive political corruption scandal has been found dead in his apartment.

Conversation About Gates Arrest Precedes Disorderly Conduct Arrest In D.C.

Crooked Cops Caught Plotting To Frame Motorist

Boston Cop Suspended For Calling Gates A "Jungle Monkey"

Drug War

Medical marijuana dispensaries thrive in Colo. Boulder County Caregivers offers 16 glass jars of marijuana with names like Skinny Pineapple and Early Pearl Maui, priced at $375 to $420 an ounce. There are marijuana capsules and snacks made with cannabis butter, such as rice crispy treats.

Pot Activists File [Marijuana Legalization] Ballot Measure in California

18 shot in Baltimore violence Mayor Dixon said Monday that police were doing all that they could and that the ability of government and police to intervene in such feuds is limited.

Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town

US rules on abusive short selling US regulators make permanent a set of curbs on "naked short-selling" - regarded as abusive speculation against shares.

U.S. new home sales rise sharply in June

Bill would shut out countries with lax bank rules

Verizon profit falls, plans job cuts

Gasoline price rises first time in 5 weeks: government

New Mexican truck rules please U.S. business A plan containing guidelines on getting Mexican trucks back on U.S. highways has gone through bureaucratic review, the first step toward ending Mexican tariffs on $2.4 billion worth of U.S. goods. Implementing the plan would quell growing dissent among U.S. businesses that are hurt by Mexico's tariffs and that continue to besiege Washington with claims that doing nothing will result in job losses. The tariffs were imposed as retaliation for legislation enacted in March that took Mexican trucks off American highways, despite the North American Free Trade Agreement's program to let them into the United States.

IG: Military, KBR at fault in electrocution The Defense Department’s Inspector General has determined that military leaders and a military contractor failed to protect a Green Beret who was electrocuted while showering in his barracks in Iraq.Military blamed in Green Beret electrocution

Suicide bomber in mourning council kills 2 Gunmen raided a soft drink factory in Talkif in Northern Iraq and shot dead a worker before running away. On Sunday night, a suicide bomber wearing an explosives belt blew himself up in a funeral killing at least 2 people including a senior officer and wounding 5 in Al Khalidiya near Fallujah Fatal car bombing in Fulluja targets Sunni Arab group

'Poll gains' for Kurdish opposition Goran party says it has dominated the vote in semi-autonomous region's Sulaimaniya.

Iraq to Auction Rights to Ten Crude-oil Areas

Kurdistan Islamic Union HQ Attacked in Arbil A member of the political bureau of the Kurdistan Islamic Union on Monday said that the union’s headquarters in downtown Arbil city had been attacked by Kurdistan Alliance (KA) supporters.

Crime’ or self-defense? Iraq tries to arrest GIs Iraqi commander tries to detain U.S. troops after they fired on insurgents and killed civilians.

Deaths in $6.5m Iraq bank robbery Gunmen have killed eight security guards and stolen about $6.5m in cash during a break-in at a bank in central Baghdad

Iraq's Kurdish opposition allege poll violations Kurdish opposition groups complained of widespread violations in Saturday's Kurdistan elections but Iraq's electoral commission said voting was largely sound.

Recalling the Downing Street Minutes Ray McGovern on fudging the intel

Saturday: 8 Iraqis Killed, 33 Wounded..Sunday: 26 Iraqis Killed, 28 Wounded...Monday: 7 Iraqis Killed, 23 Wounded

U.N. backs "alternative" Iraq war reparation schemes U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report released on Monday that he backs the idea of "alternative" solutions to accommodate Iraq's request to reduce its war reparation payments to Kuwait

Sticky Bomb Kills Chieftain in Ninewa A chieftain on Monday was killed in Ninewa and his driver was wounded when a sticky bomb attached to their car went off in central Mosul city, a police source said.

Gunman Arrested for Attacking Police Patrol in Mosul

Why are U.S.-allied refugees still branded as 'terrorists?' Almost every day for three years, prison guards at one of Saddam Husseins most notorious prisons tortured Sami Alkarim. Now, in a cruel twist of fate, the accomplished Iraqi artist is being treated like a terrorist by the U.S., the country where he sought refuge.

Blasts hit Baghdad amid Gates visit

Iraqi forces raid camp of Iranian exiles

US general: Iran working to influence Iraq vote

Iraqi Army Takes Control Of Iranian Opposition Camp - Source

'50 million US Christians back Israel' John Hagee sends Netanyahu message via sattelite from CUFI rally; PM: Your friendship strengthens us.

Clinton: Israel to agree to temporary settlement freeze

Hamas bars Fatah men from West Bank summit

Holland to rethink funding of rights group that slammed IDF in Gaza Following protests by Israel, the Netherlands will reevaluate its funding of a human rights organization that alleged that Israeli troops used Palestinians as human shields in Gaza.

Pakistan Arrests Cleric Behind Deal With Taliban The Pakistani police on Sunday arrested a pro-Taliban cleric, Maulana Sufi Muhammad, who brokered a peace deal between the government and militants in the Swat Valley that has since faltered

Taliban kill Pakistan militia leader: officials

Mob beats Chinese steel factory executive to death Mob beats Chinese steel factory executive to death Thousands of workers had gathered in northeastern rust belt city of Tonghua to protest the takeover of their company and threatened layoffs.

Water pollution sickens thousands in north China

Kyrgyz head officially re-elected Election officials in Kyrgyzstan announce that incumbent president Kurmanbek Bakiyev has officially won last week's controversial poll.

India launches nuclear submarine

India's prime minister launches the first nuclear-powered submarine built entirely in the country.

Rights groups protest Cambodia 'AIDS colony'

US, China pledge 'close cooperation' Nations say they'll work together on issues like climate, free trade, Iran

Bus blast kills 6 paramilitary soldiers in India

Seven charged in Papua killings Indonesian police have charged seven people for alleged involvement in a series of deadly shootings at the Freeport gold mine in Papua.

Philippines, Muslim rebels agree to resume talks

South Korea economy grows 2.3%

US concerned over Sri Lankan camps The United States on Monday expressed concern over hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans displaced by war who are currently confined to military-run camps and pledged funds to help their resettlement. IMF approves $2.6bn loan for Sri Lanka

Blasts hit Tajikistan ahead of high-profile summit Two small explosions have hit the Tajik capital before a high-profile meeting between the leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia, highlighting security concerns in the impoverished Central Asian nation

Strike cripples South Africa cities Public services hit in several cities as workers press for salary increases.

Nigerian troops surround militant hideout Army troops traded fire with Islamic militants Tuesday and deployed armored vehicles to surround the suspected hideout of a radical Muslim leader accused of orchestrating three days of violence in Africa's most populous nation. Nigerian Forces Shell Mosque As Violence Claims More Than 250 Lives

African Journalists Reject EU-sponsored Observatory A project to create a Pan-African Media Observatory (PAMO), sponsored by the European Union in cooperation with the African union, has been rejected by numerous African journalist organisations.

Charles Taylor denies cannibalism Former Liberian leader Charles Taylor denies accusations of cannibalism, during his war crimes trial in The Hague.

US turns off electronic billboard in Havana The Obama administration has turned off an electronic sign at the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana that had displayed pro-democracy and human rights messages to Cuban passers-by and riled the government for the past three years.

Bolivians resist Iran's search for uranium Iran's worldwide search for uranium to feed its nuclear program has sparked a local revolt in this marshy town in Bolivia's eastern lowlands, whose inhabitants are alarmed by plans to extract radioactive minerals from a nearby mountain. Bolivian officials treat information about the uranium deposits in San Ignacio and other locations in Bolivia as a state secret

Farc camps 'had Swedish weapons' Officials in Sweden investigate reports that Swedish-made weapons have been found in camps of Farc rebels in Colombia. Rocket launchers sold to Venezuela went to FARC... Sweden asks why rebels have weapons it sold to Venezuela...

Click here Updates from Honduras as of July 29

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World Headlines
Click here Updates from Iran as of July 29 Click here Updates from Honduras as of July 29 Farc camps 'had Swedish weapons' Officials in Sweden investigate reports that Swedish-made weapons have been found in camps of Farc rebels in Colombia. Rocket launchers sold to Venezuela went to FARC... Sweden asks why rebels have weapons it sold to Venezuela... Nigerian troops surround militant hideout Army troops traded fire with Islamic militants Tuesday and deployed armored vehicles to surround the suspected hideout of a radical Muslim leader accused of orchestrating three days of violence in Africa's most populous nation. Nigerian Forces Shell Mosque As Violence Claims More Than 250 Lives Chechnya: Five People Killed In Suicide Bomb Attack In Capital ... A suicide bombing at a concert in the Chechen capital kills at least five people and injures several more, officials say. 'Nasrallah predicts Israel-Hezbollah war before next spring ' Hamas tunneling near UN facilities' Defense officials: Group working under assumption that the IDF won't target structures in next conflict. Crime’ or self-defense? Iraq tries to arrest GIs Iraqi commander tries to detain U.S. troops after they fired on insurgents and killed civilians.	Kyrgyz head officially re-elected Election officials in Kyrgyzstan announce that incumbent president Kurmanbek Bakiyev has officially won last week's controversial poll. Mob beats Chinese steel factory executive to death Mob beats Chinese steel factory executive to death Thousands of workers had gathered in northeastern rust belt city of Tonghua to protest the takeover of their company and threatened layoffs. Pakistan Arrests Cleric Behind Deal With Taliban The Pakistani police on Sunday arrested a pro-Taliban cleric, Maulana Sufi Muhammad, who brokered a peace deal between the government and militants in the Swat Valley that has since faltered Afghan Vice Presidential Candidate Escapes Assassination Attempt Taliban Issues New Code Of Conduct For Fighters "A brave son of Islam should not be used for lower and useless targets. The utmost effort should be made to avoid civilian casualties," the book says. There are now clear guidelines on how the Taliban will treat its prisoners as well. "Whenever any official, soldier, contractor or worker of the slave government is captured, these prisoners cannot be attacked or harmed," it says. Taliban, Afghan Govt. Agree to Cease-Fire in North Local Taliban commander, Afghan govt. agree to cease-fire in northwest province
US Headlines
Over a Barrel: The Truth About Oil ABC News' Charles Gibson investigates the source of America's energy addiction. This is a very informative piece. Must watch for anyone who drives a car.CFTC Report Blames Speculators For Oil Price Swings: Report Sen. Inhofe: Birthers "Have A Point," "I Don't Discourage It" House Set to Spend $6.9B on Unwanted Military Equipment 18 shot in Baltimore violence Mayor Dixon said Monday that police were doing all that they could and that the ability of government and police to intervene in such feuds is limited. Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town US must account for fees owed Indians A US appeals court ruled yesterday that the Interior Department must account for century-old land royalties owed to American Indians, reversing a lower court’s ruling that the task is impossible. Figure in NJ corruption scandal found dead at home A political consultant who was one of 44 people arrested last week in New Jersey's massive political corruption scandal has been found dead in his apartment. U.S. probe targets UBS banker visits: report U.S. authorities are targeting client visits by Swiss-based bankers from UBS in their efforts to identify U.S. citizens with accounts at the bank who may have evaded tax, a Swiss newspaper said on Sunday. U.S. spy chief sees more private sector input U.S. intelligence will seek more input from the private sector and outside experts such as academics to support core spy agencies	UK Government to be Sued For Involvement in CIA Rendition Program...CIA's ghost flights to be made public at trial....Clinton moved to halt disclosure of CIA torture evidence, court told Goldman Sachs Using Taxpayer Money To Put Financial System At Risk, Reps. Charge AIG Unit Keeps $2.4 Billion From Asset Sales as Taxpayers Wait Henry Waxman wins breakthrough on health bill (Public Option Retained) Study Finds Major Benefits From Four-Day Workweek Defense analyst (Larry Franklin) in (AIPAC) spy case was FBI double agent Larry Franklin, the former Pentagon analyst convicted of revealing classified information, says he worked undercover as an FBI double agent to gather information on the pro-Israel lobby in the United States before the bureau turned on him and pressured him to plead guilty to spying for Israel. Study: Cops still 'consent search' minorities' cars more often The latest state traffic study on who gets pulled over by police shows once again that minorities are more likely to be the subject of so-called consent searches although police are more likely to find contraband in the vehicles of white drivers. Paid sick days will slow the spread of dangerous flu We should not have to choose between a pandemic and a paycheck. And our kids should not have to be exposed to a lethal flu virus because our policy on paid sick leave is so primitive
Connecticut
Official: Dodd, Conrad Knew Of Sweetened Home Loan Deals Loan official says Dodd, Conrad were told they were getting VIP home loan deals. Dodd may snub lobbyists, but not their cash Dems, Rell can now agree on deficit After a five-month battle, the Democratic legislature and Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell have reached agreement on a deficit figure for 2009-11 and new budget proposals incorporating the figures will be released next week. EB Gets Millions To Design New Sub Electric Boat of Groton is getting millions to design a smaller, safer, and faster submarine.	Conn. sees record business closures Connecticut Has Solid Chance Of Receiving Funds For New Haven-Springfield Rail As Connecticut tries to grab a share of $8 billion in stimulus funds to build a high-speed rail system, the competition will be severe. Pratt Workers Show Solidarity to Save Jobs Pratt & Whitney workers rallied to keep nearly 1000 local jobs from moving south or overseas. Post office cited by GAO as a troubled agency The Government Accountability Office on Tuesday added the Postal Service to its list of high-risk federal agencies in need of change.
United States
Security Issues 7 In North Carolina Charged With Terror Conspiracy U.S. spy chief sees more private sector input U.S. intelligence will seek more input from the private sector and outside experts such as academics to support core spy agencies "All I Know How to do Is Kill People" Troubled Soldiers From Colorado-Based Army Unit Describe Iraq Horrors (AP) Soldiers from an Army unit that had 10 infantrymen accused of murder, attempted murder or manslaughter after returning to civilian life described a breakdown in discipline during their Iraq deployment in which troops murdered civilians, a newspaper reported Sunday TVA lawyers limited ash spill report The Tennessee Valley Authority failed for more than 20 years to heed warnings that might have prevented a massive coal Mexico Police Arrest 4 in Death of US Border Agent U.S. man a ‘gold mine’ of terror intel When the American-born al-Qaida recruit Bryant Neal Vinas was captured in Pakistan late last year, he wasn't whisked off to a military prison or a secret CIA facility in another country to be interrogated. Swine flu could kill hundreds of thousands in U.S. if vaccine fails, CDC says Herbicide Affects Vietnam Veterans Lawyer: Accused blogger (Hal Turner) was FBI informant The man is accused of threatening to kill three federal judges CHICAGO - The lawyer for a blogger accused of threatening to kill three Chicago-based federal judges said Friday that his client has been an FBI informant Haitian migrant shipwreck kills 15, dozens missing At least 15 Haitian migrants drowned and more than 65 were missing after their wooden sail boat hit a reef and sank off the Turks and Caicos islands, local police and the U.S. Coast Guard said on Tuesday. U.S. Professor: I told FBI about kidney trafficking 7 years ago Paid sick days will slow the spread of dangerous flu We should not have to choose between a pandemic and a paycheck. And our kids should not have to be exposed to a lethal flu virus because our policy on paid sick leave is so primitive Anthrax investigation nears end A year after government scientist Bruce Ivins killed himself while under investigation for the lethal anthrax letters of 2001, the Justice Department is on the verge of closing the long, costly and vexing case. Several law enforcement officials told the Associated Press that the department tentatively planned last week to close the case but backed away from that decision after government attorneys said they needed more time to review the evidence and determine what further information can be made public without compromising grand jury secrecy or privacy laws. Defense analyst (Larry Franklin) in (AIPAC) spy case was FBI double agent Larry Franklin, the former Pentagon analyst convicted of revealing classified information, says he worked undercover as an FBI double agent to gather information on the pro-Israel lobby in the United States before the bureau turned on him and pressured him to plead guilty to spying for Israel. Courts US citizen gets life sentence for Bush assassination plot US must account for fees owed Indians A US appeals court ruled yesterday that the Interior Department must account for century-old land royalties owed to American Indians, reversing a lower court’s ruling that the task is impossible. April date set for first of Sept. 11 trials in NYC The first wrongful death lawsuit resulting from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will go to trial April 12, a judge said Tuesday. Education School head fights 'ethnic chauvinism' in Arizona	Greed SEC files complaint against Phoenix company The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged four people and a Phoenix-based company with securities fraud for orchestrating a mortgage lending scam that raised nearly $200 million from investors. U.S. probe targets UBS banker visits: report U.S. authorities are targeting client visits by Swiss-based bankers from UBS in their efforts to identify U.S. citizens with accounts at the bank who may have evaded tax, a Swiss newspaper said on Sunday. Salt Lake law firm indicted in visa fraud case Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment Tuesday alleging a law firm arranged thousands of fraudulent visas for foreign workers at Utah companies. Media Fox Guest---Blacks Slit Throats and Get Away With It Bill Moyers: Dangerous Alliance of Health Industry and Right-Wingers Will Stop at Nothing to Derail Progressive Reforms Fox Decides Not to Air 'Family Guy' Abortion Episode Lou Dobbs Slams "Tea-Bagging Queen Rachel Maddow," Refuses To Back Off Obama Birth Certificate Controversy (AUDIO) Civil Rights Home Sign: 'Hispanics Keep Out' Atlanta close to tearing down last housing project The nation's bulldozer attack on crime and poverty will soon make Atlanta - home of the first public housing development - the first major city to eliminate all of its large housing projects. Three Bombs Thrown Onto Track At Gay Games Police Accused Israel spy hints at FBI anti-Semitism in AIPAC probe He was arrested, subjected to humiliating interrogations, accused of spying for Israel, lived under the specter of a 13-year prison term and sold everything he owned to pay for his legal defense. But Lawrence Franklin, 63, a former senior officer in the U.S. Air Force, an intelligence expert, university professor and senior official in the U.S. administration, did not crack. Colin Powell: I've Been Racially Profiled "Many Times" Figure in NJ corruption scandal found dead at home A political consultant who was one of 44 people arrested last week in New Jersey's massive political corruption scandal has been found dead in his apartment. Conversation About Gates Arrest Precedes Disorderly Conduct Arrest In D.C. Crooked Cops Caught Plotting To Frame Motorist Boston Cop Suspended For Calling Gates A "Jungle Monkey" Drug War Medical marijuana dispensaries thrive in Colo. Boulder County Caregivers offers 16 glass jars of marijuana with names like Skinny Pineapple and Early Pearl Maui, priced at $375 to $420 an ounce. There are marijuana capsules and snacks made with cannabis butter, such as rice crispy treats. Pot Activists File [Marijuana Legalization] Ballot Measure in California 18 shot in Baltimore violence Mayor Dixon said Monday that police were doing all that they could and that the ability of government and police to intervene in such feuds is limited. Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town

Science
Traffic Jam Cure: Jerk Who Cut You Off Study: Aggressive drivers actually break up congestion. Swiss Psychiatrist Fights Fear With LSD Study Finds Major Benefits From Four-Day Workweek	Can Good Bacteria Really Fight the Flu? Study shows probiotics can ward off viral infections like the cold or flu Study: Tanning beds as deadly as arsenic
Politics
Senate Sen. Inhofe: Birthers "Have A Point," "I Don't Discourage It" Republican Resolution Demands Obama Apologize To Cambridge Police Exclusive: Experts raise questions regarding Rove's testimony deal Sotomayor Confirmed By Senate Judiciary Committee Senate OKs millions to combat Iran's Internet censors House Michele Bachmann Blocks Resolution Proclaiming Hawaii Obama's Birthplace House Committee Backs Restrictions On Executive Pay Bill Will Restore Congress' Powers in Era After Bush The recent revelation that former Vice President Dick Cheney unilaterally decided to keep Congress in the dark about a CIA program targeting al-Qaida members for assassination comes as no surprise. GOP Rep.: Obama Has Produced "No Health Records, No Birth Certificate" House Set to Spend $6.9B on Unwanted Military Equipment Will proposal promote euthanasia? GOPers are wary of a provision in the House bill. Obama Obama Cites Study In Health Care Address Decries Small Businesses Paying More per Employee for Health Insurance Than do Big Companies as "Unsustainable" Punch: Obama Administration Details $102M in Spending Cuts White House repeats F-22 veto threat The Obama administration repeated on Tuesday a threat to veto an annual defense spending bill if it included money to continue Lockheed Martin Corp's F-22 aircraft production line.	Health Insurance Henry Waxman wins breakthrough on health bill (Public Option Retained) GITMO/Abu Ghraib/Bahgram Federal Judge Slams U.S. Govt for Ongoing Detention of Alleged Child Soldier at Gitmo Calling the case "an outrage," U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle urged the lawyers to "let him out. Send him back to Afghanistan." UK Government to be Sued For Involvement in CIA Rendition Program...CIA's ghost flights to be made public at trial....Clinton moved to halt disclosure of CIA torture evidence, court told U.S. says it's willing to send Afghan Guantanamo detainee home Treasury/Federal Reserve/Bailouts NY Fed names Nomura as U.S. primary dealer The New York Federal Reserve on Monday named Japan's Nomura Securities International as a U.S. primary dealer of Treasury securities, effective immediately. Goldman Sachs Using Taxpayer Money To Put Financial System At Risk, Reps. Charge AIG Unit Keeps $2.4 Billion From Asset Sales as Taxpayers Wait U.S. 'eager' to sell GM, Chrysler stock soon The Obama administration plans to sell its shares in General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC as soon as it can, the head of the autos task force told a congressional panel Monday. Stimulus To Create Jobs, Tennessee Looks to New Deal Model Biden Announces $1B Stimulus for Cops But for Every $1 To Be Delivered, Another $7 in Requests Will Go Unanswered, Group Says
Economy	Click for Economic Statistics
Over a Barrel: The Truth About Oil ABC News' Charles Gibson investigates the source of America's energy addiction. This is a very informative piece. Must watch for anyone who drives a car.CFTC Report Blames Speculators For Oil Price Swings: Report Crude hits $70 and base metals advance Crude oil prices made a strong start to trading on Monday, extending last week's gains, while copper led the base metals sector higher and sugar rose as markets benefited from a further improvement Microsoft profits down by a third Skilled immigrants fleeing the U.S. A long wait for a green card, coupled with the soft U.S. economy, is prompting an exodus of some of the best and brightest. Subprime mortgage companies warn on U.S. foreclosures Companies that service risky residential mortgages are warning U.S. officials that a key program to slow foreclosures may push some financing costs higher and derail their efforts, said a leading subprime firm.	US rules on abusive short selling US regulators make permanent a set of curbs on "naked short-selling" - regarded as abusive speculation against shares. U.S. new home sales rise sharply in June Bill would shut out countries with lax bank rules Verizon profit falls, plans job cuts Gasoline price rises first time in 5 weeks: government New Mexican truck rules please U.S. business A plan containing guidelines on getting Mexican trucks back on U.S. highways has gone through bureaucratic review, the first step toward ending Mexican tariffs on $2.4 billion worth of U.S. goods. Implementing the plan would quell growing dissent among U.S. businesses that are hurt by Mexico's tariffs and that continue to besiege Washington with claims that doing nothing will result in job losses. The tariffs were imposed as retaliation for legislation enacted in March that took Mexican trucks off American highways, despite the North American Free Trade Agreement's program to let them into the United States.

Iraq	Map of Iraq
IG: Military, KBR at fault in electrocution The Defense Department’s Inspector General has determined that military leaders and a military contractor failed to protect a Green Beret who was electrocuted while showering in his barracks in Iraq.Military blamed in Green Beret electrocution Suicide bomber in mourning council kills 2 Gunmen raided a soft drink factory in Talkif in Northern Iraq and shot dead a worker before running away. On Sunday night, a suicide bomber wearing an explosives belt blew himself up in a funeral killing at least 2 people including a senior officer and wounding 5 in Al Khalidiya near Fallujah Fatal car bombing in Fulluja targets Sunni Arab group 'Poll gains' for Kurdish opposition Goran party says it has dominated the vote in semi-autonomous region's Sulaimaniya. Iraq to Auction Rights to Ten Crude-oil Areas Kurdistan Islamic Union HQ Attacked in Arbil A member of the political bureau of the Kurdistan Islamic Union on Monday said that the union’s headquarters in downtown Arbil city had been attacked by Kurdistan Alliance (KA) supporters. Crime’ or self-defense? Iraq tries to arrest GIs Iraqi commander tries to detain U.S. troops after they fired on insurgents and killed civilians. Deaths in $6.5m Iraq bank robbery Gunmen have killed eight security guards and stolen about $6.5m in cash during a break-in at a bank in central Baghdad Iraq's Kurdish opposition allege poll violations Kurdish opposition groups complained of widespread violations in Saturday's Kurdistan elections but Iraq's electoral commission said voting was largely sound.	Recalling the Downing Street Minutes Ray McGovern on fudging the intel Saturday: 8 Iraqis Killed, 33 Wounded..Sunday: 26 Iraqis Killed, 28 Wounded...Monday: 7 Iraqis Killed, 23 Wounded U.N. backs "alternative" Iraq war reparation schemes U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report released on Monday that he backs the idea of "alternative" solutions to accommodate Iraq's request to reduce its war reparation payments to Kuwait Sticky Bomb Kills Chieftain in Ninewa A chieftain on Monday was killed in Ninewa and his driver was wounded when a sticky bomb attached to their car went off in central Mosul city, a police source said. Gunman Arrested for Attacking Police Patrol in Mosul Why are U.S.-allied refugees still branded as 'terrorists?' Almost every day for three years, prison guards at one of Saddam Husseins most notorious prisons tortured Sami Alkarim. Now, in a cruel twist of fate, the accomplished Iraqi artist is being treated like a terrorist by the U.S., the country where he sought refuge. Blasts hit Baghdad amid Gates visit Iraqi forces raid camp of Iranian exiles US general: Iran working to influence Iraq vote Iraqi Army Takes Control Of Iranian Opposition Camp - Source
Middle East	Map of the Middle East
Click here Updates from Iran as of July 29 'Hamas tunneling near UN facilities' Defense officials: Group working under assumption that the IDF won't target structures in next conflict. 'Nasrallah predicts Israel-Hezbollah war before next spring Egypt refers 26 Hezbollah suspects to trial Egypt's prosecutor general on Sunday officially charged 26 suspects, including two Lebanese and five Palestinians, for spying for the militant group Hezbollah, as well as plotting terrorist attacks and aiding militants in the Gaza strip.	'50 million US Christians back Israel' John Hagee sends Netanyahu message via sattelite from CUFI rally; PM: Your friendship strengthens us. Clinton: Israel to agree to temporary settlement freeze Hamas bars Fatah men from West Bank summit Holland to rethink funding of rights group that slammed IDF in Gaza Following protests by Israel, the Netherlands will reevaluate its funding of a human rights organization that alleged that Israeli troops used Palestinians as human shields in Gaza.
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
Afghan Vice Presidential Candidate Escapes Assassination Attempt 'Divide the Taliban' urges UK Taliban "will not surrender just through force of arms", foreign minister says. Suicide bombers hit Afghan city Afghan Detainee Describes "Completely Wild" Arrest, Interrogation By US Troops Karzai: Afghans want rules for troops changed A confident President Hamid Karzai on Monday offered peace talks to Taliban militants if they renounce violence and called for a new relationship with the West if he wins a second term in next month's presidential election.	Taliban Issues New Code Of Conduct For Fighters "A brave son of Islam should not be used for lower and useless targets. The utmost effort should be made to avoid civilian casualties," the book says. There are now clear guidelines on how the Taliban will treat its prisoners as well. "Whenever any official, soldier, contractor or worker of the slave government is captured, these prisoners cannot be attacked or harmed," it says. Taliban, Afghan Govt. Agree to Cease-Fire in North Local Taliban commander, Afghan govt. agree to cease-fire in northwest province Colombia To Aid U.S. In Taliban Fight
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Pakistan Arrests Cleric Behind Deal With Taliban The Pakistani police on Sunday arrested a pro-Taliban cleric, Maulana Sufi Muhammad, who brokered a peace deal between the government and militants in the Swat Valley that has since faltered Taliban kill Pakistan militia leader: officials	N.C. terror suspect may be in Pakistan Musharraf shuns Pakistan court hearing on misrule Police Officer Is Found Beheaded in Pakistan’s Swat Valley
Asia	Map of Asia
Mob beats Chinese steel factory executive to death Mob beats Chinese steel factory executive to death Thousands of workers had gathered in northeastern rust belt city of Tonghua to protest the takeover of their company and threatened layoffs. Water pollution sickens thousands in north China Kyrgyz head officially re-elected Election officials in Kyrgyzstan announce that incumbent president Kurmanbek Bakiyev has officially won last week's controversial poll. India launches nuclear submarine India's prime minister launches the first nuclear-powered submarine built entirely in the country. Rights groups protest Cambodia 'AIDS colony' US, China pledge 'close cooperation' Nations say they'll work together on issues like climate, free trade, Iran	Bus blast kills 6 paramilitary soldiers in India Seven charged in Papua killings Indonesian police have charged seven people for alleged involvement in a series of deadly shootings at the Freeport gold mine in Papua. Philippines, Muslim rebels agree to resume talks South Korea economy grows 2.3% US concerned over Sri Lankan camps The United States on Monday expressed concern over hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans displaced by war who are currently confined to military-run camps and pledged funds to help their resettlement. IMF approves $2.6bn loan for Sri Lanka Blasts hit Tajikistan ahead of high-profile summit Two small explosions have hit the Tajik capital before a high-profile meeting between the leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia, highlighting security concerns in the impoverished Central Asian nation
Europe	Map of Europe
Chechnya: Five People Killed In Suicide Bomb Attack In Capital ... A suicide bombing at a concert in the Chechen capital kills at least five people and injures several more, officials say.	Spanish barracks hit by car bomb UK economy continues to contract
Africa	Map of Africa
Strike cripples South Africa cities Public services hit in several cities as workers press for salary increases. Nigerian troops surround militant hideout Army troops traded fire with Islamic militants Tuesday and deployed armored vehicles to surround the suspected hideout of a radical Muslim leader accused of orchestrating three days of violence in Africa's most populous nation. Nigerian Forces Shell Mosque As Violence Claims More Than 250 Lives	African Journalists Reject EU-sponsored Observatory A project to create a Pan-African Media Observatory (PAMO), sponsored by the European Union in cooperation with the African union, has been rejected by numerous African journalist organisations. Charles Taylor denies cannibalism Former Liberian leader Charles Taylor denies accusations of cannibalism, during his war crimes trial in The Hague.
The Americas	Map of North America and South America
US turns off electronic billboard in Havana The Obama administration has turned off an electronic sign at the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana that had displayed pro-democracy and human rights messages to Cuban passers-by and riled the government for the past three years. Bolivians resist Iran's search for uranium Iran's worldwide search for uranium to feed its nuclear program has sparked a local revolt in this marshy town in Bolivia's eastern lowlands, whose inhabitants are alarmed by plans to extract radioactive minerals from a nearby mountain. Bolivian officials treat information about the uranium deposits in San Ignacio and other locations in Bolivia as a state secret	Colombia 'bombs Farc jungle camp' Farc camps 'had Swedish weapons' Officials in Sweden investigate reports that Swedish-made weapons have been found in camps of Farc rebels in Colombia. Rocket launchers sold to Venezuela went to FARC... Sweden asks why rebels have weapons it sold to Venezuela... Click here Updates from Honduras as of July 29